The first beverage that springs to mind when you think of mountain music probably isn’t beer — especially not upscale, craft-brewery beer — but something a little more prosaic and potent that comes out of a jug. Here in Asheville, though, where it’s safe — perhaps safer — to expect the unexpected, beer and bluegrass … Read more
Drumming and dancing have graced every culture and time period. In fact, these celebratory expressions are so interconnected they actually create each other — sometimes, it may seem like the drummers are dancing while the dancers produce the rhythm. For millions of people and countless generations, these types of ceremonies were part of everyday ritual. … Read more
Forget the destination — Vigilantes of Love leader Bill Mallonee savors the journey. He’s sung about it on major record labels — and on his own, credit-card-financed label. And he lives it, performing his passionate, personal music close to 200 nights a year — and that’s for almost 10 years now. Today, he’s on the … Read more
Hay named to Economic Development Commission Usually, Mayor Leni Sitnick reserves her personal comments and recommendations for the end of City Council discussions. But when she took the lead at the Sept. 5 work session, several Council members objected. At issue was who gets to serve on the Economic Development Commission. Earlier this year, Council … Read more
Free speech seems to have its limits. When the selection committee for the Dr. Marketta Laurila Free Speech Award announced that anti-abortion activist Helen Gordon would be one of three people honored this year, the protests began. Even Marketta Laurila, the award’s namesake, recently asked that her name not be associated with any award given … Read more
Lead paint tastes sweet, enticing children to nibble on paint chips flaking from window sills in older homes. And that’s one reason one out of every 23 children in the United States has lead poisoning. But a more important reason for the problem is improper maintenance and repair — by contractors, renovators, painters and homeowners … Read more
An hour before a Board of Adjustment hearing on the Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for the old Sayles-Biltmore Bleacheries site, activists rallied in front of the Public Works Building and along South Charlotte Street, shouldering anti-Wal-Mart placards and displaying a serpentine string of petition forms containing hundreds of signatures of citizens opposed to the project. Inside … Read more
Don’t blame the shelter — blame bad pet owners In the past year, there has been more than considerable controversy over the Asheville Humane Society (formerly Friends for Animals) management of the Animal Shelter and Animal Control. There was so much at issue that the county commissioners appointed an advisory board and appointed Mike Bradley … Read more
I suspect few Ashevilleans will remember the following: “The freedom of the press is a mighty sword; use it justly, hold it high and guard it well!” It’s the banner for a great old radio program called Big Town, where the star reporters of The Illustrated Press were Steve Wilson and Lorelei Kilbourne (played by … Read more
In 1968, I served with Sam Neill on the Student Council at Hendersonville High School and supported his successful campaign for treasurer of the student body. I remember him as a conscientious student and a workhorse when it came to school activities. More than 30 years later, I’m helping him to replace Charles Taylor as … Read more
