Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hey Asheville, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Mission Health trial, semaglutide for alcohol addiction, and plant bingo + lots of fun things to do for free.
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 $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Legal battle moves forward: A judge cleared path to trial for Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s lawsuit against HCA over Mission Health in Asheville, keeping most claims alive and intensifying scrutiny after a federal citation -- read the full story.
New treatment avenue under study: Asheville’s Charles George VA Medical Center joined a national trial testing semaglutide for alcohol use disorder. The study aims to enroll over 600 veterans and involves injections for 24 weeks -- read the full story.
West Asheville faces big changes: As the I-26 Connector advances, Haywood Road businesses face displacement and uncertainty. One building’s owners already relocated without assistance. Work will remake interchanges and West Asheville streets through 2031 -- read the full story.
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.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
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 $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Mountain views, anyone? Capella on 9 pairs tapas-style, locally sourced plates from Asheville native executive chef Rakim Gaines with hand-crafted cocktails and head-turning Blue Ridge views. When you want live music, shareable bites, and a laid-back scene to linger a while, this is an easy yes for weeknights.
Happy, tired pup alert: Need your dog to burn energy while you, you know, have a life this week? Wonderdog Merrimon groups pups by size, lets them romp in indoor and outdoor yards with K9 Grass, offers gentle grooms and easy nail trims, and boards with private suites so your buddy comes home happy and snoozy.
Mini golf, big vibes: Local, family-owned Tropical Gardens Mini Golf has an 18-hole course that somehow makes a two-putt feel like a trophy, plus sno-cones for the victory lap. They’re swinging into their 36th season, so grab a friend and settle a friendly rivalry after work this week.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📋 Free Estate Planning Workshop @ Focal Point Coworking | Wednesday (8/5) at 12:00 PM – Think your 'I’ll get to it someday' plan covers wills, trusts, and who gets the good china? This free estate planning and asset protection workshop breaks it down without the legalese, and lunch is included. Grown-up decisions, decent sandwiches, zero pressure.
💃 Swing Asheville @ Banks Ave Bar | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:00 PM – Bring your dancing shoes to Banks Ave Bar for Swing Asheville’s weekly shindig, no cover, just twirls. Learn a little Lindy, Balboa, or Shag, then keep it rolling, lessons and dancing are $10, $15 on band nights, students $5, and $5 wells and lagers.
🌿 Wednesday Evening Garden Sessions @ Sand Hill Community Garden (Candler) | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats a Wednesday evening in the dirt, pulling weeds with people who actually know the difference between mint and a menace. It is a breezy one-hour garden session, weekly March through October, equal parts light workout, neighborly chat, and smugly fresh produce.
🥕 Biltmore Park Farmers Market @ Biltmore Park Town Square | Thursday (8/6) at 3:00 PM – Remember when produce had flavor? This summer, the weekly market on Town Square Boulevard brings seasonal produce, farm eggs, local meats, hand-gathered flowers, golden honey, and artisan baked goods from Asheville makers. Stroll, browse, gossip a little, then go home smug, well-fed, and stocked.
🥁 Asheville Drum Circle @ Pritchard Park | Friday (8/7) at 6:00 PM – Friday nights mean the heartbeat of Asheville thumping from Pritchard Park, a free-form drum circle where tourists gawk, locals groove, and kids outlast us all. The air is equal parts rhythm, incense, and nostalgia, and your knees might even remember how to dance.
🎬 Movies on the Green: School of Rock @ Reynolds Green (Mini-Quad) | Friday (8/7) at 7:30 PM – Dusk says grab a blanket and lawn chair, because UNC Asheville is closing its outdoor film series with School of Rock. Free and family friendly, with lawn games, music, and Hilltop Ice Cream, and since campus says no booze, bring snacks and your air-guitar chops.
🎷 Mr Jimmy's Sunday Jazz Sessions @ Hotel Eve Jazz | Sunday (8/9) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats live jazz on a Sunday, especially when Mr. Jimmy sets up at Hotel Eve with a new guest each week. Slip through the gate between Virtue and Dane Wells Gallery for no-cover tunes, good company, and that familiar Asheville ease.
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 — Asheville report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 81%
A chance of rain showers between 9am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 1pm and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 2pm and 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. East southeast wind 0 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 82°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 86%
Rain showers likely before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 11am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 2pm and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South southeast wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 80%. This house is wildThis architecturally significant Glass House on Beaver Lake pairs dramatic modern design with front-row lake and mountain views. Walls of glass flood the interiors with light, while soaring ceilings, designer lighting, and custom finishes add polish. The main-level layout includes a chef’s kitchen and spa-inspired primary suite, with a flexible lower level for guests, work, or play.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
