Hello Asheville! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Women’s sports bar, mental health film fest, and Family Jam 2026 + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A new community gathering spot: JJ Pope will open a women’s sports bar and lesbian space in Asheville within the next few months at former Boomer’s Bourbon and Cigar Lounge, with women’s games throughout -- explore the new sports bar.
Community event with purpose: The first annual Asheville Mental Health Film Fest will take place June 27 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical College, featuring regional short films and raising funds for local counseling services -- get the full details.
Modern safety upgrade ahead: Asheville unveiled the design for Oakley Fire Station 9, a 2.5 bay facility near Fairview Road with a $10.9 million budget and multi-year plan to minimize disruptions and modernize response -- see the fire station design.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Press Start On Nostalgia: When the week needs a brain break, Asheville Retrocade delivers with a wall-to-wall mix of vintage and modern arcade and pinball, plus a solid craft beer lineup. Grab a friend, chase high scores, then hang on the patio and remember why quarters used to matter.
Neighborhood sanity saver: When cabin fever hits midweek, sneak over to Augusta Barnett Playground for a quick reset. Low-stress spot to let kids burn it off while you sip a to-go coffee, text back those messages, and enjoy a few Asheville minutes that feel surprisingly peaceful.
Plant therapy, unlocked: Rose's Garden Shop is that tucked-away spot where you browse lush greens and vintage finds until suddenly your porch has a personality. If you’ve been meaning to refresh a corner at home, consider this your friendly nudge for this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌿 Summer Garden Workdays @ Lucy S. Herring Elementary School | Wednesday (6/24) at 9:00 AM – Swing by Herring Peace Garden for a low-key workday that doubles as neighborly bonding, free therapy, and vegetables. Tools provided, no green thumb required, kids welcome with a grownup or a nod from Farmers Nicole or Lark. Leave with fresh harvest, not weeds.
📚 Story Time @ Woodfin YMCA | Wednesday (6/24) at 9:30 AM – Bring the littles to Woodfin’s Youth Development Center every fourth Wednesday for story time with a rotating guest reader and the Buncombe County Library’s POP crew. It’s screen-free, fidget-friendly, and surprisingly profound, with inclusive picks that spark kind conversations, curiosity, and, yes, actual listening.
🧱 Lego Club @ West Asheville Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 3:30 PM – Got kids ages 5 to 12 with big imaginations? Hit Lego Club, with monthly themes or free building, Legos provided, yours can stay home. Not a drop-off, you are on the build team, and the kids might even make new friends you actually like.
📚 Scholastic Book Fair @ The Mule at Devil's Foot Beverage | Thursday (6/25) at 2:00 PM – Think you still know your way around a Scholastic Book Fair? Stock the kids’ summer reads while supporting Asheville City Schools Foundation, with a food truck, live music, and a yard movie. Bonus, the Devil’s Foot challenge swaps pages for soda and half-off Pizza Mind.
🎶 Family Jam 2026 @ HomeTrust Park | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Free, family-friendly music at the spruced-up HomeTrust Park with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Billy Jonas, Bluestreak, games, and snacks. Food Connection turns good vibes into less waste and fewer empty plates, while the kids run and you finally finish a cold one.
🎊 Grand Opening Celebration @ AVL Animal Urgent Care | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 PM – Take a break from yard work and pop into the grand opening of AVL Animal Urgent Care. Around here, pets are family, so meet the vets, tour the new space, and get a look at a spot built for our sanity, and inevitable after-dinner emergencies.
🎶 Reggae Sunday with Chalwa @ French Broad River Brewery | Sunday (6/28) at 3:00 PM – Round out the weekend at French Broad River Brewery with Chalwa’s mountain reggae, because sometimes your soul needs bass more than errands. Every Sunday, the 8-piece brings rootsy grooves, smooth vocals, and sax, while you enjoy beer, happy kids, and dogs doing their networking.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Asheville report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 82. North northwest wind around 3 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 87°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 12%
Sunny, with a high near 87. South southwest wind 0 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. This house is wildThis 2023 modern showpiece overlooks the 2nd fairway at Country Club of Asheville, pairing bold architecture with luxe practicality. Five bedrooms, six full baths, two half baths, and an oversized 3-car garage anchor the layout, while soaring ceilings, Pella windows, engineered maple floors, a Dacor kitchen, steam shower, sauna, and 850-square-foot apartment elevate every day.
Take a peek inside → |
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