Being a graduate student in the Master of Public Affairs program through Western Carolina University has provided me with numerous opportunities to expose myself to the political and public arenas in western North Carolina. I’d have to also give Marc Hunt, a candidate for Asheville City Council, credit for not only expanding my knowledge about […]
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Hoist a Beer Stein at Oktoberfest
What: Pull on a pair of lederhosen or grab your dirndl for Sugar Mountain Resort’s Oktoberfest. This two-day event will feature Bavarian food (think bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut and pretzels), along with hay rides and a chance to view the North Carolina High Country’s fall foliage from the resort’s ski lift. Of course there will be […]
Chris Pelly has got what we need
What great good news to hear that Chris Pelly is running for City Council. I've known Chris a long time and always been impressed with his ability to pull together a diverse coalition of people toward a common end. We need that more than ever now with all the challenges Asheville faces. We need jobs, […]
Coverage of a talk at UNCA by Alina Fernandez, daughter of Fidel Castro (via Twitter)
Alina Fernandez, daughter of former Cuban President Fidel Castro, shared her recollections of life in her homeland, her relationship with her father, her decision to leave, and the challenges she and other Cuban exiles face living in the United States. (Coverage via Twitter)
Elitist Bastards: BastardTale
In this week’s Elitist Bastards Go To The Movies podcast, Mountain Xpress film critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther—along with their producer/coherer Steve Shanafelt—discuss current films Senna, Abduction, Dolphin Tale, Killer Elite and Moneyball, as well as the upcoming LGBT film festival, Asheville Qfest.
Sen. Forrester: Black Mountain needs a new slogan too
It's been almost 30 years since I was moved to write another letter to a paper, but the urge to respond to the recent comments by Sen. Jim Forrester was just too much to resist. I think we have been given a beautiful opportunity here to practice compassion for those less fortunate. One thing I've […]
Asheville City Council candidates: In their own words
Housing. Jobs. Poverty. Development. Budgets. Neighborhoods. Taxes. Fights with Raleigh. The accountability of those charged with enforcing and interpreting the law.
These are some of the issues in this year’s Asheville City Council race.
Mark Cates
Name: Mark Cates Occupation: Aerospace engineer/small-business consultant/entrepreneur Party affiliation, if any: Republican Political experience: Class president, Landon Junior High School, class of ’84 Endorsements: Thomas Smith, president, WNC Cornhole Players Association. 1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed? Why just […]
What shall we do without us?
A few weeks ago I broke my knee. It was a big dramatic affair with a 911 call, firefighters and an ambulance ride. I rode in the ambulance to Mission ER, with an emergency medical-services worker taking my blood pressure, covering me with a blanket, talking to me reassuringly, and yet with the seriousness of […]
Saul Chase
Name: Saul Chase Occupation: Retired teacher; SAT test-preparation coach Party affiliation, if any: Democrat Political experience: Boone Town Council, 1985-89, 1991-95; president pro tempore, 1993-95. Endorsements: Mayor Loretta Clawson of Boone, N.C. 1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? $8,135 Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed? […]
The quality of Mercy
“The quality of mercy is not strain’d, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.” — The Merchant of Venice Plenty of people would be happy to give their mother-in-law a piece of their mind, but how many would be willing to donate a portion of their own body? Marianne Seaman Johnson, a 40-something Marion […]
Real progressives do!
You hear much about “Asheville, the bastion of the progressive,” as in “making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, i.e., a progressive community. “Making,” “employing” and “advocating” are all about action taken to achieve progress. The question then is, where’s all this “action”? Few even voted in the last […]
Jan Davis
Name: Jan Davis Occupation: Owner, Jan Davis Tire Store Party affiliation, if any: Democrat Political experience: Incumbent Asheville City Council, two terms. Endorsements: Esther Manheimer and Brownie Newman 1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? $2,225 Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed? Albert Sneed – $300 […]
Small Bites: Look homeward, diner
Thomas Wolfe spent much of his childhood living in his mother’s ramshackle boardinghouse among transient visitors and small-town eccentrics. Many of those who filtered in and out of Wolfe’s life during the period inspired the characters in his novel Look Homeward, Angel. On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial hosts the semiannual fundraising event, […]
Jan, Jan he’s our man
Allow me to add my endorsement and wholehearted support to re-elect Jan Davis to Asheville City Council. His deep roots in the community and his four decades of civic and governmental service uniquely equip him to be the ideal member of Council. During his two terms, he has demonstrated his leadership skills in facilitating, uniting […]
Lael Gray
Name: Lael Gray Occupation: Program development/marketing director, Asheville JCC Party affiliation, if any: Unaffiliated Political experience: Activist, community organizer; board member: Building Bridges of Asheville, Smart Start of Buncombe County, Congregation Beth Israel (past); Evergreen Charter School Development Committee, Montford Neighborhood Association I-26 Task Force. Endorsements: Sierra Club, PARC, Cecil Bothwell, Esther Manheimer, Ken Brame, […]
Get giddy, garlic lovers
If garlic has a cult following, WNC has its fair share of steadfast devotees. Not only do we eat it, but area farmers and home gardeners grow it. Lots of it. “We plant 300 pounds of seed a year,” says Anne Grier of Gaining Ground Farm, an Appalachian Grown Certified (TM) 75-acre operation run by […]
Art Bets: Gene Felice
Perhaps you’ve heard of rapid prototype technology — when objects are made in a machine programmed by a computer, rapidly. Interested in the “mutations” that can occur as the html code transfers from computer to machine, Gene Felice exhibits a sequence of misaligned and successful forms produced via rapid prototype technology. Sound too high-techy? Felice […]
Art Bets: Patterns
Patterns is a broad theme for the broad range of art now on display at COOP studio, gallery and performance space in downtown Asheville. There are the geometric patterns drawn in ink by Molly Rose Freeman, and more organic ones painted onto busted skateboards by high-school artist Coleman Dove. Another teen, Alice Byrd, has prepared […]
Art Bets: Phil Cheney at Ananda
Imagine navigating Dragon Con via the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, or joining Dr. Who on a trip to Burning Man. Such is the work of Phil Cheney, whose paintings are bright, adventurous, comical and 100 percent original. It is art that doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is one of the reasons it’s so likable. Cheney […]
Vote for Chris Pelly
An experienced neighborhood advocate like Chris in City Council can ensure that our neighborhoods needs and concerns are heard! When residents and homeowners have to react to each issue in their neighborhood — inappropriate development, wrong residual zoning, digital billboards, stalled developments with issues of storm runoffs, no sidewalks, etc. — we expect that our […]