Send in the Clowns: Artists process Helene’s impact through new projects
Volume
31
/ Issue 36
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Leanna Echeverri/Leche Photography
In the months since Tropical Storm Helene, Western North Carolina artists have leveraged their creativity to both interpret and heal from the disaster, producing works such as this week’s cover photo. In turn, Helene-inspired artwork is helping the local community collectively process storm-related grief and pain. Featured on the cover is model Erin Trixi Fitzgerald inside the flood-gutted Marquee building in the River Arts District.
arts
Art brings healing to Asheville creatives and community
Works from local artists in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene offer outlets for personal and collective processing of the disaster.Smart Bets: Death Comes to Play
The Sublime Theater's latest play opens April 17 at the BeBe Theatre.Sustaining community: The RAD finds new ways to support its artists
"The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter, and I have no doubt that the RAD will emerge more resilient and vibrant than ever," says Jeffrey Burroughs,…Smart Bets: Hub Scrub
The April 13 fundraiser features music by the Travis Book Band.New novel reenvisions a fabled Black kingdom in Henderson County
Dolen Perkins-Valdez's latest historical novel, Happy Land, offers a bold interpretation of the real-life Kingdom of the Happy Land.Smart Bets: Josh Phillips
All proceeds from sales of the local artist's new EP will go directly to BeLoved Asheville.Smart Bets: Kathi Littlejohn
The Cherokee storyteller kicks off the 2025 Pigeon Community Conversations with Storytellers Series on April 10.food
A Year in Beer: A thousand pints of light
A birthday celebration highlights Asheville's bottle shops and home-brewing scene.What’s new in food: Easter brunch options, spring market openings and more
Plus, Voodoo Brewing Co. transforms into The Flying Squirrel Pub, Ivory Road Café celebrates macarons and mimosas and local farmers markets reopen for spring.Sweet Cub brings new soft serve ice cream options to Asheville
Operating from a vintage trailer, Nicole Wandtke's business features sundaes, ice cream nachos and a few untraditional toppings.living
Love & Sex in WNC: Let’s talk about dating in your 40s and desire in your 80s (and beyond)
In her latest relationship column, Jamie Zane, a certified sex therapist, answers questions from readers on dating, ghosting and ways to maintain your sex drive late in life.Sustaining community: Pisgah Project Day is just around the corner
"This is the largest single volunteer day in the Pisgah Ranger District and brings together all kinds of people and partners," says Marielle DeJong, donor engagement officer for The Pisgah…news
Sustaining community: A healthy lifestyle benefits more than the individual
"If I am healthier, I can help others more often and reduce the load on our first responders and those trying to help us," says David Thomas, a lifelong recreational cyclist,…Sustaining community: Finding ways to stay motivated amid climate emergencies
To stay positive, UNCA student Olivia Williams says she reminds herself of "all of the intellectual, strong and determined students that surround me in my environmental science classes at school."Xpress Lane: Snow day policies anything but blanket
New feature Xpress lane is quick answers to community questions. Shoot us an email and we’ll do a little digging.Firehouse Hub coalition to guide long-term recovery in Barnardsville
A coalition of people in Buncombe County's rural Barnardsville community is looking at ways to help the area's long-term recovery from Tropical Storm Helene.Sustaining community: Local student offers simple ways to make a difference
"Buy local groceries when you can and research where your food comes from," says Kathryn Wolfe co-president of the A.C. Reynolds High School Environmental Club.Buncombe County Schools expresses concerns over future Title I funding
As President Donald Trump pushes for the closure of the U.S. Department of Education, local educators and officials are trying to calculate how the move could impact next year's Buncombe…EPA freezes money for WNC clean energy projects
Three days after a WNC church secured funding for solar panels, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) froze $20 billion in climate and clean energy grants, putting energy efficiency and resiliency…Tourism survey shows shift in residents’ attitudes
Several tourism and hospitality representatives noted that maintaining the positive sentiment that some residents feel, however, may prove challenging as Asheville continues to recover and visitors begin returning to the…Future wildfires will likely be more severe, county warns
Ryan Cole, Buncombe County Emergency Management assistant director, said that while some fallen trees left by Helene are not dried out enough to be considered a fire hazard, the accumulation…From CPP: Asheville’s jobless rate — North Carolina’s highest — is ‘new and unwelcome’ territory
As of January, the most recent figures available, Asheville had a 6% unemployment rate — the state’s highest — according to the N.C. Department of Commerce.FEMA eases major floodplain construction rules; Helene rebuilding plan impacts unclear
The floodplain rules come from the federal Flood Risk Management Standard, which President Trump rescinded by executive order on Jan. 20.opinion
Letter: Be prepared for hazards of planting bamboo
"Don’t do it unless you have the time and the energy or are feeding pandas."Letter: Bamboo is not a good idea for WNC
"She sings its praises. It does not belong in Western North Carolina, and it will outcompete native plants."Paving over problems
Letter: UNCA should pivot on urban forest
"When you see firsthand the endless, gut-wrenching sights of downed trees at every bend in the road, you, too, will understand what is at stake by ignoring a community that…Letter: Trust UNCA to make good use of urban forest
"The intentions of the UNCA administration to utilize the resources of the urban forest to strengthen the university are based on both necessity and good intentions."Boots on the ground
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