Page 53 - Answer Man News Today

He states flatly that our current law "puts children in harms way." "Two years ago, I partnered with the International Center for Research on Women, who helped me collect marriage data from across the state," Reisinger said. "We found 3,949 marriage license applications involving over 4,000 minors from 2000-2019, which puts North Carolina in the top five states with the highest rate of child marriage." Changes in the law are in the works and moving through the General Assembly this year. "The N...

Answer Man: Microplastics in local water? In the French Broad? Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal: Question: I recently read a rather disturbing article on microplastics that are found in our air, water, and soil. These are extremely small, almost microscopic pieces of plastic coming from many items we use, including components that wear off of our automobile and truck tires. Does our water treatment plant measure and try to remove microplastics from ...

Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal: Question: Whats the latest on the possibility of North Carolina setting up a nonpartisan or bipartisan Redistricting Commission to draw the states next ten years elections districts? Or, is there a possibility such a "redistricting commission" could be mandated at the federal level through Congress? Hoping for fairness in this process... My answer: Why yes, if by "bipartisan" or "non-partisan" you mean 100% control...

Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal: Question: When Sierra Nevada reopens on May 12, why are the outdoor areas being kept closed? Presumably, that would be safer than indoor dining. My answer: Please tell me May 12 is a national holiday. Otherwise, I feel a 24-hour bug coming on... Real answer: Sierra Nevada, the beer palace of Mills River known for its huge indoor restaurant and outdoor amphitheater and seating, is indeed reopening this week. The outd...

Classic Answer Man: Library expansion ever coming to East Asheville? Heres todays burning question, my smart-aleck response and the real deal. Enjoy! Question: I am curious to note if the good residents and readers of East Asheville will ever get a larger and modern library (thats not attached to a fire department), like each of the other sections of Asheville. East Asheville always seems to be the stepchild when it comes to anything new coming its way. My answer: If you dont watch your step, y...

Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal: Question: In your many years of both amusing and irritating readers, Id like you to take on what might be the most difficult and controversial subject youve ever broached: Dolly Parton. Now, I know everyone loves Ms. Parton, songstress extraordinaire, benefactor of childrens books, funder of a COVID-19 vaccine. Heck, West Asheville even celebrated her in a mural. But Ive recently heard Dollywood is maskless, and I w...

Im going to call this an Answer Man column (rather than a Pokin Around) even though the question wasnt asked of me. I saw it posed on the Greater Parkcrest Neighborhood News Facebook page, of which I am a member, although I dont live there. Keisha Dean on April 19 asked the group what the letters "VC" stand for on the 10-foot high cinderblock circular columns on both sides of South Broadway Avenue — on the south side of West Walnut Lawn. What could "VC" stand for? When I hear "VC" the first ...

Letter: Answer Mans use of minions belittling I am puzzled as to why Post Bulletin management allows the Answer Man to use the word minions when referencing the collection of information by others. Written By: Michael Pagelkopf | × The written word has always had meaning that in some cases is left for the reader to extract and learn from or ignore and continue reading. Without the ability to ask the author the intent in using a questionable word, it is very easy to attach one�...

Now streaming on: Anyone writing a book titled Me & God has a big idea of himself or a small idea of God. Yet Arlen Faber’s best seller has captured 10 percent of the “God market” and held that position for 20 years. During those two decades, his idea of himself has grown smaller. He tries to do his daily meditation, he really tries, but when the doorbell interrupts, he instinctively reacts with a string of fairly impressive swear words, strung together as if he’s had practice. Here is...

Nothing creepy about this place and its past occupants, readers say.