Artillery

In general, the stereotype of a painter is that of a solitary figure, probably dressed in black, cooped up in his studio and creating work in isolation. This typecast might explain why the act of live painting is so fascinating for audiences. The opportunity to see an artist working in the flesh is a chance […]

Soundtrack

It's a well-documented fact at this juncture: Asheville's sound is a melting pot, a smorgasbord, a sonic gumbo. But just in case you needed further proof, this week's roundup — pulled at random from a stack of submitted CDs — turns up rock, Americana, world/spiritual, bluegrass and jazz guitar.  Consider it potluck listening. Shed by […]

Askville

Stewart David knows how to stir the pot. The longtime Asheville resident has been a persistent presence in the Mountain Xpress Letters section since the early '90s. He's also contributed several commentaries (most recently "Greenwashed," July 1 Xpress). Spreading the word: Animal-rights activist Stewart David has been speaking up ad speaking out in Asheville since […]

Finding equilibriu­m

I want drivers to know how to safely share the road with cyclists. Many of you don't, and my daughter enjoys having a dad. Although my demise will cure most of my many personality defects, I'm in no hurry. I enjoy riding my bicycle, no matter the terrain. It's fun; sometimes it's even relaxing. But […]

Outdoors: Night sky trackers

To the naked eye, the night sky is a drizzle of starlight beacons that pierce the tarry black. But the moon is there too, often shining so brightly it overpowers its celestial brethren. That's why serious astronomers schedule their viewings during the new moon phase — and as far away from city lights as possible. […]

Stop using credit cards

It is truly sad to see how our politicians in our two-party nightmare turned their backs on millions of American consumers. Five months ago, Congress passed a law curbing credit-card companies and banks from imposing fees and interest rate hikes on consumers. To everyone's amazement, these institutions were given until February 2010 to make corrections. […]

Fear of a "weed eater" planet

Once again I find myself compelled to respond to an omnivore hater. Now we are responsible for global warming! I will admit that the U.S. is a leader in the production of greenhouse gases, however, the EPA released its annual greenhouse-gas survey and reports that all agriculture in the country accounts for only 6 percent […]

Correction­s

• Last week's Conscious Party feature had some incomplete and inaccurate information about upcoming Asheville FM fundraising events and celebrations. Here are the correct details: The station will host a holiday party at the Rocket Club the evening of Friday, Dec. 11; local DJs will play and tickets are $5. Then, on Saturday, Dec. 12, […]

From felted figures to burlesque dancewear, it’s gonna be a party in West Asheville

Support local businesses, independent artists and crafters, and just plain have a good time this Saturday, Dec. 12, at the second annual East-West Asheville Holiday Art Walk — which teams up with the inaugural Shop West Asheville event, a day of sales and discounts that includes some 50 businesses and artists. Simone Wilson’s marionettes — […]

Junker’s Blues

For the last several months I've shared some of my adventures acquiring junk around the Asheville area, but I haven't really talked a whole lot about what I do with it. This is only natural – it's a whole lot more fun to hunt for junk than it is to sell it. Acquisition rocks. Dissemination […]

As the dreidel turns

Dreidel: A Yiddish word meaning "turn around." Sevivon: the Hebrew word for the same. The dreidel itself is a four-sided top, with a Hebrew letter on each of the four sides: nun, gimmel, hey, shin for a dreidel spun in the diaspora; nun, gimmel, hey, pei for a sevivon spun in Israel. The letters stand […]