Freakonomics, by economist Steven D. Levitt and journalist Stephen J. Dubner, is an exercise in strange comparisons by using examples, anecdotes, and data. Unfortunately, this book doesn’t have much going for it. The writing has many clumsy segues between the numbers, percentages, stories, and figures, and reads in a formal […]
Day: November 10, 2006
The Third Policeman
The Third Policeman is Flann O’Brien’s story of a man who commits murder. Slowly, after the murder, his everyday surroundings begin to twist into a strange mockery of normality. Bit by bit strange things occur and the story goes further down the rabbit hole. The Third Policeman has a strange […]
Upcoming events for Native American History Month
November marks Native American History Month across the nation, and WCU is planning many events to educate and entertain students, faculty and community members alike. Author Leann Howe will present her story Spiral of Fire at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14 in the UC Grandroom. Spiral of Fire details Howe’s […]
UNC President Erskine Bowles limits tuition increases
Under a new plan proposed by UNC President Erskine Bowles and approved by the UNC system’s Board of Governors, the tuition for system colleges and universities cannot increase by more than 6.5% in any new school year. By establishing this limit on tuition increases in most schools, Bowles and the […]
Nick & Nate’s Fills You Up Right
Nick & Nate’s is a popular restaurant on Main Street in Sylva. It primarily serves burgers, subs, and pizzas, but don’t let that dissuade you; they definitely have something for everyone. I ate there recently with one of my friends, but this was by no means my first experience with […]
REACH Shooting Conclusion
The case of the recent murder of Bonnie Woodring by her husband John “Woody” Woodring at the REACH battered women’s shelter in Sylva came to an abrupt and unsatisfying end days ago when police officers found the body of Woodring, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, in a houseboat at […]
Weird North Carolina laws
It has been hard times for all since North Carolinians could not use their elephants to plow their cotton fields anymore. It is against the law, and so are many other things that may surprise you. There are many laws still on the books that seem so ridiculous it is […]
Top Ten Weirdest Busted Ever
Picking up a car. Didn’t realize the Tough Man Contest was in town. Watch out for those dangerous lead blowers.. When you live on a street called “Locust Creek” you’re just asking for trouble. Oh, no! Not horseplay! Saran wrapping two cars together. Yeah. Stealing an inflatable couch. No matter […]
Haunted Asheville
Do you believe in ghosts? After experiencing the Haunted Asheville Ghost Tour, even the most skeptical believers may wonder if there truly are spirits among us.The tour, which includes a bus tour or a walking tour, is based on the book Haunted Asheville by Joshua P. Warren. Warren is an […]
Leafy greens or leafy doom?
Earlier this year, an outbreak of E. coli spread to more than two hundred individuals, all of whom, coincidentally, were members of the “Spinach Fan Club.” Shortly after recovery, many of the members filed a joint lawsuit against “Big Spinach” in an effort to pay hospital bills, as well as […]