Asheville Food and Beverage United becomes an official labor union; Mast General Store hosts chef Jason Smith for book signing; The Whale achieves global recognition; and more!

Asheville Food and Beverage United becomes an official labor union; Mast General Store hosts chef Jason Smith for book signing; The Whale achieves global recognition; and more!
After a reduction in the number of incidents reported to the Asheville Police Department in 2021, local shoplifting numbers are rising again.
Motown, soul and R&B songs will bring in the New Year at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Also: UNC Asheville students and faculty launch new podcast; local author examines the history of St. Nick; and plenty more.
For many WNC nonprofits, business support and partnerships comprise a significant part of their budgets. And while Asheville has a comparatively large number of nonprofits per capita, area businesses rise to the need.
For some store owners, the highly anticipated May 9 move of North Carolina into Phase 1 of reopening was a signal that an end to their financial woes might be in sight. Others felt the move came too soon and remained closed to protect the safety of their staff and customers.
Nearly 67 percent of surveyed businesses expected to grow their workforce over the next three years, representing up to 26,700 new jobs for the region. The manufacturing and hospitality industries anticipated the largest hiring booms — up to 7,556 and 6,618 jobs, respectively — but all sectors planned for at least some expansion.
The Downtown Holiday Windows Contest, held by the Asheville Downtown Association, features an annual theme: this year’s is “Light up the holidays.”
The city is seeking definition in its relationship with the busking community, and both buskers and businesses are speaking out about the issues that matter to them in hopes of fostering a healthy relationship in an area of the city where space is at a premium.
“C’mon, Mountain Xpress, what kind of journalism is this?”
When you carry your kitchen on your back, food and cooking equipment needs to be small and lightweight. A few local experts share ideas for creating backcountry meals that are both nutritious and satisfying.
Conservation groups like the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy need the support of residents and local businesses in order to achieve their work. Building on this co-dependence, the nonprofit will hold its annual “Land Trust Day” celebration Saturday, June 6.