Get your fix with unexpected tools from the Asheville Tool Library

Three unusual items to check out from the Asheville Tool Library

The Asheville Tool Library offers 2,000+ tools. | Photo via @ashevilletoollibrary

Move over Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, the Asheville Tool Library is here to steal your “Home Improvement” spotlight.

In operation since 2016, the community-based lending library celebrated its new 2000-sqft location at 16 Smith Mill Rd. last month. The volunteer-powered 501(c)3 organization operates much like you’d think — a library. For a sliding scale membership of $50 to $150 per year, members can borrow any tool for up to a week.

Its inventory has the usual toolbox suspects — drills, wrenches, and hammers — but the library also carries everything you need to start a band, throw a party, or can some veggies. (See: a professional microphone, a keg tap, and a 21 quart stainless steel water bath canning kit).

While you may expect everything from lawn mowers to compost aerators, here are three of the most interesting items you might not expect.

Manual honeycomb extractor
Of course Bee City USA‘s tool library offers a way for honey aficionados, amateur beekeepers, and apiary enthusiasts to efficiently enjoy the fruits of our beloved honeybee’s labor.

Lunatick lock
Looking for some mentally stimulating entertainment? This trick lock provides a satisfying challenge for folks that enjoy mechanical puzzles.

Chris
Need a handyman? Knowledgeable helper Chris is available to help with automotive, bike, and home maintenance-related issues. He also knows his way around sustainable living and yard and garden work.

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Tuesday, November 1

Dark City Poets Society | Tue., Nov. 1 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain | Free | This meeting is open to writers of all experience levels who are looking for feedback on their poetry.

Wednesday, November 2

State of the Arts Brunch | Wed., Nov. 2 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $45.00 | A sit down-style brunch where arts advocates will learn about the state of the creative sector in Buncombe County.
An Artful Approach to Bonsai Design | Wed., Nov. 2 | 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville | With the Bonsai Exhibition Garden as the perfect setting, students will learn a variety of sketching techniques to assist in the development of bonsai design as well as learn aspects of tree growth.
Building Our City: Small Scale Development Matters Now More Than Ever | Wed., Nov. 2 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Collider, 1 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Bernice Radle, founder and CEO of Buffalove Development, discusses how zoning changes can help make cities more walkable and accessible for working people.
Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: SHA NA NA | Wed., Nov. 2 | 7 p.m. | Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $10.00 | Asheville-based author and music journalist Bill Kopp will lead a discussion with a member of SHA NA NA, a 1950s doo-wop revival band that played at Woodstock.
Puerto Risas, a fundraiser comedy show for Puerto Rico | Wed., Nov. 2 | 7-9 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St., Asheville | $15.00 | Asheville local and Puerto Rican transplant Christian Lee hosts a comedy show to help raise money for folks in Puerto Rico who are still without power.

Thursday, November 3

Ambrozia, “The Bear” and Materra Wines | Thu., Nov. 3 | 4-6 p.m. | Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte St., Asheville | $50.00 | Chef Sam Etheridge will prepare dishes inspired from the Hulu hit show “The Bear,” with special pairings from Materra Wines.

Friday, November 4

The 3rd Annual Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival | Fri., Nov. 4 - Sun., Nov. 6 | 2-11 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | $22.00 - $45.00 | See the latest and greatest tattoo artists at this three-day exhibition.

Saturday, November 5

Cosmic Charlie | Sat., Nov. 5 | 8 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $20.00 - $25.00 | Jam to this Grateful Dead cover band that hails from Athens, GA.

Thursday, November 10

Hanger Hall School Open House | Thu., Nov. 10 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Hanger Hall School, 64 W. T Weaver Blvd., Asheville | Free | Learn about Hanger Hall, an all-girls independent middle school that offers vibrant, rigorous classes in a nurturing, joyful environment.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

66º | Partly cloudy | 2% chance of rain

Open

Talk about a Thai-dal wave of flavor. Local chef Suwana Cry has opened Suwana Asian Cuisine at 45 Tunnel Rd. The restaurant offers traditional Thai dishes, like Pad Thai, as well as sushi and hibachi. Cry also operates Suwana’s Thai Orchid downtown and Suwana Asian Cuisine in Waynesville. 🍜 (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Coming Soon

Local purveyor of naturally leavened breads, Crust Never Sleeps Bakery, is getting a brick and mortar location at 24 Sardis Rd., Ste. D. The bakery is expected to open after Thanksgiving and is currently taking pastry orders for in-store pick ups Wednesday-Fridays, or at the Asheville City Market on Saturdays. 🍞

Community

Wicked Weed West, Asheville GreenWorks, Buncombe County Government, and the City of Asheville are partnering for a Pumpkin Compost Drop Off at Wicked Weed West on Sat., Nov. 5-Sun., Nov. 6. A composting dumpster will be set up outside the taproom entrance for folks to dispose of their Jack O’Lanterns. 🎃

Regional

Building Outdoor Communities — a program from regional organization Made By Mountains — is working to help individual communities meet their outdoor economy goals through building more greenways, trails, and infrastructure. Thus far this year, the program has received applications from 21 of WNC’s 25 counties — plus the Qualla Boundary. Learn more. ⛰️ (Smoky Mountain News)

Talk

Rebecca Nagle, citizen of Cherokee Nation and host of the podcast “This Land” is coming to Pack Memorial Library on Fri., Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. Rebecca will speak on the fragility of modern day tribal sovereignty. Reserve your free ticket.

Learn

The world’s third largest salamander, the eastern hellbender, resides in WNC and 15 states. In each area, habitat destruction is suffocating the amphibians, whose presence signals water health and quality. Due to conservation efforts and international protection programs, scientists are hopeful they can be saved. Learn more. 🦎 (Popular Science)

Asked

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and we’re wondering who’s gonna be open or offer special orders and menus. Please do us a solid and let us know if your business will be open so we can include it in a future newsletter. 🦃

Job

Fun fact: Employment of electricians is expected to grow ~7% by 2031. MB HAYNES is currently seeking skilled trade workers, including HVAC technicians and electricians. Learn more about open positions. 🔌 *

Health

Eat too much Halloween candy last night? This cordless water flosser can help clean up those pearly whites. It is more effective than traditional dental floss and includes two flossing tips and two pressure settings. Bonus: This battery operated + cordless flosser is travel-friendly. 🦷*

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It’s sweet potato season in NC

The sweet potato industry in NC

When it comes to NC agriculture, sweet potatoes reign supreme. | Photo via WNC Farmers Market

Did you know the Tar Heel state is the top producer of sweet potatoes in the nation? It’s a distinction we’ve held since 1971. In fact, only two states — California and Mississippi — even come close to producing as many sweet potatoes as we do. Here’s some fast facts:

NC primarily produces the Covington variety, aka the popular + typical variety found at most grocery stores.
In 2021, NC produced $392 million worth of sweet potatoes.
Wondering how that shakes out in pounds? That’s $1.8 billion pounds worth of sweet potatoes.
The overwhelming majority of sweet potatoes are grown in the Eastern portion of the state in Sampson, Johnston, and Lenoir counties.
While the overwhelming majority of sweet potatoes are grown in the Eastern portion of the state, they can also be grown successfully in WNC. Want to plant some for next year? Sweet potato slips will be available for pre-order from Sow True Seed in January 2023.

HOW SWEET THIS RECIPE IS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brook.

Editor’s pick: Want to know more about the state of the sweet potato? Check out the work this PhD student at NCSU is doing that combines advocacy with plant breeding.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? These are the 25+ watering holes you’ll wanna visit for some post-work drinks.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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