Arts + Entertainment
A book-length love poem to nature
Reminiscent of “Starting From San Francisco,” one of the first books by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, San Francisco is also where Victor Depta spent some of his early years and where this 2024 reprint of his 1973 book “The Creek” (Ohio Univ. Press, 2024) begins — with references to Coit Tower, Nob Hill and the Fillmore District when he was there and reading Wordsworth, Whitman and Rimbaud.
Horizon behind me, no more pain: The Black Crowes land at Harrah’s Cherokee
When it comes to American rock music, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more talented and sonically important act than The Black Crowes. Thankfully, in recent years, the Robinson brothers (Chris and Rich) have patched things up and put their storied music right back where it belongs — in front of a raucous live audience.
Holding secrets can prove slippery
Kayden is doing her very best not to tell me about the preparations she and mom and Jack have made for Father’s Day, but she is six years old, and at this age especially, secrets are like little, wet bars of soap.
Chris Cox’s warm, witty book about family
Search online, or in a library or bookshop, and you’ll find how-to books about parenting. Recent popular titles include “Simplicity Parenting,” “The Five Principles of Parenting” and “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk.” There are even books about how not to parent, like Leonard Sax’s “The Collapse of Parenting.”
It’s about damn time: A conversation with Magnolia Boulevard
Coming in hot to the perform at 185 King Street in Brevard last Thursday evening, Magnolia Boulevard had barely enough time before its gig to set up gear, run through a quick soundcheck and change into stage outfits in the back of the band van. It’s a hustle. And they know it.
Trading resentment for gratitude
In “Untangling You” (Major Street Publishing, 2022, 208 pages), Dr. Kerry Howells explores the role of gratitude in life and the oftentimes diminished importance of it. But it’s more than just a book about how to be more grateful.
Medicine for living: Alexa Rose plays Yonder Community Market
On Sunday afternoon, as a good portion of Western North Carolina was experiencing rainstorms, the early summer sunshine broke through the clouds at Yonder Community Market in Franklin. Soon, the rays of light cascaded through the large oak trees while acclaimed singer-songwriter Alexa Rose performed.
If God is gone, then what’s left?
Sometimes a book finds you when you need it and don’t even know you need it.
Over the last few years, I’ve read some of Andrew Klavan’s columns. He’s an excellent writer, the author of novels, film scripts and works of non-fiction.
Blow the tannery whistle: Please butt out
At this point, I would like to tell you about my great-great grandfather, Bryant Carden, who joined the Confederacy. Bryant was known for writing wonderful letters in calligraphy, and the illustration below, of a bird in flight, is an example.
