Asheville business owners dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene have a simple message for local customers: We’re still here, and we need your support.
New Stories
Smart Bets: Asheville Nativity Exhibition
The exhibit runs Dec. 6-15 at First Baptist Church of Asheville, featuring nativity scenes from more than 70 countries.
Smart Bets: The Art of Recovery
Opening Dec. 7, the exhibit at Pink Dog Creative features works by youth and adult artists that explore how Asheville’s Black community is recovering from Tropical Storm Helene.
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners makes history with new chair and member
Buncombe County board sees a woman chair and a Black woman commissioner for the first time.
What’s New in Food: Mattie Lou’s opens in former Geraldine’s Bakery space
The new bakery and café takes over the space recently vacated by Geraldine’s Bakery. Also in this week’s food news: Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food rolls again with a new truck, displaced Marquee beverage businesses forge new paths, a Slovenian wine dinner and much more.
Unstoppable: Serving the community is a key priority
“In an odd series of events, we had actually decided to open a food resource area and onboarded our first mental health intern right before the hurricane hit,” says Amy Upham, executive director of Blue Ridge Pride.
Letter: Public housing residents get no relief
“Recent letters and news reports have shown clearly that for relief after the flooding, public housing residents in Asheville have more problems and got dumped on, evicted and neglected by the city again.”
Letter: Bear cartoon misses funny bone
“Poking fun at people who lost their homes and businesses is no laughing matter.”
Letter: Volunteers have offered water, kindness and hope
“What stands out to me the most is the overwhelming kindness, empathy and generosity that characterize the people involved in the recovery and rebuilding of Asheville and all of Western North Carolina.”
Unstoppable: Self-care is important
“Seeing our clinicians regularly at comfort sites, in our bright teal T-shirts, helps foster a sense of trust and creates a safe space to chat or cry,” Mary Waller, development director of All Souls Counseling Center,
Letter: Grandfather’s photo links to local history
“The recent picture of the ‘old-timers’ in the Mountain Xpress of the exhibit titled ‘Striking a Chord’ contains a photo showing my grandfather James Sylvester.”
Letter: Hope comes with cleanup
“Seeing the progress made every day by the efforts of so many people and organizations gives me hope that our beautiful, funky little city shall rise again.”
Unstoppable: Talk to friends and family about mental health
“There is an emotional life cycle of a disaster and many of us in our community are still in the ‘disillusionment’ stage,” says Cammy Sky Holt, communications director of Black Mountain Counseling Center.
Unstoppable: Clearing trees and developing new bonds
“We have real concerns about how the downed debris could impact the severity of wildfires,” says Lang Hornthal, co-executive director of EcoForesters. “We also know that nonnative invasive species will take advantage of this newly created growing space and will be a big problem come spring.”
Letter: Stop the destruction of the Nolichucky Gorge
“This illegal mining threatens to permanently alter one of the Southeast’s premier whitewater rivers, with catastrophic consequences for local communities, wildlife and future generations.”