Michael Stratton at Fairview Road Resilience Garden

Oakley residents plant seeds of community resilience

Since late March, Michael Stratton, his wife, Amanda, and a small, hardworking steering committee have managed to transform a 4,000-square-foot grassy field near Fairview Road into 15 neat garden beds, which in mid-April were already speckled with green sprouts of onions, potatoes, kale, chard and more. The group plans to donate the produce to food pantries and neighbors in need due to COVID-19.

Developer to host Q&A for proposed Oakley apartment complex

Residents of the East Asheville community have voiced concerns about the proposed development, which would include more than 300 rental units in 5- and 6-story buildings with 2 percent of the project allotted to retail space. Members of the Oakley Community Association have met several times since early December to discuss the proposal.

Oakley residents organize to discuss proposed apartment complex

People in the Oakley community are raising concerns about a new 300-plus-unit apartment complex planned for the East Asheville neighborhood, expressing worries about everything from potential traffic and safety issues to the fact that only 10 of the development’s planned residential units — which are nearly all rental properties — are designated as affordable housing.

East Asheville eats

Downtown Asheville’s culinary offerings are certainly no secret, and West Asheville, with its ceaseless onslaught of restaurant openings, is clearly booming as a foodie mecca. But what about points east? Although it is not widely considered to be a dining destination, East Asheville has its own sampling of fun eateries and delicious dishes.