Pet Project: Animal adoption agencies meet COVID-19 challenges
Volume
28
/ Issue 15
Cover Design Credit:
Ele AnnandCover Photography Credit:
Blue Ridge Humane Society
COVID-19 and its resulting shut- downs have created a variety of challenges for local animal adoption agencies. Xpress takes a look at how the Asheville Humane Society and others are handling dogs with behavioral problems, burned-out staff and volunteers, a sharp increase in kitten and puppy births and other issues.
arts
Asheville musicians prepare for cold-weather changes
Silas Durocher, Eleanor Underhill and Mike Martinez discuss their plans for what's shaping up to be a productive musical season.New art exhibit promotes creativity amid COVID-19
Over the course of the last year, local artist Joshua Marc Levy asked 14 North Carolina-based artists and organizations to create an original art piece as if it were the…Local arts nonprofits creatively navigate pandemic hardships
Checking in with the executive directors of the Asheville Area Arts Council, Magnetic Theatre and Asheville Writers in the Schools and Community.Around Town: Walking tour highlights Asheville’s eclectic music history
A new walking tour explores Asheville's rich musical traditions. Plus, Rabbit Rabbit hosts a holiday tree event, The Magnetic Theatre travels back to the 1920s and a local author offers…food
Food pantry initiatives aid underserved communities
Tranzmission's Talya Mazuz Food Program and Asheville Buncombe Food Policy Council's outdoor pantries were launched in response to elevated food insecurity brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.Area nonprofits combat hunger despite supply chain woes
Nearly two years after COVID-19 first disrupted daily life, local food-based nonprofits continue to struggle with logistical matters caused by the health crisis.What’s new in food: Picklepalooza debuts on National Pickle Day
DJ's Pickles celebrates National Pickle Day. Plus: Iron and Oak Brisket Co. continues to craft its menu; local shops offer Thanksgiving takeout; and plenty more.living
Local nonprofit workers discuss pandemic burnout
As the executive director of True Ridge, a Hendersonville-based nonprofit serving Western North Carolina’s Hispanic population, Lori Garcia-McCammon has never had an easy job. Her organization helps survivors of domestic…news
Q&A with Vicki Meath, executive director of Just Economics of WNC
Many issues are close to Vicki Meath’s heart. She has spent her life in community organizing, working on environmental justice with Western Colorado Congress and striving to raise Ohio’s minimum…How local animal shelters are surviving COVID
When Asheville Humane Society adoption counselors send someone home with a new puppy, the advice is always the same: Get your pet into a kindergarten class or other training program.…Asheville Archives: Salvation Army establishes a local chapter, 1890
First established in London in 1865, the Salvation Army's local branch formed in Asheville a quarter of a century later in 1890.Local nonprofit radio stations thrive in difficult times
Coinciding with the 101st anniversary Nov. 2 of the first commercially licensed broadcast in the U.S., Xpress spoke with representatives from three local stations about the advantages and disadvantages of…Q&A with Joseph Jamison, United Way equity and network specialist
“One of the biggest challenges students face is a lack of voice in a lot of decision-making within our schools and the community at large,” Jamison explains. “For example, debates…40 Afghan refugees being resettled in Asheville
On Aug. 15, shock rippled around the world as Taliban forces took control of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Over the ensuing weeks, people watched on their TVs and phones…Green in brief: Asheville falls behind carbon reduction targets
In fiscal year 2019-20, the most recent year for which data is available, the city emitted the equivalent of roughly 18,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Its target for the…Q&A with Shannon Kauffman, homeowner services manager for Habitat for Humanity
In 2013, after years of struggling, Kauffman became a first-time homeowner thanks to Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. Today, she helps other area residents become homeowners themselves as Habitat’s Homeowner…Buncombe to preserve branch libraries
In a unanimous vote, the county Board of Commissioners directed staff to maintain the county’s current library branches — including those in Black Mountain, Oakley/South Asheville and Swannanoa — and…opinion
Why we help: Passionate about offering affordable therapy
"I struggled in my own journey to find affordable therapy, so it is my passion now to offer services as we do at All Souls at a rate that people…Why we help: Inspiring radio listeners to build connections
