In a 1997 interview with Goldmine magazine, aspiring cowboy and folk aficionado Ramblin’ Jack Elliot recalled his mentor Woody Guthrie this way: “I picked up a lot of good things from him and one or two bad habits.” These days, a lot of musicians are picking up good things from Guthrie — namely his songs. … Read more
Opera buffs never seem to get enough of that sweet stuff the little laddie Mozart left behind, and “Figaro” is arguably the most recognizable name in opera — whether you first heard it from Bugs Bunny, Luciano Pavarotti on the Tonight Show or, legitimately, in one of myriad productions by companies large and small around … Read more
My Picky Companion and I both cook for a living, so many people assume that our home life must revolve around baking soufflés, whisking our own mayonnaise and preparing elaborate meals for each other. Nothing could be further from the truth. When the invariable question pops up – “So, who cooks at home?” – the … Read more
The bee’s knees: The wildly successful Burt’s Bees, the Durham-based maker of Earth-friendly personal care products, is coming to town. On Thursday, March 31, Asheville’s Greenlife Grocery will host a “Burt’s Bees Seminar” featuring a look at the company’s history, conservation work and socially conscious products. The free presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. For more … Read more
The mere mention of orchids evokes tropical islands, plant explorations and mysterious encounters. Delicate and seductive, these beautiful flowers are unrivaled in both color and form, bringing joy to the hearts of their many admirers. That said, I have a confession to make: For whatever reasons, I’ve never caught the tropical-orchid fever. As a horticulturist … Read more
For the second time in three years, Asheville could be losing a hockey team. The Asheville Aces have notified city officials that if their latest proposal is rejected, the team may be moving to a new home. Principal owner/managing partner Dr. Richard Hoodenpyle made the announcement at a March 17 meeting of a subcommittee of … Read more
If Blue Ridge Biofuels has anything to say about it, every hippie bus in West Asheville should be able to dose on homemade biodiesel fuel this summer. By July, the group plans to open a publicly accessible pump in a part of town “where a lot of alternative people are,” says spokesperson Matt Siegel — … Read more
Access to plentiful sources of clean, safe water and an efficient, cost-effective delivery system are essential to healthy communities. Buncombe and Henderson counties and their incorporated cities and towns are blessed with plentiful water. But local governments are embroiled in conflict over who should control the distribution of this most essential resource. To help residents … Read more
You can’t always get what you want, whether you’re a member of the public or the Asheville City Council. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your point — or even take a stand. And at the March 22 formal session, Council member Holly Jones wondered whether two resolutions supporting recommendations made by the Downtown … Read more
