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Braver Angels, an optimistic alternative to toxic politics

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Written by Jordan Lenoir

Braver Angels invites anyone and everyone to join them to help depolarize politics in America by bringing any political view to the table! This national cross-partisan, non-profit organization invites members red, blue and others to converse through shared and separated values and concerns to build more trust in politics. 

On the Asheville FM Newshour, KP Whaley interviewed Tod Lester about his organization that is dedicated to bringing the citizens of America together from all political views. 

Braver Angels recently conducted a survey regarding elections and how they can become more trustworthy for voters. Last year, Braver Angels held a convention that gathered 700 people where they collectively questioned, “what’s an issue that congress needs some help with or what are they not doing that we can do?” Lester revealed that following this questioning was “a series of 26 workshops, 194 evenly balanced red leaning and blue leaning participants, 747 points of unanimous agreements, they came up with 23 solutions on how to ensure that our elections are more trustworthy.” Lester shares that Braver Angels is holding an event on July 25th at Skyland United Methodist church in south Asheville at 6:30 to go through this report with all opposing political viewpoints and discuss the 23 solutions of trustworthy elections. 

Braver Angels, which was established in 2016, is working hard to rebuild trust in American politics and they do this through workshops, skill building, surveys, parliamentary style debates, and inviting politicians to town halls. Lester shares that “we are focused on this toxic political polarization thinking there has to be a better way.” 

Braver Angels’ main goal of their mission is to be able to bring all different political standing citizens together to come to reasonable compromises and agreements on what they collectively want to see change in politics. Lester speaks lightly on how politics tends to divide people/communities and how more recent divisions of sides have been difficult in America. Lester expresses that it is harder to build trust when people are discorded and reacting anonymously. He explains, “as long as people stay separate, they are going to think separately.” 

For more about Braver Angels, visit https://braverangels.org/

Migrant Solidarity in the Mediterranean Sea by Quoyle

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Migrant Solidarity in the Mediterranean Sea by Quoyle

"Migrant solidarity at sea: a report back from a wayward American anarchist in the Mediterranean search-and-rescue scene - Sunday 3:30 @ Different Wrld" over a photo of a sailboat and other worn out boat at sea

This week, we’re sharing a presentation from the 2023 Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair in so-called Asheville, NC. From the presentation:

The Mediterranean Sea is Europe’s deadliest border. For years, non-state actors like Sea-Watch and other NGO’s have played a part in humanitarian search-and-rescue operations. In spite of legal repression and the technical challenges of maintaining a “civil fleet”, anarchists, anti-fascists, and other activists try to stop needless death at sea.

Hear a report back from a wayward American yacht-punk who spent the summer doing rotations on two different SAR (Search And Rescue) ships. We’ll discuss the general political situation, the reality of everyday operations and how you could get involved.

To hear this full episode, you can find it at our website. For more audios from ACABookfair 2023, check out the site. To hear a 2023 interview we conducted with an activist with Maldusa on a similar topic, you can find it at our website.

We also have this 2016 interview by A-Radio Berlin that we aired in 2016 about conditions  a No Border Camp in Greece. And here’s one we conducted with an immigrant from Africa and a supporter in Germany in 2016.


More Posts for Show: The Final Straw Radio

Third Annual Urban Garden Tour and Tasting This Weekend!

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Written by Malachi Mena

Bountiful Cities’ third annual Urban Garden Tour and Tasting is taking place this Sunday, July 14th! The experience is open to all! Those partaking will visit 10 food producing gardens throughout Asheville while being able to experience different activities throughout the gardens. 

On Asheville FM News Hour, Patryk Battle spoke to Cathy Cleary about Bountiful Cities and what people can expect from the tour. Cleary described Bountiful Cities as an Urban Agriculture Food Justice Organization. They give people the resources needed to have control of where their food comes from. This is done through education around seeds, soil, and how to grow and harvest food. The organization also does policy work with the Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council. This makes sure local laws allow people to share and grow food.

Cleary highlighted some of the gardens that are a part of the tour, including the Peace Garden off of Burton Street, the Sunny Point garden, We Can Garden on Clingman Avenue, and the Shiloh Community Garden, being a brand new part of the tour. Cleary stated “we try to showcase lots of different examples of how we can be growing food in an urban setting.” She made clear that the tour will focus on primarily food producing gardens, and will include food & beverages from the gardens for those who pay for a tasting ticket. The tour will take place from 1pm-6pm and an after party will be held at The Odd at 6pm. 

People can not only support Bountiful Cities by being in attendance for the tour, but can also purchase raffle tickets for prizes such as passes to the Biltmore House. Money made will go towards supporting the program as well as the gardens on the tour. 

For more on Bountiful Cities and the upcoming Urban Garden Tour and Tasting check out this week’s episode of Asheville FM News Hour


More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

Celebrating 10 Years of The Asheville Blade

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written by Malachi Mena

During the month of July, The Asheville  Blade celebrated their tenth anniversary. They shared with us the story of the spark that lit the fuse, resulting in the creation of the decade old local news co-op. 

On Asheville FM’s , Sweet Tea, KP Whaley intervieweds David Forbes, founder of The Asheville Blade. She explained the issues faced with her past position as a writer for Mountain Xpress 10 years ago. With concerns regarding working conditions to management to overall ethics, Forbes as well as multiple other writers attempted to unionize. 

In December 2013, Forbes was working on a story exposing slumlords in Buncombe County. She said the specific case in which she was focusing on was extensively documented, with the Board of realtors along with Buncombe County records showing proof of poor housing conditions. As soon as the story was complete and ready for publishing, the story was pulled by the editor, in concerns of it reflecting too poorly on landlords. Forbes was pressured to rewrite her piece to ultimately favor landlords but firmly refused. She didn’t feel she could let this case go unexposed, so she created a blog where she could post this expose, resulting in the creation of The Asheville Blade. 

Forbes settled on the name, finding interest in the term “Blade” and its history. Not only was the name used for militant abolition and pro labor publications in the aftermath of the civil war, but was also used in the first publications of groundbreaking queer media in the 60’s & 70’s. Additionally, Forbes goes on to say that “a blade sends a message, you know? Since day one … we’ve been here to fight.”

The team behind The Asheville Blade recognizes that their work seemingly comes with retaliation but this doesn’t prevent them from reporting on the things they value. Rather, this retaliation motivates and sparks greater motivation for those at The Asheville Blade and the future of their co-op. In their article “The Blade Turns 10,” the coop says “We come through all this more dedicated than ever to the path ahead,” as they make a toast to the next 10 years.  

 

 


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A Serene Summer Getaway at Wild Herb Weekend

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written by Jordan Lenoir

The NC Herb Association invites herb enthusiasts to join them along with special speakers to Wild Herb Weekend.  The event promises to  promote the production of herbs, the further education and research of herbs, and herbal products. 

On the Asheville FM Newshour, Patryk Battle interviewed Dr. Jeanine Davis who revealed what attendees can expect, anticipate, and prepare for at Wild Herb Weekend! 

Dr. Davis, who specializes in Horticulture Sciences at NC State University stated that the purpose of The NC Herb Association is to “promote the growing, marketing, and use of herbs and herb products [and we do this] through education and when we have the funding we support some research.” Along with their newsletter and self-sponsored conferences, they partner with other organizations “all working to keep the standards and quality of herbal products high.” 

Battle also gave some brief insight into Wild Herb Weekend, calling it an idyllic scene and a jam-packed schedule with diverse herb-related subjects. This exciting weekend takes place in Valle Crucis in a beautiful 450 acre valley south of Boone surrounded by several trails, nature, a waterfall, and rustically historic architecture. Dr. Davis expressed that Wild Herb Weekend is her “favorite event of the whole year.” There are many presentations, classes, and workshops along with special guest speakers; Robin Rose Bennett, Mark Williams, and Doug Elliot. All meals are served in the cafeteria with a wide variety of food. Most dietary needs can be met as well. Dr. Davis also reveals that this event is “not designed for children”  

The NCHA was established in 1987 and has been holding Wild Herb festivities since 1988. According to Dr. Davis’ article on NCHA’s website NC Herb Association, the 80s were a new and exciting time for herbs. Several cooking shows and magazines were devoting entire sections of their media toward herbs. Along with the flourish of herbs in the media, came the uprise of herbal products. During this new uproar of herbs, a marketing specialist, Ross Williams saw the great potential for herbs and conducted a small meeting of herb business owners interested in starting a commodity group. The following year, the first official meeting of the NCHA was conducted. Following this meeting, the very first Herb Day was organized. Just like every year, the very first Wild Herb Weekend was held at the Valle Crucis Conference Center in July of 1988. Wild Herb Weekend was started to honor Herb Day and continue spreading its celebratory mission. 

For more on Wild Herb Weekend and The NCHA visit https://www.ncherbassociation.org/ 


More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

LAVENDER BLUE – AshevilleFM Live Music Sessions – The Getaway River Bar – Wednesday, July 17th 10-11pm at 103.3FM – streaming www.ashevillefm.org

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Asheville band “LAVENDER BLUE”  will be performing at The Getaway River Bar  – show starts at 9pm and will be simulcast live on 103.3FM at 10pm on the..

AshevilleFM Live Music Sessions..

Join us! / Tune in!

Wednesday, July 17th

No Cover!!

AshevilleFM and The Getaway River Bar are pleased to present this special event..  Support also comes from Arts AVL, Buncombe County, and North Carolina Arts Council

ABOUT THE BAND:
LAVENDER BLUE IS… the vessel for the songwriting and guitar playing of Kayla Zuskin. Lavender Blue the band consists of Mike Henry Johnson on Pedal Steel and Synthesizers, Mary Steinbrecher on Electric Bass and Jack Victor on Drumkit and occasionally keys.Their music is best described as slowcore and alternative indie with a dash of Americana.Located in Asheville, NC, Lavender Blue musicians are also music teachers, engineers/producers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists.The In Between, Lavender Blue’s second LP, will release in summer 2024. “Craggy” the first single was released on all platforms on Friday June 14th.
PRESS
“With a lovely use of pedal steel guitar, reverb, and a dreamy vocal performance, the effect is something that captures a wistful sense of melancholic and looming loss, perfect for the chilly and lonely days of winter, let alone in the current stage of this never-ending pandemic, where we have all been forced to indeed, slow down.”- We All Want Someone to Shout ForUnderlying themes of folk and soft-rock brings House on a Highway by Lavender Blue. The song lies out gentleness in the most reposeful way— still breeze, total reminiscence. This is what it feels like to fall in love, finding home in someone and within yourself.-Start Tracks“Zuskin’s plaintive vocals firmly placed underneath sand waves of slightly off-kilter guitar chords, and instrumental crescendos being teased but not acted upon every once in a while. By the end of the song, though, she’s done with teasing – instead, she lets an unexpected guitar solo rip out. It’s not bombast for the sake of it but a way to finish the song in a determined and tenacious way.- High Clouds.org““Beware” embodies the unique style of Lavender Blue, summoning both dark and light to create its own atmosphere.”-American Pancake“Grace and subtlety are the hallmarks of this understated collection of songs.”-Mountain Xpress
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The Getaway River Bar – The Getaway is a laid-back bar with extra chill vibes by the river. With an expanse of outdoor seating and recreations set on the edge of the French Broad River, it welcomes everyone 21+ to loosen up and enjoy a getaway hidden in-between the city center and growing West Asheville.        790 Riverside Drive – Asheville, NC 28801 – (828) 545-6985            https://www.getawayontheriver.com/

 

AshevilleFM Live Music Sessions

Wednesday’s at 10pm

@AshevilleFM 103.3 /  https://ashevillefm.org/


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