2022 Year in Review: Don’t trash it all just yet
Volume
29
/ Issue 21
Cover Design Credit:
Jade YoungCover Photography Credit:
Scott Southwick
What has Western North Carolina rummaged, like the adorable bears on our cover, from the events of 2022? Xpress talked to dozens of community figures in search of the year’s most important takeaways.
arts
Year in Review: Arts professionals lift each other up
Local theater professionals, musicians and photographers lend their expertise to this year's reflections.Around Town: Asheville Symphony welcomes 2023 with 007
The Asheville Symphony rings in the New Year with music from James Bond movies. Plus, Brevard hosts kitschy Christmas trees, a local author recounts Mediterranean tales and UNCA welcomes award-winning…food
Year in Review: Local chefs reflect on the highs and lows of 2022
Three of Asheville's top chefs contemplate the local food industry's 2022 achievements and setbacks.Year in Review: Brewers get back to business
Brewers from 12 Bones, Eurisko, Oyster House and Riverside Rhapsody look back on the year that was.What’s new in food: Counting down to the New Year
Seeking a spot to ring in the New Year? Asheville has plenty of tasty options. Plus: potlucks, cooking classes and more!living
Year in Review: Health was more than metrics in 2022
Discussions about health and wellness have been dominated by COVID-19 for nearly three years, and that’s certainly been reflected in the media landscape nationwide. In Asheville, however, the effects of…news
Year in Review: Not giving up
WNC’s citizens are deeply committed to making this small corner of the world a better place.Year in Review: WNC looks back on political change in 2022
Xpress reached out to the area's elected officials, activists and community leaders to learn more about what they took away from 2022's political action.Year in Review: Public safety issues were top of mind in 2022
Xpress asked activists, law enforcement leaders, government officials and others to weigh in on how local crime and related issues shaped the past year.Year in review: News about local news, 2022
The news never stops — nor do the comings and goings of local journalists — as a roundup of 2022 local journalism news attests.Year in Review: Economy, homelessness and live events shape quality of life in 2022
What does quality of life mean in Western North Carolina? For the 2022 Year In Review, Xpress asked community members to share their thoughts.Q&A: What it takes to operate Winter Lights
Since 2018, Mary Rose Ridderbusch-Shearer has co-designed the N.C. Arboretum's Winter Lights event. She discusses the ins-and-outs of the annual gathering.Year in Review: Development and tourism remain hot topics
Community members weigh in on the impact of visitors and "progress" throughout 2022.Year in Review: Historians consider local historical events from 2022
Reparations, the Vance Monument and the future of Pack Square Plaza are on the minds of local historians, as 2022 comes to a close.City school board OKs Asheville Primary shelter plan
The Winter Safe Shelter program at Asheville Primary School, as explained by Counterflow Asheville, will prioritize families, LGBTQ people and residents who are Black, Indigenous or people of color. The…Roney, left off oversight committee, questions APD spending
At the request of Council member Kim Roney, six consent agenda items pertaining to the Asheville Police Department were singled out for discussion and separate votes. Over an hour of…opinion
Letter: Ask Duke Energy to stop chemical defoliation
"Chemical defoliation creates an environmental eyesore that detracts from the natural beauty, which has gotten uglier and uglier week by week."Town criers
Year in Review: Readers shared opinions on growth, environment, homelessness and more
Readers had a lot to say in 2022 about a host of local issues — from our region’s growth and development to the environment, homelessness and more.Letter: Start taking pride in WNC
"I hope people start to realize how lucky they are to live in such a beautiful, unique place and start taking some pride in their home."Town Council
Letter: What’s wrong with safe routes for bicycles?
"It’s unbelievable to me that an elected official would complain about a not-for-profit grassroots advocacy group working with the local community by doing things that benefit the community!"