The Asheville Downtown Association’s Spare Change for Real Change project aims to redirect donations away from panhandlers and toward local organizations working on behalf of the homeless. The ADA has recently placed small black boxes around downtown that people can put money into instead of giving it to a panhandler. I’m all for helping the … Read more
After spending time out West and Down Under, I drove back across country just in time to celebrate the 12th anniversary of my arrival in Asheville. Memories flashed through my mind: chugging up a steep mountain highway in my overloaded Nova (luckily at 2 in the morning); sharing a nice apartment with my grown kids, … Read more
Congress voted on a few issues immediately before going on their recess for the entire month of August. I just wanted readers to know how their elected leaders voted on a few of the most important issues. This will boggle the mind. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act bill passed 83 to 14, but … Read more
I confess, I’m the blogger [mentioned in] “All Up in Your Grill” [Aug. 8]. When I read that article, I had to shake my head. In the year-and-a-quarter I’ve lived here and spent time with Stewart and Terri [David] at protests, I have never seen any hint of the hostility Stewart allegedly showed. Ms. Barrett-Knopp’s … Read more
This is on the matter of the Israeli war-plane attack on SS Liberty in June, 1967. Brian Knopp (8/01) responded to a letter by Jerry Russom (7/18) and I would like to respond to Brian Knopp. Firstly, it is suspect that an event that took place exactly 40 years ago should become a heated debate … Read more
Not a week goes by that I do not hear of valid concern regarding the ongoing development of West Asheville’s heavenly slice of our beloved city. While the influx of money is ostensibly a good thing, strengthening our city’s overall tax base, obvious hazards exist. How can West Asheville grow without losing its unique charm … Read more
A diverse group of citizens, concerned about several recent incidents involving law enforcement and activists, has decided to push for a citizens’ review board on the Asheville Police Department, as well as increased pressure on city, county and state officials to protect civil rights and more of a citizen presence at demonstrations throughout the city. … Read more
The March of Dimes is one example of several “non-profits” that still heavily fund the vivisection industry. People in laboratories inflict human disease onto other species, such as rodents and primates. But these diseases are not the same as the ones that humans have. Diseases such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure take a … Read more
Reading [the Aug. 15 letters] about the B-52’s at Biltmore, I wasn’t surprised [at] how patrons were treated by the Biltmore security. Get real. This 40-something crowd paid good money to see a late ‘70s techno-pop band—granted, a band that pioneered a techno/rock/dance era with their party dance tunes. We weren’t there to witness the … Read more
Mr. Butckovitz [“Flags, Feet and Freedom,” Letters Aug. 22] doesn’t want to look at me barefoot “while eating a dinner that [he] paid for.” Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective), we live in a country where everyone has a right to freedom of expression, and that includes choice of attire, even if unconventional. But … Read more
