William H. Logan recalls a friend who was so keen on capturing images of dew-covered spider webs that the guy took to toting around a misting bottle to help Mother Nature along. “He got over it, I’m happy to say,” reports Logan, a veteran local photography teacher. Even in the gentle world of amateur nature … Read more
On March 11, Asheville City Council members Joe Dunn and Carl Mumpower voted to block a proposed relocation and expansion of the Flynn Christian Community Home — despite the facility’s 40-year track record of helping make Asheville a better place by housing and caring for homeless, recovering addicts. Dunn’s and Mumpower’s actions are puzzling in … Read more
A recent letter to Mountain Xpress showed a woeful lack of understanding about both the Civic Center and the responsibilities of city government. First, the facts: The Civic Center complex does run a yearly deficit. So what? So do the police and fire departments, Parks & Rec, the schools and all the other areas of … Read more
Made in these mountains “Our niche is that all of our things are from Western North Carolina,” explains Melinda Knies, manager of Mountain Made. “Other stores might carry items from North Carolina, Appalachia, the mountains — but that could include parts of Virginia or Tennessee. Ours is just strickly Western North Carolina.” The 946-square-foot gallery/retail … Read more
“Houses don’t cause fires — people do. And inspectors don’t inspect people.” — Bonnie Bailey, Asheville Apartment Association And the answer is … keep waiting. Nine months ago, the Asheville City Council appointed a 21-member task force to consider the issue of mandatory vs. complaint-based inspections of homes in the city. The group was supposed … Read more
“I implore you, in a moral sense, to not screw this thing up.” — Steven House, advocate for the mentally ill His voice calm and deliberate, Asheville resident Steven House encouraged the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners last week not to fear people like him. House — who said he’s been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia … Read more
They said they would do it, and they did … well, sort of. After inheriting the perennial Civic Center problem on assuming office, the current city leadership made this year’s annual planning retreat the deadline for determining the future of Asheville’s crumbling auditorium/sports facility. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the current economic climate, that decision took … Read more
Workshop takes on Hispanic housing issues Among the many issues facing members of the local Hispanic community is finding safe, affordable housing. A community workshop on housing — “Reaching Out in Our Diversity” — will happen Thursday, April 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Great Smokies Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort. Presented by the Asheville-Buncombe Community … Read more
Carl Sandburg, 20th-century poet laureate and national statesman, once claimed, “I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.” And I took the same attitude as I began searching out some of the region’s premier options for outdoor-volunteer service. Volunteering takes on a different personality when you step outdoors — … Read more
Front-row reviews What: Kenny Brown Where: The Orange Peel When: Wednesday, March 12 Blues guitarist Kenny Brown looks like he should be driving the tour bus rather than opening the show. He’s tall and gaunt, and sports a ’70s-era winged ‘do — but the man knows what to do with a slide guitar. Wailing through … Read more
