Research shows that the first five years of life lay the foundation for all future learning and that those [receiving] high quality care are far more likely to graduate from high school, commit fewer crimes, be homeowners and have higher earnings. More importantly, they will provide communities with a higher skilled workforce that will be … Read more
I want to thank Mr. Eck for his viewpoints on values as it stimulated me to think more deeply about this subject ["Democrats Don't Represent our Mountain Values," May 5]. In reality, true human values are universal. They can be claimed by neither mountain nor coast. They do not originate from north, south, east or … Read more
I found Mr. Christian Eck's view — that Democratic values are somehow not complementary to "mountain values" — most shortsighted and offensive ["Democrats Don't Represent Our Mountain Values," May 5]. Let's look another way at some of the ones he lists: Limited government. These two words mean absolutely nothing without the details. Does it mean … Read more
We hope you'll allow us this opportunity and forum to thank the people of Asheville and our neighboring communities for supporting FANATICON (May 15). Thanks to them, we welcomed over 3,500 attendees to our first-time event. We were somewhat anxious about introducing a convention of this kind to the area, but any fears we had … Read more
At a November forum on wind power at UNCA, a young staffer from a regional activist group puffed that he had dedicated his life to fighting mountaintop-removal coal mining, blustering that he wasn't about to let "these NIMBYs" who oppose industrializing Western North Carolina's ridge tops stand in his way. As a child of coal … Read more
It's strawberry season again. Though imported strawberries are available in grocery stores throughout the year, many prefer the taste of local berries, which are available in the Southern Appalachians only in the spring. Ask farmers market shoppers the reasons for their preference, and they'll cite the sweeter, more intense flavor and the redder flesh of … Read more
Once again, the Twin Rivers Media Festival is upon us. And once again, festival director Carlos Steward (the man behind World Cinema) has managed to line up an impressive array of films for the event, which runs from Friday, May 28, through Sunday, May 30, at the Courtyard Gallery, 9 Walnut St., in downtown Asheville. … Read more
I recently had the pleasure of talking to filmmaker Nash Edgerton about his film The Square, which opens in Asheville on Friday. I have to say I understood the film a little better after our conversation, especially as to why it’s so short on dialogue. Why? Well, Nash Edgerton isn’t the most talkative person I’ve … Read more
