This is your 'virtual newsstand'. Here are some of the publications that you'll see sitting outside Earthfare or Greenlife or in those 'free' newspaper boxes on the street corners in downtown Asheville
Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
"... the definitive guide to outdoor sports and adventure travel in the Southeast... from D.C. to Atlanta ... Each month BRO highlights the region's best destinations for outdoor adventure. Top regional writers provide the inside track on running, the dirt on hiking hotspots, and helpful hints to keep your boat floating and your bike wheels spinning. From the mountain tops to the river bottoms...".
Mountain Xpress
If you're looking for 'what's happening' at a glance, this is where to go. There's an events calendar, movie times and reviews, restaurant listings and reviews, club listings, and much more... including a New York Times crossword puzzle. You can either read the paper online... or pick up a physical FREE paper at any of the many places around town that carry it... I've found it at the Asheville Brewing & Pizza Co., at Barnes & Noble, at Earth Fare and Greenlight natural food markets, outside Asiana I, just for example
New Life Journal
".... Based in Asheville, North Carolina, a city known nationwide for its focus on natural medicine and organic farming, New Life Journal has become known throughout the Southeast region as a source for traditional healing wisdom, a showcase for new therapies, and a guide to organic gardening. At New Life Journal, not only do we draw on area experts for our articles, but we offer features and interviews of both regional and national importance.,,,"
Rapid River Magazine
"... the oldest and most read arts and culture magazine in the mountains ..." You can pick this free monthly publication at places like Downtown Books & News, Earth Fare, or you an download the current copy online
RiverLink
This tabloid size publication helps keep concerned citizens up to date with the latest RiverLink developments. "...RiverLink is a regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River
and its tributaries as a place to work, live and play.... RiverLink was born in 1987 of simultaneous efforts to address water
quality concerns throughout the French Broad River basin, expand public
opportunities for access and recreation, and spearhead the economic
revitalization of Asheville's dilapidated riverfront district. As
expressed in our mission statement, we focus on related issues that
directly impact the environmental health of our region's rivers and
streams and the growth and sustainability of our economy...."
Western North Carolina Woman
"... Articles and columns will focus on creative problem solving and the sharing of ideas, information, inspiration, and joy. Women can be isolated by barriers of time and space (commitments and geography). WNC Woman provides a means to transcend those barriers. We envision that the collective wisdom of this gathering of women will enliven individual spirit and creative energy to support personal growth and expansion, and serve as a catalyst for positive change for the whole community...."
Click on each of the dozens of categories to the left to uncover what makes the Asheville area so vital, so intriguing and so, well, UTTERLY BLISSFUL!
Explore the Bliss of Asheville ...
Via Eric Weiner's new book
The Geography of Bliss
The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World: ".... Asheville, North Carolina, with its idyllic mountain setting and proliferation of good restaurants and New Age healing spas, is enjoying a vogue as a happy place to live. As one newly arrived resident puts it, "A lot of people spin the globe and their finger stops on Asheville."
"....the author is correct, nice weather, affordable housing, lovely scenery, and a slower pace of life, yet an active cultural scene..."
I've never been one of those uptight literary types who thinks that you have to have actually read a book in order to recommend it to others. So I feel no trepidation in suggesting Eric Weiner's new travelogue-slash-memoir The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World The premise of the book is simple but intriguing-- here is Amazon's description:
Part foreign affairs discourse, part humor, and part twisted self-help guide, The Geography of Bliss takes the reader from America to Iceland to India in search of happiness, or, in the crabby author's case, moments of "un-unhappiness." The book uses a beguiling mixture of travel, psychology, science and humor to investigate not what happiness is, but where it is. Are people in Switzerland happier because it is the most democratic country in the world? Do citizens of Singapore benefit psychologically by having their options limited by the government? Is the King of Bhutan a visionary for his initiative to calculate Gross National Happiness? Why is Asheville, North Carolina so damn happy? With engaging wit and surprising insights, Eric Weiner answers those questions and many others, offering travelers of all moods some interesting new ideas for sunnier destinations and dispositions.
