David Young sums up his campaign for state treasurer in three words: “Driving, driving, driving.” A Buncombe County commissioner for the past 16 years, he’s well-known in these parts. But North Carolina is a big state: 100 counties, 52,669 square miles, nearly 9 million people. And Young’s Democratic challengers in the May 6 primary—attorney Michael … Read more
On Tuesday, April 22, former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello will perform at the Grey Eagle under the name “The Nightwatchman,” but before he takes the stage, he’ll take a day to help boost awareness of Asheville’s living-wage campaign. Morello “has always been passionate about labor and worker issues,” notes Sarah Osmer, of … Read more
A broad process of seeking public input on how to address growth and development in the mountains will culminate with a weeklong public workshop in May, and a “tool box” of approaches to solving pressing growth-related issues. The process, dubbed the Mountain Landscapes Initiative, is a project of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. … Read more
When the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners sold a small piece of land to developer Stewart Coleman‘s Black Dog Realty back in November 2006, the transaction attracted little notice. Originally packaged with a slew of other items on the consent agenda, it was pulled, briefly discussed—and then unanimously approved. By any means: Candidate Cecil Bothwell … Read more
In a region brimming with edgy eco-conscious types such as cyclists, locavores, organic growers and even straight-up tree huggers, some folks still wait until Earth Day to give the environment even a passing thought. But in ardently green Western North Carolina, Earth Day is typically an action-packed affair, so we’ve devoted extra ink to spotlighting … Read more
On the list of things that are less likely to happen than being struck by a meteor are: winning the lottery, discovering buried treasure and being called out of nowhere to open for a superstar like John Legend or James Blunt. Carpe diem, y’all: Knoxville’s Erick Baker knows a thing or two about striking while … Read more
Life can be tough if you’re in a local party band. If your aim is to motivate Asheville’s hipster elite to uncross their arms long enough to shake it on the dance floor, as often as not, your efforts will go to waste. Being seen at a show is cool, but actually cutting loose and … Read more
Choreography can be an intensely personal art form. More than just a combination of postures and movements, choreography is also a reflection of the thoughts, insights and personal resolutions of its creator. It’s a kind of art that, first and foremost, exists in the choreographer’s imagination, and must translated by the dancers into something an … Read more
Local designers and boutiques are taking to the runway—make that runways—for good causes: art and the earth. The Asheville Area Arts Council rehashes its popular fundraiser ball again this summer (and this time, purple is the theme color). Get into the mood with the Purple Ball Fashion Show slated for Sunday, April 20, in the … Read more
Before the morning chill disappears from the air this Saturday, while some of us are still sweetly dreaming, farmers will unfurl their shade tents and set out their tender spring harvests. Bakers will assemble racks and pile them with fragrant loaves, fresh from the oven. Cheese makers will graciously uncover samples of their most delicate … Read more
