09.16.2024

Today’s Forecast

75º | 51% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:14 a.m. | Sunset 7:35 p.m.

A Message From Our Team

Do you have a favorite restaurant? What about a pet-friendly spot? We want you to use your voice + passion for local biz and vote for AVLtoday’s Best. Voting ends Friday, September 20.

The call of the wild(life)

Celebrating 10 years of Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

Just look at these adorable faces. | Photos via Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

Since October 2014, Appalachian Wildlife Refuge has cared for well over 8,000 wild animals. This month, it’s celebrating a decade of work at its Wild Night for Wildlife fundraising event. The organization’s original vision was to start small and work toward opening a large facility. But after seeing the high demand for long-term rehabilitation for animals in need, it wasn’t long before that timeline sped up.

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge has cared for all kinds of injured and orphaned wildlife, from bears and birds to groundhogs and turtles — all while recreating their natural environments so they can thrive when they return to the wild.

To executive director and co-founder Savannah Trantham, the most memorable aspect of the journey is the organization’s impact not just on wildlife, but on people. She knew what Appalachian Wildlife Refuge would do for animals — there wasn’t anything quite like it before its existence — but what she couldn’t predict was how it could help those involved find purpose.

“I’m just constantly in awe of the support and connection that people have to wildlife, but also of the people who just really want to make a difference,” she said, “and the way that this organization has helped people along the way.”

Over the next 10 years, the team hopes to grow its education and research opportunities while continuing individual rehabilitation efforts. Plus, there are plans in the next decade to expand the facility’s medical and veterinary spaces and add a public space for education about native wildlife.

Let out your party animal

Mark the milestone during the organization’s Wild Night for Wildlife fundraising event on Thursday, Sept. 26 at The Mule. Celebrate the last 10 years (and many more to come) in the company of other animal lovers with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, animal ambassadors, and a silent auction.

If you can’t attend the party, you can still support Appalachian Wildlife Refuge through donations, symbolic adoptions, wishlist purchases, or volunteering.

Asked

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge was highlighted for their work on which national morning show last year?

A. Good Morning America
B. The TODAY Show
C. CBS Mornings

Go wild

Events

Monday, Sept. 16

Community Drum Class | Monday, Sept. 16 | 7-9 p.m. | The Well | Free | Practice your hand-drumming skills with local drummer and instructor Larry McDowell.

Tuesday, Sept. 17

Jolts & Java | Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Rite Rite, Weaverville | Free | Local contractors and representatives from GreenBuilt Alliance and Electrify Asheville-Buncombe will answer questions about replacing fossil fuel-based appliances with electric tech.
Since the Thunder Stopped: 25th Anniversary of the Final Race at AMS | Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 6 p.m. | Carrier Park Picnic Shelter | Free | Buncombe County Special Collections and historian Dr. Daniel Pierce will share the history of the Asheville Motor Speedway.
New Belgium Battle of the Bands | Tuesday, Sept. 17 | 8:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | Free | See New Belgium coworkers rock out for the chance to play at the 2024 Tour De Fat Party.

Wednesday, Sept. 18

Build Your Own Terrarium | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 6 p.m. | Terra Nova Beer Co. - South Slope | $45 | Sip a beer and put your green thumb to work — all supplies provided.
MountainTrue Brainy Brews | Wednesday, Sept. 18 | 6-7 p.m. | River Arts District Brewing Co. | Free entry | Learn all about solar energy, its financial incentives, and tax benefits for 2024 — if homeowners bring their power bill, their first drink is on Sugar Hollow Solar.

Thursday, Sept. 19

Cake Decorating Basics | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 5-7 p.m. | Conjure Craft Chocolate, Arden | $79 | The Crunchy Baker will teach you basic frosting, piping, and decorating techniques to craft stunning sweets.
Love is Art | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 6-9 p.m. | Marquee Asheville | Free | Celebrate Blue Ridge Pride at this festival kickoff party with live artistic performances, music, food, and drinks.

100+ events this week

Click here to have your event featured.

Seasonal

🍂 Soak up the season with 2 days of folk-inspired festivities

Shots from previous Folk Fall Fests. Artists crafting fine goods. Crowds enjoying the fall weather. Ceramics available for purchase.

Pro tip: If you see a craft you’d like to learn, the Folk School offers year-round adult classes. | Photos provided by the John C. Campbell Folk School

Seriously, is there any place more magical than an authentic folk festival in the fall?

