Home Care In Asheville, NC

From the mountains to the coast, the South is home to some pretty popular destinations — but a few North Carolina cities have been named the best among the best.

As part of the 2024 South’s Best awards, Southern Living released a list of the top cities in the region, based on readers’ votes.

“From North Carolina’s majestic mountains to Texas’s dizzying metros, this year’s reader-voted best cities represent every corner of the region and offer a little something for every type of traveler,” the report says. “When it comes to the South’s Best Cities, the options are endless.”

Once again, for the second year in a row, Asheville, Charlotte and Raleigh ranked among the most beloved cities in the South.

“Asheville will likely always have a home near the top of our reader-voted Best Cities list — and for good reason. Between the sprawling and stately Biltmore Estate, the endless hiking trails crisscrossing the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the close-knit community of artists that give this mountain town its quirky flair, there’s a lot to love about Asheville,” the report says.

Asheville was also highly rated for its craft beer and culinary scene, which Southern Living says also benefit from local creative talent.

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“The largest of the three Research Triangle cities, over the past few years, Raleigh has consistently been voted one of the best places to live in the country. The distinction was earned in large part because there’s so much to see and do here,” the report says.

If you’re looking for things to do, Southern Living recommends a visit to the North Carolina Museum of Art, William B. Umstead State Park and a self-guided tour of fan-favorite food spots, such as Stanbury, The Pit and Poole’s Diner, which was also named the best diner in the state.

“There’s never been a better time to visit North Carolina’s largest city. A glowing destination for the arts, you’ll want to visit both the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture,” the report says. “Outdoor time can be spent at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden or Little Sugar Creek Greenway.”

Like Southern Living says, in Charlotte you can count on “your pick of the litter when it comes to dining options, from authentic Carolina barbecue or upscale global-inspired eats.”

Charlotte is also home to Southern Living’s pick for the best new restaurant in North Carolina: Salted Melon Market & Eatery.

You can find the full list of the South’s Best Cities online at southernliving.com.

This story was originally published March 12, 2024, 5:30 AM.

Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina plays its lone road game amidst an eight-game stretch on Tuesday evening as the Catamounts travel to mountain-rival UNC Asheville in the backend of the seasonal nonconference home-and-home with first pitch at 5 p.m., at UNCA's on-campus Greenwood Field.

Tuesday's game is slated to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats available online through CatamountSports.com.

Western Carolina (9-9) enters riding a five-game winning streak, most recently sweeping three games from Ivy League preseason No. 3 Harvard at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium over the weekend. UNC Asheville (10-9) has lost three of its last four including a midweek defeat in eight innings at Liberty last Tuesday and then dropping 2-of-3 at home to VMI over the weekend. The Keydets took the series with consecutive wins on Saturday and Sunday as the Bulldogs enter the week on a two-game slide.

Junior transfer Trent Turner continues to pace the Catamounts with 31 base hits on the year, the second-most in the Southern Conference to date. Turner is batting .369, one of four regulars hovering around the .300 threshold. Hayden Friese, who has started nine of the 13 games in which he's played, is batting a team-best .406, with Nate Stocum and Jack Spyke both with averages of .297. Stocum, the reigning SoCon Player of the Week announced on Monday, leads the SoCon – and ranks seventh nationally – with 10 home runs including round-trippers in five-straight games. Senior slugger Drew Needham has also surged as the weather has warmed, blasting four home runs over his last four games played including two against Western Michigan at Fluor Field.

The Catamounts are batting .276 collectively as a team with 66 of their 167 hits going for extra-bases including 38 doubles, a pair of triples, and 26 home runs, averaging 9.3 hits per game. WCU has scored an average of 7.6 runs per contest – 137 runs over 18 games – with three double-digit scoring performances.

In the field, the Catamounts enter the week leading the SoCon having turned 15 double plays.

WCU turns to freshman RHP Davis Budd (0-0, 8.44 ERA) to make the start on Tuesday, the first of his collegiate career. Budd has made four relief appearances to date, striking out six against two walks over 5.1 innings. The Acworth, Ga., product tossed a career-long 3.0 innings against Georgia State back on March 2 and most recently, struck out two in an inning out of the bullpen in Sunday's win over Harvard.

Under the direction of 10th-year head coach Scott Friedholm, UNC Asheville's roster includes the program's first-ever Big South Preseason Player of the Year in outfielder Robbie Burnett who was joined on the inaugural Preseason All-Big South team by fifth-year outfield mate Dylan Bacot and senior reliever Justin Honeycutt. Burnett has a team-best seven home runs and 17 RBI with a .307 batting average while senior infielder Cameron Johnson boasts a .324 average at the plate with eight extra-base hits including four doubles, two triples, and a pair of home runs.

