09.18.2024

Today’s Forecast

71º | 55% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:15 a.m. | Sunset 7:32 p.m.

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✍️ Walk it like you ~~talk~~ draw it

Seeing Asheville through the eyes of artist Karine Rupp-Stanko

Each drawing is a treasure. | Photo by AVLtoday

Some have called Karine Rupp-Stanko’s drawings childish — but she takes that as a compliment. From an impassioned ode to the corner of shops beside the Haywood Road Ingles to a humorous notion that more tattoo artists occupy Haywood Road than bakers, her whimsical illustrations paint a charming picture of West Asheville.

You may have seen Rupp Stanko’s Instagram page, @up_and_down_asheville. But we’re stepping beyond the paper to find what inspires her meditative and observational work — particularly her latest zine, available at AVL Zine Fest this weekend.

Asheville on paper

Rupp-Stanko doesn’t drive — it’s walking, biking, or riding the bus where she gets inspiration for her art. “Not driving gives you a very different pace and gaze on the neighborhood,” she said. As she explores the smallest of areas, like her block, she says there’s a never-ending supply of new things to draw.

“I’ve never lived in a place like this,” she said, comparing Asheville to the historic town in France where she grew up. She admires the beauty of her hometown’s tall white buildings, but said, “It’s always the same.” Since she moved here in 2020, she has seen homes, shops, and art change. “It’s just so alive,” she said.

Her colorful illustrations are penciled and inked onto paper scraps, old notebook pages, junk mailers, and sometimes grocery bags. Pieces are then put in a collage to illustrate personalized local scenes.

Rupp-Stanko is a self-described ambivert, striking a balance between introverted and extroverted tendencies. Although her illustrations are intensely personal, for example illustrating the smells she encounters on a walk to West Asheville Library, her ultimate goal is to connect the community. “If I can even encourage 10 people to pay attention, I see the result in the way people talk — like ‘Oh, did you notice this?’”

The latest zine

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 18

MountainTrue Brainy Brews | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 6-7 p.m. | The River Arts District Brewing Co. | Free | Learn all about solar energy, financial incentives, and tax benefits for 2024 — if homeowners bring their power bill, their first drink is on Sugar Hollow Solar.
“Common Ground” Screening | Wednesday, Sept. 18-Thursday, Sept. 19 | 6-9 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage | Free | Earth Fare presents two screenings of the documentary that shares messages of unity and sustainability.

Thursday, Sept. 19

Music Mashup | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing RAD Beer Garden | Free | Put your music knowledge to the test for this trivia night featuring games like “name that tune” and “don’t forget the lyrics.”

Friday, Sept. 20

Edible Park Workday | Friday, Sept. 20 | 2:30-5:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center | Free | Join Asheville Parks and Recreation, Bountiful Cities, and the East End Valley Street Neighborhood Association to keep Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park in tip-top shape.
Downtown After 5 | Friday, Sept. 20 | 5-9 p.m. | North Lexington Avenue | Free | Don’t miss the last of this summer series — the Outdoor Rec Fest theme benefits RiverLink and features performances from Paul McDonald and Oliver Hazard.

Saturday, Sept. 21

Sacred Circle for Girls: Self-Connection, Confidence, & Emotional Thriving | Saturday, Sept. 21-Saturday, Nov. 30 | Times vary | Private residence in West Asheville | $265 | Girls ages 11-17 can join the six-session program to learn skills that cultivate belonging.
Shrektoberfest | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 3 p.m.-1 a.m. | DSSOLVR | Free | Be transported to a swamp far, far away with an onion toss, ogre stein hold competition, and Shrek roar competition.

More happenings here

Click here to have your event featured.

Biz

🏠 3 reasons to work with the owner directly

Three people stand in front of a construction site. Two are shaking hands.

Talk about longtime local: MB HAYNES has operated in North Carolina for 100+ years. | Photo provided by MB HAYNES

Picture this: You submit a home maintenance request, but instead of sending a crew, the owner shows up to do the repair.

At a typical biz, this is pretty unlikely.

But when you work with a 100% employee-owned company like Asheville’s own MB HAYNES, every visit is an owner visit. Because every employee, from secretary to CFO to electrician, is a stakeholder.

Here’s why this unique approach benefits everyone:

All owners want to see their company succeed

At MB HAYNES, employees have a vested interest in the company’s performance. When the company grows, their investment grows with it.

This leads to:

Exceptional Service: With each employee committed to company success, there’s a greater focus on quality, customer satisfaction, and long-term relationships.
Enhanced Company Culture: Employee ownership fosters a culture of pride, responsibility, and collaboration.
Increased stability: Employee-owned companies tend to be more stable + see less turnover.

In short, everybody has a more positive experience (including you).

See more employee-owned benefits

News Notes

Arts

This week the River Arts District Artists launched the Wendy Whitson Artist Fund, a new program presenting three scholarships to local artists. Learn more about the awards, which offer rent assistance, RADA membership and benefits, stipends, and more. See eligibility requirements and apply by Friday, Nov. 1.

Outdoors

Construction on the first segment of the Swannanoa River Greenway has begun and is expected to be finished in late 2025. The bond-funded, mile-long pathway connects to Riverbend Park, extending to the intersection of Glendale Avenue and Thompson Street. More segments, connecting to West Asheville greenways, will be added in the future.

Transit

Starting this week, accessibility improvements will begin in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, Rankin Avenue, and Wall Street parking garages. Detours will be in place at the HCCA garage as a concrete planter is demolished to create a path connecting to the sidewalk. See what’s in store for the two other garages.

Coming Soon

Butter me up and call me a biscuit. Beth Kellerhals’ ButterPunk is getting closer to opening, with construction starting this week. Follow along with the journey on Instagram to see everything from pop-ups to decor plans.

State

After being delayed to remove the “We the People” party line, absentee ballots will be mailed to eligible military and overseas citizens on Friday, Sept. 20 and to other voters who requested ballots by mail on Tuesday, Sept. 24. The deadline for absentee ballot requests is Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Award

Boutique hotel Blind Tiger received a MICHELIN Key for 2024 from Michelin Guide. Like a MICHELIN Star indicates phenomenal cuisine, the MICHELIN Key division denotes excellence in lodging. See what was said about the Queen-Anne-style house turned hotel.

Cause

Join the Asheville Museum of Science for a night Under the Stars. The nonprofit museum will host the 10th annual fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 3 at The Mule, with music, dinner, drinks, games, and live + silent auctions. Funds will help add a new gallery exhibit and provide opportunities to students with financial barriers.

Pro Tip

Looking for a fab place (with all the amenities) to host your next event, party, retreat, or corporate gathering? Look no further. The Venue’s modern-rustic setting brings all the good vibes — plus a stress-free approach to planning with an on-site event coordinator, catering, in-house rentals + more. Make it happen.*

Listen

Picture natural sound all around you — from bustling cafes to quiet parks. With advanced directional microphones, these tiny hearing devices focus on what you want to hear, and soften what you don’t. Hear what all the fuss is about.*

Coming Soon

Did this catch your eye? That’s because locals (like you) are excited about new happenings in our city. Spread the word about your business, services, big news, or upcoming event with our 55,000+ readers.

Shop

Old slides sitting in your attic are memories just waiting to be shared. Digitize slides + film at home with the Kodak Slide N Scan, now 20% off.*

Learn

Trace the roots of local food

Trace the roots of local food at ASAP’s Farm Tour

Pilot Mountain Pears in Hendersonville will serve pear slushies for sipping. | Photo via ASAP

Asheville is a food lover’s paradise — but our delicious food scene wouldn’t exist without local farms. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how food is grown and cultivated during the annual Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) Farm Tour this Saturday + Sunday, Sept. 21-22, from 12 to 5 p.m.

Twenty-one participating farms will be open for exploration through guided tours, demonstrations, and tastings — see the detailed list to learn about accessibility, Spanish-language tours, and the offerings available at each farm.

The farms are divided into five clusters, all within about an hour drive of Asheville. Pro tip: Map out your travel routes between farms so you don’t have a cow if your cell service goes out.

This year there are plenty of new farms to explore, like The Never Ending Flower Farm and Herb Mama’s medicinal herb farm. The $35 pass is good for both days and covers all passengers in your vehicle.

The Buy

Decorate your space with this year’s trendiest fall decor. Here are five items we just added to our cart:

🍂 These velvet pumpkins to add festive flair around the house.
🍂 A hand-crafted wreath boasting beautiful autumn hues.
🍂 This welcome mat complete with seasonal adornments.
🍂 A hand-blown glass cup embellished with candy corns.
🍂 This embroidered table runner to elevate your dining space.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the US, and October is one of its busiest months. If you love the leaves but hate the crowds, check out its forecasting calendar to find the days the park is predicted to be least congested. Plus, find more tips to avoid the crowds.

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