December 21, 2016 – mountainx.com

Letter writer: Thanks for minority view of country life

December 21, 2016 by Letters

“As senior whites living in Leicester, we appreciated being reminded of the challenges of living in a minority skin, forced to drag around stereotypes and misconceptions for life.”

Holidays on ice: Asheville bartenders mix up seasonal cocktails for the home bar

December 21, 2016December 21, 2016 by Jonathan Ammons

Mixologists from Zambra and En La Calle offer easy, festive cocktail recipes that harness the flavors of pumpkin and local apples, plus a dash of sugar and spice.

N.C. Supreme Court rules taking of Asheville water system unconstitutional

December 21, 2016 by Able Allen

Sustainability expert Doug Bruggeman is proposing an investment strategy to protect multiple watersheds in WNC.

“Many years ago,” says Mayor Manheimer, “our city leadership made the bold and wise investment in a watershed and water infrastructure that provided the foundation for the robust water system we have today … This ruling ensures that Asheville can continue to own this great water system and continue to provide safe drinking water for years into the future.”

Ecstatic Dance movement grows in Asheville

December 21, 2016 by Coogan Brennan

Expressive movement is a prominent and growing phenomenon in Asheville. While dance church is one of the largest regular gatherings, there is at least one expressive movement event every day of the week.

Rental housing shortage eases

December 21, 2016 by Mike Cronin

Third-quarter data released by two real estate research firms show an improving environment for Asheville metro area renters. After a late 2014 report showed a rental vacancy rate of less than 1 percent in Asheville and Buncombe County, local officials and renters have frequently described the area’s shortage of affordable housing as a crisis.

Smart bets: Carolina Wray

December 21, 2016 by Emily Glaser

The performance will include other regional artists like The American Gonzos and Rookie of the Year. It takes place at Black Bear Coffee Co. in Hendersonville on Friday, Dec. 23.

Asheville’s synagogues celebrate the miracle of oil with Hanukkah foods

December 21, 2016 by Leslie Boyd

At Asheville’s Hanukkah celebrations, potato pancakes, doughnuts and other fried foods symbolize the ancient miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem.