Bothwell and Smith are right for City Council

As an environmentalist, progressive and lifelong Asheville resident, I will vote in this fall's election for Cecil Bothwell and Gordon Smith for City Council. These two candidates will protect the character of our lovely city and work in the best interests of the citizens, rather than developers and their lobbyists. Journalist Cecil Bothwell has covered […]

Come talk with us in person, Shuler

Congressman Heath Shuler's Aug. 5 newsletter announced, "In an effort to reach as many people throughout the district as possible, I will be holding tele-town hall meetings on August 13, 2009 and September 1, 2009." Yes, you read that right. On one of the most critical issues of our time — health-care reform — our […]

Not buying the Swannanoa plan

So let me get this straight: 1) A small group of people got together. 2) They got the minimum amount of signatures to legally apply for the incorporation of Swannanoa by claiming Asheville was threatening annexation (a lie because annexation is illegal for such a vast, unpopulated area). 3) They say increased taxes on Swannanoa […]

An on-ramp plan for you and me

Asheville's population is multiplying like zombies in your favorite B movie, and I know it annoys a lot of locals and recent transplants alike. It is particularly harsh when dealing with increased traffic. I'd like to make a small suggestion — if it were implemented, it would relieve a lot of daily frustration for all […]

YWCA after-school program

YWCA after-school program The Asheville City Schools Foundation is partnering with three after-school programs to provide trained, volunteer academic coaches to assist students academically, as well as provide a mentoring relationship. Volunteers will be matched with a student at one of the partnering sites: Delta House, Youthful Hand or YWCA. Each of these programs is […]

Cranky Hanke’s Weekly Reeler Aug. 12-18: Aliens, time travel and anime

Last week it was stuff blowing up, Meryl Streep trussing ducks, psychos in paradise and a quirky comedy romance. This week it’s all about aliens in a prison camp, time travel, an anime goldfish princess, car salesmen and high-school band high jinks. No, unfortunately, this isn’t all contained in the same movie—then they’d have something.