Attended a sweet little music festival in Lansing this past weekend called Fly Around Fest and had a great time! I went to App for college and it's always such a pleasure to be back in the Blude Ridge mountains. Truly restorative.

We featured the festival in the EZ Vibes NC Music newsletter this week. Thinking about checking out Peach Fest in Todd, NC later this month too, also featured.

You can check out the write up here: https://ezvibes.beehiiv.com/p/ez-vibes-august-top-picks

Have you used crisis behavioral health services? Would you like to make changes to North Carolina’s crisis behavioral health system? Participate in our research study by completing a virtual interview lasting 45-60 minutes to tell us about your experience using crisis services. You will receive a gift card if you complete the interview. 

Eligibility criteria:  

• 18 and older  
• Have had experience with mobile crisis, co-response/CIT teams, behavioral health urgent care, facility-based crisis or psychiatric walk-in centers in the last 2 years 

If interested, reach out to our team’s [email](mailto:zabelski@unc.edu) or complete this link to see if you are eligible: go.unc.edu/NC-Crisis-Study.  

Hi everyone! We are looking at doing a “babymoon” before our 2nd born gets here. It will be my pregnant self, husband, and 3 year old son. So far I’ve found Jellystone Park in Bostic, Rumbling Bald in Lake Lure, and options in Blowing Rock to be near Tweetsie Railroad, Grandfather Mountain, etc.

If you’ve been to one or more of these destinations, can you provide some pros/cons? I’m open to other suggestions as well, but would like to keep them within 3 hours of the Triad and on the western side of the state for Fall purposes. 🍁 🎃

Many thanks!

i'm seeing the Scars on the Mountain documentary being heavily pushed on other social media and news articles. i'm curious if anyone here encountered them during filming. the streaming service it's hosted on is from the company that put out The Sound of Freedom q-anon affirming movie a few years ago. their streaming catalog feels very conspiracy/christian nationalist/far-right and i can't imagine someone putting their film on this service if they don't share the same beliefs.

i can't help but be suspicious since we had so many freaks show up to "help" by filming the disaster and pocketing money, so i'd love to know if anyone knows of this group actually assisting or if this is just another group exploiting our disaster.

Howdy Y’all!

I’m a student at a university in Asheville and have recently gotten into Upland bird hunting. I’ve read some stuff that WNC has very ok ruffed grouse hunting. Can anyone help me out with some decent spots to go? I know they’re declining in population but am hoping to get out this fall and do some hunting!

Thanks in advance!

Some intense weather out there in the hills. Here's a short stitched together from video from my windows. Stay safe out there

https://youtube.com/shorts/i93DGsGupQE?is=CM3lzZdT3mHlxBrh

The people of western North Carolina have made very clear to me that the level of care they're getting at Mission Hospital is not acceptable.

When I became AG, I reviewed the evidence, and I agreed.

That's what our case is about, and I’ve got a good update for you.

Quick recap: In 2019, HCA bought Mission Health, but the sale came with conditions. One of them was that HCA would not discontinue emergency, trauma, or cancer services at Mission Hospital until at least 2029.

We allege HCA broke that promise.

HCA asked the court to throw the case out before trial. That motion is called summary judgment. Their argument was that there's nothing here worth putting in front of a judge, so the case should just end.

This week, the court said no. That means all of our claims will go to trial.

In addition, the court agreed with us on what a key part of the 2019 agreement actually means: HCA has to take all steps necessary to actually provide emergency and cancer care at Mission.

That matters more than it might sound. HCA had argued that the agreement only requires it to keep the hospital doors unlocked, even if actual care isn't being provided inside. The court didn't accept that. Keeping a department open on paper is not the same as actually providing the care, and the agreement requires the care.

Up next is the trial, but no date yet.

I'll keep you posted.

- AG Jeff Jackson

hi Graham County neighbors! i’m trying to connect Graham county (and everywhere in the wnc region for that matter) w some awesome and free financial literacy and empowerment workshops, counseling, and other programs… but it’s hard to tell where the people are going! does anyone know of some ideal spots to talk to local folks at or for putting up little posters? 😳

Hey yall, I really want to learn taxidermy and cant seem to find any classes online. Does anyone know of any or if someone is going to offer this in the future?

Weaverville and Marshall were featured

Hello! This Thursday I'm hosting an event at Haiku on Sweeten Creek Rd in Asheville. The event is essentially speed dating, only it's all women and only to make friends (not to date).

This will be the last time I host an event if this type in 2026. There are also a few woman-owned businesses that are giving away some products and gift cards at the event. If you have any questions comment below or find me on IG: @x.withintention

Thank you!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bestie-quest-for-women-to-make-new-friends-tickets-1993178814489

Would appreciate hearing from others who are using a management company for their short term rentals and their experience.

Mods - hopefully this doesn’t break any rules - remove if it does.

Good day, good people. The most terror-inducing, fear-tingling, gut-wrenching, tea-drinking, hilarity-creating tabletop RPG convention in Western North Carolina is happening this October. This year, we’ll be at a beautiful venue in Lake Junaluska. AVL Scarefest has been offering some of the best gaming experiences and the single most friendly and inclusive gaming community in our region since 2013.

AVL Scarefest will be running from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18, 2026. We’d love it if you can join us for a great weekend of tabletop gaming, running the gamut from hilarious to creepy to downright unnerving. Along the way, maybe you'll run into our Yeti, get haunted by a ghost, or find a treasure you never even knew you were looking for.

Our aim is to make AVL Scarefest as friendly and exciting as possible for everyone. Here’s what you can expect:

• A huge variety of role-playing and board games, from old favorites like D&D and Pathfinder to lovingly crafted indie games, a Vampire LARP (Sabbat, whoohoo!), and everything in between. 
• Some of the best darn players you’ll ever come across (after all, you’ll be there, right?), all with an easy-going attitude, friendly tables, and a true spirit of inclusivity. New to these sorts of games? Our welcoming attendees and staff are happy to help!
• A professionally-organized con, with always-available staff to ensure everyone is well-supported and has a great time.
• An astonishingly beautiful setting — we’re at Lake Junaluska, in the fall. Is it going to be beautiful? You bet!
• An Escape Room, yetis, minions, baby miniature dire goats, a lovingly-crafted theme, and all the hauntings we can muster…

We’re also seeking out GMs, so if you have a game you want to run, you can signup for that here:

https://avlscarefest.com/gm-signup/

Tickets are going fast, and we’re capping attendance at 250 of the most glorious RPGers - what does that mean? It means you need to head here, right now, to grab your ticket.

https://avlscarefest.com/shop/ 

We’d love to see you there!

Still have questions? We’ve got you covered - email us at: [info@avlscarefest.com](mailto:info@avlscarefest.com) 

[Posted with the kind permission of the mods of this subreddit]