We’re excited to announce that the AVLtoday Holiday Gift Guide will return this November. Want first dibs on a feature? Lock in your spot now + get 20% off with code EARLYBIRD20. Hurry — this offer ends Wednesday, Oct. 1.
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City Guide
Helping hands are still needed
Staff + volunteers have gathered more than 3 million pounds of debris since Helene. | Photo via MountainTrue
As we approach the one-year milestone since Helene, there are still countless nonprofits, mutual aid groups, and organizations tirelessly working to meet the ever-evolving recovery needs of the region. Here’s how you can support them with your time + skills.
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity | Help WNC rebuild by joining the organization’s Disaster Home Repair Team, which has completed 92 jobs in the past year.
BeLoved Asheville | The nonprofit has already repaired or rebuilt 120 homes since Helene — with your help, that number can grow.
MANNA FoodBank | Complete volunteer orientation to begin helping the food bank distribute resources across WNC at a time where need is increased.
Marshall Relief Alliance | The alliance has already logged 50,000+ hours of volunteer work since the storm, and more help is needed to rebuild local businesses.
MountainTrue | Clear streams across the region of debris and trash deposited by the storm.
RiverLink | Care for the French Broad River watershed by attending cleanups and park workdays.
John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival | Saturday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 5 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown | $10+ | Celebrate Appalachia at the 49th Annual Fall Festival with 230 craft vendors, 29 food vendors, music, dance, demos, and hands-on activities as the Folk School kicks off its 100th Anniversary.*
Backed by research, this skincare restores skin vitality. | Photo by Timeline
As we age, skin loses the firmness and elasticity that gives it a youthful appearance. A key reason? Skin cells lose energy, hindering essential functions like collagen production.
Enter: Mito-Biotic™ Skincare from Timeline, clinically proven to energize skin cells and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by up to 15%.‡
See benefits in as little as 15 days and save 20%while supplies last.
Buncombe County purchased a seven-acre parcel of land at 359 Brevard Rd. to build a new EMS base serving West Asheville. Asheville Primary School on Haywood Road was previously considered for the new base. A county spokesperson said the base is likely several years out. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Opening
Today, Sept. 25, you can welcome Finch Grocery back to Biltmore Village. The party begins this evening at 5 p.m. with Cookbook Club, sharing recipes from Barefoot Contessa Parties — but you’re not required to bring a dish to join the fun.
Try This
Asheville Music School just began hosting a drop-in style adult music class in its new AMS Sound Lab, teaching techniques for composition, music production, songwriting, and mixing + mastering. Learn more about the class and what you’ll need to start creating.
Listen
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a new podcast, “The Asheville Rise: Stronger Together,” inviting the local business community to share stories of resilience. In its first episode, host Jessica Kanupp talks to photographer Carol Spags about the people shaping the RAD’s recovery journey.
Show
The Bascom Lamar Lunsford Mountain Music Festival — the second longest-running folk festival in WNC — returns to the Mars Hill University campus on Saturday, Oct. 4, bringing traditional music and dance talents from across the region. This year, the free fest will be indoors due to construction on campus.
Sports
NCAA basketball is headed back to Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville this season for three games. It all kicks off with UNC Asheville vs. App State on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 1 p.m. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 12 p.m.
Jobs
Whether you’re a small business looking to grow your team or a large company filling a key role, AVLtoday Job Board can connect you with engaged, qualified locals who are ready to work. Post your open roles for free + watch the applications roll in.
Discover your creative potential with Inward & Artward School of Creativity’s online classes this fall. Engage in courses like Creativity & Personal Mythology and Writers Accountability Groups to build resilience and sustain inspiration. Plus, apply for the 2026 hybrid Creative Facilitator Training for a unique learning journey. Enroll.*
You can plant a special native fruit tree in your yard with the help of Asheville Greenworks. Preorder pawpaw trees that the org grew at its Sand Hill Nursery. While the trees are relatively small, they produce the largest edible fruit native to North America.
When you pick up your tree on Friday, Oct. 3 at The Hop, there will be some sweet pawpaw ice cream waiting for you.
Bonus: You can also find pawpaws on the Asheville Edibles Map, which helps you identify edible plants across the city.
A HEPA air purifier that’s 60% off for a limited time. We love that style is not compromised for function — it features a sleek exterior + eliminates 99.97% of air particles so you can have an odor and dust-free environment.
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.
ICYMI, this Saturday is also National Public Lands Day and the NPS has plenty of volunteer opportunities ready for folks who want to help with Blue Ridge Parkway recovery.
‡Mito-Biotic™ Skincare from Timeline disclaimer: Based on an 8-week randomized controlled clinical trial of 36 healthy women aged 40 to 65 years.
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