January 20, 2016 – mountainx.com

Commissioners take a look into Buncombe’s future at retreat

January 21, 2016January 20, 2016 by Hayley Benton

Prior to the Tuesday, Jan. 19 Buncombe County Commissioners’ retreat, staff in various departments sat down and took a good look at the county’s priorities, coming up with ideas and alternatives of how to accomplish these goals in 2016 (and beyond).

Beyond stalemate: New decision-making models foster better solutions

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 by Virginia Daffron

Can new ways of structuring the rules that govern how organizations gather information and make decisions help our community move beyond entrenched positions and polarizing rhetoric? Some local consultants say yes, and point to local organizations that are already using new tools to increase participation in developing and implementing solutions to challenging issues.

Asheville band leader launches yearlong history of jazz concert series

January 20, 2016 by Bill Kopp

Asheville’s Godfather of jazz, Russ Wilson, is mounting a concert series that he calls Russ Wilson’s History of Jazz. The year-long Sunday evening series at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall kicked off with a Sunday, Jan. 3 set, and the next installment, “The Roots of Jazz,” takes place Sunday, Jan. 24.

Small bites: Arancini transforms into a wine bar

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 by Kat McReynolds

Shortly after opening, West Asheville newcomer Arancini morphed from a fast-casual Italian eatery to a wine bar; Fifth Season Gardening Co.’s event schedule now includes Friday evening beer samplings plus monthly fundraisers for local nonprofits; Living Web Farms’ Patryk Battle teaches gardeners to increase tomato yields through grafting; and Isa’s Bistro offers a beer dinner and weekly discounted wines.

Smart bets: Palehound

January 20, 2016 by Kat McReynolds

Opening for Nashville rockers Bully, Palehound plays the Mothlight Sunday, Jan. 24, at 9:30 p.m.

In Asheville and beyond, creative problem solvers are hatching new solutions

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 by Able Allen

Carl Sandburg called Chicago the “city of the big shoulders”; if he were alive today, he might describe Asheville as “the city of the big thinkers,” acknowledging the passion so many area residents display in seeking out new solutions to the issues we face. On many fronts, creative new approaches are being hatched and put … Read more

Behind the scenes of Sierra Nevada and Wicked Weed Funkatorium tours

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin

Take a peek at what happens during Sierra Nevada and Wicked Weed Funkatorium tours.