So what exactly is GIS?

How is it used locally?

Map it out

• Historic Landmarks Storymap | Take a tour through landmarks around the county.
• Climate Justice | Visualize and understand climate threats and resilience at local addresses.
• Park Finder | Check out nearby parks and their amenities.
• Farm Heritage Trail Map | Find farms protected under conservation easements and farms that are open to the public.

• Impending Joy Album Release Show | Friday, Feb. 2 | 8 p.m. | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville | $13.78 | Experience the surf punk-esque sound and unfettered garage band energy with the release of the band’s self-titled debut album.
• Roll of the Dice: A Comedy Show of Chance | Friday, Feb. 2 | 9-11 p.m. | Catawba Brewing Company South Slope, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | $15 | Get ready for a show where anything can happen as each comedian rolls a die to see how much time they’ll get on stage.

• Assembly Required | Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $7-$15 | Find designer, bootleg, and art toys for artists, collectors, and appreciative observers alike.
• Introduction to Pollinators with Bee City Asheville | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 3-4 p.m. | Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston Ave., Swannanoa | Free | Learn about pollination, the local pollinator population, and how you can assist in conservation + care.

• Winter Flow | Sunday, Feb. 4 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $16 | Build heat in your body for strength, fitness, and wellness during the chilly season.
• Cease and Desist: The Melting Cauldron | Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | Cultura, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $60 | Grab a table for Cultura’s spin on the classic fondue experience with innovative twists and bold flavors.

• The Smell of Money | Monday, Feb. 5 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St., Ste. 10, Asheville | $12 | Sit in for a screening of the documentary and a panel discussion hosted by MountainTrue and Asheville Animal Rights Collective.

• Groundhog Day. While Punxsutawney Phil gives his unofficial prediction this morning, Potato and Yam will also be providing a local forecast at Chimney Rock State Park. Remember: Legend says that if the groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter lie ahead. If not, an early spring is expected.

• 2.13 million. That’s how many dollars of federal funding Asheville-Buncombe County Continuum of Care will receive as part of the annual US Department of Housing and Urban Development program awards supporting projects around homelessness. The amount is the highest the city and county have received. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Asheville Comedy Festival announced that Tom Segura will headline the 16th annual festival this summer. The show, which is part of his Come Together tour, will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Ticket pre-sales begin Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. with tickets open to the general public on Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m.

• Buncombe County Planning Board will hold two work sessions to review reports around proposed short-term rental amendments. Due to limited seating, residents are encouraged to watch the meetings online on Monday, Feb. 5 and Monday, Feb. 19. Check out this breakdown from Blue Ridge Public Radio to understand the amendments.

• We’re shivering with antici... pation. Eater Carolinas included Haywood Famous on a list of its “16 Most Anticipated Restaurants Across the Carolinas for 2024.” The West Asheville Cuban coffee shop and sober nightlife experience is expected to open in spring 2024. Keep an eye out for an opening date.

• Time to recalibrate your GPS. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Administration, Health Registrar, and Social Work Services, including Aging and Adult Services + Child and Family Services, are now located at 40 Coxe Ave. The Family Justice Center will still be located at 35 Woodfin St.

• February is a time to celebrate love — but it doesn’t have to be. Appalachian Wild is offering a productive outlet for any lingering feelings of revenge or pain. For a $10 donation, the organization will name a roach after your ex (or really anyone) and send you a video of it being fed to their animal patients.

• The City of Asheville announced that the outdoor pool in Malvern Hills Park will not open this summer after testing the waters — well, after making assessments revealing the pool can no longer be repaired. The in-progress Recreate Asheville: Shaping Our City’s Parks plan will inform future investment in this park.

• On Wednesday, Jan. 31, YMCA of Western North Carolina hosted the grand opening of its Nutrition Outreach Hub at 2002 Riverside Dr. The property will provide a larger space for sorting donated produce, packing meal boxes, and loading delivery trucks for the organization’s mobile food markets.

• Congratulations to our survey winner, Rachel M., for winning $500! Thank you to everyone who took the time to take our survey. We’re excited to continue providing positive news and events in our free newsletter.

• Hey, music aficionados: UNC Asheville is hosting a can’t-miss concert celebrating the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s classic “Rhapsody in Blue.” The concert will highlight Gershwin’s uniquely American fusion of jazz and classical music while embodying the “Ashevillian” spirit of musical experimentation. See details + buy tickets.*