6AM City In-house

Travel and Outdoors

7 super fly peregrine falcon facts
a-guide-to-asheville-ncs-best-experiential-gifts-avltoday
What a resplendent raptor. | Photo by @ christinalredman
Did you know falcons are alive + well right here in WNC? In fact, a pair of peregrine falcons is currently nesting on Grandfather Mountain for the first time since 2008.

In honor of this momentous occasion, let’s look at some fast facts about these super fly raptors.
  • Peregrine falcons are permanent residents in the WNC mountains and live seasonally throughout the state and on each continent except for Antarctica.
  • Of the 16 subspecies of falcons, three of them live in NC: the peregrine, the American kestrel, and the merlin.
  • Move over, cheetahs. These raptors are the fastest animal on Earth, reaching a top speed of up to 240 miles per hour.
  • Breeding pairs tend to be monogamous throughout their lifespan and return to the same nesting location year after year.
  • They were once a federally endangered species and are still endangered in North Carolina, with an estimated 15 pairs nesting in the state annually.
  • While they can live up to 20 years, their average life span is five to six years.
  • Captive peregrine falcons have long been used in the sport of falconry.
Want to see some peregrine falcons live and up close? Outside of a chance encounter, we recommend these two spots for falconry lessons:
University of North Carolina Asheville

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Thursday, Jan. 26
  • COCKTAIL CLASS: Call Me Old Fashioned | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6 p.m. | Oak & Grist Distilling Company, 556 Grovestone Rd., Black Mountain | $70-$120 | Learn to craft the timeless Old Fashioned cocktail, with an emphasis on dilution, stirring, proper pouring technique, and an in-depth garnish presentation.
  • The Naughty New Year Showcase | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Rhubarb, 7 SW Pack Sq., Asheville | $35 | This 21-and-up event features a range of seductive experiences, including a product display from VaVaVooom, sensual burlesque performances, and live caricature drawings from Paul Choi of Bad Drawings.
  • Listen to This | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15-$20 | Story Parlor’s first reading of 2023 showcases true tales of non-sister siblings.
Friday, Jan. 27
  • 2023 Coldest Day Of The Year Hike | Friday, Jan. 27 | 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, 372 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | $0-$10 | Stroll through the Elk Hollow Preserve on the Everett J. Bowman Memorial Trail on one of the coldest days of the year and take in beautiful forests and rare wildlife.
  • Raclette Night | Friday, Jan. 27 | 5 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel, 32 Broadway St., Asheville | Free | Stop by the shop for a delicious melted Alpine cheese experience and wine tasting.
  • Liar’s Club: An Evening of Fake Storytelling | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7-10 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15-$20 | Enjoy tall tales from local comedians as they share entertaining accounts of the lives of fictional people.
  • Palimpsest: A Live Podcast Performance | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., Asheville | $25 | Join creators Jamieson Ridenhour and Hayley Heninger for an intimate live performance featuring three complete stand-alone episodes from 2022’s Visitations series.
Saturday, Jan. 28
  • French Broad Brewing Dog Adoption Event | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 1-4 p.m. | French Broad Brewing, 101 Fairview Rd, Asheville | Free | Stop by the brewery to meet a crew of adoptable pups.
  • 80s vs 90s Dance Party | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 9 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $12-$15 | Dance it up with DJ Molly Parti.
Sunday, Jan. 29
  • Dumplings From Around the World | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E Sondley Dr., Asheville | $85 | Learn how to make various Asian dumplings, steamed buns, and pierogi.
  • Sunday Brunch | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, 143 Charlotte St., Asheville | $75 | Chef Will Cisa has curated a special, one-off brunch menu featuring savory seafood dishes and sweet treats, including buttermilk biscuits wit caviar butter, crab cake Benedict, and olive oil cake.
Tuesday, Jan. 31
  • Asheville Symphony Presents: Piano Recital with Evren Ozel | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | Central United Methodist Church , 27 Church St, Asheville | $15-$45 | Explore musical polyphony (multiple independent, simultaneously occurring melodic lines) during this piano concert featuring works by Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Bartok, Bach, Ligeti and Beethoven.*
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 42º | Partly cloudy | 15% chance of rain
Announced
  • The James Beard Foundation has announced the semi-finalists for the 2023 awards. Among the nominees? Asheville’s Josiah McGaughey from Vivian for Best Chef in the Southeast, and Neng Jr.’s for Best New Restaurant. See the full list. (Eater)
Coming Soon
  • New eatery Gourmand is set to open in the S&W Food Hall this spring after relocating from New Orleans. According to its Instagram, the restaurant specializes in charcuterie, cheese, and cave à vin. Sounds good to us. 🧀
Open
  • Southern-inspired food truck Kinfolk has officially opened the doors to its brick and mortar spot in South Asheville. Located at 1125 Sweeten Creek Rd., you can stop by Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 🍔
  • Great news, caffeine fiends. Budgies Bakeshop is now open at 1808 Pisgah Hwy. in Candler. Budgies offers breakfast sandwiches and treats like cookies, donuts, and cinnamon rolls alongside signature drinks like the Fog over the Black Balsam Batties (Earl Grey tea steeped in lavender + maple syrup milk). ☕
Civic
  • At its Jan. 24 meeting, Asheville City Council unanimously adopted the Reparation Commission’s proposed audit of local government, as well as an ordinance that prohibits concealed handguns. The vote on purchasing four new diesel buses was rescheduled to the Tuesday, Feb. 14 meeting. See the full action agenda.
Eat
  • Local baker Honey Badger Bakes is now offering local delivery service for its hand rolled, beer kettle boiled bagels. Want to get your hands on some? DM the baker. 🥯
Featured
  • Local Andrew Woodin has showcased the city’s thriving community of Premier League soccer fans in a new piece for USA Insider. Andrew interviewed fans, the owner of the Olde London Road pub, and the president of the Asheville City Soccer Club, Ryan Kelley for the scoop. ⚽
Active
  • The 31st annual Frostbite Races takes place Sunday, Feb. 19. In addition to a virtual option, this year’s event also offers in-person participation with 10K, 5K, and a one-mile fun run — each of which will start + finish at the Lelia Patterson Center (1111 Howard Gap Rd., Fletcher). Register. 👟
Finance
  • Erase credit card interest until nearly 2025? Sounds good to us. This balance transfer card can do just that, providing you up to 21 months for the important stuff: travel, education, good food, time with family, or paying off debt. Apply today in minutes.*
Shop
Featured Home
  • This charming, updated brick 3 BD, 1 BA ranch style home is situated on a level lot in Nebo and offers convenient single level living + ample space. Bonus: The insulated garage is perfect for year-round storage. See the yard. 👀 *
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Whip it good 🛼

