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.
Author: Kari Barrows
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WNC nurses work hard to take care of themselves as well as others
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.
Invisible women: Buncombe County’s forgotten female veterans
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.
Buncombe County schools teach strategies, raise awareness about cyberbullying
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.
P&Z retains short-term lodging in RAD plan
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.
Krazy with Kudzu looks at good and bad of invasive vine
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.
P&Z sends infill development changes to City Council
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.
P&Z considers 20-house Shiloh subdivision and 130-room Tunnel Road hotel
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.
Where the public sidewalk ends: reactions to Gideons handing out Bibles outside high school graduations
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.
A century celebrated at Biltmore Industries
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.
P&Z votes in favor of new RAD zoning code, 133 apartments
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.
Housing co-ops, a potential affordable housing solution
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.
P&Z approves its final big hotel
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.
Mother Earth News Fair rolls into Asheville
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.
Niche sports: Asheville residents are getting their groove back
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.
Local businesses aim to make clothing more sustainable
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.
Sweeten Creek LaQuinta Inn gets in under the wire
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.
City Council subcommittee reviews nonprofit funding requests
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.
The incredible shrinking subsidy: WNC Nature Center achieves 3-year reduction goal in one year
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.
P&Z says yes to Asheville Art Museum expansion, 117-room hotel in Biltmore Village
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 announce expanded partnership
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.