Naming no names The mystery Web site lives on, and a lengthy media appearance by its sponsor hasn’t offered many clues as to its origins. The site — www.ncipprg.com — purports to provide “expert evaluation” of the effectiveness of North Carolina’s state legislators as prepared by the little-known North Carolina Independent Public Policy Research Group. … Read more
Adventures in Megawatt Valley collage courtesy Rising Tide North America “The Battle of Drax,” one headline reads. “The Green Revolution,” proclaims another. Abigail Singer, a member of Asheville-based Katuah Earth First! and climate-change activist, seems an unlikely revolutionary as she calmly rattles off facts about carbon trading, greenhouse gases and tons of carbon-dioxide emitted by … Read more
“Consult the genius of the place in all.” That was Alexander Pope’s famous advice to landscape designers in the 18th century, and it is HandMade in America’s advice to the booming local building industry today. What is the genius of this place? Well, many would say it’s the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. And indeed that … Read more
Reflections of urban life I absolutely loved seeing local, urban art on the cover of the Aug. 30 Mountain Xpress. It is inspiring to artists in Asheville. However, I think it would help if Steve [Shanafelt, in the accompanying article, “Spray-Painting Is Not a Crime“] talked more extensively with people involved in these different murals, … Read more
“We are going to solve the runoff problems in Buncombe County.” — Assistant County Manager Jon Creighton Picture this: Beaverdam resident Elaine Lite used photos of severe erosion problems to underscore her case for a moratorium on development. photo by Jonathan Welch The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners moved toward quick approval of comprehensive storm-water … Read more
“I’ll be able to send out a lot of nice letters to tell people of your actions tomorrow.” — City Manager Gary Jackson Asheville’s water system continues to be a bugaboo for City Council. At their Sept. 19 work session, Council members agreed in principle to reduce the new capital-improvements fee for a handful of … Read more
A banjos and BENGAY affair: The Autism Society of North Carolina will hold its first annual 5K trail run on Saturday, Oct. 14, to raise awareness and money for the condition, which affects one in 175 school-aged children in America today. The run will take place at Deerfields, a mountain retreat 20 miles south of … Read more
photos by Melissa Smith A deep breath and you’re off. After hours of anticipation, the anxiety that was festering in the pit of your stomach has subsided, giving way to a rush of excitement. You watch in silent awe as the world around you transforms itself as you drift higher and higher. Altitude! It’s an … Read more
Not in the pot: Wild ginger is a prolific, shade-loving ground cover — but some authorities warn against culiniary use. photo by Cecil Bothwell After a summer spent inhaling two-cycle motor fumes or repeatedly whacking your favorite extension cord with a rotary blade, you’re undoubtedly ready to adopt a new landscaping strategy. To wit: no … Read more
Driving me nuts: In response to my announcement that I planned to plant a hazelnut, a reader offered a cautionary note: “They spread voraciously!” Point taken. I believe I’ll still proceed, but at least I’ve been forewarned. On a related matter, this helpful reader noted that “chinquapins are superb trees.” Power flowers: Reems Creek Valley … Read more
