Local elected officials, activists, artists, historians, foodies and more offer their 2019 reflections in this week’s issue. Along with members of the community, Xpress staffers revisit some of the year’s challenges and highlights.
arts
Clubland editor Lauren Andrews and Community Calendar editor Deborah Robertson reflect on 2019
From exhibits to fundraisers, Lauren Andrews and Deborah Robertson kept readers up-to-date on the latest happenings around town in 2019.Alli Marshall reflects on the creative triumphs and tribulations of 2019
The year in local art could be summed up in hellos, goodbyes and triumphant returns.Life Like Water celebrates its first full-length release
The globe-spanning vibe of 'I Am Listening' will be captured at the Grey Eagle album release show with the help of guest musicians River Guerguerian (percussion) and flautist Scott Sheerin.WNC’s New Year’s Eve celebrations usher in the ’20s
Where will you welcome in the next decade? Check out Xpress' extensive list of ideas.Local artists and influencers recount their favorite happenings
From theater and live music to art exhibitions and literature, 2019 produces great works across genres.Smart Bets: Papadosio
The Asheville-based electro-synth/prog-rock quintet plays Dec. 27-28 at Isis.Smart Bets: Ashley Heath
The local singer/songwriter debuts new songs in acoustic form, Dec. 27 at The Grey Eagle.food
Brewery attorney Derek Allen considers Asheville’s beverage industry in 2019
Derek Allen, partner at Allen Stahl + Kilbourne and nonvoting legal counsel for the Asheville Brewers Alliance, reviews local beverage industry highlights of 2019. On-site sales of cocktails at distilleries. Having a…Food writer Ronni Lundy reflects on WNC’s 2019 food scene highlights
Burnsville resident Ronni Lundy is the author of Victuals, An Appalachian Journey with Recipes, winner of the 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards for Best Cookbook and Best American Cookbook. She…Beer Scout: Asheville beer and cider industry notables reflect on 2019
Asheville-area brewery representatives name their favorite local and nonlocal beers from 2019, as well as standout industry accomplishments.Beer in review: Edwin Arnaudin’s 2019 reflections
From beer trends to brewery expansions, staff writer Edwin Arnaudin considers the industry's 2019 highlights.Jane Anderson: Growth and resilience flavored Asheville’s restaurant industry in 2019
The executive director of Asheville Independent Restaurants looks back at a year of success and change for Western North Carolina's food scene.Veteran restaurant reviewer Kay West’s top five Asheville discoveries of 2019
After more than 30 years writing about Nashville’s dining scene, Kay West reflects on some culinary highlights of her first year in Asheville.Small bites: The business formerly known as District Wine Bar
Following a trademark dispute, District Wine Bar has announced it's in the processing of changing its name. Also: The Scarlet Bee plans a dim sum pop-up. And if you need…living
Top threats to WNC health at the end of 2019
Dr. Jeff Heck, CEO of Mountain Area Health Education Center, shared his take on threats to health in this area, remarking, "Ironically, what makes Western North Carolina so desirable —…Five ways faith guided AdventHealth’s care in 2019
As the only faith-based, not-for-profit health care system in Western North Carolina, says Jimm Bunch, president and CEO of AdventHealth Hendersonville president and CEO, the institution takes its sacred responsibility…news
Xpress’ 2019 Instagram review
Each week, our Instagram account features photos from our latest issue, along with happenings we come across in and around town. To recap 2019, we’ve selected one post from each…Advertising manager Susan Hutchinson discusses the opportunities and challenges of 2019
How has print advertising changed in the last year? What are the new challenges advertisers face? Susan Hutchinson answers these questions and more.Over the decades: Darcel Grimes reflects on changes in television news
News 13 anchor Darcel Grimes recently announced her retirement. We asked the host to reflect on the changes she’s seen throughout her career. One of the big changes was the move from…Editor Gina Smith reflects on Asheville’s 2019 food scene
What trends did you observe in covering Asheville’s food scene in 2019? Bubble tea. CBD. Plastic straw angst. Food halls. Ramen — so much ramen. All those trends were evident…Why be optimistic about Buncombe County sustainability in 2019?
Jeremiah LeRoy, Buncombe County's sustainability officer, shares his top five reasons from 2019 to keep up hope about the county's sustainability work.Things to be hopeful about in 2019
Amy Cantrell, co-director of BeLoved Asheville, reflects on things that made her hopeful in 2019. Proud to Be Brown at BeLoved Asheville, MANOS of Buncombe County Schools and De Mujer…Asheville Archives: A tribute to Zoe Rhine
Colleagues and friends offer praise of local historian and librarian Zoe Rhine, who will retire at the end of 2019.Top five efforts to restore the community’s trust in 2019
Avril Pinder, Buncombe County manager, reflects on Buncombe County government's top five efforts to restore the community's trust.History and news: Writer Thomas Calder reflects on 2019
Whether digging through archives or covering the latest community news, Thomas Calder had a busy year. The Xpress writer shares his most memorable stories from 2019.What were the top local news stories of 2019?
