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NC-Sen: Charlotte GOTV for Kay Hagan update
This is a follow up to my 10/6 diary, NC-Sen: Help me GOTV for Kay Hagan in Charlotte. Yesterday, I met with a local field coordinator for the Hagan campaign. We had a delightful conversation, and her...
View ArticleWhat's For Dinner v9.11: Heavenly halupki
Growing up in the Anthracite coal region of eastern Pennsylvania, I was raised on traditional Slovak home cooking. Born of poverty and necessity, those recipes sustained my ancestors who emigrated in...
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Diary of a canvassing virgin
"Are you a real Democrat?"It was my first door answered by a Real Person, on my first day of canvassing ever. I had introduced myself as a volunteer for Kay Hagan and asked for "Michelle." A suspicious...
View ArticleKay Hagan campaign sign burned in NC family's yard
This is beyond disgusting.HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — A Huntersville** family is angry and frightened after someone burned a campaign sign in their front yard. Kenya Goldsberry wasn't home when the fire lit...
View ArticleWhat's For Dinner? v9.17: Holidays for herbivores
Navigating holiday dinners, parties and potlucks presents a special challenge to vegetarians and vegans. As an ovo-lacto vegetarian, I can usually assemble a satisfying if unconventional plate. But...
View ArticleDKos Asheville: Saturday Open Thread
Good day and welcome to DKos Asheville. This is the weekly DKos Asheville open thread where we try to get together every weekend to share with everyone what we're all up to in Western North Carolina...
View ArticleDKos Asheville Open Thread
Good day and welcome to DKos Asheville. This is the weekly DKos Asheville open thread where we try to get together every weekend to share with everyone what we're all up to in Western North Carolina...
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Trial date set for Charlotte police officer in shooting of unarmed man
A brief update on the Jonathan Ferrell case: We learned yesterday, 20 Jan 2015, that a trial date has been set for the officer, Randall Kerrick. The trial is scheduled to begin 20 July 2015 in...
View ArticleNC: GOP General Assembly making Gov. McCrory look reasonable
Showcasing the R-controlled NC General Assembly's utter batshittery, (R) Gov. Pat McCrory managed to be the adult in the room today. In an interview on WFAE's show Charlotte Talks with Mike...
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What's for dinner? v9.36: Easter edition
Tonight's diary has a split personality. I only have one recipe, but it's a good one: vegetarian beer-baked beans. It's one of my favorite dishes to being to summer potlucks because it's high in...
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What's For Dinner? v9.41: Vintage vacation edition
Some time ago, I bought a lot of 200 vintage beach postcards for ten bucks on eBay. Surely I'd come up with a way to upcycle such a find. It came to me in my downstairs guest bath as I found myself...
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Power in the Blood: March for voter rights, Winston-Salem NC
Today's March for voter rights in Winston-Salem, NC, was both empowering and inspirational. I'm fortunate to have been a part of it, along with a solid contingent of Kossacks. I've brought back...
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Jury seated in trial of Charlotte officer charged with shooting unarmed man
On July 20, 2015, the trial of CMPD officer Randall "Wes" Kerrick opened with jury selection. Kerrick faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Jonathan Ferrell, an unarmed...
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Opening statements to begin Monday 8/3 in Charlotte officer trial
A jury has been seated and the trial of former Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer Randall "Wes" Kerrick is set to begin opening statements tomorrow, 3 August 2015. The trial started on 20 July with...
View ArticleFirst day of testimony complete in Charlotte officer trial
After seven arduous days of jury selection, opening statements were presented this morning in the trial of former CMPD officer Randall "Wes" Kerrick. Kerrick is charged with voluntary manslaughter in...
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Kerrick Trial: The jury is out.
After two weeks of testimony, closing arguments wrapped up today in the trial of Randall "Wes" Kerrick. Kerrick, a Charlotte Mecklenburg (NC) police officer, is charged with voluntary manslaughter in...
