02.28.2024

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Today’s Forecast

66º | 90% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. | Sunset 6:24 p.m.

Meeting the movers + shakers

Education and connection at AVLmeetup

A large crowd gathers in The Mule, some sitting and some standing, while networking.

The group aims to foster meaningful relationships. | Photo by AVLtoday

At its first event in 2022, AVLmeetup hosted around 11 attendees. In the months that followed, that number grew to a consistent 40 or 50 and later 80 or 90 — then at its most recent event in February, about 200 real estate professionals gathered at The Mule to hear from an expert panel and network.

Behind that substantial growth are Zacory Ruiz, Rodrigo Afanador, and Ray Ray Hicks, three locals who work in real estate and have dedicated themselves to educating and connecting Asheville’s business community.

Insight from the experts

Half of the heart of this group is education, and from the beginning, the free monthly meetup has intended to be a learning resource.

During the program, Ruiz always shares the Ruiz Report, which offers a quick + clean look at the local real estate market. Then the evening turns to a panel discussion about a specific topic, like development or short-term rentals, with three experts. The team draws from their own industry experiences and conversations for topics and specifically curates the panel to include professionals operating on different levels — so that anyone who attends can know they’ll get something out of it.

“I think that’s really unique and powerful,” says Hicks, “when you can get a diverse response to a single question and people walk away more educated.”

Three panelists and two moderators sit on a stage in front of a large crowd. — The NET Profits philosophy (Networking, Education, Transactions) is the guiding principle.
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Photo by AVLtoday

With the founders’ backgrounds in real estate, AVLmeetup has naturally been focused on that industry, but its growth as a group is also leading to an expansion of scope. The March meetup will cover “The Secret World of Operations” — with Cúrate CEO Susan Aplin and Burial Beer Co. COO Jay Richardson joining a panel with Carolina Cole of Vesta Property Management.

The events will still maintain their original real estate element, but Afanador says that the group’s intent has always been to connect the movers and shakers of the community.

Matchmakers at your service

Events

Wednesday, Feb. 28

Every Black Voice Lunch n’ Learn | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | AmeriHealth Caritas NC, 216 Asheland Ave., Asheville | Free, RSVP | The Racial Justice Coalition will teach the ins and outs of the local criminal justice system and why it should matter to you.
Everybody But You Bro Comedy Open Mic | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 6 p.m. | Different Wrld, 701 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $0-$10 | Join the audience for a lineup of women, nonbinary, and femme comedians to take the stage.

Thursday, Feb. 29

Leap Day Puppet Cabaret | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6 p.m. | The Argot Room, 717 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $125 | Dine on a 3-course dinner by Chef Ryan Kline, then enjoy the creative performance of puppeteers Keith Shubert + Lyon Hill.
That Day a DJ Saved My Life | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6:30 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | $18 | Join the Listen to This storytelling series with a lineup of true tales of times when music made a difference.
Vinyl Night | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 8-11 p.m. | Cultura, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Experience the musical magic of vinyl during this monthly event with DJ Lil Meow Meow.

Friday, March 1

Emerging Artists | Friday, March 1-Friday, March 22 | Times vary | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain | Free | See the works of award-winning artist + instructor Bob Travers and his students throughout the month of March.
Grasping Air and Eulogy Present: Drums of Doom | Friday, March 1 | 7 p.m. | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville | $15.99 | Listen to progressive, psychedelic percussion from three talented artists.

Saturday, March 2

Popcorn Creation Bar | Saturday, March 2 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | $5 plus admission | Celebrate spring by making your popcorn snack a work of art — the gourmet toppings, seasonings, and music + board games will be available each weekend.
Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Black Mountain | Saturday, March 2 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, 223 W. State St., Black Mountain | $0-$10 | Learn the history of Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley on this walking tour led by Museum staff.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Closed

Leicester’s Sovereign Remedies Exchange, the sister restaurant of Sovereign Remedies downtown, announced its closure after about a year of service. Although the initial plan was to close for February and reopen in March, the owner decided not to reopen to focus resources on his other restaurant + bar properties. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Transit

The largest section of the I-26 connector project, which will connect I-26 in southwest Asheville to US 19/23/70 in northwest Asheville, received three bids last week, all of which were higher than the NCDOT estimates. The bids fell between $1.1 and $1.9 billion and could increase the projected cost of the project. (Asheville Watchdog)

Edu

Twenty-eight local high school and community teams will compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition at UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena. On Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17, the high-tech + high-energy competition will recognize design, creativity, engineering, and teamwork. Get your free tickets.

Environment

Another conservation easement is getting its day in the sun. Full Sun Farm, in the Sandy Mush Creek valley, added 29 acres to the 32 already permanently protected by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, completing the farm’s protection. Pro tip: Join the farm’s CSA while it’s still CSA Month.

Health

The Buncombe County Council on Aging is hosting free informational seminars at local libraries for those who are new to Medicare. The next session is tomorrow, Feb. 29 at North Asheville Library and will cover pathways to Medicare, enrollment periods, and more.

Home

These solar savings are sun-sational. Eligible Asheville homeowners can save more than 50% on a new solar + battery system with existing rebates and tax credits. These systems pay for themselves in as little as four years and offer complete energy independence from outages and rising grid rates.*

Featured Home

Sitting on seven picturesque acres in the heart of the Catawba Falls Preserve Community, this unique Round Deltec residence comes with jaw-dropping views from the hot tub + beautiful woodwork throughout — including the ceiling. See the full gallery.*

Finance

Consolidate debt to lower your payments. Pay off credit cards, medical debt, and more. Calculate monthly payments.*

History

Commemorating the USS Asheville PG-21

USS Asheville PG-21 gets its first permanent memorial in Asheville

Nineteen people in the crew of the USS Asheville PG-21 sit and stand in a room, holding drinks. The black and white photo was taken in the 1930s.

This photo of the PG-21 crew was taken in the late 1930s. | Photo courtesy of Fisher Creative

Exactly 82 years after USS Asheville PG-21 was lost, the North Carolina Submarine Museum Foundation and the City of Asheville will dedicate Asheville’s first permanent memorial to the ship and its crew. Housed in Riverside Cemetery, the monument will be inscribed with the name of each crew member.

The USS Asheville, the first of four ships named after our city, was launched on July 4, 1918 and spent its career sailing all over the world. In 1941, the ship had been operating in Mariveles Bay in the Philippines, and then south of Java, when the Allied defense began to collapse and all remaining US naval vessels were ordered to retire to Australia.

On March 3, 1942, as the Asheville retreated, it was out-gunned by three Japanese warships and was lost, along with its 166-person crew. The ship received one battle star for its WWII service.

Join the commemoration ceremony on Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m., with remarks from Adm. (RET) Samuel Cox, Director of the Naval and Heritage Command.

The Buy

The Buy 2.28.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Your must-have Stanley Quencher accessory (yes, water bottle accessories are a thing). There are straw cover caps, personalized name plates, water bottle carrier bags, and even a snack bowl that fits around your Stanley.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

This announcement combined so many things I love — ice cream, bubble tea, root vegetables, food diversity nonprofits — that I just couldn’t resist sharing it with y’all. On Tuesday, March 5, Pop Bubble Tea and The Hop Ice Cream are teaming up with the Utopian Seed Project for a local taro exploration. Have a scoop or take a sip to get a taste of the nonprofit’s work.

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