Despite Mr. Ferguson’s recent one-page diatribe on incorporation for Swannanoa [“At What Price?,” Commentary, Aug. 13], [incorporating] does make sense for the community for several reasons—none of them self-serving. It is almost touching to hear Mr. Ferguson vow never to sell any portion of those vast acres. But what about his heirs, or [what] if […]
Author: Webmaster
Showing 5230-5250 of 9872 results
SoundTrack
Though the first soulful strains of world-music quintet Ba Man Bia are recognizably passionate and raw, their instruments—other then the upright bass plucked by Trevor Stoia—are a far cry from the guitars and drum kits of typical bands. But Ba Man Bia, formed in January of this year, is anything but typical. The group, a […]
Where’s the democracy now?
The Friday night show 7 Layer Dip on WPVM was recently and abruptly canceled. I am saddened to hear this, as it was—along with Democracy Now—my favorite show on WPVM. It is my understanding it was canceled due to inappropriate content and a lack of enthusiasm during the current fundraising effort. It is also my […]
Making good noise
I read with interest “Making Noise About a ‘Silent Crime’” by Rebecca Bowe [Sept. 3 Xpress]. Good story; good organization. Barb Anderson and all the staff at Our Voice do a great job, and we’re fortunate to have them. And, to have activists like my friend Lindsey Simerly. — Bill McGuire Child Abuse Prevention Services, […]
The killing machine
I wish to make note that in the times in which we live, with an economic reality of “kill or be killed,” the entrepreneurial spirit is one to be applauded. However, the senseless and unnecessary acts described in “Going Out for the Kill” [The Straight Dish, Aug. 27] egregiously violate the Golden Rule. Casey McKissick […]
Witnessing a Hallmark moment
This weekend, my wife and I met up with three bicycle-insect creatures. I knew we were in for a treat when the first peeled off through two lanes of traffic without signaling. The other two were heading in the same direction we were. I had plenty of time to contemplate their spandex butts as they […]
River Arts District revisited
I’d like to thank Alli Marshall for her very generous review of Asheville’s River Arts District [posted at mountainx.com on July 31], the illustrated history that my 18-year-old son and I produced. And [I’d like] to fine-tune only one description: “It’s not a history tome so much as a scrap book … enough to give […]
Family Support Network of WNC
Samantha Kampert and Brianna Smith enjoying ice cream on the last day of the Sibshop series. Sibshop offers an opportunity for siblings of kids with disabilities to connect. Many agencies serving families of children with a variety of special needs are committed to providing family-centered care and services. Yet, typically, the needs of the siblings […]
Queen of the road
Raleigh native Tift Merritt still greets the trappings of success with a bit of neurosis. It seems that critical acclaim, a Grammy nomination and an ever-growing fan base have not gone to her head. In love with day-to-day life: After her last tour, Merritt wondered what to do next. So she went to Paris, and […]
Just that easy
Why do we need a special occasion to put on a show? Does every community event really need to be organized festival-style, stamped with a cute name and printed up in travel brochures so that the tourists can come out and gawk at how “funky” our town is? Probably not, at least according to local […]
Weekly Asheville Disclaimer Page: 09/03/08
• Shuler considering debate
• News Briefs
• Kid Care with Arnold
The Dirt: Confessions of a meadow maker
Not long ago, the inhabitants of a nearby firehouse decided to grow a native meadow as an alternative to a standard lawn. Their motives were noble: Meadows display beautiful wildflowers and grasses year round. They offer habitat for beneficial insects, provide food for birds, and don’t require watering. Meadow trails: While Mother Nature makes marvelous […]
Outdoors: High roller
Michael Mooney always climbs back on his bike after a fall. Last year, clad in a top hat and coat with flowing tails, he mounted his 44-foot-tall bike and tried to set a new Guiness World Record during the 2007 Lexington Avenue Arts & Fun Festival. Before the fall: Mooney posed at the base of […]
Insurers assess WNC wildfire risks
In an Aug. 14 Wall Street Journal article, “Where Wildfires Burn, Insurers Get Cold feet,” M. P. McQueen reported on the industry’s reluctance to write homeowner policies in many wildfire-prone Western states. Last year, Allstate stopped selling new homeowner policies in California because of wildfire losses, and other insurers are following Allstate’s risk-reduction policies. In […]
Ecology meets economy
North Carolina is home to some of the nation’s last great rivers, lakes and streams—from the whitewater rapids in the mountains to the coast’s tranquil sounds. Flowing through Jackson and Transylvania counties, the Horsepasture River is one of North Carolina’s most pristine waterways. Known for its spectacular waterfalls, it’s a popular hiking and rafting destination. […]
Guarding our assets
I have a great job: I sell the environment. Not literally, of course. I don’t auction off clean water or market old-growth forests. As a real-estate agent, however, I owe my success to the local environment, because that’s why people move to Western North Carolina. This became abundantly clear to me recently when I accompanied […]
Torpedoing the forum
As one of the invitees that agreed to participate in a Parkside forum [“We Need to Talk,” Commentary, Aug. 27], it’s disappointing to see it fail. The secrecy and unanswered questions surrounding this very important issue fairly scream for a full public discussion. Our local media, primarily the Asheville Citizen-Times and WLOS, have failed to […]
Cry not for the magnolia: Avenge it!
Bill Branyon’s recent commentary [“The Talking Magnolia,” Aug. 20] seems noble on the surface but in substance exhibits the typical eco-conservatism of the green bourgeoisie. He wants the city and county to sign off on all developments larger than 5,000 square feet. However, in order to do this, the residents will have to “conclude that […]
Legal or not, there are still questions
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the sale of City/County Plaza property to Stewart Coleman was legal. Then you also have to ask: Why was it sold at a discount of approximately 40 percent from the market value? Why, then, did the county reappraise the property and reduce the taxes on it by […]
Stepping backward into the present
On Aug. 26, I gave a workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. and came home to watch Hillary speak at the Democratic Convention. But the power had been off for half an hour and wasn’t restored until sometime early the next morning, while I was sleeping. Instead of the Internet or TV, I listened to […]
Singing the praises of Womansong
I have been attending Womansong concerts for three years. On Aug. 16, I witnessed their best yet. They teamed up with a Seattle group called The Righteous Mothers and produced some very catchy and harmonious music. The guest group has written several of the songs that Womansong has performed over the years. Womansong has got […]