| Title |
Excerpt |
Author |
Date |
| Bus routes to be affected by parade |
The City of Asheville has released a list of bus routes altered due to road closings during Saturday’s Holiday Parade. According to the announcement, road closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 21. Here is the route information: Route 1 — Haywood Rd —… |
Brian Postelle |
11/19/09 |
| LSD trial underway in Asheville |
via The Asheville Citizen-Times The trial of a man accused of possessing 6,000 hits of LSD and selling doses at a 2006 String Cheese Incident concert began Wednesday. Undercover officers arrested Benjamin Thomas Schaeffer in a parking lot across from the Asheville Civic Center on the night of the Oct.6… |
Brian Postelle |
11/19/09 |
| U. of Maine column trashes UNCA B-ball |
via The Maine Campus Mike Brusko, sports columnist for University of Maine’s student paper (and U. of Maine football player), has some harsh words regarding UNC-Asheville basketball’s 124-49 loss to Tennessee on Tuesday: Writes Brusko: “I would have called the coach at halftime and told him his program was cut.”… |
Brian Postelle |
11/19/09 |
| WNC Rail Corridor meets to discuss restoring passenger service to Asheville (via Twitter) |
These Twitter dispatches about today’s WNC Rail Corridor meeting come from Asheville Area Chamber Governmental Relations Manager Jeff Joyce (@avlbizvoice): • Headed to Black Mountain for a WNC Rail Corridor meeting at Phil’s BBQ. Working to bring passenger rail back to AVL • WNC Rail Corridor mtg. Group is made… |
Brian Postelle |
11/18/09 |
| Asheville City Council: Keeping a safe distance |
Health Dept. reports on H1N1 Asheville City Market headed to Pack Square It will be up to a new Asheville City Council in a new year to determine what level of protective buffers will be installed around Asheville's streams. That decision by the current Council came at its Nov. 10… |
Brian Postelle |
11/18/09 |
| Greening the painted ladies |
Ashevilleans go gaga over historic architecture and get their geek on when the subject is green technology. But historic homes are notorious energy wasters, and those located in national historic districts like Montford are restricted by national and local guidelines drawn up to ensure architectural conformance to the era in… |
Brian Postelle |
11/18/09 |
| Group vows to put Asheville performing-arts venue back in the spotlight |
Bill Miles, board president of The Performance Center in Asheville, was standing on a Grove Arcade balcony outside the offices of architects Calloway, Johnson, Moore and West on November 12, having just announced that the firm would be joining Boston-based William Rawn Associates in crafting a master plan for the… |
Brian Postelle |
11/18/09 |
| Downtown Master Plan action committee activated |
During the two years it took to draw up the Downtown Master Plan, adopted by Asheville City Council in May, skeptics frequently invoked the specter of other city plans gathering dust on some literal or figurative shelf. That, says project manager Sasha Vrtunski, will not be the fate of the… |
Brian Postelle |
11/18/09 |
| Sam Powers takes on Civic Center |
In an announcement late Friday afternoon, the City of Asheville announced that the directorship of the Civic Center would fall to Economic Development Director Sam Powers. The city has been undergoing a national search for a new Civic Center director since the departure of Sherman Bass in June. Bass held… |
Brian Postelle |
11/16/09 |
| Stereotypd publisher Ira Schultz dies |
via Q-notes: Ira Schultz, Asheville GLBT fixture and publisher of Stereotypd (formerly Out in Asheville), died of a heart attack on Sunday. |
Brian Postelle |
11/16/09 |
| Asheville announces new appointments |
Late Friday afternoon, the City of Asheville announced that direction of the Asheville Civic Center will fall to Economic Development Director Sam Powers. The same announcement formalized the appointment of Scott Burnett as Asheville Fire Chief and repositioned former Assistant to the City Manager Lauren Bradley as Director of the… |
Brian Postelle |
11/13/09 |
| Asheville City Council: Transit in transition |
One week more for Weaverville Route Annexation agreement keeps Asheville and Woodfin out of Leicester City in talks with CTS neighbors over water lines A sweeping overhaul of Asheville's transit system won preliminary support from Asheville City Council at its Oct. 27 meeting, but concrete changes to the routes, fares… |
Brian Postelle |
11/04/09 |
| 4th annual blogger awards are in! |
The results from the SpookyBlogapaloozathon once again tally up the area’s best bloggers and online networkers. The awards were handed out at the Friday, Oct. 30, party at Phil Mechanic Studios. The list of winners, compliled at Blog Asheville, is below. But these weren’t the only winners: Proceeds from the… |
