Anyone who’s survived adolescence knows how rough it can be. The hormones, the willfulness, the rebellion, the confusion, the acne—and that’s under the best of circumstances. Imagine facing the tumult of that age in poverty, with one overworked, underpaid parent, and maybe with a family or community history of abuse or the scourge of drugs. … Read more
Tax time is bearing down on both businesses and individuals like a runaway semi, but a whole host of local institutions won’t be paying a penny this year. No need to get indignant about it, though, because without those institutions, life here in Western North Carolina wouldn’t be nearly as good, argues former Asheville Mayor … Read more
A [recent] letter warned that gangs will establish themselves in Asheville once tagging has gained a foothold in the area [“When They Start Ganging Up on You,” March 29]. The writer explained that the artists do not work, but make money through selling drugs. I’ve known a couple of taggers. One was a well-paid graphic … Read more
Concerning the controversy over the comments made by Barack Obama’s pastor, I don’t fear a president with the tolerance to listen to someone he disagrees with—I fear a president lacking that tolerance. Many of the problems we now face as a nation result from a chief executive intellectually handicapped by his decision to surround himself … Read more
I was really glad to read the article “Growing Green in Dry Times” by Margaret Williams [The Dirt, March 19]. As we enter the spring season, many of us have already forgotten the exceptional drought our region was experiencing just last summer, and many others have no idea our city still finds itself in a … Read more
Here is my response to the letter from Mary Ann Durand regarding the new sculpture in Pritchard Park [“A Classical Dilemma, March 26]. Thanks to the city and the artist who created the sculpture, which now stands in Pritchard Park, for adding some zest and visual excitement to downtown Asheville. In her letter, Ms. Durand … Read more
A special place in the Museum of Journalism should be allocated to enshrine page 7 of the March 12 Mountain Xpress. I don’t know Cicada Brokaw (Asheville), Reb Knight (Mars Hill) or Lisa Bain Landis (Brevard), but their letters to the editor, published alongside the full-color notice of the Grand Opening of the Sky Loft … Read more
My dream for us is to become the beginning of the Responsible Communities Movement in North American. We’d be the first North American city to follow the recommendations of the International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS), as described in Benevento Resolution that came out of the commission’s 2006 conference in Benevento, Italy. Scientists there resolved … Read more
Diverse news selections and opinions are rapidly becoming obsolete with an appalling massive media takeover. In 1995, 20 corporations owned and controlled 50 percent of American radio and TV stations, newspapers, magazines, book publishers and major movie studios. At this writing, six corporations control the majority of the media in our country. It’s a one-size-fits-all … Read more
The IRS needs your help. Starting in May, economic stimulus payments of up to $600 for individuals ($1,200 for married couples) will be issued by the IRS based on 2007 tax returns. Parents also get $300 for each eligible child. People must file a 2007 tax return. That’s it. But here’s where the IRS needs … Read more
