Different Spirits: Living alcohol-free in WNC
Volume
30
/ Issue 14
Cover Design Credit:
Olivia UrbanCover Photography Credit:
Brent Brown
Beer culture — and alcohol generally — permeates WNC, complicating things for those choosing the sober life. Aware of such concerns, many local breweries and bars now carry nonalcoholic beer and liquor options. And groups and individuals are stepping in to create alternative spaces and events for people who are sober or at least “sober curious.”
arts
‘Palimpsest’ horror podcast conjures its fifth season
Jamieson Ridenhour and Hayley Heninger discuss their acclaimed project's latest installment.NaNoWriMo resources help local writers achieve their goals
“The brilliant thing about NaNoWriMo is that it’s not about writing a good book in a month. It’s about just finishing something,” says Asheville-based author Stephanie Perkins.Around town: Burial Beer Co. opens new music venue on the South Slope
The South Slope gets a new music venue. Plus, AIGA Asheville's second annual design weekend; a paint pouring exhibit; and more.food
What’s new in food: Food Waste Solutions Summit seeks action
The third WNC Food Waste Solutions Summit comes to the Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center; the 7th Annual WNC Fermentation Festival comes to Marshall; Buxton Hall Barbecue announces plans to…living
WNC nondrinkers reflect on life in Beer City USA
For many nondrinkers, finding a social life in a region centered around breweries can be difficult. Here are some of the ways people do it.news
Local leaders respond to new state investigative powers
Buried deep within North Carolina’s 625-page, $30 billion state budget are provisions that give the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, an oversight committee led by Republicans, the authority to…New 24-hour restroom coming to downtown
The new amenity, which will be located at the intersection of Rankin Avenue and College Street, aims to offer residents, visitors and the unhoused a safe, clean place to go…Development roundup: Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss new hotel
City of Asheville The public will be able to provide input on one plan review and one zoning map amendment at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5 p.m.,…Tourism board approves over $6 million for three projects
The approved projects include upgrades to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville and an outdoor covered equestrian arena for the WNC Agricultural Center as well as new turf, lighting and…HCA’s independent monitor faces tense public meeting
Ronald Winters, CEO of the independent monitor for HCA Healthcare, faced an unhappy crowd at a community meeting Oct. 19. Current and former physicians, nurses and patients from Mission Hospital…Council approves zoning for McCormick Field improvements
Asheville City Council at its Oct. 24 meeting unanimously approved a zoning change required to upgrade McCormick Field. The modifications to the site's zoning requirements at 30 Buchanan Place include…opinion
Letter: City Council should focus on fighting crime
"We can’t fight crime without a strong police force. That should be Council’s No. 1 priority. "Letter: A fatal flaw in the Reparations Commission
"There are numerous fatal flaws in this misguided creation, but the big one is that it is running in direct opposition to the hard-won progress of the 1964 Civil Rights…Letter: More local election information, please
"We’ve found it extremely hard to find information on the candidates and issues."DIY health care
Letter: Sierra Club endorses candidates in Woodfin, Weaverville
"The new Council members also have delivered on their promise of increased transparency and transitioning to a professionally managed city government."A tail of two cities