The planned site it currently a municipal parking lot. | Photo via Google Maps
Development plans show that the city will transform the lot next to the Asheland Avenue ART Station into a skating rink.
The new rink is intended to fill the void left behind by the loss of the Carrier Park arena during the storm. Similar to the new Riverbend Dog Park, the rink will operate downtown until a permanent one is built — for “at least a few years,” according to the Asheville Citizen-Times.
“We are also excited about the upcoming opening of a temporary skating and inline hockey rink to provide a much-needed resource and fun opportunities for our community as we continue to heal and rebuild,” Asheville Parks and Recreation (APR) Director D. Tyrell McGirt shared in a July letter to the community.
Backed by Community Block Grant Development funds and private donations, a construction contract is expected to be presented to City Council for approval on Tuesday, Sept. 9. Work could begin as early as Monday, Sept. 15.
Events
Events
Wednesday, Aug. 13
Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” | Wednesday, Aug. 13-Sunday, Aug. 17 | Times vary | North Carolina Stage Company | $6+ | See the first performances of this shipwrecked romance, filled with mistaken identities and love triangles.
Thursday, Aug. 14
Matinee Marathon: “Moana” | Thursday, Aug. 14-Friday, Aug. 15 | 3-5 p.m. | East Asheville Library | Free | It’s a mini film fest with a family-friendly showing of “Moana” on Thursday and “Moana 2" on Friday.
Books & Brews Trivia: Villains & Antiheroes | 6-8 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge | Free | It’s a trivia night for the morally questionable, exploring the darker side of fiction with your hosts from Lit Local.
Asheville Tourists Blood Drive | 11 a.m. | McCormick Field | Free | Donate blood to save lives + receive an AVL jersey and two tickets to a Tourists game.*
Friday, Aug. 15
Southside Block Party | 6-9 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center | Free | Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy a night of food, sweets, yard games, and music from DJ Audio.
Mere Fever | 6-10 p.m. | Atomic Furnishing and Design | Free | See the dream folk band as they celebrate the release of their debut album, “Bright Water” — bonus: Atomic will be open for late-night shopping.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Astrology 101 | 4-6 p.m. | Retro Coffee | $25 | Learn all about the planets, signs, and houses while snacking on a pastry and sipping on a coffee — there will be a specialty drink made for each star sign.
Sunday, Aug. 17
Vegan Market Asheville | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bridge & Tunnel Cafe | Free | Get your fill of plant-based fuel from vendors like The Royal Vegan, Hominy Farm, Back Porch Baking Co., and more.
Sow True offers 500+ types of GMO-free vegetable, herb + flower seeds for gardening that supports our diverse ecosystem. | Photos courtesy Jake Banta
Sow True Seed has been providing high quality, open-pollinated seeds and expert gardening advice to the Asheville area and beyond since 2009.
Today, the locally based, 100% employee-owned cooperative unveiled its top-to-bottom brand refresh, inspired by all the changes the company has been through, and what they hope to become in the future.
New seed packets, same great art | Clean design that puts the gardener first
All updates intend to prioritize gardener education, growth, and discovery, helping you get the green thumb you’ve always wanted. Scroll through the new website to dig deeper into what’s new, or visit the (also recently renovated) shop in person at 243 Haywood St.
‘Tis the Sippin’ Santa season. | Photo via Tiki Easy Bar
Holiday
Christmas in... August? Nationwide pop-up bars Miracle and Sippin’ Santa announced they’ll be returning to The Golden Pineapple and the Tiki Easy Bar this November. Here’s a menu while you wait.
Opening
The Marquee team has been hard at work rebuilding its Foundy Street art market. The spot will reopen on Thursday, Sept. 25, nearly coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Helene. (WLOS)
Concert
The Grey Eagle is hatching new plans + moving all remaining shows originally slated for Hatch Amphitheater to Pisgah Brewing in Black Mountain. Grab tickets for The Mountain Goats, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Zoso.
Civic
Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommends rezoning Trinity United Methodist Church’s former education building as a 35-bed shelter. Safe Shelter has operated under a temporary permit since 2023, offering housing connections, support services, and community partnerships. Final approval awaits City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 26. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Plan Ahead
Which artist will whittle their way to glory at the World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition? You’ll have to go to find out. The competition is the centerpiece of the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s 45th Annual Heritage Weekend at the Folk Art Center, Saturday, Sept. 20 + Sunday, Sept. 21.
Try This
There’s still time left to make something great for Asheville Habitat for Humanity’s 14th Annual ReStore ReUse Contest. Through Tuesday, Sept. 30, you can enter a project made primarily of used building materials in categories of art, furniture, or dwelling. Winners get $200 ReStore gift cards.
Regional
The NPS has reopened 30 campsites at Julian Price Campground in Blowing Rock as crews continue to repair the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you want to camp a little closer to home, Mount Pisgah Campground near Canton is open for reservations.
Community
Big news for Weaverville: AdventHealth wants to bring you more care, closer to home. With plans to add 129 new hospital beds and expand specialties at their new hospital, this project means more whole-person care for our community. You can share your voice by submitting a letter of support. Learn more.*
Featured Home
Lovingly maintained and close to everything, this move-in-ready home offers newly updated countertops, appliances, and fixtures, plus a beautiful backyard space. Peek inside.*
Read
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*
Category
History
Corsets, collars, and cash
The Gilded Age outfit on the right was worn by Edith Vanderbilt. | Photo by AVLtoday
With the season three finale of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” just behind us, you may be itching for more drama from the beguiling bygone era. Luckily, there’s plenty to learn about the Gilded Age estate right in our backyard — the Biltmore.
For today, let’s focus on the fashion. In this era, the wealthier someone was, the more often they changed clothes — meaning there were new, perfectly tailored looks for nearly every activity, from strolling the estate’s gardens to formal dinners. According to the Biltmore Estate’s archives, the Vanderbilts frequently wore clothing from French haute couture designers like Jeanne Paquin, Jacques Doucet, and the House of Worth.
Several years ago, the Biltmore tapped Oscar-winning designer John Bright (also of Downton Abbey fame) to recreate many of Edith Vanderbilt’s outfits for the estate’s “A Vanderbilt House Party – The Gilded Age” exhibit in 2019. Learn more about how the clothes were made using black and white archival photographs.
The Buy
This summer, make every weekend count with Groupon. Score up to 70% off chef-curated experiences, wine tastings, riveting tours + attractions, spa days that melt the dress away, and more.
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.
Taylor Swift isn’t the only one in her orange era. ICYMI, the popstar just announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” with plenty of sparkly, orange promo — and The Orange Peel is adding to the hype.
