Clean Waters Director Hartwell Carson explained how the program has quickly grown. | Photo by AVLtoday
Since Helene ravaged the region’s rivers, MountainTrue volunteers and employees have handpicked 4 million pounds of debris out of WNC waterways.
In July, the NC Department of Environmental Quality awarded the environmental nonprofit $10 million for storm cleanup, creating one of WNC’s largest ever river cleanup operations. And with a new $750,000 grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy Truist WNC Recovery and Resiliency Fund, MountainTrue will expand its efforts even further.
The grant allows the addition of a crew with more technical experience for clearing less accessible areas. Its River Debris Cleanup Program currently employs 79 people, many of whom were left without work after the storm, and will now expand geographically to the upper French Broad and Nolichucky watersheds in eastern Tennessee.
Debris removal will continue through August 2027. “We’ll be here ‘til the last bag of trash is gone,” said MountainTrue Clean Waters Director Hartwell Carson.
Even through rainy, 40-degree mornings, MountainTrue’s eight cleanup teams are pulling 10,000 pounds of debris out of the waterways per day. But among the trash, shards of metal, and PVC piping picked up are people’s precious belongings.
If you’re looking for another way to support MountainTrue, its online fall native plant sale is live through this Friday, Oct. 31. Take a look at the available plants, sourced from Carolina Native Nursery. Pickup is Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Oteen Baptist Church.
Seasonal
The undead are invading the South Slope for the Zombie Crawl on Saturday, Nov. 1. Stop by area businesses in costume for some scary fun specials and activities. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. and go through the graveyard shift.
Community
Asheville’s NAACP chapter is back after a six-year break, led by new president Justin Blackburn. The organization hopes to increase representation for BIPOC communities and address inequalities in housing and the workforce. Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at St. James AME Church. (WLOS)
Coming Soon
The crown jewel of Christmas at Biltmore — the Banquet Hall’s 35-foot Fraser fir — goes up this morning. Christmas at Biltmore begins this Saturday, Nov. 1 and runs through early January. Explore ticket options and candlelight Christmas tours.
Development
Design for a new Oakley Public Safety Complex is underway. A new building for Fire Station 9 will be built at 711 Fairview Rd., currently home to the Asheville Police Department’s Oakley Resource Center. Then the existing fire station will be renovated and the Asheville Police Department’s resource center will relocate following the updates.
Arts
Orbit DVD recently debuted a damn fine Twin Peaks mural paying homage to David Lynch and slyly welcoming Rowan Coffee next door in their new spot. See the masterpiece.
Kids
Coinciding with the Ingles Southern Conference Volleyball Championship beginning Thursday, Nov. 20, Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission are sharing the love of the game with the next generation. The free SoCon Downtown Volley will teach K-4th grade kids the basics — reserve a spot.
Regional
BorgWarner is investing $75 million into a new advanced manufacturing facility in Hendersonville, expected to create 193 jobs. Over the 12-year term of the grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $583 million.
Real Estate
We love the classic red brick look, especially when the home sits on a private 1+ acre property near downtown Asheville. Take a look inside (and don’t miss the matching fireplace).*
Seasonal
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Featured Home
Historic charm meets contemporary updates in this idyllic West Asheville home that’s walkable to Haywood Road + the River Arts District. Discover original heart pine floors, charming built-ins, and lofty ceilings when you take a virtual tour.*
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay to see a licensed dietitian with Nourish. Find a dietitian covered by insurance and build a personalized nutrition plan.*
The Buy
A set of versatile mixing bowls that are on sale for a limited time. The bowls feature easy-to-open, air tight lids, making the transition from prep to storage a breeze. Use them for everything from kneading bread dough to mixing batter to putting together a salad for a potluck crowd.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
This week marks 40 years since the fictional plot began in the “Back to the Future” trilogy. Great Scott. We still don’t have flying cars, levitating skateboards, or self-drying jackets, but we can always look at a bygone era of Asheville for a little nostalgia.
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