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After elevating $32,000 for MANNA FoodBank in 2021, native residents and avid hikers Micah and Keeka Grant-Tomlinson are gearing up for his or her subsequent large thru-hike profit for the native nonprofit. Not like the preliminary endeavor, which concerned the couple traversing the Appalachian Path, this time round they’re headed west to cowl the two,600-mile Pacific Crest Path.

The aim for this newest journey, which begins Wednesday, April 12, is to boost $40,000 for MANNA, a company that each Micah and Keeka beforehand labored for. As with their inaugural fundraiser, the trek is a part of the pair’s personal charity group, Mountain climbing for Starvation. Cash raised will come from particular person donors, in addition to assist from sponsors equivalent to Meals for the Sole, ElevenSkys and Sparks within the Forest.

The couple will kick off the marketing campaign at Mountain Inspiration Attire in downtown Asheville on Friday, April 7, at 6 p.m. The occasion, which is designed as an off-the-cuff celebration for supporters, can be a chance for Micah and Keeka to reply questions, in addition to have a good time with drinks and meals supplied by Pink Fiddle Vittles.

“We’re thrilled about Mountain climbing for Starvation and what a full circle second it’s for MANNA,” says Kelly Schwartz, the nonprofit’s particular occasions supervisor. “Being former MANNA employees, we all know they’ve a good deeper understanding of starvation in our mountains and the constructive affect each mile they end has on our neighbors.”

Micah and Keeka have been working on the meals financial institution when the pandemic hit. That’s after they determined to get married, in addition to clear their schedules in pursuit of their desires of mountaineering the Appalachian Path. However they didn’t need to fully abandon MANNA’s 40-year mission of ending starvation.

“We have been planning on leaving our jobs, however we didn’t need to stop supporting our neighbors in want in Western North Carolina,” says Micah. “We noticed how common thru-hiking was turning into and we acknowledged the tradition round thru-hikers sharing their hikes on social media, lots of them drawing massive followings. We thought that we may use our social platforms as thru-hikers to extend consciousness round meals insecurity and lift cash to assist put meals on folks’s plates.”

The couple selected their newest West Coast path as a result of it’s going to assist them obtain a private milestone of “triple crowning,” which entails ending the Appalachian, Continental Divide and Pacific Crest trails.

Micah and Keeka are making ready for the challenges of the hike, which embody doable encounters with bears, drastic temperature adjustments and the specter of wildfires. Their plan is to start on the southern terminus of the path close to Campo, Calif., and end by mid-September, earlier than the chance of considerable snow.

The couple hopes their $40,000 aim can be achieved inside that five-month window.

“1000’s of individuals in WNC are experiencing meals insecurity,” says Micah. “The challenges of placing meals on the desk are getting tougher and tougher for folk as inflation rises and the price of residing goes up. MANNA is having a tougher time sourcing meals, and meals is costing extra as a result of provide chain challenges. Everybody deserves entry to nutritious meals, and nobody ought to go hungry.”

For extra info, go to avl.mx/cjn.

Farmers markets spring up

Indicators of spring in Western North Carolina embody budding flowers, the looks of robins and the opening of regional and native farmers markets. Yr-round markets are additionally switching to common seasonal hours.

Beneath are up to date hours for markets positioned in Buncombe County:

• Asheville Metropolis Market: Saturdays beginning April 1, 9 a.m.-noon, avl.mx/bfk.
• Black Mountain Tailgate Market: Saturdays beginning Might 6, 9 a.m.-noon, avl.mx/ck5.
• East Asheville Tailgate Market: Fridays beginning April 7, 3-6 p.m., avl.mx/c5v.
• Enka-Candler Tailgate Market: Thursdays staring Might 4, 3-6 p.m., avl.mx/ck6.
• North Asheville Tailgate Market: Saturdays beginning April 1, 8 a.m.-noon, avl.mx/bei.
• River Arts District Farmers Market: Wednesdays beginning April 5, 3-6 p.m., avl.mx/9ki.
• Southside Neighborhood Farmers Market: first Sundays beginning Might 7, noon-3 p.m., avl.mx/ck7.
• Weaverville Tailgate Market: Wednesdays beginning April 5, 3-6 p.m., avl.mx/ck8.
• West Asheville Tailgate Market: Tuesdays beginning April 4, 3:30-6:30 p.m., avl.mx/bwh.
• WNC Farmers Market: Every day, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., avl.mx/5br.

