Food Connection’s largest fundraiser of the year is a music sampling of Western North Carolina; Catawba Brewing Co., serves up a beer-filled brunch to take the edge off winter; The French Broad Vignerons seeks potential wine judges; and Bee School is nearly in session at The Center for Honeybee Research.
Small bites: MANNA FoodBank packs its millionth book bag with weekend food
MANNA FoodBank will deliver its millionth weekend food pack to a local student; Table will explore the many Mexican moles at an upcoming dinner event; Medea’s Espresso & Juice Bar is offering a fermentation workshop; and an A-B Tech culinary arts graduate is advancing to a national-level competition.
Chefs converge on Asheville for Appalachian food salon
In early February, downtown restaurant The Market Place hosted more than 20 chefs and Appalachian food artisans and experts for the James Beard Foundation’s inaugural Chefs at Work on Policy and Change salon. The private discussion allowed participants to dig deeply into issues of sustainability, food inequality and cultural heritage.
Confronting history: “Our State, Our Stories” initiative calls for Civil War family narratives
In an effort to record the varied Civil War experiences passed down through N.C. familes, regional historians across the state are collecting narratives as part of the “Our State, Our Stories” Initiative. The stories gathered will be included in a new, state of the art North Carolina Civil War History Center in Fayetteville, scheduled to be completed by 2020.
Local businesses drive Asheville vibe
Walk any downtown Asheville street and you’re likely to encounter some quirky storefronts offering unusual products. Together, these “specialty shops” or boutiques, most of them locally owned businesses, are a key component of the city’s distinctive flavor, attracting thousands of tourists each year and helping fuel the economy.
Despite city commitment, not much edible landscaping in Asheville
Although Asheville City Council approved a 14-point Food Action Plan three years ago that included a goal of implementing underutilized city-owned land for agricultural purposes, to date little headway has been made in that area.
The tipping point: Is Blue Dream Curry paving the way for no-tip restaurants in Asheville?
It’s taken for granted in our culture that tipping the server or bartender is inherent to the experience of dining and drinking out. However, a recent move by the owners of Blue Dream Curry House may indicate that changes are coming to Asheville’s restaurant scene.
Celebrating the Levant: Knife & Fork hosts a dinner to benefit Syrian refugees
At a pop-up event this weekend, chef Nate Allen will highlight the cuisine of the Levant region while raising money to help the displaced people of Syria.
Transportation activist group aims to extend evening ART service
At a rally on Tuesday, Jan. 26, the group People’s Voice on Transportation Equality revealed the results of two surveys. Both surveys showed that the top priority of transit users is an extension of bus service into evening hours. Business owners surveyed also supported an extension, saying it would bring them more customers.
East Asheville chiropractor hosts annual food drive
Tom Whittington is gearing up to launch his annual Chiropractic Opportunity Week — a community-wide event anchored by a food drive that the East Asheville chiropractor has hosted for 20 years.
Feeling Fancy: Madison Has Heart hosts 3rd annual Fanciful Flea fundraiser in Marshall Feb. 13
To help its neighbors in Madison County manage these costs, local nonprofit organization Madison Has HEArT is hosting its third annual Fanciful Flea event on February 13 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Marshall Island Studios in downtown Marshall.
New plant-based living group takes root in WNC
Asheville may be way ahead of the curve when it comes to plant-based living, but with fast-food restaurants on every other corner, there is still plenty of room for growth in that area in Western North Carolina. That’s where Plant Based WNC comes into play. The new group (or “pod”) is part of a larger effort to promote […]
Working Class Hero: a Q&A with author Kristina Horton on “The Martyr of Loray Mill”
In July 2015, Kristina Horton — great-granddaughter of famed labor activist Ella May Wiggins — published Martyr of Loray Mill, a biography of her forebear. Xpress spoke with Horton ahead of her reading at Malaprop’s on Sunday, Jan. 17, to discuss Wiggins’ life, the meaning of her struggles and why it remains important to remember Ella May’s sacrifice.
On the side: Asheville chefs further food causes beyond the kitchen
Whether advocating for change or dishing about microgreens, Asheville is filled with chefs who hold community close to heart.
State legislative update presented at United Way briefing
At a recent legislative briefing, Annaliese Dolph, registered lobbyist for the United Way of North Carolina, outlined the status of issues within the United Way’s focus areas of health care, education and financial stability.
Gimme shelter: In wake of 10-year plan to end homelessness, local agencies regroup
Although chronic homelessness has been curtailed substantially since 2005, the combination of a severe economic downturn, an acute shortage of affordable housing and the rising cost of living has hindered the overall progress in eradicating homelessness. Despite those setbacks, partners in the project are forging ahead with new initiatives to combat housing insecurity and ensure that those in need of shelter get it.
All smiles: 2015 Christmas Jam house-wall raising
It was an unseasonably warm December afternoon on Soulshine Court in Habitat for Humanity’s Hudson Hills subdivision in West Asheville. A crowd of neighbors, volunteers and fans gathered around the work site for the wall-raising of Habitat’s 2015 Christmas Jam house. For 17 years, Warren Haynes, Asheville native and world renowned musician, has worked closely […]
E Pluribus Unum: Local schools go multicultural
Transitioning to a new language, country and culture can be extremely disruptive — particularly for children. To address the growing numbers of students from non-English-speaking households, the Asheville and Buncombe County schools are developing a curriculum that gives students from all backgrounds a chance to explore what makes each tradition unique, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and preparing students to be productive members of today’s increasingly global society.
UNCA earns top grade for campus vegan food offerings
PETA youth program peta2 recently gave UNC Asheville top marks and a spot on the Dean’s List on its 2015 Vegan Report Card.
Vortex Doughnuts gives back to coffee-growing community with new partnership
This month, Vortex Doughnuts and 1000 Faces Coffee are raising awareness and encouraging conversation about coffee farming and sustainability through a partnership with nonprofit organization The Chain Collaborative. A special pour-over bar at Vortex’s South Slope shop is part of the plan.