Down by the River: The highs and lows of relaunching the RAD
Volume
31
/ Issue 16
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Cindy Kunst
Though much of the River Arts District was destroyed by Tropical Storm Helene, the recent success of RADFest 1.0 has many artists hopeful that the district can bounce back. Multiple initiatives are underway to assist those district makers who’ve lost everything. And the creative community continues to support one another amid ongoing cleanup efforts. On this week’s cover, starting left, Philip DeAngelo, Mark Harmon, Andrea Kulish and Jeffrey Burroughs.
arts
Smart Bets: ReClaim the R.A.D.
Opening Nov. 23, the fundraising show and sale features works of art created on pieces of flood debris.Smart Bets: Off Book: The Improvised Musical
Musical comedy duo Jess McKenna and Zach Reino will turn their popular podcast into a live, improvised musical production at The Orange Peel.The Snozzberries reconfigure canceled gala event Psychedelic Circus
With its original venue destroyed by flooding, the band reimagined the immersive multimedia experience for a new location.Smart Bets: Handel’s Messiah
The first post-Helene production from Asheville Symphony and the Asheville Symphony Chorus offers a pay-what-you-can performance.Unstoppable: An ecosystem of literacy access
"The majority of local students, no matter their race, background and socioeconomic status, were not reading on grade level prior to the storm, and they just lost another month-plus of…food
Unstoppable: Advocating for food security
"With the storm’s impact, we anticipate a significant rise in food insecurity as more families and individuals turn to us and other community resources in the coming months," says Micah…What’s new in food: Foothills Meats prepares to open Skillet in landmark Black Mountain building
Skillet will open in late November with an affordable comfort food menu from former Cultura and Funkatorium chef Eric Morris. Also in this week's food news: a farewell part for…news
Nonprofit groups address fundraising, volunteer challenges in wake of Helene
Many local nonprofits are facing challenges as money and volunteer hours pour into groups with a more direct role in storm recovery efforts. These groups are trying to address the…Unstoppable: Efforts to end homelessness
"In the aftermath of Helene, Homeward Bound of WNC shifted to immediately address the safety of all our staff and the clients we serve through our homeless and housing services…Winning Hendersonville, Black Mountain candidates discuss post-Helene challenges
Candidates elected to council seats in Hendersonville and Black Mountain Nov. 5 know that Helene recovery will be a priority during their terms.Lead detected in seven schools after Asheville water didn’t undergo mitigation process for several weeks
Chandler and Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, medical director for Buncombe County’s Department of Health & Human Services, repeatedly stressed that students were not exposed to lead in drinking water.Council approves $16 million for Helene recovery
The city is expecting all costs to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).Buncombe air quality post-Helene has not been affected greatly by dust, but smoke risk rises, agency says
“What we’re particularly concerned about is the fine particles from open burning that we expect we’re going to see more of,” AB Air Quality Agency Director Ashley Featherstone said.Asheville City school board delays decision on staff bonuses for post-Helene volunteer work
Unsure of exactly how much it would cost, the Asheville City Board of Education voted 7-0 Nov. 12 to table a decision on bonus payment for nearly 200 district staff…Aftermath of Helene making Western NC survivors sick
All Western North Carolina residents will have to look out for additional public health issues as the region continues to recover from Helene.