Get ready to rumble with the Blue Ridge Roller Derby
avl roller derby
Roller derby combines an impressive blend of acrobatics, stunts, and skills on wheels. | Photo via Blue Ridge Roller Derby
Roller derby is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and here in the mountains.

The full contact sport is played by two teams of fifteen members that pit players (predominately women) against each other on quad roller skates.

Wanna see it in action locally?

Non-profit 501(c) sports organization and Asheville’s first flat track derby team, the Blue Ridge Roller Derby is set to kick off its 2023 season Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Smoky Mountain Event Center at 758 Crabtree Rd. in Waynesville (~30 miles from Asheville).

Ready to roll? Here’s what to know before you go:
  • Masks are encouraged.
  • BYOB.
  • Doors open at 4 p.m., the first whistle takes place at 5 p.m., and festivities end at 9 p.m.
  • Location: Smoky Mountain Event Center (758 Crabtree Rd.) in Waynesville.
  • Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 12-18, and free for kids 11 and under.
Ready to rumble yourself? Check out how to get involved.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brook.

Editor’s pick: When I lived in Atlanta, my BFF tried out for a local roller derby team. I remain proud of coming up with her name, Tyra Shanks. (It was the hey-day of America’s Next Top Model, after all).

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Get the behind the scenes scoop of the Biltmore-Hallmark movie.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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