Joy to the World: Despite challenges, residents find reasons for hope this season

“I think people enjoy seeing the windows decorated," says Margaret Lancaster, owner of Dog & Pony Show in downtown Asheville. "I think it's part of what downtown stores should do…

Host Eric Brown invites the latest round of fellow local comedians to contemplate the holiday season.

We return with the latest iteration of "Look Homeward," a recurring feature exploring the life, work and impact of Asheville author Thomas Wolfe on our area's local writers, educators, historians and…

A doll show at The Odd. Plus, whirling dervishes at Warren Wilson; the return of Swannanoa Winterfest; and more.

'Elf: The Musical' returns to the Asheville Community Theatre for a second consecutive year. Also returning is actor Carson Fox in the lead role of Buddy.

Coffee and cocktail pop-up Nightcrawler teams up with Farewell; two unique holiday markets come to town; Cúrate announces new CEO; and more!

"Listen to your heart," says Lisa Forehand. "Do you want to be alone or with others to cultivate a more spiritual life? Are you open to trying new practices that…

"Spirituality is being willing to show up in life with an open, curious mind and heart and grapple with the tough questions," says Heather Hanson.

"For those seeking a more spiritual life, my advice would be to find a quiet place to pray vocally and ask God to lead them toward truth," says Kyle S.…

Local experts say as more baby boomers are aging, they are more curious about thoughtful planning for death. They also say the COVID-19 pandemic spurred interest in talking about death…

"When we open ourselves to the messiness, the whole thing — the beauty and joy, the ugliness and pain — we may have the greatest chance of experiencing something we…

The Rev. Sarah Hulbert says the same God that made her who she is also called her to the priesthood. She is disappointed in those who use the Bible to…

"The spirit may be an actual entity — the 'soul' — or it may simply be a way for us to speak about a profound aspect of human nature and…

"There's a misconception that spirituality is only for those who have reached a certain level of enlightenment or have been chosen," says Kelly Palmatier. "In truth, spirituality is accessible to…

For two years, Stuart Smolkin, curator of the Asheville Radio Museum, has been restoring a 1946 Rock-ola 1422 jukebox. Now the machine is on display inside A-B Tech's Elm building.

More than 6,200 miles separate Asheville from the deepening war between Israeli and Hamas forces, but that doesn’t mean Western North Carolina residents aren’t affected by the tragedies playing out…

Some parents have made frequent appearances at school board meetings to argue that various books — usually related to sexual health or depicting LGBTQ+ students and families — don’t belong…

The state will operate on its third set of maps in four years for the U.S. House, N.C. Senate and N.C. House districts after the N.C. General Assembly passed redrawn…

While Kwanzaa has been celebrated in WNC for decades, it has never been as popular as in some other places. Some local activists are looking to change that.

After collecting a month’s worth of feedback from parents, teachers and community members, Board member Rob Elliot said the board did its best to mirror the community’s wishes in the…

The Asheville City Council is slated to reconsider a zoning request for a proposed 279-unit apartment complex in Arden at its Tuesday, Dec. 12 meeting. The development was previously discussed…

Despite over an hour of public comment opposed to the proposal, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to rezone 764 acres owned by Biltmore Farms adjacent to the…

A joint recommendation drawn up by education and economic development focus groups from the commission focused primarily on what facilitators called an “education resource campus” to provide a place where…

"My idea is to sue to reclaim the name 'Mission Hospital.'”

"Why are the schools so underutilized?"

"Are you OK with your local and state taxes helping these weapons industries?"

"We need to look at this problem and determine if the reason for the decline in the population in public schools is due to the filtering out of students to…

"Unfortunately, all of us who currently live here experience the fragility of the HCA business model when it comes to our health care."

"Did the Board of Commissioners listen and act on behalf of their informed and passionate constituents? Not a chance."