If You Rebuild It: Asheville Tourists take the field amid construction
- Volume 31
- / Issue 35
Cover Design Credit:
Scott Southwick
Cover Photography Credit:
Asheville Tourists
McCormick Field, Asheville’s venerable minor-league baseball stadium, is in the midst of an 18-month, $38.5 million renovation that will bring it up to standards required by Major League Baseball. Asheville Tourists officials say they are up to the challenge of hosting 66 games this season at a ballpark that’s doubling as a construction zone.
arts
Smart Bets: Roots So Deep
Photo of Peter Byck courtesy of Hickory Nut Gap FarmsBathroom break: Exploring Asheville’s dive bar restrooms with Braulio Pescador-Martinez
INSIDER ART: Braulio Pescador-Martinez, pictured, discovered artistic hidden gems inside the bathrooms at Broadway’s bar. Photo courtesy of Pescador-MartinezLocal author pens memoir about his life as a Hare Krishna
MISCONCEPTION: "One of the major misconceptions about Hare Krishna is that it’s a cult and it’s totally controlled by certain gurus," says local author Rishi Waterman. "That’s not the fact."…Smart Bets: Connect Beyond Festival
A still from the film A King Like Me, courtesy of Connect Beyond FestivalSmart Bets: NC Writers’ Network Spring Conference
Photo of Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle by Mallory CashOff the Shelf: Yes, this is a thriller — but it’s also so much more
NEXT UP: As part of Xpress' new regular feature, "Off the Shelf," we ask local residents to offer a book recommendation. This month's suggestion comes courtesy of Kayla Pressley Seay,…Smart Bets: The Incidental Moment
"Chair Dance" by Joanie Krug. Image courtesy of Pink Dog Gallery
food
Everything in Moderation: Monday Magic series supports local service workers
MAGIC MATTERS: The Low Down's Casey Campfield launched Monday Magic to help displaced Asheville bartenders mitigate some of Tropical Storm Helene's devastating financial effects. Photo by Bill KoppA Year in Beer: Live music, dark beer and downstream wisdom at Pisgah Brewing Co.
PLAYING WITH THE BAND: The Hilltoppers graced the new stage at Pisgah Brewing Co. on a recent Wednesday. Photo by Christopher ArborWhat’s new in food: Tango on a Plate, barbecue and music, Catawba Brewing Co. leaves South Slope
Design by Scott SouthwickSouthside Community Farm hosts spring fundraiser at New Belgium Brewing
GONE TO SEED: Chloe Moore, manager at Southside Community Farm, drops seeds in prepared soil on the property for the upcoming growing season. Photo courtesy Southside Community Farm
living
Despite McCormick Field construction, Tourists ready to play ball
WORK IN PROGRESS: McCormick Field is in the midst of a $38.5 million renovation project, as shown in this February photo. Photo courtesy of the Asheville Tourists
news
Sustaining community: Local student shares tips for making a positive impact on the environment
VOLUNTEER: Anna Plocica, a senior at A.C. Reynolds High School, encourages everyone to volunteer with environmental organizations. Photo courtesy of PlocicaGolden Agers: Law and music — and one man’s passions for both
CHANGE AGENT: For Alan Graf, both law and music are more than passions — they're tools for activism and ways to spark change in the world around him. Photo by…Sustaining community: Charles Martin on ways to improve local education
CHARACTER MATTERS: Trustworthiness, transparency, respect and creating a safe space for others to share their opinions are key components to improving our local schools, says the Rev. Charles Martin. Photo…Nature Center reopens after damage from Helene
WILD WELCOME: The Western North Carolina Nature Center reopened March 17, almost six months after substantial storm damage from Tropical Storm Helene. Photo courtesy of the Nature CenterDIY Tourism Marketing Conference addresses post-Helene recovery
BUILDING BACK: Sarah Benoit, conference co-founder and lead instructor at Learn Tourism, spoke at this year’s DIY Tourism Marketing Conference. The gathering touched on several topics, including strategies for welcoming…Former water resources director details Asheville’s history in new book
WATER MAN: Michael Holcombe has written the first comprehensive history of the City of Asheville's water system, from the early 1800s through Tropical Storm Helene. Photo of Holcombe courtesy of…Sustaining community: Rev. Dusty Black on the role of faith, post-Helene
EVER FAITHFUL: "After the storm, my heart turned to Psalm 70," says the Rev. Dusty Black. "The psalmist is pleading with God for victory over his enemies, as well as…WCU students help analyze Helene-affected cemetery
DISASTER DIG: Ben Steere, head of the department of anthropology and sociology at Western Carolina University, explains how his students are helping analyze gravesites that may have been affected be…Buncombe County libraries adjust to life under Helene-related hiring freeze
USE YOUR WORDS: Kate Spratt, director of youth services at the Enka-Candler Library, leads a Story Time session. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County2025 PIT count shows increase in unsheltered homelessness
TAKEAWAYS: City of Asheville homeless strategy specialist Debbie Alford, left, discusses key takeaways from the 2025 Point-in-Time count, which gathers data on the number of homeless people in the county.…Proposed I-26 connector overpass sparks opposition
OVERSHADOWING: A rendering created by architect Rachel Murdaugh shows the I-26 Connector overpass on Patton Avenue. Image courtesy of MurdaughCity may assume storm-damaged properties
PROPERTY BUYOUT: After a unanimous vote at the March 25 City Council meeting, the city will assume ownership of over 30 storm-damaged properties under a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)…
opinion
Letter: Recent zoning changes are a double-edged sword
"I implore the City of Asheville to take a thoughtful look at what unintended consequences might occur if we only approach our housing problems with an 'easier and faster' mindset…Letter: Thumbs-up for social district
"I think that a social district on the South Slope sounds like an excellent idea!"Letter: We live on a self-correcting planet
"Ironically, Hurricane Helene has been a bright reality check on this status quo that’s illuminated local governments more addicted to social engineering than dependable services."Deep cuts
Letter: Social district would burden South Slope businesses
"If the goal is to revitalize downtown and support local businesses, there are more effective ways to achieve that without the negative consequences of a social district."Spring is here
Letter: Yes to an Asheville social district
"I think it’s a great idea to create a social quadrant of the city."Changing seasons
