We publish a list of News Notes every day in our newsletter + on our website, but there’s so much happening in the area that it’s easy to miss some of the biggest announcements and updates. So, we’ve decided to start picking our top 10 News Notes every week for you. Here are the items getting the biggest buzz from the past week:
Outdoors: Despite the fact that the Eastern cougar was declared extinct this January, sightings of cougars in the area deemed “reliable” by authorities number around 200 in past years. However, no actual evidence, such as hair or video footage, has been collected. Western cougar populations are migrating east, which could also account for some sightings. 🐾
Civic: The City of Asheville wants citizens’ feedback as they begin the process of hiring a new City Manager. Input opportunities include public meetings as well as a survey available online and at area recreation + community centers. The first public meetings are June 10 at the Skyland Fire Department (9 Miller Rd. South) at 4 and 6 p.m.
Cause: Congrats to Asheville FM, who met their Spring Fund Drive goal last Friday. The station raised $23,000, which will go to current and future projects including podcast production and live performances. You can still make a tax-deductible donation to Asheville FM here. 🎙
Ashevillian: Luis Carlos Serapio, founder of descubreasheville.com, which promotes Asheville to Latinx visitors and promotes inclusivity in the city, was on WUNC’s The State of Things, hosted by Frank Stasio, yesterday telling his story of going from “Undocumented Immigrant To Business Owner.” Serapio, who now works as a court interpreter and has a Green Card, came to the U.S. undocumented 30 years ago.
Announced: The lineup for All Go West 2018, a free music festival in West Asheville, June 16–17 is out. The weekend include local favorites such as Xero God, Nest Egg, Carly Taich + Ouroboros Boys, and out-of-towners such as Oak City Slums, Night Cleaner + Made of Oak. 🎸
Number: 132. The arrests across the state this weekend for 209 charges during a sting operation by the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agency for charges related to alcoholic beverages, drugs + possession of firearms. Among those arrested is the owner of downtown nightclub Ellington Underground, who was in possession of several small bags of cocaine.
Number: $1.4 billion. The economic benefit of the Blue Ridge Parkway last year. The Parkway + Great Smoky Mountains National Park are facing major deficits in funding for maintenance + improvement projects. Funding for the parks comes from both Congress and private nonprofits. The Parkway’s maintenance backlog is $462 million. Combined visitors to the parks total 26.5 million last year. Blue Ridge Parkway + the Smokies are no. 1 + no. 2 respectively for economic output of all U.S. national parks, and are 5th + 7th on the list of deferred maintenance. 🏞
Trending: The newest beauty trend is the Vampire Facial (yes, that’s it’s real name) in which blood drawn from a patient is injected into his or her own face after being spun in a centrifuge to extract the platelets. It’s being offered now at Biltmore Restorative Medicine for around $800 a treatment. The procedure tricks your skin into feeling like it’s been damaged, which causes healing mechanisms to kick in. 🧛
Cause: Mark your calendar + purchase your tickets: On Wed., May 30th, Rhubarb + Catawba Brewing Co., host a benefit dinner for Green Opportunities. This five-course pairing of beer by Catawba + farm-fresh food by Rhubarb’s Chef John Fleer will be held at Yesterday Spaces to celebrate GO’s 10-year anniversary. 🍲
Civic: Buncombe County has pinned their first female marshal in the county’s history. Fire Marshal Kelly Hinz was welcomed Wednesday night at the department’s annual awards ceremony. 👩🚒
