The regional nonprofit Four Seasons Compassion for Life is transforming its workplace into a healthier environment — which its leaders believe benefits both employees and the organization.

The regional nonprofit Four Seasons Compassion for Life is transforming its workplace into a healthier environment — which its leaders believe benefits both employees and the organization.
High levels of burnout occur in the nursing profession because of long hours coupled with physical and emotional distress. Workplace wellness programs help to prevent and diminish burnout.
Women account for about 11 percent of Buncombe County’s more than 18,000 veterans, but their participation in local veterans programs falls far below that. Xpress checks in with several female veterans to see where they find support — and where it is lacking.
Cyberbullying is an issue that comes up all too often. It can include any type of intimidation with electronics or internet use, from texting to posting on social media. Research shows that it has doubled among middle and high schoolers in the U.S. from 2007 to 2016 — from 18 to 34 percent. But research also shows that North Carolina has the second lowest rate of cyberbullying — 30 percent, higher only than Massachusetts at 23 percent. Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Asheville City Schools held a rally to create awareness of the issue.
A new code that would guide development in the River Arts District will head back to Asheville City Council after the Planning and Zoning Commission upheld its original draft at its Sept. 6 meeting. One major sticking point is whether short-term rentals would be permitted in the RAD.
While pretty much everyone agrees kudzu is a big problem across the South, there seem to be as many philosophies for dealing with it as there are leaves on the vines. At Chimney Rock State Park’s Krazy with Kudzu event on Aug. 12, park visitors can learn about a variety of approaches to living with — or destroying — the pervasive plant.
Proposed changes to Asheville’s zoning code discussed at the Aug. 2 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission aim to ease the city’s shortage of housing, especially affordable housing, by increasing the density allowed in residential areas. The Commission recommended that the city adopt the changes.
Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission met on July 20 to consider a Shiloh subdivision and a 103-room hotel proposed for 49 Tunnel Road. The Commission voted to recommend City Council approve both zoning requests.
While many don’t seem to object to the Gideons’ handing out Bibles to graduating high school seniors outside the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville, others say the practice is incompatible with policies that strive to keep education and religion separate.
Historic Grovewood Village, located on property adjacent to the Omni Grove Park Inn, celebrated the centennial of Biltmore Industries with a full day of tours, lectures and a cake cutting on June 17.
A proposed form-based zoning code for the River Arts District passed its final hurdle before moving on to Asheville City Council for consideration. At a well-attended meeting of Asheville’s Planning & Zoning Commission on June 7, a 133-unit apartment complex on Lyman Street, a self-storage building on Gerber Road and a zoning change on Forsythe Street also got the commission’s nod.
The second in a three-part series on innovative models for promoting affordable homeownership sponsored by the city of Asheville focused on housing cooperatives. The May 4 education and information event provided perspectives from national experts as well as representatives of the Dulce Lomita Mobile Home Cooperative in Asheville.
Asheville’s Planning & Zoning Commission heard the last hotel zoning application submitted under the city’s previous zoning rules, which changed on Feb. 14. The commission approved a 112-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel planned for 26 Meadow Road. Moving forward, any hotel project with more than 20 rooms will have to make its case to City Council as a conditional zoning application. The conditional zoning process gives the elected officials more discretion than P&Z’s guidelines allow.
The Mother Earth News Fair returns to the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center in Fletcher May 6-7. Somewhere around 20,000 attendees are expected to gather to learn about and share skills for sustainable living and self-reliance.
From pickleball to bike polo, opportunities to find community while being active abound in WNC — and you don’t have to be traditionally athletic to join in the fun.
Industry studies show consumers are growing tired of fast, disposable fashion. In addition to a greater awareness of where clothes come from and the impact of their production, a new interest in extending the life of clothing or reusing materials to create new garments is fueling a resurgence of sewing skills in this region and around the country.
Asheville’s Planning & Zoning Commission approved a 74-room hotel on Sweeten Creek Road, an increase in the number of units included in the proposed redevelopment of Lee Walker Heights, changes to the cottage development ordinance and upgrades to a county waste transfer station on Hominy Creek Road. The commission met on April 5.
Nonprofit organizations made their best pitch to City Council’s Housing and Community Development Committee for a share of federal and city funds for the 2017-18 fiscal year at a day-long meeting on Friday, March 24. Some left happy, while others expressed dissatisfaction with a process they said favored established city partners who had received funding in prior years.
When the WNC Nature Center learned the city of Asheville’s subsidy for the facility would shrink by more than half over three years, the environmental education attraction wasn’t immediately sure how it would make up the funding shortfall. But it didn’t take long to figure it out: the Nature Center met the three-year goal in only one year. The attraction is expanding to meet demand, and visitation is setting new records nearly every month.
Asheville’s Planning & Zoning Commission approved all five zoning requests presented at the board’s March meeting, including the Asheville Art Museum’s expansion, a five-story hotel on Hendersonville Road, an apartment complex in South Asheville, expansion of the day care center at the Jewish Community Center and a new use for the Patton-Parker House property on Charlotte Street.
Mission Health and UNC Asheville announced an expanded partnership that includes enhanced campus wellness initiatives, health services for university sports teams, student internships and scholarships.