Taylor-King tribute? Some kind of wonderful — See REVIEW, Pg. B1
Jane Bunting as Carole King
‘Dirty Dancing’ gala shimmies
Village People stoke the fires of disco era
— See STORY/PHOTOS, Pg. A9
— See REVIEW, Pg. B1
ILLE V E H AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
September 2015
Vol. 11, No. 10
An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com FREE
Funk band shakes downtown
By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Special photos by KARL HINTERKOPF
Bootsy Collins and his funk band (above) were the featured musical act Aug. 1 during Asheville’s first LEAF Downtown Festival. The band’s Saturday night performance packed Pack Square Park with fans. An estimated 15,000 people attended the twoday event, ending Aug. 2. At left, festival attendees walk through kiosks and tents set up with arts, crafts, refreshments and other items. The organizers termed the gala, which is intended to replace the long-running Bele Chere, a big success. The Asheville Police Department noted that no incidents were reported at the festival on either day.
Backing skyrockets for petition to thwart chain store ‘invasion’
From Staff Reports
More than 3,500 people have signed an online petition — as of midday Aug. 25 — at www. change.org that calls for limits on the number of national chain and formula stores seeking to locate in downtown Asheville. In addition, the city is continuing to devise a plan that might keep the chains to a minimum, in an effort to preserve downtown’s
Topless rally turnout falls, but organizer claims victory
eclectic, independent character. The petition signature total skyrocketed 75 percent over the roughly 2,000 people who had signed it about 30 days earlier. “I don’t think we can legally put in a moratorium, at this point,” petition organizer Rebecca Hecht told the Daily Planet in an Aug. 25 telephone interview. Hecht, who owns Adorn hair salon downtown and also is a member of the Asheville Down-
town Commission, noted that she and others have researched further and learned that “there are certain limitations in North Carolina (regarding the legality of outright bans), but there are opportunities to limit chains.” Therefore, Hecht stressed that she and her like-minded compatriots are now seeking limits, rather than a moratorium — or outright ban — on chains. See CHAIN STORES, Page A4
For the fifth consecutive year, a Go Topless rally was held Aug. 23 in downtown Asheville to raise awareness about the unfairness of laws and social stigmas against women baring their breasts in public. Going topless for women has long been legal in Asheville. The rally featured 10 to 12 women who went topless, live music by the Raleigh-based trio The Next Best Thing and brief speeches by rally organizer Jeff Johnson of Huntsville, Ala., and LaDonna Allison of Atlanta. Asheville’s rally was one of dozens of such events planned in cities across the United States and world on Go Topless Day, which is held annually on the Sunday closest to Aug. 26, which is Women’s Equality Day. The topless women — as usual — attracted a swarm of men, who scrambled to have their pictures shot with their arms around the shoulders of the compliant and smiling women. In a decline from last year’s turnout of “several hundred,” roughly 200 people dropped by the event in Pritchard Park, according to a Daily Planet estimate. However, Johnson told the newspaper that, by his own estimate, there were “500 people — coming and going” throughout the rally. Johnson pronounced the rally a success, telling the newspaper in an interview that “it’s like what we said five years ago” that the events would reduce the stigma of women going topless in downtown Asheville, “so we expect the attendance to go down” each year “as people get used to it.” The rally was scheduled for two hours, but a rainstorm about an hour into the event caused its organizers to end it then. Earlier, the rally organizers had discussed the possibility of having the topless women and sympathizers march to the nearby Asheville Police Department, but that idea was scuttled because of the rain. See TOPLESS, Page A7
The Advice Goddess
Amy Alkon
Q: My boyfriend will text if he’s running late, but says texting “isn’t real communication.” He says that if I need to talk, I should call him. I get that anything serious should be discussed via phone. However, we live separately, and sometimes I just want to reach out in a small way with a funny photo or a word or two and get a word or two back.
You Luddite my life
When he doesn’t respond or grudgingly responds a day later, I get more and more hurt and angry and want to break up with him. I know he cares about me. Am I being unreasonable?
— Upset
Want to know the answer?
See ADVICE GODDESS, Page A13
A2 - September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
Holly Jones to seek
Dem nomination for lieut. governor
3 men vying for her commissioners’ seat
From Staff Reports
Buncombe County Commissioner Holly Jones on Aug. 12 announced her plans to run for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. On the heels of Jones’ announcement, Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell noted that he is running for the Democratic nomination for Jones’ Dictrict 1 seat. On Aug 21, two other Democrats, lifelong civil rights activist Isaac Coleman and City Councilman Gordon Smith, announced their bids to run for their party’s nomination for the same commissioners’ post as Bothwell. Coleman, an AfricanAmerican, was a civil rights worker in 1960s Mississippi an Asheville city building inspctor and is now an affordable housing, education and living Holly Jones wage activist. He was chosen last year as one of the “Asheville Living Treasures,” by the nonprofit of the same name. Smith has served on council since 2009 with a focus on job creation, affordable housing, food security, transportation and equality. He is chair of the city’s Housing and Community Development Committee and chair of the four-county Asheville Regional Housing Consortium. As for Jones, she said her announcement to run for office was prompted by what she calls state Republican officials’ intrusion into local government issues and assault on schools and universities. “It’s the heavy hand of big government by the party that says they’re about small government,” she said. “These Republicans are more interested in power than they are in governing. They’ve caused uncertaintly and instability just because they can.” Budget cuts have left “our schools underfunded and our teachers underpaid,” Jones said. “They have cut university funding while raising tuition on the students. They’re shortchanging our children and our future.” Jones, 53, who announced her run before more than 50 supporters at Asheville-Buncombe Technical community college, had
From left are Cecil Bothwell, Isaac Coleman and Gordon Smith. spent 14 years on council and the board of commissioners. Republican incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Forest already has announced he will seek re-election. As for Bothwell’s candidacy, he said in a statement, “I intend to bring the same environmental awareness and civic concern to service on our county commission that I have delivered for my constituents for the past six years.” Bothwell said that his and Jones’ announcements were not coordinated, although he had heard she might be running for state office. “Once I heard she was officially running, I figured it was time to announce,” he said. His brief campaign announcement highlights his “advocacy of sustainable energy solutions, defense of civil liberties and advocacy for forward-looking transportation and transit planning.” Bothwell, an Illiniois native, has lived in Buncombe County for 35 years. He previously served as a writer and editor for the weekly Mountain Xpress. In 2008, he ran unsuccessfully for commissioner. The next year he won his first election and joined City Council. In other recent local election matters, Holly Shriner announced Aug. 10 that she is withdrawing from the race for a seat on Asheville City Council, citing health problems. Shriner also is the vice chair of the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission. Shriner declined to provide details on her health, but said her condition could be treated. Also, local media reported that the top fundraising candidates in the council race are Vice Mayor Marc Hunt, the lone incumbent in a field of 15; environmental nonprofit director Julie Mayfield; and defense attorney Corey Atkins. By June 30, Hunt, Mayfield and Atkins had raised a combined total of more than $50,000.
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Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015 - A3
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A4 - September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
Chain stores
Continued from Page A1 The petition was prompted by the recent announcement that Anthropologie, an Urban Outfitters subsidiary, will be locating on North Lexington Avenue, just south of Lexington Avenue Brewery. The national retail chain Urban Outfitters created an uproar when it located in downtown more than six years ago, in the former CVS pharamacy. The response to Anthropolie by independent downtown businesses was to keep downtown local. In the Aug. 25 interview, Hecht said that, based on what she knows now, “let’s completely ban the word ‘ban’” in the chain store discussion. Instead, “let’s talk about creating a balanced downtown.” She added that her aspiration is to “strike a balance downtown, having what we have (now) in chain stores,” while “encouraging independent, vibrant businesss. She noted that a subcommittee meeting of Asheville Downtown Commission was held Aug. 24 to address the threat of national chain stores taking over the downtown area. “We wanted to bring shareholders to the table,” she said. About nine or 10 people were present, including ADC members, city staff, merchants and one concerned citizen, Hecht noted. The meeting resulted in “homework” to be done between city staff and others at the meeting. That “homework” includes looking at other nearby cities, such as Chapel Hill, N.C. (with its heralded Franklin Street), and Charleston, S.C. (with its fashionable King Street), to see how the chain store issue was handled — and the successes and failures that ensued.
“We also discussed deed restrictions that propertyowners” could obtain to keep out chain retailers. Also, “we discussed trying to make small-business resources better advertised,” so they can compete with chains. Another ADC subcommittee meeting will be Rebecca Hecht held in September, but no date had been set as of the Daily Planet’s press deadline. Hecht also said a “community meeting” will be held to address the issue of an impending chain store invasion of downtown, but no date had been set for that meeting either, as of the Daily Planet’s deadline. Meanwhile, Citizen-Times columnist John Boyle wrote on July 26 that “I’m here to tell you more development is coming. Asheville is hot right now, and that’s not going to stop. People need to be aware of what’s coming and what they can do to shape it, but they’ve also got to be willing to give a little.” Boyle quoted from an AC-T news story in which Marylou Marsh-Sanders, who owns a clothing store downtown, said, “Once one chain weasels their way in, more will follow. Once that happens, how will you ever be able to come back to what it used to be? After everyone pioneered and worked and fought to make downtown Asheville what it is today, all of it could be wiped away if we aren’t cafeful. We’ve got to hold onto that. There has to be a way.” On a wry note, Boyle then concluded his column by asserting, “I’d note that JC Penney, Belk, Bon Marche, Woolworth’s and other chain retailers anchored downtown for decades, but I don’t want a fight on my hands.”
Confederate flag (flown over downtown) taken down; triggers a flap
From Staff Reports A United States flag had been flying atop a 190-foot-high construction crane in downtown Asheville for about a week, but someone without the authority to do so climbed up the crane on Aug 15 in the late afternoon — and replaced the Stars and Stripes with the Confederate battle flag. After flying for the weekend over politically liberal Asheville’s skyline, the battle flag was taken down Aug. 17, as people working in an office building near the construction of a $20 million Marriott hotel noticed the sudden change in flags. The Marriott site, which is locked and only managers have keys, is at 10 Broadway St., at the College Street crossing. The 132-room, nine-story lodging is scheduled to open in summer 2016. The incident caused a flap, including calls and complaints in the city that claims to be North Carolina’s most poltically and socially liberal, progressive and eclectic. In the aftermath, Yates Construction, the crane’s owner, said pictures are now available on the person who trespassed. Police provided five still pictures they said
had been taken from a video camera on a neighborning parking deck. Yates reported the trespassing incident to the Asheville Police Department and is offering a $1,000 reward that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who trespassed. Yates spokesman Kenny Bush noted that his firm does business throughout the Southeast and the nation — and forbids display of the battle flag. He denied that any employee was responsible. “I just happened to look at it and said, ‘That’s not right,’” Jason Holland, one of the people who noticed the change, told local news media. Holland said he sent a message — asking if they knew about it — on Twitter to Marriott, the city and two City Council members. He also called the crane’s operator, Yates Construction company. Holland spoke to several people at the Mississippi-based company. “I told them this is a pretty progressive community and that having the highest flag flown in Asheville being the Confederate flag is going to cause some attention.” A worker eventually climbed up and pulled down the flag, replacing it with the U.S. flag.
