Songwriters and buddies Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott both have successful solo careers and pretty different musical styles. Yes, they're both rooted in folk and roots traditions, but O'Brien's songs tend to be upbeat, even humorous, while Scott's are stoic. Still, the two find plenty of common ground on their collaborations, which now aptly number … Read more
Even in a nature-rich area, residents can lose touch with the environment. “I've been fretting over the disconnection between people and nature for most of my adult life,” says Chuck Marsh, co-founder and co-designer of Earthaven Ecovillage in Black Mountain. This disconnect has a name — nature-deficit disorder — and Marsh and other local educators … Read more
The family that creates art together, stays together. Or something like that. It's worked for the Voorhees family, starting with patriarch Edwin Voorhees, a coastal seascapes painter, and his wife Mildred, a painter of still lifes and landscapes. Their children and grandchildren inherited the artistic inclination. This year marks the 16th annual Voorhees Family Art … Read more
Following A-B Tech’s production of Unnecessary Farce in April, the local community college will discontinue its drama courses and terminate those faculty members. The decision was made after the state omitted theater from the list of courses guaranteed to be accepted as transfer credits by all 16 state universities. “If a course is not on … Read more
State, local and company officials met Nov. 14 to break ground on GE Aviation's new 170,000-square-foot Asheville facility, which is being built next to the company’s current machining plant in South Asheville. It will be the first in the world to mass-produce engine components made of advanced ceramic matrix composite materials. GE will begin hiring … Read more
In response to John Gray's letter, "Ingles Infomercial Has No Place in Paper," [Nov. 13 Xpress] I don't fault the Xpress for printing self-serving corporate spin. The paper would probably go out of business if it censored ads containing hype, half-truths and double-speak. Consumers must be vigilant when reading information provided by someone out to … Read more
Elections are over, and we have a new mayor and City Council. So what's on the horizon, and where do we go from here? Well, based on recent history, we can definitely look forward to increased traffic, population growth, limited parking and an overcrowded downtown — also known as "smart growth" to our local politicians. … Read more
Local prog-pop outfit East Coast Dirt has a way with words. A self-described "sonic monster," the band coined the term "sneaker boogaloo" for its danceable fusion that's as much about improv as it is about instrumental prowess. Hints of reggae, funk, jam and humor weave through East Coast Dirt's songs. And, to further blur the … Read more
“The culture around here is that everything can be improved,” says Alex Comfort, board president of the Western North Carolina chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. “People in WNC understand how important nonprofits are in helping those in need and also bringing us the highest possible quality of life.” Collectively, nonprofit organizations in Buncombe … Read more
Nearly 50 million turkeys will die this Thanksgiving season, and almost all will be raised on factory farms under abominable conditions. Intensive confinement will drive these gentle birds to fight with one another, just as you or I would do if we were crammed together for our entire lives. So that they don’t severely harm … Read more
