Hello Thursday.
April 25 2024
Ali McGhee is a member of the City of Asheville’s Public Art and Cultural Commission and is 6AM City’s Culture and Team Development Leader.
If you don’t live in Skyland (about 10 minutes south of downtown), you might have driven past 5.5-acre Jake Rusher Park (160 Sycamore Dr.) without even knowing it was there. But this municipal playground + park is getting a makeover from the city — including an interactive piece of public art.
As this historic park prepares for big changes, it’s an apt time to look back on its evolution since 1925 (when the Royal Pines neighborhood, one of the largest and most prominent areas south of downtown) was formally established.
Pining for Royal Pines
The Royal Pines residential subdevelopment — named after the white pine trees that grew in the area — broke ground in 1925 and was promoted as the “largest and finest” in southern Buncombe County, offering amenities like electric power and lights, paved roads, telephone service, a water and sewage system, and recreational options for residents. Prospective homeowners were even bused in from Florida and SC to enjoy the cool mountain breezes (and that swimming pool).
When the Great Depression hit, lot sales dropped. The reality of Royal Pines lagged behind the vision until after WWII, when the population boomed and development took off.
Who was Jake Rusher?
Jake Rusher managed + owned the Royal Pines Club, Recreation Center, Pool + Skateboard Park, for over 5 decades. DYK: The park + rec center also included a dance hall and casino, and was a popular teen hangout from the 1940s through the ‘80s. In the early 2000s, the city replaced the pool and casino with Jake Rusher Park, after Rusher himself donated the land.
Present-day play
Last year, City Council approved a $975,000 construction contract for improvements at the park, including a pavilion + restrooms, new parking, a basketball court, and landscaping + lighting. Funds from the City's Percent for Public Art program are being used for a “Playful Art” project, an interactive public art piece that will be an addition to the existing playground. We’ll give you more details on that soon.
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Bonus: The City will be hosting public sessions for the park + public art project later this year, so if you’d like to attend one and share your memory with them in person, too, please include your contact info. Don’t worry, we won’t share it with anyone else.
Today
- Rustic Ridge IPA Release | Fri., Sept. 17 | 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. | S&W Cafeteria, 56 Patton Ave. | Free | Come try Highland’s newest seasonal IPA and buy from the pop-up craft fair.
- Asheville Chamber Music Series | Fri., Sept. 17-Sun., Sept. 19 | Various times | Virtual | Free | Enjoy the highlights from last year’s season through a virtual concert.
Saturday
- Heritage Day | Sat., Sept. 18 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway | Free | Celebrate Southern Appalachian culture with old-time music and crafts.
- Barketype + MPR Adoption Event | Sat., Sept. 18 | 1-4 p.m. | Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd. | Free | Join Asheville’s Mountain Pet Rescue as they host a dog adoption event.
- An evening of Atmosphere | Sat., Sept. 18 | 6 p.m. | REVOLVE, 821 Riverside Dr. #179 | $15 | Enjoy a film screening created and curated by 4 local artists.
- D.R.I. | Sat., Sept. 18 | 9 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $15+ | Rock out to some hardcore punk + thrash-metal.
- Atelier Maison & Co. Monthly Warehouse Sale | Sat., Sept. 18 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Atelier Maison & Co., 121 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free | Enjoy bites from Black Bear Pizza (starting at 11 a.m.), local musician Ben Phantom playing from 3-6 p.m., and discounts up to 40%. Ⓟ
Sunday
- Summer Salt | Sun., Sept. 19 | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $18+ | Intersection of ’60s pop, jazz + Bossa Nova.
- Asheville Off Road Series | Sun., Sept. 19 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Ride Kanuga, 1249 Kanuga Lake Rd., Hendersonville | $10 | Run and bike in the Asheville Duathlon or partake in the Trail Run or Gravel Grinder Bike events.
- AyurWHAT?! | Sun., Sept. 19 | 2-4 p.m. | Ahimsa Healing Loft, 4110 Hendersonville Rd. #Suite 40, Fletcher | $25+ | Learn your dosha, simple ways to self care, and how to self nurture.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 76º | Showers | 40% chance of rain
Civic
- The City of Asheville has various openings for Boards & Commissions, including the Board of Adjustment, Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee, Human Relations Commission of Asheville, Noise Advisory Board, and Planning & Zoning Commission. Applications are due Mon., Oct. 4 at 5 p.m.
- The Town of Woodfin’s Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to recommend the adoption of a 150-page 2021 Comprehensive Plan. Since 2008, Woodfin has operated with no comprehensive plan. The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing for the plan at its Tues., Sept. 21 meeting. 🏛️(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Community
- Isaac Dickson Elementary school now has a community-funded solar power system, an initiative 6 years in the making. Fundraising efforts were led by Sundance and Green Built Alliance’s Appalachian Offsets program. The school is expected to lower its electric costs by $30,000 per year with a 30-year savings of more than $1.3 million.
- Applications are open for the third round of Tzedek Social Justice Fund’s 2021 Tzedek Impact Awards. This award is given to honor individuals who are engaged in systems change or community healing work in Asheville. Selected applicants will receive $3,000 to compensate for their unpaid work within the community.
Closing
- After 27 years of business, Pomodoros Cafe owner Tommy Tsiros has announced he will close its doors for good on Sat., Sept. 18. However, Ashevegas says that there will be another announcement soon about who will be taking over the space for a new venture. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.
Active
- KidCycle Club has a series of 4-week kids biking classes that kick off Wed., Oct. 6. Offerings include a parent-child class for ages 1-4, independent classes for ages 5-8, and a progressive skill-building series for those who are ready to kick off the training wheels. Learn more.
Arts
- The “Our Story” exhibition by local artist Connie Bostic will have its grand opening today, Sept. 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Pink Dog Gallery. This exhibition will run until Oct. 17. The works from this series were mainly inspired by Bostic’s family photographs and her interest in the important role that African American women have played in America and within many families.
- Emerging and established NC artists are encouraged to apply by Sept. 30 for the Artist Support Grants, which are now available through the North Carolina Art Council website. Grants range from $500-2,000, and will be allocated through 18 regional partners across the state to ensure an equitable distribution of funds.
Health
- Local mental health professionals have shared that they’re seeing a significant uptick in fear, anxiety, sadness, existential dread, and the likes through 2021 after a short dip in spring and summer of 2020. Learn more about their findings, and how our community can help support each other in this Mountain Xpress feature.
Coronavirus
- As of Thursday afternoon, 159,915 people (up 292 from Tuesday) in Buncombe County are fully vaccinated for a total of 61% of the population. There have been 717 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days (down 4 from Tuesday), and 366 total deaths. Book a vaccine appointment here, and see more Buncombe County-specific info here.
Edu
Wellness
- YMCA members get unlimited access to 7 WNC locations in Buncombe, Henderson, and McDowell counties, as well as participating Ys nationwide. The perks: Pool access, in-person + virtual group exercise classes, free drop-in childcare for household members, and more. Bonus: New members pay no join fee through Sept. 20. Ⓟ
We've been hearing word that an "emotional support" pony named Ginger has been roaming the streets (and frequenting local businesses) as of late, and now we're pleased to share photo evidence of this darling specimen.
According to the folks at Summit Coffee, who kindly captured this image, Ginger and her owner are regular customers at the Grove Arcade location (1 Page Ave., Ste. 148). So if you're looking for a chance to meet her, that's probably your best bet.
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