View from Elk Mountain Scenic Highway

Downtown after dark

Venetian masquerade ball

• Cinnamon Rolls and Yeast Pastries | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Conjure Craft Chocolate, 16 Glenn Willow Dr., Unit 36, Arden | $110 | Impress your friends and family with delicious cinnamon rolls and sticky buns made with simple ingredients + easy-to-learn techniques in this class from The Crunchy Baker.
• Beer and Cheese Tasting Class | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | 7-8 p.m. | Leveller Brewing Co., 25 N. Main St., Weaverville | $28 | Eat your way through three hard cheeses made by Kevin at Lane in the Woods, and learn about the perfect beer pairings.

• Introduction to Pollinators | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview | Free | Learn about pollination and WNC’s common pollinators then join a discussion of conservation and simple steps you can take to help.
• Brad Walker + Thommy Knoles Quartet | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 7 p.m. | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville | $17.63 | Settle in for a New Orleans sound from one of the Big Easy’s most sought-after performers.

• Oakley Community Closet | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Murphy-Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd., Asheville | Free | Contact the Therapeutic Recreation Program staff to coordinate donations, or join the cost-free opportunity to shop clothes, shoes, and toys.
• Spelling Bee for Literacy Together | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | The Whale, 507 Haywood Rd., #10, Asheville | Free | Show off your spelling skills to support the nonprofit dedicated to creating a more equitable community through literacy.

• The Roses & Rosé tasting hosted by Lula Drake’s Tim Gardner
• Art Class: Floral Design led by Sarah Shell, founder of Fern Studio Flowers
• Classes where you can learn to make paper with plants, the Japanese art of flower arranging, and more
• A demonstration and dialogue with Louesa Roebuck, author of “Punk Ikebana” and “Foraged Flora”
• New this year, two Foraging Walks with Matt Kip of Full Belly Foraging
• The Art Blossoms Sunday Teatime

• Money talks. The City of Asheville is kicking off the FY 2024-2025 budget development process with a call for your feedback. Join the public comment session at the Asheville City Council meeting today, Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. or take the budget priorities survey online by Friday, Feb. 23.

• The Smokin’ Onion’s vegan favorites now have a permanent home. The restaurant has opened its brick-and-mortar spot at 697 Haywood Rd., Ste. E. Get your fill of biscuits and gravy, bodhi bowls, kai burgers, and lots more.

• Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe, the East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association, and Dogwood Health Trust plan to convert the former Cappadocia Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas into affordable housing. The project is in its early stages and will need conditional zoning approval. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• The annual Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) Safe & Warm Drive is underway now through Thursday, Feb. 29, with a special collection drive at Carolina Furniture Concepts’ Arden location on Friday, Jan. 26. The drive accepts donations of blankets, gloves, socks, and coats as well as funds to pay a heating bill.

• WellCare of North Carolina is hosting a block party on Saturday, Jan. 27, 12-3 p.m., at the Tanger Outlets Asheville (formerly the Asheville Outlets) to spread the word about Medicaid benefits, the eligibility redetermination process, Medicaid expansion, and resources. Attendees can also enjoy music, sweet treats, and giveaways.

• I scream, you scream, we all scream for National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. (That’s how the saying goes, right?) The Hop is teaming up with Chill Cereal Bar to celebrate the holiday on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 8 to 11 a.m. at its 640 Merrimon Ave. location. Stop by for a sweet treat.

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