-The Eco Depot Marketplace in the Asheville River Arts District is closing for good. The mixed-use space offered market stalls to regional artists to display their work, and there was an outdoor community space.
-Following a controversial tweet by CrossFit founder Greg Glassman, Reebok says it is cutting its corporate partnership with the company, as are some local gym owners. Glassman was responding Saturday to a tweet posted by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, in which the research center wrote, “Racism is a public health issue.” Glassman responded, “It’s FLOYD-19.” In Asheville, CrossFit Pisgah has announced it is dropping the connection, now Pisgah Fitness. CrossFit Asheville posted a Facebook statement saying that Glassman’s statement does not reflect the beliefs of the local owners. “We want to assure our community and members these are not beliefs we align with or stand behind.” And Summit CrossFit South also posted a FB statement disavowing Glassman. “We are committed to our strong community to create vision not division.”
-Asheville Catholic School wants to build an 11,650-square-foot addition to its existing school building, and add 25 new parking spaces, according to construction permits.
–Pisgah Legal Services, a nonprofit that provides free, civil legal aid in Western North Carolina, has launched a targeted campaign to reach people recently unemployed due to COVID-19 who may have also lost their health insurance. Anyone who has experienced a qualifying life event in the past 60 days, including job loss, may qualify for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance. Pisgah Legal Services offers free assistance and free information to help understand options for affordable health insurance. To find out more or to make an appointment, visit pisgahlegal.org/aca or call 828-210-3404.
-The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is extending the deadline for folks to contribute to the Trails & Views Forever challenge. In late 2019, an anonymous donor offered a challenge grant of $300,000 to kick off foundation’s initiative to repair trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, and overlooks. Recognizing that donations have slowed during the COVID-19 crisis, the donor is extending the deadline to September 30, 2020 to meet this all-or-nothing challenge. Go here to donate. Working with the National Park Service, the foundation is developing a comprehensive plan to restore and care for trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, and overlooks along the 469-mile motor road. The Trails & Views initiative will: upgrade many of the 369 miles of trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway; clear overlooks to restore iconic views; rehabilitate picnic areas and campgrounds as well as the accompanying restrooms; enhance educational resources, including informational panels and signs at overlooks and along trails; and engage volunteers and youth conservation crews to complete work in the field.
-The City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department has decided that it is in the best interest of our community for City of Asheville pools to remain closed this season, in light of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. This includes all three pools located at Recreation Park, Malvern Hills Park and Walton Street Park and Splasheville in Pack Square Park.