What’s new about this loo?

• Cleanliness | The coating of the bathrooms makes them particularly easy to clean.
• Price | While installation can be on the pricier side, the loo utilizes common components that are typically easy and inexpensive to replace.
• Aesthetic | The stainless steel paneling of the bathrooms features graffiti-proof coating and a simple, sleek design.
• Safety | The bathroom was specifically designed for safety, with angled louvers (slats) in the walls to maintain the occupant’s privacy.
• Durability | The fixtures are meant to be durable. If they need to be replaced, they’re sourced from Portland rather than abroad, making the repair process quicker.
• Ease of use | Hand-washing stations are attached to the outside of the bathrooms, encouraging quick use to serve more bathroom-goers. Plus, each facility is ADA accessible.
  

Bathroom budgeting

• A $183,620 contract with a contingency amount of $46,724 was authorized with B. Allen Construction, Inc. for the installation of the restroom and improvements to the pocket park, including updated landscaping + street lights.
• A $170,760 contract was authorized to purchase the Portland Loo.
• The restroom will cost $504,604 in first-year operating costs (including sunk costs related to design + staff time) and comes with a price tag of $22,500 each year for cleaning and repairs.

• Well Played Social Club | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6-10 p.m. | Well Played, 162 Coxe Ave., #101, Asheville | $3 | Board games become bridges to new friendships while you collaborate, strategize, and compete.
• Mountain Bike Suspension Clinic | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Motion Makers Bicycle Shop, 878 Brevard Rd., Asheville | Free | Whether you’re a beginner mountain biker or a regular rider, reserve your spot to get instruction from the experts on tuning your bike’s suspension for peak performance.
• VALENWEEN Benefit | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 7-10 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | $0-$5 | Support BeLoved Asheville through donations of menstrual hygiene products and merch + art sales while you enjoy music from DJ Blind Date, special drinks, and food.

• Coffee Cupping | Friday, Feb. 16 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Cooperative Coffee Roasters, 210 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Sip a cup alongside the professionals while you taste and learn about the intricacies of coffee production, processing, and flavor profiles.
• Juniper Bends February Reading | Friday, Feb. 16 | 7-9 p.m. | Flatiron Writers Room, 5 Covington St., Asheville | Free | Authors will examine love in all its manifestations, reading works of creative nonfiction, young adult fiction, poetry, and prose — readers’ books will be available for purchase.
• Sam Waymon | Friday, Feb. 16 | 7-9 p.m. | Kittredge Theatre at Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Rd., Swannanoa | $40 | The award-winning artist and brother of the late Nina Simone will celebrate the month and his WNC roots with both original compositions and reinterpretations of classic tunes.

• Beyonce Themed Drag Brunch | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 11 a.m., 1 p.m. | Banks Ave Bar, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | $25-$60 | You’ll be “Drunk in Love” with performances from Sya Cox-O’Hara, Indica Gemini, and Josie Glamoure and brunch from Biscuit Head — proceeds support Tranzmission.
• The BWS Legacy Award 2024 | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 5-11 p.m. | Black Wall Street AVL, 8 River Arts Pl., Asheville | Free | The award ceremony will highlight local Black pioneers both young and old, celebrate their work, and honor history.

• Mac & Cheese Cookoff | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 3-6 p.m. | Lookout Brewing Company, 103 S. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain | Free | Taste the creamiest and cheesiest comfort food dished out by competitors, and cast your vote for your favorite.

• An open-concept design
• A spacious kitchen with a long breakfast bar
• Lots of natural light
• Front and back porches
• Unmatched mountain views

• In-person early voting begins today, Thursday, Feb. 15, and runs through Saturday, March 2. You can cast a ballot at any of the county’s 11 early voting locations. Check out the schedule + locations. Pro tip: The County will provide a wait map, which shows how long wait times are at each early voting location.

• American Vinyl Co. is closing its Coxe Avenue shop, but re-press your sadness because the shop is moving to a new location in Leicester — check out a sneak peek of the new digs and stay tuned for a grand opening celebration in the spring.

• At its Tuesday, Feb. 13 meeting, Asheville City Council voted to pause applications and revise the Land Use Incentive Grant program. The program was created in 2011 to incentivize developers to include more affordable housing units.

• Riding in Color WNC is hosting a Black Cultural Heritage Trail Affinity Bike Ride on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. BIPOC individuals of all ages are welcome to join, with The Flying Bike offering free e-bike rentals to anyone who needs one. Plus, DeWayne Barton, founder of Hood Huggers International, will talk about Asheville’s Black heritage.

• The Montford Park Players are looking for a few more thespians to join the cast of “Edward III,” the first production in the troupe’s Muse of Fire: Shakespeare’s War of the Roses season. Sign up to audition this Saturday, Feb. 17.

• Support the most vulnerable members of your community. Crossnore Communities for Children offers sanctuaries for hope and healing to children and families in the Asheville area and across North Carolina. The nonprofit provides community foster care, clinical therapy, and trauma-informed training and consultation. Learn more + help make a difference.*

• Want to advertise with us but not sure where to start? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Listings, Banner Ads, and Articles. Get started today.

• Regain’s couples therapy is accessible via phone, text, and video call and is FSA/HSA-friendly. Get 25% off your first month for Valentine’s Day.*