On behalf of area witches and pagans, I warned Buncombe County commissioners that their practice of inviting primarily monotheistic male ministers to pray prior to meetings was exclusionary, unconstitutional and lawsuit-worthy. It was insensitive to the great diversity of beliefs Ashevilleans have: Buddhist, Jewish, Voudon, you name it. This practice was no oversight, but rather […]
Year: 2009
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All the real trees
Artificial trees made to look real are always tacky. But earlier this millennium, the thirst for ultra-tacky retro fakes, in particular mid-century-modern aluminum trees, began to elevate kitsch to the rank of spirit. Choose your own:The WNC high country is the Christmas-tree capital of the East. Photo courtesy High Country Host. For staunch traditionalists • […]
Cyclists deserve protection, not abuse
Two years ago I moved from the Ocala/Gainesville, Fla., area to Asheville so I could enjoy some of the best cycling and kayaking in the country. It was also to move away from some of the psychotic Florida drivers who enjoyed threatening and intimidating cyclists with their cars. Many Florida drivers drive within inches of […]
A liberal dose of liquor
With all the stressors that have come to define the holiday season, what better time to have your drink and eat it too? Sure, a cake spiked with spirits is festive. But experienced home cooks say a dish doused liberally with hard liquor – think daiquiri guacamole, salmon dip whisked with gin and chicken wings […]
A response to preachy vegetarians
You know, for a time, I was contemplating a conversion to a vegetarian lifestyle — but I was worried that the consumption of an exclusively vegetarian diet might cause me to become smug and self-righteous. Here's a (smug and self-righteous?) suggestion for all you preachy vegetarians out there with your Googled statistical factoids: Why don't […]
Shopping, eating, fireworks
Stroll through downtown Asheville this Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Seasonal Sizzle, and enjoy leisurely holiday shopping that supports our vibrant mountain economy. Three farmers markets/arts-and-crafts bazaars offer unique holiday delights, homemade gifts and the finest seasonal produce, while downtown-area restaurants serve up delicious fare at discounted prices. In the evening, local caroling troupes caravan […]
Share Asheville’s love across the color barriers
There is a lot of talk about love here in Asheville, and I have experienced the crystalline-heart-chakra energy this holy place carries. But why isn't this love being shared cross-culturally? If you are going to talk about love, you better talk about love for your sisters and brothers of different colors, otherwise nothing has been […]
Counting the cost of the Afghan war in Asheville terms
I was extremely saddened to hear that our country will commit some 30,000-plus of our most able and gifted men and women to fight an everlasting war in Afghanistan. But some people can only understand the cost in monetary terms. Let's look at Asheville's cost, according to statistics compiled by the National Priorities Project (nationalpriorities.org). […]
Small Bites
• Asheville Food Tours
• City Bakery
An open letter to Rep. Brad Miller on auditing the Federal Reserve
This is an open letter to Rep. Brad Miller. Dear Congressman Miller, I do not know if you'll ever get this, but here is an open letter from the 11th District to the 13th. … Libertarian Ron Paul, socialist Bernie Sanders, conservative Jim Demint and progressive Alan Grayson have all championed the original language of […]
Weekly Asheville Disclaimer Page: 12/16/09
• Holiday Gift Guide
• Briefs
• Year-In-Review
• Asheville Alibi
What’s the Jam? Videos from the Xmas Jam
As promised, here’s footage from deft videographer Jesse Hamm. The first is the Stones’ classic “Wild Horses.” Then there’s Govt’ Mule’s “Brokedown on the Brazos.”
This weekend on a shoestring
Here’s a plan: party as much as possible from now until the end of the decade. Which is in, like, two weeks. Maximize your revelry with this bunch of free, cheap or under $5 shows and events.
Cranky Hanke’s Weekly Reeler Dec. 16-22: Avatar arrives, as do a couple long-awaited titles
Before we get down to the theoretical event of the week—and possibly of the year—I want to note that something else is showing up locally this week. I’m not sure I’ve ever fielded more questions about when a movie is going to get here than I have in the case of The Road. Well, here it is.
Dead guys rule
A review of I’m Going Down to North Carolina: The Complete Recordings of the Red Fox Chasers [1928-31], a reissue by Tompkins Square.
What’s the Jam? Warren Haynes Xmas Jam
Check out Xpress photo gallery from the Christmas Jam (and Pre-Jam) over the weekend.
Asheville City Council brief: Dec. 15 meeting
It’s the last meeting of the year, but the first for three new Council members.
Edgy Mama: Running the marketing hamster wheel with Mr. Squiggles
For the first time since Pet Rocks were hot in 1975, I got caught up in a toy craze.
Video a-go-go
This week, we explore Asheville’s SantaCon, “As You Like It” reinterpreted as a Western (and a silent movie to boot), the writing of Nathanael Roney, how MindShapeFist keep their hard-rock dream alive … and more.
How to avoid those January blues
Before the seasonal gloom takes hold, consider signing up for a class, taking a workshop or volunteering your time.
Cranky Hanke’s Screening Room: Guest bits, cameos, walk-ons
The other day during the press screening of Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones, I happened to notice that Jackson made a cameo appearance in the movie. Aptly enough, he showed up as a customer in a camera shop playing around with a movie camera. This isn’t the first time, Jackson’s put himself in one of his movies.