Play it Forward: AVL Hoppers combine competitive spirit with charitable giving
Volume
30
/ Issue 16
Cover Design Credit:
Olivia UrbanCover Photography Credit:
Jason De Los Santos
When three Asheville women started AVL Hoppers last year, they wanted the organization to have an impact beyond the volleyball courts. Each season, Hoppers championship teams receive a prize in the form of a donation to a local nonprofit of their choice. In all, the nonprofit has helped distribute more than $2,000 to worthy causes.
arts
Behind the scenes of ‘A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas’
The annual holiday extravaganza returns for its seventh year, Nov. 24-Dec. 21.Whatever it takes: Addressing racism and justice
"Both collaborations with the Vance Birthplace and the Mountain History and Culture Group have been the purest representations of the work we want to do, existing in the intersection of…12 Baskets Café’s arts programs build community
The nonprofit's writing, craft and visual arts groups forge a strong sense of belonging among participants.Around town: A psychedelic circus comes to town
A local rock band's musical circus at Asheville Music Hall. Plus, Asheville's annual holiday parade; a new album from Blue Ridge Music Trails; and more.Leaders share triumphs and frustrations at State of the Arts Brunch
The event included the presentation of this year’s John Cram Arts Leadership Award to Gail and Brian McCarthy.food
Whatever it takes: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins
"We provide a service that brings mobile markets with fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy proteins and whole grains directly to people's homes," says Sonya Jones, executive director of Caja Solidaria.Professional and amateur chefs share their Thanksgiving Day go-to recipes
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Xpress reached out to local residents — both professional and amateur chefs — for their favorite recipes and the stories behind them.What’s new in food: A Southern eatery opens in North Asheville
Deep South Kitchen opens on Merrimon Ave. Plus, Warren Wilson's Farm School General Store; Brevard gets a cannabis cafe; and more.living
Whatever it takes: Open discussions about mental health issues
"Mental health challenges impact all demographics and each of these has their own cultural way of addressing them," says Robin C. Payne, executive director of NAMI Western Carolina. "As such,…Budgets for victims’ services are slashed
Decreased funding from federal Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA, could be devastating to the local nonprofits serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.Whatever it takes: Serving the region’s homeless animals
"It's thanks to the 600-plus volunteers at Brother Wolf that we're able to forever change so many animals' lives," says Leah Craig Chumbley, executive director of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.Whatever it takes: The benefits of talking to local farmers
"Many first-time market shoppers can find the experience overwhelming or intimidating, so I would offer the suggestion of walking around the market first to get a sense of what’s available…Whatever it takes: Community support is essential
"Asheville Humane Society relies heavily on community support," says Mabel Lujan, the organization's communications manager. "From donations to fostering to suggesting us as a spot to grow your family, our caring…Whatever it takes: Becoming a nonprofit
"Gaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status has opened the market to new funding sources that we didn't have access to before, while connecting us to the community in new ways," says Lyric…news
The story behind Asheville’s reputation as a bonsai destination
“The way [my bonsai] are constructed, it’s not based on what I was taught or what the books tell you to do,” says Arthur Joura, bonsai curator at The N.C.…Whatever it takes: Protecting the French Broad River
"RiverLink is the only conservation organization focused exclusively on the French Broad River and its tributaries," says Lisa Raleigh, the nonprofit's executive director. "We operate three programs that include water…Whatever it takes: Ways to stop human trafficking in WNC
"One of the biggest misconceptions about human trafficking is that it doesn't happen here. It absolutely does," says Amanda Gopal, executive director of The Hundred Movement.The mission of AVL Hoppers goes beyond volleyball courts
When three Asheville women started AVL Hoppers last year, they wanted the organization to have an impact beyond the volleyball courts. So each season, the group's championship teams receive a…Whatever it takes: Meeting the needs of individuals with autism
"Families can meet others and not feel so alone on their autism journey," says Caroline Long Tindall, CEO of St. Gerard House. "Young adults are becoming part of their community and…Whatever it takes: Raising awareness about pollution
"When I started this job, almost 20 years ago, very few people used the French Broad River for recreation, and therefore no one really cared when it was polluted," says…Nonprofits navigate a drop in volunteers
Nonprofits recovered from a volunteer drop-off during COVID and found they can do more with less.Pisgah Legal Services Executive Director Jim Barrett’s exit interview
Barrett spoke with Xpress about how he has avoided burnout, his advice to young lawyers and North Carolina’s problem with “legal deserts.”WTF: Housing vouchers and assistance programs
Finding affordable housing has become a formidable challenge for many Asheville residents. However, housing vouchers can bring rent down to a manageable amount. In the latest edition of Xpress' WTF…Celesa Willett of United Way of Haywood County discusses Canton mill closing, other challenges
With just two full-time employees, United Way of Haywood County has met some big community needs in recent years. In 2021, the Waynesville-based nonprofit received more than $1 million in…Anne Chesky on the opening of the Asheville Museum of History
"We are a space people can contemplate how our history affects our lives today," says Anne Chesky, executive director of the Asheville Museum of History.Whatever it takes: In support of the LGBTQIA+ community
"We definitely could use additional support from major donors, as well as institutional support from funders to ensure we are showing up in the ways our community needs," says Amy…Green Roundup: Section of Blue Ridge Parkway closed due to human-bear interactions
After several reports of visitors feeding and attempting to hold a young bear in recent weeks at the Lane Pinnacle Overlook, officials closed the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 367.6…Whatever it takes: Expertise in genealogy is not required
"Our research materials are not limited to Buncombe County or Western North Carolina," says Stella Taylor, the public relations chair at the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society. "Our collection covers…French Broad River stakeholders celebrate successes, discuss its future
More than 200 river rats, advocates, conservationists and economic stakeholders from a seven-county region filled Ferguson Auditorium to celebrate their successes and discuss ways to continue cleaning up one of…Woodfin and Weaverville elect new leaders
“Overall, the election went very smoothly,” Buncombe County Director of Elections Corinne Duncan said after the final results were submitted on election night Nov. 7.Buncombe officials: Fire conditions as dangerous as 2016
Ryan Cole, assistant emergency services director for Buncombe County, told the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Nov. 7 that conditions now remind him of what fueled the blaze that burned…Reparations commission sets up new project management plan
In her first move as facilitator, Vernisha Crawford implemented a more rigid meeting process designed to allow more commission members an opportunity to speak while keeping meetings on schedule, things…Tourism tax money buys massages, $250 shirts, dinners costing thousands
Explore Asheville spent more than $88,000 on a golf tournament in July, flying three stars from the MTV reality show “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” to Asheville and paying $3,591 for VIP…opinion
Letter: Give!Local offers great way to donate
"The Give!Local magazine included in the Mountain Xpress newspaper [Nov. 1] is such a great way to inform us of charities we might like to donate to during the holiday…Letter: Edwards needs math skills
"If you cut IRS enforcement and collect less from those who pay less than they should, then you will increase the deficit."Letter: Crosswalks need new paint for safety
"City of Asheville, please give our pedestrian crosswalks a new paint job."Luxury travel
Letter: Spend TDA funds on pickleball courts and more
"Build a large pickleball facility to take care of those picklers and free up tennis courts for their intended purpose."Letter: Give up the ghost (garage)
"The City of Asheville should buy the garage and surrounding land, probably for pennies on the dollar if it is not already in bankruptcy court, and build a new Thomas…Letter: Expect intrusion from Gov Ops Commission
"Clearly the Gov Ops Commission is going to use its new invasive powers to harass organizations and individuals that serve women’s health care, the LBGTQ community, the transgender community, minority…Trailblazing