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A6 - September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
Tourism spending in Buncombe skyrockets to $2.1B over 14 years By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
The economic impact of tourism in Buncombe County (including Asheville) — estimated at $2.1 billion in 2014— has almost doubled over the past 14 years, Stephanie Brown, executive director of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, told the Council of Independent Business Owners on Aug. 14. Brown called it the “ch-ching effect.” She made the announcement during an early-morning CIBO issues meeting that drew a near-full-house turnout at Chickfil-A restaurant in North Asheville. Eighty to 100 people attended, CIBO officials said. On a separate matter, City Manager Gary Jackson provided an update on staffing changes for the City of Asheville. Jackson began his presentation on staffing changes by noting, “Yes, we’ve had a couple of retirements and we’re shifting some things around at City Hall... I feel like I’m filling out the roster — like the Atlanta Braves,” a Major League baseball team. He then introduced and spoke briefly about four new department leaders, including Police Chief Tammy Hooper, Water Resources Director Jade Dundas, Permitting and Inspections (interim) Director Jason Nortz and Planning, and Zoning Director Todd Okolichany. Meanwhile, in her tourism report, Brown reviewed tourism statistics for Asheville and Buncombe and discussed funding and priorities. “I’m sure everyone here knows how the tourism bureau was formed,” she told the CIBO audience. During that time, tourists spent less than $2 million per year, Brown noted. “Now, the total impact from tourists spending is over $2 billion per year. While tourism spending has increased 98 percent in Buncombe in 14 years, she said the state average was 68 percent. With a note of pride, Brown said “Buncombe County was the best” in the state in achieving tourism spending growth. The TDA’s efforts affect 3.3 million people in Buncombe, she said. “The average stay is about two nights. In total, Buncombe County welcomed about 9.8 million visitors” last year. “So, on average, that’s 27,000 people visiting the county every day.” Brown added, “Theoretically, if that (tourism economic impact) didn’t exist, that’d be $1,200 per person in extra taxes” to cover the county’s operating budget. “From a jobs perspective, tourism is supporting about 25,000 jobs,” she said.
Sunday, Sept. 20th Pastor Larry Hinson of the original Southern gospel group, the Hinsons, will be in concert at Fruit of Labor Worship Center, located on 611 Emmas Grove Road, Fairview, N.C.
Service times are 10:30 am and 6:00 pm
For more information, contact Pastor Willie Warren at 713-3822
The year “2014 was our best year, from a tourism persective. And (last) October was our best month ever.” In speaking of Buncombe tourism, Brown noted, “We used to be just an October place. Then, also a July place. Aside from January and February, we’re seeing growth across all months.” Further, she said, “Even Charleston (S.C) and Savannah (Ga.) have more business travelers than us. Here in Asheville, in 2013, it was 92 percent, and in 2014, 86 percent. So we’re mostly leisure. So midweek has always been the challenge.” Prior to the current time period, Brown said, “2007 was our previous watermark... Right now we’ve got about 1,700 new (hotel) rooms in the development pipeline. That’s almost a 25 percent increase in supply. That’s really unprecedented... I don’t know of anyone else who is dealing with that level of increase in their markets. She then said that that figure tops even Santa Monica, Calif., Charleston and Savannah. “Our challenge is to absorb these new rooms” — and, to do that, “we need to increase room rentals by 6 percent per year for six consecutive years,” she said. “Many of you have asked me about the occupancy tax increase... It’ll be considered by our county commissioners in September,” Brown said. “That’s about a quarter-million dollars that will generate about $3M.” During a question-and-answer session that followed, CIBO member Mac Swicegood said, “Wonderful presentation... But if I were a visitor to an area where the transportation system is torn up ... with all these interstates being worked on... What’s your organization doing to make a visit favorable, versus just a traffic jam?” Brown replied, “We’re partnering with the airport board and any kind of transportation” board to make improvements. Another thing is destination management. We need to figure out how to preserve the character of downtown.... We’re working on a list of priorities.”
Faith Notes Send us your faith notes
Please submit items to the Faith Notes by noon on the third Wednesday of each month, via email, at spirituality@ashevilledailyplanet.com, or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490. Submissions will be accepted and printed at the discretion of the editor, space permitting. To place an ad for a faith event, call 252-6565.
Wednesday, Sept. 2
FINANCIAL PEACE COURSE, 5:45 p.m., Room 205, Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St., Asheville. Through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, a class to “learn God’s way of handling money” will be offered on Wednesdays, Sept. 2-Oct. 28. Class leader will be the Rev. Julie Wilburn Peeler and Central’s accountant, Leslie McCreary. The cost of the kits is $93 and includes a lifetime membership to the FPU website. Cost of admission to the course is $93 per couple or single. To register, call 253-3316, or visit www.centralumc.org/events.
Saturday, Sept. 5
STEPHEN CURTIS CHAPMAN CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, 1028 George Road, Franklin. Steven Curtis Chapen will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $25, $30 and $35, visit www.greatmountainmusic.come/eventdetail, or call (866) 273-4615.
Sunday, Sept. 13
HOMECOMING, 11 a.m., West Canton Baptist Church, 75 Lowe St. (off Old Clyde Road), Canton. The church will hold a homecoming, celebrating its 100th birthday. The service will be followed by a covered-dish dinner. CONCERT-WORKSHOP, 12:30-3 p.m., Unity of the Blue Ridge, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River. In the first of two days of programs,
JOHN NORTH Publisher Phone: (828) 252-6565 • Fax: (828) 252-6567 Mailing address: P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 Website: www.ashevilledailyplanet.com E-mail the following departments:
News: news@ashevilledailyplanet.com Letters to the Editor: letters@ashevilledailyplanet.com Display Advertising: advertising@ashevilledailyplanet.com Classified line ads: classads@ashevilledailyplanet.com Circulation: circulation@ashevilledailyplanet.com Publisher: publisher@ashevilledailyplanet.com
To subscribe to the Asheville Daily Planet, send check or money-order to: P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490 One-year local subscription (Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., only)..............................$35 One-year out of area subscription (outside of Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., but inside the United States).........................................................$50 One-year outside U.S. subscription (outside U.S.)..................................................................................$100 Copyright 2011 by Asheville Daily Planet. Advertising copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. The Asheville Daily Planet is available free throughout Western North Carolina. Limit one copy per person. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 per copy, payable at the ADP office in advance. No person may, without prior permission, take more than one copy of each issue.
Monday, Sept. 14
CONCERT-WORKSHOP, 7-9:30 p.m., Unity of the Blue Ridge, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River. Charley Thweatt will offer a workshop titled “The Heart of A Course In Miracles.”
Wednesday, Sept. 16
SPIRITUAL ASCENSION PRESENTATION, 7-8:30 p.m., Unity of the Blue Ridge, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River. “Spiritual Ascension – What Is It Really?” will be addressed by Alice McCall, who is billed as “a noteworthy spiritual ascension specialist.” She has led group work on the subject since 2009, and is a frequent guest on talk shows to share her expertise on the subject. Attendees will learn about the next steps Alice McCall forward on their spiritual ascenscion path. The event will include “powerful guided inner work to enhance your personal vibration – an important step in the ascension process,” Unity noted. McCall, who holds a bachelor’s of science in psychology, an MBA and is a certified hypnotist, is a cellular level healing consultant, inspirational speaker, author, and spiritual growth teacher.
Covenant Reformed
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 281 Edgewood Rd. • Asheville, N.C. 28804 Published monthly by Star Fleet Communications Inc.
Charley Thweatt will offer a concert and workshop titled “Love Remains.” The biggest influences on Thweatt’s spiritual path have been Unity, “A Course In Miracles” and seven years of touring with Alan Cohen’s workshops and retreats. He also has been the musical opener for such other luminaries as Wayne Dyer, Marianne William- Charley Thweatt son, Deepak Chopra, Ram Dass and Louise Hay. Thweatt has appeared on national television and radio with his songs, with such titles as “You’re an Angel,” “Take Your Power Back” and “Dancers in the Light.”
828-253-6578
www.covenantreformed.net Wednesday— 7 p.m. Prayer/Bible Study Sunday— 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship • 6 p.m. Worship
Celebration Services 11 AM Sunday
Unity Church of Asheville An Informal Spiritual Center of Practical Christianity for Everyday Living.
