SoundTrack­: The Junco Partner school of blues

New Orleans standard “Junco Partner” (written in 1940 by “Drive’em Down” Willie Hall) is an allusion to needles, dope and the warm confines of Angola prison. It’s a theme for the downtrodden, and (according to liner notes in Dr. John’s “Gumbo”) a lyrical battle cry for the pimps, swindlers, prostitutes and jailbirds. Redemption never takes […]

Small Bites

Maggio’s Pizza: Stephen Maggio, who has long traveled with his wife Jamie Thomas’ eponymous band, is slowing down—sort of. After years of operating a mobile pizza kitchen at live shows, Maggio recently put down retail roots at 1093 Patton Ave. in Asheville. But just because Maggio’s gone stationary doesn’t mean he’s becoming sedentary: “I’m hoping […]

Pridefest a time for GLBT community to coalesce

Thousands of members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities both locally and nationally will converge in Asheville on Saturday, Oct. 11, to take part in Asheville Pridefest, says organizer Kali Brewer. But while the free event—themed “Live! Love! Be!”—is part party and celebration, the third-annual Pridefest also has a higher purpose in mind. […]

Of ethics and dogma

In the August 27 article “Going for the Kill,” Casey McKissick describes his Mobile Processing Unit—a chicken slaughtering and processing station on wheels that can be rented by local farmers by the day. The purpose of the unit is to provide a clean, efficient and affordable way for local farmers to process small quantities of […]

Steppingst­ones to healing

“Gardening is one of the mystery pieces of healing,” says Safi Mahaba, program director for Reynolds Cottage at Eliada Homes. Earlier this year, she approached Eliada’s president, Mark Upright, with a proposal aimed at capitalizing on the therapeutic properties of things like a butterfly garden, a fence covered in wisteria and grapevines, a hummingbird garden, […]

WNC News Roundup

The rain came down in bucket-loads this week, and so did the news. Along with a host of reports about the rainy storm’s effects, there was news this week about Haywood Regional Medical Center getting back on its financial feet; a land-transfer tax vote in Clay County; the end of window inspection stickers for autos; and a big celebration of apples in Henderson County.

Feds arrest 57

The impacts of an Aug. 12 raid on the Mills Manufacturing Corp. plant in south Asheville that netted 57 suspected illegal workers continue to ripple through the community, the plant’s executive vice president and immigration activists say. Your papers, please: A federal raid at Mills Manufacturing, which makes parachutes for the Defense Department, has touched […]

Village person

Even though Philadelphia-born singer/songwriter Amos Lee admits he hasn’t really lived anywhere (other than a tour bus) for half a decade, he sounds fully prepared to leave the traveling life behind and get tight with his neighbors. Think globally, play locally: Stuck in a tour bus for half the year, Amos Lee has plenty of […]

Village people

The seeds for the Ashevillage Building Convergence were sown a dozen years ago when a small group of people in Portland, Ore., transformed a run-of-the-mill intersection into an attractive public gathering space. They built an earthen teahouse, planted gardens, erected a kiosk for fliers and poetry, painted a vibrant design on the pavement, threw a […]

Resilience required for co-ops

In response to Rusty Sivils’ column [“Get Back: French Broad Food Co-op Has Lost Sight of Its Original Principles,” May 28], Rusty’s observations are not totally without merit. As organizations grow, it is harder to maintain the close connection to each other and the group as a whole. Co-ops have to work hard to make […]

Garden Journal

Leaf and let leaf: Yes friends, it’s spring again and time for fresh, local produce. If it’s not growing in your own garden, chances are one of the vendors at these local markets will have it. All markets are ongoing unless otherwise noted. For a full list of regional tailgate-market locations and hours, visit the […]

Fresh, lively and brand-new

Before the morning chill disappears from the air this Saturday, while some of us are still sweetly dreaming, farmers will unfurl their shade tents and set out their tender spring harvests. Bakers will assemble racks and pile them with fragrant loaves, fresh from the oven. Cheese makers will graciously uncover samples of their most delicate […]

Uprising!

Each year about this time, the wind in Asheville carries with it the funk of yeast, the tang of sourdough culture and the warm aroma of freshly baked bread. Yes, it’s true: The Asheville Artisan Bread Bakers’ Festival is back, and you’re invited to get a piece. The fourth-annual event begins next Saturday, March 29, […]

Small Bites

With spring come dreams of living off the land: One opportunity to do so profitably comes courtesy of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, which this year will realize a long-held goal of establishing a citywide market featuring Western North Carolina products. ASAP is inviting farmers and crafters to apply for a spot at the market, […]

Out in the cold

There were eight homicides in Asheville last year; three of the victims were homeless people. Chris Allen Sewell died Dec. 2; shot outside the Hillcrest Apartments in Montford, he was later found dead against the fence separating the complex from Interstate 240. Michael Jones was beaten to death last July, and James Lovin was stabbed […]