Day: January 3, 2012
Private business?
Is there an unstated agenda in Raleigh to privatize Asheville’s water system? Recent developments give reason for real concern. Last May, freshman Rep. Tim Moffitt of Asheville stunned many of his newly acquired constituents by abruptly introducing a bill in Raleigh stripping the city of its water system and handing it over to the non-elected, … Read more
A call to action
MANNA FoodBank aims to involve, educate and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. In 2012, we’ll focus on building and enhancing existing community partnerships across our 16-county service area to help our 231 partner agencies better serve more than 100,000 people seeking food assistance. Drawing on the region’s spirit … Read more
Where there’s waste, there’s opportunity
I wanted to comment on Karen Hardison’s letter in the Dec. 21 Xpress, “Asheville City Schools Need to Smarten Up on Waste.” I am reminded of a bumper sticker: “critical thinking … the other national deficit.” Our children will tend to emulate adults in thinking and action unless something breaks the thought/action cycle currently in … Read more
Community economics
In 2012, let’s dedicate ourselves to a “maker” system of economics that’s based on creating new value, not trading old value. Let’s focus on those who develop tools within our community to replace consumption as an end in itself, and create a manifesto that guides city contracts and organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, to … Read more
Green Scene
Light pollution is something many of us don’t think much about, but for stargazers, migrating birds and folks passionate about energy conservation, dark skies are a resource worth protecting. Buncombe County will be approving new outdoor-lighting standards in 2012, particularly commercial and industrial lighting, and some local activists see it as an opportunity to strengthen … Read more
A tableful of big ideas
As the Asheville culinary community grows, big ideas abound. For some of WNC's rising food stars, unearthing, preserving and improving traditions seems to be the trend. While working toward the common cause of elevating the food scene, they say, returning to roots may be the quickest way to get there.
Support the arts that support Asheville
I moved to Asheville in 1996 and saw a city in transition. Many buildings were still boarded up and unused. Since then, I have seen huge growth, to the delight of some (and the chagrin of others). I saw folks coming from all over the country to Asheville, and bringing with them money from other … Read more
“One of our own”
Jimmy Landry believes that strength is found in numbers. This thinking — this unwavering belief that we are stronger when we work together — has rooted Landry in the local acoustic music industry. Landry is widely known as a thoughtful singer-songwriter, boasting four independent albums, including his most recent release, Life Is Good, which was … Read more
