At the outset of every conditional-use-permit hearing held by the Asheville City Council, City Clerk Maggie Burleson whips out the Bible. Sure, some Council meetings would try the patience of a saint. But Burleson isn’t seeking solace in scripture — she wields the Bible because North Carolina law requires it. It’s a sight familiar to … Read more
In Argentina, a generation of children grow up orphaned when their parents mysteriously “disappear.” In the West Bank, Palestinian youngsters attempt to cope with life in refugee camps. In India, widows live out their lives without status or respect. Heartbreaking events, sure — but they’re tragedies nevertheless destined to slip under the radar of our … Read more
Expose a breast on television — particularly when it competes with scantily clad cheerleaders during the Super Bowl — and the Federal Communications Commission will make a stand for decency and fine you silly. Welcome to the new morality: Television, radio and print media now live in fear of invoking the wrath of FCC Chairman … Read more
The history of the Civil War, it seems, will never rest. Even after 140 years, it’s still clawing out of its grave, going back to battle and haunting the country’s collective memory. In North Carolina, one of the most reluctant and conflicted Confederate states, William Faulkner’s admonition — “The past is never dead; it’s not … Read more
“Here’s the metaphor: … You find this fish. You prepare. You know what you’re going to catch. You get your bait, your tackle box — you get in the boat. You go out there. You catch it. It starts fighting. You’re like, ‘Wow, this is great.’ It’s pulling on your drag. You pull it out … Read more
Views Night of the Living Wood: Hollywood Red says goodbye to Woody Wood at Jack of the Wood; Thursday, Jan. 6. The first time I saw Aaron “Woody” Wood sing and play guitar was a couple years back at a fine summertime installment of Downtown After 5 featuring the Big Easy soul of the Dirty … Read more
As any good manager knows, the carrot is often as important as the stick. And for the second straight year, the agency that regulates Buncombe County’s air polluters put that precept into practice by handing out awards to businesses and organizations that have gone above and beyond what the law requires in reducing their contributions … Read more
A plan to get homeless people off the streets and into housing — with no strings attached — got the green light from City Council at its Jan. 11 formal session. Based on a “housing first” model developed and promoted by national nonprofits dealing with the homeless, the local plan is part of a federal … Read more
After the fire In the early morning hours of Dec. 15, James Cassels and his family — his wife, Brenda, and their three children, Derrick, 13, Ashley, 12, and Amber, 10 — lost everything they owned when a fire destroyed the house they’d lived in for 14 years. The Cassels were alerted to the danger … Read more
