CLAY OUTSIDE: Local potters Sandra Poces and David Voorhees create clay vessels for the Empty Bowls supper on April 29 at Flat Rock's St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church. The event benefits the Flat Rock Backpack Program

Conscious Party: Henderson County Empty Bowls

Posted on April 22, 2018April 20, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The benefit supper for the Flat Rock Backpack Program takes place April 29 at at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock.

DESK JOB: Bob Boilen will be the keynote speaker at the AAAC’s annual Creative Sector Summit on April 20. The creator and host of NPR’s 'All Songs Considered' and 'Tiny Desk Concert' used to play at the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College.

NPR’s Bob Boilen headlines the Creative Sector Summit

Posted on April 17, 2018April 17, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The keynote address from the NPR host and panel discussions with local music industry representatives and advocates explore the arts’ economic impact on the Asheville area.

Just merged

Posted on April 16, 2018April 11, 2018 by Molton

ASHEVILLE, NC

DISCMAN: A competitor in the 2017 Green Built Alliance disc golf tournament concludes a hole at Lake Julian Park's course. The nonprofit's fundraiser returns to the newly improved grounds April 14.

Conscious Party: Green Built Alliance Disc Golf Tournament

Posted on April 8, 2018April 6, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The fundraiser for the sustainable design nonprofit takes place April 14 at Lake Julian Park.

Power to the people: Best of WNC 2018 voting begins

Posted on March 27, 2018March 27, 2018 by Able Allen

With a far out feeling, voting has begun for the beloved annual Best of WNC awards. Only you can decide who’ll be feelin’ it in the new summer of love, when winners are announced this August. You have until 11:59 p.m. on the night of Saturday, April 28 to complete your ballot and make sure your voice is heard. […]

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: The late Lloyd Johnson, left, was a beloved figure in the local music scene and inspired his son Steve, right, to pursue a career in the industry. The Lloyd Johnson Foundation carries on its namesake's legacy and holds a benefit concert March 29 at Isis Music Hall.

Conscious Party: Lloyd’s Large Time

Posted on March 25, 2018March 23, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The benefit concert for the Lloyd Johnson Foundation takes place March 29 at Isis Music Hall.

MENU WITH A MISSION: Dandelion eatery in Hendersonville serves fresh, locally sourced breakfast and lunch options to the public while operating as a job training program for clients of Safelight, Henderson County’s domestic abuse help agency. Kat Nevel has managed the café since it opened in 2013.

A generous helping: Activism is the main course for some WNC cafes and breweries

Posted on March 22, 2018March 26, 2018 by Jonathan Ammons

Although many of the region’s community-minded food businesses and breweries are known for their support of charities and causes, some were designed from the very beginning with a higher calling in mind.

FULL HOUSE: Dorsey Parker's Big Benefit Band plays a recent fundraising show for a nonprofit at Highland Brewing Co. The local all-star band reunites to promote the efforts of SAFE Water Now on March 21 at The Grey Eagle.

Conscious Party: U.N. World Water Day Celebration

Posted on March 11, 2018March 9, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The benefit concert for SAFE Water Now takes place March 21 at The Grey Eagle.

COMMUNITY ROYALTY: “Silent Auction Queen” and volunteer Carol Hamann regally inspects some of the items that will be available at the March 10 Trivia Challenge and Dance to benefit VFW Post 4309’s Veterans’ Relief Fund and United Way of Transylvania County’s Early Childhood Education Mobile Unit Fund.

Conscious Party: Trivia Challenge and Dance

Posted on March 4, 2018March 4, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The benefit for the United Way of Transylvania County and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4309 takes place March 10 in Brevard.

COMING DOWN THE ROAD: As Asheville continues to wrangle with its latest growth spurt, an increasing number of residents are calling for public transit and multimodal transportation options in the city. But financial and strategic planning obstacles make for a complex path to increased multimodal transportation, similar to the challenges faced over 100 years ago, when the city featured one of the largest electric trolley systems in the country. Photo courtesy of the City of Asheville

Future transit efforts, concerns mirror Asheville’s past

Posted on March 2, 2018February 26, 2018 by Max Hunt

Asheville as we know it today was built upon the back of its electric streetcar system, one of the largest networks of its time. As the city finds itself in a growth spurt once again, could its defunct trolley system provide some clues to Asheville’s transit future?

HEADY TUNES: Asheville reggae band Chalwa is one of the groups that will play the fourth annual Conscious Brews event March 4 at Highland Brewing Co. Funds from a silent auction and $1 from each pint sold that afternoon benefit the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina.

Conscious Party: Conscious Brews

Posted on February 25, 2018February 26, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The annual fundraiser for the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina takes place March 4 at Highland Brewing Co.

ACOUSTIC BONDING: Old-time instrumentalists partake in a recent Mountain Music Jam at Oskar Blues Brewery's Tasty Weasel Taproom. The Feb. 26 edition overlaps with Makin' a Difference Monday, during which a percentage of taproom sales benefit T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating.

