Today’s Note

Please excuse our dust. We’re currently working to bring you an even better newsletter. Over the next couple weeks, you may see some things that are still in the works. We’re excited for you to see what we’ve been up to.

Here’s looking at you, Asheville

A look back at iconic AVLtoday stories

Asheville is always changing, but its beauty and unique history is timeless. | Photo by @jared_kay

Hey, Asheville — Brook here. After three and a half years, this newsletter will be my last with AVLtoday, so I wanted share some of my favorite pieces I’ve written over the past few years.

Favorite stories

Exploring the Wim Hof method in Asheville, NC | In one of my first pieces, I soaked in an ice bath outside in February just so I could share the experience with y’all.
A look at WNC’s Full Moon Farm Wolfdog Sanctuary | Located in nearby Black Mountain, this 17-acre spot is WNC’s only sanctuary for wolfdogs who are unable to survive in the wild.
A timeline of NC’s most iconic products | I love exploring history, and I especially enjoyed exploring items that folks around the globe know and letting them know from whence they came.
Examining the origins of NC’s nickname, “North Cackalacky” | Whatever your preferred term of endearment for our state is, it’s always fun to learn something new about names.
The history of livermush in Western North Carolina | Love it or leave it, this is one of the region’s most important and legendary food traditions — and one you can only find here in WNC.
The best under-the-radar eats in and around Asheville | You won’t find any tourists at these spots, just locals enjoying some really fine fare.
Magical mushroom art in Asheville, NC | Local artist Heather Brooks uses WNC’s ~2,000 mushroom species to create eye-catching art for thousands of fans — including Rihanna.
New Asheville business is upcycling spent grain from area breweries into healthy dog treats | Local Jen Nathanson makes treats using spent grains from local breweries to create human grade, organic treats — all based on recipes she’s formulated herself.
Looking back at the Asheville Smoke | As a WNC native whose sports knowledge stops and starts with Puppy Bowl, this was an incredibly interesting piece to research and write.
World record holders from the Asheville area | From the “World’s Heaviest Twins” to the “Largest Collection of Coca-Cola Memorabilia,” here are just seven of the most impressive titles claimed right here in the 828.

Events

Wednesday, March 29

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.

Thursday, March 30

Hatch 2.0 Grand Opening | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 S. 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, which you can enjoy alongside a full bar + mezcaleria.

Friday, March 31

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.
RAIL Project Symposium | Friday, Mar. 31-Saturday, Apr. 1 | 8:06 p.m. | Reuter Center, 300 Campus View Rd., Asheville | Free | This symposium for the Railroad and Incarcerated Laborer Memorial Project features a keynote speech from Dr. Darin Waters, panels with historians, and an opportunity to tour memorial sites.

Saturday, April 1

Asheville Orchid Festival | Saturday, Apr. 1-Sunday, Apr. 2 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville | $5 | This annual fest features world-class orchid growers and breeders, with hundreds of orchids on display, plus other programs + learning opportunities.
Cellarest Dog Adoption Event | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 1-4 p.m. | Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Meet a crew of adoptable dogs at this monthly event.

Sunday, April 2

Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club | Sunday, April 2 | 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.
Gentle Yoga for Queer & GNC Folks | Sunday, April 2 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | West Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $0-$20 sliding scale | This class is centered towards creating an affirming and inclusive space for queer and gender non-conforming individuals.

Plan ahead with our community events calendar.

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

59º | Mostly sunny | 6% chance of rain

Arts

ArtsAVL is seeking community feedback on its 2023-2024 Town Hall Series, which is designed to address issues facing the arts community through info sharing and solutions-oriented breakout sessions. The nonprofit organization has created a poll that’s open through Friday, March 31. Submit feedback here.

Cause

Sistas Caring 4 Sistas will hold its first annual Black Maternal Health Fundraiser on Saturday, April 29 from 5-9 p.m. at High Wire Brewing - Biltmore Village. The event will feature a keynote speaker, live entertainment, bites from Cooking with Comedy Catering, and a silent auction. Get tickets.

Eat

Local chef Silver Iocovozzi of Neng Jr’s has shared their recipe for Pork Shoulder Inasal. Featured in Bon Appetit’s recent look at Appalachian cuisine, the flavorful dish is an edible tribute to Iocovozzi’s childhood memories, trips to the Philippines, and the BBQ traditions of the American South.

Seasonal

Beeswax and Butter’s Easter macarons are now available for pre-order. The egg-shaped treats include three flavors: carrot, cinnamon, and ginger with cream cheese, PB and J with peanut butter buttercream and strawberry jam, and bee pollen with honey buttercream. Get pick up deets.

Active

The 9th annual Highland Brewing Night Flight takes place Saturday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. The 4.5 mile course traverses the Asheville Golf Course, Beverly Hills neighborhood, WNC Nature Center, and finishes at Highland Brewing. All proceeds will go to the development of area greenways through Connect Buncombe. Register.

Try This

The Grey Eagle is launching a new music series for families and early birds: Country Brunch. Kicking off in May and continuing on the second Sunday of every month through fall, the shows will take place on its patio and last from 12-3 p.m.

Health

Need treatment of an ailment, minor injury, or other healthcare condition? No problem. Mission Health’s Mission My Care Now offers convenient walk-in appointments, scheduled care visits, and virtual appointments (for when you’re too sick or unable to make it in). See locations, the conditions they treat + how to get care “Now.” *

Number

4+ million. That’s the number of people who start their day with this free newsletter because it declutters the daily news and provides a five-minute rundown of the most important stories happening around the world. Want to save time and get smarter? Sign up.*

Drink

The most polished organizational item in your kitchen: the Fellow Atmos Coffee Canister, which not only looks great but keeps coffee fresh by sucking oxygen out of the jar. Pro tip: You can use it to store any snack and it will stay fresh longer.

Correction

In yesterday’s newsletter, we shared that the Brett Young concert is taking place Thursday, March 30. That’s incorrect. While the tour does kick off on March 30, that concert will be in Columbus, Ohio. Brett Young visits Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville on Thursday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Cause

Give back by eating out

Dining Out for Life returns Thursday, April 27

People eating out to celebrate dining out for life

Build a WNC free of HIV and Hepatitis C by dining out during Dining Out for Life. | Photo provided by WNCAP

One of WNC’s oldest and most delectable fundraisers will return this spring: the WNC AIDS Project’s Dining Out for Life. Taking place Thursday, April 27 at ~100 participating eateries, it’s an effortless way to give back to the community.

A partnership with the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, the annual event encourages folks to support our local independent restaurants as they donate 20% of sales to WNC AIDS Project on the day of the event.

Best of all? Whether you’re craving Italian, Indian, or ice cream, you’ll find it all that day, thanks to these participating restaurants:

Vinnie’s Italian
The Hop
Chai Pani
Plant
828 Family Pizzeria
12 Bones Smokehouse

Pro tip: More restaurants are added daily, so be sure to peep the list to stay up to date.

The Wrap

Todays Edition By:
Brook

From the Editor

It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to write for you for the past 3.5 years, Asheville. To write about my home and heritage for y’all has been a dream come true.

If you’re wondering what’s next for me, I’ll still be writing, and you’re also welcome to stop by at 8:40 a.m. on Thursday mornings at First News on 570 with Mark Starling, where I’ll be sharing my perspective on local eats, events, and more. Don’t be a stranger.

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