The big picture 🗺️

Startup stars 🌟

• Entrepreneur of the Year | Adam Charnack
• Vanguard Award | Charlie Ball
• Mentor of the Year | Patrick Szewczyk
• Investor of the Year | JACS Capital
• Ecosystem Support Organization of the Year | AVL Digital Nomads
• Shining Rock Award | Courteney Lowe & Laura Jorgensen

The 15 fastest 🔥

• Walking in a Winter Wonderland | Friday, Dec. 16-Friday, Jan. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center, 36 Grove St., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the season with a stroll through a festive winter wonderland crafted by the Grove Street crafting club.
• Fireside Friday | Friday, Dec. 16, Friday, Dec. 23 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins, 9 Midnight Dr., Asheville | Free | Enjoy a campfire, s’mores, and variety of beverages — and bring your own instrument for an open jam session.

• Festivus-for-the-Rest-of-us Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Haiku I Do, 26 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | Free | Enjoy live music, food trucks, holiday drinks, and adoptable animals from Sarge’s at this holiday market.
• Asheville (Evening) Drag Brunch | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. | Biscuit Head South, 1994 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville | $25 | A ticket for this family-friendly, interactive drag show includes brunch, one drink, and a donation to Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness.
• Swannanoa Winterfest 2022 | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 3-8 p.m. | Grovemont Park - Swannanoa, 101 West Charleston Ave, Swannanoa | Free | This joyful, cozy, and festive outdoor event has holiday items, food + drink vendors, kids activities, music, and other cheerful details.

• Chabad House: Chanukah on Fire! | Sunday, Dec. 18 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville | Free | Celebration the first night of Chanukah with latkes, lights, live music, and traveling menorah gift kits.
• Casey Driessen’s Sunday Experiment | Sunday, Dec. 18 | 7 p.m. | Little Jumbo, 241 Broadway St., Asheville | Free | Grab a cocktail and listen to tunes from Little Jumbo’s musical resident and “mad scientist with a five-string fiddle.”

• A John Waters Christmas: It’s A Yuletide Massacre | Tuesday, Dec. 20 | 8 p.m. | Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | Free | The Pope of Trash brings his own depraved brand of comedy to this one-of-a-kind holiday performance.
• December Hendersonville Pitch Party | Tuesday, Dec. 20 | 5 p.m. | Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust St., Hendersonville | Free | Come with a one-minute business pitch and get feedback from peer at this holiday-themed gathering.

• 43º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

• Hanukkah sameach. This Sunday evening (Dec. 18) marks the beginning of Hanukkah — the Festival of Lights that lasts for eight days. Celebrate by attending the JCC’s Hanukkah Candle Lighting, joining the Chabad House’s Pack Square celebration, or noshing on a great Jewish baked good. 🕎

• The annual, seasonal performance “A Swannanoa Solstice” returns with a variety show of Celtic, American-roots, and world-influenced music on Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. The two shows will take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Get tickets. 🕯️

• The Basilica of St. Lawrence has raised $2.1 million for preservation work, so far. It hopes to raise a total of $2.5-3 million to make repairs to its roof and rainwater collection and dispersal system. Brush up on the building’s compelling history. (WLOS)

• Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing spreading this season. The CDC reported “very high” flu activity in our state. Find a flu vaccine near you — there may even be a needleless option. (Verywell Health)

• Local author Pamela McConnell has published a memoir about her journey from fundamental religion into Buddhism. The book “The Adventures of a Southern (Baptist) Buddhist” delves into pilgrimages to India and Nepal, a trek in the Himalayas, and what she learned from a meditation master. Grab a copy. 🛕 (Mountain Xpress)

• It’s okay if you waited until the last minute to shop this season. There’s still time to shop items from our online shop Six & Main. We’re talking cocktail glasses, shirts, candles, mugs, and more. Our gift guides make shopping easy. 🛍️
• Looking for a unique gift that won’t just collect dust on your giftee’s shelf? Head to Atelier Maison & Co.'s showcase studio on Saturday, Dec. 17 from noon-5 p.m. to shop locally-made + sourced housewares, crafts, jewelry, art, clothing and more at the annual Merry Makers Market.*

• We want to wish a happy birthday to our teammate Brook, AVLtoday City Editor. Happy birthday, Brook!

• This holiday season as you head to NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights display, don’t forget to stop by the Story Time at Woodland Cove exhibit. Designed + engineered by UNC Asheville STEAM Studio faculty and students, the musical exhibit brings together six animatronic woodland animals native to WNC in holiday song. Go behind the scenes and see how the STEAM Studio brought the animals to life. ✨ *

• Calling all globetrotters. If exploring bucket list destinations while meeting like-minded travelers is one of your 2023 goals, consider booking a small group trip with Encounters Travel. See one of the seven wonders of the world on the Jordan & Egypt Explorer Trip or snorkel among diverse marine life on the Maldives Uncovered Tour.*

• This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement — its free tool can match you with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help you work towards financial freedom. Try it out for yourself.*

• Still shopping for the hunter or angler in your life? Sportsman’s Box, the leading gear discovery service for outdoorsmen, is adding a free $100 credit for all new members through Saturday, Dec. 31. Choose from nine leading brands with your first Sportsman’s Box and claim your free gift. 🎣 *