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It’s time to embrace our collective responsibility
I am writing in response to Ray Shamlin's Jan. 2 letter, “Is gun control the answer?”. I agree that we as a country must search for solutions in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. I question, however, the idea that, in the process, we should forfeit even more of our already compromised civil […]
Me-oh-my-oh
Some of Asheville’s finest cooking can’t be found in a restaurant. It’s available but once a year, when the local Mardi Gras community gets together for its annual Cajun Cookoff fundraiser. For $10, you can come and heap your bowl with gumbo, chowder, crawfish pie, jambalaya and everything our Louisiana transplants learned to make better […]
Arming Americans won’t make us safer
The Jan. 2 letter by Ray Shamlin, “Is Gun Control the Answer?” misses the point. No, controlling guns (especially semi-automatic and automatic weapons) does not help the mentally ill, but it does remove the means by which they can conduct such severe and sadistic massacres on our children. He reiterates the same old story as […]
Hell no to grocery row
Dear Asheville City Council: I understand that there is a proposal to have one or more drive-thru restaurants on the former Deal Buick lot, site of the Harris Teeter project on Merrimon Avenue. This is a bad idea! Merrimon Avenue cannot support any more drive-thru restaurants. The traffic already is a nightmare! The Harris Teeter […]
The water-system merger hurts us all
In this time of fiscal crisis, the takeover of the Asheville water system will do no one any good. No government, no business and no family will benefit. It is a taking, the equivalent of a condemnation, and one that violates our system of government. Asheville has been an excellent manager of the water system. […]
Speak to the Future
What’s on your mind for 2013? Xpress staffers opened their notebooks to the people of Asheville, interviewing folks we met at a variety of locations across town who gave us a look through their binoculars, showing their hopes, fears and goals for 2013. (Use the symbol key on this page to match answers with questions.)
One on one with D.G. Martin: Disfranchisement — then and now
They “disfranchised us, and now we intend to disfranchise them.”
It sounds like what North Carolina Republicans might have said behind closed doors while they were gerrymandering legislative and congressional districts to assure their party’s continuing dominance. However, the words came from a white Democratic state senator more than 100 years ago.
Being peace: Arming teachers is not the answer
As children in Asheville and elsewhere return to school after the holiday break, let’s focus on ensuring that their future is peaceful.
Waste not, rot not: Asheville may get the service, if Compost Now comes to town
More fear-mongering from Xpress
On the heels of the much-maligned Lexington Avenue article, I read the Dec. 19 story, "Tomorrow Never Knows." More nonsensical fear-mongering, combined with cries for some bureaucratic government solution. Why? Has anyone on the Mountain Xpress staff even considered the obvious dollars-for-fear system that is at the heart of every emergency-response plan? Jake Frankel seems […]
Are you prepared for a nuclear accident?
I appreciate the Dec.19 article, “Tomorrow Never Knows,” for reminding us not every disaster can be predicted or prepared for. Yet, our stalwart professionals in emergency response, disaster relief and meteorology, among others, strive to protect us as much as possible. I was relieved to hear Red Cross’ Brian Scoles voice concerns of a possible […]
This is not my edible house
After reading all the recent discussion [in the Letters section] surrounding the Grove Park Inn's parking-fee institution during the gingerbread-house display, I think it's important to remind all your readers/writers of how privileged they must be that this is an issue worth considering, let alone debating. There are, after all, billions on this planet who […]
Tourists aren’t art collectors
In Kyle Sherard's Dec. 26 article, "State of the Arts: Atelier Gallery Leaves Asheville,” gallery owner Gabrielle Egan cited oversaturation of the Asheville art market and the lack of “urgency to collect artwork, because it's everywhere,” as reasons for closing. No truer assessment could be made. We concur wholeheartedly. Asheville has been touted as an […]
There’s nothing “yummy” about foie gras production
It was interesting to learn that Jonathan Ammons’ commentary, “Foie Gras Ban a Waste of Energy,” was a top-read Xpress Opinion piece of 2012 [“2012's Greatest Hits,” Dec. 26]. I’d like to think it was popular because readers found it an amusing case of someone trying to defend the indefensible. [To read the piece, visit […]
Bothwell’s gun-ban crusade is a sham
Coming from a mind that counts a world-honored Christian evangelist foolish and religion injurious to society, Cecil Bothwell's proposed gun-show ban is the closest thing to a solution we can expect. No inanimate object kills of its on volition. Hopefully there are some people who still understand that evil, murderous, drunk, drugged and often psychotic […]
No gun shows on city property
I agree with Cecil Bothwell's proposal to ban gun shows on city properties. I don't know why Asheville or any other place need gun shows to begin with. Our gun culture in this country need some thoughtful reflections. The promotion of assault rifles — from toy manufacturers who make water guns and soft pellet guns […]
Speak truth to power companies
In your Dec. 15 online article, “Groups Urge Action Against Progress Energy Rate Hikes,” I was surprised to learn that 236,144 Progress and Duke customers had their power shut off because they couldn’t pay their bills [See http://avl.mx/ox]. A proposed 14-percent rate increase seems like a slap in the face. This is why it is […]
Cruelty is cruelty: Foie gras production is factory farming
Local vegetarian and activist Stewart David responds to the recent news that Jonathan Ammon’s commentary “Foie Gras Ban a Waste of Energy” was one of the most-read stories of 2012 on mountainx.com.
Gimme a break: Asheville Middle School kids need a high-quality recess
I’m not going to sugarcoat this.
Attention all you cyclists, tennis players, golfers, walkers, hikers, runners, rowers, gardeners! Or anyone who likes to go outside for any reason as a break in your day when you have the chance! Yeah, you: LISTEN UP! “Asheville Middle School students no longer get to go outside for a midday break,” local mom Leslie Poplawski wrote for the the Nov. 21, 2012, issue of Xpress. “Some of them are up at the crack of dawn to catch a bus and don’t get home till 4:30. Then they have homework and dinner, and for various reasons (including, sometimes, safety), many can’t or don’t go outside after that. …”
Views from the vortex: Local elders evoke our town
Several months ago, Asheville resident Jim Chatham contacted Xpress concerning a project he was leading. Inspired by Eno Publishers’ 2012 release, 27 Views of Asheville, Chatham challenged graduates of his periodic writing seminar, “Turning Your Life Into Literature,” to take a whack at producing their own verbal snapshots of this unique community. Twenty-one of them heeded the muse and subsequently gathered to share their respective offerings. (photos by Max Cooper)