Now that my erstwhile editor has pointed out that the string of invectives (mostly comprised of words you won’t see in this paper), which I sent his way following the announcement of the Best Picture winner, is virtually identical to the string of invective I unleash every year after the announcement, I guess I can … Read more
Going smokeless: Step into the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Merrimon Avenue and take a deep breath: The ever-popular “brew and view” has gone smoke-free, even at the bar area (of course, you can still pop outside for drag or two). Pickin’ and ‘cue: Barbecue and bluegrass will make an appetizing combination this Saturday, … Read more
As a well-connected member of the Charlotte business community, I heard people say time and again, “Asheville (and the mountain region) would be a great place to live — but what would I do with my career?” The most obvious challenge I faced when leading the effort to launch the Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council for … Read more
Jerry’s not-so-holy gospel As an aspiring curmudgeon, I look forward to Jerry Sternberg’s semi-regular commentaries in the Xpress. I find that his recounting of local histories provides a unique perspective. Therefore, I read with great anticipation the latest installment of the “Gospel According to Jerry” in which he suggests that the “good old days” were … Read more
Civic Center task force wraps up mandate The Asheville Civic Center Task Force will gather for its potentially final meeting on Wednesday, March 15, to try to place the last large piece into the puzzle on their table. Following a mandate from City Council to produce two recommendations for the Civic Center’s future, the task … Read more
Among the wide-ranging skills on offer are how to make a cardboard mountain dulcimer, cook New Orleans style, lower yourself gently into a shamanic trance, or design your own home. The name Blue Mountain Schoolhouse conjures images of potbellied stoves and Laura Ingalls Wilder types doodling on slates; the BMS catalog exploits that idea with … Read more
“My heritage is not for sale. Our folks were promised this road; we haven’t gotten it.” — Swain County Commissioner David Monteith Few regional issues have shown greater divisive power — or, for that matter, staying power — than the long-running plan to lay a 34-mile ribbon of asphalt through the southern portion of the … Read more
“The way our area has been gerrymandered is very unique and very unrealistic.” — Council member Brownie Newman On the eve of a deadline to submit priority requests for federal funding, the Asheville City Council approved its entire shopping list at its Feb. 28 formal session. On the majority of those items, Council member Carl … Read more
Old clothes, new tricks • Who she is: Sherri Bell • What she’s wearing: Bright-orange vintage coat with white piping (“it’s ‘something borrowed,’” according to Sherri); a green sweater she reconstructed; a pink tube top worn as a corset over skinny jeans; platform cockroach stompers (“I’ve had these for ages”) and a chain necklace she … Read more
“Formless fear”: David Berman overcomes his stage fright. Photo by Cassie Berman Silver Jews front man David Berman is shaking away his safety net. For the first time in his 15 years of music, the cultish poet/musician will move from the comforts of pen and paper and onto (drum roll, please) … the stage. It’s … Read more
