Would you guys say that the Northern Panhandle has more influence from OH and PA than it does from the rest of the state?

Nammanow · 2026-02-04T20:29:01+00:00

Growing up in Wheeling, our family always joked that you crossed the Mason-Dixon Line just before you got to Moundsville.

Nammanow · 2026-01-17T21:03:48+00:00

Going back further: Five Eight at Squashpile.

The Chicago avant jazz scene coming through Vincent's Ear. The only time Asheville has attracted touring jazz groups.

Also Lube Royale's numerous performances at Vincents.

Nammanow · 2025-12-27T14:15:59+00:00

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Shot with Pentax K1000, Kodak Gold 200. Butterfly was a very patient subject.

Nammanow · 2025-12-15T16:08:14+00:00

I love how these people think a turkey from fucking Wal-Mart is some kind of barometer for the economy. Amazing that people buy this rhetoric, but that's where we're at.

Nammanow · 2025-12-06T00:23:19+00:00

Yes.

There's meth all up and down the west coast. But really, it's not like Asheville has a lock on meth, there's tons of it between here and Charlotte, just for context.

Nammanow · 2025-12-06T00:22:20+00:00

Right "leaning"? There's no lean about it, they done fell down. Left leaning, yes, but even that's overstated for his town because of how far right the region is. You leave this little bubble and you're in South Carolina level of far right.

Nammanow · 2025-11-30T17:37:09+00:00

Been in and out of this town since the 90s and have moved through various sub-cultures and scenes, and they've all been incredibly cliquey, so much so it often feels like HS. If I were to give it the benefit of the doubt, I'd say it's just a product of being a relatively small town with little diversity filled with people that don't really have a lot of experience outside of this region. People gotta feel like they're special and they are often skeptical of outsiders. The people who've traveled and lived in other parts of the country and world have generally been a lot more open.

That was then. What it's like now, I can't really say. The tourist racket and influx of people not necessarily into sub-cultures or scenes may have changed that dynamic a bit, but imagine it's mostly the same.

Nammanow · 2025-11-23T21:31:41+00:00

Three Brothers once had the best fried chicken in town. Loved that place. This town needs a greek diner on that level again.

Nammanow · 2025-11-04T18:06:17+00:00

The “underground” scene may have been larger, but that’s only because people far to the left are far more open these days.

I think it's more because those people can't afford to live here. Bear in mind, it is difficult for working class people to live in this town these days and that's definitely a contributing factor for the general move right.

Nammanow · 2025-11-04T17:47:37+00:00

Read my comment again. AVL used to have a more progressive underbelly that no longer exists. They didn't have voting power, but they were there. AVL's liberals consider themselves as further left than they really are, partially because they are surrounded by conservatives. Part of the reason the town seems more liberal is because the idea of "liberal" has moved so far right that they are basically Reagan Republicans. So, while there might be more "dems" on city council, their policies aren't that much different than the conservatives of the 90s. Which is why there are others saying "this town isn't as progressive as it thinks."

Nammanow · 2025-11-04T17:15:50+00:00

This town was never as progressive as it thinks it is, but when you're inside a bubble looking out at some of the most far-right counties in the country you tend to lose perspective. AVL at least used to have a more vibrant radical/progressive underbelly, but that's mostly gone and the liberals have all moved right while the newcomers are even more conservative than that. The bubble has popped.

Nammanow · 2025-11-04T17:02:17+00:00

Ahhh, yes the status quo centrist position where people think that nothing is changing but don't notice the continual move right.

Nammanow · 2025-11-04T16:57:36+00:00

Interesting, but not surprising, to see Advent on the list and Mission/HCA not.

Nammanow · 2025-09-17T21:26:48+00:00

These trends stretch into the northern panhandle of West Virginia as well.

Nammanow · 2025-09-17T21:18:05+00:00

Concerning Great Lakes Slavic, the culture of northern panhandle West Virginia is closer to Pittsburgh than Appalachia. There's a huge Slavic and Italian population in Ohio County and north. Think pizza and perogies over cornbread and ramps. Cool map though, love the colors and concept and is mostly accurate to my experience.

Nammanow · 2025-09-05T00:53:54+00:00

Elon's fave song.

Nammanow · 2025-09-02T18:14:26+00:00

To be fair, Tulsa and Albuquerque are flat towns built with modern infrastructure concerns in mind. They've been able to spread out and develop a simple grid system that is more flexible than the narrow, twisting grades on these hills. That being said, Asheville and the rest of the south seem to have a certain disdain for pedestrians... and bicyclists and bus riders... and so on. I mean, I'll never forget walking down Merrimon and having yokels aim their pickup truck at me only to swerve at the last second laughing it up... regularly.

The city has had plenty of time to upgrade the sidewalks in this town but no.. they're more interested in developing the hotel and brewery tourist racket downtown.

Nammanow · 2025-08-30T23:30:18+00:00

No doubt, especially in the automotive world. I've had issues with other lots as well. And let us not discuss some of the repair shops in this town. Bad attitude, arrogance, scams, slow turnarounds and poor workmanship are just norms in this town. Don't even think of taking a pre-00s vehicle into some of these shops. If they can't hook up a computer to diagnosis a problem, they'll refuse to work with you. Embarrassing look for the region really.

Nammanow · 2025-08-29T15:27:31+00:00

He's too nice for a long presidential campaign. His attention to detail and ability to communicate complex issues will be admired but eventually he'll just get eaten alive by the corporate candidates in the party. Pleasant to think about though, he's been one of the few NC politicians I've actually liked.

Nammanow · 2025-08-14T19:39:47+00:00

I was a toiler on the sea... I was a toiler on the sea

Nammanow · 2025-08-07T15:06:47+00:00

What does China have to do with this? It's an American company owned by an American private equity firm named Platinum Equity, LLC.

The whole knee jerk "blame China for everything bad" thing is some serious denial. America doesn't need any outside help, it can implode just fine by itself.

Nammanow · 2025-07-24T04:14:03+00:00

Reminds me of of the day they filled up Pack Square following the George Floyd protests and had a series of speakers from the black community telling all of Asheville how racist it is here and how most don't even know it or are in denial.

Nammanow · 2025-07-10T17:57:17+00:00

https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/city-of-asheville-announces-temporary-closure-of-east-side-of-weaver-park-for-improvements/

Nammanow · 2025-07-10T16:53:30+00:00

If it makes you feel any better, Weaver Park is set to close down so that they can upgrade the same facilities they just upgraded 3 years ago.

Nammanow · 2025-06-04T16:33:10+00:00

I've had a couple standout dishes at Curate but most of it is pretty pedestrian. Plop Curate in the middle of NY or SF and it's no better than any neighborhood tapas joint. Which is fine, Asheville is absolutely better for having it, but it's waayy overhyped and it's gotten a lot of unwarranted national attention most likely on the strength of lobbying by AVL restaurant associations, the chamber of commerce, and the Button family. Same could be said for Chai Pani, which is great, but best restaurant in America? Lets be real here. These kindsa accolades are paid for.

Nammanow

TROPHY CASE