Bookstore Meeting Rooms
130 Shelburne Road West Asheville 252-5010 www.unityofasheville.com
In her practice she works with the mind, emotion, and spiritual connection to the body at the cellular and sub-atomic levels. For more information, visitwww.WellnessWisdomHealing. com
Advertise your church on this page
@ $10 per month
If interested, e-mail us at
advertising@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com ... or call 252-6565. Unity Center
A Church Family for ONE and ALL Come as you are! Sunday Services Sunday Services 10:00 a.m 9:30am & 11:00am Serving WNC for 60 years
891-8700 / 684-3798
2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd. Mills River 28759 Rev. Chad O’Shea
www.unitync.net
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015 - A7
Topless
Continued from Page A1 The only ruckus during the rally occurred when Allison said during her brief address that people should not be telling others what to do, asking, “Where does it end?” Specifically, she cited the “uproar over the rebel flag,” in a reference to the current movement to ban the display of the Confederate battle flag in public places across the South based on the belief that it automatically connotes racism. To the contrary, Allison said, to her and those she knows, it simply stands for Southern pride and heritage — and that they like the flag while being opposed to racism. That comment prompted shouts of anger and disagreement from several rally attendees, including some who are African-Americans, who contended that the display of the Confederate battle flag was racist and offensive. Allison expressed her disagreement, asserting, “It (the flag) doesn’t hurt anyone.” Moreoever, she held her ground and did not allow herself to be shouted down, asking again, “Where does it end?” where others tell people what to do, relating that question to the issue of toplessness for women. “My breasts have killed no one,” she noted. After her speech, Allison told the Daily Planet that she was “not surprised” to hear opposition to the Confederate battle flag from those at a rally in downtown Asheville. She reiterated that “I’m against society telling people what to do.” She added, “As far as taking it (the flag) down — that’s like erasing history.” Meanwhile, Johnson, the rally organizer, said in his address that toplessness for women in public was first allowed in Asheville in 1873. In 1970, he said North Carolina was the first state in the nation to allow toplessness by both men and women — and that legislation was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1973. Johnson lambasted Asheville City Council for trying “to stop this kind of thing for the last 16 years.” He said Montana “looked at it (banning female toplessness in public) for one day — and decided they couldn’t do it.” Johnson then reiterated, “Asheville City Council tried to stop it, but there’s no way to stop it. There’s never been any harm in that (female toplessness), period. “Anyway, that’s a brief history... Asheville Cty Council in 5,000 to 6,000 days” will determine “that it should be legal. “I ask the women here — should you be in control of your own breasts. I say, ‘yes!’ Tell Raleigh,” Johnson said in reference to the state General Assembly. Further, he asserted, “I can’t find one example of damage (to anyone) from exposure to a female breast.” Johnson said “some” of the police “don’t like toplessness.” If anyone at the rally had a topless problem with the police in the future, he asked that he be notified via Facebook at GotopfreeJeffJohnson and that he would make sure that that person gets legal help. After his speech, Johnson took another jab at City Council during an interview with the Daily Planet, noting, “It’s time they (council)
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Daily Planet staff photos
At left, rally organizer Jeff Johnson huddles under an umbrella with two of the Go Topless event’s participants, while before a rainstorm at the rally a participant flashes a smile. backed the women... Let the women win because they’re going to win anyway.” Johnson also said, “I suspected (there would be) a media blackout” on the Go Topless rally in Asheville. “I suspected they’d ask the media not to say anything” about it. When asked who is “they,” Johnson re-
plied, “Asheville City Council.” However, he praised Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer because she “has started to say the same stuff I’ve said” that the city will “have to follow the 14th Amendment.” Sandra Meares, one of the popular young topless women at the rally and a resident of
Northern Alabama, told the Daily Planet that she had been downtown the entire weekend, walking around topless, and had had “more problems with women than with men. “I think it’s more about jealousy” with women opponents. However, as for the men, “It’s just about boobs, not sex,” Meares said.
A8 — August 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
Sports Commentary
Eagles fans search for higher influence
Tank Spencer is the host of a weekly sports talk show, “The Sports Tank,” on Asheville’s News Radio WWNC (570AM) that airs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Spencer also serves as WWNC’s news anchor, reporter and afternoon producer. This column features posts from his blog. • The following was posted Aug. 11: Superstition is a sports fan’s best friend and enemy. To effect the right amount of ju-ju for their teams some people wear the same jersey every game, some fans have to sit in their “lucky spot” on the couch or in the stadium, some fans need to eat the same foods week-to-week, etc. It is one of the most asinine quirks of sports. To think that, as a fan, your superstition has any bearing on the outcome of the game, is just sad. However, Philadelphia Eagles fans may have found the loophole. Some Philadelphia Eagles fans have started a petition on change.org to get Pope Francis to bless the knees of oft-injured quarterback Sam Bradford when he visits the city in September. Now if you are not religious, this superstition will seem as dumb as the rest. I, however, am a believer in the power of prayer. If the pontiff will give the fans what they want, it might have an impact. Miracles do happen and that may be the only thing that will keep Bradford healthy. Especially seeing as how since 2010 Bradford played just two full seasons and missed the entirety of 2014. His left knee has been reconstructed twice in that time. On Sept. 27, the pope will give a mass in Philadelphia. That’s Week 3 of the season. Six weeks is a long time for Eagles fans to hold their breath, but if they’ll try, I know we’ll all be better for it. If, for some reason, The Vicar of Christ doesn’t find this cause worthy of a blessing... I wonder what the Eagles fans will choose to throw at him. If the blessing is given and Bradford stays healthy, then Pope Francis may have his miracle needed for sainthood. The following was posted June 2, 2014:
PC police taking over sports, too?
The PC police are in full outrage mode these days and the sports world is not immune. This is not another Donald Sterling article, but that case clearly falls into that category. This past week two athletes received heavy criticism over things they said to the media, neither of which were important – nor worthy of the vast amount of backlash and vitriol. Our sense of what IS important or worth raising our blood pressure appears to have diminished to next
Tank Spencer to nothing. The first occurrence was Latvian tennis player Ernests Gulbis speaking to the media during the French Open. He was asked about the tennis careers of his sisters. He quickly replied he hoped his sisters didn’t choose to become tennis pros. He said, “I wouldn’t like my sisters to become professional tennis players. It’s tough choice of life.” “A woman needs to enjoy life a little bit more. Needs to think about family, needs to think about kids.” “It’s tough for a woman, I think.” It’s that last part that no one has paid attention to. Typically when you have an opinion about something, you’re not ordering someone else to do anything. It’s amazing the number of irrational, feminist males that took to the message boards and social media blasting Gulbis for thinking that starting and maintaining a family while staying competitive in an athletic world would be harder for the mother than the father. The knee-jerk “women can do anything a man can do and damn you for saying otherwise” reaction is not only irrational, it’s false. If it was true, women’s sports would be much more profitable. The second “butt-hurt moment of the week” came when Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz responded to being hit by a pitch from Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price. Ortiz said after the game “it’s war.” This started (as Pete Kaliner says) the wheel of the perpetually offended spinning. Even J.P., whose service to our country in the U.S.M.C. is to be commended, had a knee-jerk reaction, saying Ortiz shouldn’t try to compare a game to actual war. I recommend we put all our Amelia Bedelia books away and think logically. Ortiz’s statement in no way likened getting hit by a pitch to being bombed in Fallujah. I hope these same people who took offense have never jokingly said “this means war” when they have been wronged in some way. I hope they’ve never played a game of “Tug of War” or the card games “War” or “Tegwar.”** The offended surely have never listened to “Love Is A Battlefield” and not been offended or uttered the words “he’s battling at the plate” or said someone “lost the battle but won the war” when referencing something trivial. Get a grip people. • ** If you’re unfamiliar with the card game Tegwar... see “Bang The Drum Slowly” (1973) starring Robert DeNiro.
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Turnout more than triples for 6th Dirty Dancing gala
From Staff Reports
LAKE LURE —For many an attendee, it was, as the song goesm “The Time of My Life.” Indeed, the 6th Annual Dirty Dancing Festival — an homage Aug. 14-15 to the classic film that was partially filmed at Lake Lure — drew a turnout of an estimated 3,500 people, according to Michelle Yelton, a festival spokewoman. That attendance more than tripled the 1,000-person turnout recorded at last year’s celebration, she told the Daily Planet on Aug. 15 afternoon. On Aug. 14, a Friday night, the film “Dirty Dancing,” featuring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, was shown for free — under the stars — on a huge inflatable screen in Morse Meadows. Many of the attendees brought picnics and lawnchairs or blankets. Others bought food that was available for purchase at the event. The low-budget 1987 romantic drama film with no major stars earned $214 million worldwide by 2009, became a massive box office hit and has spawned a cult of fans. On Aug. 14, a series of dance lessons were offered from dawn to dusk, under a big tent. Among the themes for the various lessons were “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Stay,” “Love Man,” “Do You Love Me” and “The
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015 — A9
Time of My Life.” Meanwhile, live bands played music under another big tent, where many couples danced to the music, while others sat and watched the action from bleachers that flanked each side of the dance floor. In addition, a spirited shag dance competition was held, with the judges asking for the crowd’s vote via applause. Daily Planet staff photos The host, who servd as The Asheville Ballet re-enacted the final scene of the film “Dirty Dancing” — much to the disk jockey and introduced crowd’s delight. In photo above to the right, fans were invited to join the dancers on the floor. the bands, was Harry Turner, a music historian, author, public speaker and promoter of original American rock and roll, rhythm and blues and Carolina beach music. He has a 23-year background in radio and was twice voted “Beach Music Radio DJ of the Year.” His best-known book is “This Magic Moment — Musical Reflections of a Generation.” Turner is president of the Beach Music Association International. There also were a lake lift competition, children’s games and clothing and food vendors. A highlight was a re-enactment of the final scene of “Dirty Dancing” by Asheville Ballet that drew a standing ovation. Among the beach music groups that performed were the Night Move Band, the Clay Brown Band and The Flashbacks.
‘Dirty Dancing’ remake ‘up in the air;’ ‘Masterminds’ release delayed, again
From Staff Reports
A proposed Lionsgate remake for television of the movie “Dirty Dancing” — to be filmed in the Asheville area — was abrupty canceled July 30, but the producers claim that they remain “up in the air” over the project and declined to rule out its filming at some point in the future Lionsgate was one of three recipients in April from an initial $10 million state grant program, which replaced a more generous tax credit program that lawmakers eliminated last year. The “Dirty Dancing” cancelation frees up $4 million that can go to other projects. The N.C. Department of Commerce is giving film and TV producers until Aug. 7 to apply for the aforementioned grant funds. Despite the cancelation and return of the funds, Lionsgate producers said they “still hae a very strong interest in being here,” but the timing of the “Dirty Dancing” proj-
ect is “still somewhat up in the air.” In a second film-related project with a local connection, the release date for “Masterminds,” a major motion picture filmed in the Asheville area last year has been delayed again, Variety magazine reported in mid-August. “Masterminds” orginally was scheduled for release in August, but in July the production company Relativity Media pushed the release date from August to October. But now the release has been delayed again because of financial turmoil with the company. As for the “Dirty Dancing” TV remake, Lionsgate had planned to create 1,300 jobs and spend $16 million in the Asheville area this summer as it filmed the three-hour special, which was scheduled to air on ABC. However, a requirement of the grant is that projects must be able to begin filming within 100 days,” which caused the cancelation of the “Dirty Dancing” project because it had been put on hold by the studio.
Because he’ll be careful with your money. WWW.BALANCEFORASHEVILLE.COM Paid for by the Committee to Elect Carl Mumpower
A10 — September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
The Daily Planet’s Opinion
1st LEAF downtown fest scores hit
T
he debut of LEAF Community Arts Festival in Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville merits praise, as its attendance made it — almost — record-setting in the city’s annals. The two-day event, beginning Aug. 1, drew about 15,000 people on the opening day and night. That total tops the estimated 12,000 people this year for the Downtown Association’s annual Fourth of July celebration. It also leaves in the dust the 5,000 to 6,000 people who typically attend the monthly Downtown After 5 outdoor concerts. Reportedly, vendors as well as attendees were happy with the LEAF downtown festival, with observers praising the quality of the performance by the organizers, that it was
a free event and the talent level of the musical bands. Moreover, the Asheville Police Department also spoke positively of the event, noting that no incidents were reported at the festival on either day. There were, however, some complaints about a drone that hovered directly overhead and zooming closer and closer to the crowd during Saturday night’s concert. Fortunately, there were no injuries as a result of the drone’s presence, but maybe some regulations need to be considered so as to protect privacy and public safety. We join others in expressing our gratitude to Jennifer Pickering, executive director and founder of LEAF, who has shown amazing leadership ability over the years — and also to her capable LEAF staff.
