July 1, 2015 – mountainx.com

Sierra Nevada unveils new outdoor spaces, amphitheater

July 6, 2015July 1, 2015 by Kat McReynolds

The brewery is rolling out a four-pack of outdoor spaces for visitors to the Mills River Taproom: the Back Porch, Beer Garden, Estate Garden and perhaps most impressively, a 600-person amphitheater.

Letter writer: And now, a few words from a cow

July 1, 2015 by Letters

“This is a call for you to think beyond, merely, how a food tastes and explore the substance that connects us all.”

Virtual politics: Democracy Apps arms citizens with budget breakdowns

July 3, 2015July 1, 2015 by Hayley Benton

Creators of DemocracyApps hope to lift the barrier and inspire more public involvement in local government, making it easier for citizens to understand key decisions. The interactive site provides detailed spending breakdowns and compares current expenditures with those of prior years.

Take a walk: Local musician finds path to recovery in the woods

July 13, 2015July 1, 2015 by Carrie Eidson

In February 2015, Hendersonville resident and acoustic guitarist Eric Congdon suffered a severe concussion after another driver ran a stop sign and struck his vehicle. Though he had been playing guitar for more than 30 years, when he picked up his instrument after the accident, he found it was impossible for him to play.

Food pantries find education, support in unprecedented programming

July 1, 2015 by Rachel Ingram

With its upcoming Appalachian Food Pantry School, the WNC Food Policy Council will provide much-needed training, tools and resources to Western North Carolina’s hunger-fighting organizations.

Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ deconstructed

July 1, 2015 by Bill Kopp

Since debuting in the mid 1980s, Atlanta-based Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ has crafted its own take on Southern rock. Led by guitarist/songwriter Kevn Kinney, the group has distilled its many influences into a sound all its own. A recent series of EPs set out to explore those various styles, and selections from those albums have been compiled on the new vinyl-only release, Best of Songs.

Smart bets: Mates of State

July 1, 2015 by Kat McReynolds

Indie twin sisters Good Graeff open the pop duo’s show at the Mothlight on Tuesday, July 7, at 9:30 p.m.

Letter writer: Our community deserves a choice in mental health providers

July 1, 2015 by Letters

“This change is going to radically alter the availability of a number of services in Buncombe County. … Everyone deserves access to needed health services, including mental health services.”

Coming round the mountain: Rural Heritage Museum opens WNC railroad exhibit

July 1, 2015July 1, 2015 by Max Hunt

A new exhibit at Mars Hill University’s Rural Heritage Museum, titled “How the West Was Won: Trains and the Transformation of Western North Carolina, 1880-1937,” documents the engineering achievements and mortal sacrifices that marked the coming of the railroad to the area.