Plus, give feedback on the school district's 2030 plan.
 
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87º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:58 a.m. | Sunset 8:04 p.m.

 

🐾 Who let the dogs out?

Reginald and Maisie embark on a dog-friendly adventure in Asheville
Two black and white dogs outside Patton Avenue Pet Company in West Asheville
Window shopping is fun — but the dogs prefer the inside of Patton Avenue Pet Company. | Photo by AVLtoday
Although today, Aug. 26, is officially National Dog Day, we’re of the opinion that every day should be a dog-centric holiday. Even so, we don’t mind an excuse to celebrate our canine companions — which is why we asked you to help plan a dog-friendly day out for AVLtoday’s honorary City Editors, Reginald (Molly’s bud) and Maisie (Grace’s bestie).

So Molly and Grace gathered the pups and set out on an Asheville adventure, guided by your recommendations.

Shopping and snacks at Patton Avenue Pet Company

Our canine crew got a five-star treatment — treats as soon as they entered and oodles of admiration. Reg was soon distracted by the shelves of delicious chews, while Maisie convinced her mom to buy a new stuffed friend.

dog eating a taco

Cheese and boiled chicken tacos make a delicious snack.

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Photo by AVLtoday

Time for a taco break at Taco Billy

The expansive dining area out back has lots of large picnic tables and grass for dogs to get comfortable in. Maisie found a shady spot to rest while we ate, but Reg wanted to do a little sunbathing.

A run around the French Broad River dog park

No doggy day out would be complete without a stop at the park, and our readers were big fans of the river-adjacent spot. Maisie isn’t the biggest fan of the hustle and bustle, but luckily, Reg is always willing to pick up the dog park party slack.

Pro tip: This typically busy park has separate small and large dog areas, but if your pup isn’t social, the trails are perfect for a walk.

black and white dog at sweeten creek brewing

Maisie welcomed the comfort of the taproom at Sweeten Creek Brewing.

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Photo by AVLtoday

Cool down at Sweeten Creek Brewing

It’s no secret that this brewery loves its canine customers, so we weren’t surprised it got the most votes in our poll. Even if your dog (like Maisie) isn’t interested in the 8,000-sqft dog park on site, they can chill in the taproom while you enjoy a brew.

Reg and Maisie may be dog tired after their day out, but you can plan your own canine adventure with our guide to dog-friendly spots in Asheville at the button below.
Embark on an adventure
Asked

If Asheville were a dog, what breed would it be?
A. An athletic, friendly Labrador Retriever
B. A headstrong, social Plott Hound
C. A compact, energetic Beagle
D. A quirky, lovable mutt
Barking up the right tree
 
