Were Stars Servin’ Up Love celebrities paid for appearances? When will Spectrum remove wiring, debris? Will Karpen Soccer Fields be restored? • Asheville Watchdog
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies, and the real answers:
Question: My daughter and I had a great time at the Stars Servin’ Up Love event at the Civic Center (Harrah’s Cherokee Asheville). She asked the question if the players and celebrities were paid. I told her I wasn’t sure if there was an appearance fee along with paying for flights, food and board. So are they paid? How much?
My answer: I attended with my wife after buying tickets at a fairly steep price. This whole dream of being a local celebrity and getting all kinds of free swag is really not working out for me.
Real answer: This feel-good event has an even better vibe to me now.
Chris Corl, the city of Asheville’s director of community and regional entertainment facilities, sent me the participants’ signed waivers, which state in part: “I am providing my services for the charity event Stars Servin’ Up Love on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 at no cost to the City of Asheville or any other entity or individual.”
“We called in numerous favors, which allowed these agreements to be so basic,” Corl said. “All participants provided their services free of cost. We offered to cover travel expenses for all participants. Some covered their own travel expenses and even purchased tickets for friends and family.”
The big-name tennis stars were Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Emma Navarro, and Jessica Pegula. Celebrities included “Survivor” host Jeff Probst, musician Pete Wentz, and actor Esai Morales.
More than 4,000 people attended the event, which offered excellent tennis and good chuckles. Hey, Andre Agassi is 54 and doesn’t move like he used to, but he’s got a good sense of humor about it.
Explore Asheville, the convention and visitors bureau, promoted the event and noted afterward that it “has generated over $1 million in post-Hurricane Helene ticket sales, sponsorships, donations, and auction sales.”
“One hundred percent of all net proceeds will benefit the Always Asheville Fund, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, and Asheville Tennis Association,” Explore Asheville noted on its website. “The event was developed by recent WNC transplant Jim Curley, a 12-year former Tournament Director for the U.S. Open who moved to Asheville in 2022.”
Question: Along Town Mountain Road and elsewhere, there is much debris and wiring that belongs to Spectrum that is hanging from trees and on the ground. AT&T and Duke Power have removed theirs weeks ago. The county Solid Waste department says this is not their responsibility but did not know where to refer. We are told this should not be cut up and taken to the landfill. Of course, it is not possible to reach Spectrum, except for an out-of-state call center which is of no help. Who should be contacted?
My answer: I’m shocked to hear someone had a less than stellar customer service experience with Spectrum. I’ve had only about 3,000 emails to that effect since Helene hit.
Real answer: Patti Michel, regional communications director for Spectrum, said the company continues to work on this.
“As you know, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, including our network,” Michel said via email. “Our first priority during restoration was bringing service back online. We appreciate our customers’ patience as our crews are now in the process of cleaning up temporary lines and debris as quickly as possible.”
I asked for specifics on a timeline, but Michel offered a general response.
“We are actively working in impacted areas to clear away any remaining debris as quickly as possible,” Michel said.
Buncombe County Parks & Rec says it is working to repair and reopen the Karpen Soccer Fields in the Weaverville area. // Photo provided by Buncombe County
Question: What is the status of the Karpen Soccer Fields? There are the remains of trailers from the next door lot still on it. I know the Weaverville community would show up for a work day if they advertised it. It is really missed.
My answer: I have to think these trailers could be converted into goals pretty easily.
Real answer: Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Director Allison Dains addressed these fields, along with other park facilities, at the Tropical Storm Helene briefing Jan. 29. While Dains did not provide a timeline for restoration, she said the department recognizes the importance of the fields to the community.
“We’re also working hard to restore the Karpen soccer fields,” Dains said. “We understand how important this space is for local teams and families, and we’re doing what we can to restore this amenity as quickly as possible, and look forward to the day that we can reopen this important amenity.”
Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Got a question? Send it to John Boyle at jboyle@avlwatchdog.org or 828-337-0941. His Answer Man columns appear each Tuesday and Friday. The Watchdog’s reporting is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-28 12:56:00
(The Center Square) – Persistent dry and windy conditions, along with downed trees from Hurricane Helene six months ago, remain troublesome for wildfires in the Carolinas.
The Table Rock Fire, largest of several, has crossed from Pickens County in South Carolina to Transylvania County in North Carolina.
In an update from the South Carolina Forestry Commission on Thursday evening, the Tabe Rock fire grew significantly during the day and the Persimmon Ridge fire only modestly. The Table Rock fire is estimated 8,679 acres and the Persimmon Ridge fire 1,992 acres.
Three counties are home to four other significant size fires in the Tarheel State: Deep Woods and Black Cove in Polk County, Alarka in Swain County, and Rattlesnake Branch in Haywood County.
“Excessive storm debris and timber damage from Hurricane Helene has created many challenges for firefighting efforts,” a release from the North Carolina Forest Service said Friday morning. “One factor is the loss of tree canopy. More ground cover is receiving direct sunlight, accelerating the rate in which fuels dry out.”
The Black Cove fire that originated March 19 is 3,288 acres in size and 17% contained, the Forest Service says. It is approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda in the Green River Gorge.
The Deep Woods fire, also a March 19 start, is 3,373 acres in size and 30% contained, the Forest Service says. It is about 5 miles northwest of Columbus in the Green River Gorge and the adjacent Holbert Cove community.
The Fish Hook fire that began March 20 is 199 acres in size and 95% contained, the Forest Service says. This fire is about 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring near Lake Adger.
Other fires of size are burning near Sylva and Leicester.
Burning bans are in effect throughout North and South Carolina.
SUMMARY: A wildfire in Western North Carolina has become the highest priority in the U.S. The Black Cove Complex fire near Saluda has burned over 6,500 acres, with over 500 firefighters working to contain it. Authorities warn residents in mountain communities, like Buncombe County, to prepare evacuation bags in case orders are issued. The fire has triggered statewide concerns, with varying levels of fire danger across the state. A statewide burn ban is in effect, and officials are hopeful that rain expected this weekend will help control the blaze. Aircraft are being used to drop water and fire retardant to assist firefighting efforts.
More firefighters are arriving in Western North Carolina now that the Fire Service says a fire burning there is now the highest priority in the U.S.
SUMMARY: In late March 1963, Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller *The Birds* premiered, and in honor of its anniversary, Scott Mason revisits Elm City’s own bird phenomenon. Every afternoon, flocks of hundreds of thousands of starlings and blackbirds gather, creating a stunning, synchronized spectacle. The birds swarm the same fields at the same time, a behavior observed for over 20 years. Local residents are captivated by the sight, though some remain curious about the birds’ nature. Experts believe the birds flock for food and protection. This “bird ballet” continues to awe those lucky enough to witness it each day.
It was around this time in March 1963 when the movie “The Birds” premiered. The Tar Heel Traveler revisits Elm City’s very own thrilling version of the birds.
