For longer than many of us can remember, the U.S. Forest Service’s Smokey Bear campaign has featured the paternal bruin, in his ranger’s hat, delivering the emphatic warning: “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.” Maybe so, but the Forest Service is also pitching in: Hundreds of millions of public dollars are spent annually in an … Read more
This weekend, thousands of art enthusiasts — tourists and locals alike — will descend on the River Arts District for the biannual Studio Stroll. There’s been a gale of change since last November’s stroll: at least four new restaurants, a theater and several new studio and gallery spaces have opened, and new sidewalks and a … Read more
Heading to the River Arts District Studio Stroll this weekend? (More about that in this week’s A&E section or at riverartsdistrict.com.) The event covers a lot of ground — 19 buildings filled with demonstrations, hands-on activities and art, art, art. It also covers some prime eating hours (10 a.m. until 6 p.m., both days). Fortunately, … Read more
Joe and and Kellie Kiely say that opening their home and garden to the public is the least they can do to support OpenDoors of Asheville, a program that helps underprivileged children get access to tutoring and extracurricular activities such as music, dance and sports. “We have never opened up our gardens to the public,” … Read more
When he and his wife Lilian bought the 248-acre “Connemara” property just outside of Flat Rock from the Smyth family of Charleston, S.C., that year, Sandburg was already a celebrated poet and author, winning three Pulitzer Prizes for his work. He lived there for the next 22 years, until his death in 1967. Today, the home and the grounds are preserved as a National Historic Site and are open to the public.
A bill proposed by state Rep. Tim Moffitt that called for seizing Asheville's water system and transferring it to the Metropolitan Sewerage District has undergone a sea change. Referred to the House's Government Committee May 25, the bill emerged the next day looking quite different. “The Legislative Research Commission shall study whether requiring large cities … Read more
Volunteer work is a great way to get involved in your community, meet new friends and develop skills and connections that can lead to paid work. I know this firsthand: I volunteer all over Asheville, and I’m proud of the work I do and the connections I’ve made. I moved here nearly five years ago … Read more
Respectfully, to Chris Burgher and the citizens of Asheville: The Asheville Police Department is a mixed bag [“The Police are Here to Help,” May 25 Xpress]. You never really know what you will get as a result of calling on them or them calling on you. Congratulations, Mr. Burgher, for having such a satisfying experience … Read more
Henderson County may modify Pardee oversight "Henderson County commissioners plan to modify or rescind amendments they made to the Articles of Incorporation for Pardee Hospital in March in an effort to strengthen commissioners’ oversight of hospital matters, the commission chairman confirmed Friday." — [BlueRidgeNow.com] N.C. health exchange creation gets approval by House "The infrastructure for … Read more
I'm writing in response to Chris Burgher’s recent letter to the editor [“The Police Are Here to Help,” March 25 Xpress]. I will certainly give credit and gratitude to whomever it is due. I have had positive encounters with the police and thanked them for their sincere effort to help — but neither my positive … Read more
