David Forbes’ Aug. 7 article, “The American Dream,” was interesting, but held no surprise for me. I have lived in three regions of the U.S., the last 25 years being in the Southeast — Atlanta for the majority of it and Asheville more recently. With that as background, I'd like to add something that wasn't […]
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The long and winding road
INTRO A countywide culture and recreation authority could save local governments millions and result in a major change in how local parks, libraries and community centers are managed. But since its inception, the motives and changes to state legislation authorizing a CRA for Buncombe County and its municipalities has been unclear and subject to little […]
Magnetic afield
*Photos by Jim R. Moore / Vaudevisuals.com Only a few hours had passed since the Friday night wrap party for the latest Magnetic Theatre production on August 16. But director Steve Samuels and playwright/actor John Crutchfield were already analyzing their remount of Landscape with Missing Person just a little after 8 the next morning, over […]
Local lending
There will soon be more available funding to small, local businesses after the recent creation of Appalachian Community Capital (ACC), a capital intermediary that will fund community development financial institutions (CDFIs) in the Appalachian region. Western North Carolina’s Mountain BizWorks is one of 13 CDFIs that will be eligible for loan funds from the bank. […]
Do your best to get rid of the worst
It should come as no surprise to anyone living in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina that the Triangle’s Independent Weekly newspaper named Rep. Tim Moffitt one of the top five “worst representatives money can buy.” (See the story at http://avl.mx/z6.) It is refreshing to see that other parts of the state are paying […]
Who is more to blame: the straw or the camel?
I understand the reality of our N.C. General Assembly, where members must place their support strategically during session so they may garner reciprocated support for their sponsored bills. This truth incriminates the focused legislative attacks on our state’s air, water and soil protections as a cooperative withdrawal from the state’s community chest. One of these […]
Music for all
What comes to mind when you think of sheet music? Unless you’re a musician, probably not much. Yet it turns out that printed musical notation can sometimes evoke a range of emotions — from nostalgia to feelings of acceptance. “I’ve had a number of customers who lost all of their music during [Hurricane] Katrina,” says […]
Practice voting
At the Downtown Market in Asheville, it is a widely held belief that participating substantively in the election process is essential in upholding the democratic values that many have fought and suffered for. Hence we are establishing an ongoing, permanent voter registration drive at the market at 45 S. French Broad Ave. and are challenging […]
Beyond Coal
A few hundred people rallied under clear blue skies in Pack Square Park Aug. 24 to call on Duke Energy to shutter its Asheville coal plant and advocate for clean energy. The event, called "Beyond Coal: A Rally for Our Future," featured local speakers, singers and popular TV actor/vampire Ian Somerhalder. Mary Anne Hitt, national […]
You decide
I mostly read the Asheville papers for news about food and new restaurants. But I keep seeing articles about the breakdown of society in Egypt, and about the breakdown of democracy in Raleigh. In both cases, a suppressed minority came to power, and exercised that power by taking revenge on their political enemies. New laws […]
NC Department of Health mandates flu shots for state health workers
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos has directed leaders from the 14 state-operated health care facilities to implement a mandatory flu vaccination policy for its 10,000 employees ahead of this year's flu season. Employees and volunteers were informed this week of the new policy, which requires them to be vaccinated by […]
Small quake shakes Blowing Rock
A micro-earthquake hit about 2 miles north-northeast of Blowing Rock, N.C., on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 25, according to the U.S. Geological Service. A USGS report said the 2.9-magnitude trembler occurred at 2:50 p.m. There were no reports of damages. The hypocentral depth of the quake was about 6 miles. Earlier Sunday, residents of Glen Falls, […]
Calendar highlights: apples, photography and altruistic pottery
Clubland features: Chalwa, French Broad Playboys
Precious Metals
AshevilleFM station co-manager and heavy metal aficionado Kim Roney checks out two hard rocking shows in two days. Here’s her report on Mastodon, Forty Furies and why metal moms rule.
Local group marches against chemtrails and geoengineering
A small but passionate group promoted awareness on the chemtrail and geoengineering issue on Saturday, Aug. 25. [By guest contributor Doug Johnson]
State of the arts: Setting the bar with the basics
Drawing is often just a stage of the artistic process. But as a well-done end in and of itself, it often has arresting power. The dark, near-black tones rendered by a heavy hand, balanced with delicate, feather-like highlights offer a simple purity. Asheville doesn’t get a lot of this. Several drawings by Asheville artist Tamie […]
Asheville Disclaimer 08/21/13
Downtown Asheville to open South, East, North, West locations later this year
Let there be the light of day
At their best, special interests raise our awareness and get things done. Few, on the right or the left, are able to resist the next step in their natural evolution — transition to a selfish interest trumping the common interests. It thus remains that we will always need eyes, ears, hearts, minds and hands willing […]
Brewer’s Ed
You’ve probably heard someone joke that in college he majored in “partying.” Soon, you might have to take him seriously if he says he majored in beer. Sierra Nevada, New Belgium and Oskar Blues aren’t just craft brewers — they are three craft brewers with major muscle that already employ hundreds of people. When they […]
Merrimon angst runs deep
Thanks to Emily Patrick for her thorough review, covering recent development and ongoing controversy on Merrimon Avenue [“Ruffled Feathers,” Aug. 7 Xpress]. One clarification: The Merrimon Study Group was not part of the Five Points Neighborhood Group. It was a mix of businesspeople and other professionals with vested interest in Merrimon who were asked by […]