Asheville Inline Hockey League offers free youth summer clinics

What started as a small group of youths back in the ’90s has evolved into a vibrant league, with around 100 players signing up each spring and fall. The arrival of the Asheville Smoke, an United Hockey League team, arguably had an influence on the creation of the youth league, which “officially” began in the parking lot of the Salvation Army on the west side of town almost 17 years ago.

The Block off biltmore: New vegan bar celebrates diversity, history

Reminiscent of an Prohibition-era speakeasy with its cream and burgundy walls, vinyl club chairs, old church pews and dark brown circular tables, the bar and event center pays homage to the history of the building and its surrounding neighbors. “This is an event concept bar,” says owner Cam MacQueen. “This bar is about telling the story of this space, of this block, of bringing people together.”

Widow’s Tale retreat leads to rediscover­y and recovery

When Donna Marie Todd’s husband died, she was 55. Bereavement counseling helped her begin to heal and understand her grief, but she found a lack of resources when she set out to rebuild her life. A professional storyteller, singer, writer, teaching artist and retreat leader from Black Mountain, she decided to create a one-day retreat for women — A Widow’s Tale.

GMOs: Yes or no? Local restaurant­s seek to meet demand for non-GMO foods

Chipotle Mexican Grill became the first national restaurant chain to ban genetically modified ingredients from its menu. But while the company has made headlines across the U.S. for its bold stance against the industry’s claim that all food is created equal, many Asheville restaurants have been waging a much quieter war of their own for years.