Worrying about the bombastic Trump CHAPEL HILL — What did Hillary Clinton tell Donald Trump when he invited her to his wedding? She said, “I will come to the wedding if you promise to run for president.” This joke from Winston-Salem’s Steve Porter made me laugh, and it reminded me that we owe Donald Trump a thank you. Why? He has got us interested in politics again. His presence on the political scene requires us to think seriously about what qualities we most want in our country’s president and those we most want our president not to have. For me, I want a president who is calm, thoughtful, careful, and respectful of the ideals and objectives of others, both friends and enemies. I want someone who knows that moving forward requires compromises as well as advocacy. Trump does not measure up to my ideal. But many Americans do not agree with me. They think we need a leader with supreme self-confidence, someone who sweeps away the doubt and can promise to clean up the messes, get things done, and plow through anybody or anything that gets in the way. Democrats now celebrating the disruption and turmoil that Trump creates for the Republican establishment may find that Trump is a bomb that could blow up in their faces, too. Trump’s machine-gun-like attacks on Sen. John McCain, Fox TV’s Megyn Kelly, and others may ultimately bring him down. His tough-talking arrogance may wear thin with the public. His unwillingness to rule out a third party candidacy may cost him support of Republicans who are loyal party people. If Trump is pushed into a third party candidacy, some Democrats would still be smiling, remembering, they think, how Ross Perot’s third party candidacy in 1992 pulled away enough votes from President George H.W. Bush to make Bill Clinton’s victory possible. If not, and Trump becomes the Republican nominee, some Democrats think that his erratic behavior and his hard-line, simplistic, controversial, bombastic, and conflicting stands on issues would assure their nominee a victory in 2016. There is a problem with this way of thinking. The American people sometimes prefer non-traditional leaders, even those so far out of the mainstream that regular politicians
D.G. Martin laughed at their chances. For instance, Raleigh’s conservative publisher and commentator Bernie Reeves, quoted in the American Thinker magazine’s blog, compared the main street media’s coverage of Trump to “the condescending criticism dished to Reagan in 1981. The Donald is characterized as an egotistical real estate billionaire; in 1980, Reagan as a third-rate BMovie actor. The Donald says build that wall (to curb illegal immigration) while Reagan said ‘tear down that wall’ that spelled the end of Soviet communism. The Donald says he will undo Obamanomics while Reagan said he would cut taxes and spending. Is history repeating itself?” Reeves continues, “Trump is a valid contender for not being intimidated by politically correct blowback like the other candidates. He represents extreme change, what Americans want as fast as possible. “Another similarity between Trump and Reagan: they both gained traction in reaction to a Democrat president who weakened America, Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.” While I disagree with Reeves, his finger may be closer than mine to the pulse of an important segment of American voters. Progressive citizens in Minnesota had to get used to the bombastic and victorious Jesse Ventura as their governor. In California, they had to accept the leadership of blustering bodybuilding actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Bernie Reeves might argue that Ventura, Schwarzenegger and Reagan turned out to be better choices than the traditional politicians who opposed them and that Trump would, similarly, be a better president than his more traditional opponents, both Republicans and Democrats, in the 2016 presidential contest. I do not agree. But Reeves and Trump have got me worried. • D.G. Martin hosts “North Carolina Bookwatch,” which airs at 9:30 p.m. Fridays and at 5 p.m. Sundays on UNC-TV.
Letters to the Editor
City’s use of candidate Hunt as spokesman questioned
On July 29 and/or 30, a story broke focusing on the problem of people urinating in the city parking decks. The story was carried on WLOS (television) and in the Asheville Citizen-Times and perhaps other media. What I don’t understand is why Vice Mayor (Marc) Hunt was the city spokesperson on WLOS and was quoted in the Citizen-Times on this issue. This is election time and Vice Mayor Hunt is a candidate. Since name recognition is a key factor in an election, when the city management and media give Vice Mayor Hunt opportunities to be quoted as spokesman for the city, this does not create a level playing field for the other candidates. Further, the city has a director of communication and public engagement, Dawa Hitch.....why does the city need to pay for that job if Vice Mayor Hunt is the spokesperson for the city? My experience has been that when the
city manager and mayor want to pass the buck, they refer your questions about city operations to the director of communication and public engagement. If other candidates have opinions about this, I hope they will speak up. Ken Michalove 2015 Candidate for City Council Asheville EDITOR’S NOTE: Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer responded as follows: “Ken — the comments were made during a City Council meeting.”
Conservative candidates for council miss a chance
Asheville’s conservative City Council candidates missed a major opportunity which Reagan and perhaps even Palin would not have missed; and that is the supply side cause of Asheville’s outrageous rents. Instead (at an Aug.19 forum), Williams, Miall and Michalove blamed high rents on taxes while Mumpower avoided the issue, but spent his time well on the watchdog role. See LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, Page A11
The Candid Conservative
Vigorously losing our way – Part II
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” — Buddha
O
The Problem
ne of the first discoveries for all newly elected officials is the illusive nature of truth. Though usually promised unimpeded information access, the all-too-frequent reality is a collision with mankind’s remarkable capacity to confuse, discard or deny. Any official worth his or her salt digs and scratches for truth. Most don’t. John Q. Citizen suffers the same impediment with even greater constraints. Surrounded by lies and pretense, it’s easy to surrender to the recliner and the simplicity of blue or red myopia. Culturists – as in people who have a vested interest in preserving the best of who we are – resist the temptation of mental autopilot. If you’re part of this select few, here’s a little more flashlight action on some potholes worth Whistle Blower dodging.
Government is your friend
Consider the capacities and limitations of gasoline. Contained in a car’s tank, gas fuels the motors making America the most mobile society on the planet. Pour that same gas on the ground and toss a small match and you have a recipe for a forest fire. Restrained and well-managed government can do good things. Unfortunately, like anger, government tends to corrode the container that holds it. There are reasons. The No. 1 mission of all governments is self-protection – everything else comes later. Control thus becomes an inevitable addiction growing until it collapses under its own weight. Good governance is consequently small governance. The key to that equation is a focus on accountability over control. Holding people accountable creates real impediments to wrong. Unfortunately, our current governance culture is largely indifferent to the crucial difference in rule creation and rule enforcement. The former creates a lot of lather, but it’s the latter that
Carl Mumpower
cuts the beard. Consider illegal immigration and illegal drugs. We’ve lost both of these social struggles because in neither case have we truly fought to win. Holding the people accountable – employers and users – who fund mass importation of people and drugs would stop these social self-destruction pacts in their tracks. People are abandoning their home countries because they can get a better deal here. No problem with that except it should happen per rule of law – not at the hand of Chamber of Commerce-protected crony capitalists gaming the system. Employers who can easily be fined and otherwise punished for exploiting a cheap and exploitable labor pool would back down quickly when economic risk starts knocking on their door. These same people rarely evade payroll taxes because Uncle Sam tolerates illegal labor but stomps the mud out of those attempting to steal his booty. Regrettably, drug addicts will not be stopped by stepped up enforcement. What will stop is the recruitment of new addicts. Need a model? In most Scandinavian countries it is very rare for anyone to drink and drive – the consequences are so immediate and dramatic that no one dares. Drug advocates and illegal alien enthused employers need not worry. Our government will continue to surrender on both of these issues. It’s too busy growing itself to protect us.
Christianity Doesn’t Matter
Secularism continues to make dramatic inroads into America’s psyche. Through the subtle manipulations of false Christians and more direct attacks by those who worship man, pleasure, government and other modern equivalents of the “Golden Calf,” America’s spiritual heritage is being successfully assaulted. See CANDID CONSERVATIVE, Page A14
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015 — A11
Commentary
GOP blamed for N.C.’s slide from greatness
W
hen Volvo chose South Carolina as the site for its first U.S. assembly plant, I wondered why. I knew Gov. Pat McCrory wanted that plant for North Carolina more than he wanted a smarter lawyer. So I put my research hat on, and there it was, at WTOC (Savannah, Ga.) online: “According to Volvo, they chose Berkeley County, which is right outside of Charleston (S.C.), because of their access to ports, they have a well-trained labor force, and have experience in the high-tech manufacturing sector.”
Letters
Continued from Page A10
The conservatives aren’t completely wrong about taxes being passed through to rents, and this is often unknown to tenants, but it is at most 10 percent of the cause. The main culprit are regulations like unit density limits, residential height limits, setbacks, single-family zoning and parking requirements — and Reagan knew the solution; deregulate. The Asheville housing market is a rare example of where supply-side conservatives are completely right and where a free market would help poor tenants immensely, at the expense of liberal elite homeowners who now even include Simerly, but Asheville’s conservative candidates are failing to drive home the point because, with the possible exception of Williams, they don’t represent poor tenants either. Also, it’s easy to point to conservative Biltmore Forest to show that conservatives don’t normally put free markets before class interests, since you don’t see high-rise condo developers working there, either. Williams has no excuse except perhaps that her business isn’t homebuilding. Michalove stressed the Art Museum scandal, thus carrying out Mumpower’s watchdog role better than Mumpower. Though the best hope for tenants by far is Payne. Alan Ditmore Leicester
Reader tourts new theory that treats mental illness
There’s a revolutionary new theory of the cause of mental illness. The theory is that mental health results from inner cooperation between the brain’s two cerebral hemispheres: the right brain and the left brain. But in some people, there develops inner conflict between the two hemispheres, with the right brain and left brain each attempting to dominate and control or suppress the other hemisphere. And according to this new revolutionary theory, this inner conflict between the two competing hemospheres is the root cause of mental illness. And in addition to medication and traditional therapies, the mentally ill need a psychiatrist or psychologist who is specially trained in playing peacemaker between the warring hemispheres ... someone who can get the warring hemispheres to agree to a peace treat and pledge of cooperation. See LETTERS, Page 14
Lee Ballard Ow, ow, ow. That “well-trained workforce” really hurt. Ports, OK. Charleston is way bigger than Wilmington (N.C.), and they have experienced in handling BMWs. But South Carolina praised for a welltrained workforce? Everybody knows it’s NORTH Carolina with the world-class schools, community colleges and universities. Or they used to. Our Republican governor and General Assembly bore us by beating the “businessfriendly” bongo every time they cut taxes on the wealthy and corporations and cut regulations – and lay off another few thousand teacher assistants. It’s almost a religion with them. Companies are led around by their bottom lines and nothing else. They’re wrong. Several business media outlets publish rankings of states on their being a good place to do business. One is Forbes Magazine. Let’s look at two states that Forbes lists in its Top Ten: North Carolina and Minnesota.
