The new program will work with local farmers and landowners in an effort to develop hemp as viable crop for Western North Carolina.
New Stories
Wellness in brief: Community supports Poore, foundation names Chiang
Fundraisers to support injured Hendersonville Fire Department Capt. Josh Poore abound, while Western Carolina presents a program exploring the connection between wilderness and wellness.
Commission hears economic development update
Beyond recruiting new companies such as Haakon Industries and Fox Factory, the Asheville-Buncombe County Economic Development Coalition supported workforce development and local startups during fiscal year 2018-19. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners learned about the return on its $350,000 EDC investment at an Aug. 20 meeting.
Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education explores mountain foodways
“I see a potential for these girls not just to get educated and inspired and leave, but to take that inspiration and figure out how to instill it in their communities and create a better future,” says historian and baker Maia Surdam of the 10-year-old program.
Letter: Not amused by Frost cartoon
“Ellen Frost doesn’t deserve that tacky cartoon by Randy Molton in the July 31 issue [Xpress].”
Beer Scout: New laws allow two-drink orders and pets in NC taprooms
Owners of Green Man, Wedge and Whistle Hop discuss the new rule changes prior to their Sept. 1 implementation.
Letter: Breastfeeding isn’t the only way
“While the awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding is — thankfully — high these days, the awareness of how hard and possibly untenable it can be for some women is starkly lagging in our community.”
City, county debut results of renewable energy planning
The $100,000 report, commissioned from Massachusetts-based consultants The Cadmus Group, finds that local government action will be insufficient for Asheville and Buncombe County to run operations entirely on renewable energy by their goal date of 2030 without the purchase of renewable energy certificates or significant state-level regulatory changes.
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Aug. 20-26
**UPDATED AUG. 22** The Collaboratory taps its first four house-brewed beers, Catawba works with Spicewalla on a saison and more local beer news.
Sightings of three-legged bears worry locals
Justin McVey, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s wildlife biologist for the region that includes Asheville, says the commission has not received an unusual number of reports of three-legged bears in recent days despite social media posts suggesting sightings of at least nine separate bears with missing or injured legs within a 25-mile radius of Asheville.
Letter: Leaf pickup policy needs another look
“The city’s policy of dumping leaves and other yard trash out of the plastic bags holding them and leaving the bags lying in the gutter is contributing to plastic ending up in the ocean.”
Small bites: Help for Hendo
Free meals and haircuts return to Sanctuary Brewing Co. Also: Ivory Road Cafe & Kitchen announces new dinner series; Chefs for Seniors launches in Buncombe County; Skybar announces its closing; and more in this week’s Small Bites.
Community Heritage Festival celebrates an African American neighborhood
The East End/Valley Street Community Heritage Festival offers a celebration specific to that section of town and its past and present inhabitants. Organizers will recognize the oldest living residents of the neighborhood — one is a nonagenarian — and Aggie Jean Jackson, author of two books set in Asheville’s East End, will be on hand to discuss and sign copies of her works.
Smart Bets: Slay the Mic Summer Jam
The inaugural hip-hop extravaganza takes place Aug. 24 at Paradox Nightclub.
Harvest Records celebrates its 15th anniversary with Transfigurations III
Store owners Mark Capon and Matt Schnable leaned more heavily on staff involvement in planning their latest festival, which resulted in such surprise bookings as ESG.
Letter: We all can support immigrants
“Here’s a different idea: What if some [local] hotel owners, Airbnb owners and people with an extra bedroom or two decided to welcome a few families who are at the border to stay for free and raised the funds to transport them here?”