Brian Postelle |
11/03/09 |
| Asheville City Council brief: Oct. 27 meeting |
The Transit Master Plan, developed with the help of an outside consultant, a long list of stake holders and a series of public-input sessions, was adopted by Asheville City Council at its Oct. 27 meeting. But implementation of the plan’s provisions will rely on budget work by city staff and… |
Brian Postelle |
10/29/09 |
| I-26 connector alternative 4B gets back to its roots |
When the Asheville Design Center first proposed Interstate 26 connector Alternative 4B in 2007, the idea was to run the highway beneath Patton Avenue so as to separate highway and local traffic and to allow for a boulevard connection from West Asheville to downtown. But when the North Carolina Department… |
Brian Postelle |
10/28/09 |
| Campaign Calendar |
Wednesday, Oct. 28: Meet and Greet for Asheville City Council candidate Robin Cape, 6:30 p.m., West End Bakery, 757 Haywood Road. Friday, Oct. 30: Get There Asheville early-voting event. Meet at 5 p.m. in Pritchard Park to walk, bike or bus to the polls. Meet-up follows at Asheville Pizza and… |
Brian Postelle |
10/28/09 |
| Asheville City Council preview: Oct. 27 meeting |
Two years in the making, the Transit Master Plan will make its big appearance Tuesday evening. The plan is intended to revamp the city’s bus routes in order to make them more efficient and to increase ridership. See the draft plan here. And while they are at it, Council members… |
Brian Postelle |
10/26/09 |
| Group proposes Riverfront Redevelopment Commission |
On Wednesday, before a room full of residents who own property or businesses along the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers, a study group unanimously voted to pursue a City Council-appointed Riverfront Redevelopment Commission. The work group, helmed by Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy and Buncombe County Board Chair David Gantt, also… |
Brian Postelle |
10/22/09 |
| I-26 connector alternative 4B gets back to its roots |
When the Asheville Design Center first proposed the idea of I-26 connector alternative 4B, the idea was to run the highway beneath Patton Avenue as a way of separating highway and local traffic and to encourage a boulevard connection from West Asheville to downtown (shown in the illustration here, provided… |
Brian Postelle |
10/21/09 |
| Asheville City Council: Hat in Hand |
Montford Commons developer asks city for $9 million loan Reid Center progesses URTV gets 90-day extension while Council explores problems When it was approved in 2007, the Montford Commons development plan earned praise for putting mixed-use development in an area of urban blight and for realizing elements of the city's… |
Brian Postelle |
10/21/09 |
| 2009 Asheville general election voter guide |
In a typical election season, the Xpress voter guide would simply feature the six Council and two mayoral candidates that are on the ballot for the Asheville general election. But things are more complicated this year. Three days after the primary's 7,113 ballots were cast, fourth-place finisher Kelly Miller bowed… |
Brian Postelle |
10/21/09 |
| Campaign Calendar |
Thursday, Oct. 15: Early voting begins for all Buncombe municipal elections at the Buncombe Board of Elections, 189 College St. Wednesday, Oct. 21: Xpress publishes its general election voter guide for the Asheville City Council and mayoral elections. Thursday, Oct. 22: The Council for Independent Business Owners hosts a forum… |
Brian Postelle |
10/21/09 |
| Riverfront Commission considered on Wednesday |
A public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21 will discuss the need for a new city-established Riverfront Redevelopment Commission. If formed, such a commission would make policy recommendations to Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on the development of the city’s river front. The public meeting to consider… |
Brian Postelle |
10/20/09 |
| Blog, vote, party |
Four years in and the Blog Awards are becoming a bona fide Asheville tradition. This year, the big party happens on Friday, Oct. 30, the night before Halloween, earning it the name Spookyblogapaloozananny. The online ballot is up, votes are pouring in and bloggers are already making deals to win… |
Brian Postelle |
10/20/09 |
| Early voting underway |
One-stop voting for the Buncombe County municipal elections began today and runs through Oct. 31. For now, early voting is only operational at the Buncombe County Election Services building at 189 College Street. Sample ballots can be found on the elections services web site here. To see a sample of… |
Brian Postelle |
10/15/09 |
| Asheville City Council brief: Oct. 13 meeting |
