In response to Xpress’ request for big ideas for 2012 from around the community, the team at Pisgah Legal, a local non-profit that offers aid and advocacy for low-income residents, offered five ideas for “putting a dent in poverty in 2012.”
Tag: opinion
Showing 64-84 of 88 results
Merry Christmas from the Asheville Argus
Consider that bell ringer. He represented maybe half a percent of the population of that scene. In the face of those numbers, where does he get the conviction to believe he can do good in the world? I mean, doesn’t he have any decency?
The Asheville Argus: Crying Wolf
My windows are rolled up due to the cold, but when her scream comes echoing out over the buildings, it’s still alarmingly loud. She clutches her head and rocks back and forth. I’m afraid she’s going to jump.
The Asheville Argus: Birds, Part I
I park my car in front of the Masonic Temple, and between there and the bistro I encounter two young boys doing their best to kick pigeons on the sidewalk, a half-dozen street performers, and a man screaming violently at passersby. In spite of all of this, it’s the enormous falcon that draws a crowd.
Halloween: Pondering the sexuality of costumes
Why do most typical women’s Halloween costumes seem overtly sexual? UNCA junior Megan Dombroski explores the issue.
Asheville Argus: The Public Space
Report from a Saturday evening in Asheville’s public space.
Oktoberfest! Scenes from the beer-oriented festival in downtown Asheville
As Anne Fitten Glenn noted in her latest “Brews News” column: “Munich-based beer lovers have celebrated Oktoberfest for more than two centuries.” The Asheville Downtown Association introduced it to our town back in 2009. Here are scenes, shot by Xpress photographer Jonathan Welch, of the Oct. 8 festival.
The Asheville Argus: The day it all started
A protest, a wedding and the first of October.
The Gospel According to Jerry
If you own a home, farm or business, you could suffer huge losses when Jesse James and his Eminent Domain Gang ride onto your spread — unless you know what to do. I speak from experience here, having recently concluded a run-in with the Metropolitan Sewerage District. I’m not a lawyer, but here’s my take […]
The Asheville Argus: Fog on the top deck
Forbidden photos from the Rankin Avenue parking garage.
New Belgium, soybeans and a flashback to 1998
I have two pressing questions today: How did I get on the email list of the United Soybean Board, and is a deal with New Belgium Brewing the latest economic-development incentive package being discussed in closed session by both the Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners?
Downtown After 5 gets cool wrap up
The final night of the 2011 season was wrapped up with cooler temperatures and bluegrass music on Sept. 16.
photos by Jerry Nelson
Opinion: Campaign over marriage amendment will change North Carolina
There’s been some talk in light of the General Assembly’s decision this week to approve the so-called “marriage amendment” that “not much will really change.” According to this line of thinking — promoted mostly by amendment supporters — all their decision to send the amendment to the May ballot does is to preserve the status quo. “So, we’ll have a vote next year on something that’s already barred by law,” say the supporters. “What’s the big deal?”
Whether it’s sincere or knowingly deceptive, this is ridiculous, head-in-the-sand talk. …
The Asheville Argus: Two storms
Two storms visit the city. An early twilight drenches the city. No brief summer storm, this one is settling in.
LAAFF: Our love affair with Asheville continues
This weekend we had the pleasure of vending at the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival (LAAFF). I must say that it was the most fun we’ve had in quite some time. …
Herd of nerds: Dragon*Con
“I’m baffled and completely confused,” said Kevin Lacey of the Peculiar Pretzelmen about his first Dragon*Con experience. I totally relate. I didn’t know what to expect at Dragon*Con, and I could not have imagined the bizarre enormity of the largest fan-run multimedia popular culture convention in the universe. 
Land sakes
North Carolinians recently joined the nationwide celebration of Great Outdoors Week, honoring our state’s public lands and their vital contributions to public health, recreation and the environment. But what’s sometimes overlooked is the importance of these treasures to North Carolina's economy. Getting people outdoors is a growing business here, accounting for more than $7.5 billion […]
Introducing the Asheville Argus
Disenchanted Asheville artist Max Cooper points his camera at the street: “Everybody lies, but some people lie more than others. Some people claim not to lie at all. We call those people journalists.”
People you know: In Asheville, honesty is the best policy
Local resident “Spyce” comments on a slice of Asheville culture: “Living in a small bustling city with millions of fabulous things to do with your time, it can be hard to go out without seeing someone you know — sometimes from the bedroom.”
Burdens or bunkum?
At a time when "jobs" is the buzzword in politics, conservative politicians are attacking one of our economy’s key building blocks. In 2008, trout fishing alone had a total economic impact of $174 million in WNC, according to a study by the Wildlife Resources Commission; we also have a thriving white-water rafting industry. In Western North Carolina, it’s become increasingly clear that without EPA oversight, environmental protections simply won’t move forward.
Burdens or bunkum? Proposed laws could destroy WNC’s water quality
To most Western North Carolinians, it might seem obvious that protecting access to clean water should be a top priority for our elected leaders. Besides making up 60 percent of the human body and being essential for drinking, irrigation and fisheries, water is a vital regional asset for recreation and scenic beauty.
But even putting all that aside, it’s also one of our most powerful economic engines. …