A-B Tech will host writer, researcher, and entrepreneur Margot Lee Shetterly, author of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race. The book was a top title of 2016 for TIME and Publisher’s Weekly, a USA Today bestseller, and a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her presentation explores the lived experiences of Black women mathematicians during the Civil Rights Era, examining workplace barriers, allies, and the emotional realities behind historic achievements, highlighting early intersectionality in American professional spaces. Learn more and get tickets here.
AmeriHealth Caritas and Sunrise Recovery will host a free Narcan training on April 15 from 12–1 p.m. via Zoom. The session will cover naloxone use, harm reduction principles, and current community substance use trends. Participants are encouraged to bring questions. Children ages 7 and older may attend, with a supervised kids room available for younger children. Zoom access is available by emailing cwilson5@amerihealthcaritasnc.com. The event aims to increase public readiness and awareness around overdose prevention. Learn more and register here.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) has launched its Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a permanent public art program as part of AVL Forward, the airport’s terminal modernization project. The RFQ invites artists and artist-led teams nationwide to submit qualifications for two large-scale, permanent installations in the new terminal. The works will anchor key spaces and reflect the natural beauty, culture and creative spirit of Western North Carolina. Submissions are open now and are due by June 22, 2026. Finalists will be invited to submit proposals, with installations expected ahead of the terminal’s completion in 2028. Learn more and apply here.
Big Sea, a marketing and web design agency with an Asheville presence since 2021, earned B Corp certification and will celebrate on May 5 from 5–7 p.m. at New Belgium Brewing. Founded in Florida in 2005, the company emphasizes socially responsible business practices and community impact. The event invites the public to connect with fellow mission driven organizations and celebrate Big Sea’s commitment to environmental sustainability, equity, and ethical business standards. Local leadership and staff will attend. Learn more and register here.
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) is accepting applications for its Legacy Investment from Tourism (LIFT) Fund Committee. The authority seeks one hotel, motel, or lodging owner or operator to serve a term spanning at least three years. Committee members review financials, marketing plans, and feasibility studies, attend meetings lasting three to eight hours, and participate in funding discussions. Members may also be asked to attend supplemental meetings outside grant cycles to address project related issues. Learn more and apply here.
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s Legacy Investment From Tourism (LIFT) Fund applications for 2026 is now open. The LIFT Fund provides strategic investment in tourism-related capital projects that increase patronage of lodging, meeting and convention facilities in Buncombe County while benefiting the community at large. The LIFT Fund is supported by occupancy tax paid by visitors who stay overnight in Buncombe County’s lodging properties, including hotels, vacation rentals, and bed-and-breakfast inns. The authority estimates that approximately $11 million will be available for investment in this year’s funding cycle. Learn more and apply here.
The Center for Craft will host Craft-itarianism: Community Action Through Craft, an exhibition exploring craft as a tool for social impact. Coined by 2026 Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez, “craft itarianism” describes projects that create jobs, provide therapy, and rebuild communities. The exhibition features artists and nonprofits nationwide supporting individuals affected by addiction, incarceration, and violence. Through skill building and economic opportunity, the exhibition reframes craft as essential infrastructure rather than luxury or tradition alone. Learn more.
The City of Asheville, with the Urban Forestry Commission and RiverLink, will celebrate Arbor Day in the RAD on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities will take place at the Craven Street Boat Launch and The Smokestack and include tree planting demonstrations, riparian walks, free seedling giveaways, and tree care education. The free event encourages environmental stewardship, highlights local conservation projects, and connects residents with hands on urban forestry practices. Learn more.
Eblen Charities will partner with WLOS TV and Two Men and a Truck for the 14th Annual Spring Clean Coat Drive on Friday, April 24, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Carolina Furniture Concept on Airport Road. Donors are encouraged to bring clean, gently used coats, especially for children, teens, and men. Monetary donations of $35 or more will fund new coats. Collected coats will be distributed in October and throughout winter. Learn more.
Lake Junaluska Golf Course is offering a seasonal discount card for full time residents of Haywood, Jackson, and Buncombe counties. For $50, cardholders can save on 9 and 18 hole rounds with or without carts. Discounts apply May 1 through Oct. 31, 2026. Cards must be purchased in person with valid proof of residency. The program provides an affordable way for local golfers to enjoy the course throughout the spring and summer season. Learn more.
Posana is welcoming spring with expanded lunch, brunch, dinner, and patio dining at Posana Biltmore Park. The restaurant now offers lunch all week, brunch on weekends, and dinner nightly, alongside new seasonal desserts, cocktails, and updated dinner menus. Guests can enjoy outdoor seating, including a dog friendly patio, as space allows. Posana’s new private event space is also available seven days a week for corporate events, celebrations, and special gatherings. Learn more.
Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, announced 18 Branch Out events running through November 2026. Programs include guided hikes, astrophotography, wildlife tracking, and three online webinars, with five North Carolina based events. Attendance requires Smokies Life membership, starting at $40 annually. With support from 29,000 Park Keepers, Smokies Life funds education, research, and interpretation efforts that preserve the park and promote public engagement. Learn more and register here.
Union Transfer & Storage and Go Mini’s will host their 3rd Annual Business After Hours event on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at 6 Trident Drive in Arden. The evening includes networking, live music, food, beverages, and prize giveaways. The event offers local professionals an opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting while celebrating community partnerships and regional businesses. Learn more and RSVP here.
The University of North Carolina Asheville will host a Women’s Flag Football Prospect Day and Clinic on April 15. The event includes a university preview from 1–3 p.m. at Highsmith Student Union, followed by skills clinics from 3–6 p.m. at the Outdoor Sports Complex. Co hosted with the Carolina Panthers and supported by the Big South Conference, the clinic offers skill development, position instruction, and competitive play for prospective student athletes. Learn more and register here.
The University of North Carolina Asheville Drama Department will present Cabaret, the iconic musical set in 1930s Berlin, from April 17–26 in the Carol Belk Theatre. This powerful production contrasts the decadent nightlife of the Kit Kat Klub with the growing shadow of Nazism, exploring themes of racism, love, denial and complicity during a pivotal moment in history. Directed by Stephanie Hickling-Beckman, Cabaret will feature a vibrant cast, bold choreography and immersive design elements that bring the world of pre-war Berlin to life. Learn more and buy tickets here.
The University of North Carolina AshevilleDepartment of Mathematics and Statistics will host the annual Parsons Lecture on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Room at Highsmith Student Union. Stephen Abbott of Middlebury College will present “The Mathematical Heart of Tom Stoppard,” examining how mathematical ideas appear in plays such as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Arcadia. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more.
Verner Center for Early Learning will host its annual fundraiser, Planting Futures: Back to Our Roots, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at La Esperanza in Asheville. The farm to table evening features a four course meal, mocktails, beer, wine, and firsthand stories from Verner families and educators. Funds support early childhood education, mental health services, and family support programs throughout Western North Carolina. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
The Wortham Center presents Yellow Bird Chase on Wednesday, April 22, at 6 p.m. This wordless, family friendly physical comedy follows clowns chasing a yellow bird through a world of masks and puppets. Combining slapstick humor and visual storytelling, the show is accessible to all ages and cultures. Tickets are $25. The imaginative performance emphasizes movement and theatrical creativity, delivering a playful, energetic experience without spoken dialogue. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
The Wortham Center presents Karla Bonoff on Friday, April 24, at 8 p.m. Bonoff, whose songs were made famous by Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt, brings an intimate performance showcasing her timeless songwriting and distinctive voice. Praised by Huffington Post and Performing Songwriter Magazine, her live shows blend emotional depth with musical craftsmanship. Tickets are selling quickly for this evening with one of America’s most respected singer songwriters. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
The WNC Nature Center will launch the 10th year of its Brews and Bears fundraiser on May 8, 2026. Held from May through September on the second Friday of each month, the event runs from 5:30–8 p.m. and features beer, cider, wine, food trucks, live music and animal programming. Partners include Highland Brewing, Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Metro Wines. VIP tickets are available, with proceeds supporting the Nature Center’s education and conservation efforts. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
New & Noteworthy
A-B Tech’s Director of Student Support Services Heather Pack was named Staff Member of the Year. Pack, also ADA Coordinator and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, has led A B Tech through the opioid crisis, COVID 19, and Hurricane Helene recovery. She developed 24/7 TalkCampus virtual counseling, the Reset Recovery Room, and mobile wellness spaces, significantly expanding mental health access for students and employees during crises and daily campus life. Learn more.
A-B Tech received more than $1.04 million in grants from the North Carolina GSK Foundation and Dogwood Health Trust to create ABM Works. The program will connect high school students in Asheville, Buncombe, and Madison counties to internships, pre apprenticeships, and career training in high demand fields. The initiative establishes a regional work based learning ecosystem designed to prepare students for well paying jobs and strengthen workforce pipelines across Western North Carolina. Learn more.
AdventHealth hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on March 26 for a new hospital in Weaverville, expanding access to care across Buncombe, Graham, Madison, and Yancey counties. Community leaders and elected officials, including Governor Josh Stein, attended. The project marks a major milestone following state approval of a 67 bed Certificate of Need in 2022 and years of appeals and delays. AdventHealth emphasized its long term commitment to meeting the region’s growing healthcare needs through collaborative, community driven planning. Learn more.
