Hello Thursday.
March 28 2024
Each fall, up to 500,000 monarch butterflies flee their homes in the eastern United States + southern Canada to ride out the winter in California and Central America.
While this phenomenon was projected to peak Oct. 6, bivouacs (the moniker for a group) of these elegant insects have been spotted north of Asheville and in the immediate vicinity, so we think it’s still worth mentioning. The majority of the butterflies are expected to arrive at their roosting sites by November, where they will hunker down from the winter wind before migrating back north in March.
Taking a snack break in Pisgah National Forest on a goldenrod plant. | Photo via @turiya_the4th
According to Explore Asheville, your best shot at locally observing this natural event is along high-elevation mountain ridges, including:
- Wagon Gap Road parking area (Milepost 412.2)
- Pounding Mill Overlook (Milepost 413.2)
- Cherry Cove Overlook (Milepost 415.7)
- Black Balsam summit (Milepost 420.2)
This interactive map from Journey North, which lets you track and report sightings, also indicates that hundreds of butterflies have been spotted in residential garden beds and pollinator gardens.
Each red dot signifies a self-reported sighting of migrating monarchs. | Screen grab via Journey North
Want to support this ~3,000 mile journey? Cultivating pollinator-friendly plants such as milkweed, black-eyed susans, coneflowers, and beyond, can help supply the resources + nutrition needed by butterflies to make the long haul.
Pro tip: You can also check out our guide to building a pollinator-friendly garden for more specific guidance.
Use the buttons below to show off your newfound butterfly wisdom.
Which of the following facts about monarchs is false?
- The monarch is the only butterfly that makes a two-way migration.
- Monarchs cluster together to keep warm in the winter.
- Monarchs often like to take naps in beds of moss.
- Monarch larvae feed exclusively on milkweed leaves.
Today
- WNC Career Expo | Tues., Oct. 12 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | WNC Agricultural Center, 765 Boylston Hwy., Fletcher | Free | Come talk to employers in manufacturing, technology, health care, tourism, professional services, and other growth industries. 🤝
- Colony House | Tues., Oct. 12 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. | $20+ | Bring proof of vaccination to see this American indie rock quartet. 🎤
- Animal Signs | Tues., Oct. 12 | 12:30-4 p.m. | Mountain Trail Outdoor School at Kanuga, 130 Kanuga Chapel Dr., Hendersonville | $30 | Hands-on outdoor ecology field trip for kids ages 4-12 that teach animal detection.🐾
- Webinar with Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent | Tues., Oct. 12 | 11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn what Superintendent Tracy Swartout is envisioning for the National Park Service.
Wednesday
- Religion + Art in the 21st Century | Wed., Oct. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Virtual or at Black Mountain College Museum + Art Center, 120 College St. | Free | Join religion and art scholar Aaron Rosen for a talk about how artists are reframing the way others view religion + spirituality. 🖼
- NOH8 Beer Release Party | Wed., Oct. 13 | 5:30 p.m. | Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd. | Free | Proceeds from this brew will support The Campaign for Southern Equality. 🍻
Thursday
- Mt. Joy & Trampled By Turtles | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave. | $40+ I Bring proof of vaccination to this indie and bluegrass-infused rock show.
- Special Session with Ketch Secor & Molly Tuttle | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Burntshirt Vineyards, 438 Main St., Chimney Rock | $100+ | Enjoy apple wine, a lowcountry boil, and live music from Old Crow Medicine Show’s front man Ketch Secor and acclaimed bluegrass guitarist Molly Tuttle.
- Fall LEAF Festival | Thurs., Oct. 14-Sun., Oct. 17 | Various times | Lake Eden, 377 Lake Eden Rd. | $50+ | Headliners for this bi-annual arts and culture celebration include Las Cafeteras, HuDost, Ethno Camp USA, Tito Puente JR, Sierra Hull, CimaFunk, and Beny Esguerra. 🎤
Plan Ahead
- The 10th Annual Creative Sector Summit | Wed., Nov. 3 | Various times + locations | $50 | This one-day conference seeks to address major issues impacting the local creative sector through 4 daytime panels. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
MB HAYNES has officially been serving the AVL community for 100 years | Image provided
This year, an AVL business is celebrating something special: MB HAYNES has officially joined the centenarian club. (Read: they’re officially 100 years old.) The company first opened its doors for electrical services in 1921, aka the year F. Scott Fitzgerald published his first novel. 🤯
Since then, MB HAYNES expanded its services to include plumbing, HVAC + more. And along the way, they’ve picked up some pretty quality tips about how to build workplace culture, scale business, and recruit great people.
