A look back

In many ways, there seems a big gulf between today and 1994, when Mountain Xpress was born. That was the year Forrest Gump ruled the box office and the Oscars, and Kurt Cobain was found dead in Seattle. Bill Clinton was still a new president, and there had only been one Bush in the White […]

Remember when?

It's easy to reminisce with starry eyes about the Asheville music scene circa 1994: On one hand, distance and time often make the heart grow fonder. On the other, it really was a special time — an intersection of late '80s hair bands and early '90s folk that allowed for a hybrid of roots and […]

Artillery

Artists aren't typically thought of as entrepreneurs or purveyors of business in this culture, but local painter Gabriel Shaffer has laid that idea to rest. "Whoever came up with the myth of the starving artist wasn't an artist," he says. "Keep painting like hell": Artist Gabriel Shaffer is fighting the current economic paralysis, and offers […]

Fourteen years before the mast

It was July 1995, and the Miles Building, Mountain Xpress' beloved home, was hot. I showed up for my interview in a suit: dark blue, pinstripes. It would be the last time I ever wore that suit. The ad director at the time was industry vet Carrie Watson, a chain smoker and chain cusser. A […]

We need traffic calming not traffic hazards

Who in their infinite wisdom decided to improve Edwin/Kimberly/Macon Avenue with traffic-controlling "hazards"? We have lived in Asheville for the majority of our lives, and feel that you have ruined the beautiful wide boulevards that complemented the gorgeous houses. Two weeks ago our daughter was driving north on Edwin Place with our 1-year-old grandson in […]

Outdoors: Cheap weekend

Elijah, my 6-year-old, had been patient these last 15 months as he adjusted to having a baby brother. But come July, it was time to leave the baby with Daddy for a night: Elijah and I were hitting the road on my Ducati Supersport 900. Ready, set, zoom! Elijah Freese shows he's ready for a […]

Still fuming at Asheville Transit

Still fuming as I write this third letter in three years about Asheville Transit's inefficient bus service. The problem location this time was Swannanoa River Road.     Saturday, Aug. 1, I waited for the bus across from the golf course. I was headed to the corner of Swannanoa River Road and Tunnel Road, going […]

Beauty Through Cancer

Debbie Buckner, a cancer survivor and the face of Beauty Through Cancer. photo courtesy of Kristi Hedgurg photography Beauty Through Cancer focuses on celebrating a woman’s inner and outer beauty both during and after her battle with cancer. The volunteer-based organization offers many programs and services—all at no charge—including a give-and-take program that provides wigs, […]

From folk ballads to food music

To celebrate five years of music, discovery and community, Harvest Records is bringing 16 bands to town, for a three-night, three-venue extravaganza dubbed Transfigurations. Friday and Saturday nights feature an earlier show and a later show, so no one has to miss any of the music. Plus on Saturday, Harvest brings in four independent record-label […]

Happy anniversar­y, Harvest

On a recent Saturday afternoon, when clouds climb over the mountains and spit a little rain every half hour or so, Harvest Records teems with customers — customers who don't come in just to consume, but who seek safe haven among fellow fans, freaks and collectors. They hang out (oftentimes for hours), shoot the breeze, […]

"Love over gold"

There are still a few small record labels committed to hunting down hidden sounds, releasing obscure music from all corners of the globe, reissuing forgotten classics and unearthing overlooked gems. Representatives from four of these vanguard labels will join in a panel moderated by Asheville Free Media's Greg Lyon at 1 p.m. Saturday at the […]

Mean streets

As much as I love cycling in Asheville, it is not without its challenges: steep terrain, erratic weather, a lack of infrastructure and harassment by hostile motorists. The latter peril was graphically illustrated July 26, when Asheville firefighter Charles Diez allegedly harassed Alan Simons verbally, pointed his gun at Simons' head and pulled the trigger […]

Bothwell and Smith are right for City Council

As an environmentalist, progressive and lifelong Asheville resident, I will vote in this fall's election for Cecil Bothwell and Gordon Smith for City Council. These two candidates will protect the character of our lovely city and work in the best interests of the citizens, rather than developers and their lobbyists. Journalist Cecil Bothwell has covered […]

Come talk with us in person, Shuler

Congressman Heath Shuler's Aug. 5 newsletter announced, "In an effort to reach as many people throughout the district as possible, I will be holding tele-town hall meetings on August 13, 2009 and September 1, 2009." Yes, you read that right. On one of the most critical issues of our time — health-care reform — our […]

Not buying the Swannanoa plan

So let me get this straight: 1) A small group of people got together. 2) They got the minimum amount of signatures to legally apply for the incorporation of Swannanoa by claiming Asheville was threatening annexation (a lie because annexation is illegal for such a vast, unpopulated area). 3) They say increased taxes on Swannanoa […]