Plus, Asheville's climate justice data.
 
01.18.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER
6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

46º | Mostly cloudy | 1% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:37 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

Nonprofits

Volunteer opportunities for Code Purple nights
Asheville in winter. Photo: @kleindigital
Find ways to volunteer at Code Purple shelter sites amidst winter weather. | Photo by @kleindigital
With freezing temperatures and high winds sweeping across the area, Code Purple alerts have gone into effect nearly every night in January.

The alerts are put into place by the Asheville-Buncombe Homelessness Coalition when temperatures are at or below 32 degrees, including wind chill, or 33-40 degrees with precipitation. On Code Purple nights, participating shelters open up to offer emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness, with transportation made available to shelter sites.

Here are a few ways you can volunteer at Code Purple shelter sites:

The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to assist with laundry and resetting rooms from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. after a Code Purple night. Since Code Purple alerts are issued two days in advance, volunteers would be given notice when needed. Contact the organization’s Social Services Program Manager to assist with this opportunity.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) offers two shelters for people experiencing homelessness during Code Purple nights: Transformation Village and Veterans Restoration Quarters. ABCCM is currently looking for volunteers at Transformation Village to assist with check-in, van driving, laundry + room resetting, and more. New volunteers will be paired with experienced volunteers to get on-site training — contact ABCCM’s Transformation Village Volunteer Coordinator for more information.

Beyond serving at these official 2023-2024 Code Purple shelter sites, there are many ways to support neighbors in need through housing, health, and food + resources by volunteering with groups like BeLoved Asheville, Homeward Bound, and more — find a list of organizations you can support across WNC.
 
Events
Thursday, Jan. 18
  • Asheville StorySLAM: “First Impressions” | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $15 | For this storytelling series presented by The Moth, craft a five-minute account of an initial idea — and maybe how it was proven wrong.
  • Queer Prom | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 9 p.m. | Fleetwood’s, 496 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $5-$10 | Compete for the title of Best Dancer and Best Dressed while enjoying a night of Polaroids, snacks, and drink specials — half the proceeds from the door will benefit The Campaign for Southern Equality.
Friday, Jan. 19
  • Melanie Brooks in Conversation With Laura Carney | Friday, Jan. 19 | 6-7:30 p.m. | West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | The authors will speak about their memoirs honoring their late fathers — a portion of book sales will benefit The Western North Carolina AIDS Project.
  • Dolly Parton Karaoke | Friday, Jan. 19 | 8-11 p.m. | Bold Rock Asheville, 39 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Sing your heart out to your favorite tunes from the Queen of Country.
Saturday, Jan. 20
  • Creative Flow: Yoga in the Galleries | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Sq., Asheville | $15-$90 | This series allows you to practice your flow in a new gallery each week — plus, your class pass lets you to explore the museum after 11 a.m.
  • Dumplings from Around the World | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E. Sondley Dr., Asheville | $90 | Learn to make all kinds of delectable dumplings, from pork gyoza to pierogis.
  • Kuzu Making Workshop | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Lauren “LB” Bacchus will teach you how to turn the invasive species of kudzu into a root starch for culinary uses — register to attend and bring hand pruners if you have them.
Sunday, Jan. 21
  • Asheville Asian Culture Festival Gala | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 4 p.m. | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville | $27.01 | Sit in for a fashion show, artist performances, and live music at the final event of this year’s inaugural Asheville Asian Culture Festival — proceeds support WNC AAPI, Soulfull Simone Farm, Soul & Soil Project, and the Southside Community Farm.
Monday, Jan. 22
  • ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak): Film Screening | Monday, Jan. 22 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Owen Theatre, 44 Cascade St., Mars Hill | Free | Watch a screening of We Will Speak — a film about saving the Cherokee language — followed by a discussion with the directors, producer, and cinematographer.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Home

Real Estate

Save green while going green with SolFarm
Presented by an AVLtoday Partner
AVLtoday Solfarm 1.18.24
Fun fact: If your solar system over-generates energy, that excess will flow back to the utility grid for your neighbors to utilize, and you’ll be credited on your utility bill. | Photo provided by SolFarm
Considering an energy upgrade? Asheville-based SolFarm can help you save money — and the planet.

