They write quirky songs with bouncy rhythms, jest between numbers, and entertain in styles ranging from simple wit to colorful extravagance. That’s the rap on the roster of humorous headliners slated for this weekend’s Flat Rock Music Festival. The annual event, staged at the 365-acre Camp Ton-a-Wandah, is unveiling some new features this year: roving […]
Author: Webmaster
Showing 8506-8526 of 9872 results
Suspended in time
There is this thing about Jeff Holmes’ voice, this peculiar little catch, as if some soft, satiny croon were swallowing a nasal howl-at-the-moon dog yelp.
Picking up the pieces
We will rebuild. Even as the dust still settled over the wreckage of the World Trade Center towers, no one doubted it. That sentiment, echoed so many times afterward, was both a declaration of defiance and a call for healing. Yoko Ono has revived one of her 1960s interactive works toward achieving the latter task. […]
Random acts
Of note Think Canoe on Hiatus: Members of the local jam-rock band The Think Canoe have decided to shelve the project for the forseeable future. The group was originally slated to perform at this year’s Bele Chere, but was removed from the schedule just weeks before the event. For more information on the band, visit […]
The latest word
Yes, We Can! !Si, Se Puede! by Diana Cohn (Cinco Puntos Press, 2002) Social activist Diana Cohn has published a children’s book — but it isn’t your usual children’s book. Written in both English and Spanish, this story of social revolution is told by a young boy, Carlitos, whose mother is a janitor in Los […]
The Practical Gardener
One of the chapters in the 1952 edition of the USDA Yearbook of Agriculture is titled “Mosquitoes and DDT.” For at least the previous 10 years, DDT had been used in areas heavily infested with mosquitoes. Heavy aerial spraying of the insecticide had been done in Brevard County, Fla., and Hollywood, Calif. DDT sprays had […]
Asheville City Council
For a small Southern city, Asheville boasts a surprising number of Gothamlike street names. Where else in Dixie can you shop on Wall Street, live on Madison Avenue and boogaloo down Broadway? Unlike the Big Apple, however, Asheville’s version of Broadway is anything but bright lights/big city. All that may soon be changing, though. Following […]
Giving the city our two cents?
On Thursday, Aug. 29, City Council held a special formal session to discuss whether to make additional budget cuts to an already slim budget, or to increase the property tax rate in order to raise a million dollars needed to fund a list of service priorities identified by City Council and staff. Mayor Charles Worley […]
Notepad
Bridging the racial divide This month, Building Bridges — a seminar aimed at confronting and overcoming racism in our community — gears up for its 19th program since 1993. But after all this time, is a program still necessary? “I’m afraid so,” replies Building Bridges co-chairKathey Avery-Hoover. “This is one of the few ways that […]
Process of elimination
Four Republican candidates will slug it out in the primary for the chance to face off against an unopposed Democrat in the race for state Senate District 47. The district’s 105,793 registered voters — who live in Madison, Mitchell, Avery, McDowell, Yancey and most of Haywood counties — are split in party preference, with the […]
Primary politics
Here at Xpress, we pride ourselves on providing in-depth, balanced election coverage. But you won’t find much balance in our coverage of this race. Two candidates are contending for state House District 116 — but only one of them was willing to talk to Xpress readers. Republican incumbent Wilma Sherrill gladly spent a Saturday morning […]
WNC natives vie for seat
Both candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the 115th district are native to the region, and each has a record of participation in community affairs. There is at least one obvious difference in their approaches to politics: One candidate expects to spend about $500 on his campaign; the other projects spending $55,000. There are equally […]
I can do this
I recently discovered a new hiking destination — a gorgeous waterfall stuck back in the far reaches of Yancey County. I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors; I love to hike and camp. And I’m now in the process of planning and conditioning for my first backpacking trip since I got pregnant with my first son, about […]
Redefining terrorism
“Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” — official FBI definition In one week, America will commemorate the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon with speeches […]
Sacred Journeys
[Editor’s note: In the coming months, Sacred Journeys will explore the meaning of the sacred and the spiritual as they relate to the local, national and international issues that affect our daily lives. By talking with area residents across a broad spectrum, Mickey Mahaffey will try to elucidate the common ground we all share, however […]
The battle for the badge
When running for public office, it helps to have a catchy name. With so many entries on a crowded primary ballot, an easy-to-remember moniker could tip the balance in a candidate’s favor. In this year’s primary, two Democrats are vying for the right to face off against Republican Sheriff Bobby Medford. Trouble is, both Mike […]
Death and taxes
“How can we get what’s due us from the county?” — Upper Hominy resident William E. Fleming If it’s true that death and taxes are life’s only certainties, then it may follow that one should expect more of both in hard times. That, at any rate, is what recent events seem to be teaching residents […]
Random acts
Of note Introducing Unscathed: Fans of the Asheville-based metal group Unscathed can look forward to the upcoming release of the band’s debut EP. Members expect the album to be available for release by the end of summer. For more information, visit www.unscathed.net. Down Break splits with bassist: Regional heavy-music act Down Break has parted ways […]
Rocky road blues
“You got yourself a gooood Daddy, son!” declared Bill Monroe (the man who invented bluegrass music and gave it a name) when he met 7-year-old Aaron “Woody” Wood in August of 1980. Woody’s father, A.L. Wood, is an award-winning banjo player who frequently traveled throughout the Southeast as an opening act for the late Monroe. […]
The Practical Gardener
In ancient Egypt, mushrooms were considered the plant of immortality. Hieroglyphics from 4,600 years ago reveal that Egyptian royalty of the time forbade commoners to eat these fabulous fungi. Twenty-five centuries later, the Roman emperor Nero declared mushrooms “the food of the gods,” but he had a different perspective. It was no accident when his […]
Slice of life
Scorched by lingering drought and rock-bottom wholesale prices, local apple farmers are selling more apples from stands. They’re offering customers juicy treats — savings, the chance to pick their own fruit and to request certain varieties. Expanded customer service is enabling small-time farmers to stay in business, bucking the trend of growers selling their land […]