Events
Monday, Aug. 26
  • Standup Comedy | Monday, Aug. 26 | 8-10 p.m. | The Bier Garden | $12-$15 | Have a laugh with sets from local comics Cody Hughes and Julia Macias during this night of stand-up hosted by Hilliary Begley.
Tuesday, Aug. 27
  • The Blood Connection Blood Drive | Tuesday, Aug. 27 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Taproom at Highland Brewing Co. | Free | Raise a glass to saving lives with a blood drive at the brewery.
  • Sign and Shine: Beginner ASL | Tuesday, Aug. 27 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free | Learn the fundamentals of fingerspelling, numbers, conversational signs, and some elements of Deaf culture.
Wednesday, Aug. 28
  • Docent-Led Tour | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 10-11 a.m. | The Learning Garden, NC Cooperative Extension | Free | Stroll through the gardens as a master gardener introduces you to the interesting plants and vegetables filling the space.
  • Street Fever | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 7 p.m. | Eulogy | $18 | Experience the gritty symphony of life experiences and sonic experimentation from this anonymous performance artist.
Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Family-Friendly Dungeons and Dragons | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 1-4 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe | $15 | Embark on thrilling quests designed for first-time adventurers and seasoned heroes alike.
  • Alien Contact | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Mill Ridge Trailhead, Marshall | $10 | Join the local stop of this nationwide tour to meditate and try to make contact with alien visitors.
Friday, Aug. 30
  • Earl Scruggs Music Festival | Friday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Sept. 1 | Times vary | Tryon International Equestrian Center | $80-$650 | Spend Labor Day Weekend jamming to bluegrass, Americana, and roots with artists like Tanya Tucker, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart + more (psst: children 12 and under free with a GA ticket).*
Just another manic Monday
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Open
  • Hop to it. After a brief closure for water damage repairs, The Hop on Merrimon (640 Merrimon Ave.) officially reopened this past weekend. You can stop by daily from 12 to 10 p.m. for a scoop in the fresh space.
Ranked
  • No. 2. That’s where Asheville landed on LawnStarters’ list of most dog-friendly cities (apparently Molly, Grace, Reg, and Maisie aren’t the only ones that think so). The study lauded Asheville’s average yard size and number of dog-friendly shopping centers, among other qualities. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Award
  • Voting is open for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s WomanUP Awards, which recognize women who have made outstanding contributions to the community. Meet the nominees in categories like Nonprofit Leader and Rising Star, and cast your vote by Friday, Sept. 13.
Civic
  • The City of Asheville announced the launch of the Hotel Overlay dashboard, which provides data on the city’s hotel development zoning district. The dashboard will be updated bi-monthly to show information like project statuses and public benefits in the Hotel Overlay District.
Cause
  • No such thing as too many cooks in this kitchen. Food Connection is hosting its annual Chefs in Action fundraiser on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Funkatorium. Delicious dishes from 10 local chefs (plus, a raffle and silent + live auctions) will help fight hunger and food waste in Buncombe County.
Community
  • Three cheers for Land of Sky Regional Council — well, three awards. The council received National Association of Development Organizations Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards for its GO PLACES, Healthy Opportunities Pilot Project, and WISH Collaborative projects. Learn more about the work.
Featured Home
  • Seventeen-foot tongue and groove ceilings give this Old Fort home warm + cozy vibes. Pair that with the covered porches, fully fenced yard, and convenient central location, and we’re ready to pack our bags and move in.*
Finance
  • Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. These are hands down some of the best.*
 
Edu

Study up on the school district’s 2030 strategy

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners + School Boards set goals for 2030
Asheville-City-Schools-cbd-nc-overasheville
Student engagement + educator support were high on the list of goals. | Photo by @overasheville
Class is in session. Last Thursday, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and Asheville City and Buncombe County school boards held a meeting to hone the priorities that will guide the school system for the next five years and contribute to the county-wide 2030 Strategic Plan.

Here are a few items that made the grade:

Strengths + opportunities

  • For both the city and the county, a highly engaged community is crucial.
  • Opportunities included increasing diversity and expanding mental health services.

Weaknesses + challenges

  • Teacher and staff attrition rates were a weakness for both the city and the county.
  • Challenges included erosion of state funding and cost of living.
Don’t worry, there won’t be a test on this — but you will have a chance to join the local school of thought. The county is hosting a virtual public feedback session on Monday, Sept. 9 to further refine goals for the 2030 Strategic Plan before the final draft is presented in November. Check out the city and county presentations, then join the conversation.
The Buy

The Buy 8.26.24 (Affiliate)
An Amazon Essentials men’s long-sleeve poplin shirt, currently 55% off for Labor Day. Stock up on this wardrobe basic in classic patterns and colors (think: French blue, washed black, and blue-white checked).
Shop Amazon's Labor Day sale
 
The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
Reginald is quite a lot to deal with — he’s wildly energetic, very large, and rarely sits still (you should have seen some of the outtakes of those pictures). But really, I couldn’t imagine life without him. So if our jaunt around town has you longing for your own furry friend, this is a great opportunity to see who’s looking for a home at spots like Asheville Humane Society, Misfit Mountain, and other local rescues.
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