AdventHealth also recently opened a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Baby Place at AdventHealth Hendersonville. As the first and only NICU in Henderson County, the unit allows families to remain close to their newborns during critical care. The NICU provides advanced support for babies born at 32 weeks gestation or later and full term infants needing additional care. Features include private rooms, 24 hour monitoring, and a specialized neonatal team focused on clinical excellence and family bonding. Learn more.
All Day Darling broke ground on its second location at 567 Fairview Road, expected to open in 2027. The restaurant, led by two time James Beard Award nominee Jacob Sessoms, has operated in Montford since 2018 and earned a Michelin Guide recommendation in 2025. The Oakley location will offer daily counter service with expanded dinner and bakery options, a full bar, and Counter Culture coffee. The 12 month project includes adaptive reuse of an existing structure and new dining construction. Learn more.
Buncombe County has relaunched BC Alerts, its official emergency notification system, using Rave’s Smart911 platform. Residents can opt in by texting “BCReady” to 67283 or subscribing online. Those previously registered through Code Red must create a new profile. BC Alerts provide optional safety notifications via text, email, or phone. During major disasters, the county will also use IPAWS, a reverse 911 system delivering urgent life safety alerts to targeted geographic areas. Learn more.
Chai Pani Restaurant Group, owned by Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani, is a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur. Founded in a small downtown Asheville space, Chai Pani has expanded significantly, opening additional locations in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. The nomination recognizes the couple’s impact on regional and national dining through vibrant Indian street food concepts, community engagement, and sustained growth while maintaining a strong culinary identity rooted in Asheville. Learn more.
MANNA FoodBank celebrated the opening of a new 16,500 square foot freezer and cooler facility on March 20 at its Mills River headquarters. The expansion increases cold storage capacity by 233% and supports nearly 200,000 monthly pantry visits across MANNA’s 16 county service area and the Qualla Boundary. The new facility represents a major recovery milestone following Hurricane Helene, which destroyed MANNA’s former Asheville headquarters, strengthening its ability to meet record high community demand. Learn more.
Mars Hill University announced Tracy Parkinson, Ph.D., as its next president following a national search. Parkinson, who joined Mars Hill in 2020 and became provost in 2022, will succeed President Tony Floyd at the end of the academic year. His tenure includes expanding academic programs, increasing retention and graduation rates, launching online degrees, and strengthening enrollment strategies. Parkinson also represents the university on several regional and national education boards. Learn more.
Mountain Housing Opportunities is nearing completion of Star Point, a 60 unit affordable housing development at 16 Restaurant Court off Tunnel Road in Asheville. Opening is tentatively scheduled for May 2026, and leasing is underway. Units serve renters earning up to 60% of area median income, with 12 units reserved for young adults aging out of foster care. Located near transit, retail, and employment centers, Star Point supports housing stability and accessibility in East Asheville. Learn more.
South College Asheville celebrated the graduation of its second cohort in the Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies program on March 20, alongside a White Coat Ceremony. The 27 month program includes 15 months of classroom instruction and 12 months of supervised clinical practice. With North Carolina’s aging population expected to reach 20% over age 65 by 2035, graduates help address growing healthcare needs, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Learn more.
True Metal Supply ranked No. 3 on the 2026 Inc. Regionals: Southeast list, recognizing exceptional growth between 2022 and 2024. The company significantly exceeded the regional median growth rate of 89% despite challenges like inflation and supply chain disruptions. True Metal Supply provides metal roofing and steel siding nationwide, emphasizing quality, customer service, and job creation. The ranking highlights the company’s resilience and expanding impact across the Southeast and all 50 states. Learn more.
The University of North Carolina Asheville received a Moody’s A2 rating with a stable outlook, reflecting strong state support from North Carolina and expectations of stabilizing enrollment. Moody’s cited growing net tuition revenue, ongoing capital appropriations, and increasing unrestricted liquidity. Together with continued operating support, these factors are expected to lead to incremental performance improvements, reinforcing UNC Asheville’s financial stability and long term institutional outlook. Learn more.
Community Input
The Asheville Downtown Association is hosting its annual meeting on Tuesday, April 14 at the Orange Peel. It will bring together downtown stakeholders, business leaders and community partners for a comprehensive look at the year ahead. The Mayor and County Commission Chair will provide remarks, and there will be an in-depth update on the state of the downtown economy and key insights from ADA’s annual stakeholder survey. The meeting will take place from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and costs $25 for ADA members and $35 for non-members. Learn more and register here.