! d e r a p e r P e B
Minnesota’s blurb in Forbes says, in part: “Minnesota cracks the top 10 for a second straight year based on a strong current economic climate and quality of life…. Minnesota has the fourth highest percentage of adults with a high school degree at 92.4 percent. With its good schools, low poverty rate and healthy populous, the state ranks second overall on Forbes’ quality of life measurements.” North Carolina’s reads, in part, like this: “North Carolina has the smallest union workforce in the U.S. in terms of percent of total employment. The resulting benefit is labor costs that are 16 percent below the national average — third lowest in the country. North Carolina has ranked in the top five overall for 9 straight years.” When they say, “labor costs that are 16 percent below the national average,” what exactly are they saying? Right: North Carolinians work cheap. On the one hand, you have a state rated high for its well-educated population and quality of life. On the other hand, you have a state rated high because its people are poorly paid. And by the way, Minnesota is rated No. 1 on CNBC’s list of best states to do business. (North Carolina is ranked No. 5.) CNBC notes: “To some degree, Minnesota benefits from a trend…. Rather than just seeking the lowest taxes or the highest incentives, companies are increasingly chas-
ing the largest supply of skilled, qualified workers.” “Quality of life” sounds sort of squishy – something I’ll know when I feel it. But Forbes and CNBC put business meaning to it. The Forbes quality of life index looks at the index of schools, health, crime, cost of living and poverty rate. Minnesota is specifically praised for funding highways. I can’t help but look at Minnesota’s pluses and then look at the accomplishments of our Republican General Assembly in North Carolina. Schools? They cut, cut, cut. Health? They refused the freeby Medicaid expansion. North Carolina is rated No. 31 on Forbes quality of life index – just ahead of Texas, for heaven’s sake. So we have two competing strategies for attracting companies: education and quality of life versus low pay for workers and low taxes for corporations. There’s another side to this coin: the people of North Carolina. We are the collateral damage of our General Assembly’s policy of school cuts, environment cuts and corporate tax cuts (mine went up). North Carolina’s slide from greatness continues. • Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.
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A12 - September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
Commentary
Does The Donald spell doom for the GOP?
Jeff Messer is the host of a daily radio talk show on Asheville’s WPEK (880AM, The Revolution) that airs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This column features posts from his daily blog. • The following was posted on Aug. 11: e can’t be bought. He can buy favors, and is openly admitting it. He can’t be shamed. He takes delight in shaming others. He isn’t beholden to deep-pockets who work politicians like puppets. He doesn’t have to play by the same rules, and he knows it. He has a reply, passing the blame, no matter what the insult or accusation hurled at him. He is Trump. And he is here to stay. I’m sure the GOP wanted the Fox “news” debate to be the first and last for Trump, hoping he would flail and fail, then walk away on his own. Instead it emboldened him, and actually got him a bump up in the polls. It seems that no matter how horrible a think he says, he gets more popular. And who gets hurt? Well, Jeb Bush and Scott Walker dropped from the second and third slots, being replaced by Ted Cruz (who is playing along with Trump, unlike Rand Paul) and Ben Carson. Carly Fiorina climbed into the heat of the pack, as the 4th pick in the poll taken in the days following the debates. So, Bush and Walker have fallen far. Not what the GOP mainstream want to see. In fact, they are faced with a lose-lose scenario that could be the downfall of their party for good. They can’t give Trump the nomination. Can they? And they can’t make him go away. The Fox ratings for the debate have sealed the deal that every single network with a debate on their schedule WANT and NEED Trump on their stages. So, he’s in it as long as he wants to be. So, what happens if he stays in it? What happens if he wins some primaries? Sure, he could lose primaries, but he will just spin it as being “bought and paid” for or “rigged” against him. You see, he is never wrong in his mind. If the GOP finds a way to get rid of him, he will take it very personally, and prob-
H
Jeff Messer ably run as a third party candidate. If they give him the nod, he will lose the general election and set about the ruin of the GOP as they know it. It has become quite clear that there is NO outcome that Trump can’t spin in his favor. He’s a wrecking ball. And it is the GOP that he is wrecking. The following was posted on Aug. 7:
Fox GOP debate wrap up: Oh, what a circus
It is now being called the “most watched” debate in history. More than 7.5 million people were talking about it on social media. But the question remains unanswered as to whether or not it was useful, truthful, or at all informative. Though Factcheck.org certainly helped clear up a lot of the truthful part: They also did a fact check on the earlier debate with the seven also-rans: One thing from that earlier debate is that the consensus that Carly Fiorina won, wip-
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who refused to pledge not to run as an independent, if he lost the GOP nod. He got into it with Megyn Kelly several times, and simple refused to play by any rules in his responses. It was hard to tell if the moderators were trying to hobble him, as they also asked some interestingly pointed questions that appeared to be set ups to take down candidates like Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Chris Christie and Rand Paul. Ben Carson got the first question, which sounded - to me - like some sort of “literacy test” to be considered more than three firths a candidate. Kelly asked him about his apparent ignorance on politics and the political process. For his part, Carson looked sheepish, and somewhat lost among the rich white men surrounding him. Rand Paul, who got the least amount of talking time, was the only one who really went after Trump repeatedly, mouthing off at the very top of the debate, and going hard after Trump as some sort of dishonest broker. See MESSER, Page A14
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ing the floor with the other six, but most especially Rick Perry, who came out as the biggest loser. There is some speculation that Fiorina may get called up to the majors after her strong showing, taking the place of one of weaker among the top 10. No word on who that will be, or if there will be more than one who drop, after last night. I posted a comment on line about the early debate looking like the Sevem Dwarves, with Rick Santorum looking Grumpy, Rick Perry looking Dopey, and Jim Gilmore looking Sleepy. No one was Happy, Sneezy, Bashful, and especially Doc. “I’m not a Doctor, but...” For the later debate, I saw someone online post a picture of the old Superfriends’ show’s Legion of Doom villains, around a table, with billionaire Lex Luthor at the center. It was wonderfully perfect. And, what a night for Trump. He was... well, Trump. Shamelessly maintaining his swaggering approach. He was the only one
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Commentary Impact of Planned Parenthood videos? Pete Kaliner is the host of a daily radio talk show on Asheville’s WWNC (570AM) that airs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This column features posts from his daily blog. • The following was posted on Aug. 11: suspect this is why so many defenders of Planned Parenthood have not watched the undercover videos: The only thing I hate more than talking about abortion is writing about it. It’s no accident that, in 2,000 columns over a quarter-century, I have never — ever — written about abortion. I’ve avoided the topic like a root canal. But that is getting harder to do with the release of what are now five gruesome, albeit edited, undercover videos by The Center for Medical Progress depicting doctors and other top officials of Planned Parenthood discussing, and even laughing about, the harvesting of baby organs, as casually as some folks talk about the weather. • For those of us who are pro-choice, the Planned Parenthood videos are a game changer. As to whether that means I’ll change my view, I’m not sure. I’m on the bubble. Ask me in a few weeks, after the release of more videos. Blame Huckabee for all the GOP candidates No. You’re not the only one wondering why there are enough GOP candidates to
I
Pete Kaliner field a football team (albeit, an elderly and cruddy one). Yahoo News took a look at this question the other day, and it’s all Mike Huckabee’s fault, apparently: The presence of so many obscure candidates in the 2016 race — Jim Gilmore, Lincoln Chafee, James Webb, George Pataki, and so on — prompts an obvious question: Why are they running? Huckabee’s experience suggests one answer: Because running for president can be a highly lucrative form of work. No serious candidate will admit to running for president purely as a selfpromotional stunt. Some may be trying to gain exposure for a more serious run for office in the future. Others may be using a run to promote their companies or personal brands... • Angry e-mails make you angrier. Spend any time in the comment section of a website (or as a talk radio host) and you’ll find this to be pretty obvious. The research has been clear for decades: Venting is bad for us. And yet we do it—more now than ever
Advice Goddess
Continued from Page A1 A: We get it: You spend an entire day making a small but very accurate Voodoo doll of him and then have to dispose of it when he finally texts back. There are many who share your boyfriend’s techno-snobbery, claiming that texting isn’t “real communication” (perhaps because it doesn’t require Socratic oratory or chasing a goose to pluck a quill). But say one person texts “i love u” and the other texts back, “k.” That communicates plenty. And say you and your boyfriend were in the same room and you held up a tiny fern in a pot: “Look! A plant that has yet to commit suicide on me!” It would be pretty cold — and surely he’d think so — if he just kept silently clipping his toenails or whittling his corncob pipe or whatever. It’s one thing if you’re sending him iTunes user agreement-length texts and expecting him to text back in kind. But this sort of texted “yoo-hoo!” you’re sending him is one of the seemingly unimportant reach-outs that relationships researcher John Gottman calls “bids for connection.” These “bids” are attempts — often made in small and mundane ways — to get your partner’s attention, affection, humor or support. Gottman observes that these are effectively little “trust tests” leading to “a tiny turning point — an opportunity, or a lost opportunity, for connection.” In a study by Gottman and cognitive psychologist Janice Driver, the newlyweds who remained married to their partners
six years later were the responsive ones — those who had “turned toward” their partner’s bids, on average, 86 percent of the time. Those who’d responded only 33 percent of the time were divorced by the six-year mark. Explain the “bid for connection” thing so your boyfriend can understand why it’s so important that he come through for you — or, rather, 4 u. But also keep in mind, as I write in “Good Manners for Nice People Who Sometimes Say F***,” that “technology makes a nearly instant response possible; it doesn’t mandate it.” Let him know that you aren’t looking to start some relationship reign of terror — like if he doesn’t text you back in 60 seconds, his phone and/or the relationship will explode. It’s just that seeing him making an effort would mean a lot to you (and keep you from Googling genital death spells). It’s also the sort of thing that keeps romance alive. As Gottman points out, you do that not with “Gone With the Wind” embraces or a bunch of loot on Valentine’s Day, but with little daily shows of love. In this case, it’s those three little…uh, letters — LOL — after you text him a cat with a gunslinger mustache or a dachshund in a lobster suit. • (c.) 2015, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol. com (advicegoddess.com).
thanks to the ease of the Internet. The “event”—expressing anger via email, text or chat, or on social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter—can be hard to resist. It’s speedy: We can share our frustration with a friend, or the world, almost immediately. It’s handy: We can e-vent from anywhere as long as we have our phone. And it feels safe: We’re behind a screen. In studies, people report that they feel better after venting. But researchers find they actually become angrier and more aggressive. People who vent anonymously may become the angriest and most aggressive. Hmmm... I might have to re-think my social media presence.... The following was posted on July 30:
A dead lion, a dentist and a lot of high horses
Another undercover video has been released — the fourth so far — showing ghoulish Planned Parenthood officials negotiating the sale of dead baby body parts. It concludes with the abortionist gleefully saying, “Another boy!” when dissecting the tiny legs. But that’s not what people are outraged over. Nope. It’s Cecil the Lion — who was lured off a protected preserve by some Zimbabwean locals and killed by American dentist who paid $50,000 for the permit. See KALINER, Page A15
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A14—September 2015 — Asheville Daily Planet
Candid Conservative
Continued from Page A10 This attack matters because Christianity matters. The Judeo-Christian model still stands as the guiding light of the economic, education, social, governance and moral codes of our country. Those standards, in turn, have set the pace for the world. Abandoning this code of morality insures more and more people will be lost to secondstring alternatives. For an immediate example, witness contrasting events in Baltimore and Charleston, S.C. When Baltimore, long dedicated to the secular progressive model of the left, hit a wall, the reaction was a combination of anger, division and destruction. When Charleston, a community continuing to reach for its Christian heritage, hit an even bigger wall, the response was forgiveness, unity and healing.
