Today’s Forecast

60º | Mostly sunny | 3% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 6:37 a.m. | Sunset 8:17 p.m.

Important Message

Great news for locals: Share good, local news with your neighbors on Nextdoor and be entered for a chance to win $500 cash. Now, through Monday, May 8, share a favorite story using the “Share on Nextdoor” icon online, and you’ll be entered to win. Learn more.

🦌 Wildlife crossing ahead

More wildlife crossings to reach WNC

Example of an underpass created to help wildlife cross highways safely.

Example of an underpass that allows wildlife to safely cross busy highways. | Photo from NCDOT Traffic Cam

Take a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway and there’s a good chance you’ll spot a furry friend. White-tailed deer and black bears are frequent dwellers in Asheville’s roadways — and a new initiative from the NCDOT is helping them travel more safely.

Through a newly passed Memorandum of Understanding, the NCDOT is collaborating with The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to create overpasses, underpasses, culverts, and fences to keep wildlife off of highways.

Why does Asheville need this?
Crossing structures will deter animals from roads, which are one of the leading causes of habitat destruction. But they’ll also give travelers peace of mind. From 2017 to 2019, the NCDOT reported 500 vehicle and wildlife collisions in Buncombe County, resulting in $1,615,550 of damage. Construction of crossing structures will work to bring that number down.

Goals of the initiative

Decrease the impact of highways on habitats of wildlife.
Create wildlife passage structures allowing animals to travel across highways.
Develop methods for evaluating the success of wildlife crossing structures.
Create a wildlife vehicle collision data tool to track traffic safety and conservation efforts.

Getting déjà vu?
This isn’t the first time wildlife passageways have been discussed. Back in 2017 and 2018, federal, state, and activist groups met to discuss the problem. Appalachian-based organization Safe Passage Coalition is a group working on the front lines of the issue. Check out ways to support them, including signing the pledge to protect wildlife in the Pigeon River Gorge.

There is currently a wildlife passage along Cold Springs Creek and Harmon Den Road under Interstate 40 in Haywood County. What highways in Asheville do you think could benefit from a wildlife crossing structure? Tell us here.

Events

Tuesday, May 2

Bloom with a View | Tuesday, May 2-Sunday, May 14 | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Wy., Asheville | $30-$150 | Wander, explore, and lose yourself among the flowers thousands of blooms.
Authors Lee Smith and Daniel Wallace, In Conversation | Tuesday, May 2 | 6-7 p.m. | Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Lee Smith will discuss her new book “Silver Alert” and Daniel Wallace will present his new book “This Isn’t Going to End Well” — register here to attend.

Wednesday, May 3

SilverArts Showcase Opening Reception | Wednesday, May 3 | 5-6 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the unveiling of artwork from community members aged 50+ as part of the Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games — the exhibit runs through Friday, May 19.
Oscar Wong - Distinguished Citizens Dinner | Wednesday, May 3 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Crowne Plaza Expo Center, 1 Resort Dr., Asheville | Free, donations suggested | Join the Boy Scouts in honoring the founder of Highland Brewing Company for his accomplishments in serving the Asheville community.

Thursday, May 4

May The 4th Be With You | Thursday, May 4 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe, 162 Coxe Ave. #101, Asheville | Free | Wear a Star Wars costume to receive a free game pass to play all day long.
Sip, Savor, and Support | Thursday, May 4 | 5-8 p.m. | Bottle Riot, 37 Paynes Wy., Asheville | $50 | This wine tasting and dinner, prepared by Blair Guthrie of Guthrie Family Wines and Chef Sam Ethridge, will raise money for local nonprofit Helpmate.

Click here to have your event featured.

Festival

🪕 Experience all things Americana at the 10-day Asheville Amadeus Festival

Presented by an AVLtoday Partner

Kishi Bashi stands next to white horse in a wildflower field.

This year’s Amadeus Festival highlights all things Americana — featuring banjo superstar Béla Fleck as festival headliner and renowned multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi (above) as the featured guest artist. | Photo provided by Rachael Renee Levasseur

25+ partner organizations, 40+ events, and 10 days to soak up all things Americana? Count us in. This year’s Amadeus Festival is set to be the most ambitious in Asheville Symphony history.

