Do you know these cities like a local? | Graphic by 6AM City
Did you know? AVLtoday is part of a team of 28 newsletters across the country. And we want you to get to know all the cities we call home... but we didn’t go easy on you.
Tuesday, Dec. 24 Rise + SHINE: Pre-Holiday Vinyasa Flow | 10-11:15 a.m. | West Asheville Yoga | $22 | Take some time to find peace and calm amidst the hustle and bustle.
Wednesday, Dec. 25 Christmas Day Meal | 12-8 p.m. | Bargello | $89 | Dine on a four-course, family-style prix-fixe menu including whipped hummus, braised short ribs, and warm apple cake.
Thursday, Dec. 26 Laura Blackley & Dave Desmelik | 8-11 p.m. | One World Brewing - Downtown | Free | These singer-songwriters will help you forget all about the post-holiday blues.
Friday, Dec. 27 Don’t Tell Comedy | 7 p.m. | South Slope | $25 | We don’t know the venue or the lineup of comedians, but we do know it’ll be a night filled with laughter.
Saturday, Dec. 28 Slim Pickin’s and Friends | 3-9 p.m. | White Horse Black Mountain, Black Mountain | Donation-based | Groove with five local artists and bands to support local nonprofits providing critical relief to the area.
$3.6+ million. That’s how much money Mountain BizWorks distributed to local businesses through its first round of Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant funding. Of the 843 applicants, 276 small businesses — the majority with 10 or fewer employees — secured grants. Fundraising is ongoing to support additional grant rounds.
Development
French Broad River Academy has broken ground on an academic building for its girls program on Riverside Drive. The independent middle school was mostly unscathed by Helene, and while school was suspended, the academy became the base camp for the Helene Rebuild Collaborative, an initiative from the school’s staff and friends.
Cause
Local nonprofit Working Wheels has raised nearly $400,000 to purchase 30 cars for Helene survivors who lost theirs. By the end of the month, seven cars will be matched with local families. Visit the website to donate to the nonprofit’s Helene Relief Fund or apply for a car.
Coming Soon
Amidst months of work repairing damages caused by Helene, the crew at The Bull and Beggar are aiming for an early January reopening date. Read up on the RAD restaurant’s journey to open its doors again. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Plan Ahead
The Assembly Required Designer Toy Expo will be back and bigger than ever on the first weekend of February at the Haywood Park Hotel. The designer toy expo showcases a pop surrealist art form that takes inspiration from the mediums and methods of traditional toy manufacturers.
Job
Creatives, get your dream job in 2025: Bring your writing passion + marketing agency experience to 6AM City as a Branded Copywriter. Work remotely, craft impactful campaigns for clients, and collaborate with a passionate team shaping new local media. Flexible work-life balance and creative opportunities await. Apply now.
Biz
They say, “The best defense is a good offense.” We disagree. The best defense is a fence, which protects your property and adds value. Explore fencing benefits + imagine the fencabilities.*
Number
$1.14 trillion. That’s the staggering number that consumer credit card debt reached in 2024, highlighting a widespread financial struggle. If your debt exceeds $10,000, Freedom Debt Relief could help with a personalized debt settlement plan + creditor negotiations — all with one low monthly payment.*
Trending
Did you know that Amazon offers limited-edition wardrobe collections? Sign up to receive text notifications from The Drop + you’ll be the first to know about styles that are made-to-order just for you.*
The Buy
The Buy
A beanie bottle stopper — because it’s only fair that your unfinished bottle of wine gets to sport a winter look this season, too.
If you’re scrambling for a last-minute gift (we’ve all been there), grab a 2025 Go Local card. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, offering discounts and deals at more than 600 local, independent businesses. Plus, when you purchase the $25 card, 25% goes to Asheville City Public Schools, the Asheville City Schools Foundation, and the Buncombe County Schools Foundation to provide programming, supplies, and support for students. See where you can pick one up.
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