Plus, Asheville's new Fire Chief.
 
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Today’s Forecast

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

Paving the way for new trails in Old Fort

More trails coming to Old Fort with the help of state funding
A group of bikers gathered on a trail.
The expansion brings accessible recreation + economic development. | Photo by Darrell Cassell
The G5 Trail Collective, an Old Fort-based nonprofit under the umbrella of nonprofit camp and recreation hub Camp Grier, received $2.5 million from the state to build 25-30 miles of trails over the next two years. The allocation was outlined in the state budget that became law earlier this week.

G5 partners with the US Forest Service (USFS), trail-user groups, and the local community to create more accessible pathways, extending trails through the Pisgah National Forest.

In late 2021, the Grandfather Ranger District approved the Old Fort Trails Project, which created plans to build 42 miles of new trails from Catawba Falls to Curtis Creek. Ten miles of trail are currently open, with opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The new state funding will bring the project close to completion within the next two years. “Right now, what we’re doing is we’re looking at those remaining trails to be built. There’s about 16 trails left that were approved back in 2021 that haven’t been built yet,” shares Lisa Jennings of the USFS. G5 and its partners hope to add a dozen new trails with this funding, taking community needs and connections into account to decide which trails will take priority.

But the mission at hand involves far more than creating trails — their work aims to use the growing outdoor economy in Old Fort to create equitable community development.

As a result of the investments in trails, two new developments are on track to serve the town. Camp Grier’s Grier Village will add about 75,000 sqft of lodging, student housing, and classroom spaces on 150 acres. Plus, Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation’s Innovation Hub will expand into a commercial facility, adding a state-of-the-art film studio, commissary kitchen, and meeting space.

How you can help

Jason McDougald, executive director of Camp Grier, shared that G5 Trail Collective will likely have to double or triple its volunteer base in the next two years to help with trail work. Find opportunities to get involved, like during the Fall Trail Work Weekend on Friday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Nov. 19.
Atelier Maison
 
Events
Wednesday, Oct. 4
  • Silent Book Club | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | Free | Bring a book for some quiet reading time, then share what you’re reading and meet new friends at this kickoff event.
  • Old-Time Jam | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 5 p.m. | Jack of the Wood, 95 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Tap your foot to the beat of traditional Appalachian tunes from local musicians.
Thursday, Oct. 5
  • Juniper Bends Reading Series | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | Free | Hear works from three writers and one live musician at this quarterly reading series.
  • International Fly Fishing Film Festival | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 7 p.m. | Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville | $15 | Settle in for films from across the world that showcase the passion and culture of fly fishing.
Friday, Oct. 6
  • First Friday | Friday, Oct. 6 | 5-8 p.m. | The Block (Eagle and S. Market), 39 S. Market St., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the three-year anniversary of Noir Collective, stop by LEAF for a live musical performance, and visit Eagle Market Place to view two films about the contributions of the Asheville Black community.
  • Adult Ukulele Class | Friday, Oct. 6-Friday, Dec. 15 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Asheville Music School, 10 Ridgelawn Rd., Asheville | $195 | Learn to strum, finger pick, change chords, and maybe even sing during this 10-class workshop.
Saturday, Oct. 7
  • The Great Pumpkin Pop-Up | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 12-4 p.m. | Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Asheville | Free | Put on your costumes to arrive in style for a pumpkin-decorating class, live music, vendor pop-ups, candy, and more.
  • Houseplants 101: A Beginners Guide to Cultivating an Indoor Jungle | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 10-11 a.m. | Reems Creek Nursery, 76 Monticello Rd., Weaverville | Free | Learn what it takes to have a green thumb, like the basics of watering, fertilizing, plant placement, and more.
Events calendar here
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Wellness

3 hair thinning FAQs (and how Nutrafol can help)
Rotating images of women, Nutrafol hair growth supplement bottles
In a clinical study, 90% of women saw overall improvement in their hair after six months of taking Nutrafol Womens Hair Growth Supplement. | Photos provided by Nutrafol
Q: Does menopause affect hair?
A: As menopause begins, estrogen and progesterone decline, potentially contributing to thinning.

Q: Does hair change as you age?
A: Yes. Root causes of thinning change over time, so Nutrafol created multiple formulas for different life stages.

