Food

• Not Rocket Science Trivia | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Highland Brewing Downtown Taproom, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Get a team together and join this weekly trivia showdown.

• Haywood Common 5 Year Anniversary | Friday, Jan. 13 | 5 p.m. | Haywood Common, 507 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Celebrate five years of magic at Haywood Common with specials on oysters and cava pours.
• January 15 (Trees/Nature): Rebecca Aronson, Rachel Hadas, Maya Pindyck | Friday, Jan. 13 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Jewish writers Rebecca Aronson, Rachel Hadas, and Maya Pindyck discuss the power of nature and trees.
• Caressed By Mayhem | Friday, Jan. 13 | 5-11:59 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Celebrate DSSOLVR’s three-year anniversary with Nü Metal hits, a photobooth, limited edition merch, Roscoe’s BBQ Popup, and plenty of craft beer.
• Star Gaze | Friday, Jan. 13 | 5:30-11:30 p.m. | Grassland Mountain Observatory, 2892 Grassland Pkwy., Marshall | Free | Join the Astronomy Club of Asheville at this public star gaze.

• MLK Day Prayer Breakfast | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 8 a.m. | Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Dr., Asheville | $15-$350 | This annual prayer breakfast will feature words from Fletcher Mayor Preston Blakely and best-selling author Andrew Aydin.
• Strong Core | Saturday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Asheville Community Yoga, 8 Brookdale Rd., Asheville | $30 | Learn to strengthen your core in order to help prevent debilitating low back pain.

• Winter Flow | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15 | Build heat and strength in the body with this class, suitable for levels one and up.
• Writers at Home | Sunday, Jan. 15 | 3 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Registration is required for this monthly reading series featuring folks from UNCA’s Great Smokies Writing Program and The Great Smokies Review, including former AVLtoday editor Ali McGhee.

• Open House Events at Carolina Day School | Tuesday, Jan. 17-Thursday, Jan. 19 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Carolina Day School, 1345 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville | Free | Ashevillians are invited to tour Carolina Day during an upcoming Open House for an up close and personal visit to help them choose their child’s school for the 2023-24 school year.*

• 60º | Evening showers | 86% chance of rain
• According to local meteorologists, parts of Buncombe County — particularly in the northern parts like Weaverville — may see snow this weekend. This is due to a cold front coming through the area. ❄️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)
• Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF reaches its closest point to the sun today, Jan. 12. For your best odds of catching this once-in-600-lifetimes spectacle, watch northwestern dark skies during the Saturday, Jan. 21 new moon, or on the night of Wednesday, Feb. 1, when it’s closest to Earth. (Space.com)

• Want to help improve Pack Square Plaza? A collaborative design workshop about its future and connectivity to the Block will take place Friday, Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. at 161 S. Charlotte St. There will be snacks + refreshments, plus a kids table. Register.
• The City of Asheville + Buncombe County have partnered with The National Alliance to End Homelessness on needs assessment and recommendations to improve the community response to homelessness. Folks are invited to hear the results on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 1-4 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville.

• OnTrack WNC is offering visitors three free credit reports and scores today from 1-3 p.m. at its offices at 50 S. French Broad Ave. No registration is required.

• Asheville has been recognized as one of the top nine culinary destinations in the world from Eater. See the 18 essential spots visitors should try this year.

• Got old jeans? Asheville GreenWorks is helping the Nesbitt Habitat Collaborative collect 500 pairs that will be recycled into insulation for a Habitat for Humanity home. Drop them off at 2 Sulphur Springs Rd. before Saturday, Jan. 28 or stop by the Hard 2 Recycle - West event. 👖

• Submissions for the 2023 Carl Sandburg Student Poetry Contest are open through Wednesday, March 1. Students in grades 3-12 are invited to submit poetry on the theme of “Hope.” Winners will be notified in April and invited to participate in a virtual program the same month. Get details. 🖋️

• The 11th annual Asheville Marathon and Half Marathon will take place downtown on Saturday, March 18. Beginning at Pack Square and finishing at the Wedge at Foundation, the race features friendly spectators and water stations to keep runners motivated. Post-race, enjoy merriment + and a free beer. Register.

• The average price of gas has risen seven cents per gallon in the last week. That’s according to GasBuddy, which shows the cheapest price in Asheville last week was $2.84 per gallon, while the most expensive was $3.44 per gallon. Dig into the numbers. ⛽ (WLOS)

• OpenDoors’ Art Affair returns Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at The Venue. The fundraiser will include live and silent auctions of 75+ pieces of art, jewelry, and getaway packages to support the organization’s mission of providing at-risk children with school resources. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 18. 🎟️

• Attention “Dancing Queens:'' This event is sure to be a real “Thriller.” The Omni Grove Park Inn is hosting Pop Legends Weekend Jan. 13- Jan. 14. On Friday, hear the transcendent sounds of ABBA, and the brilliance of Michael Jackson on Saturday. Snag individual tickets or a package. 🕺 *

• Cane Creek Cycling Components is hiring a Staff Accountant, who will be responsible for ensuring that all accounting operations are handled efficiently and effectively. Interested in joining the dog-friendly, active employee-owned business? See details + apply. 🚲*

• Oh hey, January. The key to keeping your spirits up and avoiding seasonal affective disorder this time of year? Sunlight. Magic up more sunshine indoors with a light therapy lamp. This glare-free mood light is height and angle adjustable, while this subtly designed lamp lets you adjust light warmth and brightness. ☀️*

• Situated on a manicured .46-acre lot just seven minutes from Black Mountain and 20 minutes from AVL, this beautiful 6 BD, 6 BA home boasts high-end finishes, a covered back patio prewired for a hot tub with an outdoor fireplace + bar, and a 2 BD, 2 BA lower-level apartment. 🏡 *

• In yesterday’s newsletter, we shared that Rye Knot is offering buy-one-get-one-free entrees as part of Asheville Restaurant Week. Unfortunately, dry-aged steaks are not part of this special.

Dobra Tea, 78 N. Lexington Ave. + 707 Haywood Rd.

High Climate Tea Company, 12 S. Lexington Ave.

Ivory Road Cafe & Kitchen, 1854 Brevard Rd., Arden