"When programming is directed by community members, you get to hear about new music, ideas and news that you don’t hear in the mainstream, and that’s invaluable."Why we help: Fueled by inspiration and possibility
"I am not just excited but honored to be part of this extraordinary journey to advocate for and protect the French Broad River and to champion responsible economic development and…Why we help: Increasing access to health care, language services
"I’m inspired to do this work by my own experience. I do what I do to help people get the access to services that I didn’t have as an immigrant…Why we help: Offering the support families need
"When facing challenges of dementia, it is so important to have access to a health care provider who understands what is happening, who is available for questions when there are…Why we help: Motivated by those working to improve water quality
"I continue to be motivated by the hundreds of volunteers and watershed professionals who have been working to improve water quality in these mountains."Why we help: A passion to help animals in need
"I’m motivated every day by the incredible happiness that Brother Wolf brings into the lives of the animals we serve and the families whose lives are made whole by the…Why we help: Protecting (and restoring) healthy plant communities
"The greatest hurdles in this work have been educating the public in how our plants, pollinators and terrestrial wildlife are being harmed by nonnative invasive plants, and in convincing retailers…Why we help: Transforming lives through power of literacy
"One of the most significant hurdles Literacy Together continues to face is having enough volunteer tutors. We hold ongoing volunteer tutor orientations and trainings all year."Letter: You must participate in our democracy
"Local groups such as Resist Raytheon and the Veterans for Peace support good-paying jobs and the defense of our country, along with the hope that informed citizens will recognize the…Why we help: Inspired by clients at emergency youth shelter
"Running into folks who were at Trinity Place when they were children — and who now are healthy, empowered adults — is inspiring."Why we help: Providing sanctuary to wolfdogs
"Whether it’s becoming a wolfdog’s first human friend or preparing them for a life with a loving family, it’s the little victories that keep us going."Why we help: Focused on well-being, entrepreneurship and empowerment
"Warrior Mom’s mission: to eradicate emotional paralysis among single mothers who live in poverty."Why we help: Conserving and restoring Appalachian forests
"Trees and forests are impacted over decades, so our biggest hurdle is to avoid the slow-rolling devastation to the region’s forests by collaborating with communities and supporting forestland owners."Why we help: Inclusive public art to uplift everyone
"With every new inclusive public mural comes less separation and more inspiration to create true community."Why we help: Helping women find access to resources
"It is important that women feel empowered and prepared to face any challenge."Why we help: Meeting the basic need of clean diapers for children
"Families need diapers to keep their children clean and healthy, and when they cannot afford enough, often have to delay changes or use other items like paper towels or plastic…Why we help: Throwing a lifeline to orphaned and injured wildlife
"Seeing orphaned and injured animals recover and go free again makes all the challenges worthwhile."Letter: Developers should pay infrastructure fees
"I hope that city leaders are also levying infrastructure fees on all past and future developers/landlords to pay for upgrades to city systems that are already stressed by all the…Why we help: Witnessing families gain safe, affordable housing
"Witnessing all of the wonderful outcomes for all involved in Habitat’s greater mission of providing safe and affordable housing to area families really resonates with me and remains a source…Letter: Masks or no masks?
"What good is a mandate if no one enforces it? Or do they?"Why we help: Inspired to think bigger, brighter and outside the box
"I am overjoyed at the sight of dedicated community partners coming together to support our children who have historically been pushed to the margins."Why we help: Embracing the wild, wonderful world of aging
"The collective impact and knowing we make a difference keeps me motivated in my work, despite some of the hurdles we continue to face."Why we help: Called to help artists with disabilities
"The work hanging in your house often has a story, and if you get to actually meet the artist, the work becomes gold to you. I love that about what…