May 3, 2024

Today’s Forecast

76º | 46% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. | Sunset 8:18 p.m.

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Meet six legendary Asheville athletes

The NC Sports Hall of Fame is located inside the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. | Photo via Bob Crawford

On Friday, May 10, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame will honor its 2024 induction class, spotlighting some of our state’s greatest athletes. This year’s roster includes one of the UNC Asheville Bulldogs’ women’s basketball superstars, Sheila Ford Duncan.

In honor of Duncan’s upcoming honor at the Charlotte Convention Center, we’re giving you the low-down on our state’s Sports Hall of Fame athletes who have ties to the Land of the Sky.

Sheila Ford Duncan

The first player in women’s collegiate history to score more than 2,000 points (2,442 to be exact), Duncan holds 18 records at UNC Asheville. She led UNC Asheville to victory in the 1984 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championship, earning 26 points and 21 rebounds in the championship game and securing the title of NAIA National Player of the Year. Post-college, Duncan played professionally in Spain.

Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice

The legendary football star was born in Asheville in 1924. He led the Lee Edwards High School (now Asheville High School) team through two undefeated seasons, then joined the Navy after graduating. When he returned from service, Justice turned down a pro football contract to start college and played four years at UNC Chapel Hill. After racking up a plethora of accolades in college ball, including the title of MVP of the 1950 College All-Star Game, Justice went pro with the team now known as the Washington Commanders and later returned to UNC Chapel Hill as an assistant coach.

Lightpost banners advertising the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame — The hall celebrates our state’s greatest athletes.
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Photo via Bob Crawford

Henry Logan

The Asheville native averaged more than 30 points per game during his career as an All-American guard at Western Carolina University in 1967 and 1968, and he remains the school’s top scorer with 3,290 points over his career. Logan is believed to be the first African American player to play at a predominately white college in the Southeast. He later went on to play professionally for the Oakland Oaks of the American Basketball Association (ABA), where he helped lead the team to earning the 1969 ABA Championship.

Three more sports greats

Events

Friday, May 3

First Friday | Friday, May 3 | 5-7 p.m. | The Block, 39 S. Market St., Asheville | Free | Experience the vibrancy of the historical Black business district with shopping, live music, and food + drinks at this monthly gathering.
Drag Music Bingo | Friday, May 3 | 7-9 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co. Downtown Taproom, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Your host, Divine the Bearded Lady, will have you dancing along as you try and guess the tune.

Saturday, May 4

Rocky’s Collective Putt-Putt Classic | Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Salt Face Mule Brewing Co., 450 Weaverville Hwy., Asheville | $75-$500 | Play some mini golf to support the UNC Asheville men’s basketball team — tickets include a beverage, burger, and round of putt-putt.
Kentucky Derby Party | Saturday, May 4 | 2:30 p.m. | Asheville Sports Club, 137 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Sip on a Mint Julep while crafting a unique cap at the build-your-own trucker hat bar.
Light Side Dark Side | Saturday, May 4 | 4 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage Co., 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Ste. 10, Asheville | Free | Come in costume to play “Star Wars” trivia, grab food from the Shaabingo Jamaican Street Food truck, and be the first to try Devil’s Foot’s cola and lemon-lime sodas.

Sunday, May 5

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament | Sunday, May 5 | 4:30-9:30 p.m. | The Nerd Dungeon, 505 New Leicester Hwy., Asheville | $10 | Show off your gaming skills with a friendly competition and tournament with prizes.
Festy at the Westy | Sunday, May 5 | 6-9 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $5 | This new Sunday spring residency will feature music from Osprey Orchestra, on-site vendors, flow and visual arts, and of course, beer.

Monday, May 6

Petanque Intro and Games | Monday, May 6 | 12:15-1:15 p.m. | Reuter Family YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville | Free | Michele Baudain, owner of Rendevouz (where Petanque games are played regularly), will give you an introduction to the game alongside 2024 National Petanque winners.

Make your weekend plans

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News Notes

Biz

Chai Pani’s last day of service at 22 Battery Park Ave. will be Sunday, May 12. The restaurant will be closed from Monday, May 13 to Monday, May 20 as it moves into its new, larger location at 32 Banks Ave. Ring in the new space at its grand opening on Tuesday, May 21.

Number

30. That’s how many years Highland Brewing Co. has been in business — celebrate its milestone anniversary tomorrow, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at The Big Bash. Step into the photo booth, journey through the heritage hall, and raise an exclusive anniversary brew or throwback draft to Asheville’s first brewery.

Arts

The Asheville Art Museum will debut a new exhibition, “Shifting Perceptions: Photographs from the Collection,” on Friday, May 17. The exhibition will feature photographs exploring opposing forces, curated into three sections: Inside/Out, Together/Apart, and Natural/Unnatural. See it through Monday, Sept. 23.

Open

Doggy daycare center Central Bark recently opened at 4 Regent Park Blvd., offering grooming, boarding, and training services for your furry friends. On Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring your best friend to its grand opening celebration for treats, activities, special giveaways, and a tour of the space.

Shop

Show & Tell is popping back up at Rabbit Rabbit this Sunday, May 5 from 12 to 5 p.m. for its first Sunday Market of the season. Shop from 50+ vendors selling curated goods, with food and bevs from AVL Taco and Asheville Pizza & Brewing. Then do it all over again in June and July.

Drink Up

Drink Up Week — our annual celebration of Asheville’s vibrant beverage culture — is coming July 22-July 26. If you’re a local business, you’re going to want to get in on the buzz. Be our exclusive presenting sponsor and advertise your brand with us during Drink Up Week.

Featured Home

This soaring Riverberch home is a sight to see, with a beautiful fenced-in yard, brand-new back deck, and warm, open layout. Plus, our favorite part — a dreamy California-style walk-in closet.*

Holiday

Unique experiences to celebrate Mother’s Day

Spend the morning at Hickory Nut Gap Farm for an avian adventure. | Photo via Hickory Nut Gap

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 12 — and if you’re looking to treat the mother figure in your life to an out-of-the-box experience, you’re in the right place.

Mother’s Day Spring Birding | Sunday, May 12 | 8 a.m.-11 a.m. | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd., Fairview | $30 | Embark on a tour of the farm with birder Clifton Avery to spot native avians, then enjoy a biscuit brunch from butcher Brian’s kitchen.

Mother’s Day Stand-Up Comedy | Sunday, May 12 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | $15 | Treat mom to dinner, drinks, and a night of laughs, hosted by Hilliary Begley — mom can try out her own jokes during the open mic.

Rose Ink Plant Pigment Workshop | Sunday, May 12 | 12-2:30 p.m. | Art Garden AVL, 191 Lyman St., Ste. 320, Asheville | $55 | Flowers are a staple of the day, and Annie Kyla will guide you through brewing vibrant pink ink from rose petals for painting and drawing.

The Buy

Ingredients for a perfect margarita. Try the Simple Times Mizers Margarita Bundle to get a taste of something new, like the Strawberry Safe mix.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

If you’re in search of a four-legged friend to take to Central Bark, the Asheville Humane Society is waiving adoption fees through tomorrow, May 4 with the help of Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters National Adoption Event. Head to its website to look at the adorable adoptable pets.

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