07.20.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

Open for recreation

The $8.3 million expansion of the Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Community Center is complete

A rendering of a large community center as seen from above with solar panels on the roof, a basketball court, and a pool.

New outdoor features for the center include a rain garden, picnic tables, and solar panels. | Rendering via the City of Asheville

Cue the ribbon cutting, because it’s officially time to celebrate the completed expansion of the Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Community Center.

Years of planning + 15 months of construction

The project to update Southside’s community center broke ground in May 2022 — but D. Tyrell McGirt, Asheville Parks & Recreation Director, calls it “a years-long journey” to build a center that serves Southside and helps residents thrive.

The center launched its first phase back in 2010, building an auditorium, classrooms, and office space.

This most recent expansion addressed what was still needed in Southside: recreational offerings. Now, after 15 months of construction and an $8.3 million investment, it’s time to welcome the community inside.

A pile of dirt surrounded by people holding shovels and bulldozers to mark the community center's groundbreaking. — This latest round of expansion was know as the “Recreation Phase” for the community center.
|
Photo via the City of Asheville

Shiny and new

The Southside community center now sports a gymnasium, an outdoor basketball court, more community rooms, and plenty of open space meant for socializing and studying.

It also features an outdoor swimming pool, a facility added to the expansion plans after the Asheville City Council voted to close Walton Street Pool in 2021.

As for recreational activities, Southside residents are invited to come by the center and share their ideas for programming. So far basketball, water aerobics, and fitness classes are on the menu.

Celebrate good times

The Southside community is invited to attend Asheville Parks & Recreation’s block party and ribbon cutting on Friday, August 4, 5:30-8 p.m. to tour the facilities and celebrate with music, drink, food, and games.

The Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Community Center is at 285 Livingston St. and is open Monday-Friday starting at 10 a.m.

Events

Thursday, July 20

Women’s World Cup on the Big Screen | Thursday, July 20-Sunday, Aug. 20 | Times vary | plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St., Asheville | Free | Root for Team USA with a beverage in hand.
Tai Chi for Beginners | Thursday, July 20 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Dragon Phoenix, 51 N. Merrimon Ave. #109, Asheville | $13-$15 | Practice the Yang 10 and 24 forms along with some Qigong exercises.

Friday, July 21

July American Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive at Asheville Outlets | Friday, July 21 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | Make a big difference with a small donation at the mobile blood drive.
Pickup Volleyball | Friday, July 21 | 5-10 p.m. | The Meadow at Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | $5 | Get your friends together for an evening of volleyball, beer, and good times.
Downtown After 5 | Friday, July 21 | 5-9:30 p.m. | Downtown Asheville, 100 Block of N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Enjoy local beer, cider, wine + food while jamming to The Rumble ft. Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. and Funk’n Around.

Saturday, July 22

Carrier Cup: Cornhole, Kanjam, Spikeball | Saturday, July 22 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | $0-$5 | Get your competitive spirit flowing in the three separate single-elimination tournaments.
Goat Yoga with Kidding around Asheville | Saturday, July 22 | 6-7 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $45 | Enjoy a relaxing evening of yoga surrounded by lots of lovable baby goats.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Community

Your ultimate guide to Asheville has arrived

Fall in love with the city even more with our Ultimate City Guide. | Graphic by 6AM City

We all know that Asheville is a special place with a never-ending supply of things to do, see, and experience. That got us thinking — we already spend our days helping you get the most out of our city. So what if we curated a collection of guides that will be updated and available anytime to help you navigate all our great city has to offer?

That’s just what we’ve done. Say hello to AVLtoday’s City Guide, your ultimate digital destination for the best ways to get out there and learn about the city you love.

We’ve broken the guides into three categories:

LIVE — Schools, neighborhoods, and unwritten rules of the city
WORK — Top industries, startups, and great spots to work outside
PLAY — Parks, festivals, hikes, and date nights

That just scratches the surface. We’ve got guides to local Airbnb and Vrbo rentals, navigating the airport, volunteer opportunities around town, and even where you and your pooch can grab a drink together.

Ready to get to know your city even better? Check out the link below. And if there’s a guide you’d love to see, send us a suggestion because this list of guides will just keep growing.

Oh, and one more thing. For all you marketing folks out there, we have one exclusive sponsorship available. We will feature your brand next to everywhere the guides appear in the newsletter, website, and social media. It’s an opportunity that won’t last long, so drop us a line.

Start exploring now

News Notes

Civic

An animal ordinance change was approved by Buncombe County this week. Homeowners are required to remove food sources like bird feeders from their property if they begin to attract wildlife. Animal control will be enforcing this ordinance before issuing citations. (WLOS)

Try This

Asheville nerds are organizing. A local chapter of Nerd Nite is launching Thursday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at The River Arts District Brewing Co. Gather for entertaining lessons on topics like why science says having superpowers would kill you + firefly sex and cannibalism.

Tech

Mark your calendars for Retro Tech Day at Pack Memorial Library on Friday, July 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. Explore hands-on stations displaying retro tech like 8 tracks, old video games, and even colonial handwriting. Plus, stop by the WNC Repair Cafe for handstitching and mending on items in need of repair.

Wellness

A support group for members of the food and beverage industry facing addiction has relaunched. Ben’s Friends hosts meetings every Sunday at 10 a.m. at Rabbit Hole at Sunny Point Café. Anyone in the industry who has found sobriety, or wants to talk to those who have, is welcome to attend. (Mountain Xpress)

Eat

Curious about canning and preserving? This Saturday, July 22, the WNC Farmers Market is hosting “Save and Seal the Summer,” a free demonstration of food preservation techniques. Join at the WNC FoodWorks kitchen (570 Brevard Rd.) and learn to quick pickle, can, and avoid food waste. (Mountain Xpress)

Shop

Calling all roller skaters: FishBrains Inline & Roller Skate Shop is now open. The first skate shop of its kind in our area, FishBrains sells everything from skates to toe stops to tees. Find it at 39 Glendale Ave., Unit 101 on Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Opening

Mission Health just celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Sweeten Creek Mental Health and Wellness Center. The facility will treat a wide range of behavioral health conditions + feature a therapy gymnasium, music therapy, art therapy, outdoor recreation space, gardening, and more on a 26-acre property. Learn more + see services.*

Travel

We’re gonna need more peanuts

How to navigate the Asheville Regional Airport

Allegiant Airlines offers direct flights to Austin, Boston, Key West, and 10+ other spots. | Photo via Asheville Airport

The latest numbers on Asheville Regional Airport are in — and 2022 was a record-breaking year of growth for the airport.

Check out some of the stats that bumped Asheville Airport up to be the third busiest airport in NC:

Over 1.8 million passengers were served.
Passenger count grew by 29% year over year.
The airport contributed about $2.26 billion in annual regional economic impact.
Seven new full-time jobs were created and filled.

Don’t forget about the airport’s biggest construction project in history — read on about the project + everything you need to know when flying through Asheville Regional Airport in our guide.

Our complete airport guide

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The Wrap

Todays edition by:
Sarah Leonhardt

From the editor

A small bit of development news in town: The Asheville High School gym is renovating its floor, bleachers, and lighting for $919,829.

Adult me hopes the students and teachers are excited for the change (high school me is probably still trying to figure out how to sneak a novel into gym class).

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