Comic Michael Ian Black has been a cult favorite since The State debuted on MTV in 1994. The show’s screwball, absurdist sketch comedy lasted only three seasons, but it proved to be a launching pad for several of its cast members. Michael Ian Black went on to perform in such under-the-radar projects as the Comedy […]
• New, legal, moonshine
lacks the charm, bouquet
of rat excrement, radiator
leavin’s, say aficionados
• Henderson apple harvest
hampered by shortage of
workers willing to do
horrible, horrible job
for extremely low pay
• New rules implemented for
NC retaining walls,
including one that they
not be allowed to fall down
as often, suddenly
• Gloria Steinem booked to
speak at Asheville luncheon
Will declare time has
mellowed her from
‘fire-breathing dragon lady’ to
‘man-hating ball-buster’
• Crack in Washington
Monument reveals
structural damage,
Masonic orgy
• Steve Jobs
appears to believers
at tech conference
• Toxicologist’s report:
Amy Winehouse’s blood
made me high as hell
In this edition of Local Matters — the Xpress weekly news podcast — environmental reporter Susan Andrew talks about a new joint nonprofit venture to increasing riverside camping areas along the French Broad, and reporter Jake Frankel talks about local business owner Manoj Lama’s recent trek up Nepal’s Gokyo Ri mountain. Podcast hosted by Xpress News Editor Margaret Williams.
In this week’s Elitist Bastards Go To The Movies podcast, Mountain Xpress film critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther discuss The Caller, Colombiana, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Magic Trip: Ken Kesey’s Search for a Kool Place and Our Idiot Brother
In the Aug. 24 Food feature, we misstated some relationships in the Dotsikas family, who owned and operated the Silver Dollar Restaurant. Angelo and Cathrine are husband and wife; their children include son Gus and daughters Tula and Helen; Theodore is Angelo’s brother. We apologize for the error, and with the Dotsikas family the best. […]
At a time when "jobs" is the buzzword in politics, conservative politicians are attacking one of our economy’s key building blocks. In 2008, trout fishing alone had a total economic impact of $174 million in WNC, according to a study by the Wildlife Resources Commission; we also have a thriving white-water rafting industry. In Western North Carolina, it’s become increasingly clear that without EPA oversight, environmental protections simply won’t move forward.
The proposed overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway of downtown Asheville is a horrific idea [“Skyline Item,” Aug. 24 Xpress]. While I can certainly understand the perceived potential for increased revenue that might be gleaned, it is doubtful that we would see much difference; Asheville is heavily advertised already. An overlook of a city would […]
Olive & Kickin' opened this spring on Biltmore Avenue as the first olive oil-and-vinegar tasting room in Asheville. Next to the requisite tanks of olive oils and vinegar, the shop also offers roasted sesame and almond oils, as well as an Italian oil pressed from nothing but white truffles. "We have a lot of people […]
The Tree and Vine opened early this summer in Biltmore Village. The shop, owned by Terri Karlsson and her husband, Paul, also carries pastas, olives, almonds and other specialty goods. Terri says that all three olive oil-and-vinegar tasting rooms in Asheville are quite distinct. What makes The Tree and Vine different? There are three different […]
Oil and Vinegar was opened in mid-August in Biltmore Park Town Square by Dana and Terry Hunter of Arden. Besides the namesake items, the shop also carries tapenade, stuffed olives and other appetizers, plus pottery and other oil-and-vinegar accoutrements. The shop is part of a franchise birthed in the Netherlands, where the business was named […]
Expression is the heart of the Urban Art Institute, says Michael Hayes, the executive director, and hip-hip is in the heart of many of its members. “Hip-hop is the medium that brings all these young people together,” explains Hayes. “And hip-hop is about expression.” The Urban Arts Institute will bring its unique “hip-hop for peace” […]
Saturday BoBo Gallery Stage (at College Street) • BoBo DJs, 11 a.m.-noon • Natty Queen (poetry), noon-1 p.m. • Santos (acoustic soul) 1-2 p.m. • Brett Rock (DJ), 2-3 p.m. • Fresh Tricks (B-boys) with Brett Rock, 3-4 p.m. • Future Soul Project, 4-5:30 p.m. • Anthony Brown, 5:30-7 p.m. • DJ Silky & Z, 7-8 p.m. • Earthtone Soundsystem (DJ collective), 8-9 p.m. […]
I was deeply disappointed to read Jake Frankel's Aug. 24 Xpress article “Working It: Living Wages are Good for Business” which states “living wage — currently $11.35 per hour without health insurance or $9.85 per hour with it.” This statement ignores the fine print in Just Economics' Living Wage Certification Program, which can be found […]
How about this for a quirky and unique holiday event? On Sunday, Sept. 4, Jack of Hearts is taking Labor Day in a whole new direction, inviting all expecting mothers in their third trimester to eat for free at the Weaverville pub. From noon until 10 p.m., moms-to-be receive a lunch or dinner entree on […]
Many people ask what happened to Sugar Beet Cafe, a Fairview spot beloved for breakfast and lunch that closed quite suddenly earlier this year for reasons that will remain a mystery for the foreseeable future. As several people who frequented the restaurant have pointed out, it wasn't for lack of business. We do know that […]
Just Economics is proud to inform your reader that we closely reviewed the criteria with which we certify a business at great length, with a special focus on “offsets” earlier this year. We eliminated any offsets not related to the basic needs of a single individual. We do, however, recognize that if an employer offers […]
Scott Paquin and Elizabeth Gibbs used to grow 600 tomato plants a year on their farm in Yancey County. “We’ve dropped down to only 500,” Paquin says with a hint of sarcasm. They certainly have their hands full; Firefly Farm grows more than 30 varieties of vegetables. Along with apples, blueberries, cherries, peaches and pears, […]
You might think it’s damn-near impossible to find a band whose biggest influence is the laughably bad ‘70s girl-gang ‘sploitation flick Switchblade Sisters. Well, then, you ain’t met The Ettes. “It’s not a good film,” frontwoman Coco Hames says, laughing. “Just desert-punk chicks being total idiots. And that’s what [drummer] Poni [Silver] and I were […]
I was happy to see the City Council candidate profiles in the Aug. 18 Mountain Xpress, but the profile on Lael Gray, identifying her as a "graphic designer," grossly understated her professional qualifications and experience [“And Then There Were Nine]. Lael Gray has the most versatile skill set and diverse professional background of any candidate. […]
1. It’s too hot to sleep. You… a. Spend three hours and two bottles of hair spray trying to get your hair to have “wings.” b. Call two friends and reenact scenes from Priscilla Queen of the Desert. c. Write a poetry chapbook that you will self-publish on the small press that you founded during […]
I love Anthony Bourdain [”The Bourdain Buzz,” Aug. 24 Xpress]. I watch his show and I own his books. I will not be going to see him when he comes to town. Why? Because I am one of the people he writes for. I work in a restaurant. I do food for a living. Due […]
