After eight years in business, West Asheville’s Nona Mia restaurant closed on Saturday. A new eatery will be moving into its location.
WNC paddle sports on the rise: River use is up locally and nationally; area retailers seeing more revenue
Our waterways have become increasingly popular with outdoor enthusiasts in the past few years. While local excursion providers, rental shops and retailers adjust to meet growing demand, increased development along the Asheville section of the French Broad River suggests recreational use of the river will stay strong for years to come.
Parts of NC experiencing drought, abnormally dry conditions
It may be drizzling today, but the unusual lack of rainfall has pushed the state into drought for the first time in more than two years, says the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Small bites: WNC Battle of the Burger returns
Tickets for the second Western North Carolina Battle of the Burger are on sale this week. Plus, local restaurants and wineries have special events planned for Independence Day.
Sparkler central: Fourth of July events in and around WNC
This year, Independence Day falls on a Saturday, which leaves you with more freedom to explore what this historic day has to offer.
Smoky Mountain’s decision to cut mental-health providers meets objections
A WNC mental-health agency faced tough questions earlier this week about its decision to limit its publicly funded services to a select group of providers. Western North Carolina’s lead mental-health agency, Smoky Mountain LME/MCO, held a community forum Tuesday, June 23, that packed Asheville’s First Baptist Church. After a brief presentation by agency staff, a question-and-answer segment […]
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a life-sized equestrian art installation by Nora Hartlaub, Gypsy Queen Cuisine’s new brick-and-mortar home, an action-packed board game and a comic series created by three locals.
In photos: Marriage equality supporters celebrate in downtown
On June 26, community members in the Asheville area gathered at the Vance Memorial in celebration on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of equality of marriage in all 50 states.
Supreme Court affirms that same-sex couples have the right to marry
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples in all 50 states have a fundamental right to marry under the U.S. Constitution. President Barack Obama will make a speech on the ruling at 11 a.m., Friday, June 26. Live stream here.
Ted Warner, former Broadway’s owner and local nightlife influential, exits the business
Warner finalized the sale of his Lexington Ave. bar to husband and wife team Khio and Mindy Dinh of Morganton after a serious heath scare cemented his decision to exit the industry. Although he’s divesting his involvement, Warner’s legacy in the local club scene remains significant.
Ever ready: Local ham radio operators provide vital link
In the age of smartphones and the Internet, ham radio strikes many as an outmoded technology destined to go the way of eight-track tapes and film cameras.
City council approves budget, OKs living-wage incentives, relaxes ADU rules
Asheville City Council passed the 2015-2016 fiscal year budget yesterday that increases property taxes and fees for municipal services. The budget also gives raises to city employees. Council voted 6-1 to approve the budget, with Council member Chris Pelly voting against.
Step by step: New Belgium greenway plans finalized
The design for a key link that will help create the longest continuous stretch of greenway in Asheville has been finalized. The roughly 1-mile section will run through the New Belgium Brewing Co. site in the River Arts District and connect with existing greenway segments.
Mother red wolf killing a ‘significant loss’ in North Carolina
Conservation groups are condemning the killing of a critically endangered female red wolf in the Red Wolf Recovery Area of eastern North Carolina. The killing was authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after the landowner denied the service to access the property to trap and remove the wolf.
New program connects land conservation, education and local food production
A new program from Organic Growers School, WNC FarmLink and Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy called Farm Pathways will combine peer support and land access with a structured curriculum centered around farm production and business.
Bottled lightning: Appalachian moonshining in the 21st century
Western North Carolina is now home to a growing number of craft distillers making legal moonshine. Blending traditional recipes with new technology and methods, these pioneers are bringing Appalachia’s most fabled and misunderstood product into the 21st century, changing cultural perceptions even as they adapt to shifting economic realities.
Poll names Craggy Gardens ‘the most beautiful place’ in North Carolina
A poll by Thrillist online magazine, which has previously named Asheville one of America’s most hipster cities and one of America’s best drinking cities — among others, has named Craggy Gardens, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina’s most beautiful place.
Making it: What works (and doesn’t) for Asheville food businesses
Asheville is a hotbed for culinary entrepreneurship, but the path to success can be rocky. What does it take beyond a tasty product or a knack for cooking to build a flourishing food business?
Vortex Doughnuts shows support for ‘Kite Runner’ with free books
The publishers at Random House Publishing have partnered with Vortex Doughnuts in an effort to raise awareness of the recent removal of Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner from a class reading list at A.C. Reynolds High School.
Asheville 48 Hour Film Project comes to an end
The Asheville 48 Hour Film Project came to a close this evening, as far as the filming and editing are concerned, but the week’s activities are only just beginning for the public.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features a photo book capturing Hickory Nut Gap Farm’s storied past and present, a “Barnraiser” to help the farm build a kitchen and butchery on-site and a mobile app for mental wellness information hub MindPod Network.