Giving back

Western North Carolina is home to a wide range of nonprofit organizations, each seeking to improve residents’ lives in a particular way. The services they offer are as diverse as the needs they’re attempting to address: Whether they’re fighting environmental threats, combating unemployment through workforce development, or enriching the area’s cultural life, nonprofits are a […]

For the record

If good things happen in threes, then this is a banner week for local music. A number of area artists are readying new albums for release, and the offerings range from roots and Americana to country and Motown-inspired harmonies. The release shows vary, too, from a listening room to a tastemaker hangout to a DVD […]

Positive impacts

What is the mission of your organization? What is your organization's newest initiative? Why did you choose to take on this initiative? How will it positively impact Western North Carolina? Women's Wellbeing and Development Foundation wwd-f.org Mission: Empower women and children to achieve personal growth and comprehensive development of their communities. WWD-F supports local and […]

Dog park backlash in north Asheville

What's going on in my neighborhood? Over the past year, the idea of a dog park in the north Asheville community has been openly and publicly discussed at meetings held at the North Asheville Animal Hospital. Every time these meetings were scheduled, a very large sign was posted outside the animal hospital announcing the date, […]

Good health doesn’t require milk

In response to John Gray's letter, "Ingles Infomercial Has No Place in Paper," [Nov. 13 Xpress] I don't fault the Xpress for printing self-serving corporate spin. The paper would probably go out of business if it censored ads containing hype, half-truths and double-speak. Consumers must be vigilant when reading information provided by someone out to […]

Adopt a turkey this Thanksgivi­ng

Nearly 50 million turkeys will die this Thanksgiving season, and almost all will be raised on factory farms under abominable conditions. Intensive confinement will drive these gentle birds to fight with one another, just as you or I would do if we were crammed together for our entire lives. So that they don’t severely harm […]

Doing good in WNC

“The culture around here is that everything can be improved,” says Alex Comfort, board president of the Western North Carolina chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. “People in WNC understand how important nonprofits are in helping those in need and also bringing us the highest possible quality of life.” Collectively, nonprofit organizations in Buncombe […]

Blowing back

About a year ago, it seemed like the stars were aligning for Charlotte’s Paint Fumes. The ragged and ruthless garage trio had just released Uck Life, a debut LP that stretched their combustible energy without spreading it too thin, balancing psych-scorched epics with two-minute ragers. Tour dates were booked across the U.S. and Europe, an […]

From coal to clean energy

On Oct. 22, Asheville City Council unanimously passed a clean energy resolution that affirms our mountain city's commitment to reduce our carbon emissions, transition away from coal and move towards clean-energy solutions. I received this great news while attending a “Coal to Clean Energy” conference in Chicago, Ill., where more than 300 top lawyers, organizers […]

The Biz

Openings Anjali Hot Yatra Yoga and Physical Therapy 780 Hendersonville Road, Suite 14, 785-1366 Iron Palm Bouldering 1636 Hendersonville Road, 575-2777 Junk Recyclers 26 Glendale Ave., 505-1108 Grand Opening Wednesday, Nov. 13 Studio A 344 Depot St., at Pink Dog Creative, 423-6459 Grand Opening Saturday/Sunday, Nov. 9-10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m, coinciding with the River Arts […]

The fika files

The deep, melodic sound summoned me like a call to prayer or meditation. I looked up and saw wind chimes, moving ever so gently in the breeze — just enough to emit beautiful, mysterious sound and to remind me that having a cup of coffee can be a spiritual experience. Yes, not only do I […]

Not all food trucks struggle

I just read the article "The Real Deal: The Life of a Food-Truck Owner" by Michael Franco [Oct. 30 Xpress]. It seems like all the articles about the food-trucks lately have focused on the negativity — how hard it is, how much time it takes and how little money they make. How about an article […]