‘Tis the sipping season. | Photo via The Tiki Easy Bar
The holiday season is here. And while you’re hanging decorations, buying presents, and feeling festive, a few local bars are decking their halls too. This year, Santa has gifted Asheville with four holiday pop-up bars where you can drink and be merry.
Miracle Pop-Up at Golden Pineapple,503 Haywood Rd. | Friday, Nov. 15-Tuesday, Dec. 31 Bask in the glow of the colored lights while you try delicious seasonal cocktails in over-the-top drinkware — like the Christmasaurus and its blend of pineapple rum, pineapple syrup, mezcal, lime, toasted cumin, coffee, coconut milk, and bitters. Golden Pineapple is temporarily open Thursday-Sunday, 5 p.m.-12 a.m.
Sippin’ Santa at The Tiki Easy Bar,197 Hilliard Ave. | Monday, Nov. 18-Tuesday, Dec. 31 The city’s tropical speakeasy has gotten its annual holiday makeover, and its cocktail menu is just as festive. Drinks like Frosty the Merman (rye, vanilla-clove syrup, and pear, apricot, and allspice liquors) and the Sugar Plum Mai Thai (rum, lime, orgeat + cinnamon syrup, and plum mix) are the perfect blend of jolly and beachy.
Friday, Nov. 22 Hurricane Helene Benefit | 4 p.m.-2 a.m. | Sly Grog Lounge | Free | Support the relief efforts of local nonprofits with a night of music and drinks.
Camouflage and Fall Colors | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Leicester Public Library, Leicester | Free | Let your little ones explore the science of plant and animal coloration with the help of WNC Nature Center.
Comedy for Community | 7-9 p.m. | Catawba Brewing Company | $15+ | Support the Swannanoa community with a hilarious lineup of local comedians.
Saturday, Nov. 23 Wine Party and Holiday Market | 12-4 p.m. | Eda’s Hide-a-Way, Weaverville | Free | Before you shop your favorite Honky Tonk Flea vendors, preorder a case of wine to support the rebuilding of Botanist + Barrel, Zillicoah, and Eda’s Hide-a-Way.
Ye Olde Whale Fair | 12-5 p.m. | The Whale West Asheville | Free | Enter a fantasy world of medieval magic, stilt walkers, fire performances, vendors, and more, presented in partnership with The Whale’s nonprofit of the month, Montford Park Players.
Handmade Holidays: Wreath Making | 3-5 p.m. | Fifth Season Gardening Co. | $75 | Learn how to layer, wrap, embellish, and craft your own whimsical wreath with seasonal flora.
Sunday, Nov. 24 Asheville Storytelling Circle Tellabration | 2-4 p.m. | Southern Highland Craft Guild | $15 | Find humor, hope, and healing through the storytelling of a few Asheville tellers.
Mariee Siou | 8 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl | $20+ | Listen to the neo-folk stylings of this cult classic musician, presented by Lonesome Station.
Monday, Nov. 25 Bluegrass Jam | 6 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | Free | Bring your instruments for an open jam hosted by Sam Wharton, or just sit back and enjoy the bluegrass.
Friday, Nov. 29 Highland Holiday Market | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company Event Center | Free | Support 35+ local artists and artisans from around Asheville and find beautiful handcrafted goods at this special Black Friday holiday market.*
The internet-famous bear was returned to its natural habitat. | Photo by Appalachian Wildlife Refuge
In April, a video went viral showing a group of people at an Asheville apartment complex taking a black bear cub out of a tree for photos. That bear cub is now back in its natural habitat after being released in an undisclosed, remote area of WNC last month.
After the NC Wildlife Resources Commission rescued the bear, it received care at Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. Once NCWRC staff deemed the cub fit to survive in the wild, she was released with a tracking collar and identifying tags. The NCWRC’s Bearwise Coordinator Ashley Hobbs said, “The GPS collar data shows that she is adjusting well to life back in the wild.”