At its Oct. 13 meeting, Asheville City Council decided to extend its current contract with public access channel URTV for 90 days while it and the Boards and Commissions Committee look at details in the organization’s management. URTV operates without oversight by the Council, but the city and Buncombe County… |
Brian Postelle |
10/15/09 |
| Progressives ascendent in Asheville primaries |
On Oct. 6, Asheville voters, or at least some of them, narrowed the field of candidates to six council and two mayoral hopefuls who will advance to the general election on Nov. 3. Vote-count leaders Cecil Bothwell, Gordon Smith and Esther Manheimer quickly called the primary results a victory for… |
Brian Postelle |
10/14/09 |
| Domestic bliss? |
During campaign season, people like to say there's a lot riding on an election. Whatever cause supporters can peg to the rise of candidates becomes the biggest thing happening. And the current Asheville City Council race is no exception. But there's one issue in this campaign season that seems to… |
Brian Postelle |
10/14/09 |
| Campaign Calendar |
Results from the Oct. 6 primary election can be found elsewhere in this issue. Wednesday, Oct. 14: Get There Asheville presents a post-primary transportation debate for Asheville City Council and mayoral candidates, 7 p.m. at the Asheville Design Center, 8 College St. The public is invited to submit questions at… |
Brian Postelle |
10/14/09 |
| Croft is in, says BOE |
Ryan Croft, who placed seventh in the Asheville City Council primary last week, will appear on the general ballot in November, the Board of Elections reported today. Croft takes the sixth place on the ballot due to the departure of incumbent candidate Kelly Miller last Friday. Miller left the race… |
Brian Postelle |
10/13/09 |
| Asheville City Council preview: Oct. 13 meeting |
The Montford Commons Urban Village project, approved in 2007, is expected to cost developers about $60 million. But the developers have approached Asheville requesting a public/private partnership in which the city would provide $9 million in public infrastructure for the project. On Tuesday night, Asheville City Council will consider whether… |
Brian Postelle |
10/12/09 |
| CORRECTION: Campaign forum tonight |
The Kenilworth Residents Association forum for Asheville City Council candidates is tonight, Monday, Oct. 12. 7 p.m. at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church. |
Brian Postelle |
10/12/09 |
| A Basilica birthday bash |
Rafael Gustavino gets well-deserved recognition for his architectural accomplishments, especially for his patented arches and domes. And in fact, he is entombed within the domed Basilica St. Lawrence, which he designed and which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. A Century note:The Basilica of St. Lawrence turns 100 this week,… |
Brian Postelle |
10/07/09 |
| RENCI opens doors at Grove Arcade: Computer modeling facility to help educate public and decision-ma |
Walking through the Renaissance Computing Institute's new Engagement Center at the Grove Arcade feels a lot like touring NORAD, minus the nuclear-war part. The ultra-high-tech displays, including wall-sized plasma computer monitors and a Geo Dome (sort of a mini Imax) show maps and computer models of, among other things, weather… |
Brian Postelle |
10/07/09 |
| Campaign Calendar |
The primary election for Asheville City Council candidates wrapped up on Oct. 6, but due to our printing schedule, you won't find results in this issue. Instead, you can find election coverage at http://www.mountainx.com. We will also have primary election coverage in our Oct. 14 print edition. The general election… |
Brian Postelle |
10/07/09 |
| Saturday last day for early voting in Asheville races |
If haven’t made it to Buncombe County Elections Services to cast an early vote in the Asheville City Council and mayoral primary, you have until 1 p.m. on Saturday to get your ballot in during the early voting period. If you can’t make it by then, election day for the… |
Brian Postelle |
10/02/09 |
| Walk your talk on a lunch-time litter stroll |
Who can participate in the Asheville GreenWorks weekly litter walks? “Anyone that is available for an hour in the middle of the day,” says spokesperson Allison McGehee. For the second year, the organization has been hosting the hour-long trash pickups that leave from Pritchard Park at noon every Tuesday. The… |
Brian Postelle |
09/30/09 |
| Asheville City Council: Dogged pursuit |
Family Care homes told to space out No support for drug dogs in parks City signs 911 agreement Third time's a charm. After repeated visits to Asheville City Council, the group Chain Free Asheville succeeded in its goal to ban unattended dog tethering within city limits. At its Sept. 22… |