The Bulldogs enter the week batting .280 collectively as a team with five regulars batting over .300 entering their game No. 20. UNCA has 62 extra-base hits among its 180 on the year, averaging 9.5 hits and 8.6 runs per game this season.

UNC Asheville was picked to finish in a tie for fourth in this year's preseason Big South poll after a 26-26 finish a year ago.

Western Carolina and UNC Asheville meet for the 82nd time on the baseball diamond Tuesday with the Catamounts carrying a 56-25 series lead into the matchup. After dropping three straight – and losing eight of nine meetings between 2015 and 2022 – WCU has won three straight over their canine rivals under head coach Alan Beck, sweeping last year's meetings 13-4 in Asheville and 19-7 in Cullowhee and earning a 6-5 walk-off victory in Cullowhee back on Feb. 27 this season.

In that first meeting, WCU's Mason Holton drew a bases-loaded walk-off walk to cap a three-run bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Catamounts to the victory. James Hinson accounted for three RBI in the winning effort as he drove a two-run double to the fence in center field to bring in the game-tying runs in the final frame.

Following Tuesday's midweek matchup with Asheville, the Catamounts return home this weekend to open Southern Conference play, welcoming the East Tennessee State Buccaneers to Cullowhee for a three-game set at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. Friday's series opener is scheduled for 5 p.m., with Saturday's first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m., and concluding Sunday at 1 p.m. Each game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats available online at CatamountSports.com.

For tickets to WCU's home games, visit CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.

Keep track of everything related to WCU Athletics and Catamount baseball including any game day schedule changes through our social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountBSB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountbsb).

2024 Catamount Baseball – Western Carolina at UNC Asheville Projected Pitching Match-Up:

Tuesday, March 19 | 4:00 pm | Coverage: Watch ESPN (ESPN+) | Live Stats WCU – Fr. RHP Davis Budd (4 app., 0-0 – 5.1 IP, 8.44 ERA, 6 K, 2 BB UNCA – Soph. LHP Nick Bruno (6 app., 0-1 – 11.0 IP, 5.73 ERA, 15 K, 12 BB)

The Department of Community & Regional Entertainment Facilities manages permitting, location agreements, and city service coordination for all commercial filming and photography work involving city-owned property, sidewalks, streets, and parks. Commercial filming and photography is largely permitted under the same conditions as other outdoor special event uses of public property in Asheville. A permit may not be required for small-scale projects that do not require the reservation of public space, closure of streets/sidewalks/parking, use of generators, fire, added structures, or unusual scenes.

Permit Application Fee: $100-$150, plus additional fees for secondary permits, reserved property use, and support services as outlined within the City’s Outdoor Special Event Guide.

North Carolina Film Office – Intent to Film Registration

The City of Asheville works in cooperation with the North Carolina Film Office. Intent to Film Notification should be completed by any production, regardless of production type and/or budget size, that will be filming in North Carolina. Completion of the form is required for any production wishing to apply for the state’s film rebate program, funded through the NC Film and Entertainment Grant (note that an additional “formal application” is also required to be completed to be considered). Even those productions who do not intend to apply for the grant should complete the form so that the NC Film Office is best able to assist the production while filming in North Carolina.

Contact Information

Click Here to schedule time for consultation, application review, intake and payments.

Jon Fillman, Community Event Manager828-259-5738

Kate O’Connor, Business Services Specialist 828-713-6705

City of Asheville Office of Special Events Department of Community & Regional Entertainment Facilities 29 Haywood St. (by appt.) Asheville, NC 28801

Mailing Address PO Box 7148 Asheville, NC 28802

Notice: All commercial filming activities in national parks require a permit.

Blue Ridge Parkway Matt Micale, Permit Coordinator 828-348-3441

[email protected]

The purpose of the Patton Avenue Corridor Study is to develop transportation, land use, and urban design recommendations for Patton Avenue from the Jeff Bowen Bridge to the easternmost terminus at Pack Square. The goals for the study are to:

There are three other City projects within this same study area, as shown in the map below (click the map to expand it). To learn more about any of those projects, select the relevant hyperlink below.

Carter St/Ann St/Patton Ave Stormwater Project

College Patton Bike Lane Project

Patton Avenue Sidewalk Accessibility Improvements

On August 22, 2023, the Asheville City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with McAdams for a corridor and feasibility study of Patton Avenue between the Jeff Bowen Bridge and Pack Square. The project will take approximately one year and will be reviewed regularly by a Project Working Group composed of community members.

On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the project will conduct a public open house event to kick off the project. This free meeting will be held in the Banquet Hall of Harrah’s Cherokee Center located at 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801 from 5-7PM. Please help to spread the word. More information will be shared as we approach the meeting date.