Conscious Party: NEDAwareness Week

Posted on February 18, 2018February 16, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The music-filled benefit for T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating takes place Feb. 26 at Oskar Blues Brewery.

THE LONG ROAD HOME: For older residents of WNC and those like Barb Knight, who has cerebral palsy, finding a suitable and affordable long-term care facility can be a dizzying experience. Luckily, there is a variety of local resources and professionals to help assist in finding the right home for residents and their loved ones. Photo by Max Hunt

Navigating WNC’s long-term care options

Posted on February 9, 2018February 10, 2018 by Max Hunt

Few words have the ability to inspire more fear, frustration and trepidation among older Americans across the country than “nursing home.” But for those confronting the prospect of needing long-term care, a variety of care options and support services across Western North Carolina provides information to help residents find the best care available.

HEAT WAVE: Attendees enjoy the 2016 Rotary Club of Asheville-Metro's Beat the Winter Blues Ball. This year's edition takes place Feb. 3 at the YMI Cultural Center and benefits Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust and ABCCM's Veterans Restoration Quarters.

Conscious Party: Beat the Winter Blues Ball

Posted on January 28, 2018January 26, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The Rotary Club of Asheville-Metro’s fundraiser for Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust and ABCCM’s Veterans Restoration Quarters takes place Feb. 3 at the YMI Cultural Center.

SNAIL MAIL CHARMS: The Penland Post Office and General Store was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. An online auction is being held Feb. 1-8 to raise funds for the next step of its restoration.

Conscious Party: Penland Post Office Project auction

Posted on January 21, 2018January 18, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The Penland Post Office Project’s online auction runs Thursday, Feb. 1-Thursday, Feb. 8.

ROYAL TREATMENT: Former Asheville Mardi Gras king and queen Robert Bone and Sara Widenhouse get the royal treatment at last year's Cajun Cookoff. This year's event takes place Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Salvage Station.

Small bites: Cajun Cookoff returns for 10th year

Posted on January 16, 2018January 15, 2018 by Thomas Calder

The Cajun Cookoff returns to the Salvage Station. Also: Firestorm Books & Coffee hosts a vegetarian potluck, Our Global Table fundraiser benefits Pisgah Legal’s Justice for All Project, Cuban food comes to Twin Leaf Brewery, Mamacitas hosts a fundraiser for ArtSpace Charter School and Knife & Fork starts its annual winter pop-up series.

Christmas Bird Count volunteers inform conservation efforts

Posted on December 28, 2017December 27, 2017 by Daniel Walton

Every Christmas season since 1900, birders across North and Latin America have braved wintry conditions to participate in the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count. On Monday, Jan. 1, Asheville’s ornithological enthusiasts will contribute their own observations to the Christmas Bird Count’s 118th year.

Anyone giving $20 or more to Give!Local nonprofits will receive a coupon book for free stuff like a free slice of pizza from Barley’s, a coffee from Izzy’s, a bag of cookies from Zuma and a taco from Sonora Cocina Mexicana.

Last days to give to Give!Local nonprofits

Posted on December 26, 2017December 26, 2017 by Jeff Fobes

Those wishing to help Give!Local nonprofits need to do so by midnight Dec. 31. Donors can choose any of 37 local nonprofits and give any amount, from $1 on up, doing so with just one online transaction at givelocalguide.org. The 37 nonprofits are organized according to their areas of focus: community, youth, animals, arts, environment, […]

KEEPING THE FAITH: Congregation Beth Israel's Rabbi Justin Goldstein studies Jewish religious texts with young CBI members. Despite its hedonistic present-day reputation, Asheville has a long legacy of strong faith communities. As the city's demographics continue to change, historic congregations are looking for ways to remain relevant in the city's cultural and spiritual life. Photo courtesy of Congregation Beth Israel

The changing faces of faith

Posted on December 21, 2017December 21, 2017 by Max Hunt

While Asheville thrives on a diverse spiritual life, shifting demographics and evolving notions of religion’s role in daily life have many historic congregations reconsidering the part they play in local culture — and how best to address a changing community’s concerns.

Everyone who give $20 or more to Give!Local gets this book of vouchers for goods and services from local businesses.

Give to Give!Local nonprofits — you could win $50 worth of Zappers pizza!

Posted on December 20, 2017December 20, 2017 by Jeff Fobes

The final weeks of the Give!Local campaign are typically the most dramatic due to an sizeable uptick in donations. If you have been delaying until the Dec. 31 finale to make a charitable gift, now could be an auspicious time to act — for the local nonprofits you help and possibly for you if like […]

MUDDY WATER: An official meets with a hog farmer to review his animal waste management system. Photo courtesy of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Local agencies wrestle with livestock impacts on water quality

Posted on December 16, 2017December 12, 2017 by Daniel Walton

Advocates for clean water in North Carolina often focus on the eastern part of the state, which hosts one of the world’s highest concentration of hogs. But French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson emphasizes that Western North Carolina and its smaller farms are not immune from the water quality issues related to animal agriculture.

Nonprofits