|
|
Dear Go Local Loyalists,
As we continue to enjoy this beautiful fall weather, I started writing this email from my front porch as to not miss any more of it than necessary. There is a lot to get to in our September newsletter, not the least the upcoming one-year milestone of Helene. A lot of attention (articles, conversations, presentations) is being given to statistics, remembrances, recovery status, recognition of heroic efforts, and more. It is hard to not be overwhelmed. Grief counselors would tell us whatever we are feeling is okay and to recognize it takes a while to heal from the trauma we experienced. Whatever you decide to do, or not do, around the one year milestone, is perfectly okay. For those of you who want to participate, there are many curated calendars that will help you decide where to go and what to do. Below, I’ll give a couple of event recommendations that, in my opinion, are worth exploring. Time for that second cup of coffee and a comfy chair, preferably outdoors!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Go Local Businesses Show Up For Helene Recovery
In July, we started sharing stories from our local independent business members about how they stepped up to help our community recover from the devastation of Helene. As I mentioned last month we’ve all heard stories of heroism, unselfish acts of support, generosity, and love. Knowing many Go Local businesses had their own stories, I reached out to ask if they’d share them. And they delivered! Through our newsletters, we’ll continue to share these stories leading up to and beyond the 1 year milestone at the end of September. For today’s newsletter, I’ll share 3 new stories. They are each unique and demonstrate the breadth of support given by our businesses to our community. To read all of the stories, you can find them on our website at: https://golocalasheville.com/business-of-community-stories
If you are a current or future customer of one of these businesses, especially with the milestone coming up, please take a moment to thank them for what they did for our community.
Fuegos Grill (story submitted by Guillermo von Foerster)
 The first week after Helene, when there was no power, we started our open-fire grill and invited the neighbors to join us for dinner. After the power was restored, we took our equipment to The River Arts District Brewing Co. and cooked meals for free for our community. We are planning another event for this summer, offering free food and accepting donations to support our neighbors who are still affected by this devastating disaster.
Morgan’s Comics (story submitted by Morgan Albritton)
From Sept 27th on, we entertained (& distracted) children and adults in the colorful, happy environment of Morgan’s Comics. We offered peaceful and lively celtic music, live music, radio disaster reports, art supplies, snacks, water bottles, hot tea, iced sodas, a (refillable well water) toilet & a place to drop off donated supplies 11am-6pm, 6 days a week. We watched other’s children while they stood in line outside of Ingles to get food or utilized the free Starlink Wifi offered at our neighbor business, Itto Ramen. After we brought together a significant amount of supplies we would load them up and deliver them to nearby towns (esp. those who weren’t in the news) that were on the rivers. *The photo we’ve included was from our trip to one of our favorite camping spots near our home in Asheville, Hartford Tn. It is a tiny town, typically 1 1/2 hours from us, but due to the drop off on 40 the trip took almost 4 hours to get to them.
Old Europe Pastries (story submitted by Abigail Schrupp)
The day after the hurricane (September 28th) we opened our front window and began to give away and feed as many people as we could. After that, the owner Melinda Vetro, made the decision she needs to show up and support her community and help those who cannot help themselves. As a business, we never lost power. So she dipped into some of her personal funds and we gave away free breakfast and essential goods for the next month. We became a small distribution hub / safe haven for those who could get to us. Connecting people who had needs with those that could fill them.
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Milestone Events
Be sure and check out media calendars, like Mountain XPress or Citizen Times for complete calendars of events surrounding the one year milestone. Below are two I wanted to make sure you saw.
RAD Resilience, this Saturday, September 13th, from 10-5, River Arts District.
This is a  community-wide art event honoring the resilience of our community one year after Helene with open studios, an art market and over 350 artists throughout the River Arts District. Many featured pieces were created in direct response to the storm and the urgent realities of our changing climate. The day also includes live music, food trucks (as well as food and beverages from RAD restaurants and breweries), artist talks, and a large-scale interactive art project that spans the district.
Heroes of Helen, Honoring Recovery and Resilience Together, September 25th –
4-7PM, Highland Brewery.
On September 25th, we come together as a community to reflect, remember, and give thanks. One year after Hurricane Helene tore through our lives, we honor the incredible bravery and tireless service of our responders, healthcare professionals, and the linemen and women who helped rebuild what was broken.
Hosted by the Asheville Chamber, Explore Asheville and Highland Brewing in partnership with City of Asheville and Buncombe County, this evening of remembrance and recognition features music, local food, tributes and community connection .Let’s celebrate the spirit that carried us through the storm.
Everyone is welcome, and this outdoor event is FREE, but please register here.
