Once you see someone suffering through a flashback, you never forget it. It isn’t like a dream. You can’t shake them out of it; you can only watch. A close friend of mine went through this again and again for three years after he was raped at the age of 15, and he was afraid to […]
Author: Letters
Showing 2689-2709 of 2857 results
Thanks for the memories, Xpress
I’ve totally enjoyed the trip down memory lane in the last three issues of Mountain Xpress, and I’m grateful for having had the opportunity to be a small part of it back when. I know it’s always been a team effort at Mountain Xpress, but Jeff Fobes deserves mountains of credit for what he achieved […]
Don’t throw buskers under the bus
As the city considers different ideas for the proposed “enhancement” of downtown (see the 2014 Downtown Enhancement Plan at avl.mx/0gw), please don’t throw buskers under the bus. Many of Asheville’s creative community — not only musicians but artists of all kinds — depend on street performance as part of their livelihood. Visitors and locals experience the street […]
Wise Woman of Co-op dealing with terminal illness
Since Roz Marlowe (the “Wise Woman” of French Broad Food Co-op) was lovingly mentioned in a recent Mountain Xpress [“The Early Days of Blue Spiral 1 and the Best Years of My Life,” Sept. 11], I too want to give a shoutout to her. For over 20 years she has been my go-to woman for […]
Some signs are city-approved graffiti
I certainly applaud the efforts of City Council to remove spray-painted graffiti from the downtown area where I live. Graffiti, like pornography, is something “you know it when you see it.” For me, the numerous A-frame sandwich boards that are strewn along downtown sidewalks fit my definition of graffiti, and these are city approved. Nearly […]
Protect dogs, residents from unattended chaining
We’ve all seen them: “Man’s best friend” chained out in backyards their entire lives, pacing back and forth on a small piece of dirt, day in and day out, in all types of weather conditions. We’ve all heard them: “Man’s best friend” barking incessantly from boredom, lack of companionship, lack of exercise or an empty […]
Love your anniversary issue
Love, love, love your “XX YEARS Anniversary Issue.” Living here since 1987 has indeed been a good ride, and the Greenline/Xpress has definitely figured into the mix. It’s so interesting and amusing to read the various takes from an assortment of writers, directors and outlaws. I particularly enjoyed reading Michael Plemmons’ story [“The Day Hazel Fobes […]
Customer diversity should be considered
In response to Dennis Hill’s letter, “Why the lack of diversity in Asheville’s breweries?” [Sept. 24, Xpress]. You asked about lack of staff diversity. There is a notable lack of customer diversity as well. I’d consider that before wondering who is looking for employment at our beloved local breweries. Jacquelyn Roshay Asheville
The groove is gone, and history is small consolation
I truly enjoyed the last edition [Sept. 3] of Mountain Xpress. There was the sense of history, “been-there-done-that” and what it was and what it has become, but that is where my enjoyment ended. Asheville has become its own worst nightmare, becoming the land of wealthy bank accounts and Land Rovers. Although the aforementioned won’t realize it […]
Out-of-towner thankful for kindness
As an out-of-towner spending the month of August in Asheville, I was amazed at the friendliness of the people and the welcoming atmosphere of the city. And then the following event happened: I was driving in town, turning from Hilliard Avenue onto Coxe Avenue or Asheland Avenue, when the person behind me laid on his horn, […]
New marijuana documentary can be a game-changer
I am honored and thrilled to announce that The Culture High, the sequel to the award-winning documentary The Union, is set to be shown at Carmike 10 in Asheville on Monday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. The Culture High explores the motives of cannabis prohibitions from cultural and political points of view. It features Snoop […]
French Broad Food Co-op played major role in Asheville
As a 40-year resident of Asheville, it’s been fun reading the reminiscences. But so far I’ve seen no mention of the role of the French Broad Food Co-op, and that needs to be corrected. When the co-op moved to Biltmore Avenue in 1991, the street was still mostly boarded up. There was a pool hall […]
Setting the record straight on raw pu-erh teas
Thank you for the nice article on healing teas [“What’s in the Pot: A Peek at Asheville’s Fresh and Seasonal Teas,” Sept. 10, Xpress]. I am the owner of Panther Moon Tea Co. and would like to clear up an error in the article. Ripe pu-erh teas are fermented for 75-90 days under controlled conditions. Raw […]
Is Moffitt lying or out of touch?
In his current television ad for re-election to the state Legislature, Rep. Tim Moffitt, R-Buncombe, states: “Obama has tanked our economy.” According to the Wall Street Journal, this year’s second-quarter gross domestic product expanded to 4.2 percent; banks are lending amounts not seen since the 2007 financial crisis; home sales continue to rise as do home values; inflation […]
Article on Drew Reisinger shows media’s slant
It is difficult to read, watch or listen to the news these days because of the media’s slant on every issue. Case in point is your article last week [“Hot Seat: Buncombe Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger Takes the Heat for Snow Days,” Aug. 27, Xpress]. Being in the “Hot Seat” implies that a person is in […]
Support growing for improved transportation options
Public support for improving our access to safe, active transportation options continues to grow in Asheville. Last week’s “Long Walk Ahead,” [Aug. 27, Xpress] by Jake Frankel pinpointed specific sidewalk investments by the city of Asheville. While funding challenges remain, I believe our city is responding to the message that multimodal transportation is an important […]
Hydraulic fracturing threatens WNC’s beauty, water
Western North Carolina has it all: picture-postcard scenery with pristine water. Unfortunately, hydraulic fracturing threatens it. Fracking is an industrial process using millions of gallons of our pure mountain water mixed with toxic chemicals pumped underground at extremely high pressure to break apart natural gas-infused rock. Each well poisons 3 million to 5 million gallons […]
Fracking chemicals are no secret
I would like to respond to the letter from Fred Flaxman [“How Do We Know If Fracking Chemicals are Safe?” Aug. 27, Xpress]. Fracking chemicals are no secret. Anyone can go to FracFocus.org and learn all the chemicals used in all the mines. Companies are required to use safe chemicals. What is secret is the formula […]
Why I won’t be attending Mountain State Fair this year
I’ve had an ongoing issue with the North Carolina Mountain State Fair for the last three years. After 18 years with no dress code sign or any specific rules about how people are supposed to dress at the fair, in 2011 they erected a large “Shirt and Shoes Required” sign at their gate. As a full-time “barefooter,” […]
Consider joining fracking discussion on Sept. 12
I’m concerned about fracking coming to Western North Carolina, so I’m going to a hearing about it in Cullowhee on Friday, Sept. 12. Please consider joining us. (See wncfrackfree.org.) Fracking threatens drinking water wells, which more than 3 million people in North Carolina rely on for their drinking water. North Carolina’s shale formations are closer to the […]
Avoid campaign push polls
During the primary, someone called me to ask if I’d be less likely to support Commissioner David King if I knew he had taken a “vacation to France paid for by special interests.” That’s called a push poll. It’s designed to “push” public opinion by implying something that is not always true. Usually this takes […]