Here are 3 things they’ve learned after a century in business:
- Invest in your employees. In 2019, MB HAYNES created an Employee Stock Program and now the company is 100% employee owned.
- Prioritize continuing education. Did you know they run an award-winning apprenticeship program?
- Stay flexible + open-minded. According to VP Tamera Edwards, adapting to new technologies and practices goes a long way toward keeping the lights on. 💡
So, what’s next for MB HAYNES? Continuing to do what they do best: building relationships and providing top-notch services to WNC bizzes + residents. Ⓟ
Weather
- 78º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain
Civic
- Asheville City Council will have its monthly meeting today, Tues., Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. On the agenda: a conditional rezoning of 130 Charlotte St., 6-month update from Asheville City Schools Foundation, and transit budget amendments. Sign up to speak by 9 a.m today + tune in here. 💰
- After a national search, Buncombe County has announced Rachel Edens will fill the newly created position of Chief Equity & Human Rights Officer. In this role, Rachel will oversee the County’s Equity & Inclusion Workgroup, serve as a community liaison, and report directly to Assistant County Manager DK Wesley.
Opening
- Earth River Records will celebrate the grand opening of its first brick and mortar since 2015 on Fri., Oct. 15 + Sat., Oct. 16 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The shop is at 235 Weaverville Hwy. and the festivities will include special discounts, rare vinyl finds, and giveaways. 🎵
Arts
Festival
- The annual Scarecrow Festival, an event that honors the fall harvest and invites locals to create their own scarecrow display, returns to Lake Julian Park from Oct. 25-31. Register to compete by Oct. 19. 🎃
Job
- Aeroflow Healthcare is hiring a Senior Corporate Recruiter/Talent Acquisition Specialist who will be responsible for full life-cycle recruiting, sourcing + screening candidates, and making recommendations to hiring managers. See details and apply. Ⓟ
DYK
- Asheville black bears are twice the size as their rural counterparts and are having cubs at half the regular age, based on an ongoing suburban bear study. A possible reason for this disparity is the abundance of food sources like garbage + pet food. The study will continue through 2024. 🐻 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Trending
- A growing sinkhole in the Montford neighborhood is causing concern for residents. The sinkhole first appeared along Montford Avenue in July and is now interfering with storm water management systems. 🕳️ (WLOS)
-
The native pawpaw fruit, known for its custard texture + mellow, mango-banana flavor, is experiencing a boon in popularity among local businesses. Although the fruit cannot be found in stores due to its short shelf life, you can nab products such as pawpaw-infused sugar and a specialty cider. 🍈 (Mountain Xpress)
Community
- Have questions about your garden that you’d like answered by a professional? The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Buncombe County will keep their phone lines open through the rest of October. Send an email or leave a voice message at (828) 250-4878, and receive an answer by the following Friday.
- The local chapter of Ben's Friends, a national support group for people in the hospitality industry who struggle with addiction, has updated its meeting location to Avenue M Restaurant (791 Merrimon Ave.) The group meets weekly every Monday at 10 a.m. 🧡
Finance
- These top cards offer a ridiculously long 0% intro APR period and no annual fee. Some offer cash back rewards, too. 💳 Ⓟ
Featured Home
Look out, this cute puppy might get you to join a running club. Every Sunday at 12 p.m., runners (and pups) of all skill levels + paces are invited to meet at Black Mountain’s Lookout Brewing for 2-6 miles of fun.
When you’re done putting your paws to the pavement, be sure to stick around for a hangout sesh at the brewery, where you can try Lookout’s newest creation: the tropical + hoppy Relique Spelt IPA. Pssst, if you're on the search for other great local pub runs, check Jus' Running's directory for Asheville group runs.
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Answered: We asked you to spot which monarch fun fact was fake. If you selected C, you're correct.
While the image of a monarch napping in some moss sounds awfully adorable, it's not an activity that they're known for.
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