Day: December 3, 2013
Folk-famous
When Dar Williams (who plays Saturday at The Grey Eagle) released her debut album, The Honesty Room, in 1994, she was pretty sure any career she might have would come from writing books about natural food stores. The music thing, she imagined, would probably just be something she did on the side. She showed up … Read more
An inside perspective
Here’s how volunteer navigator Jim Carillon of Pisgah Legal Services sees the process playing out so far: My role isn't to advise people on what policy to choose under the Affordable Care Act, but to give them the information so they can make better choices. In general, folks I'm helping are finding that the alternatives … Read more
A few key points
Council on Aging volunteer navigator Kayla Shaffer answers some basic questions: Which specific populations is the Council on Aging hoping to get enrolled? All ages, all demographics. We're responsible for 10 counties. We've focused on Buncombe, but we're doing tremendous outreach work in the rural counties as well. What's the response been like so far? … Read more
Common misunderstandings
Executive Director Jim Barrett of Pisgah Legal Services clears up some points of confusion: What specific populations is Pisgah Legal Services hoping to get enrolled? Pisgah Legal Services is most keen on reaching uninsured people, especially populations that disproportionately lack health insurance: rural folks, African-Americans, people who speak English as a second language or not … Read more
Numbers, resources and facts
(855) 733-3711 Statewide toll-free number for ACA navigator assistance. Call this number to arrange a personal appointment with a local navigator to discuss your health insurance options and potential eligibility for tax credits or other financial assistance. 253-0406 Pisgah Legal Services 277-8288 Council on Aging of Buncombe County 57 Number of volunteer navigators working with … Read more
Conversations
The news that McKibbon Hotel Group is backing out of plans to develop property on Haywood Street in downtown Asheville generated a wealth of responses on various websites. Many readers offered suggestions on what they’d like to see happen to the city-owned property now. Here’s a sample of what some had to say via Mountainx.com: … Read more
Code pink
“What did you learn in school today?” “Nothing.” If this sounds familiar to you, you probably have a teen or tween. The good news is, it’s not “nothing” that your child is learning every day in our Asheville City Schools (ACS) 180 days of the year. From Lego-robotics to coding to iPads in the classroom, … Read more
Combating chaos
Photos by Carrie Eidson From taekwondo to krav maga, if there is one thing that all martial artists can agree on, it's that practitioners must be prepared to deal with chaos. At least that's what Sean and Nesta Kennedy, co-owners of Kasumi Mountain Martial Arts, were counting on when they decided to bring seven of … Read more
Float away
It’s a bright and blustery morning in North Asheville, where I am about to embark on a rather unique journey. With my heart pounding and my nerves afire, I am stepping into a dark, lonely box to float in silence in a warm, epsom-saltwater solution for 90 minutes. I am — understandably — a bit … Read more
