Wrap star: cigar tobacco could boost WNC farmers
Volume
27
/ Issue 45
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Conner Stonbach
Tobacco, once a key cash crop for Western North Carolina, has all but disappeared from the region in the wake of the 2004 federal buyout. But cigar wrapper tobacco — and its premium price — may give local farmers a new way to profit from the golden leaf.
arts
Local theater companies launch indoor seasons
Representatives from SART, HART and ACT discuss the novel challenges of planning a theater season during a pandemic.Around Town: Purl’s Yarn Emporium leaves Wall Street behind
Purl's Yarn Emporium relocates from downtown to Hendersonville Road. Also: The Bluff Mountain Festival goes virtual; local poet wins award; and two calls go out for Asheville-area artists.food
Local food photographers and stylists have an eye for the perfect image
“Being a good photographer, in general, is being able to capture a good photograph under any conditions," says photographer Tim Robison. "Being a food photographer also means finding and capturing…What’s new in food: An Odd kitchen, downtown ciderkins and betting on beer
The Odditorium adds a food menu, Botanist & Barrel opens an Asheville location in the old Over Easy Café space, Wicked Weed expands to Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee…living
Wellness roundup: Vaya to consolidate with Cardinal; MAHEC receives doula grant
Asheville-based Vaya Health and Charlotte-based Cardinal Innovations, two of North Carolina’s largest managed care organizations, announced on June 1 that they will consolidate ahead of the state’s transformation to Medicaid…news
Asheville Archives: Army plane makes emergency landing in West Asheville, 1949
In 1949, a military plane made an emergency landing in West Asheville. The craft remained grounded for five weeks before the Army produced the necessary resources for a successful takeoff.Andrea Clark honors James Vester Miller’s contributions to Asheville
The Asheville-based photographer established the James Vester Miller Historic Walking Trail to honor her master brickmason grandfather's numerous local buildings.Asheville Grown passes the baton
After 12 years helming the Asheville Grown Business Alliance, founder Franzi Charen is stepping aside. Her role will go to Sherree Lucas, who has served on the alliance’s steering committee…Cigar wrapper tobacco could revive disappearing tradition
The Asheville-based Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture project has found that the number of Western North Carolina tobacco farms declined by 97% between 1997 and 2012, largely due to the federal tobacco…First of three reparations talks draws hundreds of viewers
The speaker series is part of a three-phase process to create and empower a joint Asheville-Buncombe County Reparations Commission. Once formed, the commission would be tasked with making short-, medium-…Buncombe prepares for $21M payout from opioid lawsuit
During a June 1 meeting, the county Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of agreement regarding the settlement of its litigation against pharmaceutical companies for their role…opinion
Letter: Charlotte Street, affordable housing and Asheville’s lure
"We’re losing why people want to move here: nature and beauty."Letter: Unhappy medical encounter raises questions
"I was left quite angry and hurt, asking: Is Mission incompetent? Unkind? Greedy? All of the above?"Letter: The onslaught against climate change resiliency
"Regarding Charlotte Street development, etc.: Outrageous that Avl taxpayers’ property tax is raised 22% without a plan to preserve trees that lure residents and tourists."Letter: Dense development will ruin Asheville forever
"The more people we pack into the urban center will eventually ruin our town and lead to the worst traffic imaginable — forever — and for everyone."Letter: Want to get back to ‘normal’? Get your shots
"If you want to protect your parents and grandparents, your friends and neighbors with other health problems, the nurses and doctors in the emergency rooms, and first responders, and get…Letter: Save the branch libraries for community’s well-being
"Every family and household, all children, each person — especially without convenient auto or bus access — needs a library that is easy to reach and use in physical, interpersonal…Letter: The TDA’s biggest-ever marketing spend
"Before we go hog wild on marketing Asheville to the world, can we pause (or at least more slowly ramp up) to consider what’s best for the city and its…Queenly transformation
A better solution for Charlotte Street
"Can we allow for growth and address our affordable housing needs while also combating climate change and maintaining the character of our neighborhoods?"Letter: The future of Charlotte Street
"While I don’t like opposing friends and neighbors who are afraid of the proposed development, I do think we need to recognize that the city is growing and changing, especially…Staff inflection
Letter: Cramming 10 gallons in 5-gallon bucket of Charlotte Street
"The view of Ms. Hudson and others that we have no choice but to be swamped under the deluge of people who want to be here is — in my…