A regrettable reality of life on the planet earth is that most men suffer from a busted inner moral compass. In looking up, we find connection to a standard of faith unique among all the world’s religious orders. Christianity stands alone in its Biblical mission of uplifting the common man over the elite or would-be-powerful. In this last sentence we find reason for the relentless assault on the founding faith of our nation.
Continued from Page A12 Trump trumped Paul’s comment about him buying politicians, when Trump pointed out that he had donated to Paul’s campaigns in the past. In fact, he pointed out that he has written checks to pretty much everyone on stage. Paul also got into it a bit with Christie over his previous embrace of President Obama. Christie pushed back hard, as expected. However, neither of them came across as strong contenders on the night. Carson did make an interesting statement about the Democrats eventual candidate, saying the he didn’t think it would be Hillary Clinton. That certainly got my attention. Was he talking about Bernie Sanders? Sanders, meanwhile, had a winning evening, as he live Tweeted the debate: Bush got a lot of love from the moderators, but he seemed to be uninterested in putting up much of a fight. Rubio sounded a little desperate and over-eager. Cruz wasn’t given enough rope to hang himself, which keeps him in it. Huckabee tried to keep himself in it with fiery rhetoric, but he was just not given much time to do it. And it came off as obvious, and a bit pathetic. Walker got dealt a lot of softballs, and thus never got a chance to distinguish himself. Kasich had home turf standing, since the debate was held the state he governs. And he had some strong moments. In fact, he seemed to be only half-irrational, which may have been a side effect of being on a stage where everyone was trying to out-irrational each other. So, in normal, sane world, that makes Kasich about 10 percent rational. Kasich scored some major points when he batted down a gay-hate baiting question, by saying he accepts the law of the land and would love his child if they were gay. Of course, that sort of talk might not play well with the base. Fox “news” took some commercial breaks, making me wonder what kind of chat went on during those breaks. Most curious, near the end, Megyn Kelly led to a break, saying that “we’ll be back after a short time out.” She also held up her hand and did the “small penis” sign with her forefinger and thumb. It was quite funny. And I pondered if she was somehow in on the joke of it all. Of course, Trump gave her a hard time when she tried to corner him on some sexist remarks he has made in the past. He refused to apologize and seemed to take aim at trying to intimidate here from that point on. He even took to Twitter later to attack her more. All in all, Trump played just as expected, and got alternating cheers and boos for what he said. In the end, however, he still
came out on top with his no-compromise attitude. Clearly, this debate didn’t do any damage to him, and he is still the frontrunner moving forward. Rand Paul and Ben Carson likely should pack up their toys and go home. Whether by design, or by virtue of them both looking and sounding like they didn’t belong on a traditional GOP stage. There was only one slot for the rabid outsider, and Trump took that position. And Fox played up to it, by indulging the circus antics. Obviously they knew that people would not be happy if Trump was downplayed and not given a chance to let loose. It was not so much a debate, as a chance for the candidates to stump. Most of them actually dodged answering the questions directly, and went to well-rehearsed campaign talking points. The moderators did try, on a few occasions, to re-state the question, and point out the avoidance, but they really had no power or control over the proceedings. The Democrats have also announced their debate schedule of six debates, presumable with Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb and Lincoln Chaffey. Maybe even Joe Biden. CNN hosts the next debate in September. I predict Trump, Bush, Walker, Kasich, Cruz and Rubio will be allowed to stay, and Fiorina will be invited up to the big boys
Messer
It’s Not My Fault
If there is a single criterion separating the character of the greatest generation from baby boomers, it’s the assertion by the former that “my life is my responsibility.” It’s no surprise that my spoiled generation would be the first to suggest we come first and thus believe it’s OK to leave our children enough debt to break an elephant’s back.
In today’s upside down world personal choice stands as the number one source of all miseries. No matter where you come from or what your color or economic standing, every addiction, character betrayal, criminal action, or other step toward darkness begins with a choice. Pretending otherwise robs us of two things – the dignity of holding sway over our much of our own destiny and the independence that disappears the minute we start blaming others. Stark example of the impact of choice is found in teetering world economy. If and when the crash occurs, it will track to the false notion that opportunity can exist without matching responsibility. When we chose to bail out crony capitalism in 2008-9, we made a perpetual bargain with the devil. It will – probably sooner rather than later – but in darkness, not prosperity as promised. We are blessed to live in a self-correcting world. Without exception, bad choices end
in bad outcomes that represent an opportunity to rethink and head in a better direction. We’ve become masterful at pretending choice exists without consequence. Uplifting our fellow man remains a call for all. Separating love from enabling is an important part of that equation. Anytime we ignore the impact of a person’s choices on their reality, we are contributing to their demise. We do that for us – not them – and that’s anything but love. • Do you have information about a source of mischief in our community? You can safely contact us at 252-8390 or drmumpower@aol.com. We are offering a $500 reward for information on corruption, crime, or other harms you share in confidence and we reveal in print. Bad things grow in the dark. We have a flashlight – do you have a whistle? • Carl Mumpower is a former member of Asheville City Council.
club. Huckabee might get to hang around a bit longer, but is on the edge with Christie. I would imagine that the September debate will be down to at least eight or nine candidates, otherwise what’s the point? Despite the hopes for the seven also-rans, last night was the LAST night for all of them except for Fiorina. There won’t be any other “kids table” debates, you can be assured. Fox may have racked up massive ratings last night, but as long as Trump is still on the stage, every debate will be a ratings giant. Which is more than motivation enough for the media to keep talking up Trump and keep him in the race. This will not sit well with the GOP, who are eager to unload Trump sooner than later, and hope they can smear him enough to prevent a third party run. I just don’t think Trump can be controlled, and I know that he will find a way to discredit the smearing campaigns. The GOP are stuck with Trump. Make no mistake, he’s in charge. How quickly the GOP come around to that notion, is the question.
Continued from Page A11
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The Asheville Daily Planet strives to be accurate in all articles published. Contact the News Department at news@ashevilledailyplanet.com, (828) 252-6565, or P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490.
Letters
The corrolary to this revolutionary new theory is that the mentally ill cannot be fully helped until the inner war between the right brain and the left brain is ended. You can read all about it in the library books, “Of Two Minds” by Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Fredric Schiffer, M.D.; and “New Brain, New World” by Erik Huffmann. My hope is that this will lead to an improvement in the treatment of mental health and peace between our two brains. RICHARD D. POPE Hendersonville
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Continued from Page A13 The dentist says he didn’t know it was Cecil the Lion (whose significance was unknown to most people until this week). The outrage mob is in full throat ... but, then again, when is it not? Now, as I understand the details of this particular case, it’s unclear whether the dentist was part of the scheme or whether he was conned by the locals — who had no permit to hunt a lion so went and found one for their “client.” Since then, the dentist has been publicly identified, his practice forced to shut down, and threatened with murder. If he was in on the scheme to lure, kill, and cover-up the killing of the animal, he should be prosecuted — just like the local “guides.” The incident is being used attack all big game hunters, in general. And I am struck by the raging hypocrisy and moral grandstanding that many people are exhibiting. The Pious Outrage Mob — comprised of keyboard tough guys and anonymous sanctimonious social media warriors — should only rightfully be populated with vegetarians, vegans, and people who don’t own leather products. Or any product that requires the killing of an animal. The Pious Outrage Mob is busily berating the hunter
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Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015 — A15
who kills an animal and hangs the hide on his wall as a trophy... but ignores a shopper who has someone else kill an animal and hangs the hide over her shoulder as a purse. There is ZERO moral difference between the hunter and the shopper in this example... except the one killed his trophy and the other did not. One does not avoid moral culpability of the murder of the animal simply by contracting out the killing to someone else. So, dear Members of the Mob, please listen... Your shoes? Your belt? Your car interior? Your sofa? Those are trophies, too. And, no, I’m not a hunter. I don’t get the allure of it —
particularly, killing solely for the trophy and not the meat. I have no appreciation for the trophy of a lion head on the wall, whereas I do appreciate a good pair of leather shoes. But I don’t hold the trophy hunters in contempt and assume a morally superior station simply because I prefer to use the animal skin in a different manner. Also, I eat beef, pork, chicken, fish, and turkey — knowing full well I could be a vegan. So could you, Member of the Mob. If you are using any non-essential product that requires the killing of an animal, you have no moral superiority on this. Here... let me help you off that horse. It looks pretty high up there.
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A16 — September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
Entertainment & Calendar of Events
Special Section PULLOUT
B1
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015
Village People strut as ‘kings of disco’ From ‘YMCA’ to ‘Macho Man,’ party group keeps crowd gyrating
FRANKLIN — At least briefly and for one night, fans were transported musically back to the mid- to late-1970s ... a time of platform shoes, bell-bottoms, lava lamps, disco balls, “The Brady Bunch” television show, eight-track tapes and afros worn even by white people. Village People, a six-man vocal group in its 38th year and billed as the “kings of disco,” stoked the nostalgia for disco music and gave an adoring crowd of 600 fans the expected songs — along with supercharged choreography in full costume — that culminated with “YMCA,” its magnum opus, during an Aug. 14 concert at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts. The mainly older crowd, which was already on its feet to perform the four dance motions to the letters for “YMCA,” called out for an encore, but Village People instead just waved farewell and bowed, ending the one-set, 75-minute show way too soon. However, overall, the crowd appeared to be completely delighted with the concert, with some clusters of fans standing and gyrating joyfully to many of the songs. One of the most humorous moments occurred during the “YMCA” finale when Felipe Rose (who plays the Indian), an original founding group member, managed to continue dancing while untangling his elaborate feather headdress that kept
Village People (shown above in a publicity shot) performed Aug. 14 at the SMCPA in Franklin. getting caught between props taped to his microphone stand. Alas, the vocal group performed to recorded music, rather than with a live band, so Village People could not respond with an encore or two after the resounding applause for “YMCA.” The lack of a live band to back Village People’s terrific vocal pyrotechnics was the major flaw of the concert. Instead, there were just six microphones for the singers, who, in essence, performed an homage to disco music.
Another big and inexplicable drawback was the brevity of the concert, given the long-time group’s large catalog of songs. Finally, especially given the interest in the group’s handful of top hits, it would have been terrific if the beloved songs had been extended to 15 minutes or so — way beyond the standard-length performances that were rendered. Besides “YMCA,” Village People performed their other top hits from the disco era, including “Macho Man,” “In the Navy,” “Go West,” “You Can’t Stop the Music” and “San Francisco (You’ve Got Me),” among others. One long-time fan, who requested anonymity, said the group’s only major song she missed at the show was “Fire Island.” However, she professed delight with the concert. Among the newer songs, Village People performed its 2004 release, “Let’s Go Back to the Dance Floor,” which was written by a friend of the group, Harry “K.C.” Casey, of KC and the Sunshine Band. Perhaps the musical highlight was the 2012 song “Trash Disco,” which uses rap to tie together the hooks of more than a dozen disco oldies, using lines such as “burn, baby, burn” from The Trammps’ 1976 hit “Disco Inferno,” and “that’s the way I like it” that doubles as the song title of the 1974 hit for KC and the Sunshine Band. See VILLAGE PEOPLE, Page B7
Hot Taylor-King tribute earns standing ‘O’
By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
HENDERSONVILLE — After the near sell-out audience cheered and gave a highly enthused standing ovation at the end of the show “A Tribute to Carole King and James Taylor,” the band performed a rousing encore featuring the classic “You’ve Got a Friend” on July 7 at Flat Rock Playhouse’s downtown Hendersonville venue. Despite a second standing ovation and the cheering crowd pleading for “more, more, more,” the tribute band thanked the crowd for its enthusiastic response and wished everyone goodnight. As the group left the stage, the 219 people in attendance (there were 235 seats) gave up at that point on seeking another encore and departed, mostly with broad smiles. The show — part of the Music on the Rock series — was comprised of two 45-minute sets. The tribute performance opened with a rendition of Taylor’s moving “Something in the Way She Moves” and the first set ended with the stellar “Beautiful.” Among the other highlights of the first set were Taylor’s “Fire and Rain,” King’s “Cryin’ in the Rain,” which was performed in the style of the Everly Brothers, for whom
Carole King and James Taylor as they looked when they first performed together about 40 years ago.
Jane Bunting played Carole King in the tribute show.
Ryan Guerra performed as James Taylor.
it had been written and was a hit — and Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight.” Other first-set standout songs included “So Far Away” and “Country Road.” The second — and final — set began with the lively King classic, “I Feel the Earth Move” and built to a crescendo with King’s smoldering “It’s Too Late” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” followed by Taylor’s “Carolina in My Mind,” which especially was cheered by the crowd, presumably because of its Tar Heel subject. The regular show ended with the fun song, “Steamroller Blues,” during which the crowd erupted with delight. Playing Taylor to a “T” was Ryan Guerra, who recently appeared in the Playhouse’s “Always ... Patsy Cline,” and has appeared in other FRP musical tributes for Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, Kansas, the Beatles and others. He had the guitar-playing down, along with terrific Taylor vocal inflections. Guerra, who also served as music director, sang lead on all Taylor vocals, and played acoustic and electric guitars, violin and piano. Performing as King was Jane Bunting, who has performed leading roles in FRP productions of “Evita” and
“Les Miserables,” and has sung in several Music on the Rock shows. Bunting performed all of King’s vocals, played piano and was good in the role, but lacked the requisite range on some songs. Yet she was superb on others, such as “It’s Too Late.” In addition to Guerra and Bunting, the ultra-tight-sounding band included a superb drummer, Gabe Rohmann, who also chipped in top-notch three-part harmony to the show’s two lead singers. Other band members included Bill Altman, pedal steel, electric guitar and 12-string acoustic guitar; and Charles Holland, bass. The show, which ran Aug. 6-16, sold-out almost nightly. Originally, the tribute concert was to run for one week, but overwhelming ticket demand prompted the FRP management to extend the show over two weeks. King and Taylor first collaborated more than 40 years ago with hits such as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Fire and Rain,” “Sweet Baby James” and “You Can Close Your Eyes.” Besides performing the songs, Guerra and Bunting provided — briefly but steadily throughout the show — valuable biographical details on King and Taylor.
B2 - September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
The Steve Miller Band (left) will perform in concert at 8 p.m. Sept. 3 in the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee.
Calendar
of
Events
Send us your calendar items
Please submit items to the Calendar of Events by noon on the third Wednesday of each month, via e-mail, at calendar@ashevilledailyplanet. com, or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 288148490. Submissions will be accepted and printed at the discretion of the editor, space permitting. To place an ad for an event, call 252-6565.
Tuesday, Sept. 1
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL LECTURE, 7:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A lecture on “Reconnecting with Cuba” will launch the World Affairs Council 2015 Lecture Series. The lecture will be given by journalist and historian Jon Elliston. Elliston will discuss the recently restored diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, which were severed during the Cold War, along with the ongoing disputes between the two governments and the possibilities of further reconciliation. Elliston, a frequent traveler to Cuba, serves as the investigations and opengovernment editor at Carolina Public Press (a nonprofit news service that covers Western North Carolina), and as senior editor at WNC magazine. Admission is $10 for the public — and free to WAC members and to UNCA students.
Wednesday, Sept. 2
OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Blue Ridge Orchestra will hold an open rehearsal. The community orchestra is directed by Milton Crotts. Admission is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Sept. 3
STEM LECTURE, 4:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A STEM lecture, “New Developments in Health and Wellness,” will be presented by Ameena Batada, a UNCA assistant professor of health and wellness; and Ellen Garrison, a UNCA lecturer in health and wellness. The interdisciplinary lecture series focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Admission is free and open to the public. STEVE MILLER BAND CONCERT, 8 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, Cherokee. The Steve Miller Band will perform in concert. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.
Friday, Sept. 4
NORTH CAROLINA APPLE FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Main Street, downtown Hendersonville. The annual North Carolina Apple Festival will be held Sept. 4-7. North Carolina is the seventh-largest apple-producing state in the nation — and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in the state. The festival features a street fair on Main
Street, including continuous live musical entertainment, arts and crafts, apple products, special exhibits, food and the King Apple Parade, which is held at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Admission is free. “POSTCOLONIALISM” Lecture, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. “Postcolonialism” will be addressed by Oliver Gloag, assistant professor of foreign languages. Admission is free and open to the public. “INDUSTRIALIZATION Lecture,” 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. “Industrialization, Capitalism, and Alienation” will be addressed by Jeff Konz, professor of economics. Admission is free and open to the public.
See CALENDAR, Page B3
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Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015 - B3
The Doobie Brothers will perform at 9 p.m. Sept. 11 in the Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee.
Calendar of Events Continued from Page B2
Friday, Sept. 4
OPERA TALK, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Opera Talks series will feature Asheville Lyric Opera Director David Craig Starkey and a cast of industry professionals, who will guide attendees through their operatic world. Admission is free and open to the public.
Saturday, Sept. 5
SHINDIG ON THE GREEN CONCERT, 7-10 p.m., Roger McGuire Green, Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville. The Shindig on the Green series — featuring live music and clogging, as well as informal jam sessions — will conclude. Admission is free. STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Steven Curtis Chapman will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $25, $30 and $35, visit www.GreatMountainMusic.com, or call 5241598.
Sunday, Sept. 6
LEXINGTON AVENUE ARTS AND FUN FESTIVAL, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., between College Street and the I-240 Overpass, North Lextington Avenue, downtown Asheville. LAAFF is a green and all-local event, supporting local musicians, artists, performers, restaurants, breweries, and non-profits.
Tuesday, Sept. 8
LIBERTARIAN MEETING, 7 p.m., Oakleaf Furniture, 130 Miller St., downtown Waynesville. The Haywood County Libertarian Party meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Open discussion and debate are encouraged with all perspectives and persuasions welcomed, regardless of political or
religious affiliation.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Blue Ridge Orchestra will hold an open rehearsal. The community orchestra is directed by Milton Crotts. Admission is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Sept. 10
CONCERT, 7 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Alsarah and the Nubatones, an East African retro pop group, will perform in concert. General admission is $20.
Friday, Sept. 11
“ROMANTICISM” Lecture, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. “1848: Romanticism and its Discontents” will be addressed by John McClain, humanities lecturer. Admission is free and open to the public. POVERTY Lecture, Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. “Poverty & Plenty” will be addressed by Dwight Mullen, professor of political science. Admission is free and open to the public. GOOMBAY FESTIVAL, 2-10 p.m., Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville. The annual Goombay Festival will be held Sept. 11-13. Doug E. Fresh, a celebrated beatboxer, will lead the bill of acts that will perform. Other musicians on the bill include Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Lyric, Kat Williams, Free Flow, Al Coffee and Da Grind, DJ Best Believer, Chance the Artist and local gospel choirs. Goombay celebrates African-American culture in Asheville. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 12 and close Sept. 13 with a Sunday morning gospel celebration.
See CALENDAR, Page B4
B4 - September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
Calendar
Continued from Page B3
Friday, Sept. 11
RIVERMUSIC CONCERT, 5:30-9:30 p.m., RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza, River Arts District, Asheville. The concert series will feature Nora Jane Struthers, Sweet Leda and Megan Jean & The KFB. Food and beer will be for sale. Admission is free. THE DOOBIE BROTHERS CONCERT, 9 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, Cherokee. The Doobie Brothers will perform in concert. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster. com, or call (800) 745-3000.
Saturday, Sept. 12
PLANT/RUMMAGE SALE, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Botanical Gardens at Asheville, 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville. The Botanical Gardens will hold its annual Fall Plant and Rummage Sale, featuring native plants propagated by the horticultural staff, as well as plants, shrubs and tress from more than a dozen regional nurseries and local garden clubs. LECTURE, Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. An Asheville History Center lecture will focus on early American botanist John Bartram. The lecturer will be Tom Earnhardt, writer and host of UNC-TV’s “Exploring North Carolina.” Admission is free and open to the public. OUTDOOR CONCERT/DANCE, 6-8:30 p.m., parking lot, Firehouse Subs, 825 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville. The local band Sound Investment will perform music outside for listening or dancing. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs. Admission is free.
