JJ Grey is a white boy. Specifically, the songwriting wellhead of the porch-swing-fitted MOFRO is a 39-year-old North Florida white boy—a dirtfloorcracker, as he quips in song—a man of the unapologetically Southern variety, fond of his short-cropped hair, country-road accent and some achingly personal blues-basted rock and soul. You can learn most of this and … Read more
I am ready to see some real change happen locally, nationally and globally. I am tired of mediocrity and seeing tax dollars used inefficiently. Everyone, including elected politicians, government staff, activists and community members, can commit to think more systemically and not allow ourselves to frame reality linearly. Linear thinking stems from Newtonian physics and … Read more
The setting was a familiar one to me as a vegetarian. I’m with a group of friends and work buddies eating dinner out on the town in Asheville, and the subject of my meatless plate comes up. “How can you live without meat?” is followed by “I would die if I couldn’t eat steak,” and … Read more
Very recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, with hundreds of scientists from 113 countries, determined conclusively that man-made greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming. They predicted devastating droughts and hurricanes, and extensive flooding of coastal areas, displacing millions. A report released by the United Nations in November blamed animal agriculture for 18 percent … Read more
We applaud the Mountain Xpress for delving into important issues like where to find the best chicken wings and democratic schools in Asheville. Buncombe County Early College [Commentary: “Education and Democracy,” Jan. 31; “Democracy in Action,” Feb. 7] deserves to be commended for striving to implement democratic structures that include students as a central part … Read more
To say I was appalled to read Nina Smith’s disturbing letter [“Fries With That?”, Feb. 14] would be an understatement. I am deeply disappointed in the Xpress for printing something so blatantly juvenile and lacking any real substance. It was nothing more than an absurd threat to abused animals and a childish attempt to ridicule … Read more
I am writing pertaining to the article on Carmel’s Restaurant and Bar [“The Straight Dish,” Feb. 7]. Your writer thinks she must write a funny story instead of just commenting on the food and restaurant. This article was pitiful. A Floridian party place that was preceded by Anntony’s, a beans-and-rice place! Please try to find … Read more
I am writing out of my concern for the issue that was addressed in the “Green Scene” environmental news written by Rebecca Bowe [“Cloudy Currents,” Oct. 11, 2006]. The article made reference to a storm-water ordinance recently passed that will impose fines on developers when ineffective storm-water-control systems result in land disturbances. I fear that … Read more
I wanted to thank you for publishing such a nice article about See No Evil Films in December [Buzzworm, “Rolling Into Town: See No Evil Films,” Dec. 13]. Having opened our offices in Asheville recently, it was such an incredible joy to feel so welcomed in the community. Your reporter, Brian Postelle, did an excellent … Read more
A nonbinding, antiwar, anti-Iraq-surge resolution is despicable and meaningless! Are the Democrats under the assumption that they were elected to simply assist the current administration in its crimes? What’s next, a nonbinding impeachment complete with pay raise and tenure? Didn’t America vote for a change last November? How quickly the newly elected succumb to the … Read more
