Plus, MAHEC builds tiny homes for health sciences students.
 
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Today’s Forecast

91º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:59 a.m. | Sunset 8:02 p.m.

 

A Message From Our Team
Let the fun begin. You gave us the 411 on all the best places in Asheville. Now that your nominations are in, get ready to vote when polls open September 2.
 

Explore 47 years of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail issues a celebratory challenge
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Travel one mile for every year of the trail’s existence. | Photo by @kk_hikes
Forty-seven years ago this September, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) began as an offhand remark during a speech at a trail conference in Lake Junaluska.

It was 1977, and then Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Howard Lee, had been pushing the establishment of trails + greenways across the state. Lee was asked by Jim Hallsey, the head of the trails division, to propose a trail running from the mountains to the ocean, so he casually mentioned the idea in his address. And it got a standing ovation.

Lee hadn’t actually gotten clearance from the governor’s office to make that proposal and had to return to make his justification. Luckily, though, Gov. Jim Hunt was on board and told Lee to take it on. In the first year, the team pulled together ~400 acres that would become the trail’s original segment, but it would be at least a decade before it really took form.

The MST was designated a state trail in 2000, and nowadays, it’s 1,175 miles long. When it’s finished, the trail will stretch about 1,400 miles, from NC’s western border to Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the coast.

Bonus: That’s just part of the story — read NC Rabbit Hole’s interview with Howard Lee.

Map of the current Mountains-to-Sea Trail

You’ve got from Sunday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 30 to complete the challenge.

|

Map via NC Trails

Ride, hike, walk, or work

It’s been 47 years since the line that launched the flagship state trail, and the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail are telling you to take a hike (in a celebratory way — not a snub).

You can join the birthday challenge by hiking or paddling 47 miles, biking 147 miles, or volunteering 15 hours on the MST during the month of September. Those who complete the challenge are eligible to win prizes.

If you want some company out on the trail, you can also join a group hike, workday, or event throughout the month. Pro tip: Register for the first Asheville hike on Thursday, Sept. 5.
This isn't the only trail to hit
The Venue
 
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 28
  • Grove Street Card Sharks | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 2-5 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center | Free | Raise the stakes and hit the jackpot during a weekly meetup to play card games like bid whist and spades.
  • “Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart” | Wednesday, Aug. 28-Sunday, Sept. 1 | Times vary | North Carolina Stage Company | $10-$48 | Witness the courage, perseverance, and leadership of a star player who lived in a world of segregation and discrimination.
Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Family-Friendly Dungeons and Dragons | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 1-4 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe | $15 | Embark on thrilling quests designed for first-time adventurers and seasoned heroes alike.
  • UNC Asheville Women’s Soccer | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 6-8:30 p.m. | UNC Asheville - Greenwood Field | Free | Cheer on our hometown team as they take on Jacksonville State.
Friday, Aug. 30
  • 6th Anniversary | Friday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 2 | Times vary | plēb urban winery | Celebrate the winery’s birthday with a weekend of new releases, an Ironman competition, trivia, donut + wine pairings, and a grape stomp.
  • Bleeding Heart’s Literary Open Mic | Friday, Aug. 30 | 7-9 p.m. | Homebody Art Collective | Free | Bring your old journals or raid your Notes app for a night of raw creative expression.
  • Earl Scruggs Music Festival | Friday, Aug. 30, Saturday, Aug. 31, Sunday, Sept. 1 | Times vary | Tryon International Equestrian Center | $80-$650 | Spend Labor Day Weekend jamming to bluegrass, Americana, and roots with artists like Tanya Tucker, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart + more (psst: children 12 and under free with a GA ticket).*
Saturday, Aug. 31
  • Cat Trivia | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic | $20 per team | Test your knowledge of feline-centric facts, win some purrrfect prizes, and support Binx’s Home for Black Cats.
  • Last Call | Saturday, Aug. 31 | 10:30 p.m. | DSSOLVR | $15 | Round out your night on the town with a lineup of local and national comedians.
Schedule your midweek pick-me-up
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Learn

