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.”

Corl noted that donations are still being accepted at https://starsservinuplove.com/.

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.

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/.

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