Today’s Forecast

42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 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.

🌳 Speaking for the trees

Asheville’s gorgeous mountain views. | Photo by Danny Bernstein

Last year, Buncombe County voters approved the Open Space Bond, which seeks to conserve 20% of the county’s land by 2030. Currently, 18.5% of land is protected. But at its May 2 meeting, Buncombe County Commissioners approved an official process for conserving more land through conservation easements.

What are conservation easements?

We’re so glad you asked. Simply put, conservation easements are legal agreements that limit uses of land in order to protect it. These agreements are permanent, making it a valuable tool in conserving land for generations to come.

What is the purpose of conservation easements?

Improving water quality
Maintaining wildlife habitats and migration paths
Prohibiting future development

Buncombe County’s efforts

Proposed areas in Buncombe will be graded using a point system on these factors:

The size of the land
Proximity to existing preserved land
Limited obstruction of scenic views
Farmland preservation
Public benefit

This set of criteria was created by Buncombe County staff along with the Agriculture Advisory Board, Land Conservation Advisory Board, and input from the public. This newly approved system will determine how funds from the $30 million Open Space Bond are spent.

AVLtoday conservation map — Map of Buncombe County detailing conservation areas.
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Photo from Buncombe County

What’s next?

With the evaluation process approved, the Agriculture Advisory Board and Land Conservation Advisory Board will now begin grading proposed conservation easement areas. Areas that meet the criteria will then be evaluated for funding. Here are four conservation easements that have been recently approved for funding:

Tone Hollar Farm - 23 acres in Weaverville
Soden Farm - 47 acres in Fairview
Ramsey Farm - 40 acres in Weaverville
Lake Eden Preserve - 336 acres in Black Mountain

Feeling passionate about protecting our environment? Learn more about Asheville’s land conservancies.

Events

Thursday, May 4

Reptile and Amphibian Encounters | Thursday, May 4 | 4-5 p.m. | South Buncombe Library - 260 Overlook Rd., Asheville | Free | Kids will learn all about the herptiles native to our area.
The String Cheese Incident | Thursday, May 4-Saturday, May 6 | 5:30 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $59.99-$160 | This iconic jam band will play a three-night show at the Salvage Station’s outdoor stage.

Friday, May 5

The Walkathon to Fight Dementia | Friday, May 5 | 12 p.m.-12 a.m. | Reuter Family YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville | Free | Sign up to walk or cheer on participants at this 24-hour walkathon to benefit Alzheimer’s research.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta | Friday, May 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St., Asheville | Free | Celebrate Mexican-American culture with food, music, and an outdoor movie.
The Comedy Zone | Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6 | 7 p.m. + 9:30 p.m.| Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $28 | The nation’s largest comedy club network presents the last event in its series with a comedy set from headliner Reno Collier and Jas Gill.

Saturday, May 6

Yoga in the Park Asheville | Saturday, May 6-Sunday, Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | $10 | Register in advance to attend this outdoor, all-level friendly yoga class.
Greek cooking class | Saturday, May 6 | 4-7 p.m. | Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E Sondley Dr., Asheville | $93 | Learn to whip up delicious traditional Greek dishes like spanakopita and skewered meats.

Sunday, May 7

Barks and Books | Sunday, May 7 | 12-3 p.m. | 12 Bones Brewing, 2350 Hendersonville Rd., Arden | Free | Meet adoptable furry friends and pick up some new reads.
Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club | Sunday, May 7-Sunday, Dec. 1 | 12:15-4:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Come by to play your favorite word game — it’s okay to come late or leave early.
Somm Asheville Food + Wine Tour | Sunday, May 7 | 1-6 p.m. | North Carolina Wine Academy, 25 Page Ave., Asheville | $175 | This intimate food + wine tour will be led by the director of the North Carolina Wine Academy Mary Montalvo.