The festival kicks off Thursday, May 11, with the release of Das Horner Bier — an exclusive beer by Cursus Kĕmē. On Saturday, May 13, featured guest artist Kishi Bashi takes the stage with Asheville Symphony musicians for an ALT ASO series performance.

Not to be missed, festival headliner, Béla Fleck, is participating in multiple events and performances, including:

A Performance with the Opal String Quartet
Two Young People’s Concerts
Festival Finale concert + Symphony Talk the day before, with the Asheville Symphony

Events are either free + open to the public or ticketed, and include:

A conversation with Kishi Bashi and others about minority identity and racism towards Asians in America
A series of free music + movement events for babies, toddlers, and young children
A performance from the Grammy-recognized American Patchwork Quartet
And so much more*

See the full festival schedule

News Notes

Ranked

Deep breath in, deep breath out. Asheville was recognized for having some of the cleanest air in the US by the American Lung Association in its State of the Air 2023 report. Our city boasts A grade ozone and particle pollution levels, earning the title of one of the cleanest cities. (The News & Observer)

Community

Grab those reusable shopping bags. Sunday, May 7 is the first BIPOC Farmers Market of the season at Southside Community Farm. Fresh produce, prepared foods, herbal medicines, and crafts are available from 12-3 p.m. at this EBT-accessible market.

Music

Jazz Hour returns to Enka-Candler Library on Thursday, May 25 at 6 p.m. Join host, pianist, and composer Michael Jefry Stevens for an hour of outdoor live music at this free event. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended.

Arts

Applications for ArtsAVL‘s Arts Build Community Grant are now open. The program supports arts-based projects that are designed to engage underserved communities in our area. Click here for more information on the application process — the deadline is Thursday, June 15.

Ashevillian

Helmets off to Fire Chief Scott Burnette. He announced his retirement after serving 28 years with the Asheville Fire Department and 14 years as chief. During his tenure, he spearheaded multiple initiatives, improving firefighter safety and decreasing response times. His last day will be June 1, 2023.

Regional

At 10 years old, Gracie Parker of Franklin has earned the title of mental health activist. The fourth grader organized the first ever Youth Mental Health Help Rally in her town. She’s calling for accessible access to trauma counseling for children. (WLOS)

Featured Home

Located less than 30 minutes from Asheville and 15 minutes from Black Mountain, this 3 BD, 1 BA home offers a large sunny fenced yard with a workshop/outbuilding perfect for pets + gardening. Private and convenient, this home is ideal for those looking to downsize or for a low-maintenance starter home.*

Holiday

How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.

Correction

In Friday’s newsletter, we shared about the 33rd annual Asheville Spring Herb Festival, which is slated to return to the WNC Ag Center on Friday, May 5-Sunday, May 7. That’s all true — however we did mistakenly say the center is located in Fairview, rather than its actual location in Fletcher.

Volunteer

Brunching to benefit families in need

PubCorps feeds families in need with Sunday Brunch

PubCorps volunteers at a food packing event

PubCorps volunteers gathered at a meal-packing event. | Photo from PubCorps

What’s better than brunch? Brunch that gives back.

On Sunday, May 7, local nonprofit PubCorps launches its monthly Sunday Brunch meal packing event. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., volunteers will work together to assemble 50,000 meals for kids and their families right here in WNC — and true to PubCorps fashion, you’ll receive a free beer after volunteering.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. DJ5 and Jamie Munn will perform DJ sets to get you in your meal-packing groove. Plus, SmashBalls will open on-site at noon to fuel your volunteer efforts.

Sunday Brunch takes place at The Railyard, a new taproom and community hub in Black Mountain. It’s the home of PubCorps, created by The Railyard’s founder, John Richardson.

Check out more on PubCorps’ mission here and click here to sign up to volunteer.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

I had an amazing dinner at Mehfil this weekend that has inspired my search for Asheville’s best Indian lunch buffet. I’m eagerly awaiting your recommendations.

Miss yesterday’s newsletter? Find a local labyrinth to walk through to foster inner peace.

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