Here at AVLtoday, we love a good puzzle – especially if it helps us learn more about our beloved city.
So, as you’re easing back into the workweek (hello again, Tuesday ☕️) and into 2021, give this Asheville-centric crossword puzzle a try. Nothing like small wins to build up some positive momentum. An even better idea? Invite a friend to fill it in, too – and see who can complete it faster. That sounds like the perfect antidote for post-lunch slump.
How to play • Click here or the button below to play • You can also download a copy of the puzzle to print • If playing virtually, correct answers will stay highlighted • To start over, hit “Reset”
Announced ○ Love our local music scene? A new, fully digital radio station, Buzz Radio Asheville, is devoted to local sounds + the musicians who make them. The station also links to artists’ pages so you can purchase music directly. Buzz Radio plays music with a connection to the area from all genres. Want them to air your tunes? Email the station manager for a submission packet. 🎵 (Biz Radio Asheville)
Biz ○ System Logistics Corporation will invest $3 million into its Asheville operations, a project expansion that will add 47 jobs with an average hourly wage of $32.17. The corporation supplies intra-logistics and material handling solutions for warehouses, distribution centers + manufacturing operations. Open positions in Asheville may include software/PLC, project management, engineering, sales + more. 💼
Coronavirus ○ Check out the latest COVID-19 statsfor NC from the Department of Health and Human Services here. As of Monday afternoon, 10,936 cases and 201 deaths have been reported in Buncombe County. ○ 101-year-old veteran Virginia Dixon was the first in Black Mountain to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at one of North Carolina State Veterans Home. Long term care facilities are among the first that will receive + administer the vaccine. 💉 (Black Mountain News)
Cause ○ Special Olympics North Carolina +Publixare teaming up to fundraise for Special Olympics athletes. The Torch Icon fundraising campaign gives shoppers a way to support the athletes + receive coupons for exclusive store products. Two Buncombe Co. stores, Pinnacle Point + Weaverville Plaza, are participating in the fundraiser. To find all 2021 participating locations, check here. 💸 (WLOS)
Civic ○ Asheville City Council meetings will remain virtual for safety + to reduce the potential transmission of COVID-19. The 5 p.m. Jan. 12 City Council meeting will proceed as scheduled + citizens are encouraged to engage in the meeting. Check out the agenda here. 📋
Arts ○ If you’re a Buncombe County artist whose work or biz has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asheville Area Arts Council wants to hear from you. Take their latest arts impact survey, which assesses the effects of the pandemic on local working artists, through Jan. 20. 🎨
Dish ○ Today between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. is your last chance to grab food from the Trashalachian pop-up, coordinated by Avenue M, Chef Graham House, and local food delivery service Kickback AVL. Choose from classic sandos like a cold cut combo with “spiedie sauce”, griddled bologna with miso mustard + Duke’s mayo, a double cheeseburger, and more. Your order comes with a bag of hot cheddar or ranch puffs. Order here for pickup or delivery. 🥪
Wellness ○ Have you checked in with your mental health lately? Asheville psychologist and frequent Voices contributorDr. Dara Bushman has seen a rise in depression + anxiety since the beginning of the pandemic and due to current events. She encourages folks to seek support as needed, talk to kids about how they’re doing, and take time away from screens to reach out to one another. 🧠 (WLOS)
Trending ○ Does this house look familiar? You might recognize our local landmark, the Biltmore Estate, as the inspo for this Evergreen, Colorado home – on sale for a cool $12 million. The 21,692-square-foot Chateau V (for Veselka, the owners’ last name) even has an unfinished lower level where you can build out your indoor swimming pool and bowling alley a la the Vanderbilts. Bonus: There’s also a dog spa. 🐩 (Robb Report)
Learn ○ Love cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway? This Friday, Jan. 15, OLLI (the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville) will host its first virtual Fab Friday of 2021, ft. CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Carolyn Ward, who will share her vision for the Parkway’s future. Learn more + register. ⛰️ Ⓟ
Finance ○ This no annual fee, cashback credit card has a $200 bonus offer and 3% cash back on the category of your choice – like online shopping, dining or travel. 0% interest for 12 months. Learn more. Ⓟ
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
Calling all Black entrepreneurs – Grind is launching their business incubator and offering 20 Black entrepreneurs a year-long opportunity to expand, train, receive mentorship + more to create thriving, sustainable businesses.
Want to learn more? Grind will host two Zoom interest meetings next Mon., Jan. 18 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Register here.
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Show ○ Reggae Tuesdays with Chalwa + NewRootz Studio| Tues., Jan. 12 | 9:30-10:15 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Listen to Chalwa, an original Mountain Reggae band out of Asheville, in the comfort of your own home. 🎸
Job ○ Airport Road – New Store Job Fair| Tues., Jan. 12 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Hampton Inn, 18 Rockwood Rd., Fletcher | Free | Check out the job opportunities for the new Ingles store on Airport Rd. coming in Feb. 💼
Learn ○ Crossing the Line- An Actor/Director Study| Tues., Jan. 12 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Virtual | $375 |The Asheville School of Film holds a six-week course concerning trust, boundaries + more between directors + actors. 🎬
PlanAhead ○ Let’s Talk Influencer Marketing | Wed., Jan. 13 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Virtual | Free, Register | Presented by Infinity Marketing, this webinar focuses on the benefits of influencer marketing and how to identify potential influencers for your brand. Speakers include Shannon Kohn, Social Media Strategist, and Kendall Nicholson, Senior Media Specialist.Ⓟ
Find more of this week’s local events in our January PlanAhead.
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
Introducing #AVLcurrent: Each day we’ll share what each editor is currently doing or recommending.We’ll follow a soft schedule each weekday —
Monday: What we’re currently eating Tuesday: What we’re currently reading Wednesday: What we’re currently watching Thursday: What we’re currently loving Friday: What we’re currently hoping for
And some days, we may ask you to share yours as well. So to kick us off, Asheville — Ali is reading Richard Powers’Orfeo, the story of a composer-chemist who gets in trouble with the law, and Brook, who enjoys reading more than one book at a time, is currently going back and forth betweenNo One Asked for This by Cazzie David and My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress by Rachel DeLoache Williams(gifted to her by Editor Ali).
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