Folk School Fall Festival 2024, a two-day seasonal celebration of craftsmanship and Appalachian heritage, returns Saturday-Sunday, October 5-6, drawing thousands from across the region to the John C. Campbell Folk School’s stunning Brasstown campus.

Festivalgoers can expect:

200+ vendors with handmade crafts for sale (hello, holiday gifts)
20+ food and drink spots
Kid-friendly crafts, face painting + other activities
Traditional craft demonstrations
Spirited music and dance performances from regional artists

Tickets start at $12, and kiddos are free.

Join the fall fun

News Notes

Open

Dogwood Cottage Baking has moved into a cozy new space on Weaverville Road, just half a mile from its old spot. Get a sneak peek, then see it for yourself when you sign up for an upcoming class, including fall baking, pretzel making, and pies + rolls.

Listen

Local country rock band Ashes & Arrows didn’t advance past the semifinals on “America’s Got Talent.” The band shared their experience on Instagram: “Feeling a mix of disappointment, relief, deep gratitude, and excitement for what the future holds.” On the bright side, they will release the new song “Hang On” on Friday, Sept. 27.

Outdoors

Feathered fun is returning to Chimney Rock. On Saturday, Sept. 21, Chimney Rock State Park is hosting the 16th Annual Flock to the Rock, celebrating fall bird migration with live raptor programs, birding + pollinator activities, and beginner bird walks. See the day’s full schedule.

Biz

If you’re looking to get out of the house for the workday, Blind Tiger Asheville is now offering day passes, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The $80/day pass gets you access to all the hotel’s amenities, coffee + tea, snacks, and cozy workspaces — including indoor fireplaces and an outdoor pond.

Sports

This season, the Asheville Tourists set a record with 14 sold-out home games. Plus, for the first time since 1972, a member of the season’s roster made their major league debut. Pitcher Jake Bloss began with the Tourists before being promoted to Double-A, then played for the Houston Astros on June 21.

Cause

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s returns to Carrier Park on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 5. You can register to walk as an individual, with a team, or simply donate to help the local chapter reach its $125,000 goal.

Seasonal

If you’re seeking a scare, tune in to First in Fright, a new podcast from Visit NC, sharing the “supernatural scoop” on the state’s spine-chilling mysteries and stories. Bonus: While you’re at it, explore the WNC stops on the NC Haunted Trail.

Eat

19.4%. That’s the average tip North Carolinians drop while eating out, according to a recent study by Toast. If you want those tips to hit local pockets, check out some of our favorite spots to eat out.

Number

22%. That’s how much auto insurance rates have increased over the last year. Stop overpaying + find a better rate when you get a free, no-obligation quote from Savvy.*

Arts

Asheville through Andrea Clark’s eyes

New exhibit at Asheville Museum of History showcases the photography of Andrea Clark

More photographic prints will be shown in February. | Andrea Clark, “Valley Street Neighborhood,” ca. 1970, Courtesy of Andrea Clark Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville, North Carolina

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 21, a new exhibit from acclaimed local photographer Andrea Clark will open at the Asheville Museum of History. “The Photography of Andrea Clark: Remembering Asheville’s East End Community” includes 35 photographic prints and essays about urban renewal in downtown Asheville.

Clark’s photography captures Asheville’s historically African American East End neighborhood from the late 1960s to the early 1970s, documenting life before and during urban renewal, which razed the neighborhood and displaced residents.

A section will be dedicated to Clark’s grandfather, James Vester Miller, a master brick mason and contractor who built many important public and commercial buildings. The first part of the exhibit will run through February, when new prints from the series will be introduced.

This Friday, Sept. 20, join a ticketed Exhibit Preview Party, supporting the free programming on Saturday, Sept. 21’s Community Day. The opening will feature a panel discussion with Clark and other East End residents, lectures on urban renewal, live music, and kids’ workshops.

The Buy

The Buy 9.16.24 (Affiliate)

A candle warmer. Ditch the matches and opt for this contemporary lamp that will evenly burn your candles, sans smoke.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Grace

From the editor

Blue Ridge Roller Derby is The Whale’s nonprofit of the month. By rounding up your tab, you can help the team fund things like jerseys, travel expenses, and scholarships. But you can also get in on the fun with a screening of “Whip It!” tonight, Sept. 16, at the South Slope location and a team meet and greet at the West Asheville location on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

›

Advertise with us to stand out.

›

Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More

›

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY