On the ground: Street medics and the 2013 Walk for our Grandchild­ren

This past summer, Asheville resident Patricia Johnson participated in the 2013 Walk for Our Grandchildren — a 100-mile protest march that aimed to draw attention to fossil fuels and the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. Johnson writes about what it was like to be a “street medic” for the walk, in which many area residents trekked from outside Camp David to the White House.

‘Firm correctnes­s’: an I Ching app predicts the Asheville City Council elections

Amid the lawsuits and budget wrangling, Asheville City Council elections are approaching. There’s something clearly missing in the media speculation about who will run and win: electronic versions of ancient Chinese prophecy. Here’s what my I-Ching phone app says about each campaign, along with some agricultural and marital advice.

From the WCMS: Stroke facts and prevention

In recognition of American Stroke Month, Dr. Alex Schneider and Dr. Jennifer Jones write about the different types of stroke, the signs and how you can prevent one. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability the United States and the fourth leading cause of death. (Image courtesy of the American Heart Association)

A thinking man’s approach to green building: Robin Woodward

A few months ago, a conversation with longtime downtown Asheville advocate Karen Tessier led to talk about one of her marketing client — Robin Woodward of Blue Ridge Energy Systems. A profile on Woodward languished in the Xpress inbox, until we stirred the pot for ideas about sustainability — what it means and where we’re going. Asheville has been at the heart of green-building initiatives in the past few decades. Here’s a close look at one of its self-starters.