A tea tour

The homeowners of Pop Bubble Tea are hoping to uplift Asian tradition in the neighborhood by means of Poppy’s Asian Tour.

Poppy, the enterprise’s cartoon otter mascot, will lead clients on a tour of Asian international locations through a month-to-month launch of specialty bubble teas. New drinks, which can be launched on the primary Thursday of every month, will function flavors impressed by that month’s highlighted nation. Pop’s co-founders may even highlight native Asian companies together with the releases.

Co-founder Eva Peterson says it’s essential to construct relationships with the group and hopes the tea tour will assist promote fellow companies — in addition to construct consciousness of Asian cultures. “We would like Poppy’s Asian Tour above all the pieces to unfold love by means of scrumptious, genuine bubble tea,” says Peterson, who’s initially from Hong Kong. “It is usually an opportunity to honor Asian tradition in addition to hyperlink clients to extra Asian companies and teams in our group.”

The tour will start Thursday, April 6, that includes Thai milk tea and South Asheville restaurant Khao Thai Delicacies. Korea may have the highlight on Might 4, adopted by Japan on June 1, Taiwan on July 6, and Hong Kong on Aug. 3.

Pop Bubble Tea is at 640 Merrimon Ave. Hours are Wednesday-Monday, noon-8 p.m. For extra info, go to avl.mx/bk5.

High cooks

Final month, culinary college students from A-B Tech Neighborhood Faculty competed within the American Culinary Federation’s Southeast Area nationwide qualifying competitors in Overland Park, Kan., and got here residence with prime honors.

The crew, which received Finest Scholar Crew, will head to New Orleans in July to compete within the nationwide contest, marking the school’s 14th look as a competitor. Roman Nourse, 2022 crew captain, received Southeast Scholar Chef final month and can compete for Nationwide Scholar Chef of the Yr. Patricia (Paty) Santibanez received Southeast Scholar Pastry Chef.

“It was a really powerful competitors; the extent of the person and colleges competing have been one of the best within the nation,” crew coach and chef teacher Chris Bugher says in a press launch.  “The crew has labored so onerous over the previous few months and poured their literal blood, sweat, and tears to earn their method to the nationwide competitors in New Orleans this July.”

For extra info, go to avl.mx/cjo.

BBQ on deck

David Brown wished a spot to sit down and drink a beer whereas listening to associates play music after a 12-hour workday. His answer was so as to add a deck, or what he refers to as “a postage stamp of a stage,” to his 10-year-old restaurant in Candler.

Doc Brown’s BBQ, identified for its Carolina-style barbecue and Southern sides and sauces, will begin internet hosting musicians on the deck Monday, April 10. Each Monday can be an open mic night time in partnership with The Franklin College of Innovation, “so aspiring musicians can get some expertise taking part in in entrance of individuals in a welcoming atmosphere,” says Brown.

Different musicians booked for April embody Kevin Smith, Hope Griffin and Eric Congdon. Open mic nights will happen Mondays from 6-8 p.m., and native musicians will carry out Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m.

“This can be a Candler factor, primarily for the parents who’ve needed to transfer westward within the means of gentrification,” says Brown. “It’s a service trade factor — that’s why [we chose] Monday by means of Wednesday. We’re all about not getting the phrase out — as a result of everybody out right here already is aware of.”

Doc Brown’s BBQ is at 1320 Smokey Park Freeway in Candler. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. For extra info, go to avl.mx/cjp.