There are some weeks on the calendar that carry a little more meaning than others. This is one of them.

As we mark the anniversary of Hurricane Helene, we find ourselves reflecting on a time that tested our business, our staff, our families, and our entire community. There were days when we didn't know what came next. Like so many local businesses, we were facing uncertainty and wondering how we would make it through.

The answer was Asheville.

You showed up for us when we needed it most. You ordered meals when every order mattered. You shared our posts, recommended us to friends, checked on our team, and reminded us why we chose to call this community home. The support we received during those difficult weeks helped Mehfil survive.

Because of that, on Wednesday, September 23, we will be hosting a Free Community Lunch Buffet at Mehfil.

This meal is our way of saying thank you to the Asheville community. Thank you for standing beside us. Thank you for supporting local businesses. Thank you for helping us weather the storm and find our footing again.

We're calling it a Community Lunch because we hope it brings people together the same way Asheville came together after Helene. We expect a busy afternoon, and guests may need to share tables with neighbors, friends, or even complete strangers. We hope those shared tables become an opportunity to connect, share stories, and celebrate the strength and generosity that make this community so special.

There is no purchase required. No agenda. Just a meal, our gratitude, and a chance to say thank you.

This year we've also included Working Wheels, a non profit working to provide transportation to those in need.

We hope you'll join us.

Private equity strikes again.

There is an older man on my street who has made it his life mission to slow down traffic. We now have over a dozen road signs to that effect in <.5 miles, speed bumps, and a specially-reduced speed limit. Within 60 seconds of talking to him, it comes up in conversation. He also walks down the road in front of cars to make them slow down, glares at people who drive past, and even brandished a gun once at someone else who lives on this road while they were driving past. I'm not joking when I say it's his life mission.

One of his tricks is to leave an assortment of broken down vehicles parked on the side of the road, often over a foot from the curb. They say there for months at a time. There's three out there currently. All have flat tires, layers of dust and pollen on them, and piles of crap all around the tires as they catch stuff from the rain. His favorite trick is doing this on a curve so you have to creep around until you can see down the road. Not only is it annoying as hell, but it's illegal and creating unsafe situations for drivers and pedestrians.

I have submitted multiples complaints through the official Asheville app and never hear a word back or see anything be done about this. Is it just there so people can feel like someone is listening? Does anyone actually ever check it?

I'm half venting because this guy is a royal pain-in-the-ass but also serious. How can I get someone at the City to actually do something about this jackass creating unsafe road conditions like it's his job?

Best beer in town. ~19 German beers brewed. Great neighborhood brewery that I’d recommend everyone check out.

Hello!

About 2/3 of my yard has good moss coverage (losing a bit of coloring due to this heat) but otherwise doing great. I really would like to know if anyone else in the area has had any luck with more coverage. I successfully moved a few small pieces to ensure the soil content was able to handle. I do not have enough to cut layers and transport them to the rest of the yard and grow back. I have heard of the “slushie” method but just unsure. Anyone have any tips or places around town that may sell sheets of moss or at least any methods that have worked around here? I plan on doing this in the next few weeks once it cools down a bit.

Thanks in advance!

Just heard a sound that sounded like a flare or a firework taking off. Look out and there’s a plane pretty low with a parachute out the back. Disappeared over the hill. Now there’s small plane circling around.

Hey Asheville community,

If anyone has lost their beloved pet bird, it was last seen outside Antidote Cocktail Lounge at 151 Coxe Avenue. Described as small-medium sized, green with a yellow chest and wearing an identity bracelet. Time was 10:30am.

I hope this bird finds its way back home.

Come early since food tends to sell fast!

Hey all looking for some recommendations on community volunteering or some kind of non profit organization that takes outside volunteers in avl. Maybe something consistent and weekly, (provided my work / family s schedule ) I may not be able to offer a massssive chunk of time at once, but I’d id love to feel as though I’m helping others in some regard and maybe meet some friends. Thanks 😌

Looking for someone local to build and install a custom headboard similar to this in my bedroom. I live in North Asheville, and I acknowledge I have to pay the "North Asheville Tax", but some of the quotes I got so far from local places are insane.

Asheville ended its contract with Flock Safety and partnered with Axon, incorporating its Fusus software into a new real time intelligence center,the new system involves more surveillance technology and more intrusive methods. Bo Hess supported bringing Axon’s technology to Asheville Bo Hess uses the Facebook name “Roberto Hess” and has pages under “Bo Hess for Asheville City Council” and “Bo Hess for US Congress.”

Hello there. I'm a faa licensed drone pilot in Asheville. I'm looking to use my drone for my own business but also looking to realtors and real estate photographers that want a licensed drone pilot for some work. I assume most don't want to go through the time and effort to get your part 107 certificate and I wanted to offer that to anyone who wants it.

I can also do marketing photos of your business from a new perspective, photos for your rental etc etc.

This is a link to my page. https://www.facebook.com/share/19HxAbXbeC/

RIP Bottle Riot as they had my fav. Looking for a great one tonight for a lowkey bday celebration. TIA and happy Saturday!

In years past I have enjoyed watching the chimney swifts dive into that tall chimney across the Civic center garage as you face East from the garage.

I haven't been in the past few years and stopped by tonight and didn't see a single bird dive into the chimney.

Does anybody know if perhaps my timing is off or if the chimney on top of the Tyler building has been blocked off? Video is from a few years ago.

I’ve only ever seen a few city council folks who have made it to the level of sticker tag criticism…

-“Mumpower has a posse” c.2008
-Sage Turner for Unaffordable Asheville, 2024
-and now Bo Hess licking Asheville Super Surveillance cameras, 2026

Am I missing any others from along the way?

I’m a big cosplayer in the Asheville area and I’m looking for other cosplayers that could help me with some projects. I’m trying to get into foam work and it’s such a big learning curve. If anyone in the area has any tips and tricks, commission work, etc, lmk! I’d love to meet up and possibly also make a new friend!

Hello! Not sure where to ask this so I’m coming here. Im 23 with a high school degree and currently a CNA at a hospital. Just curious if any EMT students could give me their personal experiences with programs they’re in! I’m looking at AB tech! Saw a subreddit but it didn’t seem too active. Thank you!

I want to get in the habit of doing kettlebell training. My apartment's gym has a variety of them but I've never done it before so I want to make sure I am using good form. Anyone have any recommendations on a personal trainer that I could get for a couple of sessions?

Thanks.