The Peace Gardens & Market hosts many great community service days + plant sales. | Photo via @peacegardener
Be-leaf it or not, January is a good time to get gardening. It’s the time to shop seeds, do some routine maintenance, and even sow certain plants.
Spring for seeds
Peruse seed catalogs to prep for springtime. Last week, the Appalachian Seed Grower’s Collective, an initiative of the Utopian Seed Project, released its 2025 catalog of regionally adapted seeds with everything from coral sorghum to whidby white okra.
Other popular, seasonal seeds include snap peas, radishes, specialty lettuces, and heirloom tomatoes. You can also get your wishlist going for the spring planting of fall bulbs like hostas, gladiolas, and dahlias.
Check out these local spots to nab your favorites:
Peace March + Rally | 11:30 a.m. | St. James A.M.E. Church | Free | Spread the message of peace and justice starting with a fellowship service followed by a peace march to Pack Square where the rally will be held.
Best Ever Karaoke | 9 p.m. | Fleetwood’s | Free | Take the stage and show off your skills or watch other people perform.
Tuesday, Jan. 21
Asheville Restaurant Week | Tuesday, Jan. 21-Monday, Jan. 27 | Times vary | Locations vary | Price of purchase | Explore food + drink deals at local restaurants during this weeklong showcase of local food.
Manhattan Short Film Fest | 4:30-7:30 p.m. | Pack Library | Free, RSVP | Join film lovers — both local and global — and view + judge the next generation of filmmakers.
PNC economists provide updated analyses and forecasts of trends throughout the year. | Photo provided by PNC
The new year is looking bright — and so is the 2025 economy. According to PNC Chief Economist Gus Faucher, the US economy is in good shape, thanks to four primary drivers:
Low unemployment
Solid job gains
Good wage growth
Rising household wealth
Consider this: More jobs and rising wages often result in higher incomes and increased household spending. And since consumer spending makes up approximately two-thirds of the US economy, it’s reasonable to expect that the broader economy will expand too.
Other factors that support the health of the economy and quality of life include:
Slowing inflation
Continued strength in biz investment (think: equipment, workplaces, and technology for workers)
Falling interest rates and lower mortgage rates
Pro tip: PNC’s economic insights are updated throughout the year, so be sure to check back in.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day. County offices, library branches + animal shelters will be closed for the federal holiday. Check out our list of events and service opportunities to find ways to observe MLK Day.
Civic
Buncombe County has assessed a budget deficit up to $25 million in FY25 following Hurricane Helene. The county’s expenditure reduction plan includes hiring freezes for non-law enforcement positions, deferring maintenance on county facilities and IT infrastructure, and a reduction in expense appropriations for school systems.
Regional
NC has expanded its grant-funded temporary jobs and training program to residents in 39 counties, including Buncombe. The program is supported by a Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant, and employment assignments will help with Helene recovery. Application information can be found at the NCWorks Career Center.
Coming Soon
Art gallery Marquee has been closed since suffering damage from Hurricane Helene, but owner Robert Nicholas is aiming to reopen this summer — pending permits and redevelopment protocols. Renovations are estimated to cost $500,000+, but Nicholas hopes reopening Marquee will help bring people back to the River Arts District. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Real Estate
The City of Asheville Economic Development Department is accepting applications for its Community Development Block Grant through Friday, Feb. 7. The city has allocated $1 million to the program in the 2025-2026 fiscal year to help create low income housing + community assets.
Number
9,700+. That’s how many Christmas trees were sold at WNC seasonal markets in 2024 according to the WNC Farmers Market. And the star on top, these sales brought in over $1.1 million for farmers.
Plan Ahead
Calling all former bulldogs. Celebrate UNC Asheville Homecoming Feb. 10-15. See the full list of events including basketball games, a community service project, plus food, drinks + dancing at the iconic S&W Market.*
Shop
Don’t waste time bouncing between dealerships when shopping for a car. With CarGurus, you can browse millions of cars and compare dealer ratings all in one place. Shop smarter.*
The Buy
The Buy
A non-slip doormat with a size option big enough for double-door entryways. It’s machine washable (score), doesn’t slip and slide out of place, and comes in neutral, geometric patterns to match any room’s decor.
Today, we remember the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. This includes the times he visited WNC, with two notable trips — in January 1964 + August 1965 — which are archived by the Asheville Museum of History.
}})
