Can you say “cervical collar”? Pro mountain boarder Barron Frierson, of Fairview, gets a little hang time during a Big Air competition held at The Holler in Fletcher on July 8. photo by Melissa Smith Imagine the thrill — or fright, perhaps — of mountain biking downhill at top speed, dodging rocks, trees and other … Read more
We’re gonna have a TV party Immediately after first episode of Biker Billy Cooks with Fire airs — when dozens of men who once thought themselves macho are holding ice cubes to their tongues in a vain attempt to stave off the inferno of a meat loaf made with peppers ranking around 90,000 Scoville units … Read more
How do you spell pest? Chances are good that you regard as pests those things that literally bug you. photo by Alex Wild For example, most of us think mosquitoes are pests. They bite, they cause itching, they may carry disease, and they whine in our ears when we lie abed, sleepless and sweaty, on … Read more
No one who keeps up with national events will really be surprised to see two of our elected officials — Asheville City Council member Carl Mumpower and U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor — joining other politicians who are grabbing headlines with their anti-immigrant proposals. Perhaps Mumpower needs to be reminded that a federal law already exists … Read more
It isn’t often that such a painless lifestyle change will go so far in saving money and the environment at the same time. Everybody’s looking for ways to cut costs, and most of us want to do our part to help preserve our beautiful mountain environment for future generations. Yet Asheville-area residents, businesses and local … Read more
Bring back my Bonnie’s History does repeat itself — and will continue to do so, like a nagging spouse, until we tell it to shut up. And then it will keep on wagging its tongue and finger, but we won’t pay it any mind. Historical character, on the other hand, can get obliterated in a … Read more
“There ain’t no way I’m going to vote for [$6.2 million].” — Board of Commissioners Chairman Nathan Ramsey Rancor, raw and ugly, returned to local water negotiations when the Asheville City Council met with two Buncombe County commissioners at A-B Tech’s Enka campus on July 17. A mere month before, Mayor Terry Bellamy and City … Read more
“They are getting noise complaints and that’s real. But the drum circle is real too.” — Drummer Gregg Levoy Odd as it may seem, when drummers gathered in Asheville last Friday night — just one week after being dispersed by the police — some did so hoping to get noise complaints. photo by Jonathan Welch … Read more
“On its own, the material in this site might take 50 years to decompose. With the biodigester, that will happen in just 15 years.” — Buncombe County General Services Director Bob Hunter Bob Hunter, Buncombe County’s general services director, is charged with managing the county’s fleet, landfill, transfer station, litter control and recycling, along with … Read more
“Workers are being exploited, and it’s the employers that are benefitting.” — Council member Bryan Freeborn on illegal immigrants The topic of illegal immigration is muy caliente these days, and the Asheville City Council waded into the fray at its July 18 work session. A series of suggestions by Council member Carl Mumpower had a … Read more