Games and activities will be available for the whole family. Thanks to the generous food and beverage sponsors — Novant Health and Hopscotch Primary Care, all guests will receive a free meal ticket and free beer ticket upon entrance – while supplies last. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. Limited parking is available at Highland Brewing. Additional parking located at Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts in the River Ridge Shopping Center; shuttle service provided to and from event.
|
|
|
|
|
Go Local SmartPhone App – GPS Function Tutorial
 Okay, imagine you’re standing on the corner of Walnut and Lexington downtown. You’re hungry and you want to go to a local restaurant or eatery that takes the Go Local card. Or, you’re looking for a local boutique or retail shop that takes the card. You can pull out your “handy-dandy” Go Local smartphone app, and like magic, you’ll be able to locate any Go Local member restaurant, brewery, coffee shop or retailer within steps of you!
Let me give you a little backstory before I explain the GPS function on the app. Earlier this year, Go Local surveyed its business members and cardholders. We received feedback that our smartphone app (you can find it by searching Go Local Asheville in the Apple Store or Google Play) could be more user friendly. One of the specific areas of improvement was with the GPS function. Some people didn’t even realize we had one! To make our app easier to use (short of rebuilding, which one day we will!) I created a tutorial, using the iPhone screen capture recording function, to illustrate how to use. You can find it on our website here: https://golocalasheville.com/go-local-asheville-smartphone-app-tutorials
Note: This is the first video I’ve recorded using the screen recorder and suffice it to say, I’m feeling very vulnerable. Please be kind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Trolls Are Coming! And so is Asheville Sessions!
Fall is in the air, and with it comes some great events. There are two really, really special ones you need to be on the lookout for when tickets go on sale. Neither are to be missed!
First, the Trolls…I am beyond excited! The North Carolina Arboretum is hosting the U.S.  premiere of Trolls: A Field Study, an outdoor art exhibition by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. From November 15, 2025, to February 17, 2026, twelve whimsical trolls, each 7 to 9 feet tall and made from reclaimed materials like wood pallets and branches, will be on display throughout the Arboretum’s gardens and trails. Six of the trolls will also be featured in the Arboretum’s Winter Lights show from November 15 to January 4. The trolls, who are on their first North American tour, are described as “explorers” embarking on a journey to learn about humanity, and visitors can use a “treasure map” to find them. The exhibition aims to inspire a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world while showing how recycled materials can be turned into something beautiful.
Tickets are not on sale yet, at least not that I can find, but this exhibit, along with the winter lights will make the holiday season so special for young and old alike!
Second, Asheville Sessions, November 6th thru November 9th. To all of you music lovers,  especially the ones who love the history of Appalachian music, listen up! In August 1925, 100 years ago, producer Ralph Peer set up a temporary recording studio in Asheville’s George Vanderbilt Hotel, where he recorded fiddlers, banjo players, and singers from the region for ten days. These “Asheville Sessions” became the first commercial recordings ever made in Appalachia, capturing a variety of genres from gospel to blues and vaudeville. Often considered the precursor to the more famous 1927 Bristol Sessions, these recordings are seen as having “lit the fuse” for the explosion of American roots music by proving the rich musical talent in the mountains. To celebrate the 100-year anniversary, Asheville is releasing remastered versions of the original recordings on CD and vinyl on August 25, 2025, and will host a four-day celebration with concerts from November 6-9, 2025. Additionally, reimagined versions of the century-old songs by contemporary artists are planned for release in 2026.
To read more about this historic event, and to get tickets, go here.
|
|
|
|
|
And, last but not least, lots going on Downtown!
Go Local has many members in downtown and to promote downtown happenings is to promote many of our local independent businesses! And the Asheville Downtown Association does so much to support all local businesses, I want to give them a shoutout, plus promote some upcoming events and happenings that you’ll want to know about, to not only go to and have a great time, but to go to and support our local business economy. They do a great job of posting upcoming events on their website, so I’m going to direct you here instead of trying to list everything out. I will say though to be sure and check out Oktoberfest October 4th!
Sorry, one other thing. The Downtown Association applied for a Levitt AMP grant that, if they receive, will pay for a free outdoor music series in Pritchard Park! And we have an opportunity to help them receive this grant as the grant process involves a public voting campaign. If you vote online or by text by September 15th , you can help secure Asheville’s spot as a Levitt AMP City! Make sure you receive a confirmation or your vote won’t be registered!
-
-
Text to Vote: Text ASHEVILLE (all caps) to 1-877-409-5525
|
|
|
Thank-you, Newsletter Subscribers, for all you do for our community. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at sherree@golocalasheville with any questions or comments about the newsletter.
You Local Loyalist,
Sherree
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Facebook
Follow usInstagram
Follow us