From Buncombe's corruption to HCA's purchase of Mission Hospital, Jon Elliston offers a reflection of the top news stories of 2019.Top 2019 actions supporting a healthy WNC environment
Judy Mattox, chair of the Western North Carolina Sierra Club Group, shared her top five highlights from a year of advocacy with Mountain Xpress.Good for You?
ASHEVILLE, N.C.How Asheville showed its support of local businesses in 2019
Franzi Charen, founder of Asheville Grown Business Alliance, reflects on the ways Asheville showed its support of local businesses in 2019.Five reasons to feel hopeful about the future of health in WNC
Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, medical director for Buncombe County, reflects on positive shifts in our local health and wellness culture.New to Xpress: Laura Hackett reflects on her role as development coordinator
Laura Hackett reflects on her recent start at Xpress.Away With a Manager
ASHEVILLE, N.C.Green in review: Green Scene editor Daniel Walton reflects on 2019
Whether going with the flow at the Metropolitan Sewerage District or climbing a Fairview mountain in search of herbicide helicopters, Daniel Walton had quite the eventful year. The Xpress Green…How districting changes could play out in WNC
Chris Cooper, Western Carolina University professor and Political Science and Public Affairs Department department head, considers the top five ways districting could play out in the region.The state of Western North Carolina’s Latinx community in 2019
Adriana Chavela, executive director of Hola Community Arts, offers her top five takeaways on the state of the region's Latinx community.News in brief: Asheville City Schools names new superintendent; candidates announced for APD police chief
Asheville City Schools selects Gene Freeman for superintendent Asheville City Schools announced Dec. 19 that the system had chosen Gene Freeman as its new superintendent. Freeman is currently the superintendent…On the road: Distribution coordinator Cindy Kunst looks back on 2019
Distribution coordinator Cindy Kunst talks strange occurrences, popular pickup locations and more.Local groups devise innovative strategies to tackle homelessness
From new communities to one-on-one engagement, local nonprofits, faith organizations and city-funded initiatives aim to provide housing and support for some of Asheville’s most vulnerable residents.What Asheville’s power structure still does not get about race in 2019
Libby Kyles, Chief executive officer of the YWCA of Asheville and WNC, reflects on the state of race in Asheville in 2019.On the beat: City government reporter Brooke Randle reflects on 2019
Brooke Randle’s reporting in 2019 took her from boardrooms to living rooms and everywhere in between, as she sought to uncover the issues, people and happenings that shape our city.…Western North Carolina’s top 2019 sustainability threats
Dawn Chávez, the executive director of Asheville GreenWorks, found many threats to the region's sustainability in 2019. She listed the top five of her worries for Xpress's year-end review.Managing editor Virginia Daffron on writing in 2019
Xpress managing editor Virginia Daffron reflects on a satisfying year of writing and collaborating with talented, engaged coworkers.How Buncombe County moved toward becoming a ‘community of we’ in 2019
Quentin Miller, Buncombe County sheriff, discusses how Buncombe County moved toward becoming a ‘community of we’ in 2019.Nancy J. Cable reviews of her top five reading list in 2019
Nancy J. Cable, chancellor of UNC Asheville, reviews her best reads in 2019.New to Asheville in 2019
Mission Hospital President and CEO Chad Patrick reflects on his new life in Asheville.Five reasons Hendersonville is a great small town
Barbara Volk, Mayor of Hendersonville, reflects on the what makes her city great.Former Commissioner Bill Stanley linked to Buncombe corruption
Speaking at a Dec. 17 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, attorney Ron Payne said that Stanley had been accused in a sworn deposition by former Assistant County…opinion
Letter: Tourism imposes tax on the rest of us
"In order to house, clothe and feed your family with an income that insulting, you need support from subsidized housing, subsidized transport, food banks and other charities."Letter: No vote, no voice for Montreat and others
"There can be no justification for the willful and arbitrary cancellation of an election."Readers shared views on development, politics, the environment and more in 2019
How did Xpress readers process all the local news and changes this year? Here’s a look at the topics that generated the most commentaries, letters to the editor and online…Letter: Compassion is a two-way street
"I pray that more people are as moved as was I to give."