Forest Service plans prescribed burn in Grandfather district

Forest fires can benefit forest communities — that’s what the U.S. Forest Services, scientists and environmentalists have concluded in recent years: “putting out every fire creates a buildup of forest debris and produces more dangerous conditions,” the agency says. “That’s why the Forest Service is using an integrated, experienced and science-based prescribed burning program to […]

NC’s Cultural Resources Secretary will speak about restoring Historic Rehab Tax Jan. 22

On Dec. 31, North Carolina tax credits for historic rehabilitation projects ended. On Thursday, Jan. 22, Susan Kluttz, NC’s secretary of Cultural Resources, will speak in Hendersonville about the need to reinstate the credits. Here’s the press release from the city of Hendersonville: The City of Hendersonville, Mayor Barbara Volk, and Members of the Hendersonville […]

SAHC’s Farmer Incubator program adds two new farms

SAHC’s Farmer Incubator Program “provides low-cost access to land and resources for new or expanding agricultural operations and is aimed at helping the next generation of farmers fill the gap left as aging farmers retire.” The two newest participants are Second Spring Market Garden and Pineywoods, a heritage breed cattle operation.

Fanciful Flea event Feb. 21 benefits Madison County’s Neighbors in Need

MADISON HAS HEArT — a volunteer group in Madison County — announces “Fanciful Flea,” a “pop up collection of curated boutiques [that] will benefit Neighbors in Need’s fuel/food assistance fund” on Saturday, Feb. 21. Here’s their announcement: The Fanciful Flea Marshal High Studios February 21, 2015 10-5 SNOW DATE Feb 28, 2015 EVENT: MADISON HAS […]

Local thinkers, doers invited to NC Natural Products networking event

From the NC Natural Products Association: Bring the Spring! Calling the new age hillbilly farmers, industry wizards, and botanical enthusiasts: prepare to answer some questions and pose them to others! The North Carolina Natural Products Association (NCNPA) would like to invite all those with an interest in Asheville’s herbal, agricultural, and botanical community to our […]

ICYMI: Visit MountainTrue’s new website

In case you missed it, check out MountainTrue‘s new website. The nonprofit recently merged the forces and memberships of three regional organizations — the Western North Carolina Allliance, the Environmental and Conservation Organization, and the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance. Now they’ve got a shiny new website with info, updates and calls to action. Here’s what they said […]

WNC Frack Free releases statement on Asheville Council action

Tonight, Jan. 13, Asheville City Council adopted a resolution calling on North Carolina legislators to reinstate a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking,” a technique for drilling for natural gas and oil in shale deposits). The  Buncombe County-based group WNC Frack Free released this statement on the action: Asheville City Council passes resolution opposing fracking […]

Earth Fare’s new CEO Frank Scorpiniti takes the reins

Asheville-based Earth Fare announced the arrival of its new CEO, Frank Scorpiniti — the former yead of Canadian drugstore company Rexall. Here’s the full announcement from Earth Fare: EARTH FARE WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO Frank Scorpiniti will lead rapidly expanding retailer through pivotal year and beyond ASHEVILLE, NC—Earth Fare, the natural and organic grocery […]

Wallethub ranks North Carolina low for teacher pay

From WTVD (Channel 11) “Using statistics compiled from the National Center for Education Statistics, the U.S Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other groups, WalletHub analyzed factors like public school per student funding, ten-year change in teacher pay, safety of schools, and teaching wage disparities. Among the study’s findings, North Carolina ranked 51st in […]

Brian Turner sworn in as new state representative for Buncombe

PRESS RELEASE Brian Turner sworn in as new state representative for Buncombe County Asheville, N.C. – Today, Brian Turner was officially sworn in as the new State Representative for Buncombe County’s House District 116 at the Enka campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Buncombe County Commission Chair David Gantt administered the oath of office in […]

Start the new year with a Friends of the Smokies license plate

PRESS RELEASE Start the New Year with a New License Plate WAYNESVILLE, NC – Savvy drivers in North Carolina and Tennessee can kick off the New Year and join the 32,000 other vehicles with Friends of the Smokies license plates. Sales of specialty license plates in North Carolina and Tennessee support priority projects in Great Smoky […]

Co-authors Polk and Chotas to speak at UNC Asheville Jan. 22

PRESS RELEASE from UNCA “Power Through Partnership: How Women Lead Better Together” – Co-Authors Polk and Chotas to Speak at UNC Asheville Jan. 22 Betsy Polk and Maggie Chotas, co-authors of Power Through Partnership – How Women Lead Better Together (Berrett-Koehler, 2014), will discuss their research about women business partnerships at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, […]

Parkway seeks input for Moses H. Cone plan

PRESS RELEASE Parkway Seeks Input for Moses H. Cone Developed Area Management Plan (Asheville)—The Blue Ridge Parkway (Parkway) is seeking public input, through February 9, 2015, on an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Moses H. Cone Developed Area Management Plan (DAMP). The DAMP would guide the future development and management of the Moses H. Cone […]

Asheville ART launches Sunday bus service

PRESS RELEASE The ART launches Sunday bus service ASHEVILLE – In a move to increase accessibility to public transportation and support the City of Asheville’s multimodal transportation goals, the ART, Asheville’s transit service, launched Sunday bus service on January 4, 2015. The expansion is the largest since the City launched the Transit Master Plan in […]