Day: August 5, 2009
Nurturing dreams
If it weren't for Mountain BizWorks, Monte's Sub Shop co-owner Daniel Ruiz says he wouldn't be in business today. That's a sentiment shared by many of the 3,000-plus alumni who've received loans, taken courses, attended workshops and received technical assistance through the organization since its founding, 20 years ago, as the Mountain Microenterprise Fund. Riding … Read more
Bob Barker, PETA protest treatment of Cherokee bears
Former game-show host Bob Barker, known far and wide for uttering the line "C'mon down" to contestants on The Price is Right, says that's exactly what tourists won't be doing in Western North Carolina as word continues to spread about what he and fellow animal-rights activists see as inhumane treatment of bears on the reservation … Read more
Accused gunman released on bond, cycling community outraged
The release of Asheville firefighter Charles Alexander Diez, charged with shooting cyclist Alan Simons July 26, has the local cycling community "outraged," according to one leader. Facing charges of attempted first-degree murder, Diez was let out on bond. Around midday on July 26, police say, Diez angrily confronted Simons, who was riding along Tunnel Road … Read more
Johnson resigns as Buncombe GOP chair
Buncombe County Republican Party Chair Tim Johnson, who was recently elected vice chair of the state party, stepped down from his local leadership post July 31, with county Vice Chair Robert Malt taking over as local chair. Stepping up, stepping down: Buncombe County Republican Party Chair Tim Johnson resigned July 31 to move to Durham, … Read more
The Green Scene
You've probably never heard of the Appalachian elktoe mussel, but some local folks have — and they're trying to help the little mollusk survive. On the North Toe River just downstream from Spruce Pine, crews have removed the remnants of an old dam, hoping to re-establish the fish populations the endangered species depends on. The … Read more
Exotic Appalachia
Even these days, when electric guitars and keyboards rule and mountain music is the stuff of Smithsonian recordings and PBS specials, a banjo player is easy enough to find. Asheville writer Gene Senyak recently published Banjo Camp!, Tyler Ramsey picked his way through a Band of Horses song, and Shindig on the Green — now … Read more
Spork
So this week the section is pretty man-heavy. We always try for a balance of genres and venues, but this week's A&E dudeness was striking — one of those things you don't necessarily notice until you're turning your photos in to the designer, and they're all dudes, standing, sitting, rocking, whatever. Oh yeah, and one … Read more
Still out doing what they do
Listen to the interview here! Twenty years (!) after the release of its debut, the clever and eclectic 3 Feet High and Rising, hip-hop trio De La Soul prove they're still relevant with a new release on iTunes and an album planned for later this year. Xpress talked to band member Posdnuos about the forefathers … Read more