For decades residents have been trying to create a vision for the western gateway to downtown Asheville. Concepts focused on transportation changes, such as realigning Patton Avenue, as well as land use ideas to extend the downtown westward to the Jeff Bowen bridge. In 2022, staff summarized these efforts in the East Patton Avenue Report.

August 22, 2023 – City Council authorizes a professional contract with McAdams

August 28, 2023 – Internal Kickoff Meeting with McAdams, NCDOT, the MPO, and City staff

November 29, 2023 – Public Open House (5-7PM, Banquet Hall, Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801)

The following chart summarizes the proposed timeline and milestones of the Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor & Feasibility study over the span of the next year.

East Patton Avenue Report

Resolution No 23-174 Authorizing the City to Execute a Contract with McAdams

Poster Boards from November 29th Public Open House

The fast-casual eatery celebrates Black Appalachian culture, community, and cuisine.

Amidst the buzzing food scene of Asheville, North Carolina, one restaurant has managed to garner constant anticipation and excitement: Good Hot Fish. Created by James Beard Award finalist and Top Chef contestant Ashleigh Shanti, this fast-casual eatery opened this month in Asheville’s South Slope District. Good Hot Fish, which pays homage to the fish-frying heritage in Shanti’s family, is not only one of the hippest places to dine in Asheville but also a gathering spot that celebrates Black Appalachian culture, community, and cuisine.

For Shanti, food and fishing have always been a way of life. Growing up along the woodlands and waterways of coastal Virginia, she learned the art of frying fish at her family’s fish camps, where the men would catch and gut the fish, and the women would season and fry their catch. Led by her grandmother and Great Aunt Hattie, the matriarchs of her family would sell their mouthwatering creations after Sunday church services and throughout town, their signature call of "Good hot fish! Come get your good hot fish!" drawing customers from far and wide.

Surprisingly, none of Shanti's family members pursued a culinary career. But Shanti is proudly carrying on their legacy through her unique fusion of Black Appalachian or "Affrilachian" cuisine with Southern flavors and global influences. She’s reimagined everything from her grandmother’s buttermilk cornbread soup to international staples like hummus, crafting it with black-eyed peas and fermented benne.

Shanti's culinary journey has taken her to various corners of the U.S. and the world, from culinary school in Baltimore to flavorful expeditions in Cameroon. Yet, despite her vast experiences and coveted chef positions, she’s often found herself yearning for the simple joys of her childhood kitchen.

"Food has always brought people together and created a sense of community for me," Shanti told Travel + Leisure. But a trip to Shenandoah National Park sparked a deeper realization for Shanti. A thought-provoking exhibit at the visitor’s center at Shenandoah National Park asked, "Where are the African Americans of Appalachia?” This exhibit caused her to reflect on the lack of representation of African Americans in Appalachia, and it ignited her determination to showcase the rich food culture of Black Appalachia.

As chef de cuisine at Benne on Eagle in Asheville's historic "The Block" neighborhood, Shanti's bold and innovative Black Appalachian menu garnered critical acclaim. It’s also where she discovered the power of storytelling through food and the importance of owning one's narrative. Her departure from Benne on Eagle in 2020 marked the beginning of a new chapter that saw her pop-up shop bring her cherished foods to an eager public, but this time, on her own terms.

“It’s deeply important for me to fully own my story,” she said. With her latest venture, Good Hot Fish, Shanti aims to recreate those same childhood feelings of togetherness and connection, drawing inspiration from iconic spots like Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, DC. As she takes diners on a journey back to her roots, she wants patrons “to feel welcomed and nostalgic, like they're visiting my home.”

Housed inside Eulogy, a live music venue by Burial Beer Co., Good Hot Fish will serve a carefully curated menu with elevated offerings like caviar beer, locally sourced seasonal fare, and classic sides like baked beans, stewed collards, and hush puppies. Not to be missed are Shanti's famous fish sandwiches and plates, made with wild-caught Carolina blue catfish and a signature Burial Beer batter texture she describes as "glass-shattering crispy." Another standout dish is Shanti's personal favorite, trout “bologna” and cheese, a filet of sunburst trout cured in the same fashion as the conventional pork classic and served on a fluffy potato bun with yellow mustard, grilled onions, and American cheese.

Beyond serving delectable dishes, Shanti uses food as a medium to spark meaningful dialogue about important topics such as diversity, heritage preservation, and food justice. And as an advocate for African-American and Southern food traditions, she is elevating the voices and stories behind these traditions and shining a light on their invaluable contributions to American gastronomy. Far more than a chef, she’s a storyteller and a changemaker, using the universal language of food to unite and inspire.