Plus, a performance of Finding Nemo Jr.
 
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Today’s Forecast

42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.
 

🧺 Break out the picnic baskets

10 spots for the perfect picnic
A wicker picnic basket sits on top of a blue plaid blanket on grass.
Pack a basket for an al fresco experience. | Photo by @ashevillepictures, via @ashevillepicnic
With spring in full swing, it’s time to take lunch outside. We’ve rounded up five of the best spots to enjoy a picnic.

But first, an important question: what’s on the menu? Grab a pre-made basket from Asheville Picnic Company or The Rhu, fully loaded sandwiches from Silverball Subs, or charcuterie to-go from South Slope Cheese Co.

Botanical Gardens at Asheville, 151 WT Weaver Blvd.
This easily accessible spot is ideal for lunching and learning about native plants and flowers — just make sure to leave the space as you found it.

Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd.
Plenty of parking and grilling spots aren’t the only thing this park has to offer. Work up an appetite playing on one of the volleyball or basketball courts or skating on the velodrome.

Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, 3676 Blue Ridge Pkwy., Barnardsville
Travel the winding roads of the Blue Ridge Parkway for a scenic meal surrounded by colorful wildflowers and blossoming rhododendrons. The picnic area is open daily until sunset with grills and plenty of parking available.

Max Patch, Max Patch Rd., Hot Springs
You’ll have to travel a bit over an hour to see these 360-degree views, but we promise they are well worth the drive. Throw down your picnic blanket and take in the stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains.

Carrier Park's Splashville

Cool off in the fountains at Splashville.

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Photo from AVLtoday team.

Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza
There’s nothing like a packed lunch after a day of playing in the water. Cool off in the fountains at Splasheville and refuel with a picnic on the green — or bring your picnic basket full of goodies to one of the monthly Movies in the Park.

The fun doesn’t have to stop here. Explore all the parks our city has to offer with our guide to 23 parks in Asheville.
Mission Health
 
