What are the images that come to mind when you think of the world’s places—the Arctic or the Middle East, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, North Korea or Japan or…
Columns
The Winds of Change
As we grow older and wiser, one comes to realize that there is only one thing that remains constant – change. Once a wine has been made and put in…
Beyond the Bump and Slump
Good news folks. Results from 2013’s first quarter real estate sales in our area show residential real estate sales are up. Prices are down just a bit and anxious buyers…
What’s with the Body?
Do you ever hear someone talking about a wine’s “body” and wonder what in the world they are referring to? The body of a wine is a description of the…
Glocal Diplomacy
Diplomacy, the world, the earth and its oceans, the global media, world politics–and also my hometown Asheville and our mountains-region of Western North Carolina are all always on my mind. …
Sunday’s Open House
I want to thank you for letting me host your Open House today. As you know, it was the first time I’ve hosted an Open House and, all things considered, I…
The relationship between education and debt
In the January/February issue of Capital at Play I used this space to discuss how consumer debt is a vehicle through which wealth is transferred, resulting in the rich getting…
How Sweet It Is!
By Hunt Mallett – One of my favorite songs this time of year opens with the line “When chimney smoke hangs still and low across the stubbled fields of snow, and…
Why the gap between the rich and poor is widening
By Mike Summey – I’m often accused of trying to oversimplify complex issues, to which I respond, “The burden of communication is on the person doing the talking.” I could be…
Negotiations: Why is that crazy man waving his arms?
By Bill Fishburne – Have you ever walked up to the counter at a fast food place and tried to negotiate the price of your hamburger? Have you tried negotiating the…