09.04.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

Culture

Meet the editors behind AVLtoday

Grace + Molly | Photo by AVLtoday

Hey folks, City Editors Grace and Molly here. We have the honor of sharing local events, news, and stories with Asheville through our newsletter and social media.

Grace has been with the AVLtoday team since mid-April, and Molly joined in mid-July, so we’re here to give a proper introduction and share a few of our favorite things about our beautiful mountain city. Consider this us going in for a fist bump, then switching to a handshake, then settling on a hug.

Meet Grace

Q: Describe your perfect day in AVL in the length of a Tweet.

A: Start with Spinach & Potato Cakes from Early Girl Eatery (extra tomato gravy, please), then go to the WNC Nature Center and spend most of my time watching the otters before ending the day at Retrocade, where I’ll win every match of air hockey I’m challenged to.

Q: You’re ordering a drink from an AVL coffee shop. What’s in it?

A: I have cold brew running through my veins — and I’ll occasionally add a splash of oat milk if I’m feeling fancy. Ultra Coffeebar is one of my favorite spots for a pick-me-up, but my order is never complete without the Joey breakfast sandwich.

Meet Molly

Q: What were the last three things you did downtown?

A: The last time I was downtown, I had to get a few pictures for an article, so I decided to just finish out my work day at Izzy’s Coffee Den before getting a post-work piercing at Empire Tattoo (shoutout to Greg) and meeting a friend for dinner at Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse to distract from the slight pain in my ears.

Q: Describe AVL’s personality in three words.

A: Creative, vibrant + weird (said only lovingly).

More from Grace + Molly

Asked

Kid-friendly bars and breweries are:

A. A lifesaver for me and my family
B. A fun place to gather with a group of friends
C. Places I actively avoid

Did you know you could be the winner of a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to win!

Submit your answer

Events

Monday, Sept. 4

STEAM Studio, Six Years in the Making | Monday, Sept. 4-Thursday, Sept. 14 | 5-9 p.m. | S. Tucker Cooke Gallery in Owen Hall, 100 Theatre Ln., Asheville | Free | See works that UNC Asheville students have created at the studio over the years.
ImiJ of Soul | Monday, Sept. 4 | 1-4 p.m. | The Meadow at Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | Free | Kick back and enjoy this trio’s tribute to Jimi Hendrix.

Tuesday, Sept. 5

Gentle Mat Pilates | Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 10-11 a.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | $5 | This class mixes the principles of Joseph Pilates and deep mind + body connections to leave you feeling strong.
Music Bingo | Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 8-10 p.m. | The Bier Garden, 46 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Move aside, regular bingo — songs replace the numbers on these bingo cards for a twist on a classic game.

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Reggie Watts | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $45-$50 | See the musician, comedian, writer + actor perform his unique brand of musical improvised comedy.
Freelance Journalism Part 1: From Pitch to Publication | Wednesday, Sept. 6-Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Flatiron Writers Room, 5 Covington St., Asheville | $405-$480 | Let Abigail Ronner guide you through the industry of freelance journalism in this eight-part course.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Today Is

Labor Day — an annual federal holiday, first designated in 1894, that honors the contributions of workers in America. Spend the day outside with a picnic, explore a local museum, or have some kid-friendly fun.

Opening

Get ready to rage (safely, of course). The Breakroom is set to open this Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 1054 Patton Ave. Its website will soon allow bookings so you can smash away your frustrations.

Featured

Votes are in and part one of Mountain Xpress’ Best of WNC is out now. Pick up a copy of the latest issue to find favorites in arts, shopping, and more. Plus, you’re invited to the Best of WNC Party on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m., complete with live music and food trucks.

State

NC is the second best state for manufacturing in 2023. Site Selection Group, a consultant firm that helps companies find locations for operations, ranks states based on workforce talent, operating costs, and geographic access.

Community

Have difficult to recycle items? Asheville GreenWorks partners with local organizations to host Hard 2 Recycle events that give Ashevillians a central location to bring items like books, appliances, scrap metals, batteries, electronics, computers, cell phones, styrofoam + more. The next event: Saturday, Sept. 9 at North Buncombe High School. See details.*

Award

UNC Asheville got some impressive nods in The Princeton Review’s “Best 389 Colleges for 2024.” Only 15% of the nation’s colleges make it in the book, and UNCA made the top 10 and top 20 categories for health services, conservation + more. See the rankings — and what the book says about the university.*

Active

Did you know the YMCA of WNC offers outdoor group exercise classes? Put in the work in HIIT, cycling, conditioning, yoga classes, or more. See the group schedule.*

Answered

On Friday we asked, “What’s your favorite mocktail recipe?” Here’s what you said:

“It’s a take on a Sex on the Beach. Just grab your favorite goblet, fill with ice and layer in pineapple juice, peach nectar and cranberry juice. For a less sweet version I like to use unsweetened cranberry. Perfecting the layering and garnishing with paper umberellas, orange slices, cherries, and swirly straws is half the fun.” — Princess Pickle

“For a quick, easy, surprisingly layered flavor, and CHEAP afternoon sip: equal parts Q Hibiscus Ginger Beer and Trader Joe’s Jalapeño Limeade over ice.” — Patty CW

Share more mocktail magic

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

Were you inspired to get out and explore the Asheville Edibles Map after reading about it last week? Now, you can take a guided tour of our city’s edibles at Bountiful Cities and the City of Asheville’s Edible Plant Walk on Friday, Sept. 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

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