How to be happy: Finding joy in troubled times
Volume
26
/ Issue 50
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Getty Images
Despite these difficult times, local residents are still finding meaning and joy in their lives. Xpress checked in with several who share their strategies — including nurturing connections with others, self-care and even comedy sketches.
arts
Smart Bet: Play Reading Club
Hosted by Wolfe Lanier, The Magnetic Theatre's latest offering debuts July 12 with Adam Brock’s comedy "The Drunken City."Smart Bet: Blue Spiral 1 exhibits
The Asheville gallery has four new exhibits running through Aug. 28, including one featuring local photographer Ralph Burns' shots of the city, 1975-1999.Smart Bet: Richard Shulman
The Asheville-based pianist and composer's new album, "Life Seasons," features seven instrumental and six vocal tracks.Nest Egg releases its seventh album
The Asheville-based trio applies ’70s krautrock inspiration to its post-rock music.Smart Bet: In Solidarity
The Asheville gallery's new online exhibition doubles as a fundraiser for nonprofits fighting for justice and equality.Author Leah Hampton examines modern life in Appalachia
On July 14, Waynesville resident and former Western Carolina University instructor, Leah Hampton, will celebrate the release of her debut book, "F*ckface: And Other Stories." Several of the book's tales…food
BimBeriBon’s new to-go concept takes diners on a culinary world tour
Each week the bags are themed to a different country; so far, passport stamps include Greece, Cuba, France, India, Mexico, Asia and Spain.Fundraising dinner brings the experience to donors’ homes
The Free Clinics' annual Sunset Dining event adapts with delivered meals and virtual entertainment.The Grey Eagle Taqueria teams with BearWaters Brewing
The owners of the Asheville music venue are taking their taco business to Haywood County.living
Green in brief: P&Z says no to tree protection ordinance, WNC turkey harvest hits record high
Commission Chair Laura Hudson argued that the rules placed too much emphasis on tree protection and could become an untenable burden for developers. “If you jam too many requirements onto…Clearer but busier days for Mount Mitchell Superintendent Kevin Bischof
Kevin Bischof is in high demand. Now in his 13th year as a ranger with the North Carolina State Parks, he's transitioning from serving as superintendent of Mount Mitchell State…news
Asheville Archives: Citizens Hotel Corp. pushes for community buy-in, 1922-23
In November 1922, plans were unveiled for the new George Vanderbilt Hotel. Residents were quickly summoned to invest in the project. Not everyone jumped on board.Finding happiness during times of collective grief
Xpress spoke with Asheville community members to learn how they’re finding moments of joy amid an unrelenting pandemic and the latest incident of an unarmed Black man killed by a white…WNC hospitals stay prepared for possible COVID-19 surge
In Western North Carolina, the main regional hospitals say they currently have more than enough capacity to provide care for area residents. But their approaches, protocols and treatment options for…Local resident discusses the challenges of being blind during COVID-19
Throughout his adult life, Gary Ray has been visually impaired. COVID-19, he says, has created new obstacles for himself as well as others in the blind community.Money Pit
ASHEVILLE, N.C.opinion
Letter: In times of crisis, fight for a better life
"With all of these things that have happened, how can the 'important' people keep ignoring these problems while the majority are considered disposable?"Letter: Boycott businesses that don’t comply with mask law
"They are putting all of us at risk and endangering the lives of the elderly and immune-compromised people in our area."Letter: Goodbye, old friend
"Residents of Black Mountain, you might consider asking your leadership why they were so willing to sacrifice your health to stick it to the libs."Letter: Asheville should be cautious of Black Lives Matter organization
"Before Asheville rushes to embrace the BLM mantra, I would urge caution and restraint from going down that path."Letter: Decency demands Confederate monument removals
"We need to cease extolling false narratives, ignoring past transgressions and defending those who championed one of humanity’s most deplorable institutions."Consta-wha-tion?
This time it’s different? The Gospel According to Jerry
"I could give you a litany of racial injustice incidents that I’ve personally observed over the years."Letter: Wear a mask for the kids
"It shouldn't take a local or state mandate to get some of you to make the right decision."Letter: Confederate monuments, the fake news of the time
"Turns out there was this effort about 30 years after the war ... to propagandize to the youth in schools and erect all of these Confederate statues and monuments to…Free for all