Native plants keep the ecosystem thriving. | Photo via Asheville GreenWorks
We won’t beat around the bush — it’s NC Native Plants Week, so today we’re giving you the resources you need to plant with local pride.
NC is home to 3,900+ species of native plants, and not only do they benefit our landscape — they benefit homeowners by needing less water, reducing need for pesticides, and being low maintenance.
You can use Audubon North Carolina’s handy native plants database to identify what species work best for our area and where to buy them.
Gem & Jam & Fam Festival feat. Jerry’s Dead | 4-7:30 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing Asheville | Free | Music, art + community come together under the open sky at this family-friendly celebration with workshops, craft corners, and plenty of space to dance, play, and connect.*
Step into Appalachian music history at The Asheville Sessions
Presented by Explore Asheville
The Asheville Sessions is anchored by concerts on Friday, Nov. 7 + Saturday, Nov. 8, including performances by local artists and Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. | Photo courtesy of David Simchock
100 years after “The Asheville Sessions” in 1925, where Asheville became the first Appalachian city to record country music at a makeshift downtown studio, the city is once again bringing Blue Ridge voices together.
Instead of revisiting the proposal at its next meeting, Mayor Esther Manheimer confirmed that Asheville City Council will no longer pursue the creation of an events-based social district on the South Slope. With the social district off the table, city officials will explore other avenues to bolster economic recovery after Helene.
Edu
Today marks the start of College Application Week. Through Sunday, Oct. 26, many NC universities will waive application fees for students applying through College for NC’s website. last year, more than 39,000 applications were sent during the special week.
Opening
Finch Grocery is officially reopening this Wednesday, Oct. 22. Finch made its debut back in Biltmore Village with a special Barefoot Contessa cookbook club event, but now the modern market and cafe is nearly ready to welcome back shoppers and diners.
Cause
Asheville FM’s Fall Fund Drive is underway, raising money to keep community radio hitting our airwaves. Through this Friday, Oct. 24, the station is opening up to the community, letting you stop by the West Asheville station to meet DJs, see live performances, and even record your own voice for the air.
Drink
Diatribe Brewing Co. took home a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its Amburana Fruit Punch Sour. Head down to the West Asheville brewery to try the award-winning sour and mark your calendar for Diatribe’s two-year anniversary party on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Civic
Buncombe County Board of Elections approved an early voting plan for the 2026 primary election. It includes hours of operation at 11 early voting sites, including North Asheville and South Buncombe polling places to better serve those areas. The plan awaits approval from the NC State Board of Elections.
Outdoors
The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Garden turns 20 this month. Head to the Arb on Saturday, Oct. 25 for a special anniversary celebration with a commemorative video presentation of the garden’s history, a live bonsai demonstration, and bright autumn colors.*
Try This
Your next big event could use some attention. Get a crowd in the room by letting us help you spread the word. Our advertiser dashboard can put your event in front of our highly engaged local audience in a matter of two days. Get started now — no long-term contract required.
Ready to sleep better tonight? Canary’s melatonin-free sleep gummy is packed with tart cherry + ashwagandha for rested, refreshing sleep — use code SLEEP20 for 20% off.*
Biz
Biz
👑 Help crown our city’s best
Which local brewery, lunch spot, and bookstore deserve the crown? | Graphic by 6AM City
Now comes the fun part: voting. Now through Friday, Nov. 28, you can vote for your number one spot in each category. From kid-friendly venues to the best places to golf, there are plenty of options to brag on your favorite biz. You can vote from your mobile or desktop.
Hold tight. Winners will be announced Monday, Dec. 8.
Korean beauty products are more than just a trend — they’re becoming a staple in skincare routines worldwide. Known for their innovative formulas and emphasis on prevention over correction, K-beauty is all about keeping your skin healthy from the start. Here are our top five picks, all under $35 and available on Amazon:
🧴 Dr.Althea’s 345 Relief Cream moisturizer soothes, nourishes, and reduces the appearance of dark spots.
🫧 This No. 1 bestselling cleansing oil is hypoallergenic and safe for all skin types.
⭐ A TikTok favorite, Medicube’s Collagen Jelly Cream boosts hydration + leaves your skin with a radiant, healthy glow.
👁️ This retinal cream delivers an advanced form of retinol deep into the skin to target wrinkles and promote soother, firmer skin.
🧖 The Biodance collagen face masks brighten, improve elasticity, and minimize pores.
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.
2,346 lbs. That’s how much the winning pumpkin weighed at this year’s World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, CA. It’s also the amount of New Stock Pantry’s buttermilk pumpkin pie I could eat at Periscope. Take this as a sign to have a slice at the new S&W Market bar this week.
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