Buncombe County Public Libraries are not only a place for literature, film, research, story hours and free yoga classes. They also provides amenities like public bathrooms, heating, air conditioning and internet access, which are enjoyed by everyone but are lifelines for some patrons.
New Stories
Council approves zoning for McCormick Field improvements
Asheville City Council at its Oct. 24 meeting unanimously approved a zoning change required to upgrade McCormick Field. The modifications to the site’s zoning requirements at 30 Buchanan Place include allowances for the project to exceed height restrictions and bypass parking space requirements.
Playbill Picks: November local theater highlights
If you’re a fan of local theater, Western North Carolina offers plenty of options.
Getting your garden ready for winter
How to get your garden ready for winter, from compost to fig trees. And what are those pawpaws everyone is talking about?
What’s new in food: The Radical opens in the RAD
Chef Jacob Sessoms opens three new eateries in a RAD hotel. Plus, hosts of the N.C. Food and Beverage Podcast throw Champtober Fest; Urban Orchard celebrates 10 years; and more.
How Asheville tourism became a $3 billion-a-year behemoth
Forty years ago, when hotels sat shuttered and virtually no one ventured downtown after business hours, the city’s business and elected leaders helped pass a tax on overnight visitors, the first in North Carolina, with the stipulation that its proceeds be used to advertise and promote Asheville to attract more visitors.
Around town: Day of the Dead
Asheville Sister Cities brings a Day of the Dead celebration to Weaverville. Plus, a moonlit paddle down the French Broad River; the return of Surreal Sirkus; and more.
My Story: I learned far more than I taught
“I would encourage anyone who’s interested in language and cultural exchange to put aside any fears or doubts they may have about becoming an ESOL tutor and give Literacy Together a try!”
Reparations commission releases initial recommendations
After 18 months of meetings and nearly $500,000 spent, Asheville’s reparations commission — tasked with making recommendations for restitution for generations of racial injustice — has now lost its second project manager in a year. Additionally, the commission is asking for more time to draft its final recommendations.
Letter: Urban trees need proper care to survive
“I hope that the new urban forester and city arborist can work together to ensure that existing trees are maintained with quality of work in mind and that future trees are planted in a way that does not guarantee their demise.”
Memoir explores parenting a child struggling with mental health issues
“There is so much pressure in our society for mothers to be perfect,” Batchelder remembers. “So when my daughter got depressed in high school, I wondered if it was my fault, what did I do wrong, what should I have done differently. Was I too much or not enough?”
Letter: Now it’s up to us to reduce plastic bags in landfills
“What we as citizens can do now to minimize the number of plastic bags that end up in the landfill is to deposit our plastic bags at various stores that provide bins for this purpose.”
Smart housing lies at the core of local crises
“It’s going to take a historic effort to close the gaps in housing supply that are close to the places where people work, shop and entertain themselves and where there may also be options for walking, biking or taking mass transit.”
Letter: Where are the involved local churches?
“What would it be like if each church would have small group meetings regularly addressing social issues that determine our way of life? Issues like economic security, health care, the environment, and war and peace.”
Letter: Making affordable microhousing work
“If the rates were lower than $1,000 per unit and there was more than a 20% allotment for the number of eligible units, I would encourage supporting the proposals.”