Of note Words and deeds: The band The Dead Poets are currently working on their second CD of classic poetry set to a variety of musical styles. According to the group’s Web site, they plan to be finished with the as-yet-untitled project by early 2003. For more information, visit www.thedeadpoets.com. Front-row reviews Who: The Von … Read more
Blue Latitudes by Tony Horwitz (Henry Holt & Co., 2002) Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tony Horwitz (Confederates in the Attic) has done it again in this exploration of Captain James Cook’s 18th-century historic voyages into the “Great Southern Continent,” the Pacific Archipelagos and the Northeast Passage. Horwitz’ flair for detail makes for one interesting read — … Read more
Sex. Now that I have your attention … this piece is actually about, well, sex. It’s also about seduction, betrayal and scandal among the elite — and yes, there is nudity involved. I know, you’re thinking reruns of Dallas, or maybe Melrose Place — but what I’m talking about is the unparalleled predecessor to all … Read more
After nearly 40 years of composing, performing and recording masterpieces of the American-music canon, jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock is unquestionably a singular icon, a living legend. Hancock was a pianist for five years in one of the great jazz ensembles of all time — the Miles Davis Quintet of the 1960s. He emerged post-Miles to … Read more
“I’m no good at sound bites,” Bruce Cockburn admitted with a laugh following yet another lengthy response to a question. The esteemed singer/songwriter was taking a break from recording his 24th album of previously unreleased material — and his first for Rounder Records — to chat by phone. Except that Cockburn, 57, is not a … Read more
To opponents of land mines, the image of a single impoverished child scrounging in a minefield should be enough to sway any proponent of buried ordnance. But that’s hardly a realistic scenario, says Bruce Cockburn. “Multiply that image by millions of children like that,” he suggests. “Land mines in the modern world are a plague, … Read more
Help with winter energy expenses If you don’t make much money and you’re wondering how you’re going to cover the seasonal increase in energy bills this winter, you might want to apply for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The state program gives qualifying low-income residents a one-time supplement to help cover winter energy expenses. … Read more
Do yourself a favor within the next week or two: Take a ride on the Asheville Transit System. It ranks among the area’s best bets in efficient, comfortable, alternative transportation. I splurged the other day and sampled one of the system’s longest, most expensive options. For a whopping $1, I racked my bike and boarded … Read more
The Rev. Sally Bingham brings her full spiritual focus to bear on environmental issues, declaring, “If God requires you to love your neighbor, then you shouldn’t pollute your neighbor’s air.” And religious groups, she feels, have a special responsibility to fight things like global warming. “The faith community should lead by example,” she maintains. In … Read more
Our Oct. 23 report on the unusual circumstances surrounding the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department handling of an alleged domestic-violence incident appears to have catalyzed government action. On Oct. 28, Public Information Officer John Bason of the North Carolina Department of Justice told Xpress, “SBI received a request from [Buncombe County] D.A. Ron [Moore] to conduct … Read more
