More of what’s going around, including the news that Mountain Xpress has hired a new editor:
-Asheville city officials will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 9 a.m. on Aug. 23 at Jean Webb Park on Riverside Drive mark the start of start of a multi-million dollar infrastructure project in the River Arts District. The $56 million project will include the demolition of several old buildings and structures, the re-aligning of roads, the relocation of utilities and more.
–TakeOut Central is moving to 211 Merrimon Avenue, according to construction permits.
–Famous Toastery is coming to the Whole Foods shopping center across from the Asheville Mall.
–Kids Garden AVL, the first Kids Garden in North Carolina, will be located in the Whole Foods shopping center.
-The North Carolina State Florist Convention will be held in Asheville this weekend, based out of the Doubletree in Biltmore.
-The Capital Club is hosting a solar eclipse viewing party. Interested parties can contact the venue in downtown Asheville at mariahg@capitalclubavl.com for reservations.
–Carolyn Morrisroe has been hired as news editor at Mountain Xpress. She’ll be covering city government, as well as other local stories. Morrisroe most recently worked as editor of The Highlander newspaper in Highlands, where she managed the editorial staff of the weekly newspaper.
-After Pisgah Legal Services lost more than $500,000 due to state funding cuts, acclaimed chefs John Fleer of Asheville’s Rhubarb and Tandy Wilson of City House in Nashville are joining forces to host a family style farm-to-table dinner to raise money for Pisgah Legal’s services to help families at risk of homelessness, according to a press release. Here’s more:
Wilson was the 2016 recipient of the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef of the Southeast award, and Fleer is a five-time finalist. The multi-course dinner will feature local food from Sunburst Trout Farms and Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams and will be paired with seasonal wines and craft beer. This is Fleer and Wilson’s first collaboration together.
In 2016, Pisgah Legal provided legal remedies to nearly 3,000 people to prevent homelessness and stabilize housing. The recent funding cuts from the N.C. General Assembly threaten to limit Pisgah Legal Services’ capacity to provide these vital housing services. Pisgah Legal is grateful to John Fleer and Tandy Wilson for hosting this event to support life-changing housing work.
The dinner, taking place on August 22, will be held at Rhubarb in downtown Asheville and will begin at 6:00pm. Guests are invited to purchase tickets for $125 per person here or over the phone at 828-210-3405. For an extra fee, guests can attend a pre-event in Rhubarb’s kitchen to meet the chefs, receive culinary advice, and sample caviar and champagne.
Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm providing free civil legal aid since 1978 to help low-income people meet basic needs such as protection from domestic violence, avoiding homelessness, finding safe housing, and accessing health care. In 2016, Pisgah Legal helped more than 15,000 solve tough problems and improve their lives. For more information, visit www.pisgahlegal.org.