For years, people have complained that Asheville’s Unified Development Ordinance is a cumbersome, unwieldy monster that adds unnecessary time and expense to land-development projects. Considering the layers of boards, committees and other groups charged with reviewing development proposals, we can conclude that the critics have a point. How, then, to explain the fact that in […]
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No more business as usual
Kudos to Judge Hyatt for her courageous decision regarding the Parkside issue and the ownership of City/County Plaza. I could hear a collective sigh of relief coming from the Buncombe County commissioners and Asheville City Council members: “Thank God we didn’t have to make the decision, and the developers can’t blame us.” But before we […]
Garden Journal
A fungus among us: Fall makes for a fabulous fungi time. On Saturday, Oct. 18, the North Carolina Arboretum will host the Asheville Mushroom Club’s Fungifest 2008. The daylong celebration and exploration of mushrooms includes what organizers call a “vibrant” mushroom display and a chance to learn a few things from club members. For example, […]
Outdoor Journal
Le Tour de Leaves: The 10th annual Tour de Leaves offers one of the region’s most scenic fall bicycle rides. Suitable for all experience levels and starting at Harmon Field in Tryon, the event offers a metric century (66 miles), a half-metric (32 miles) and a Family Fun Ride with a four- or eight-mile option. […]
Greener Asheville?
Sunday we had the joy of seeing Obama in person. It was truly a “yes we can” moment, being able to be part of making history! And for the first time, not just “his”-story, the white European, but all-of-ours story. It was an extraordinary event—peaceful, efficiently run and so very hopeful. And at a time […]
Thank the nonprofits in our midst
Cheers to Gov. Easley, who recently signed a proclamation declaring November as Nonprofit Awareness Month. In the midst of financial meltdowns, elections, job cuts and rising gas prices, I’m thrilled to see our nonprofit sector being recognized for its contributions to our state. North Carolina nonprofits provide more than 212,000 jobs each year. That’s more […]
A closer look at the political “race”
For most of my adult life (over 50 years), I have listened to cries from various minority groups against the racism exhibited by white people in matters of politics, education, income and virtually every other aspect of our lives. I assumed some feelings of guilt; while I felt free of such intolerant feelings, I felt […]
The answer happens to be blowing in the wind
In this economic crisis, the simplest solution is [probably] the best. I’m referring to a study done in Iowa about wind-powered energy. This study indicates that if we employ wind-generated power, our entire power grid will have to be updated. That also happens to be our answer! Updating the nation’s power grid would require additional […]
SoundTrack: Andrea Lee
There’s no warmup for singer/songwriter Andrea Lee, no plying lukewarm numbers before presenting the audience at Green Sage Coffee House & Cafe with the good stuff. She’s ready from the first note, working the crowd with her slow crooning mingled with rising crescendos. Although at a recent show, it was just Lee and her guitar, […]
Vote ‘em all out
Listen. With all the hoopla about who gets to be our next president, don’t lose sight of where the real power is: Congress! And, our politicians on both sides have failed us miserably. So why do we keep electing the same ones over and over again? Thomas Jefferson did not mean for politics to be […]
Look for the facts
I would like to take the time to remind everyone to be fair to Elizabeth Dole. All the negative ads the Democratic National Committee is running are mostly false. Elizabeth Dole has always stood strong for North Carolina. Before you vote, please take the time to look at Sen. Dole’s Web site for the facts: […]
Weekly Asheville Disclaimer Page: 10/15/08
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Goodwill Career Connections Center
Laura James, who was recently placed by the Goodwill Career Connections Center in her chosen field as an archeologist. Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina offers a series of free seminars that provide job seekers an opportunity to interact with hiring managers of local businesses. The Professional Day Series is held every Tuesday from 2-3 […]
The longest undeclared war in history
Master printmaker Kore Loy Wildrekinde-McWhirter’s latest work, redhanded: a songe forre the loste, was seven years in the making and debuts this month at Warren Wilson’s Holden Gallery. The series addresses what the artist calls “the longest undeclared war in history,” a war of violence committed against children. Survivor: Wildrekinde-McWhirter says she operates with “applied […]
Where Bedford Avenue meets Main Street
Who anticipated the day avant-garde artists and national musicians would mingle with the bluegrass pickers and retired tobacco farmers on Main Street in Marshall? Small town goes big time: Cordero comes from NYC to get Marshallites shakin’. The tiny town 20 minutes north of Asheville, once a sleepy rural outpost, has become a haven for […]
Weekly Asheville Disclaimer Page: 10/08/08
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Away she goes: A grateful goodbye to Rebecca Bowe
Dear readers: Here’s a salute tinged with sadness: In our Oct. 15 issue, Mountain Xpress will publish the results of our annual Best of WNC reader survey. Among the winners will be Rebecca Bowe, a reporter and editor who has covered the environmental beat and much more for Xpress, earning our respect as well as […]
My zip code has been co-opted
The once identity-certain zip code for Candler no longer belongs solely to Candler. It is now also the zip code of a subdivision with an entirely different name—Biltmore Lake. How does a subdivision get to co-opt a town’s identity? This question confuses and frustrates me, and I have not found anyone in an official capacity […]
The Dirt: Mum’s the word
When autumn arrives, I can’t resist chrysanthemums. I place them in container pots on my porches, in baskets in my house, and in even smaller baskets in the bathrooms. Kitty is currently destroying the one on my desk by batting the blossoms around. Live long and prosper: According to folklore, if you place chrysanthemum petals […]
My zip code has been co-opted
The once identity-certain zip code for Candler no longer belongs solely to Candler. It is now also the zip code of a subdivision with an entirely different name—Biltmore Lake. How does a subdivision get to co-opt a town’s identity? This question confuses and frustrates me, and I have not found anyone in an official capacity […]
A “green” lament
As someone who considers herself an environmentalist, I’m upset with the trendy and liberal use of the term “green” these days. There are “green” builders and building materials, “green” realtors to sell real estate in an “environmentally responsible” way, “green” events, “green” products for the home etc. This is all well and good, except when […]