SolFarm is a turnkey solar business, meaning they’ll take care of all permitting, zoning, and metering documentation, along with panel and battery installation.

The benefits of solar systems include:
  • Dramatically lower energy bills (solar panels typically pay for themselves in 6-9 years)
  • Reduced dependence on the city grid
  • Increased home resale value
  • Lower carbon footprint (who doesn’t love clean + renewable energy?)
  • Built-in backup power for weather disruptions or blackouts
SolFarm is offering $1,500 off a home solar system + an additional $500 discount on battery storage now through Feb. 29.

Plus, solar-related federal tax credits are currently at a historic high, so you can get back up to 30% of your total solar project costs.

We can’t promise you’ll be walking on sunshine, but you’ll certainly be saving because of it.
See solar savings + request a quote
News Notes
Community
  • The Asheville Downtown Association seeks your input through its 2024 Asheville Stakeholder Survey. The responses — which will be kept anonymous — will be used to inform the Association’s State of Downtown Report, and the survey will be open until Friday, Feb. 9.
Environment
  • You can now view climate justice data for your address on SimpliCity, a dashboard from the City of Asheville. An overall climate justice index score is given based on climate risks (like wildfires or floods) and data assessing social, economic, demographic, and historical factors. To get a rundown on navigating the new features, watch this video.
Plan Ahead
  • Taste of Asheville 2024 is right around the corner, with 50+ local restaurants — all members of the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association — coming together to serve up delicious bites on Thursday, Feb. 1 at Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center. Tickets are going fast, so snag them while you can.
Announced
  • At the Tuesday, Jan. 16 meeting, Buncombe County Commissioners presented a proclamation declaring January to be Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. Find the number to contact the local OurVoice Crisis Line and additional resources from the Buncombe County Family Justice Center and its partners.
Community
  • Asheville on Bikes’ annual gala, Bike Love, will return to New Belgium Brewing Co. on Saturday, Feb. 10. The night includes music from the J.E.L Trio and DJ Lil Meow Meow and a silent auction all to support the nonprofit’s mission of creating better biking and walking infrastructure in WNC. Plus, you can volunteer to work the event to get a free ticket.
Wellness
  • It’s never too late to ask for help. Mission Behavioral Health’s outpatient programs are tailored to meet the individual needs of adults and seniors who need support — from life transitions to trauma to managing stress + more. Call (828) 213-4696 for information or schedule an assessment online.*
Active
  • Is there a gym or fitness studio around town you’ve been wanting to check out? Get a free month of ClassPass + sample multiple gyms with just one membership.*
 
Sports

🏐 Get your head in the game

Get your head in the game for indoor volleyball
Two teams of six people playing volleyball on an indoor court
Play (volley)ball. | Photo by Steve Atkins Photography
You just got served. Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville is hosting a series of indoor volleyball tournaments for players of varying levels. Registration is open for its third weekend of games, Thursday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb. 4, with options for four-player and six-player games. Gather up a co-ed, male, or female team to play a round-robin of sets against the other competitors.

Thinking about signing up? The ball is in your court because a limited number of teams are able to register for each day.

This weekend’s tournament is sold out, but if you want to scope out the scene before joining the competition, spectators are welcome to come watch the games for free.
The Buy

The Buy 1.18.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Sleep mist, a cozy sweatshirt, or tea from Six & Main’s homebody collection. That’s right, there’s a collection specifically devoted to staying comfy and cozy at home (count us in).
Share AVLtoday
 
ReferralGIF1-AVL.gif

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_6}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_6}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
 
The Wrap
 
Grace Powers.JPEG

Today’s edition by:
Grace
From the editor
Are you feeling the love, Asheville? On Thursday, Feb. 1, Pillar Rooftop Bar will welcome Edith Nyanga to host “The Love Night,” a Valentine’s Day speed dating event. Get the lowdown on what to expect and find tickets.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Become a Member     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY