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77º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 6:31 a.m. | Sunset 8:23 p.m.

🗑️ A win for public composting

Buncombe’s public compost program expands with two new sites

The Food Scraps Drop-off site at Stephens-Lee. | Photo by AVLtoday

The city and county’s joint Food Scraps Drop-Off program continues to gain traction since its 2021 launch. Soon, locals will be able to drop off compost for free at eight different sites throughout Buncombe County, with six of those spots in the city limits.

The two newest drop-off locations to join the program will open later this month at Leicester Library and the East Asheville Library.

Wondering about the program’s impact so far? According to a report from the City of Asheville, 160 tons of food scraps have been diverted from the landfill (that’s about the weight of 80 cars). And so far, 2,300 households have registered to participate in the program.

What’s next for the program? At today’s Asheville City Council meeting, the city is expected to formalize a five-year agreement with Buncombe County to continue growing the program.

The six other active drop-off sites include:

Buncombe County Landfill, 85 Panther Branch Rd.
Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library, 749 Fairview Rd.
Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 Washington Carver Ave.
Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Rd.
West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Rd.
Transfer Station, 190 Hominy Creek Rd.

New to public composting? Be sure to register for the program to get special instructions (and receive a free compost bin). Note that each drop-off has its own hours and process. Consult this guide to determine what’s compostable at public sites and be sure to check out our beginner’s guide to composting to learn more about the process.

Events

Tuesday, May 9

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: Raising The Roof | Tuesday, May 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | $56.50-$196.50 | See these two musical icons perform together, playing songs from their new collaborative album “Raise the Roof.”
Punch Bucket Lit: Featuring Anne Barngrover and Vedran Husić | Tuesday, May 9 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Poet Anne Barngrover and prose writer Vedran Husić travel from Florida to share original work.
“You Belong Here” LGBTQ+ Documentary Showing | Tuesday, May 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Hall Auditorium at Mission Hospital, 7 Granby St., Asheville | Free | See a documentary that explores the LGBTQ+ experience in the rural South + a panel discussion that follows.*

Wednesday, May 10

The Revolutionists | Wednesday, May 10-Saturday, June 3 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | North Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Ln., Asheville | $10-$46 | Four badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.

Thursday, May 11

LEAF Retreat | Thursday, May 11-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | Lake Eden, 377 Lake Eden Rd., Black Mountain | $186-262 | The lineup includes musicians such as The Headhunters and Arise Roots — plus workshops, panel discussions + other culture-focused activities.
Asheville Amadeus Festival | Thursday, May 11-Saturday, May 20 | Various locations, Asheville | $0-$70 | This annual music festival is taking an Americana and Bluegrass theme this year, with headliners Béla Fleck and Kishi Bashi.
AVL Girls Walk | Thursday, May 11 | 6 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | Free | Join the gals for a casual walk at Carrier Park.
Jazz Hybrid Presents: An Evening Conversation of Poetry & Music | Thursday, May 11 | 7-10 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15 | This event will serve as a showcase for regional and national poets and musicians, encouraging collaboration and hybrid forms and the relationships that sustain and nurture creative communities.

Friday, May 12

Movies in the Park | Friday, May 12 | 8-10:30 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville | Free | Kick off this summer tradition with a screening of “DC League of Super-Pets.”
The JLloyd MashUp: Kings of Soul | Friday, May 12 | 8:30 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10-$15 | The JLloyd MashUp teams up with Datrian Johnson and Reggie Headen for an evening of soul music, featuring tunes from James Brown, Barry White, Isaac Hayes, and Al Green.
Artisphere presented by TD Bank | Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14 | Times vary | Downtown Greenville, SC , Main St. from Wardlaw and Main to Broad and Main, Greenville | Free | Artisphere is back during Mother’s Day Weekend in downtown Greenville, SC — enjoy a free, family-friendly celebration of the arts.*

100+ more events

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News Notes

Coming Soon

Mother has announced the opening date for its new cafe on the South Slope: Thursday, May 25. In the meantime, you can stare longingly at its Short Coxe Ave. storefront and dream about the bread, wine, and other European delicacies that are surely awaiting us in the new space. At least that’s what we’ll be doing.
Terranova Beer Co. has announced plans to open in the South Slope at 101 S. Lexington Ave. In an Instagram post, the brewery shares that it’s looking forward to “sharing our meticulously crafted beer, food, fully renovated space, and the first phase of our beer garden.” The grand opening will take place in June.

