6AM City In-house

Rejoice, pickleball fans 🏓

Single Double Pickleball serves up love for the game
A diverse group of four play pickleball
Single Double Pickleball founder Jennifer Cronjé says “pickleball is for everybody.” | Photo via @singledoublepickleball
Single Double Pickleball, a new locally-owned online shop for pickleball paddles and accessories, launches tomorrow, Nov. 22.

The web and Instagram-based store is a brainchild of fashion entrepreneur and pickleball enthusiast Jennifer Cronjé and features functional and fun pickleballs, hats, and sweatbands, as well as paddles designed by Jennifer herself. “While I was getting into pickleball, I looked for a paddle and none of them were cute,” she says. “They all looked like something my dad would get on Amazon. I want to play with a cute paddle, so I took a year to design it myself.”

What drew Jennifer to pickleball? The same thing that also makes the tennis-badminton-ping-pong hybrid the country’s fastest growing sport: its inclusive community. “Pickleball is for folks ages 5-95,” says Jennifer. “It doesn’t matter your age or physical ability. All you have to do is look on a court to see all the diversity represented — it’s enjoyed by an entire range of people.”

Single Double Pickleball will host a launch party Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Asheville Sports Club (137 Coxe Ave.) from 12-4 p.m. The event will offer folks the chance to purchase Single Double paddles and take part in one of two Pickleball 101 Classes taught by the Asheville Racquet Club’s Pickleball director, Michael Kinnear.

And because it’s a party, there will also be drink specials from New Belgium and Devil’s Foot Brewery, plus savory and sweet bites from Pie.Zaa Pizza and Moo Cookie Co.

Can’t make it? Don’t fret. Jennifer’s paddles will also be available for purchase from area businesses, including Mountain Air Country Club, Asheville Racquetball Club, and Nest Boutique.
Mercy Urgent Care

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Monday, Nov. 21
  • East Fork Holiday Makers Market | Monday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Dec. 11 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | East Fork Asheville, 15 W Walnut St, Asheville | Free | Shop one-of-a-kind creations at this annual market, which showcases the artistic wares of East Fork employees, including ceramics and textiles.
  • World Cup Watch Party | Monday, Nov. 21 | 2-5 p.m. | Taproom At Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | Free | Watch USA and Wales face off in men’s soccer.
Tuesday, Nov. 22
  • Oyster Pop-up with 828 Raw | Tuesday, Nov. 22 | 4-8 p.m. | Creekside Taphouse, 8 Beverly Rd., Asheville | Free entry | Nosh on a selection of raw or smoked oysters — hot dogs and kids meals will also be on offer.
  • 1 Million Cups | Tuesday, Nov. 22 | 9-10 a.m. | Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville | Free | Network with local entrepreneurs while enjoying coffee.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
  • HIIT Workout | Wednesday, Nov. 23| 7-8 a.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | Free | Get a high intensity, full-body workout with trainer Preston.
Thursday, Nov. 24
  • South Asheville Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 24 | 9 a.m. | Biltmore Park Town Square, One Town Square Blvd., Asheville | $25 | This classic local tradition can be done in-person or virtually and benefits nonprofit Sheep Dog Impact Assistance.
Friday, Nov. 25
  • Star Gaze | Friday, Nov. 25 | 5:05-11 p.m. | Grassland Mountain Observatory, 148 S. Main St., Marshall | Free | Let the stars get in your eyes at this public star gaze at Grassland Mountain Observatory in Madison County.
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.
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Highland Brewing

Fa la la laugh with LaZoom’s comedy bus tour

Passengers ride on a bus to a comedy tour.
The Holiday Hey Asheville Tour is a big dill. | Photo provided by LaZoom Tours
Comedy tour on wheels, anyone? Laugh your Ashe off — and see the best of Asheville — this holiday season with LaZoom Tours’ Holiday Hey Asheville: City Comedy Tour. 🤡

From Black Friday until Christmas Eve, this popular 90-minute comedy bus tour (for attendees ages 13+) will incite all the yuletide yuks while sightseeing historic downtown Asheville, Montford, South Slope, and the River Arts District. Tour guides are professionally trained comedy actors who ensure the experience is both historical and hysterical.

Pro tip: Make the laugh-fest even merrier with drinks from the LaZoom Room — a beer and wine room in Downtown Asheville exclusively for ticket holders. Grab a drink prior to your ride or bring one with you on the bus.

Let loose this season while allowing LaZoom’s wacky tour guides to help you create new holiday memories as you explore your city in a whole new way. 🎄*
GET TICKETS

Weather
  • 52º | Mostly sunny | 1% chance of rain
Ranked
  • No. 3. That’s where Filipinx eatery Neng Jr.’s ( 701 Haywood Rd.) landed on Esquire’s list of Best New Restaurants in America. In addition, Chef Silver Iocovozzi earned the honor of Rising Star of the Year. Many congratulations to Silver and crew. 🎉 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Civic
  • The City of Asheville has several vacancies for its Boards & Commissions, including: Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission, Board of Adjustment, Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee, and Metropolitan Sewerage District. Applications are due Monday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. (unless noted otherwise on the flyer).
Featured
Arts
  • The WNC Historical Association has announced five finalists for the 2022 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award: Anne Chesky Smith, Lance Greene, Brent Martin, Heather Newton + John Ross. The winner will receive a $2,500 prize during an in-person event at UNC Asheville on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. Register. 📚
  • ICYMI, the Center for Native Health, UNC Asheville, the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute + Tsali Care partnered up to develop ᎠᏏᎾᏏ ᏃᎴ ᎠᏙᎴᏆᏍᎩ (asinasi nole adolegwasgi): Cherokee Potters Master Apprentice Program. The program will support and promote the sharing, learning, preservation, and documentation of the folk arts and traditional culture of Central Appalachia.*
Listen
  • What happens when you ask local youth about their ideas and opinions? Find out with the first installment of StoryCraft, a youth storytelling initiative from Asheville Writers In The Schools and Community and Blue Ridge Public Radio. Hear their thoughts on homelessness, racism, education, and the future. 🎤 (BPR News)
Answered
  • Thanks to everyone who wrote in with suggestions about which local history landmarks to cover. Y’all told us that the Overlook Castle, Zealandia, and The Reynolds Mansion were all of interest. Plus, yesterday we looked into the history of the Princess Anne Hotel at your behest. Keep the story ideas coming — we love hearing from you.
Health
  • 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.*
Learn
  • Babbel — a premium, subscription-based language learning platform — is offering AVLtoday readers up to 55% off subscriptions to learn a new language (in just three weeks). Choose from 14 languages and learn through bite-sized, 10-minute sessions that focus on everyday phrases + relevant topics. 🗺️ *
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The Biltmore

The Ridge Wallet Black Friday sale is live
The Ridge wallet on a rocky, dark background.
You can’t go wrong with essentials made right. | Photo by The Ridge
Ready to find the perfect holiday gift? Get up to 40% off the Ridge Wallet and other essential gear. This well-built, minimalist, RFID-blocking wallet is a slim, front-pocket wallet option that is perfect for your everyday carry. Every order ships free (with a 99-day return window), and includes a lifetime warranty.

Our opinion? Nothing makes more sense than a gift so useful that he’ll keep it on him every single day. *
GET UP TO 40% OFF
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brook.

Editor’s pick: In addition to being National Stuffing Day, it’s also my very best friend Stephanie’s birthday. Please join me in wishing her a very happy birthday. She lives in Atlanta and I miss her terribly, every single day.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? These are the six local conversation starters to get you through holiday gatherings this year.
Connect with us.

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

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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