I love Asheville! And it needs help

Memories in a magical food, arts, and film destination

Typically, I write about my personal Rituals the first Friday of every month. 

But this week I wanted to take space for something more pressing…because people need help in Western North Carolina.

Sure, rivers and lakes have seen swells of rains but not like this; Hurricane Helene is to Asheville what Katrina was to New Orleans. 

With my nieces at the Biltmore Estate, 2022 (top) and 2007 (bottom)

By now you’ve seen the destruction, but it took several days after the storm for photos and videos to emerge; few had cell service and many were without power for images to circulate.

Impassable roads also meant no media, services or supplies could get in or out.

I realize there are natural disasters (and wars) around the world; the same time Helene tore up the east coast, monsoon rains and flooding killed more than 200 people in Nepal and floods have also killed 14 people in Bosnia.

But Asheville is near and dear; growing up and as an adult I’ve spent lots of time in and out of Western NC.

Content entrepreneur | Agency Founder & CEO | Bestselling author Featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Bankrate, Cheddar TV, and HuffPost | Join more than 5,460 people who follow my unconventional lifestyle, travel, money, and career advice:

There were sleepaway camps and music camps and countless visits over decades to Chimney Rock, Blowing Rock, Boone, and the Biltmore Estate—most recently in 2022 when I took my nieces, and also a birthday weekend that same year. 

People from NC and all over the U.S. visit Asheville and Western NC because of the beautiful Appalachian mountains and the drive along scenic Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway.

They are where some of the most memorable movie scenes were shot, including Chimney Rock State Park in The Last of the Mohicans:

Lake Lure (where Johnny and Baby practiced “the lift”) was featured in Dirty Dancing:

…and The Hunger Games with Jennifer Lawrence was also filmed in Western NC.

In the past decade, the city has become notable for its art and food scenes, with nationally recognized restaurants like the New York Times and James Beard notable Chai Pani and recently, Good Hot Fish:

Hearty Indian at Asheville’s famous Chai Pani

The River Arts District served as studio spaces for artists to live, work, showcase, and sell their work.

Whatever areas are left and worth rebuilding will take years to do so, and who knows whether people who’ve left will ever return.

How to help people impacted by Helene in Western NC

If you’d like to help with either cash or physical donations, then here are some reputable organizations and resources who can give you reassurance that your donations will have an impact: 

• World Central Kitchen (where I donated): WCK is providing water and partnering with local restaurants to provide free meals. You can donate here.

• To help pet recovery efforts including feeding pets and families, visit Asheville Humane Society 

• Additional charities accepting cash donations list by Asheville Citizen Times

• Additional resources for those who want to donate items, search for loved ones, and/or want to help livestock farmers, the homeless community, or sign up for volunteering efforts list by WLOS

• If you’re an artist who’s been displaced then Art City in New Mexico is helping artists with food and lodging, indefinitely

Have you been to Asheville?

Where did you go and what do you love about it?

What special places are near and dear to you or your family, that warrant repeat visits over a lifetime? I’d love to know!

Zeitgeist-y

This past week I took a gamble on clicking the number one show currently on Netflix, Nobody Wants This, starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody.

I was heavily influenced by all the memes on socials praising this older, sexier, and bearded Adam Brody, with parallels to his Seth Cohen character back in The O.C. days. Yogalates, anyone?

After three episodes, I committed to the rest of the season. It’s inspired by writer Erin Foster’s own life as a converted Jew.

And though some people are having issues with the way Jewish women are being portrayed in the show, surprise, it’s entertainment, and no more ridiculously satirical than how Asians were portrayed in Crazy Rich Asians.

My take: It’s an easy, cute, and funny watch, especially if you’ve ever dated someone your family dislikes for apparent, but also irrational reasons.

**

Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok

***

Like it

Did you enjoy this newsletter?

Please like it by clicking on the ❤️ at the very top or bottom of this post. This really helps get this newsletter recommended to SubStack’s recommended shortlists.

Referral Rewards

When you share my newsletter with someone you think would find value in it, that is the greatest gift. 🙏

ICYMI: Latest issues at shindy.substack.com:

I let a robot handle my money. Should you?

To all the boys I've loved before

How to be good at money