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News Notes

Opening

Torched AVL is unveiling its new space at 1056 Haywood Road. The studio offers jewelry and metalsmithing classes for artists of all skill levels. Visit the grand opening on Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a preview of classes, a gallery of artwork, and refreshments. (Ashevegas Hot Sheet)

Ranked

Chicken and waffles anyone? Tupelo Honey was included in Open Table’s “100 Most Popular Brunch Spots in America for 2023.” We’re raising an extra spicy bloody mary to celebrate.

Cause

MANNA FoodBank is seeing a dramatic rise in Asheville residents’ need for food assistance. With rising costs due to inflation and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ending, MANNA is serving an average of 133,000 people each month. Learn how you can help. (WLOS)

Health

Tomorrow, May 5, NC MedAssist will host a Mobile Free Pharmacy from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arthur R. Edington Education and Career Center. People 18+ will have access to free over-the-counter medicines like cough medicine, vitamins, childrens allergy medication, and first aid supplies. (Mountain Xpress)

Closing

Home goods retailer Tuesday Morning is going out of business and closing all of its stores. Head to its 44 Westgate Parkway location to score major deals during its going out of business sale, with all items up to 30 percent off.

Asked

With Mother’s Day coming up, we want to know the best advice you’ve received from your Mom? Share it with us here for the chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

Active

Did you know pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America since 2021? North Carolina has the 6th most pickleball courts in the US, with 423 pickleball courts statewide. The sport combines elements of badminton, tennis + table tennis and is fun for all ages to play. Find a court near you.*

Job

Thinking of a career in healthcare (or already looking)? Mission Health is hosting a Career Fair on Thursday, May 18 from 4-6 p.m. at UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena. Speak to healthcare leaders and recruiters to discuss career opportunities in all Mission Health trades and professions. Learn more + RSVP.*

Featured Home

This charming cottage within Fairview Forest is a ~10 minutes drive to local businesses (Trout Lily Market, Whistle Hop + Turgua Brewing), a 10 minutes to the BR Parkway, and a 15 minutes to downtown AVL. Offering level entry with only one step, this private wooded oasis is the perfect place to call home.*

Community

Get ready to celebrate, Asheville. Taco Boy West Asheville is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with spicy beats from DJ Phantompantone (starting at 4 p.m.), and all the margaritas, tequila flights, tacos, queso + guac you can handle. Proceeds benefit Vecinos, a WNC-based bilingual healthcare nonprofit.*

Drink

Hint is the water that actually makes us want to drink water. Shop from their top sellers + online exclusive flavors and get 45% off three cases for just $36. (That’s $1 per bottle plus free shipping.) Just use code 6AMCITY.*

Number

10 days. That’s how long you have until Mother’s Day. The good news? That gives you just enough time to order a gift from Quince — a brand offering high-end and sustainable products at affordable prices. Think: European linen shorts, silk slip dresses, cashmere crewnecks + Italian leather totes. Shop now.

Entertainment

Feel the force

Star Wars-inspired events for May the 4th

Check out this Star Wars galaxy fantasy battle. | Photo by AlinConstantinescu on Pixabay

It’s time for the obligatory, May the 4th be with you jokes. Whether you identify as a Jedi Master or a Sith Lord, we have a list of events for fans of all ages to share their love for the iconic movie series.

May the 4th Terrarium Workshop | 6-8:30 p.m. | PlantHouse, 2 Hendersonville Road

Create a glass bubble ball terrarium complete with Star Wars themed decor. Ages 16+ are welcome — tickets are available here.

Take & Make Kit: May the Fourth Be with You | All day until supplies lasts | Haywood County Libraries

Kiddos can get in on the fun with a Star Wars themed take-home craft.

May the 4th Be With You | 5:30-11 p.m. | The Whale, 507 Haywood Rd #10

Trivia, a patio screening of Return of the Jedi, and a space disco DJ set are all part of the excitement at this event.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

Inspired to help protect our beautiful environment? Check out the ways you can support the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.

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