Q: Will Nutrafol work on my hair type?
A: Nutrafol was formulated to promote hair growth for all hair types.
Learn more about Nutrafol hair growth supplements
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
News Notes
Civic
  • The City of Asheville announced that Michael Cayse has been appointed the new Fire Chief of the Asheville Fire Department. Cayse has been in public safety for 34 years, arriving in Asheville after spending much of his career in Cincinnati, Ohio. He begins the position on January 2, 2024.
Environment
  • The WNC Nature Center has welcomed two new friends, raccoons Grace and Frankie. The duo came from Appalachian Wildlife Refuge and can be visited between the habitats for the red and gray foxes. (WLOS)
Tech
  • FEMA plans to test its Emergency Alert System today, Wednesday, Oct. 4, between 2:20 and 2:50 p.m. This means your phone will receive a message from the federal agency around that time frame. Remember: This is a test.
Opening
  • Have a dream of starting a food truck or bottling your famous hot sauce? WNC Foodworks could help lower the barrier of entry to make your dream come true. The shared-use commercial kitchen is celebrating its grand opening at the WNC Farmers Market on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. — find tour details and RSVP.
Cause
  • You can help make a difference in the lives of adults living in long-term care facilities. The Ombudsman Program with Land of Sky Regional Council’s Area Agency on Aging is seeking Community Advisory Committee volunteers to advocate for residents and ensure residents’ rights are met. Learn more + contact Lead Regional Ombudsman Cori Search for details.
Active
  • Have boules of steel? Pétanque boules, that is. Get the chance to learn from World Champion Marco Foyot to master how to play as a team + pick up strategies for game play in clinics on Tuesday, Oct. 17 and Wednesday, Oct. 18 at RendezVous. Contact Michel from Asheville Pétanque to register.
Outdoors
Finance
 
Outdoors

Monarch butterflies are migrating

Monarch butterflies will soon migrate through Asheville
Monarch butterfly sitting on orange fall leaves.
Spot the black and white speckled wings. | Photo by Brett Billings via USFWS
Monarch butterflies will soon be on the move. The orange winged creatures will migrate 2,000+ miles south to Mexico, passing through WNC from mid-September until mid-October.

One of the few insects that migrate to warmer climates, monarchs flee their homes in the eastern United States + southern Canada each fall and make the journey to Central America and California to ride out the winter chill. While there, the elegant insects hibernate for six to eight months in fir or eucalyptus trees before laying eggs and migrating back north in March.

One of your best bets for catching a glimpse of the bivouacs as they make their local pit stop is to visit high-elevation areas along the Blue Ridge Parkway (like Pounding Mill or Cherry Cove overlooks) — plus, you’ll get the added bonus of seeing the gorgeous fall foliage.

You can also mark your calendar for the NC Arboretum’s annual Monarch Day on Saturday, Sept. 28. Among a number of events and activities, the arboretum will host its fall plant sale and a monarch tagging-and-release demonstration.

But as you admire these colorful critters, it’s also important to help protect them.

Over the past two decades, monarch numbers have declined due to habitat loss, misuse of pesticides, and climate change, but you can help build the future for the species in your own backyard. Milkweed is the only plant monarchs lay their eggs on and is the only plant that monarch caterpillars feed on. By adding it and other native pollinator plants (like black-eyed susans and coneflowers) to your garden, you can give the species the resources they need for a bright (orange) future.
Shop

Shop Group A 10.4.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Wellness
Try This
  • Treat yourself to a self-care upgrade with Roosevelt Supply Co’s Anti-Aging Face Lotion. Keep your skin looking fresh and youthful.
Drink
  • Ghosts have never looked cuter than on these Halloween glass can cups. Snag them from one of Etsy’s Star Sellers (read: smooth shipping + great reviews).
Seasonal
  • Looking for something comfy for fall? This best-selling crewneck sweater can be customized to your style, thanks to colors from nutmeg to apricot to rose red.
Outdoors
  • If you’re camping, lounging, or cheering from the sidelines, make things more comfortable with a heated, cushioned folding chair. Adjust the temperature between three heat settings.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Grace
From the editor
If you spot some monarchs on their migration journey, I’d love to see the photo evidence. Send your photos, and we may feature them on our Instagram.
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