Humans of Asheville
Volume
21
/ Issue 11
Cover Design Credit:
Lori DeatonCover Photography Credit:
Jennifer Mesk
Inspired by the photo blog Humans of New York, an oft-copied global sensation, local photojournalist Jennifer Mesk set out to capture the faces and stories of her own community with the Humans of Asheville project.
arts
The War on Drugs talks gear, songwriting and Asheville as a second home
It was gear that brought singer-songwriter and guitarist Adam Granduciel to Echo Mountain Recording Studios, one of five studios in five different states where he recorded The War on Drugs’…After midnight: LEAF’s late-night lineup is worth staying up for
The LEAF, now in its 39th season, is a well-honed mix of eclectic arts, the great outdoors, family-friendly activities and fun in the sun (and occasionally the rain). But with…Humans of Asheville captures local life in pictures
It’s a sunny day when Jennifer Mesk, the photojournalist behind Humans of Asheville, sets out across the city that serves as her muse. Spotting a group of interesting-looking characters on…Smart bets: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
When Secret Agent 23 Skidoo hits the stage, kids hit the dance floor. The California-based “kid-hop” artist serves a potent combination of kid-friendly lyrics, parent-friendly wordplays and crowd-friendly beats. 23…Smart bets: Ron Killian
Local artist Ron Killian, based in Asheville since ’98, says that after a long period of quiet, it’s time to yell loudly. His shout takes the form of a new…Smart bets: Thee Hobo Gobbelins
“Get these songs all up in your nightmares without delay!” Thee Hobo Gobbelins exclaim on their Facebook page, advising fans to experience the band’s latest album, Oddities and Entities. The…Smart bets: Waveforms 2.0
Electronic music producers Daniel Merrill and Michael Folk describe their joint sound as “emotionally charged future music that rides on hypnotic breakbeats, deep infectious basslines, dubby soundscapes and glitchy experimentation.”…The Addams Family legacy lives on in an ACT musical
A curious cartoon by Charles Addams appeared in The New Yorker on April 6, 1938. In the single-panel drawing, a witchy woman in a low-cut, Gothic black dress and a…food
Carnivore name, vegetarian game: 12 Bones, King Daddy’s and Oyster House offer more than their titles suggest
By now, Jim Klingel is accustomed to the misconceptions that the name Oyster House Brewing Co. yields. On a regular basis, the restaurant’s chef hears that his brother Billy’s brewpub…Pumpkin pleasers: Asheville food specialties welcome autumn
Most of us think pie when we hear pumpkin. But when it comes to food, chefs have enlarged brains.Beer Scout: Pumpkin for your pint
Pumpkin-spiced lattes, pumpkin Oreos, heck, even pumpkin croutons: If you can eat or drink it, someone is trying to make it with pumpkin. When it comes to beer, pumpkin ale…Small bites: Poppy popcorn shop comes to Merrimon Avenue
Ginger Frank is about to open a business that her kids can really get behind. The East Asheville mother of two is launching Poppy, Asheville’s first popcorn shop, in Merrimon Square…living
Herbal conference celebrates woman-centered wisdom
WHAT: Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference WHERE: Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain WHEN: Friday-Sunday, Oct. 10-12 Bound by shared womanhood and a passion for natural healing, more than 1,000 women…news
Holding on: Local child services weather funding cuts
Every nonprofit director has a horror story about the perils of relying on outside funding. “It’s a house of cards,” says Jim Barrett, executive director of Pisgah Legal Services. “Stressful,”…Asheville mayor presents annual ‘State of the City’ address
Mayor Esther Manheimer delivered the annual State of the City address Oct. 1, presenting a vision for driving growth in Asheville through community engagement and infrastructure investments.Federal ruling blocks new NC voting restrictions, reinstates same-day registration
Just weeks before early voting begins, a federal appeals court panel ruled Oct. 1 to overturn parts of North Carolina’s new voting law. The Fourth Circuit Court’s decision reinstates same-day…opinion
News Blues
Van Duyn serves constituents regardless of economic status
My husband and I are many times a house divided in our political opinions. However, we certainly agree on Sen. Terry Van Duyn! Politicians come and go, and some seem…Letter to voters includes misinformation
While taking hours over the weekend to register 10 voters, I heard on the news that Americans for Prosperity sent out a mailer to hundreds of North Carolinians targeting African-American…Move to Amend works on political speech amendment to Constitution
Move to Amend of Buncombe County will sponsor a presentation by David Cobb of the National Move to Amend organization on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. at Jubilee! on…‘Changing the Course’ will create vision for energy future
Following the hearing about fracking in Cullowhee with over 80 people speaking eloquently against it, the historic people’s climate march attracted over 400,000 people in New York. At least 75 people from…Consider facts in deciding between Moffitt and Turner
Voters in North Carolina House District 116 considering whether to vote for Rep. Tim Moffitt or Brian Turner should consider the following facts: During his tenure in office, Moffitt was…Affordable housing important to thriving community
Please support affordable housing so that Asheville can be a thriving community. I read that 1,400 new apartments are getting built right now, and almost none of them are affordable…Asheville Disclaimer 10/08/14
Tourism board launches new city sloganPeople Problems
Contraception funding saves local school taxes, environment
Only contraception can save the world or Buncombe County. This means that among things that can’t save Buncombe are bike lanes, solar panels, wind generators, vegetarianism, organic farming, stream bank…Little library at the end of Summer Street
We’ve built and installed a free little library at the end of Summer Street, off Lakeshore Drive, in Asheville. Our 9-year-old son, Turner, was disappointed to find so few books…Building Bridges
When I think of all that Building Bridges has meant, both to me personally and to the Asheville community as a whole, I am nearly overwhelmed. I’ve been privileged to…Letters to the editor
Lifestyles of the rich … Cecil Bothwell’s brilliant article, Daddy’s Money [Nov. 24], was a splendid synthesis of the effect of inherited wealth on Asheville. Although it fearlessly featured the…