• Back of the Pack/Party Pace Club | Wednesday, Jan. 4-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.

• Benefit Concert for Evergreen Community Charter School | Thursday, Jan. 5 | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $12 | The concert will feature Southern rock band The Late Shifters, sultry tunes from Blushin’ Roulettes, and appearances from Juan Holladay + Bluestreak.

• The Life & Times of Earl Scruggs Concert | Friday, Jan. 6 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr., Weaverville | Free | Enjoy songs, stories, and home movies of pioneering American banjoist Earl Scruggs.
• FUNNY “R” US Cancer Awareness Comedy Show | Friday, Jan. 6 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $25-$30 | This comedy show is hosted by Fredo Davis and stars Marvin Dixon + Randi Skye.

• End Of The Line: A Tribute To The Allman Brothers Band | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 9 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $12-$15 | Enjoy an evening of Southern-fried rock classics from this tribute band.

• Yoga Taco Mosa | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 10:30 a.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | Free | Clare Desmelik will lead this monthly, donation-based class with post-workout mimosas + tacos.
• Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club | Sunday, Jan. 8-Sunday, Dec. 1 | 12:15-4:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Come by to play your favorite word game — it’s okay to come late or leave early.
• Western Carolina Writers’ Showcase | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 6 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $12 | This “Songwriters in the Round” showcase features original music from nine singer-songwriters across WNC.

• 64º | Rain and thunderstorms | 87% chance of rain

• Here’s some news you knead to know: purveyor of sourdough baked goods Mother AVL is opening a second location at 244 Short Coxe Ave. The new South Slope location is expected to be more of a cafe concept and, according to baker + owner Heidi Bass, should open in late spring. 🍞

• Well-Bred Bakery (26 N. Main St., Weaverville) will be closed for the month of January, but don’t fret: it’s just for renovations in honor of its 20 year anniversary. Its other locations in Biltmore Village + Grove Park Inn will remain open, as well its food truck at 232 Reems Creek Rd. 🥖

• Northridge Farms, a new 577-unit residential development, could be coming near Weaverville. City officials say Greensboro-based developer Hawthorne Residential has not yet submitted a complete application. If submitted in time, it could be reviewed at the Board of Adjustment’s Wednesday, Feb. 8 meeting. Get more info. 🏗️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• 6%. That’s how much longer homes in the Asheville metro area spent on the market from 2021-2022. That’s according to a new study from House Method, which argues these numbers represent a “cooling” from 2021’s historical highs. Find out what experts predict for 2023. 🏠 (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Proposals for Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center’s annual {Re}Happening are being accepted through Monday, Jan. 9. Artists are encouraged to propose innovative projects and “demonstrate elements of process, experimentation, collaboration, and audience participation.” 🎨

• The 2023 Hunter Subaru Polar Bear 5K will take place Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. on the flat greenway trails at Bill Moore Community Park. All proceeds from the event will go to the Fletcher Park Development fund. Wanna take part? Create an account + register here. 👟

• The Whale Invitational — a new event from The Whale AVL — will take place Saturday, June 3. The event will feature 40+ breweries, live music, and food. That’s all we know for now, but be sure to check back for more info. 🍻

• Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: AVLtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. *

Alcohol-free spaces

• Sovereign Kava Bar, 268 Biltmore Ave. | One of NC’s first kava bars, this award-winning lounge offers mixed beverages like The Mule and Iced Kava Mocha and straight pours of kava, an herbal supplement extracted from the root of a pepper plant.
• The Pot Stirred, 57 Haywood St. | This LGBTQ+ and women-owned space celebrates plant medicine with drinks like mushroom coffee, herbal + CBD tea, and housemade plant based-milks. Bonus: There’s also gourmet donuts.

Sober-friendly breweries, restaurants + lounges

• Rosetta’s Kitchen, 68 N. Lexington Ave. | This vegan kitchen has a special Buchi Bar where you can order drafts (or flights) of kombucha, plus there’s fun mocktails like the coconut-forward Happy L’il Cloud or Liquid Apple Pie.
• Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd. | Bartenders squeeze fresh juices daily and prepare a variety of shrubs + nonalcoholic concentrates (along with in-house syrups) that are perfect for mocktails.

Bottle shops

• Local 604 Bottle Shop, 604 Haywood Rd. | Shop from a primarily local selection of 50+ craft sodas, NA beers, kombucha, sparkling water, zero-proof wine, and beyond.
• NoLo Bottle Shop at The Marquee, 36 Foundy St. | Come explore this vast, design-centric marketplace and stop at NoLo’s booth to sample + shop from a selection of NA beer, wine, and spirits.
• Appalachian Vintner, 745 Biltmore Ave. | This worldly bottle shop offers a fun selection of alcohol-free spirits.