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🔥 Find your perfect match
Here’s a snapshot of Editor Grace’s collection. | Graphic by AVLtoday
Phillumeny. That’s the word for collecting matchbooks and matchboxes — a hobby that’s made a comeback in recent years and recently won over Newsletter Editor Grace.
Here are just a few Asheville spots to visit to get your collection started:
Leo’s House of Thirst | Raise a glass over dinner or weekend brunch, and leave with a memento.
The Tiki Easy Bar | The downtown speakeasy has island-inspired cocktails and over-the-top decor — every 30 minutes, a dramatic “storm” rolls in, a la Rainforest Cafe.
The Whale | The craft beer bar is pouring brews from all around the globe at three Asheville locations.
Zillicoah Beer Co. | “Taste is a Memory” is inscribed on the back of the brewery’s matchbooks, available for $1 at the bar.
Know any more spots to pick up a souvenir? Strike up a convo in our inbox.
Scorched Copper Radial, 15x17x12, 2026 | Photo viaJacob Michael Goodman
Arts
Emerging Asheville artist Jacob Michael Goodman is taking his sculptural wood vessels to the prestigious Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington DC at the end of the month. Of thousands of applicants, only 120 are invited to show their work at the juried exhibition.
Coming Soon
The RAD’s Ultra Coffeebar will expand to serve coffee, bagels, and sandwiches in South Asheville this summer, opening a second location just down the street from Ivory Road. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Gallery
The black bears of WNC are ditching hibernation for spring snacking. See WLOS’s gallery for audience snapshots of recent sightings. And maybe brush up on those BearWise basics for good measure — these bears are hungry.
Development
The county-backed, 200-unit affordable housing project at 50 Coxe Ave. cleared Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission and heads to City Council on Tuesday, April 28. Approval includes a city-led traffic study after neighbors raised concerns about congestion on nearby streets like Ravenscroft Drive. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
“Mahjong is all the rage right now.” That’s why reader Wendy Lichtig has started a group for beginner players, meeting Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Tempie Avery Montford Community Center. Prospective players can reach out to Wendy with questions.
Today Is
National Beer Day. Raise a glass at one of the OG spots that helped Asheville earn its Beer City moniker, like Highland, Green Man, and Wedge.
Job
The largest career fair in WNC is almost here. More than 100 local employers will be on site at the Ag Center on Thursday, April 16 for the WNC Career Expo — search the list of participating employers for your dream job.
Environment
After more than a week, a local and statewide open burning ban remains in effect as the region received less-than-expected rainfall and extreme fire conditions are forecasted to worsen throughout the week.
Biz
What does it take to become a highly effective leader? Wake Forest Executive Education’s upcoming one-day workshops offer tools, tactics, and research-backed strategies to help working professionals uplevel their leadership. Sessions start April 30 — join WNC’s first cohort.*
Concert
Southern soul meets front-porch storytelling when JJ Grey & Mofro take the Peace Concert Hall stage in Greenville on Thursday, April 30. Get tickets.*
Editor’s Pick
🌟 This glow up is all natural
Long exposure shots capture the magic of the blue ghosts. | Photo by Rich Parker via FIND Outdoors
Ready, set, glow. Tickets are on sale now for FIND Outdoors’ annual blue ghost firefly tours at the Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest. The rare, native insects cast a soft, bluish hue that can linger up to a minute at a time.
In the coming weeks, you’ll also be able to throw your name in the lottery to see the synchronous fireflies of Great Smoky Mountains National Park flash their lights in perfect unison.
The Buy
A casual maxi skirt with a flattering high-rise design, ultra-soft material, and pockets. Slip it on for an afternoon running errands, dress it up for dinner with friends, and everything in between.
If you want to fully embrace the canine camaraderie of Dine to be Kind today, you can take your pup out to eat with you. Posana’s Biltmore Park location offers quite the bougie dog menu, with housemade biscuits, grilled chicken, ice cream, and even “beer” brewed specially for Fido.
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