Hello Thursday.
March 28 2024
On Jan. 5, Asheville-based nonprofit Just Economics released a new Living Wage Rate for 2022, as well as an updated formula for calculating it here in Buncombe County for the first time since 2011. Buncombe County’s living wage has risen from $17.30 an hour to $17.70 an hour for full + part time employees, with or without health insurance.
The stunning Asheville skyline. I Photo by @matty.media
The organization uses the recently adjusted Universal Living Wage Formula to determine the minimum income folks need to make to meet their basic needs — including food, utilities + other essentials — without public or private assistance.
So, what are the changes to the Living Wage formula?
- The new formula uses ~33% of an individual’s monthly income as a measure for housing affordability. Just Economics also accounts for the fact that many landlords require proof that tenants earn at least three times their rent to qualify for a lease.
- The organization has removed the wage subtraction for employers offering health insurance “because an employee will not make three times the Fair Market Rent at the lower rate.” By removing the wage subtraction from the criteria, workers are better able to demonstrate their income is high enough to obtain a rental.
- Assuming that most full time employees take time off during the year, the formula will now be based on 2,000 working hours, rather than 2,080 hours.
How does the boost to the living wage affect you?
- The 438 employers that already participate in the organization’s Certified Living Wage Program won’t be required to pay the new rate until the end of 2022 because of widespread financial struggles. If you’re interested in having your business Living Wage certified, learn more here.
Share this story with all the local job seekers and business owners in your life.
Today
- Sam Burchfield + Will Blackburn | Fri., Jan. 7 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $15+ | A mix of folk, gospel, country, and Southern soul. 🎵
- Getaway Comedy: Maddie Wiener | Fri., Jan. 7 | 8-10 p.m. | Getaway River Bar, 790 Riverside Dr. | $15 | Laugh the night away with this comedian who’s been featured on NBC and Comedy Central.
- Champagne, Friends & Popcorn Webinar | Fri., Jan. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Virtual | $10+ | Learn how different sparkling wines and popcorns make an ideal pairing. 🥂
Saturday
- John Paul White | Sat., Jan. 8 | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $17+ | A night of country music from a Tennessee native.
- Saturday Meows with MPR AVL | Sat., Jan. 8 | 12-4 p.m. | PetSmart, 150 Bleachery Blvd. | Free | Meet an array of kitties available for adoption. 🐱
- EVs and Coffee | Sat., Jan. 8 | 10 a.m. | 863 Brevard Rd. | Free | View electric vehicles and learn all about them with the Blue Ridge EV Club.
- Community Wellness Day | Sat., Jan. 8 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Riveter, 701 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River | Free | Enjoy yoga classes + free samples from local health-conscious companies — there is an Arm Balance and Inversion Workshop noon-2 p.m. for $75 (capped at 10 participants).*
Sunday
- Making Your Sentences Sing | Sun., Jan. 9 | 1-4 p.m. | Virtual | $75 | Learn to craft dynamite sentences with award-winning author Tessa Fontaine. ✍️
Tuesday
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit | Tues., Jan. 11-Wed., Jan. 12 | 8 p.m. | Harrah's Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St. | $56+ | Catch singer-songwriter Jason Isbell with band The 400 Unit during their two-night stop in Asheville. 🎶*
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.
Guest vocalist Hannah Zazzaro will perform with the Symphony at Highland Brewing Company | Photo by Peter Vann
If you thought orchestra music only happens in a concert hall, think again. Meet ALT ASO, a new mobile chamber music series created by the Asheville Symphony.
ALTO ASO will bring symphonic music into dynamic locations around Asheville, like the Orange Peel, Highland Brewing Company, and the Asheville Art Museum. Not only that, but the inaugural event is just around the corner:
🎶 ALT ASO at Highland Brewing Company | Tues., Jan. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | This concert will showcase an eclectic mix of musical genres + styles — think: Dolly Parton, Verdi, Nirvana, Queen + more, plus even more surprises.
Bonus: Highland has made a special beer for the occasion, and you’ll have a chance to snag exclusive branded swag, too. Tickets are $40, and available now.
Curious what else ALT ASO has in store this year? Click the button for the deets.*
Weather
- 32º | Partly cloudy | 5% chance of rain
Coming Soon
- The Pot Stirred, an “alcohol-free plant bar,” is preparing to open inside Carolina Hemp Company (290 Haywood Rd.). On offer? Mushroom coffees, herbal and CBD teas, house-made nut milks, and gourmet CBD donuts, courtesy of Stay Glazed Donuts & Cafe. Follow the biz on social media for updates. 🍩
Plan Ahead
- Mark your calendars. After a two-year hiatus, pottery home show + farm tour Flowers & Clay is returning Sat., July 23- Sun., July 24. The brainchild of ceramic artist Josh Copus and wife Emily of Carolina Flowers, the event offers folks a chance to simultaneously check out the flower farm and woodfire pottery complex. 💐
Outdoors
- Want to explore the Great Outdoors more in 2022? Great news: the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at US park sites on five days this year, starting with MLK Day, Mon., Jan. 17. See the rest of the dates + get deets here, and find NC’s National Parks here. 🏞️ (Southern Living)
History
- Wed., Jan. 5 marked a momentous day in NC history: on that date in 1921 — two months before the Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote — Black Mountain lawyer Lillian Exum Clement joined the NC House of Representatives. She was the first woman in the South to hold legislative office. 💪
Read
- A new book aims to demystify mountain vernacular and offer a comprehensive guide to the origins of terms + phrases rooted in a variety of Appalachian communities. The Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English boasts roughly 10,000 entries to showcase the region’s rich linguistic traditions. 📗 (WNC magazine)
Feel Good
- Chimney Rock State Park just got even cooler, thanks to the arrival of its newest animal ambassador: Oscar the blind opossum. Born without eyes, Oscar and his opossum pal Ossie appear in various animal programs. Wanna learn more about these critters? Check out our guide to NC’s official marsupial. ❤️
Trending
- Actress + animal lover Betty White’s recent death has spurred a new campaign: the Betty White challenge. The idea? Donate $5 to an animal org of your choice on what would have been her 100th birthday: Jan. 17. Need some help? See our guide to local shelters, rescues + sanctuaries here. 🐾
Health
- Not feeling well? Virtual visits are a great way to get easy, fast, and affordable care right from the comfort of your home. See Range Urgent Care’s virtual offerings.*
Featured Home
*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.
Rejoice, tender hearts. Wild Heart Farm & Sanctuary just rescued nine dogs — a 10 month-old mama and her eight three-day old puppies.
The Purebred Irish Water Spaniels are currently living in foster care and will be available for adoption through the sanctuary in about eight to 10 weeks Wanna help support this little canine family and the other critters in Wild Heart’s care? Find out how here.
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Editor's Pick: I don't know about y'all, but I haven't been as pumped for a new business as I am over The Pot Stirred in a hot minute. It not only sounds delicious, it sounds like a very Asheville venture, which I love.
Missed yesterday's newsletter? Don't forget to see what the stars have in store for Asheville in our local 2022 horoscope.
AVLtoday Team
Editorial: Brook, Laura, Sarah, Erin, Camille
Sales: Helen
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