“It is incredible the amount of diversity Magic players have from bartenders, lawyers, teachers, baristas, kids — really it is a game that spans not just age but professions,” says Charla Schlueter, owner of Gamers’ Haunt
Women in Business: ‘Education is freedom’
“The bottom line is that education influences everyone and everything,” says Brianne Hudak, founder and head of school at Journeys School for the Gifted and Talented.
Health professionals help residents unpack feelings of dread and uncertainty post-Helene
Local mental health therapists, healers offer solace as residents enter next phase of storm’s lingering aftermath.
Gardening with Xpress: Make growing spaces more resilient
Alternate waters sources, diversification and collaboration help growing spaces survive and thrive.
With Asheville’s nonpotable water restored, Flush AVL shifts focus to struggling small towns
Elle DeBruhl, co-founder of Flush AVL, discusses the group’s origins, its rapid growth, its new mission and what might be next for the group’s organizers.
N.C. Legislature’s Helene relief bill contains several health-related measures
The North Carolina General Assembly passed over $604 million in Helene disaster relief on Oct. 24, with $71.4 million earmarked for supporting local health departments, mental health services, disaster nutrition assistance and child care, among other health-related measures.
WNC farms face the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene
From loss of infrastructure, crops and market outlets to erosion of precious topsoil, WNC’s farms are struggling to pick up the pieces left behind after the storm.
After Helene, disabled folks and seniors still vulnerable and in need of water in WNC
Every day since Helene, volunteers with Asheville’s Flush Brigade gather at the parking lot of the Gold’s Gym on Fairview Road, disperse buckets, and climb into water tank-laden trucks to check in on different apartment complexes in the city.
A ‘second wave’ of medical issues may slam the region in Helene’s wake, disaster response officials caution
Two weeks after the storm, doctors, health professionals and officials in charge of disaster relief say there could be a second wave of medical concerns affecting hospitals and clinics, and it could be here soon.
Gardening with Xpress: Preserving peppers, growing Brussels sprouts and saving squash seeds
DIY projects for using fall’s bounty of peppers and chiles to spice up your pantry. Also, advice on growing Brussels sprouts in WNC and saving squash seeds.
More WNC schools are taking advantage of free meal programs for students
Hungry kids can’t learn. That’s one thing Heather Smith has learned in nearly a decade as a teacher.
“I truly believe that they have a hard time focusing if they’re worried about when their next meal is coming or if they don’t have energy,” says Smith, an eighth-grade math teacher at Waynesville Middle School.
Asheville playground upgrades address accessibility, inclusivity
Among a handful of city recreation sites updated with 2016 bond money, Murphy-Oakley Park’s playground relaunched in late June with an adaptive design and equipment that’s accessible to residents of all abilities.
A local seventh grader’s journey to the Pokémon World Championships
Less than two years ago, Robert Rosal’s relationship with Pokémon resembled that of most 10-year-olds. Then he signed up for the after-school Pokémon Club at Rainbow Community School, where he’s a rising seventh grader, and everything changed.
Mission CEO Chad Patrick out in ‘restructuring’ effort, replaced by HCA North Carolina president Greg Lowe
The move comes just months after the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services found Mission Hospital to be in immediate jeopardy, the most serious sanction a hospital can receive.
Animal bites should be treated ‘like a car accident,’ says health department
Experts share the procedure for getting post-exposure prophylaxis after an animal bite, indicators that an animal might have rabies and what to know about bats in your house.
A behind-the-scenes look at Xpress’ weekly distribution
“[Distributing papers] is like putting gumballs in a jar,” Cindy Kunst explains. “Everyone has a different jar. My job is to spread the gumballs out over all the jars.”
From CPP: Nurses strike vote passes at Mission Hospital with 97% in favor
This vote has the potential to give the union much more leverage in its negotiations with HCA, the Tennessee-based for-profit hospital chain that acquired the hospital’s parent company, Mission Health, in 2019.
Human donor milk program expands to Sylva
Pasteurized human donor milk can help bridge the gap until a mother’s milk supply comes in and promote longer breastfeeding.
What’s new in food: Fair celebrates Burton Street history and the fall harvest
On Saturday, Sept. 7, the Burton Street Community Association will honor the legacy of E.W. Pearson with free food, activities, music and more at the Buncombe County District Agricultural Fair. Also in this week’s food news: A new late-night hot dog eatery, Asheville Charcuterie Co.’s first brick-and-mortar space and more.
Life lessons from creatives on navigating disappointments
Asheville-area artists hear “no” on a regular basis, yet develop the grit and determination to keep going.
Gardening with Xpress: Fungi, fall carrots and elderberry harvests
Fungi in the garden can be either helpful or harmful. Plus, tips for making the most of this season’s elderberry harvests and advice for planting fall carrot crops.