Blackbeard, Daniel Boone, Wilma Dykeman, even George Washington. Each of these famous names, all of which appear in William Auman's new book, Pioneer Paddling Colonial Carolina, has a Tar Heel connection. Auman grew up in Benson, N.C., south of Raleigh and moved to Asheville in 1986 to become a public defender after finishing law school. … Read more
Early November is an appropriate time to let one’s physical and philosophical flags fly. There’s the candy-colored Day of the Dead, which in its most solemn incarnation is about appeasing one’s ancestors. Then comes the edgy, much-anticipated mid-term elections, whose results should be known the day this article runs. The capper is Veteran’s Day, a … Read more
Asheville City Council Oct. 26 meeting Cell-tower ordinance changes postponed again Sustainability incentives pass second reading Montford Commons deal approved Coopers Hawk Drive annexation to proceed “Let's be swift,” Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy urged her City Council colleagues early in their Oct. 26 meeting. Most of the agenda items, she noted, were things Council had … Read more
How does setting a street performer up for a slam benefit community happiness? I think your inclusion of the category "Least Favorite Busker" [in “Best of WNC, Round Two,” Oct. 20] was mean, petty and extremely small-minded. To do what the buskers do requires courage and nerve. To invite others to slam them requires nothing. … Read more
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Oct. 26 meeting State lottery funds to help pay local teachers’ salaries Alcohol banned on all county property Burned historic properties lose landmark status In the wake of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ marathon Oct. 5 meeting, which focused on revising the rules governing construction on steep slopes, the … Read more
I'd like to respond to the letter to the editor by Steven Howard [“Cash Cow at 60 mph,” Oct. 27 Xpress] in regard to the speeding which takes place on Brevard Road and how Asheville might benefit from … enforcing the speed limit [and collecting] the revenue generated by tickets given. I agree with Mr. … Read more
If you've ever ordered a book or a DVD online, you probably imagined you were conducting a thoroughly private transaction. But a flap between Amazon.com and the state of North Carolina has shone a spotlight on the thorny question of where, exactly, personal privacy gives way to the government’s power to levy taxes. The resulting … Read more
There are quiet leaders who walk among us, those who built Asheville to be the town she’s become. Claudia and Mike Nix are two of those leaders. The couple’s shop, Liberty Bicycles, has been a business leader for 30 years and has grown into an internationally renowned bike store. All along, Claudia, in her quiet … Read more
Campaign season came to a close this week with local candidates and political parties engaged in an epic battle for votes. In one of the clashes, U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler fought off Republican challenger Jeff Miller in a final debate on WWNC radio's “Take a Stand!” During the sometimes contentious discussion, the two candidates for … Read more
I am the proud and involved grandmother of a 4-year-old boy who lives in Asheville. I felt compelled to write about the wonderful education he is receiving, [which] is available to the Asheville community. He has attended the preschool program at Odyssey Community School in Asheville for a year and a half, and I am … Read more
