Indulge in fall flavors:

• Choose from a selection of seasonal shareables like Camarones al Curry and Duck and Butternut Meloso at Bulla Gastrobar, a Southpark neighborhood restaurant known for Spanish tapas and cuisine.
• Located in the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte, Mariposa is a multicultural restaurant featuring dishes from around the world that pairs culinary indulgence with culture on the outdoor balcony.
• Enjoy the flavors of fall when you sip on HEX Coffee’s unique Kabocha Squash Latte (think: sweet potato mixed with pumpkin, with hints of star anise and cardamom).
• Prefer a pint? Try the award-winning NoDa Brewing Company’s pumpkin flavored Gordegous or try The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Mecktoberfest for malty notes of roasted caramel.
• End the night at Dot Dot Dot, a speakeasy hidden in the backlot of Park Road Shopping Center, for a glass of NC Apple Cider (a mix of Four Roses Bourbon, Laird’s Applejack, fresh apple cider and lemon).

Photo provided by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Plan a perfect autumn outing:

• Get cozy at Treehouse Vineyards and enjoy locally-produced vintages by the firepit.
• Take in the scenery at Veronét Vineyards & Winery and admire the sweeping views of the vineyard and Crowders Mountain — the perfect backdrop to enjoy a tasting flight paired with charcuterie.
• For city scenery, grab a seat at Merchant and Trade’s rooftop bar overlooking the Queen City skyline.
• Afterward, head over to Spectrum Center, home to the Charlotte Hornets and host to a variety of events year-round (think: concerts, conferences, and more).

Get a seasonal wardrobe refresh:

• For high end shops, head to SouthPark for your favorites from Gucci to Tory Burch.
• Visit Concord Mills for big name brands like Coach and Brooks Brothers. Bonus: Check out family-friendly entertainment like SEA LIFE Aquarium and The Speedpark at Concord Mills.
• Looking for something more local? Spend a day in South End at boutiques like Bonobos, Uniquities + more.*

• Grand Opening of DJ’s Pickles | Monday, Nov. 14 | 4-5 p.m. | DJ’s Pickles, 570 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | Join the Asheville Chamber on National Pickle Day to celebrate the Grand Opening of DJ’s Pickles’ new WNC Farmers Market location.

• Buncombe Partnership for Children Silent Auction Fundraiser | Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | Free | This silent auction fundraiser, presented by the Buncombe Partnership for Children and Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty, will help provide free books to children in Buncombe County.

• Edible North Carolina Book Event | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 6 p.m. | East Fork Pottery, 15 W. Walnut St., Asheville | Free | Join food historian and editor Marcie Cohen Ferris and other authors to discuss a new book which presents a compelling and holistic look at the foods and foodways of the Tar Heel State.
• Wild Ponies | Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $20 | Jam to poetic guitar ballads from Rod Picott paired with the honky-tonk tunes of the Wild Ponies.

• An Evening on Broadway | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Downtown Asheville, 52-67 Broadway St., Asheville | Free | Spend an evening exploring the Broadway Arts District with ambient soundscapes, refreshments, an art exhibit, and a craft project.
• Mountain Raise | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St., Asheville | $20 | The third annual “barn raising” event for the WNC economy will feature presentations from growing local entrepreneurs and multiple investment opportunities — plus locally crafted drinks + snacks.
• Policy on Tap | Thursday, Nov. 17 | 3:30 p.m. | White Labs Kitchen & Tap, 172 S. Charlotte St., Asheville | Hear from business and nonprofit leaders working to keep the French Broad River protected.

• Winter Lights | Fri., Nov. 18 - Sat., Dec. 31 | Times vary | NC Arboretum | $30+ | The NC Arboretum’s spectacular, open-air walk-through light show made from over one million lights returns this Friday.*
• Specialty Coffee Beverage Competition | Friday, Nov. 18 | 5-7 p.m. | Trade and Lore Coffee, 37 Wall St., Asheville | Free | Watch 15 baristas face off as they create the most unique, balanced + delicious vegan coffee beverage — the top 3 contestants will take home prizes.

• WNC Affordable Housing Fair | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 12-4 p.m. | East Asheville Public Library, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville | Free | Find affordable housing information for renters, potential homeowners, and people experiencing homelessness or other housing barriers at the third annual WNC Affordable Housing Fair.

• Odyssey School’s Open House | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 6:30 p.m. | Odyssey School, 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville | Free | Take a tour of Odyssey and meet with teachers to learn about the school’s unique approach to education from Pre-K to 12th grade — don’t forget to RSVP.*

• 41º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

• Asheville City Council meets tomorrow, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. On the agenda: a report on the city’s Code Purple strategy, a presentation of the FY 2022 audit, and a public hearing on the proposed “South Slope: A Southside Neighborhood Vision Plan.” Learn how to tune in and share input.

• Eggcellent news. Weekend brunch has returned to Forestry Camp (10 Shady Oak Dr.). On Saturdays and Sundays, 12-3 p.m., the beer lodge will serve up dishes like Huevos Rancheros, biscuit sandwiches, and breakfast burgers. See the full menu. 🍳

• A new walking tour “Shine On Shiloh” debuts in the Shiloh Community this weekend. The self-guided tour features seven points of historic interest — and proceeds will support the future Shiloh Resource Center. Join the inaugural tour on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at 95 Shiloh Rd. (Mountain Xpress)

• The Riveter is hosting a Climbing Film Festival on Saturday, Nov. 19, 6-9 p.m. The films will feature female athletes, producers + regional climbing stories. There will also be food trucks, a libation station, and raffle drawings. Pro tip: bring your own chair for maximum comfort. 🎞️

• Mountain BizWorks has awarded nineteen micro-grants to startups across WNC. The awards, which range from $1,000-$5,000, will specifically support entrepreneurs of color in their next business steps. Winners included Altitude Print & Design, Carolinacutz Barbershop, and Sweet Plantain. See the full list. 💰 (Mountain Xpress)

• 22.6%. That’s how much outdoor recreation spending increased statewide for 2021, according to new data from the US Department of Commerce. Interested in how this trend will benefit WNC? Learn more from local economic partnership MADE X MTNS, a key player in the outdoor sector’s growth. (Mountain Xpress)

• If you happen to run into an emergency this winter, call the local experts at MB HAYNES at (828) 254-6141. Their technicians are available 24/7 to help facilitate emergency appointments.*

• The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*

• By 2030, more than two-thirds of wealth in the US will be held by women. Fact or fiction? Answer here. 💵 *

• Meet Morning Brew, a free daily newsletter that covers the latest news across business, finance, and tech, written in a fun and witty tone that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. 4 million people are already subscribed — it’s 100% free and takes just 5 minutes to read.*