NEIGHBORHOOD 1 WEST ASHEVILLE w x 2 MONTFORD n 3 NORTH ASHEVILLE n LOCAL FUNDRAISING EVENT 1 DINING OUT FOR LIFE (WNCAP) 828-252-7489 • wncap.org/dofl-2
2 DINE TO BE KIND (ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY) 828-761-2001 • ashevillehumane.org
ACTIVIST GROUP FOR CIVIC/POLITICAL ACTION 1 BELOVED ASHEVILLE d
39 Grove St., Asheville 828-242-8261 • belovedasheville.com
2 MOUNTAINTRUE d s a
29 N. Market St., Suite 610, Asheville 121 Third Avenue W., Suite 1, Hendersonville 828-258-8737 • mountaintrue.org
PROJECT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DO 1 AFFORDABLE HOUSING 2 MORE AND BETTER SIDEWALKS 3 FIX OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES LOCAL HERO 1 VERONICA COIT (ASHEVILLE CAT WEIRDOS) Asheville 828-329-9391• ashevillecatweirdos.org
2 AMY CANTRELL (BELOVED ASHEVILLE) d
10 N. Market St., Asheville 828-242-8261 • belovedasheville.com
n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA
x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)
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BEST OF WNC - PART ONE
PHOTO BY THOMAS CALDER
LAZOOM
Best Local City Tour, Comedy Troupe or Series and Local Comedy Show/Night/ Event and Business that Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville
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ONSIDER: Abby Roach (better known as Abby the Spoon Lady) has announced plans to leave the city; the Flatiron Building was recently approved for conversion to a hotel; and “elite empty nesters” remain a prized demographic sought by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. A cynic with an eye for exploitation might be tempted to sell handcrafted, commemorative nails for folks to hammer into the coffin of Asheville’s former unique stature. But in today’s political and social climate, even cynicism seems a bit quotidian. After all, over the past four years, the number of locals who think Asheville is getting worse has been increasing (it’s now 41%), while the number who think it’s getting better is shrinking (currently at 30%), according to Xpress’ reader polls for 2016-19.
AUG. 7 - 13, 2019
MOUNTAINX.COM/GUIDES
Optimism (no matter how difficult a mindset to maintain) might very well be the remedy for Asheville’s current growing pains and flirtation with the mundane. Perhaps this charge could be led by Veronica Coit of Asheville Cat Weirdos and the Rev. Amy Cantrell of BeLoved, who were voted first and second, respectively, in this year’s Local Hero category. Or maybe the offensive doesn’t require a leader. Maybe our renewed faith in the city’s uniqueness will come from simply frequenting what remains. The Odditorium, for example, claimed the top spot for Place to Take Your Eccentric Friends for the second year in a row. Another option for an Asheville Optimism Maintenance Plan could be to volunteer with or donate to one of the city’s many nonprofits, includ-
ing Asheville GreenWorks, MANNA FoodBank and Asheville Cat Weirdos Emergency Fund, voted first, second and third respectively as this year’s Nonprofit That Improves Asheville. By the way, special hats off to MANNA for gaining entry to the Hall of Fame this year as Nonprofit That Serves the Underprivileged. Or perhaps the solution is something far simpler and more leisurely, such as a walk through West Asheville (Best Neighborhood), a saunter down Lexington Avenue (Best Street for a Stroll) or a visit to the Botanical Gardens (Best Place to Connect With Nature Within Asheville City Limits). Solutions and results may vary. Keep your head up, Asheville. — Thomas Calder X