Sunday, Sept. 13
READING, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. A reading will be given by Matthew Neill Null, author of “Honey from the Lion.” Admission is free and open to the public.
Monday, Sept. 14
BODY/DEATH Lecture, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. A lecture on “The Body and Death” will be presented John Wood, professor of anthropology; Gary Ettari, associate professor of literature; and Eva Bares, lecturer in art and art history. Admission is free and open to the public. CHANCELLOR INSTALLATION, noon-1:30 p.m., quad, UNC Asheville. Mary K. Grant will be installed as UNCA chancellor in a Kick-Off and Founders Day Celebration. Admission is free and open to the public. Panel Discussion, 6 p.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. A panel discussion will focus on “Liberal Arts Education,” moderated by WCQS-FM News Director David Hurand. The event is part of the UNCA installation of Chancellor Mary K. Grant.
Tuesday, Sept. 15
Panel Discussion, 6 p.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall, UNC Asheville. A panel discussion will focus on “Undergraduate Research and the World” by UNC Asheville faculty and students. The event is part of the UNCA installation of Chancellor Mary K. Grant. RECEPTION, 6 p.m., YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St., downtown Asheville. A reception, “Celebrating Community and Community Partnerships” will be held as part of the UNCA’s installation of Chancellor Mary K. Grant. The festive gathering will be co-hosted by the YMI Cultural Center. LECTURE, 6 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Leadership Asheville Forum will feature a talk by Gina Sanchez, founder and chairwoman of Chantico Global, LLC, and guest host on CNBC. Admission is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Sept. 17
LITERARY CELEBRATION, noon-1 p.m., Whitman Room, Ramsey Library, UNC Asheville. A program, “The Next Chapter: A Literary Celebration in Honor of Our New Chancellor,” will feature creative writing presentations by UNCA faculty, students and alumni. The event is part of the UNCA installation of Chancellor Mary K. Grant. . Ceramics demonstration, 2-5 p.m., Sculpture Patio, Owen Hall, UNC Asheville. A ceramics demonstration — part of UNCA’s installation of Chancellor Mary K. Grant — will be presented by Associate Professor Megan Wolfe
and students. They will demonstrate raku firing. stargazing session, 8:30-11 p.m., Lookout Observatory, UNC Asheville. A free stargazing session will be offered as part of UNCA’s installation of Chancellor Mary K. Grant. To preregister, which is required, visit lookoutobservatory.unca.edu.
Friday, Sept. 18
FREEDOM Lecture, 11 a.m., Lipinsky
Auditorium, UNC Asheville. “The Contagion of Freedom: Anti-Slavery, Women’s Rights, and Economic Justice” will be addressed by Sarah Judson, associate professor of history and Africana studies. Admission is free and open to the public. HUMAN RIGHTS Lecture, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. “Human Rights & Global Justice” will be addressed by Grace
Campbell, humanities lecturer. Admissionis free and open to the public. MUSIC LECTURE, 1:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. “Inside the Music” will be addressed by Melodie Galloway, associate professor of music at UNCA. Also featured will be a performance by singers and instrumentalists. Admission is free and open to the public.
See CALENDAR, Page B5
Calendar
Continued from Page B4
of
Events
Friday, Sept. 18
Festival on the Quad, 2-4:30 p.m., quad, UNC Asheville. The Festival on the Quad will feature music, yard games, open classroom sessions and the “We Are Changing the World Expo” by UNCA students and community partners. The event is part of UNCA’s installation of Chancellor Mary K. Grant. Symphony Talk, 3 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Symphony Talks series will feature Daniel Meyer, music director of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. He will discuss the symphony’s next concert. Admission is free and open to the public. DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 OUTDOOR CONCERT, 5-9 p.m., North Lexington Avenue near I-240 overpass, downtown Asheville. The headliner is the Suffers with Holy Ghost Tent Revival as opener. Admission is free. Concert, 7:15-8:45 p.m., quad, UNC Asheville. A concert will be performed by UNC Asheville faculty, students and alumni as part of UNCA’s installation of Chancellor Mary K. Grant. THE ISAACS CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. The Isaacs, a multi-award-winning family group, will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $15, $18 and $20, visit www.GreatMountainMusic.com, or call 524-1598.
Saturday, Sept. 19
BREWGRASS FESTIVAL, 1-7 p.m., Memorial Stadium, 32 Buchanan Place, Asheville. The Brewgrass Festival will feature more than 50 brewers and music from the Jeff Austin Band, Big Daddy Love and Packway Handle Band. Admission for those ages 21 and over is $55.
Wednesday, Sept. 23
OPEN REHEARSAL, 7 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. The Blue Ridge Orchestra will hold an open rehearsal. The community orchestra is directed by Milton Crotts. Admission is free and open to the public.
Friday, Sept. 25
Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015 — B5
Lecture, 11 a.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. A Humanities lecture, “From the Bauhaus to Black Mountain: Appalachian Avant-Garde,” will be presented by Brian Butler, professor of philosophy. Admission is free and open to the public. Lecture, 11 a.m., Humanities Lecture Hall, UNC Asheville. “Is this America?’: Black Protest Thought in the Era of the Post World War II Black Freedom Struggle” will be addressed by Sarah Judson, associate professor of history and Africana studies. Admission is free and open to the public. GREEK FESTIVAl, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Holy Trinity
Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave., Asheville. The church will present the 29th annual Greek Festival from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 25-26 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27. Besides traditional Greek foods, a marketplace will be offered, along with traditional Greek dancers and a tour of the church. Fab Friday LECTURE, 11:30 a.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. “Black Mountain College” will be addressed by Alice Sebrell, program director for the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. Admission is free and open to the public. Lunch will be available in the Reuter Café; brown bags welcome.
Saturday, Sept. 26
HONEYBEE RESEARCH CONFERENCE, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Charles Beal Auditorium, Haywood Community College, Clyde. A one-day seminar, “Bees, Fungi and Man: Our Planet in Balance,” will be hosted by Asheville’s Center for Honeybee Research. The conference will feature nationally known experts and honeybee and fungi resarch. Attendees will examine ecological issues facing the planet, focusing on the relationships between bee health, plant health and human health. Tickets, which are $55, are available at www.chbr. org/Sept26Event.aspx. FALL FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Town Square, downtown Burnsville. The Old-TImey Fall Festival 201 will feature a day of free family entertainment. Attendees are urged to bring lawn chairs. READING, 3 p.m., Mission Health System Mountain View Room, Kimmell Arena, UNC Asheville. A reading will be presented by author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Rick Bragg, author of New York Times bestseller “All Over But the Shoutin.’” Admission is free and open to the public. OUTDOOR CONCERT/DANCE, 6-8:30 p.m., parking lot, Firehouse Subs, 825 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville. Tom Brown One Man Band will perform music outside for listening or dancing. Attendees are urged to bring lawnchairs. Admission is free. CONCERT IN THE PARK, 7-9 p.m., green space in front of Hickory Tavern and Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza, Biltmore Park, Asheville. The band Tuxedo Junction will perform in the outdoor summer concert series. Admission is free.
Sunday, Sept. 27
PIANO FORUM BENEFIT, 3 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square, downtown Asheville. The Asheville Area Piano Forum will present its annual fall benefit concert. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. GROUCHO SHOW, 3 p.m., John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. Frank Ferrante, award-winning actor-director-playwright, will re-create his acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in a fast-paced 90 minutes of hilarity, commemorating Groucho’s 125th birthday.
See CALENDAR, Page B7
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B6 - September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet
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Asheville Daily Planet — September 2015 — B7
Village People
‘Walking Dead’ star Norman Reedus appears in Asheville
Continued from Page B1 Another concert high point was Village People’s explanation about the way the dance motions to “YMCA” came about — and a playful rehearsal with the crowd on how to do those four motions correctly. The group explained that when it originally performed “YMCA,” it did not use the motions for the four letters, which actually were developed by teenage dancers on television’s “American Bandstand.” However, when “Bandstand” host Dick Clark alerted the Village People of the aforementioned clever choreography, the group immediately loved and adopted it. The lead singer, Ray Simpson (the cop), and Alex Briley (the soldier) carried the music, as always, showing they still have the chops. As a whole, the group sounded
Hazel Hopper of Asheville poses with actor Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon in the AMC television series “The Walking Dead.” The picture was taken Aug. 16 at Asheville’s Howling Moon Distillery. Dixon was in Asheville to act in the filming of a pilot for a biker TV show. “The Walking Dead” is Hopper’s favorite TV show, she said. Reedus eventually hopped on his motorcyle and left the brewery,
Calendar Continued from Page B5
Tuesday, Sept. 29
STEM Lecture, 4:30 p.m., Reuter Center, UNC Asheville. “Oulipo — Mathematics and Creative Writing” will be addressed by Patrick Bahls, associate professor of mathematics at UNCA. The interdisciplinary lecture series focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Admission is free and open to the public. READING, 7 p.m., Lauren Forum, Karpen Hall, UNC Asheville. A reading of “Poetry Across the Fields” will be performed by author and poet Quraysh Ali Lansana. Admission is free and open to the public. MUSICAL PRODUCTION, 7:30 p.m., Peace Center, Greenville, S.C. “Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage,” will be presented Sept. 29-Oct. 4.
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Friday, Oct. 2
Travis Tritt CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Travis Tritt will perform in concert. For tickets, which are $35, $45 and $55, visit www.GreatMountainMusic.com, or call 524-1598.
Friday, Oct. 23
TONY BENNETT CONCERT, 9 p.m., Event Center, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, Cherokee. Old-school crooner Tony Bennett will perform in concert. He is a singer of of traditional pop standards, show tunes, and jazz. Attendees must be 21 or older. For tickets, which are $54.25 to $75.75, visit www.ticketmaster.com, or call (800) 745-3000.
amazingly harmonious, considering the high-energy choreography its members were simultaneously performing. Village People’s choreography admittedly always has been cheesy, but somehow appropriate for the — dare I say, corny? — show. The troupe was conceived as a collection of male stereotypes — soldier, biker, cowboy, Indian, construction worker, policeman — dressed in tight jeans and exaggerated to suggest gay male fantasies. However, the mainstream culture also adopted the group and music from the onset and “YMCA” is a popular song performed — with dancers making the four letter motions — at many wedding parties. — Reviewed by John North Daily Planet
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B8 - September 2015 - Asheville Daily Planet