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A message from our team
Calling all local podcasters and listeners. This month, 6AM City is launching the BizBrief, a weekly business newsletter in GVLtoday, RALtoday, and NASHtoday, with plans to expand to our other existing markets. We’ll share quick, essential local business news, events, and highlights, including relevant podcasts. Take this short survey to make sure your favorite local podcasts are on our radar.
Plan Ahead
Beating the winter blues
AVLFest is set to return in August after last year’s cancellation. | Photo by Fiasco Media
Today, Feb. 3 is the midpoint of winter. We are exactly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, meaning the days are getting longer, and our flowering dogwood trees will be at full bloom before we know it.
Let’s count down the days until some of Asheville’s biggest spring and summer events:
There are 73 days left until the first Downtown After 5 show of 2026.
We have 80 days to go until the 36th Annual Asheville Herb Festival. Let’s see if thyme flies.
While we don’t have exact dates, there are about six months to go until AVLFest returns to rock.
If planning this far ahead is a bit much, use AVLtoday’s Plan Ahead to tackle February’s biggest events.
Only time will tell if Pisgah Piper’s predictions hold up. | Photo via Explore Brevard
Announced
Forget Groundhog Day — for Brevard’s annual White Squirrel Day celebration, Pisgah Piper, the prognosticating white squirrel, predicted a lingering winter and a Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl 60 win. Piper is in the care of the White Squirrel Institute, which preserves the species that’s become Brevard’s unofficial mascot.
Civic
The deadline to register to vote for the upcoming midterm primary election is this Friday, Feb. 6, at 5 p.m. Same-day registration is also available during early voting Thursday, Feb. 12, through Friday, Feb. 28, with acceptable photo ID and proof of residence. Find more key dates + info from Buncombe County Election Services.
Eat
This romantic new Black Mountain spot is perfect for Valentine’s Day dinner. Bev’s Steak opened in early December, serving creative, Japanese-influenced takes on classic steakhouse fare. Holiday reservations at the fine-dining spot are filling fast.
Travel
Reaching the midpoint of winter is also the perfect excuse to plan a summer vacation, starting at Asheville Regional Airport. Bonus: Delta just announced a new nonstop flight from AVL to Austin starting this summer. Our friends at ATXtoday can help you explore the city like a local.
Read
For over 100 years, cursing was illegal on public roads + highways in 98 of NC counties and sometimes led swearing North Carolinians to jail. Read about WTF was going on in NC through 2015. (NC Rabbit Hole)
Learn
New research is reshaping the story of famed Smokies photographer George Masa. Japanese Alpine Club records reveal Masa was a serious mountaineer years before arriving in Asheville, climbing and documenting Mount Fuji, Hood, Rainier, and Adams. Learn about Masa’s legacy. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Featured
Several WNC towns are getting national attention in a recent National Geographic feature spotlighting communities rebuilding after Helene. Banner Elk, Marshall, Burnsville, and Hot Springs are highlighted for their resilience, creativity, and hospitality. Time to plan a staycation.
Shop
Meet the intimacy gummy: Camino Wild Cherry, the ultimate edible for date night. Heighten sensory experiences and ignite that special spark with a THC gummy that fits seamlessly into your Valentine’s Day plans — without the hangover or bloat of alcohol. Get 20% off a full-size tin with code 6AM20.†*
Editor’s Pick
☃️ Snow much fun
Y’all had snow problem building these masterpieces. | Gif by AVLtoday
We woke up to a frosty wonderland this weekend as Asheville was covered in a fresh 5-inch blanket of snow. And it seems to have brought out everyone’s inner sculptor. Here are some snapshots of the incredible snowmen submitted by readers.
As the snow slowly begins to melt away, stay up to date as city and county services begin to resume.
There’s a chance Bad Bunny celebrated his Album of the Year win with chocolate made right here in the Land of the Sky. Timothy Maguire Chocolates was back at the Grammy Awards this year, supplying sweets in dressing rooms and swag bags.
Last year, we spoke with WNC’s Willy Wonka about discovering his love for pastry, playing private chef for billionaires, and his plans for a brick-and-mortar — read the sweet story.
Speaking of Bad Bunny... if you’re really only tuning in to Sunday’s Super Bowl to see the rapper take the stage, South Slope’s La Pizza Party has the watch party for you. The “Benito Bowl” celebration starts at 6 p.m.
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