View ArticleKerrick trial: Jury deadlocked, still trying UPDATE: Mistrial declared
UPDATE 4:35 pm: Mistrial declaredFour days into deliberations, the jury in the Randall Kerrick trial is deadlocked. Kerrick, a Charlotte Mecklenburg (NC) police officer, is charged with voluntary...
View ArticleJuror: "What did Jonathan Ferrell do to warrant death...?"
A juror in the Randall Kerrick trial is speaking out on the deadlock that led to a mistrial being declared after four days of deliberation. Kerrick, a Charlotte Mecklenburg (NC) police officer, was...
View ArticleNC Attorney General: Kerrick will not be retried, charges dismissed
A quick, disappointing but not surprising follow up to last week's declaration of a mistrial in the excessive force case against Randall "Wes" Kerrick. Kerrick, a Charlotte Mecklenburg (NC) police...
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What's for dinner? v10.05: Summer herbs
When I plan my kitchen garden every year, flavor and frugality are priorities. Since I got a late start this season, I went for maximum bang for my flavor buck: lots of herbs. Even if you don't have...
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DKos Connects Asheville: Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around
Cool air and rainy days did nothing to dampen the spirits of dozens of Kossacks and friends gathered in Asheville this weekend. It's my privilege to bring a few photos and reflections back to the...
View ArticleSomeone saved my life tonight (updated pics)
Today was a good day. My first shift at a brand new job went well and I clocked out content with my new career path. Driving home long past rush hour, the city lights and ELO on my stereo were the...
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NC church caught practicing Christianity. Neighbors complain.
A church in Concord, NC, called Showers Of Blessings has become the target of complaints from its neighbors for following the teachings of the Bible.“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain...
View ArticleNC-Gov: Candidate Roy Cooper (D) backs McCrory's call to "pause" refugees
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper (D) is the establishment favorite to face incumbent Pat McCrory (R) in the 2016 gubernatorial election. Cooper’s coronation robes are already catching a chill...
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Meet NC Senator Jeff Jackson, crusader for equality
Throughout the NC General Assembly’s assault on LGBT rights in North Carolina this week, one State Senator has been a tireless ally for equality. His name is Jeff Jackson and he represents District 37,...
View ArticleBreaking: Officer involved shooting in Charlotte UPDATED
Few details are available, but Charlotte media is reporting an officer involved shooting this afternoon. The crime scene remains active and I'm not going to speculate, it's very much a developing...
View ArticleBreaking: Roy Cooper calls for release of Charlotte officer-involved shooting...
North Carolina Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Roy Cooper, has released a statement calling for the videos of Tuesday's officer-involved shooting to be released to the...
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What's For Dinner: Pierogies
Tonight we’re going to make pierogies, little Eastern European dumplings of bliss with filling possibilities limited only by your imagination. If this diary inspires you to roll up your sleeves, start...
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Charlotte Women's March photo diary
This morning, the Charlotte Women's March restored a little bit of my faith in humanity. I've seen turnout estimates ranging from 15k to 25k, roughly triple the amount expected. The mood was peaceful...
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Unemployed Former NC Governor Pat McCrory (R) haz a sad
In early 2013, newly-elected North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R-Duke Energy) wasted no time gutting unemployment benefits. In September 2015 he signed Senate Bill 15, designed to punish unemployed...
View ArticleVA-HD-73: Sarah Smith needs your support
One of the few silver linings of the current administration has been the rise of a new generation of energized first-time Democratic candidates. When I read Sarah Smith’s story today on Facebook, I...
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What's for dinner? v.11.46: Cactus
The nine years I lived in Pueblo, CO were a culinary adventure. Our corner Mexican grocery had a produce department from foodie heaven and as a newly-vegetarian Philly girl, I began buying stuff I'd...
View ArticleMillenials rock the Charlotte vote
Something remarkable happened in Charlotte yesterday. As returns rolled in on the mayoral and city council primary elections, a wave of upsets emerged.Two City Council incumbents were defeated in their...
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What's For Dinner: Refrigerator pickles
I love pickles. From dilly beans and spiced peaches to pink boiled eggs from a jar, the answer is yes please! I've canned all kinds of pickles, but this year I didn't have the time or volume of produce...
