Jeter Mountain Farm’s peaches are ripe for the pickin’ this weekend. | Photo by Corrine Elaine Photography
To me, a warm blackberry cobbler (with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream) is a hallmark of a Southern summer. And now that we’re entering peak berry season, it’s time you get your pick of the patch. Here are some local u-pick farms to visit for a divine, seasonal dessert:
Pro tip: If you make your way out to Jeter Mountain, you can save yourself some time in the kitchen and order some of Grandma Connie’s homemade peach cobbler right there on the farm.
Events
Events
Friday, July 11
Beach Babes Standup Comedy Show | 8-9:30 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $18+ | Comics Roman Fraden, Cayla Clark, Makenzie Manent, and Zandra Johnson will put you on island time.
Yonder Mountain String Band & Railroad Earth | 7 p.m. | Asheville Yards | $58 | Progressive bluegrass meets roots, rock, folk, and more in a night that promises to expand musical genres in real time.*
Saturday, July 12
The Big Crafty | Saturday, July 12-Sunday, July 13 | 12-6 p.m. | Harrahs Cherokee Center Asheville | $0+ | Peruse pottery, paintings, and glassworks galore at the biannual art fest showcasing Asheville’s creative spirit.
Asheville Summer Bluegrass | 4-8 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville | $20 | Songs From the Road Band and The Darren Nicholson Band will perform some finger pickin’ good bluegrass tunes all evening long.
Blissfull Wizard Yoga | 5-6:15 p.m. | The Well | $7+ | Cultivate peace and bliss through movement and breathwork in this all-levels class.
Tuesday, July 15
48 Hour Film Fest | 5-7:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free | Screen a selection of the best short films from previous 48 Hour Film Project competitions in Asheville.
AFTER HOURS Summer Concert Series | 6-8 p.m. | Asheville Museum of History | $0+ | Sit back as Jack Devereux + Maura Shawn Scanlin play on the museum’s front porch — museum admission is included in the ticket price, plus, preorder a picnic basket from Finch Grocery.
Finch Grocery will reopen in Biltmore Village in September, moving just a stone’s throw from its original spot. The charming shop will have the same grab-and-go meals, charcuterie, and wine by the glass that we’ve come to love, along with big plans to expand catering, serve breakfast, and offer a bigger coffee menu.
Community
The City of Asheville will host the Urban Land Institute for a week-long intensive study, where a panel of national real estate and land use experts will offer recommendations for post-Helene economic recovery and resiliency. Meet the panel and share your perspective at the public meet and greet on Monday, July 28.
Announced
On Monday, July 14, Gov. Josh Stein and members of the Rebuilding Western North Carolina Committee will meet at UNC Asheville to discuss recovery strategies and Helene-related issues in housing, infrastructure, and the economy. The public can attend in person or via Zoom, although there will be no public comment period.
Ranked
North Carolina ranked No. 1 on CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business 2025" list. The ranking accounts for factors like the area’s economy, business friendliness, and cost of living. Wanting a crash course in Asheville’s business sector? Check out these leading industries. (CNBC)
Eat
These chefs are the big cheese. Chefs Brooke Adams and Mallory Foster are hosting a bimonthly ooey gooey grilled cheese party at The Rhu. Grab a toasty pimento grilled cheese on scallion brioche this afternoon, July 11, between 2 and 6 p.m.
Arts
If you’re just starting out in the world of craft, the Southern Highland Craft Guild has your launching pad. Applications are open for the Emerging Artist Program, offering six young craftspeople unique support and education opportunities. Apply by the end of the month.
While the Asheville Open matches are fair game for spectating, the Friday Night Lights event is just for players, volunteers, and sponsors. Concessions and merch will be available for you while you cheer on the players — just bring a chair.
Category
City
Curbing climate change at the local level
Tropical Storm Helene emphasized the importance of building community resilience. | Photo via City of Asheville
The City of Asheville has released a new Climate Action Toolkit through Elevate AVL, a program of the sustainability department’s Climate Justice Initiative. The toolkit serves as an updated version of 2019’s “Building a Climate Resilient Asheville: Personal Action Guide,” meant to spark incremental change and daily actions you can take at the local level to curb climate risk and build resilience in your community.
Inside the kit, you’ll find resources to build emergency kits, navigate property efficiency upgrades, and engage climate conversations within your neighborhood. And it’s not the only impactful tool that Elevate AVL has created. In 2023, the program created the Climate Justice Index Map, illustrating climate risks against various factors measuring resilience at local addresses.
The digital Climate Action Toolkit is available for download online. But if you prefer paper, physical copies of the toolkit are available at local community centers and libraries.
The Buy
It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day. Don’t miss out on great discounts before the deals end tonight:
🔌 38% off: A No. 1 best-selling smart plug you can control with your smartphone, your voice, or preset timers.
🩳 62% off: A three-pack of Calvin Klein men’s boxer briefs rated 4.6 stars.
🎒 36% off: A brilliantly basic adidas backpack in black, rated 4.8 stars and perfect for work, travel, or school.
🌴 23% off: A summery outdoor rug that’s big enough to cover your whole patio.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Time to talk sweets again. I think a quick trip to Black Mountain might be in order because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the new Campfire Cruffin at Recess Coffee ever since it graced my feed three days ago. Just look at that toasty marshmallow. Luckily, we all have a month to savor it.
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