Close to town

• Difficulty: 🥾🥾
• Length: 2.1 mile loop
• Pet-friendly: Yes, on leash

• Difficulty: 🥾🥾
• Length: 3.7 mile loop
• Pet-friendly: Yes, on leash

Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest

• Difficulty: 🥾
• Length: 1.9 mile out-and-back
• Pet-friendly: Yes, on leash

Appalachian Trail

• Difficulty: 🥾
• Length: 1.5 mile loop
• Pet-friendly: Yes, on leash

• Mayor Smathers’ Vision For A Post Paper Mill Canton | Tuesday, Mar. 28 | 5-6 p.m. | Hilltop Event Center, 21 Restaurant Ct., Asheville | Free | RSVP to join Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers in a Q&A session addressing Canton’s future.

• La Bodega x MOTHER Pintxo Party with Cinco Jotas | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 6-9 p.m. | La Bodega by Cúrate, 32 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville | $115 | The sourdough superstars from MOTHER and world-renowned jamon producers from Cinco Jotas are teaming up for an evening of pintxos and partying.
• Berklee Indian Ensemble | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Ayurprana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $30 | Join the GRAMMY-nominated Berklee Indian Ensemble for an evening of iconic interpretations of Indian music.

• Brett Young | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 10 a.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | $36-$66 | Following a sold-out European tour, multi-platinum country pop artist Brett Young tours with Morgan Evans and Ashley Cooke.
• Hatch 2.0 Grand Opening | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 South French Broad Ave., Asheville | Free | Enjoy food, drinks, and games while celebrating Hatch’s expanded office and coworking space.
• Tapas Pop-up | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Zella’s Deli, 48 College St., Asheville | Free | Paulieboy Enterprises and Mamones Catered Experiences will prepare six small plates, alongside a full bar + mezcaleria.

• Statem!nt AVL: Pop-up Adult Consignment Event | Friday, Mar. 31-Sunday, Apr. 2 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Weaver House, 56 N. Main St., Weaverville | Free | Shop from hundreds of closets in one place at this annual three-day consignment sale.

• Asheville Orchid Festival | Saturday, Apr. 1-Sunday, Apr. 2 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Wy., Asheville | $5 | This annual fest features world-class orchid growers and breeders, with hundreds of orchids on display, plus other programs + learning opportunities.

• Dine To Be Kind | Tuesday, Apr. 4 | 6 a.m.-11 p.m. | Dine To Be Kind, Participating Venues, Asheville | Free | Mark your calendars for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or all three) to raise money for local pets in need — participating restaurants will donate of 15% or more of bills.*

• Six state-of-the-art 3D mammography units
• Additional ultrasound + ABUS (Automated Breast Ultrasound System) units
• The ability to go beyond the 25,000 mammograms this location performed in 2022*

• 63º | Cloudy | 20% chance of rain

• Asheville City Council will consider adopting the South Slope Vision Plan at its meeting today. The 92-page plan is years in the making and aims to guide the growth and development of the South Slope and its surrounding neighborhoods. Tune in at 5 p.m. and submit input. (Mountain Xpress)

• The Asheville Bread Festival is returning for its 16th year and tickets are officially on sale. The fest takes place Saturday, April 22-Sunday, April 23 and includes workshops, demos, and other bread-centric events. Personally, we’re eyeing the Introduction to Sourdough Pastry with Betsy Gonzalez.

• $39.6 million. That’s how much lodging tax revenue the BCTDA expects to accrue in fiscal year 2024. This is a $2.3 million projected increase from 2023. The organization’s committee based this number on trends, projections, key economic indicators, and other industry research.

• Frolic like you’re in a fantasy novel at Sweeten Creek Brewing’s Hobbit Affair on Saturday, April 1, 3-8 p.m. The Renaissance-themed event includes live music from the Grass Owls, costumes, photo opportunities, and the release of a new peanut butter-flavored stout named Pippen’s Potluck.

• Asheville has been ranked as the No. 4 “hottest small rental market,” according to a study from Rent Cafe. In practice, that means vacant apartments have become 5% more competitive in the last year and are filled in an average of 29 days (eight days shorter than the national average). With an occupancy rate of 96%, this makes Asheville the hottest rental market in the state.

• Aurora borealis, also known as Northern Lights, rarely makes its way down to North Carolina — however, it is possible. Late last week, local photographer James Reynolds captured the aurora borealis on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the time of capture, he says it “was only faintly visible to the naked eye,” but with a long exposure setting on his camera he was able to capture the effect.

• Experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards so far this year. And their top five bonus cards are (cue drumroll)... these five. 👀 *

• The spring season is the perfect time to treat yourself. We’re eyeing this six-piece bonbon gift box by Marble & Steel Craft Chocolates. What’s even sweeter? These chocolates are made fresh without preservatives.

• Trying to talk someone into an April vacation? Just show them these hotel deals on Expedia. We love: The Islander Resort that’s on a private beach in the Florida Keys.

• In our guide to recent guide to Asheville City Schools, we erroneously included the Mountain City Public Montessori School. It will not be a part of Asheville City Schools when it opens later this year.