Village Artist Market donated artwork to all five families. | Photo by Village Artist Market
PBS’ “This Old House” is television’s longest-running home improvement show, and for season 47, the trusted crew of experts is on the ground in WNC, rebuilding five family homes in the wake of Helene.
The program follows contractors Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey, Jenn Nawada, and host Kevin O’Connor as they rehab one home in North Asheville and four homes in Swannanoa, all while showcasing community recovery initiatives.
Between building retaining walls, installing doors, and shingling roofs, the crew highlights local business recovery, visiting areas like Biltmore Village and businesses like Village Artists Market, Hillman Beer, Chai Pani, and Highland Brewing.
How to watch
Eight episodes are currently streaming on the This Old House website or on the PBS app. Of course, you can also catch it on cable on PBS on Thursdays or Saturdays.
Biltmore Park Santa in the Square & Holiday Market | 3-6 p.m. | Biltmore Park Town Square Green | Free | Head to Biltmore Park Town Square to meet + take photos with Santa, shop local vendors, and make festive family memories.*
Terra Nova Beer Co. will be closing its downtown and Swannanoa breweries, serving beer through the end of the year. In a social media post, the team shared that challenges have made the business no longer sustainable, expressing gratitude to its supporters.
Announced
Following the announcement of Asheville Police Department Chief Michael Lamb’s retirement, City Manager Debra Campbell has named Deputy Jackie Stepp as Interim Police Chief. Stepp has been with APD for 20 years, serving as one of the deputy chiefs for the department, previously overseeing the Administrative Bureau.
Holiday
Biltmore Village is looking merry and bright for the “It’s A Wonderful Village” holiday celebration. Things kick off on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29, and continue all month long with special events like Dickens Christmas, Taste of the Village, and Candlelight Caroling at the Cathedral.
Opening
Scorch Fitness is reopening its North Asheville location after it was flooded by Helene. The Lagree studio will get back to classes in December, and new clients can feel the burn with a special offer of 30 days for $99.
Number
$92,000. That’s how much the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority has invested in 26 local upcoming festivals through its Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund. Funded events include Goombay, Asheville Legacy Neighborhood History & Culture Festival, and the ASAP Farm Tour.
Edu
You can make wishes come true through Asheville City Schools’ Holiday Dream Project. The annual initiative provides gifts for more than 900 local students. Fill out the interest form to receive a personalized wishlist from a student, shop directly from the school’s Amazon wishlist of essential items, or send in a donation.
Featured Home
Discover Hominy at RiverBlue, a modern apartment community in West Asheville. Set along the scenic Hominy Creek Greenway, it offers studio to three-bedroom homes with upscale finishes, resort-style amenities, and nature at your doorstep — all just minutes from Asheville’s vibrant arts and dining. Learn more.*
Featured Deal
Athleta’s full site is 30% off for Black Friday, happening right now through Saturday, November 29. From sunrise workouts to Sunday strolls, these are the pieces you’ll reach for on repeat. Grab 30% off today.*
Event Spotlight
✨ Making spirits bright
This festival sure does shine bright. | Photo by Buncombe County
The Lake Julian Festival of Lights will shine bright for its 25th year, starting Sunday, Nov. 30. The first night will be open to walking guests only, strolling from 6 to 8 p.m. — grab tickets in advance.
From Tuesday, Dec. 2 through Tuesday, Dec. 23, you can drive through the light show for $15 per standard vehicle. Better yet, on Tuesdays, Dec. 9 and 16, Buncombe County residents get in free.
The NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights is another can’t-miss holiday event — book a time to see the Arb aglow.
The Buy
Amazon’s Black Friday Week sale features thousands of deals. Don’t spend hours sorting through them — we already did that for you. Here are three you can’t miss:
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.
As the eternal starchy advice of Samwise Gamgee goes, “boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew.” But if you’re looking for more from your potatoes this Thanksgiving, the New York Times has some delicious ideas. However you choose to cook them, Asheville’s farmers markets are the way to go.
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