Events
Tuesday, May 16
  • Intro to Indian Music with American Patchwork Quartet | Tuesday, May 16 | 5:30 p.m. | Tina McGuire Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $15 | Singer, violinist, and composer Harini “Rini” Raghavan leads this musical masterclass open to all levels about two styles of classical Indian music and how they influenced American folk songs.
  • TRIVIA: Are you smarter than a drag queen? | Tuesday, May 16-Tuesday, June 27 | 8-10 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St., Asheville | Free | Drag queen Nova Jynah will test your knowledge on a variety of topics including food, music, movies, television, queer history, and pop culture.
Wednesday, May 17
  • Julian Price Stage Dedication & Ribbon-Cutting | Wednesday, May 17 | 5:15 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | The concert venue will unveil its newest stage along with a mural from local artist Gus Cutty — stick around for a documentary screening of “Julian Price: Envisioning Community, Investing in People.”
  • Hari Kondabolu | Wednesday, May 17 | 7 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville | $25 | Watch the acclaimed stand-up comic perform a set with support from Carmen Lagala.
Thursday, May 18
  • Mosaic Art Walk & Benefit | Thursday, May 18 | 5-8 p.m. | Participating downtown Asheville art galleries | Free | Join Mosaic Realty in an evening of art-filled fun while supporting Asheville-area nonprofits.
  • Drive In Bingo | Thursday, May 18 | 2-4 p.m. | Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville | Free | Play a few rounds of bingo from the comfort of your car — winners will receive prizes and refreshments will be served.
Friday, May 19
  • Art Park | Friday, May 19 | 2-4 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | Free | Let nature inspire your latest painting — supplies provided by Grove Street Community Center.
  • Ghibli Inspired Guided Pottery Painting | Friday, May 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Fired Up Creative Lounge, 26 Wall St., Asheville | $28-$32 | Celebrate your favorite Studio Ghibli films and characters in this guided pottery painting class.
  • Free Outdoor Movie - Big Hero Six | Friday, May 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Grovemont Square, 101 West Charleston Ave., Swannanoa | Free | Cinema on the Square, Swannanoa’s outdoor movie series, returns to Grovemont Square with a screening of “Big Hero 6.”
Events calendar here
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News Notes
Civic
  • Buncombe County Recreation Services staff is seeking feedback on the future of passive recreation lands — think: minimally developed spaces for hiking, picnics, bird watching, and more. Plans will be presented at a meeting on Wednesday, May 17. Take this online survey before Thursday, June 15 to share your thoughts.
Sports
  • Swimmers, take your mark. UNC Asheville swimmer and diver Delaney Carlton was selected to compete for Team USA at the 2023 World University Games in Chengdu, China from July 28-August 8. Bulldog pride will run deep with UNC Asheville Assistant Coach Ian Quinn serving as Director of Swimming for the USA Team. (Swim Swam)
Open
  • Tastee Diner is opening for dinner from Thursdays through Sundays from 6-10 p.m., starting this Thursday, May 18. Expect Tastee classics like wings, burgers, and bodega sandwiches alongside fresh, new dinner offerings.
  • Looking for a quick lunch? Suwana’s Thai Orchid has reopened at 11 Broadway St. as Suwana Express. The restaurant has changed to cafeteria-style service to offer more personalized meals more quickly. Owner Suwana Cry also cited difficulty finding servers as a reason for the change. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Feel Good
  • Recent Warren Wilson graduate Paddington Mbumbgwa received a slam dunk of a graduation gift. Mbumbgwa started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for medical school since he is not currently eligible for financial assistance. One notable donor includes NBA star Kyrie Irving, offering $23,000 to the cause. (WLOS)
Theater
  • The tiny thespians of Asheville Junior Theater are some of the first in the country to perform the musical Finding Nemo Jr. The production will swim its way to the Wortham Center for Performing Arts on Memorial Day weekend. Get tickets and check out summer camps offered by AJT.
Biz
  • The South Asheville Veterinary Emergency and Specialty has tripled the size of its space, adding veterinary technology including on-site CT, MRI and fluoroscopy imaging. The practice formerly known as Upstate Vet will now be able to serve more furry friends with these new enhancements. (Mountain Xpress)
Eat
  • For all the Ashevillians who didn’t know this was a thing, you do now — introducing The Lobster Trap’s Overstuffed Maine Lobster Roll. Packed with a double portion of lobster, it’s their signature Maine Lobster Roll, but twice as fun. Roll up your sleeves + give it a try.*
Edu
  • Summer is for learning. Whether you’re a teen, college student, or working professional, Mars Hill University is hosting a wide variety of summer learning opportunities — including online Summer School courses for adults + fun summer camps for teens (think: sports, photography, ceramics, printmaking, music, and more).*
Number
  • 107. That’s the amount of apprentices trained in MB HAYNES Heating & Cooling program this year. The state accredited apprenticeship program is one of the oldest in North Carolina and offers programs in Overhead and Underground Power Distribution, Plumbing, HVAC-Service, HVAC Sheet Metal Fabricator/Installer, Electric Construction, Pipefitting and Pipewelding.*
The Buy
  • Turn misplaced keys into a thing of the past with the Apple AirTag. The button-sized tracking device can give you step-by-step directions to your lost keys (or phone…or wallet…) and has a battery life of one year. Pro tip: Put one in your checked luggage and never worry about lost baggage again.*
 
Environment

🗓️ Cicadas arrive ahead of schedule

Cicadas make an early appearance this spring
Cicada on a honeysuckle leaf.
The red-eyed bugs are expected to be spotted across the Southeast this spring + summer. | Photo by Martin LaBar
As the sun goes down, listen closely and you may hear the high-pitched buzzing of cicadas. The winged creatures aren’t due to emerge until 2024 — but it seems that some just can’t wait to arrive in Asheville.

Cicadas usually appear in our area in 13 and 17-year cycles. They surface in groups called broods, containing multiple species. Although we’re seeing small numbers of cicadas popping up early this year, next spring will mark a historic emergence, due to both broods arriving simultaneously for the first time since 1803.

“Predators should consider these early cicadas to be hors d’oeuvres compared to the massive emergence expected in 2024,” said Dr. Kritsky, dean of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St. Joseph University.

Interested in the early arrival of cicadas in our area? Help scientists track cicada movement with the Cicada Safari app. Upload photos of cicadas you find to be placed on a live map.
 
The Wrap
 
Grace Powers.JPEG

Today’s edition by:
Grace
From the editor
Great news for burrito lovers. Chipotle is opening up a new location at 879 Brevard Rd. on Wednesday, May 17, complete with a drive-thru “Chipotlane.” I’ll take a chicken bowl with guac please.
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