David Wallace has often appeared in the pages of Xpress promoting his vision of a sustainable future for WNC as a leader in clean technology, which would also bring jobs to the region. But with the fate of the State Energy Office now in question, Wallace—who just stepped down as its western regional director—says the […]
Author: Rebecca Bowe
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The Green Scene
Ashevegas today, Ashevillage tomorrow “What would the Asheville of your wildest dreams look like?” asks Janell Kapoor, co-director of Kleiwerks International, at the start of a community meeting about the Ashevillage Building Convergence. Picture this: This earthen structure, built by Kleiworks at a community garden in Montford, is an example of the type of project […]
New report: Global warming an “unnatural disaster” for national parks
A report released today by the National Parks Conservation Association warns that global warming could take a toll on Great Smoky Mountains National Park and others.
The Green Scene
At press time, Buncombe County was considered to be in a “severe drought”—just a notch below the “extreme drought” in the westernmost counties, according to state Department of Environment and Natural Resources nomenclature. photo by Jonathan Welch Color-coded charts aside, the real-world effects of drought are obvious. Plants are droopy. You have to drink more […]
Fail-safe? A short history of the CTS contamination
CTS of Asheville shut down more than two decades ago, but for some former employees and neighbors of the electroplating facility, the memories haven’t faded. Under the surface: The shell of the former CTS of Asheville plant on Mills Gap Road, which is considered a hazardous-waste site due to trichloroethylene concentrations in ground water. contemporary […]
Speaking of accolades …
Who’s the greenest of them all? Warren Wilson College, says Blue Ridge Outdoors.
URTV program: Carl Mumpower supports urban homesteaders
City Council member Mumpower’s support for this alternative-living experiment is just one of many things that make the project unique.
The Green Scene
Catch your breath After looking toward the horizon, where a blanket of haze obscured the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Xpress decided to check in with the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency for an update on Asheville’s air quality. Ozone season runs from April 30 to Sept. 30. So, nearly halfway through, […]
Enviros to sue over erosion problems in Nantahala off-road-vehicle area
Environmental groups blame on the U.S. Forest Service for sloppy management of an off-road vehicle area in the Nantahala National Forest, which has turned into a mud pit in certain areas.
The Green Scene
During the first meeting of the WNC Community Energy Advisory Council on June 21, group member Michael Shore posed a tough question. Lessons learned: Progress Energy CEO Bob McGehee told members of the Community Energy Advisory Council that the company wants public input on energy alternatives. photo by Jonathan Welch “I was really dismayed to […]
Seven ways to get starstruck (and go green)
They say seven is a lucky number. For Seven-Star, a green event-planning firm based in Asheville, winning the contract to “green” the Live Earth concert series is a lucky break—and a major task. They’re charged with ensuring that concerts in Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai and Tokyo, expected to attract more than a million people […]
Jane Power
The keynote speaker at Time for Our Power!: Women Bringing Change to the World will be (drum roll, please) … Academy Award-winning actress, author and activist Jane Fonda. The conference, which aims to inspire women to bring about change in the world, will be held in June of 2008 at the Asheville Civic Center. Fonda […]
It’s just about time
It’s an exciting time for the coordinators of Time for Our Power! Women Bringing Change to the World, a Southeastern regional conference slated for June of 2008 at the Asheville Civic Center. That’s because they recently got word that a high-profile activist/celebrity will appear as the keynote speaker of the event. Organizers Patty Levesque, Lisa […]
The Green Scene
“Slippery little rascal” fans flames of Richmond Hill debate A slippery debate: The discovery of a Southern Zigzag Salamander in Richmond Hill Park sparked a round of e-mails debating whether the urban forest is an appropriate location for a National Guard Armory. Courtesy R.D. Bartlett This past April, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Lori […]
Critical Mass ride ends in chaos
Bank of America customers on their way to cash paychecks on Friday afternoon were none too happy to find the doors to the downtown Asheville branch padlocked shut — with a bike lock. The prank was just one element of a protest-on-wheels.
The Green Scene
Major players in Asheville’s real-estate and economic-development sectors—the Asheville Home Builders Association, the Asheville Board of Realtors, and the Council of Independent Business Owners, to name a few—have partnered with the Western North Carolina Green Building Council and Warren Wilson College’s Environmental Leadership Center to stage a conference on sustainable development. This is how it’s […]
The Green Scene
Growing numbers of developers are seeking to build impoundments that would convert streams into lakes, creating artificial waterfront property that could command higher prices. Sign of the times: A billboard for Versant, a luxury community just north of Woodfin that’s promoted as a “green” development. Plans include construction of three dams that would impact a […]
How much chaos can a Zigzag salamander cause?
Tensions over the construction of a National Guard armory at Richmond Hill Park flared again last week when an e-mail circulated by park advocate James Wood announced the recent discovery of a rare salamander.
Don’t hate the media, become the media (and eat sugary cereal while you’re at it)
Asheville’s new Independent Media Center will host a movie screening and dance party benefit at Eaties Cereal Bar this Friday, June 1.
The Green Scene
World Naked Bike Ride cycles ‘round again Yikes! on bikes: The World Naked Bike Ride returns Saturday, June 9. Sunny Keach says he’s not the organizer behind Asheville’s upcoming World Naked Bike Ride. Aside from taking on the task of promoting the event, he’s just going along for the ride, so to speak. Scheduled for […]
Road To Nowhere laid to rest: Swain County will get cash
It’s nearly official: The so-called Road to Nowhere will forever be just that, and a monetary settlement will be granted to Swain County in lieu of construction of the once-promised 34-mile road through the Great Smokies.