Civic

At today’s Asheville City Council meeting, there will be a presentation about the BCTDA’s potential absorption of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission. Also on the agenda: an update on the latest Point-in-Time Count + the city manager’s proposed 2023-2024 annual operating budget. Tune into the 5 p.m. meeting. (Mountain Xpress)

Biz

Congrats to Arden-based business Matcha Nude on winning a $10,000 NC IDEA MICRO grant. Matcha Nude is one of 15 businesses in the state to earn a micro grant this spring. Check out its products.
Stay Glazed…Donuts has a new owner. After five years of running the downtown Asheville doughnut shop, chef Jay Medford has passed the reigns to pastry chef Samantha Rose. Rose plans to expand the menu while keeping local favorites like the gluten-free mochi + raspberry Sriracha doughnuts. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Learn

AIGA Asheville is launching a new bi-monthly workshop series “Beyond the Artboard: Exploring the Business of Design.” The series will feature educational workshops, skill shares, and presentations on the business of design. The first one is slated for Wednesday, May 17, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Focal Point Coworking.

Cause

To commemorate May as Mental Health Awareness Month, nonprofit Heart of Horse Sense is hosting an equine therapy event on Saturday, May 13 at 7041 Meadows Farm Rd. in Marshall. Participants will tour the farm and learn more about how equine therapy can positively impact mental health. Register.
In emergency situations, hospitals need blood quickly. When you donate blood with The Blood Connection, you help ensure blood is available for our neighbors in need. Donate blood in May and receive $45 in rewards (mobile exclusions apply). Find a location to donate.*

Gallery

The NC Glass Center opens a new exhibit on Friday, May 12, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. “Natura a Colori” features a wide range of glass fusing techniques from Kim Adams and Mary Lightner. It runs through Sunday, July 2.
The mural of local gardener Zen Sutherland, located on the side of the Bon Paul and Sharky’s Hostel in West Asheville, is being taken down due to paint-chipping issues. It’s currently being pressure washed to prepare for a new mural. We can’t wait to see what comes next. (WLOS)

Featured Home

This private, 3 BD, 3 BA log cabin sits on 7+ wooded acres surrounded by nature. Boasting exposed logs and original pine floors, it’s been updated with all the comforts of home without losing its original character and charm. Bonus: The outdoor area offers a large deck and a two-car carport with storage.*

Featured

“People will look back… and say, ‘I learned something about myself and other people that’s changed the way I operate in the world and opened me up to a different set of perspectives.’” See what The Washington Post had to say about the UNC Asheville-hosted Asheville Ideas Fest — and the vision behind the intellectual festival.*

Kids

Two words: free bowling. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free to connect with local bowling alleys where kids can receive two free games of bowling everyday this summer. Plus, grab a Family Pass + up to four adults can join in on the fun.

Corrections

In our May 4 newsletter, we shared that MANNA FoodBank was seeing increases in residents’ need for assistance due to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ending. SNAP benefits remain available, but the emergency allotment that was issued due to the COVID-19 pandemic has ended due to a federal change issued in March 2023.
In yesterday’s newsletter, we shared that Asheville Beer Week begins Tuesday, May 19. The week-long event begins Friday, May 19 and ends on Saturday, May 27. Check out the list of events here.

Festival

💐 ‘Tis the season to frolic at Odonata Farm

Frolic at Odonata Farm for the inaugural May Arts Fest

There will be an opportunity to tour the barn at the festival. | Photo via @odonatafarm

Odonata Farm is breaking out the Maypole for its inaugural May Arts Fest on Saturday, May 13, from 2-7 p.m. at 5640 Paint Fork Rd.

The free festival takes place at a historic 10-acre farm in Mars Hill and will celebrate the bounty of spring with flower crowns, live music, and other May-themed art experiences. Folks will also be able to check out an art show inside the property’s historic hay barn.

Here’s what else is on tap for the day:

2:30 and 4 p.m. — Natural watercolor demonstrations from Tina Thaw
3:30 p.m. — Dance and barn talk with dancer Melvin A.C Howell
5 p.m. — Maypole dance for kids + adults
6 p.m. — Concert featuring Jane Kramer and opener Jenna Lindbo ($15 suggested donation)
Throughout the day, you can also expect: Tintype photography with Sara Mulvey, flower crowns from Little Wild Bloom, Jamaican food from Queen’s Island Cuisine, and other local vendors + makers.

Answered

We asked for your local roaster recs in last week’s newsletter and here’s what you said:

A mug of the good stuff from Dripolator coffee house.
|
Photo via @dripolatorcoffeehouse

Head to the Dripolator‘s Black Mountain or Candler location for freshly roasted beans. Well-Bred Bakery also sells its own beans at its four area cafes.

Other great local roasters include: Chaunie’s Coffee, Bean Werks, Pisgah Roasters, Notorious Coffee Roasting Company, Grinder’s Keeper, ShareWell Coffee Co., and Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters.

Y’all also put in a special word for these local coffee shops and cafes: Bomba, La Bodega, Flora, Sweeten Creek Coffee, Retro Coffee, and Liberty House Cafe.

See 7 more roasters

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Laura

From the editor

Looking for a fresh read? In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, the Buncombe County library staff has released book recommendations for teens, adults, and kiddos. Whether you like nonfiction or fantasy, there’s something for you.

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