In the Spirit Issue: Everybody’s welcome at God’s Diner
Volume
25
/ Issue 22
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Illustration by Patrick Brooks, courtesy of Warren Publishing
Offering an inclusive message relevant both to our times and the holiday season, first-time author Rebecca Lile of Waynesville debuts her children’s book, God’s Diner.
arts
A new group reignites competitive poetry in Asheville
“People are saying their deepest fears, people are challenging the system … but at the same time they’re also getting scored," says Justin Blackburn. "Not only is it this empowering…Billy Zanski leads a year-end sound healing session at OM Sanctuary
The Skinny Beats Sound Shop owner discusses his approach to sonic therapy.Smart Bets: A Family Affair
Asheville notables and special guest Marcus King pay tribute to Sly & The Family Stone on Dec. 22 at Asheville Music Hall.Smart Bets: Truth & Salvage Co.
The former Asheville-based roots rockers reunite for a Dec. 22 show at The Grey Eagle.Hex parties create safe spaces and fund threatened nonprofits
In creating a safe space, “we want the queer community to feel at home there, as well as the Latinx community, people of color, older people," says one of Hex's…Smart Bets: Mischief Managed
Asheville's premier “nerdlesque” troupe performs a night of Christmas-themed burlesque on Dec. 22 at The Crow & Quill.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.food
Beer Scout: Asheville beer and cider industry notables reflect on 2018
Asheville-area brewery representatives name their favorite local and nonlocal beers from 2018, as well as standout industry accomplishments.Asheville’s independent restaurants donate millions of dollars annually to local charities
Data recently collected by the Asheville Independent Restaurants organization shows that WNC eateries contribute enormous amounts of money and time to the local community. But given the hospitality sector's notoriously…Asheville mindfulness practitioners discuss eating with intention
Mealtimes can offer the ideal setting for establishing or expanding a mindfulness practice.Small bites: Bounty of Bethlehem
Bounty of Bethlehem continues its quest to provide a Christmas meal for residents in need. Also: O’Hole-y Night returns to Hole Doughnuts, Lookout Brewing Co. hosts Christmas Eve by Candlelight,…living
New book by local author shares inclusive message of God’s love
Local author Rebecca Lile shares a message of God's love for everyone in her new children's book God's Diner.Wellness in brief: New urgent care clinics, local WIC program receives breastfeeding honor
Which local hospitals made the grade in The Leapfrog Group fall ratings? Plus, new urgent care clinics, breastfeeding program wins award and a new pet loss grief support group continues…Jewish practice of tikkun olam brings light at dark time of year
Joel Edelson only meant to sell books to pay for college. Instead, going door to door, he became the first Jew many of the folks in a rural area he…movies
Screen scene: Local film news
A wealth of Christmas films will be shown this week at area breweries, libraries, movie theaters and event spaces.news
Asheville Archives: Sermons preached in Asheville, 1938-42
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, The Asheville Citizen featured a weekly Monday column titled “Excerpts From Sermons Preached Here Sunday.”Activists, faith leaders hold 10-day fast and prayer for climate change
“We have been shouting about climate change for a long time, but now, we feel like it’s going to take more messaging in a different way,” says Avram Friedman of…Local agencies keep up fight to house veterans experiencing homelessness
According to the nonprofit Homeward Bound WNC, close to half of those experiencing homelessness in Buncombe County are veterans, a figure that also includes people benefiting from long-term transitional housing…Historian Travis Sutton Byrd’s latest book explores 1930s labor strife
In his latest work, 'Tangled: Organizing the Southern Textile Industry, 1930-1934,' historian Travis Sutton Byrd explores the region's labor movements that would help lead to a nationwide textile worker strike.No new hotels emerge from Council meeting
A 170-room proposal on Fairview Road was voted down 6-1, with only Vice Mayor Gwen Wisler dissenting, while a public hearing on a 56-room project on Biltmore Avenue was continued…opinion
Letter: Are we complicit in ICE roundups?
"The word 'collaborationist' has lost its meaning in these eight decades since World War II, but our collective and collaborative silence and passivity is as damning as those who turned…Letter: Parents, unite to fund e-cig prevention efforts
"Your first step can be urging your state representatives to pass N.C. House Bill 276. This bill creates a funded state program that can tackle this focused issue."An antidote to hate: Know and love your neighbor
"As diverse as we are, let us seek harmony and unity and prove that America is better than our fear and division by spreading the seeds of compassion and justice…