In the imaginary Netflix queue of books-that-I'm-planning-to-read, this one has just jumped to the top. By the way, why has no one started a Netflix for books? This question, and many more, I'll leave for another day.
Asheville and Western North Carolina Magazines
The Laurel of Asheville
"...a monthly publication serving as a guide to Asheville, Biltmore, and the surrounding areas.Current Issue Each month is filled with articles, advertisements, and features dedicated to supporting Asheville's culture, commerce, and community. In addition to each month's featured sections, the Laurel of Asheville contains monthly Events Calendars, Restaurant Guides, Maps of Downtown Asheville and surrounding communities..."
This is a wonderful publication, which should by read by every resident of and visitor to Western North Carolina.
You can read it online. But if you want to be sure to PRESERVE the many excellent articles and features, and the first rate photography, we highly recommend that you SUBSCRIBE.
Asheville Talk Radio
880 The Revolution
ClearChannel Asheville's Progressive Talk Radio Station.
VIRATO LIVE! "... is Talk Radio that uniquely stimulates thought, and probes beyond the mind into the essence of consciousness itself. More like an event, workshop, or ongoing seminar, the show has a large and loyal following. I enjoy my work of contacting my friends, and renown guests from around the world and having then share themselves with you. I thank Divinity for this gift, and that I am able to share with the world, the many other gifts I have been given over the years..." Saturdays, 10 AM-1 PM, 880 AM Radio, and streamed live on the Internet
Virato talks about the growth and popularization of Asheville from his perspective
Classified Ad Publications
FREE Private Party
Classified Ads
Iwanna
This is s 'free for private party ads' paper that is widely distributed throughout the greater Asheville area and online.
Local Food Guide
"...You will find here a directory of western North Carolina and southern Appalachian family farms, Community Supported Agriculture farms (CSA’s), farmers' tailgate markets, grocers, restaurants, caterers and bakers, u-pick farms, apple orchards, and bed & breakfasts that sell locally grown farm products. This guide will facilitate your connection with healthy fresh food, your neighbor farmers who grow it and those markets, grocers and restaurants that are committed to using locally grown food in their enterprises..."
Regional Newspapers and Magazines
Smoky Mountain News
"... a weekly newspaper covering Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. The Smoky Mountain News is distributed free at over 450 locations.
In addition to hard news, we also have an extensive arts, entertainment, books and outdoors section... the only weekly publication west of Asheville that caters to both residents and tourists..."
The Village Idiot Has a great calendar for the live performances scheduled in the various clubs throughout North Carolina.
Local TV Stations
UNC-TV
Public Television Station "...enhances our ability to share knowledge that enriches the mind and
creativity that inspires the spirit. We will enable North Carolinians
to learn from original content that is distinct, essential, and
culturally diverse. We will be a catalyst to effect change and address
the critical needs of North Carolinians by uniting with partners to
solve educational and social problems. We thereby will make a
difference in people's lives and improve the quality of life in our
state...."
> Local interest specials programs. > View Programming by Subject
WYCW-TV
"... has a unique position in the Greenville/Spartanburg market. The station is operated out of the same building with 11 other Media General broadcast stations and it brings the Carolinas a fresh, new alternative to TV watching. WYCW-TV may be licensed in Asheville, but we are dedicated to entertaining everyone in the 28 counties of our coverage area, from Franklin to Mitchell county...."
WYFF 4 News
NBC affiliate located in Greenville SC
WDAV 89.9 FM
"The Classical Music Station... The purpose of WDAV is to provide classical music and cultural arts programming of the highest quality and to promote the activities of local arts organizations and artists of all disciplines. The station is more than a music service. Significant air time and staff resources are devoted to creating "a community of the arts." This is accomplished by broadcasting locally recorded concerts and by promoting the events and activities of area arts organizations through on-air public service announcements, co-sponsorships, ticket-gives and occasional interview features...."
