Mountain Xpress

Home
United States
Asheville, NC
Mountain Xpress

Independent, community-focused journalism since 1994. Free print edition available each Wednesday

09/02/2025

Beyond the N.C. Mountain State Fair’s bright lights, exciting rides and fun foods, the fair’s Mountain Music Festival and Heritage Artisans craft booths and demonstrations offer unique opportunities to explore Western North Carolina’s cultural roots. Featured on this week’s cover is Henderson County basket weaver Donna Leven.

In this issue, you'll also find:

🛼 City plans temporary skating park

🎙️Asheville Sessions celebrates historic recordings

🎵 Linda Metzner’s musical journey through Western North Carolina

🍕 Piccolina gets set to serve Italian sandwiches, pizza and more in the RAD

08/26/2025

Our latest double feature has arrived! That's right, folks -- Best of WNC, Part II is here, along with our regular weekly publication.

Support local journalism and grab a free print copy today!

And then go ahead and support all the local businesses that our community voted as their favorites in this year's Best Of!

Our annual Best of WNC party is this Thursday, Aug. 28 at Highland Brewing Co. Celebrations begin at 6 p.m.

08/25/2025

From left, Joe Scully, Vanessa Salomo, Amy Westmoreland and Kevin Westmoreland celebrate the post-Helene comeback of their restaurant, Corner Kitchen, in Biltmore.

Grab our latest issue to read more.

08/19/2025

This year’s Best of WNC celebrates many of the local businesses and individuals who in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene faced overwhelming challenges with tenacity, goodwill and grace. With almost 600 categories, we salute all who rolled up their sleeves, put on their hard hats and met the moment that we’re in.

In this issue, you'll also find:

Do political protests influence local party leaders?

Broadway is a neighborhood street, not a highway

A Year in Beer: Poetry and pints at Burning Blush Brewery

The Pit artisan market tests out rare public-private partnership

08/18/2025

From left, Crusco co-owners Kat Kearney, Allen Clark, Lauren Macellaro and Alex Harris were all core staff at Cucina 24 before it closed following the death in February of its founder, chef Brian Canipelli. Photo by Don Panicko

See link in bio for the full story.

08/13/2025

A July 7 fire at the Goodwill Industries complex in West Asheville has reignited long-standing complaints about the nonprofit among residents of the nearby Malvern Hills neighborhood. Goodwill representatives say they are working — often behind the scenes — to be a good neighbor while still fulfilling the group’s core mission of community service.

In this issue, you'll also find:

🌲 Commissioners hear ongoing criticism of UNC Asheville

💦 City officials update business leaders on Asheville’s water system

💲Public safety committee advances restricted areas for panhandling

📽️ Asheville Film Festival returns

08/11/2025

On Aug. 10, thousands gathered at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville to hear U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders speak as part of his "Fight Oligarchy" tour.

See link in bio for more.

All photos by .kaleido

08/07/2025

Following landslides caused by Tropical Storm Helene, a UNC Asheville research team began collecting oral histories from residents across Western North Carolina. Their goals are to understand how people experienced these events and what information is necessary to better prepare residents for future natural disasters.

In this issue, you'll also find:

Council hears arguments for and against reducing advisory boards

Folkmoot festival goes on hiatus

John Rhea’s debut novel draws upon his decades as a criminal defense attorney

The many health benefits of strength training

07/31/2025

Local designers and boutique owners specialize in everything from fantastical costume pieces and upcycled streetwear to classic couture looks. And like other sectors, the city’s fashion industry is constantly evolving along with the cultural and economic landscapes. On this week’s cover is model Camille Lawson, wearing a conceptual piece by designer Sheila Thibodeaux.

In this issue, you'll also find:

Land of Sky Regional Council navigates volatile funding landscape

Tackling sandy soil and slugs

Snack cake and fridge pickles make good use of summer’s zucchini glut

Brit Washburn’s latest poetry collection exalts life’s simple pleasures

07/23/2025

Planned improvements to Weaver Park include work on its baseball field. New dugouts, fencing, fan seating, a bullpen and replacing the batting cage are among the items being addressed. But certain issues, including potential ongoing flooding from Glenn’s Creek, remain a concern for the North Asheville Little League, which uses the diamond as its home field.

In this issue, you'll also find:

Idled city boards and commissions members clamor for attention

New photography exhibit chronicles post-Helene community strength

Cherokee students address environmental issues in youth conservation programs

Local poet examines masculinity and the outdoors in new collection

07/18/2025

Xpress won several N.C. Press Association awards. This year's contest was judged by members of the Nebraska Press Association.

Reporter Greg Parlier earned second place in the News Feature Writing Editorial category for his article, “Marshall Cleans Up After Helene Against All Odds.”

Additionally, reporter Justin McGuire took home third place in the Sports Feature Writing Editorial category for his story, “Basketball Star Henry Logan Broke Barriers, Conquered Demons in Legendary Life.”

And managing editor Thomas Calder earned second place in the Arts and Entertainment Reporting category for his literary feature, “Taylor Brown's Latest Historical Novel Explores 1921 Trench Warfare on American Soil.”

📸 by Brionna Dallara

07/03/2025

There’s nothing unusual about congregants at houses of worship sitting down for a class, meeting or community meal with a cup of coffee in hand. Rarely is the coffee source as close as at Trinity United Methodist Church (TUMC) in West Asheville.

Inside that Haywood Road landmark, Deep Time — a company conceived to employ people impacted by incarceration — roasts and packages a dozen blends of coffee. And on May 25, the roastery opened Deep Time Café with a menu of hot and cold specialty coffee and tea drinks.

On Saturday, July 5, noon-5 p.m. at the church, Deep Time will celebrate its first weeks in business with Second Chance Fest, featuring live music, vendors, food and, of course, coffee.

See link in bio for more.

Address

Asheville, NC

Telephone

+18282511333

Website

http://mountainx.com/, https://mountainx.com/bestofwnc/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mountain Xpress posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company in Asheville?

It’s all about community.

Our mission is to build community and strengthen democracy by serving an active, thoughtful readership at the local level -- where the impact of citizen action is the greatest.

Since 1994, Mountain Xpress has been an active partner in growing Asheville from a sleepy, boarded-up mountain town to the booming mecca for small business, tourism, arts, culture, and innovative thought that it has become. Throughout that evolution, Xpress has been committed to covering what matters most locally and serving as a vibrant platform for the dialogue and idea exchange that keeps this community thriving.