In 1928, city officials, business owners and residents came together to launch the inaugural Rhododendron Festival.
New Stories
Theater review: ‘The Twelve Dates of Christmas’ by N.C. Stage Company
Every time she has a date, she turns it into humor. Her way of dealing with love’s disappointments makes hope and a happy ending possible.
Smart Bets: The Reel Sisters
The Asheville/Atlanta duo brings its Celtic Christmas show to Isis Music Hall on Dec. 20.
Biz briefs: The Industrial Commons receives $1 million grant
Deltec Homes celebrates 50 years in business, while The Toy Box on Merrimon Avenue prepares to close after its 30-plus-year run.
Xpress seeks art, writing for 2019 Kids Issues
Each year, Xpress publishes the thoughtful, vibrant and engaging creative work of Western North Carolina K-12 students, along with listings of local and regional summer camps. The 2019 theme is “24-hour Superpowers” and the submission deadline is Friday, Feb. 8.
Letter: Bikes shouldn’t drive Charlotte Street revamp
“I get that Charlotte Street is not the most bike-friendly but would also bet that only one in a thousand vehicles on Charlotte is a bicycle; therefore, taking a car lane to create two bike lanes is like a pug tail wagging a Saint Bernard.”
Screen scene: Local film news
A wealth of Christmas films will be shown this week at area breweries, libraries, movie theaters and event spaces.
Letter: How do we see Ashevilleans who need affordable housing?
“Demand for affordable housing is high because of the sum of our individual actions.”
In tents
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Letter: Professionals, look in the mirror on city tax burden
“The question, to me at least, is how to fairly distribute the responsibility of city finances.”
American Alpine Club hosts veterans event at Chimney Rock
At a recent event in Chimney Rock hosted by the Hill to Crag climbing initiative, veterans of the armed forces explored how climbing can serve as a way to recapture the excitement and camaraderie of deployment without the anxiety of working in a combat zone.
Acoustic Asheville: Hope Griffin
Accompanied by Eric Congdon on guitar and Jamie Leigh Bennett of cello and flute, Griffin gave a recent performance featuring four songs from her EP “And the Lights Will Shine.”
Storm prep
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Letter: Syringe exchanges save lives
“I applaud Shannon Spencer’s efforts to save lives.”
VIDEO PREMIERE: “Late Bloomer” by Tin Foil Hat
The dreamy, softly glitchy song “Late Bloomer,” by local musician Jared Hooker — aka Tin Foil Hat — is well paired with a lush and surreal stop-motion film.
Asheville residents gridlocked over I-26 Connector project
Upgrades to the tangled web of interchanges from the I-26 intersection at Interstate 40 through the gnarled conduit of traffic on the Bowen Bridge have been on the N.C. Department of Transportation’s radar since at least 1989. Along the way, business groups, community members, environmental advocates, designers and elected officials have all weighed in with differing visions about how the project should function and look — and whether it should happen at all.