View ArticleWhat's for dinner: Sauerkraut Soup
In Pennsylvania, sauerkraut is a beloved flavor of the holiday season. My family had sauerkraut soup every Christmas Eve, and ate pork and sauerkraut as the first dinner of the new year. Eating...
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What's for dinner: Sage advice
Sage makes magic with animal fat. A perennial herb in the mint family, it’s commonly associated with sausage, poultry, and rich dairy dishes. Mother Nature bestowed my garden with sage and not much...
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What’s For Dinner v. 13.02: Jackfruit
My first taste of jackfruit was at a vegan restaurant in Asheville, NC. It appeared twice on the menu, as pulled “pork” and krabby cakes. Hubby and I ordered both and were blown away by its utter...
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What’s For Dinner? v.13.15 — Pot Pie
Nothing says cold weather comfort food like a fragrant, bubbly pot pie. It’s a great way to use up leftover meat and veggies, and the flavor possibilities are limited only by your imagination! Not a...
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What’s For Dinner v.13.22: Holy Supper
My love affair with cooking is rooted in my Slovak and Russian heritage. My great grandparents emigrated through Ellis Island in the 1910s en route to the anthracite coal mines of northeastern...
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What’s For Dinner v. 13.31: Preserved Citrus
My white grapefruit harvest this year was more than I could possibly turn into juice and candied peel. Determined not to let the last 10 pounds of organic citrus go to waste, I turned to a technique I...
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What’s For Dinner? V. 13.39: Adventures In Lacto Fermentation
What started as a one-off experiment to preserve my home grown grapefruit has evolved into a mild obsession with the ancient art of lacto-fermentation and delivered a fridge full of probiotic goodness....
View ArticleSix people shot on UNC Charlotte campus, 2 dead, 4 injured
Details are still coming in, but WSOC TV is reporting is three people have been shot on the campus of UNC Charlotte. xNinerAlert: Shots reported near kennedy. Run, Hide, Fight. Secure yourself...
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What’s For Dinner? v13.46: Bamboo Shoots
The bamboo patch next to my yard makes a lovely privacy hedge. It is also an invasive species, and every spring my lawn erupts with shoots that can grow several inches overnight. In tonight’s adventure...
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What’s For Dinner? V 14.02: Chilled Soup
It’s been really, really hot so tonight I’m heading straight for the recipes. The topic is chilled soup featuring seasonal veggies and herbs. Enjoy!Creamy Avocado Soup with MintI love this for...
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What’s For Dinner? v14.08: Kimchi
Kimchi has been a staple of Korean cuisine since long before the advent of refrigeration. Vegetables fermented in ceramic crocks provided crucial sources of essential nutrients through the long winter...
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What’s For Dinner v14:49: Mushroom Pâté
This slow food recipe is one of my summer favorites. It has multiple steps, the most difficult of which is the delayed gratification of letting the flavors meld overnight. The result is a satisfying...
View Article16 people test positive for COVID-19 after attending N.C. high school graduation
On May 28, 2020 the Union County, NC school board voted to hold in-person graduation ceremonies in defiance of Governor(D) Roy Cooper’s executive order prohibiting mass gatherings of more than 10...
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What’s For Dinner: 16.06 Tamales
Tamales are delicious and versatile. They’re naturally gluten-free, easily adaptable to vegetarian/vegan diets, and great for meal prep or feeding a crowd. Assembling them can seem intimidating, but...
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What’s For Dinner? v.16.13: Kombucha
Beverages are a part of dinner, right? Right! Tonight, I’ll try to demystify the fizzy, funky, probiotic-rich fermented sweet tea called kombucha. I first tasted kombucha a couple of years ago at a...
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What’s For Dinner? v16.27: Sunchoke Soup
Sunchokes are the edible tubers of Helianthus tuberosis, a type of sunflower. They resemble ginger root with a knobby texture and thin skin, and have a nutty, sweet flavor. Tonight I’ll do a show and...
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