Mountain Xpress

The late Andrea Clark, left, documented and preserved Asheville’s Black history, while Wilma Dykeman, right, advanced storytelling and social justice — legacies to be highlighted at the annual Wilma Dykeman birthday celebration, Thursday, May 21, 6 p.m. at Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Drive.

Less than a month after announcing that Baba Nahm will join the S&W Market this spring, the restaurant’s co-owners and partners, Laura and Brian Smith, shared in late April that they will also bring Dooogh Smoothie Shop & Pita’ria to the food hall’s front window space later this season.  Grab our latest issue for more!  Photo by Molly Milroy

Catherine Amos, left, and Jesse Landl stand outside the Charlotte Street offices of the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County. The 1908 building, where the society held its first organizational meeting in 1976, now serves as its headquarters. The nonprofit is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Over the decades, the organization has grown from a small, volunteer-led effort into a leading preservation force that has protected dozens of historic properties, shaped local development debates and expanded its mission to include education, advocacy and affordable housing. Grab this week's Nonprofit Issue to learn more about the Preservation Society's plans for this year's anniversary.  Photo by Justin McGuire

On May 1, more than 200 teachers and school staff members from Asheville and Buncombe County joined an estimated 15,000 other educators in Raleigh to lobby state legislators for more public school funding. Xpress joined the educators on their May Day journey. In this issue, you'll also find: Community members tackle gun violence Advocates push for more election funding as WNC prepares for high-stakes 2026 midterm Asheville preservation group marks 50 years of protecting local history Eliada launches new counseling center for children and their families

In Case You Missed It: Outtakes from This Week’s Cover of Mountain Xpress. On Friday, May 15, Asheville’s self-proclaimed nerd fashion enthusiast group Reclaim the Cosmos will host their “Reclaim the Cosmos Coswalk,” a sci-fi themed cosplay fashion show. The event will raise funds for the Asheville Area Tenants Union which aids locals with rent assistance. We caught up with the Trekkies and fashionistas of Reclaim the Cosmos to learn about their grand plans for the event, including the sand worms. To learn more, grab a copy of this week’s issue of Mountain Xpress. 📝: Jessica Wakeman 📸: Caleb Johnson

On Friday, May 15, Asheville’s proudest nerds will gather at The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage Co. for Reclaim the Cosmos Coswalk, a sci-fi cosplay fashion show. In addition to a celebration of all things science fiction, the event is a fundraiser for the Asheville Area Tenants Union supporting local rent assistance. In this issue, you'll also find: Weaverville approves restrictions on new data center development Tourism industry optimistic despite setbacks Leicester History Project seeks to document rural life through community archives Art Garden reopens in new downtown gallery

Xpress managing editor Thomas Calder, left, and office manager Mark Murphy, right, recently sat down with Ray Russell, middle, of @raysweather to talk about the paper's role in the Asheville community, future plans for the publication and more. Check out the full interview at @raysweather .

May Day rally at Pack Square Park. 📸 by Thomas Calder

Help keep Mountain Xpress strong! We’re launching a campaign to welcome 100 new members and keep independent reporting alive across Western North Carolina. For 32 years, we’ve covered local government, arts, nonprofits and the human stories that make this region unique — and we want everyone to keep reading, for free. 💛 Think independent local news matters? To become a member, see link in bio.

A caravan of buses carrying Western North Carolina teachers, school staff and other public school advocates arrived in Raleigh this morning for the International Workers’ May Day march to lobby legislators for increased public school funding as part of the Kids Over Corporations campaign. The WNC group represents more than 50 schools and six districts (Asheville, Buncombe, Haywood, Catawba, Cleveland and Alexander).  Both Buncombe County Schools (BCS( and Asheville City Schools (ACS) closed today due to the number of teachers who took personal days or leave without pay to participate in the event. More than 600 teachers requested time off from BCS. “This is a big moment for public school workers to come together for a shared purpose, and that’s to have our general assembly fund our schools better,” said Shanna Peele, president of the Buncombe County Association of Educators. Regarding the closures, Peele said, “Our hearts are with our children every day. But for too long, the general assembly has not given us the tools we need to support our students in the ways they deserve. And so by taking a day of action, we’re using our voices to advocate for what they need in a way that will have a greater impact than a day of instruction.” 📸 and reporting by Brionna Dallara

Breaking News: Handsome puppet correspondent receives local coverage! Thank you @mountainxpress and @wakewoman #breakingnews #asheville #puppet #comedy #littleginger

As many of you may know, Xpress features a recurring comedy feature called “Best Medicine.” The series is led by comedians Cayla Clark and Eric Brown, who rotate writing duties each month.  In our current issue, Brown leads the way, inviting his latest cohort of local stand-ups to contemplate a number of topics, including the city's financial troubles and how those matters could be resolved if our elected officials could somehow convince U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegeth to request $200 billion in funding for Western North Carolina instead of the ongoing war in Iran.  As you might be able to tell, these conversations are wide ranging and sometimes venture into the fantastical. Our local comedians have a true talent for identifying and exploiting the absurd. They're also gifted storytellers. For example, in this week's conversation, stand-up Nora Tramm manages to weave Calvin, their recently adopted cat, into every proposed solution — from ways to sustain our local economy to what the future of our city will look like 100 years from now. No matter the topic, Calvin is there.  Be sure to grab this week's paper to read the full exchange.