WETS FM 89.5 FM
Broadcasts from Eastern Tennessee State University and reaches Eastern Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia. "...
focuses much of its broadcast day on classical music.... also emphasizes the culture of our southern Appalachian region.... Americana: a blend of traditional American styles that incorporates country, folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, Celtic, rock, and other elements.... Doc Watson, Byron Berline, Ralph Stanley, John Cephas and Phil Wiggins, Jean Ritchie, and many more. Original and unique Americana programming is available on Roots and Branches and Studio One...."
WNCW FM 88.7
"... showcases all types of music. We blend it thoughtfully together weekdays, then focus on specific genres on the weekend. The centerpiece of Saturday's programming is the bluegrass of "Goin' Across the Mountain", bookended by jazz and blues. Sunday features blocks of bluegrass gospel, celtic, old-time, and reggae. On Friday and Sunday evenings we shine the spotlight on regional music with "Local Color.... Our WEEKDAY MUSIC MIX is "hand picked," with our DJs showcasing both established and emerging artists with the diversity you want to hear - including Americana, bluegrass, local, jazz, Celtic, blues, reggae, jam bands and singer/songwriters. Live studio performances are also a regular occurence...."
WCQS FM (Asheville)
"...WCQS offers programming from National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Radio International (PRI) as well as locally-hosted music and talk programs: Fresh Air, All Things Considered, Jazz, Classical, A Prairie Home Companion, Country Roots, This American Life, BB, Morning Edition, Marketplace Money, Car Talk, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me...."
WFAE 90.7 FM
covers Charlotte, N.C., and the Central Piedmont. However its 100,000-watt signal enables it to reach 22 counties in North and South Carolina, including the Asheville area. Has sponsored a wide range of special events throughout the years, from elegant art exhibits to educational seminars. Includes a wide range of programs from NPR, the BBC and Public Radio International as well as local news and talk shows about issues that are important to the community.
Commercial Radio Stations
Boone Area
MIX 102.3 FM (WECR-FM)
is broadcast from atop Beech Mountain (right on the ski slope!) at an elevation of 5,700 feet above sea level. Perched at the mountain top, Mix reaches from Lenoir to Fleetwood, North Carolina to Mountain City, Tennessee and beyond, including:
Discover the Bliss of Asheville ...
through These Books and Videos.
Finding Your Way in Asheville is ".... a different kind of guide book. Instead of offering glossy photos and paid insertions from big bucks advertisers, it gives you the kind of information you'd get from a best friend who moved to Western North Carolina twenty years ago. "I've discovered the greatest place for a romantic dinner," she'd say. "Just around the corner from Pritchard Park. Here, let me draw you a map." It's a selective guide in that the authors share the places they've come to love while living, working, dining out, partying, biking, hiking, canoeing and raising children in the "Paris of the South."
America's Castles: The Biltmore Estate "...the grandest of all American homes... Biltmore dwarfs all the mansions built by his illustrious forefathers... . a remarkable top-to-bottom tour of the largest home ever built in America. With its 255 rooms, the Biltmore is a monument to the extravagance and eccentricity of its owner. See footage of its construction, and go behind the scenes with the men and women who work there to learn the secrets of this incredible mansion. Get a privileged tour of rooms that are off-limits to the public, and marvel at the magnificent treasures that Vanderbilt collected....."
Biltmore Estate: The Most Distinguished Private Place "... Few people realize what effort it took to design and construct the largest private residence in the United States, but this book details it all from the breaking of the ground to the designing of the curtain rods. This book is one of the best written and most appealing architectural history books ever. The photographs and drawings in it are also to be commended. Many of the pictures offer breathtaking views of the mansion and its grounds as well as showing many vintage photographs taken at various times throughout its construction and times of residence...."
The premise of the book is simple but intriguing-- here is Amazon's description: 