Culture

Back to school learning cool new skills as an adult
Presented by Rosetta Stone
Person seated at table wearing headphones and using a laptop to complete a Rosetta Stone language lesson
A new school year is a great reminder that learning is a lifelong skill. | Photo provided by Rosetta Stone
Name three reasons Rosetta Stone has been a trusted name in language learning for over 30 years? Easy:
  • The immersive platform offers expert-crafted courses in 25+ languages.
  • Just 13 hours of study with Rosetta Stone is equivalent to a full semester of college Spanish.
  • With lessons as short as five minutes, you can hone your skills between classes or meetings, on your commute, or even replace some mindless social media scrolling.
Ready to start learning? Get 50% off 25 languages with Lifetime Unlimited.
Explore the world
News Notes
Opening
  • This feels too gouda to be true. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Asheville Charcuterie Co. will open for brick-and-mortar business at 25 Page Ave., Ste. 102. Stop by for snacks, gifts, and walk-in charcuterie.
Featured
  • Silver and Cherry Iocovozzi of Neng Jr.'s are the cover story for Bon Appetit’s September “Relationships” issue. Surrounded by friends, the Asheville couple shared a recipe for smoky tomato spaghetti — and a romantic dinner at home. Bonus: They also shared that this year, they’re hoping to open Harmony, a wine-store-karaoke-bar combo near the restaurant.
Ranked
  • No. 22. That’s where Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill landed on Southern Living’s list of the South’s best new barbecue joints (which includes spots that have opened since the list was last updated in 2021). The ranking lauded dishes like the slow-smoked brisket and baby back ribs — holy smokes, we’re hungry. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Edu
  • She made the grade. Carrie Buchanan, principal at Hall Fletcher Elementary School, was awarded Principal of the Year by Asheville City Schools. Superintendent Dr. Maggie Fehrman cited Buchanan’s “warm and welcoming leadership style” and the school’s achievement among the reasons for the honor. (Mountain Xpress)
Arts
  • The writing is on the wall — Flatiron Writers Room’s fall workshops are almost here. The schedule includes expert courses in topics like scriptwriting, memoirs, literary magazine submission, and storytelling. Explore the offerings, and learn more about scholarships.
Number
  • $1.39 billion. That’s how much money Blue Ridge Parkway visitors spent in adjacent communities in 2023, according to a new report from the National Park Service. The collective 16,757,635 visitors across NC and VA supported more than 19,000 jobs and had a cumulative economic benefit of over $1.8 billion.
Environment
  • The City of Asheville released the results of its sustainability building rebates survey, reflecting on the program that offers rebates on permit fees for new and renovated residences when they include sustainable elements, like solar panels. Check out the results, which will guide updates to the program.
Travel
  • Our favorite travel hack? Flykitt by Fount. It’s trusted by Navy SEALS and pro athletes to conquer jet lag. Try it for yourself — use code NOJETLAG for 10% off.*
 
Cause

MAHEC builds an opportunity

Mountain Area Health Education Center builds opportunity for local health sciences students
Four tiny homes being built for medical students by Mountain Area Health Education Center
Students doing nearby rotations will pay a small fee for the 350-sqft homes. | Photo via MAHEC
Rural communities are beneficiaries of the wild beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but their relative isolation can lead to unexpected challenges — especially regarding healthcare access. So Asheville-based nonprofit Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) is opening the door to a housing pilot program for area health sciences students.

Residency programs in rural locations help address a physician shortage, but housing for medical residents presents a problem. A limited rental market leads to students having trouble getting a secure, affordable roof over their heads.

So MAHEC, which works to improve WNC healthcare professionals’ training and retention, is building tiny homes. The four dwellings in Sylva will be available to health sciences students rotating in surrounding communities. Although provision of housing is common for healthcare training, it’s the first time tiny homes have been used for any of NC’s nine AHECs.
Learn how to support
The Buy
🛍️ Labor Day weekend sales have begun. Check out some of the best markdowns we’ve found on Amazon:

This walking pad treadmill is 63% off.

Snag a Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner while it’s 26% off.

These pretty lab-grown moissanite earrings are 50% off.

Great for kitchen prep, this mixing bowl + air-tight lid set is 54% off.

Get a weighted blanket 50% off.

This multiple device USB charging station is 48% off.
Shop Amazon's Labor Day sale
 
The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
Today is 828 Day, a celebration of the local hospitality, food, and beverage industry (because it’s Aug. 28, in case you haven’t had your coffee yet). It’s a great excuse to dine out and tip generously, but if you want to take your support a step further, the Asheville Tourists are auctioning off special “Power of Travel” jerseys worn during tonight’s game to benefit AIR’s Financial Empowerment Program. Pro tip: If you’re a hospitality or food industry worker, you can also take advantage of a special ticket offer to tonight’s game.
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