Brian Postelle |
09/30/09 |
| Campaign Calendar |
Thursday, Sept. 17: Early voting began for the primary election (Asheville only). For details, contact Buncombe County Election Services at 250-4200, or visit http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/election. Wednesday, Sept. 30: Meet and Greet with Asheville City Council write-in candidate Robin Cape, 5-8 p.m., Battery Park Book Exchange, 1 Battle Square. Thursday, Oct. 1:… |
Brian Postelle |
09/30/09 |
| City tells Coleman that Parkside plan is off the table |
An Aug. 12 letter from the City of Asheville's Planning and Development Department to developer Stewart Coleman indicates that his application on file for the seven-story Parkside Condominium project was canceled by his plans for a new tavern. Earlier that month, Coleman had thrown a new twist into the contentious… |
Brian Postelle |
09/30/09 |
| General Manager Subkis to leave WCQS |
Ed Subkis, general manager of WCQS FM 88.1 for 18 years will leave the station Sept. 30, according to an announcement today. In the e-mail, outgoing WCQS Board Chair Lavoy Spooner praises Subkis, calling him “a valuable member of this organization.” “The station and the WNC community have benefited from… |
Brian Postelle |
09/25/09 |
| Asheville City Council brief: Sept. 22 meeting |
In a 5-2 vote, Asheville City Council approved an ordinance banning all unattended tethering of dogs in the city at its Sept. 22 meeting. The ban is effective immediately, but enforcement won’t kick in until 2011. In the meantime, the Asheville Police Department and its Animal Control Services unit will… |
Brian Postelle |
09/24/09 |
| City to Coleman: Tavern plan voids Parkside application |
In August, developer Stewart Coleman added a new twist to the Parkside Condominium controversy by announcing that he will build a tavern and restaurant in the Hayes and Hopson building rather than tear it down to make way for the seven-story condo adjacent to Pack Square Park. At that time,… |
Brian Postelle |
09/23/09 |
| The choice is yours |
Here we go: Three mayoral candidates and nine Council candidates are on the ballot heading into the primaries. Early voting for Asheville's municipal election began on Sept. 17 and runs through Oct. 3, followed by the big day at the polls on Oct. 6. This year's campaign season has already… |
Brian Postelle |
09/23/09 |
| Slavery and Emancipation at Pack Library |
Asheville's history is inextricably tied to the "peculiar institution" of slavery in America. Both the large picture and the local are spotlighted in the exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation" at Pack Memorial Library through Oct. 31. Road to Emancipation: At its opening reception last week, the exhibit… |
Brian Postelle |
09/23/09 |
| Campaign Calendar |
Thursday, Sept. 17: Early voting began for the primary election (Asheville only). For details, contact Buncombe County Election Services at 250-4200, or visit http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/election. Wednesday, Sept. 23: Mountain Xpress publishes its primary voter guide for Asheville Council and mayoral candidates. Thursday, Oct. 1: The South Asheville Rotary Club presents a… |
Brian Postelle |
09/23/09 |
| Asheville City Council preview: Sept. 22 meeting |
So far this year, Asheville City Council has twice heard about a proposed tethering ban as part of its revised animal ordinance. As yet, Council has not agreed to a ban, but the idea is coming back for another try at the Sept. 22 meeting. The law would ban the… |
Brian Postelle |
09/21/09 |
| A moving debate |
“Multimodal transportation.” Get used to that phrase, because it’s sticking around. The movement is on in Asheville to break away from cars-only transportation, and Get There Asheville is at its forefront. The group has already sent out and published online alternative-transportation surveys from candidates for Asheville mayor and City Council.… |
Brian Postelle |
09/17/09 |
| Early voting starts today |
One-stop voting for the Asheville primary election started today, and voters can register and vote at the same time. Those interested in getting a head start on the primary for Asheville’s mayoral and City Council races (no other Buncombe municipalities hold primaries) can head to the Buncombe County Election Services… |
Brian Postelle |
09/17/09 |
| Lincoln exhibit opens on Thursday |
“Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln’s Journey to Emancipation,” will open at Pack Memorial Library on Thursday, Sept. 17, with a special reception hosted by the Center for Diversity Education at UNC-Asheville and Asheville/Buncombe Libraries. The event has been a long-time coming; applications to host the traveling exhibit went out five years… |
Brian Postelle |
09/16/09 |
