Adding style to steakhouses

• Social Bridging | Monday, Sept. 9 | 12:15-1:15 p.m. | Reuter Family YMCA | Free | Discuss barriers and solutions surrounding the art and science of making friends.
• Folk Dance | Monday, Sept. 9 | 2:15-4 p.m. | Harvest House Community Center | Free | Join the weekly dance circle, whether you’re new to the movement or a seasoned pro — no partner needed.

• Florry | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. | Eulogy | $21 | Jam out to the high-energy outfit with influences of outlaw country and rock ‘n’ roll.
• Climate Cafe | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Grind AVL | Free | Gather with Asheville Third Act for a chat on climate ideas and action.

• River Snorkeling | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 12-3:30 p.m. | Outdoor Recreation Building at Recreation Park | $10+ | Experience the world under the surface of our mountain rivers — advance registration is required.
• NC Museum of History Community Gathering | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Hatch Coworking | Free | Inform the creation of new museum exhibits through a discussion of sharing the state’s layered history with locals and visitors.

• Slice Standup Comedy Contest | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 7-9 p.m. | Pulp | $15 | Listen to a lineup of hilarious comedians, then choose who you want to return at the end of the night as the show’s headliner.
• The Campfireball: JOY! | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor | $10+ | Immerse yourself in this part game show, part storytelling, part theater experience that’s built around the audience.

1. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway north to Mt. Mitchell to see fall foliage
2. Go apple-picking in Henderson County
3. Start a pickleball routine at the YMCA

• The City of Asheville is hosting a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony this Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at the municipal building. The ceremony will include remarks from Deputy Fire Chief Chris Budzinski, City Manager Debra Campbell, and Police Chief Mike Lamb.

• Hit the books (or browser, maybe). The Asheville City and Buncombe County school system consolidation feasibility surveys are now open, and drop-in meetings will begin today, Sept. 9 at 3:45 p.m. Four surveys are available, depending on your relationship to the school system: student, parent, staff, or community member.

• Don’t miss the bus on this job opportunity. As the number of students who need transportation has risen to 1,903, Asheville City Schools is recruiting school bus drivers. If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel, check out the qualifications and complete the application. (WLOS)

• Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased 221 acres of West Cove, conserving its forested slopes, four creeks, and plant + wildlife habitats. The tracts, which were owned by the West family since the late 1800s, are near the Beaverdam community and the Haywood/Buncombe County lines.

• “George Masa: A Life Reimagined,” the first comprehensive biography of the photographer, comes out tomorrow. The work explores his visionary dedication to art + conservation and influence on the national park movement. Meet the authors at East Asheville Library and attend the Book Launch Party at Citizen Vinyl, both on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

• Asheville resident Brad Ulrich will head to Washington, DC this week to mark the completion of the new National WWI Memorial. The First Illumination ceremony on Friday, Sept. 13 will feature Ulrich and 19 other buglers in WWI uniforms for the sculpture unveiling. Stream the ceremony.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is doing big numbers — and we’re not just blowing smoke. The 13,297,647 visitors spent $2.2. billion in surrounding communities in 2023, which supported 33,748 jobs, according to the NPS. Bonus: The park team also received the NPS Excellent in Education Award for their Seeking Paths in Nature Program.

• 1,027. That’s the number of new students joining UNC Asheville this school year, the third largest incoming class in the university’s history. Enrollment saw a 15.6% increase since last year, continuing to stabilize a previous five-year enrollment decline of almost 25%.

• Step up to the plate, because the Asheville Tourists released the official 2025 schedule. The season will open on Tuesday, Apr. 8 with a home game against the Greenville Drive; there are 66 home games on the 132-game schedule. Psst... keep reading to learn about McCormick Field’s big renovation plans.

• It’s official — McCormick Field broke ground on a major $38.5 renovation project that will transform the site into an upgraded baseball stadium + year-round, multipurpose facility. Get the deets on the upgrades to be excited about.*

• Be among the first to experience Downtown Asheville’s newest hotel + rooftop bar. We’re partnering with Moxy Asheville and Wildwood Still to give away a two-night hotel stay and $200 restaurant gift card (a $1,200 value). Enter to win through Friday, Sept. 13 at noon.*

• This 1920s cozy cottage kitchen has us in the baking mood with its simple white cabinets + wavy woodwork. The rest of the space includes a lovely covered porch, private sunroom, and garden-filled backyard. Cottagecore at its finest.*

• If you’re looking for ways to improve safety for your property + employees, check out these 15+ effective security solutions.*

• We’re looking for a Sales Executive in our sister market, SEAtoday, to identify and secure new advertising partnerships and grow existing client relationships on the SEAtoday team. Apply to join.