Soul Gardens opens applications for 2022 organic living program

Press release from Soul Gardens: Soul Gardens out of Barnardsville, NC, is giving local folks a chance to learn from and uplift members of the Cherokee community through working with them in their traditional garden.  The upcoming 2022 program brings participants to the Katuah Cherokee Mother Town once a month to plant and tend Aunt […]

Community members address need for homeless shelter space

Asheville is gearing up to conduct its annual Point-in-Time count of unhoused community members Tuesday-Wednesday, Jan. 25-26. But even without the official numbers, which are typically released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in June, it’s clear that the city is facing a new reckoning around homelessness. The Asheville Police Department has […]

The Blood Connection, Local Hospitals Encourage ‘Sharing Life’ This Holiday Season

From The Blood Connection: Annual holiday blood drive runs from Dec. 20 – Dec. 27 ASHEVILLE, N.C. (December 16, 2021) While many are busy this holiday season making last minute gift purchases for loved ones, The Blood Connection (TBC) and local hospitals in Western North Carolina are urging community members to fit sharing the gift […]

Q&A: Charlie Jackson, founder of Appalachia­n Sustainabl­e Agricultur­e Project

At many grocery stores in the area, consumers can find at least some local produce, meat or dairy products. Plenty of restaurants tout local ingredients on their menus and  farmers markets are ubiquitous here. But it wasn’t always that way. “It’s hard to remember what it was like 20 years ago, but there was not […]

Water bill assistance program accepting applications starting Dec. 1

Press release from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the State of North Carolina has been awarded more than $38 million in federal funding to establish a new water assistance program for households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Wednesday, eligible households that […]

Leadership transition at ASAP: Founder Charlie Jackson will retire in 2022

Press release via ASAP The board of directors for ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) today announced leadership changes for the nonprofit. After more than two decades serving farmers and the local food community, Charlie Jackson will retire at the end of April 2022. Effective Jan. 1, 2022, Molly Nicholie will become executive director of ASAP, […]

Asheville Outlets announces holiday happenings 2021

Press release via Asheville Outlets Asheville Outlets is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of events for Holiday 2021 including a Tree Lighting celebration on Sat., November 27 at 6 p.m. Throughout the holidays, shoppers are welcome to enjoy festive events and wonderful opportunities to help make the holidays brighter for those in need. Annual […]

Q&A with Vicki Meath, executive director of Just Economics of WNC

Many issues are close to Vicki Meath’s heart. She has spent her life in community organizing, working on environmental justice with Western Colorado Congress and striving to raise Ohio’s minimum wage with Cleveland Jobs With Justice. In 2010, she joined Just Economics of Western North Carolina, a nonprofit that advocates for a living wage, as […]