There are nearly as many listings for Martinez in the Asheville phonebook as there are for my own gringo surname, Marshall. Western North Carolina has experienced a nearly 400-percent increase in its Latino population since the 2000 census, confirms YMI Cultural Center Executive Director Rita Martin. And yet our local Fiesta Latina reports only marginal … Read more
A “good ol’ girl” is distinctly Southern, of course. What she’s not is the fragile-yet-manipulative Southern belle, the bosomy Hee-Haw bimbo with the unintelligible drawl, or the peroxide-blonde party girl in a souped-up Trans Am … or, for that matter, any of the other tiresome stereotypes that still plague Southern women today. “A Good Ol’ … Read more
It’s taken Alan Licht nearly 15 years to admit to digging a few Thompson Twins songs. Which makes him, I guess, a better man than I. Because my unkind ass still loathes most of those radio-ready Faux Wave bands of the ’80s, sporting their heinous haircuts sculpted into, I dunno, waterfalls, avalanches, over-groomed Pomeranians, something. … Read more
When Susan Tedeschi graduated from high school in 1988 in blues-unlikely Norwell, Mass., she debated becoming a marine biologist. Instead, she immersed herself in studies at Boston’s pedigreed Berklee College of Music. Fifteen years later, and Tedeschi has shared stages with both Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt, and has garnered two Grammy nominations, including Best … Read more
Of note In synch with stardom: This fall, ET’s Bar and Grill in Arden will host a local karaoke competition from which winners will travel to regionals and (if their skills impress) on to the national competition. Then it’s overseas to the Karaoke World Championship in Finland. Yes, Finland. Those interested should attend the 8 … Read more
“To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.” — Mohandas Gandhi For me, the most fulfilling part of organic gardening is creating soil that can produce fruitful harvests. Although I prefer tending to digging, gardening keeps me in touch with my physical dependence on soil as the … Read more
Next Tuesday, Asheville voters will cast their ballots in a primary election designed to winnow the field of candidates for three City Council seats. The six survivors among the 13 contenders will slug it out on Nov. 7. In the primary, each eligible voter may choose three candidates. In order to help our readers cut … Read more
“We want something that’s less than state code, but better than nothing at all.” — Building Safety Director Terry Summey Irony, it seems, was the order of the day. Asheville City Council members Holly Jones and Carl Mumpower traded sarcastic barbs. Building Safety Director Terry Summey assured Council, “We want something that’s less than state … Read more
Trout saddles? Do mountain trout buck when you ride ’em? Well, RiverLink has sure raised the question, anyway. The local agency is hosting the Swannanoa Appreciation Day and Trout Rodeo at the Buncombe County Recreation Park, adjacent to the Nature Center, on Oct. 5 from 12-4 p.m. The free event will feature trout fishing from … Read more
