Marvelous 'maters Tomatoes are one of summer's many delights. One bite of these juicy fruits with their tangy skins and sweet insides is enough to make a veggie-lover swoon. Celebrate this incredible fruit at two free festivals in early August. ASAP will put the fruits front and center at its annual tomato festival, Saturday, Aug. […]
Our region is full of hidden gardens in unusual places. From a bamboo forest in Hendersonville to funky sculpture gardens in West Asheville, Xpress has the key to WNC’s most mysterious groves. Photos by Rich Orris and Max Cooper
The North American Fruit Explorers are coming to Asheville for a weekend of discussion and informal presentations, beginning Thursday, Aug. 8.
There’s more to do around the region than Bele Chere. Find out about this weekend’s festivals, classical music and theater. Podcast by Ms. Amandi of Asheville Free Media’s Bombshell-ter Radio.
Journey as destination If you wanted to travel across the Rocky Broad River back in 1925, you had to use the Lake Lure Bridge, the fastest way between Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure. This historic triple-arched passageway was replaced in 2011, but the original crossing remains. Soon the old bridge will have a new […]
Asheville Wild Birds Unlimited owners will present a travelogue of their recent trip to Alaska on Sunday, July 28. Photo by Simon Thompson.
Cycle through Black Mountain farms, attend the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands or catch a Spanish-language film this weekend. Podcast hosted by Ms. Amandi of Asheville Free Media’s Bombshell-ter Radio.
The Dr. John Wilson Community Garden in Black Mountain is considering adding a greenhouse and a chicken co-op to its efforts. Residents would share greenhouse and chicken duties while benefiting from garden elements they might not consider at home. The garden is seeking input on both projects. Fill out a survey here and here.
Swapping the surplus If last season's jars of prized tomatoes are burning a hole on your canning shelf, the West Asheville Food Swap wants to make sure your carefully preserved goods don't go to waste. This new local initiative picks up on a national trend of neighbors exchanging homegrown goods with other aspiring and accomplished […]
Learn about bamboo, celebrate cartoon art and catch some music at the Bywater this weekend. Podcast hosted by Asheville Free Media’s Theresa Amandi.
Beaverdam goes big If you've always wanted to lend a hand in a community garden, but aren't quite ready to make a weekly commitment, stop by the Beaverdam Community Garden at the YMCA on Saturday, July 13, for a hands-on kind of festival. Check out the garden's raised beds and edible forest garden while soaking […]
A few weeks ago I had a lively discussion about sunscreen on Twitter. My friends are as befuddled as I am — is sunscreen an essential part of summer, or do the chemicals in commercial tubes cause cancer? Is it worse to get a sunburn or put unpronounceable ingredients on your skin every day? Conflicting […]
Pick up some crafts at the Big Crafty and other shows throughout the region. Then check out some post-Independence Day fireworks. Podcast hosted by Theresa Amandi.
Adopt a pet, browse arts and crafts and catch some theater this weekend. Podcast hosted by Theresa Amandi.
Television host Tom Earnhardt will speak about North Carolina’s ecological past and future at WCU on Thursday, June 27.
Race to the top of Beech Mountain, celebrate solstice and participate in the 48-Hour Film Festival. Podcast hosted by Theresa Amandi.
The Lavender Festival near Burnsville will celebrate this classic herb with one last festival before Mountain Farm turns to dairy goats as its primary focus.
Hear traditional music at the Bluff Mountain Festival, celebrate dad and see The Importance of Being Earnest this weekend. Podcast hosted by Theresa Amandi.
Last year Xpress did an audio profile of Patrick Littlejohn, a formerly homeless composer who used music to pull himself out of poverty. The Practical Schillinger School of Music, an online composition school, recently offered Littlejohn a full scholarship. Practical Schillinger director, Philip DiTullio, said that the school was "quite moved" and "inspired" by his […]
Organic demands The old economic theory of supply and demand is at the core of the organic food movement. When consumers seek out organic produce, they fuel the local food network and put money in farmers' pockets. But what if there isn't enough organic food to go around? A recent study by the Carolina Farm […]
Last year Xpress profiled Patrick Littlejohn, a formerly homeless composer who pulled himself out of poverty through music. He recently received a full scholarship to the Practical Schillinger School of Music.
Photos by Rich Orris.
