Loss of public employment sends Asheville jobs numbers plunging

Jobs numbers worsened across the state in July, according to data from the state’s Employment Security Commission, and the Asheville area was no exception, losing a total of 2,900 jobs, mostly from the public sector. While unemployment in the area declined slightly, combined with the net job losses, this indicates some unemployed have stopped looking for work.

Bee the Change: Honeybees point the way to a better world

It’s National Honeybee Day this Saturday, Aug. 20, and in spite of the threats facing honeybee populations in many areas, the Asheville-based Friends of Honeybees wants to celebrate. Taking its name from the familiar quote from Mahatma Gandhi, FOHB’s new “Bee the Change” campaign plans to donate a portion of its income to other non-profit causes, whether or not they relate directly to honey bees.

Asheville City Council approves Linamar economic incentives

At their Aug. 9 meeting, Asheville City Council members approved a $2 million economic-development incentive for Canadian manufacturer Linamar. If the company fulfills construction and job-creation targets, it will get a 90 percent waiver on city taxes for the next five years. Council voted 5-1 to approve the deal, with Council member Cecil Bothwell voting against it and Council member Esther Manheimer absent.

First annual VegFest attracts more than 1,500

Sunday, Aug. 8, marked the debut of VegFest, Asheville’s first all-vegetarian festival. Vendors started setting up their booths as early as 10 a.m., and by 10:30 a.m., folks were already wandering toward Battery Park for the festivities. The event began officially at noon and lasted until 7 p.m. that night. Festival organizers estimate that more than 1,500 people attended.

Asheville-based National Climate Data Center turns 60

Weather Channel junkies, you are not alone. People have been obsessed with weather — and recording weather observations — for quite some time. Retro outfits and mod hairdos are no longer on view, but the Asheville-based National Climate Data Center celebrated its 60th birthday last week, and the center wants folks to know about the fascinating weather and climate information it has collected over the years.

Asheville area unemployme­nt down slightly in May, but rising in Buncombe

Unemployment in the Asheville metropolitan area declined slightly in May, dropping from 7.8 to 7.7 percent, according to figures from the state Employment Security Commission. Job losses in construction in manufacturing were somewhat offset by gains in the business and hospitality sectors. However, Buncombe County saw a slight rise in unemployment, from 7.4 to 7.5 percent.

JourneyAsh­eville: Building relationsh­ips with Asheville’­s homeless

On Monday, July 4, a group of teenagers were handing out bowls of ice cream in Pritchard Park. Nothing unusual, really. There’s always something being given away to eat in the park. But I got to talking with one of the teenagers and was directed to Nichole, who filled me in on what was going on. It’s the work of the Carolina Cross Connection, a youth Christian outreach project.
Photos by Jerry Nelson, JourneyAmerica.org