Chai Pani is one of 50 restaurants on the New York Times’ 2021 “America’s Favorite Restaurants” List. The restaurant, which opened in 2009 by Meherwan Irani, serves up a mix of Indian Street Food. The Times also mentions Irani’s other ventures including Buxton Chicken Palace, Buxton Hall Barbecue and Nani’s Rotisserie Chicken. One other North Carolina restaurant, Kindred in Davidson, made it onto the list, as well. See the full list here.
Announcements:
Assistant City Manager Cathy Ball has accepted a position as City Manager with Johnson City, TN. Her last day of service in Asheville will be November 10, 2021. Ball has served the Asheville community for 24 years in several key roles, including Transportation Director, Public Works Director, and Assistant City Manager. In 2018, she served as the Interim City Manager at the request of the Asheville City Council. An Assistant City Manager selection process will be underway shortly. Learn more here.
Community:
MANNA Foodbank is looking to provide as many households as possible with a celebratory table – and a large helping of hope – for the holidays. MANNA hopes to collect hundreds of turkeys this year, and invites the community to join the effort by supporting the Turkey Drive. The community can give in two ways: 1. Donate a frozen turkey, ham or other holiday table entrée to MANNA. Donations will be accepted at MANNA’s Volunteer Center at 627 Swannanoa River Road, M – F, 9am-noon and 1–3 pm. Or, 2. Support MANNA’s efforts to purchase additional holiday turkeys and hams through a virtual food drive option, which can be found at mannafoodbank.org/turkey-drive.
Happenings:
One person appearing in many guises, garments made from porcelain, and a mysterious title are all elements of the new exhibition at the Penland Gallery. The two-person show of photographs by Corn Wagon Thunder and ceramics by Shae Bishop is titled “I Is Another.” It explores identity, narrative, costuming, and unconventional use of materials. This exhibition will be on view through December 5. The Penland Gallery and Visitors Center is located on Conley Ridge Road, just off Penland Road in Mitchell County. It is the first building on the right as you approach the Penland campus. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For more information call 828-765-6211 or visit penland.org/gallery. (Photo used for this blog post is from the exhibition: Corn Wagon Thunder, Wear Your Rue, archival inkjet print.)
Movement for Life Physical Therapy is holding the Knock Out Parkinson’s Challenge October 23 from 10 am to 2 pm, at all 4 of their clinic locations. This free event will include a 20-minute workout at each, a free pint glass & t-shirt for all participants (while supplies last) and raffle prizes from community partners. Learn more here.
Provisions Mercantile will host an open house at their newest store location in historic Biltmore Village on Thursday, October 14 between 4-6 p.m. The open house will be a first for business owners, Heather and Matt Wright, who opened their flagship store on Haywood Road in West Asheville in late 2019. With their emphasis on local, artisanal, and heirloom-quality goods, Provisions Mercantile has quickly carved a niche within the Asheville retail landscape. Their second location in Biltmore Village maintains the emphasis on local and artisanal but focuses more on gourmet food and drinks. Learn more about Provisions Mercantile here.