“Housing is in short supply and unaffordable. Rather than take an honest and comprehensive look at the issues, barriers and contributors to the problems, however, we in Asheville have smugly chosen the easy way out.”
Author: Xpress Contributor
Showing 1-21 of 389 results
When neighbors attack: How Asheville Nextdoor discussions go south
“So much for the popular Nextdoor mantra, ‘When neighbors start talking, good things happen’; a more accurate one might be, ‘When judgmental locals start talking, local places get unfairly dissed.'”
From CPP: NC cybersecurity funds could bypass state schools, go to small college
The money contained in a stalled budget bill that passed the General Assembly would go to Montreat College, a school in eastern Buncombe County with an enrollment of fewer than 1,000 students. $20 million would be used to establish a center to train people to protect digital information and systems.
Children, unplugged: The joys of a (mostly) screen-free summer
“Summer is our only chance to give our kids’ growing bodies and minds a break from all of the detrimental side effects of screen time.”
Likin’ our lichens: Sustainably harvesting Usnea in WNC
“We are fortunate to live in an Usnea-rich bubble, but over-harvesting or other unsustainable collection practices could threaten the beard lichens’ very survival.”
Man of the hour: The rise of Mark Meadows
“Oddly enough, the future of the Republican stranglehold on North Carolina and the nation can be glimpsed through Meadows and the 11th District.”
As state reimagines Medicaid, local nonprofits may have role to play
“Clearly, we already have both the expertise and the commitment to improve lives in our region. What we need is more funding and better coordination among our health care system, county public health and social service agencies, and nonprofit community partners.”
From CPP: To cut or not to cut? Disagreement over US Forest Service’s plans for trees
The U.S. Forest Service plans to harvest the majority of trees at 16 sites in Nantahala National Forest beginning next year as part of its Southside Project. Story by Jack Igelman, originally published by Carolina Public Press.
Stopping Asheville’s tree-loss crisis makes climate sense for city
“Our trees and their arboreal cohorts all across Asheville could be —should be — our city’s most effective and affordable defense against the dangerous flooding, erosion and temperature extremes that climate change is increasingly inflicting on us.”
Asheville chamber announces events for Small Business Week April 29-May 3
Press release from Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce: Small business is big business in Asheville. That’s why we’re celebrating #avlsmallbiz during Asheville Small Business Week, April 29-May 3, 2019. Events are open to the public. Schedule of events: Tuesday, April 30 Resources for Small Business 9-10 a.m. Asheville Chamber Board Room Presentation from U.S. SBA […]
Turning on to cycling the city and local greenways
“The way Asheville on Bikes and Blue Ridge Bicycle Club see it, the more people on the road, the more people need safety education.”
Beyond sustainability — restoring, repairing and creating resiliency in our community
“We need to have as much say as possible over the decisions that affect our lives, the money that informs our projects, the food that we eat and every system we touch,” writes Lee Warren, executive director of the Organic Growers School. “Relocalizing means taking back our power in every possible way.”
From CPP: DEQ says Asheville didn’t follow communication protocols during water problems
“They are supposed to notify the customers to boil the water and then take a sample to make sure there is no bacteria present in the water and then they lift the boil water advisory,” Kimberly Barnett, the regional manager for Asheville at the state Department of Environmental Quality, told Carolina Public Press. The city of Asheville didn’t follow that process after widespread water outages on April 1.
Kids Issues 2019: Super intelligence
“If I could have any superpower, it would be Super Intelligence. This is the ability to know everything, even the secrets of the universe that the average human mind couldn’t even comprehend.”
Generations of failure: A plea to reform Asheville City Schools
“Oversight in this kind of system — where the board is appointed by a body with no regulatory authority, in a process closed to school employees, families and the community as a whole — is more than a little messed up. It is completely unaccountable, open to all kinds of corruption and anti-democratic, not to mention a lousy use of resources.”
Kids Issues 2019: A golden chance
“Life chose me by a golden chance to have superpowers for just 24 hours, and I used them to revive our planet.”
A physician’s dilemma: Finding the middle path in the abortion debate
“The ‘little man’ from Assisi found a way that did not provoke anger, hostility and division. Can we? Blessed are the peacemakers. Is there a place where anger and compassion meet?”
Hidden history: Shining a light on African-American achievements
“So if we are going to rise forth, let us begin to courageously open the gates of true intellect and research and let go of holding back hidden facts in fear.”
Let’s join forces to create a truly healthy community
“The only way we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve optimal health is to work together with a shared and well-coordinated commitment to improving our community’s health.”
Locals launch campaign to relieve WNC medical debt
“Until we can rework the health care system in America, this is one important way to relieve the stress and unintended consequences of needing medical care today.”
Interest group emails compete to influence NC national forests’ future
Many emails represent the views of local organizations and user groups – such as the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council, the Friends of Big Ivy, and mountain bikers – who have played active and forceful roles during the forest plan revision.