The African Americans in WNC and Southern Appalachia Conference returns to Asheville for its fourth year Thursday, Oct. 19, through Saturday, Oct. 21. Originally organized to highlight research on the historical African-American presence in the region, the conference is broadening its scope this year with the theme, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
“Naming the history of a problem in our black community does not discount the experiences of our rural white communities. It’s not an either-or argument. It’s an “and” discussion. And white, rural communities suffer from food insecurity, too.”
Municipal officials, wildlife experts and WNC residents talk bear-resistant trash cans, bird feeders and educational initiatives designed to protect citizens and wildlife living in close proximity to each other.
Asheville, N.C.
The two new programs offer in-depth training for home gardeners seeking to sustainably produce their own food and established growers looking to branch out.
Asheville, N.C.
Community and business representatives from across the rail industry gathered in Asheville on Sept. 22 for the Railroads & Regional Economic Development Conference. Organized by the WNC Rail Committee, the conference revealed some hints of how railroads may adapt to changing times.
Asheville, N.C.
Through exploring the role of art and aesthetics in social activism, the Radical Beauty conference — a new event hosted by the Montreat Conference Center from Monday, Oct. 9 through Thursday, Oct. 12 — offers an alternative approach to promoting cultural change.
Making intentional choices about seed-bulb varieties and planting will pay off in the warm months with a bountiful and pungent harvest.
Asheville, N.C.
Mission Health President and CEO Ron Paulus has touted one of the system’s current construction projects, the Mission Hospital for Advanced Medicine, as the single biggest investment in the history of Western North Carolina.
“On Sept. 30, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and the UNCA Student Environmental Center are hosting a workshop titled Constructive Communication & Engagement on Climate Change. It will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the UNCA Brown Hall, Room 218.”
“We need to actively support a clean, green energy grid — and only a clean, green energy grid — throughout our state and throughout the world.”
Asheville, N.C.
Asheville, N.C.
Many cultures around the world cultivate native, shade-loving plants beneath the forest canopy. Recently, more farmers in the United States have been getting excited about the potential of forest farming to diversify their crops while preserving natural environments. A forest farming workshop on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1, is geared to farmers of all levels who are interested in growing in the shade.
“Rooted in the Mountains,” a conference that explores the intersection of Western and native traditions that’s now in its eighth year, will take place at Western Carolina University on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 28-29, and includes a trip to the sacred site of Kituwah, the Cherokee “mother town.”
This year’s festival expands onto Depot Street, adding tea vendors, yoga, cupping sessions and more.
Grandfather Mountain lies along a major corridor for migrating raptors, which means that visitors to Linville Peak during September are likely to see tens, hundreds or even thousands of the birds of prey on their way to warmer climes.
The streets of downtown Asheville were free of cars on Sept. 17 — but that doesn’t mean they were quiet. Open Streets Asheville returned for its second year, filling the roadways with people and activities, including art, dance, sports and music.