Women are making their mark on Western North Carolina — in business, politics, the environment and beyond. In this special issue, Xpress takes a look at some of those efforts that make a difference in the community.
arts
Smart bets: Lord Huron
"I wanted this to feel sort of like an origin story from a comic book," musician Ben Shneider told NPR about the track "World Enders." Lord Huron performs at The…Constance Lombardo’s film-loving feline finds his way into a middle-grade novel
By the time the protagonist of Mr. Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars made it into print, he had already gone through at least two of his nine lives. Author…Swedish singer-songwriter captures 37 states in music and imagery
Swedish singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik and her husband, Jonas Westin — a videographer who quit his day job in TV for the trip — traveled through 37 states in an RV.…Smart bets: Sonny Vincent
The hell-bent punk veteran plays to support Spiteful — his latest album recorded with members of The Damned, The Sex Pistols and The Stooges — at the Odditorium on Sunday,…Daniel Nevins exhibits paintings inspired by the Torah
Childrens book publisher Candlewick Press paired local artist Nevins with writer Amy Ehrlich and together they created With a Mighty Hand: The Story in the Torah. Nevins' part of that…Jill Andrews debuts The War Inside at The Grey Eagle
Andrews got her start as part of alt-country band the everybodyfields. She formed that group with fellow singer-songwriter Sam Quinn; they met as teens while working at summer camp. Andrews’…Smart bets: Douglas Gibson
Find out more about the imaginative adventure, recommended for students in grades four through seven, when Gibson discusses his debut book Tales of a Fifth-Grade Knight at Malaprop's on Saturday,…Barnaroo offers most diverse lineup to date
While past Barnaroos have unintentionally focused on rock and blues acts, this year includes groups like Les Amis, Danielle Howle and Bare The Traveler. The sixth annual festival is held…Smart bets: Ariel String Quartet
The ambitious four, who recently won the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award, bring their international travels to Asheville's Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Friday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m.food
Beer Scout: Growth and brew-gineering at Lookout Brewing
Change is the only constant at Black Mountain's ever-growing Lookout Brewing Co. The inventive nanobrewery is set to expand both its footprint and its brewing capacity in the coming months.Small bites: Taste of Our Carolina Foothills festival nears
An upcoming foodie event in Tryon highlights culinary delights from the Carolina foothills. Asheville eaters, on the other hand, can check out WNC Garlic Fest, Posana's benefit dinner for ASAP's…living
Aurora Studio provides space, support for transformative art
While working at a local crisis stabilization and detox facility, Lori Greenberg met many artists who were living on the streets. She created Aurora Studio as a caring community in…movies
Screen scene: Local film news
This week's round up includes an update on the Grail Moviehouse, the “Jeepers Creepers Theater" series in October, and a screening of "The Mark of Zorro."news
Watchdog for democracy: League of Women Voters turns 95
The League of Women Voters is celebrating its 95th year, but the nonpartisan group is more focused on the future than the past, members say. “Throughout its history, the league…No show: Asheville voter turnout on the decline
Presidential elections typically generate a higher turnout, both nationally and locally. Meanwhile, across the country, overall voter participation has been dwindling for decades.Golden girls: How women are lighting up the solar industry
Despite being one of the fastest growing industries in the country, solar isn’t a very diverse field: In fact, only 19 percent of solar jobs are held by women. But…Breaking through: Local women challenge political glass ceiling
While the number of women in politics has definitely grown over the last few decades, “Politics is still a gendered space,” says Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American…Mother Earth Produce participates in finals of Miller Lite’s Tap The Future
On Saturday, Mother Earth Produce owners Andrea and Graham DuVall pitted their business model against those of five other small companies from across the U.S. in Miller Lite's annual entrepreneurship…Conscious party: Beers for Gears
"Asheville on Bikes has always been about people," says director Mike Sule, calling the organization's events friendly and festive. Upcoming fundraiser Beers for Gears will fund more advocacy efforts at…opinion
Letter writer: Indian Holi tradition works best with water
"Holi without water is like bread without butter."Letter writer: Traffic poses danger to downtown horses
"Let's not wait until a horse is maimed or killed before we act."Letter writer: Let’s stop outdated water fluoridation
"Water fluoridation has always been a matter of 'tobacco science,' meaning that the real science to support the practice was never there to begin with."Bombs Away
Letter writer: Development near Basilica would destroy integrity of masterpiece
"A green space, for the use of all citizens and visitors, will enhance the beauty of this area rather than destroy it with yet another hotel and parking garage."Letter writer: Consider donating wood from tree-trimming
"This winter is predicted to be especially cold, and your donation, which will only require a few minutes of your time to make a phone call or send an email,…Letter writer: Common Core improves critical thinking, literacy
"Forgo the political banter and research the Common Core — its beginnings in a bipartisan gubernatorial recognition of the danger of slipping behind in the global economy to its development…Letter writer: Pit bulls should be allowed to go extinct
"My personal experience with pit bulls, including my own beloved Clara and those of neighbors, makes it clear to me that these dogs, through no fault of their own, have…Letter writer: Overdose article should have delved deeper
"This is subject matter that must be discussed with integrity in the press, otherwise the media merely becomes yet another obstacle to people who put their time and energy into…Letter writer: Brian Haynes offers thoughtful approach for City Council
"I support Brian Haynes for Council member because he is the only candidate whose message is: 'Slow down” and think.'"Letter writer: In City Council race, single-issue voting is shortsighted
"To not consider voting for [Julie Mayfield], based on only this one downtown green-space issue, strikes me as shortsighted."Letter writer: Evidence makes case to stop adding fluoride to Asheville’s drinking water
"Since it can be shown that fluoride is ineffective and harmful to our health, a case can be made to discontinue putting it in."Letter writer: Tiny homes and the Boulderification of Asheville
"Asheville, like Boulder, like Ashland, like Aspen, is already nicely Boulderified and it might be literally too late to do anything about it. "Letter writer: Courts may be the answer in Duke Power, industrial chicken cases
"Ask any Realtor. Can you sell this house for the price it was worth before this sparking, crackling steel tower power line route was here above my house?"