Trailblazers: A couple’s passion for the Appalachian Trail
Volume
28
/ Issue 50
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Amber and Joshua Niven
Seven years after meeting, spouses Amber and Joshua Niven’s collaborative book, Discovering the Appalachian Trail, reflects their shared passion for the route that crosses 14 states, six national parks and eight national forests. The couple hopes to inspire others to venture outside and experience a resource that’s brought so much joy to their lives.
arts
Local couple collaborate on comprehensive Appalachian Trail book
Amber and Joshua Niven discuss working together on their new book, “Discovering the Appalachian Trail: A Guide to the Trail's Greatest Hikes."Exhibit spotlights LGBTQIA+ photographers
"This Skin I'm In: A Visual Narrative" runs through Aug. 29 at Revolve gallery.Around Town: Story Parlor residency program debuts with ‘Dirty Laundry’
Story Parlor residency debuts with multidisciplinary immersive show. Plus, local sculptor's work is focus of new show, Slavic folk concert raises money for Ukraine, and Swannanoa Valley Museum & History…food
What’s new in food: Asheville chefs fired up for live-fire culinary fest
Cochon555's national Heritage Fire tour lands in Asheville on Sunday, July 17.living
Domestic violence nonprofit opens new Hendersonville facility
Safelight, a Hendersonville nonprofit that supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new facility June 29.Green in brief: Morrow Landing to offer new French Broad access near Brevard
The land, purchased by Conserving Carolina, falls roughly halfway between the current Island Ford and Hap Simpson Park access points, which are separated by nearly 10 miles of river. Morrow…news
Q&A: Elizabeth Colton on life abroad, diplomacy and journalism
Growing up in Asheville nurtured Elizabeth Colton’s desire to travel. And she has Warren Wilson College, in part, to thank for it. Throughout her youth, Colton’s parents invited international students…Are local development boards diverse enough?
“The thinking used to be, you put some architects on there. And you'd want to have a real estate investor, or a developer, or someone who's a real estate agent,…APD taking longer to respond to 911 calls despite policy change
Response times rose from an average of 8.2 minutes for the highest-priority calls in the 12 months before the shift — which had the Asheville Police Department no longer send…Despite hiccups, Malvern Hills pool reopens to the public
“Pools are one of those places where everybody gathers and are really an essential hub of the community,” says Parks and Recreation Program and Operations Manager Wayne Simmons. “And so…Is the French Broad River safe for swimming?
Nothing sparks an online debate among Asheville-based social media groups faster than a question concerning the cleanliness of the French Broad River.The Big Secret Family Festival debuts at Salvage Station
Taking place Sunday, July 17, 2 p.m. at Salvage Station, the inaugural Big Secret Family Festival features The Secret Agency with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Empire Strikes Brass, Snake Oil…Area high schoolers take free college classes at A-B Tech
Dual enrollment of students earning both high school and college credit currently accounts for about 2,500 A-B Tech students, or roughly 30% of the school’s overall enrollment, making it one…opinion
Letter: Act together with kindness to deal with changing world
"Local nonviolent demonstrators consciously act to bring out the best in people while attempting to educate and expose inequality and injustice."Letter: We can’t freeze Asheville in time
"But the solution to our overlapping affordability and climate crises can’t be to try to freeze our city in time, to shut our borders or to blame anyone who hasn’t…Letter: A point about the AT Chaplain program
"The 'chaplain' comes from a Methodist church that came up with this title and program. Why limit this program to Methodists?"Letter: Local urgent care system works pretty well
"Like any competent health care provider, [advanced practice providers] recognize their limitations and either consult a physician when the problem is beyond their skill set or transfer the patient to…Under the big top
Letter: Sierra Club criticism was baseless, unfair
"He heaps venomous scorn, most of it unfair and baseless, on an organization staffed exclusively by conscientious volunteers who selflessly devote their time and energy to doing what they can…Letter: The value of old-growth forests
"Suzanne Simard and countless other scientists have enumerated the many environmental benefits of old-growth forest."Double the damage
Letter: Sierra Club critique flames out in Woodfin
"Attacking one of the nation’s largest and oldest organizations devoted to protecting our environment and going after a great public servant like Ken Brame was pathetic."Simple as ABC
Letter: Research shows effectiveness of housing first
"Of all the housing models, housing first, a version of permanent supportive housing, has the imprimatur of research demonstrating its effectiveness at ending homelessness."