Day: February 20, 2008
Challenges addressed at State of Black Asheville
Some 300 people gathered at UNC-Asheville’s Highsmith University Union on Feb. 16 for the second annual State of Black Asheville Forum, a daylong event featuring panel discussions about blacks’ experiences in education, employment, law enforcement and health care in Asheville. The event was started last year by UNCA political science professor Dwight Mullen. Taking stock: … Read more
Growing with the times
Now in its 15th year, the Organic Growers School takes place on Saturday, March 8, at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock. Flat out: Jenifer Miller of Fisher Branch Farm in Marshall teaches the basics of seed-starting at last year’s Organic Growers School. Courtesy Ogs Begun in 1993, with 100 attending, the OGS has … Read more
Buncombe health director resigns to start substance-abuse clinic
Eight months after she was hired, Buncombe County Health Director Vicki Ittel has announced that she will resign March 28. She is stepping down to set up a clinic that will focus on treating substance abuse, specifically addiction to prescription pain killers. Moving on: Buncombe County Health Director Vicki Ittel, who’s leaving her post to … Read more
Downtown booksellers turn a page
The used-book-store scene in downtown Asheville is changing. One store is closing, a new one has opened and two others are staying put—despite recent rumors to the contrary. Buy the book: The Friends of Buncombe County Libaries has opened a used book store inside Pack Memorial Library. The store, dubbed Bookends, offers paperbacks and hardbacks, … Read more
The Green Scene
For biologist Scott Bosworth of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, a typical day on the job may involve descending into caves and mines to count bats. Although Western North Carolina’s bat colonies are small compared with those that flock to the caverns of Kentucky, West Virginia or New York, a few caves in this … Read more
Theodossis cuts deal
Federal prosecutors are continuing their efforts to build a case against former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford. Hot Dog King owner Demetre Theodossis cut a deal on Jan. 30, agreeing to cooperate in exchange for avoiding additional charges. Theodossis has agreed to assist in the ongoing investigation of official corruption in connection with video-poker machines … Read more
The Biz
The loss of business or a job can be a wrenching setback. For photographer Laurel Scherer, an independent contractor, the experience has been especially hard; “struggle” is not too harsh a word to describe it, she tells The Biz, and it has been a protracted one, at that. In the more than two years since … Read more