The NCWRC shared a video of the bear’s release, where you can see the handler using a “scare-away” screamer siren so the bear retains its innate fear of humans.
If you need to brush up on your Bearwise basics, the network of wildlife officials + researchers has tips for what to do if you encounter a bear at home or outdoors.
News Notes
News Notes
Opening
After its Riverside Drive location was devastated by Hurricane Helene, Second Gear has found a new home. The outdoor gear consignment shop will reopen in the former Frugal Backpacker spot in Westgate Shopping Center. An opening date hasn’t been shared yet, but for now, show Second Gear some love on its Instagram post announcing the comeback.
Community
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, A-B Tech will host the Stronger Together: Community Resources Fair to help connect attendees with organizations offering storm recovery help, including assistance with disaster relief applications and employment opportunities. Head to the Ferguson Auditorium between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to meet with representatives from 10+ organizations.
Open
Garden Party has officially opened in its new location at 792 Haywood Rd. (next to the former Asheville Sandwich Company spot). Stop by for an eclectic mix of home decor, self-care products, and cannabis accessories.
Biz
Here’s the tea. Matcha Nude was one of seven startups to receive the NC IDEA SEED Grant, earning $50,000 to scale the business. Spice Witch also got some love from NC IDEA, securing the foundation’s $10,000 micro grant to help grow the company and keep things spicy.
Learn
Thrive Asheville, in partnership with a number of local organizations, is hosting an expert-led community learning session on mold mitigation. The free session will discuss health risks, mold inspections, mold testing kits, and how to keep your home safe and healthy after the storm. Attend in person on Monday, Nov. 25 or join online.
Community
The toilet paper ribbon has been cut on the Downtown Loo. The ADA accessible, modular bathroom is now open 24/7 on the corner of College Street and Rankin Avenue.
Cause
ABCCM is seeking volunteers for their Code Purple sheltering efforts. If you’re interested in volunteering, email the city’s Homeless Strategy Division. For more information on Code Purple and the disaster shelters created in response to Helene, read up on what was shared in yesterday’s Buncombe County briefing.
Film
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, head to Olde London Road for a nighttime screening of a short film about the mission of Asheville Food and Beverage United. The documentary comes from filmmaker Ethan Payne, who also made films about service industry-focused organizations like Giving Kitchen, Ben’s Friends, and more.
Drink
Today, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m., Sierra Nevada Brewing is hosting an official tapping of the rare Celly Drippins — the first time the brewery has formalized the beer’s release and announced it publicly. The brew’s creation involves collecting small amounts of concentrated beer that has saturated traditional dry-hopping bags during the brewing of Celebration Fresh Hop IPA.
Listen
What happens when you combine German engineering with the world’s most trusted name in hearing care? The biggest breakthrough in hearing technology in more than a decade. Join 400,000+ people hearing better than ever with the Horizon hearing aid. (Did we mention the 45-day no-risk trial?)*
Category
Shop
Exclusive access: Shop 40% off Harlestons site-wide
Presented by Harlestons
Harlestons has opened their 40% site-wide sale exclusively for our readers. | Video by Harlestons
Black Friday came early: Harlestons is giving our readers exclusive access to shop their products at 40% off, site-wide, with code HOLIDAY40.
Treat your husband, kid, or favorite golfing buddy to the quality and craftsmanship Harlestons is known for, from the lightweight performance polos to the stylish layering pieces, wearable throughout every season. (Plus, free shipping and free exchanges on every order.)
Bonus: Spend $150+ to get a free mystery polo, or spend $300+ to get a free mystery pullover.
Local nonprofit Resources for Resilience has shared its December + January schedule of events. The organization hosts two weekly events — Tuesday’s “Reconnecting Through Hard Times” trainings offer strategies to help people after a crisis, and Wednesday’s listening circles provide a space for you to share grief and practice strategies to cope. Find info on how to join either session.
