Occupancy Cracks: As tourism industry recovers, local resistance flares
- Volume 27
- / Issue 29
Cover Design Credit:
Scott Southwick
Cover Photography Credit:
Getty Images
Victoria "Vic" Isley took up her post as the new president and CEO of the Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau Dec. 1 as the local tourism industry was wrapping up a difficult year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But signs of recovery are already stirring, and so are residents' concerns about the impacts of tourism as the industry continues to grow.
arts
Black business owners navigate distinct challenges and opportunities
New and experienced Black entrepreneurs discuss their arduous paths to success.Wayne Caldwell celebrates his debut poetry collection and imaginary muse
Over the last two years, writer Wayne Caldwell has written poems based on imaginary conversations with his fictional character Posey Green. His forthcoming poetry collection, Woodsmoke, comes out Tuesday, Feb.…Around town: Actors and poets needed, plus new art exhibits and online events
Want to dance? The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is hosting a virtual ballet workshop. Want to act? Montford Park Players is currently seeking actors for the 2021 season.…
food
Carolina Beer Guy: Hot Springs lands brewery, tacos
This past December, Big Pillow Brewing hosted its soft opening, making it the third craft brewery in Madison County, joining the Mad Co. Brew House in Marshal and the Hickory…What’s new in food: Veggie tales, ungraped wine, Nani’s flies the coop and more
Handmade skirts highlighting locally grown foods, a new homegrown delivery service from Nani's Rotisserie Chicken, a class on country winemaking, local nonprofit news and more.
living
Physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction
The pelvic floor muscles keep the bladder, rectum, uterus and prostate in place, and when they’re not healthy, it can lead to a range of issues. Further complicating matters, embarrassment…
news
E.W. Pearson Collaborative hosts first Racial Equity and Healing event
The free virtual program will share strategies for working with elected leaders to create and implement sustainable policy changes; a panel discussion will focus on effective ways to address inequity…New TDA boss sketches post-pandemic tourism plans
Victoria “Vic” Isley, the new president and CEO of the Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, says new paid advertising for Asheville, an expansion of the Buncombe County Tourism Development…Solarize Asheville-Buncombe aims to make clean energy affordable
The yearlong campaign begins April 1 and seeks to outfit at least 100 residents and businesses with solar energy systems by the end of 2021.Council cuts school board field despite teacher, community concerns
Daniel Withrow, president of the Asheville City Association of Educators, says that his organization had been preparing to make its first-ever endorsements for Asheville City Board of Education seats this…Community, Council share concerns on proposed hotel plan
After months of discussion, two Council work sessions and multiple opportunities for public engagement, frustrated residents told Asheville City Council the final hotel proposals did little to advance equity or…
opinion
Letter: Destroying monument would be shortsighted
"The uh-oh moment came when the appointed commission, conspicuously lacking local architects or representatives from historic preservation, came back with an 11-1 suggestion of removal."P&W deal makes mockery of Peace Day proclamation
“We must ask ourselves, ‘What are we sowing in our community and in our world for generations to come?’ Will we build our economy on poison?"Letter: Keep Asheville a place for all
"Please reach out to those who control the taxes and our future direction with your complaints. We do have a voice, so please use it."Letter: Show thanks to front-line cashiers
"We should appreciate the risks they are taking and show that appreciation by giving them an extra dollar over the order or at least telling them to keep the change."Letter: Asheville must pass LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections
"The Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners have a unique opportunity to be leaders on the issue of LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections."Drop it, FiFi
Letter: Homeless camp removal shows need for better government response
"So, the paradoxical situation is that we pay taxes to allow destruction of humans’ property, means of surviving and dignity, while we voluntarily pay to improve those circumstances."Letter: The problem with urban food gardening
"All land served by sewer lines is desperately needed for housing, both to end homelessness and to save fuel by reducing commuting distances."Winter chill
