Fetch some goodies

• Patton Avenue Pet Company | With three locations across town helmed by professional pet obsessives, it’s easy to obtain pet food, supplies, and advice.
• Asheville Pet Supply | This supply store caters to dogs, cats, fish, and birds and offers a wide range of holistic supplements, including CBD and mushroom-based treatments.
• Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming | In addition to pet food, this spot offers grooming services and a bakery with all natural oven-baked dog treats and jerky.

Give a helping hand paw

• Asheville Cat Weirdos | What started as a Facebook group in 2016 has morphed into a 100% donation-based assistance organization that helps area folks with unplanned vet costs for their cats.
• Community Partnership for Pets | This local resource offers a pet food pantry, emergency vet assistance, and low-cost vaccination and microchip clinics.
• Meals on Wheels | This group provides pet food and supplies to homebound individuals.
• Asheville Humane Society | The AHS offers monthly affordable pet care clinics to treat injuries and illnesses and provide preventative care, plus medical + financial assistance.

Head (p)uptown

• whosagooddog? | Speaking of breweries, this new business uses upcycled grains from area breweries to make healthy + tasty organic dog treats. Find them at Highland Brewing Co. and New Belgium.
• Shiloh & Gaines | Leashed pets can enjoy this brand spankin’ new neighborhood pub alongside their owners.
• Bookmark our guide to the city’s most dog-friendly destinations so your pooch can live its best life at all times.

• ecoEXPLORE Mammals of WNC with the Arboretum | Tuesday, Dec. 13 | 4-5 p.m. | Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Rd., Candler | Learn all about the mammals of WNC and get an up-close encounter with animal artifacts like tracks, scat, and fur samples.

• Back of the Pack/Party Pace Club (Run/Walk) | Wednesday, Dec. 14-Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 6-7 a.m. | Asheville Training HUB , 95 Thompson St., Asheville | Free | Join the AVL Training Hub on an inclusive + move-at-your-own pace walk, run, or jog.
• 1 Million Cups Holiday Celebration | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 9 a.m. | Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville | Free | This celebration will feature presentations from multiple local founders, gifts for audience members, and a panel discussion about how entrepreneurs can find the right help for their businesses.

• Local Showcase: Home for the Holidays | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | Rhubarb Event Space, 7 SW Pack Sq., Asheville | $45 | Vibe over hors d’oeuvres and drinks at this “live-action Pinterest board” demo of how to host a holiday soiree.
• 2022 Venture 15 and Venture Asheville Honors | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $30-$230 | Celebrate the fastest-growing startups in Asheville at this fun-filled awards ceremony hosted by Venture Asheville.
• Charcuterie, Beer & Friends | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | $75 | Learn to create picture-perfect (and delicious) charcuterie boards.

• Thunderstruck Retirement Party | Friday, Dec. 16 | 12-10 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | Free | The beloved Thunderstruck Coffee Porter is retiring — send it off with a bang at this taproom party.
• Drag Music Bingo | Friday, Dec. 16 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Highland Brewing Downtown Taproom, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Toss back a pint and dance while you flex your mental skills at this free trivia event hosted by the lovely Bearded Lady Divine.
• Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters | Friday, Dec. 16 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $15-$22 | Enjoy jazz-infused new classics and old country standbys at this holiday spectacular.

• 45º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

• Asheville City Council will meet today, Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. at City Hall. Folks wanting to offer input can speak live at the meeting, offer remote comments via the Engagement Hub, or email until 9 a.m. today. See the agenda.

• Adults 65+ and people with disabilities can now apply for the state’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The program uses federal funds to make a one-time payment for the heating costs of low-income households. All other eligible households can apply beginning Friday, Jan. 3. 💰 (Blue Ridge Public Radio)

• Biltmore and Noble Cider have teamed up to create a spiced apple hard cider. Biltmore Blue Ridge Hard Cider utilizes locally sourced apples and winter spices for a lush seasonal sip. Find it at Biltmore Winery, Biltmore’s eateries, and Noble Cider’s taprooms. 🍏 (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Looking for desserts that wow? The folks at French Broad Chocolate, Crave Dessert Bar, Well Bred Bakery, and Posana are sharing recipes for chocolatey treats, including liquid truffle, chocolate lava cake, dark chocolate cranberry almond bark, and flourless chocolate torte. 🍫 (WNC magazine)
• After a three-year hiatus, the Asheville Bread Festival will return Saturday, April 22-Sunday, April 23, 2023. The event will feature workshops, area bakers, and — of course — all the breads. We’ll share more details once we know them, but we kneaded to go ahead and tell you this. 🍞

• Calling all winter birders. Keep your eyes peeled for two kinglet species: golden-crowned and ruby-crowned. These tiny, tear-shaped birds typically feed by capturing insects in flight. Most notably, these birds migrate vertically by ascending or descending, rather than flying hundreds of miles each spring and fall. Get more info. 🐦 (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Odyssey School kindergarten teachers Shirley Rotolo + Sam Sole recently released their first children’s book, “Pick Up Your Toys, Kirk.” The project is a great example of how local, independent education institutions can support teachers outside of the classroom with their expertise. Pro tip: This book is the perfect gift for anyone with young children. 📚 *

• Still have a few people you need to grab gifts for? Look no further than WNC Farmers Market’s Local Holiday Shopping Guide featuring holiday gift inspo from local farmers, growers, and makers. We see quite a few items we’ll be adding to our cart during our next trip to the market.*

• Make your 2023 mental health goals a priority (and reality) with Mercy Urgent Care’s recently-launched Mercy Mindful — an affordable mental health service providing evaluations for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more. Explore services + request a visit.*

• 850+. That’s how many weekend and week-long classes the John C. Campbell Folk School offers throughout the year (think: contemporary arts, music, cooking, gardening + more… hello, amazing holiday gift idea). Browse the full class catalog.*