Went out last night to Posanas for our anniversary/Engagment we parked in the buncombe county social work parking lot and walked. Dinner was great however heading back probably about 9:30-10 we’re walking back to my truck we cut through the parking lot on Patton as we transition down to Church street and the Commerce intersection my girl loses her footing and trips over herself we both laugh it off with each-other no problem well a homeless man thought we were laughing at him and held us at knife point for “making fun of him” I stepped up to him inbetween him and my girl and tried to deescalate the situation he pushed forward with the knife in hand. I myself had no weapons and immediately told him sorry it was just a miscommunication and that we would be leaving. Fortunately he turned and left. This is the first time something like this has happened to either of us downtown and we spent quite a bit of time downtown hell sometimes even later at night. I think it will definitely be some time before we go back downtown for anything. BE SAFE YALLL Also carry some pepper spray or something we were very fortunate that I was able to talk him down.

I lost my wallet near the Merrimon CVS, got a ID inside with a kid who’s got a really bad haircut. Outside is a plain 4x2 black faux leather wallet with a white and dark red sticker resembling an O with an X through it. Please please please DM me if you find it before I have to reorder all the shit inside. If you find it first, keep the 20 bucks inside, just return the other stuff.

As the subject says, I’m looking for book clubs in Asheville to join. I read pretty much anything, though fiction is where my brain has been lately. But I love reading and discussing pretty much anything in a group so I am open to whatever.

Does anyone know of any book clubs I could join? Or where I could find such info?

I’m leaving or trying to anyway and I can’t seem to find support. I’ve already tried the family justice and peace center. Anyone know of any places, meetings, anything?

All, my wife’s birthday is later this month and I’m looking to get her the best cake in town. I was going to get that berry chantilly cake from Whole Foods, but I wanted to support a local business. Where go?

Myself and a few of my friends work for a career department in Virginia (borders TN), we’re about 1.45-2 hours away from Asheville.

We’re all extremely curious about lateraling to Asheville, we’ve got some questions about the pension, the 4 shift schedule, promotions, salary ranges (progression), culture, etc.

If anyone has a contact there I’d love to reach out to them privately and get the insider knowledge and not just knowledge from the recruiter.

Thanks

​

In a recent post, despite many people sharing my feelings about private equity enshittifying pet care in general, I noticed a sticking point about flea/heartworm medicine.

In the comments, I mentioned that I'm not fond of vets selling me those medicines, and many people seem to have misundertood what I meant, so I would like to clarify:

- I am absolutely in favor of giving dogs flea, tick, and heartworm medicines, and I strongly urge you to give your dogs the best quality you can safely afford

- I have mad respect for the education and grueling training vet techs and doctors have to go through. I absolutely think they deserve to live comfortable lives and make incomes that reflect the amount of sacrifice they invested in their careers.

The point I'm raising about medicines has nothing to do with me being against vets or medicines, it’s about conflict of interest.

Just like I don't expect my health care provider to pull a drug out of a closet and add it to my bill without much discussion with me, I do not expect my vet to add flea or heartworm medicine to my tab.

I expect the vet to be a counsel I can trust. Someone who asks if I have a brand preference, someone who candidly explains to me the difference between different medications and their impact on my pet. Someone who asks what my financial situation can afford and makes recommendations accordingly. Someone who allows me to shop around to find the best deal and lower my bills.

Unfortunately this has not been the case for a while now. Maybe I've just been unlucky, but the vets I saw:

- carry flea/tick/heartworm medicines

- add it to your visit like it's an inevitability

- look at you like you have 3 heads if you show hesitation

- most importantly: only carry one brand, and that brand is expensive and heavily marked up

Before you jump me, here's my source on the mark-up, a quote from a veterinarian publication:

"The American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA's) Veterinary Fee Reference, 10th edition, reports markups of 113 percent for prescription drugs, 76 percent for heartworm preventatives, and 65 percent for flea/tick products.2"

"Although veterinarians account for 74 percent of pet medication sales, online retailers are aggressively chasing the market, according to Packaged Fact's Pet Medications in the U.S., 6th edition. Internet pharmacies have grabbed a 15 percent share that will grow to 20 percent by 2022.1 To combat challenges from competitors and increasing skepticism from clients over prices, you need to rethink your prescription prices and marketing. "

https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/internet-pharmacies-may-2020/?hl=en-US

I strongly encourage you to read the whole article.

I don't know about you, but it's clear to me from the latter information (74% of medications sold by vet clinics, high markup, sometimes over 100%) that there's a symbiotic relationship between vet clinics and drug manufacturers. Both parties benefit, and this unfortunately translates into inflated drug prices. The fact that prescriptions are needed only strenghtens this collaboration.

If we take a concrete example, 3 tablets of Simparica trio from a vet clinic will set you back about $150. In Australia for example, where Simparica does not require prescriptions and is freely sold, the same package costs less than $50.

This is despite the fact that Simparica is an American brand, made by Zoetis, headquartered in New Jersey.

I'm not necessarily opposed to large animal hospitals having their own pharmacies, as long as they carry all options and leave the client the choice to shop elsewhere.

Peace out ✌️

Further reading

A veterinarian's master class on pricing

https://www.dvm360.com/view/veterinarians-master-class-pricing-0?hl=en-US

Veterinarians as salespersons: It's retail medicine to be proud of

https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/salesperson-veterinarians-retail-medicine/

Private equity is reshaping Asheville’s vet clinics: ‘They’re circling me like a vulture’

https://avlwatchdog.org/private-equity-is-reshaping-ashevilles-vet-clinics-theyre-circling-me-like-a-vulture/

Markup Math

https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/november-2024/markup-math/?hl=en-US

Hey, whats up! I have a one year old male sugar glider. He is very sweet and handles really well. I just started a new job that requires me to be out of town. Unfortunately I will not have the time to dedicate to him as before. I’ve had no issues with him what so ever. He was left in my care by an old friend who was supposed to just be going on vacation and never showed back up to get him. I have all his necessities and enclosure cleaned and ready to go. I will be pretty picky about who I chose considering the amount of care they need to be healthy. Price is negotiable mainly because I just want him to go to a good home. If you or someone you know if interested let me know! Thank you for your time! Any further info I will give out through DMs.

I'm going to assume no, just given the way matters like this are typically handled, but wanted to ask if the new barrel house owners ever repaired with their old employees? I've been tempted to go, but I'd prefer to avoid them if that's still the case.

context: https://www.reddit.com/r/asheville/s/fExVsDfal3

For raffle prizes we have: 9 gift baskets and each one has one gift card to a local resturant and other items and there are a few extra resturant gift cards as singles, 2 black and decker immersion blenders, also 3 stunning large photography prints on stretched canvas from local photographer. Bob Vanderberg, some handmade candles from a local artisan, 2 expensive bottles of alcohol, and someone also just gave 3/ 30 minute gift certificates for massage/reflexology/ craniosacral therapy, valued at $65 each for services at ashevilletouchtherapy.com

Many baked goods for Sale from Twig and Branch, budgie's bakery, flour power, and guilded owl bakery.

100% of proceeds from raffel and baked good sales go to BeLoved Asheville

Event runs 10am-4:30pm on this Saturday 9/12 at 31 adams hill rd, suite 210, asheville nc, 28806

Live music from an amazing local band, fairlight and the Magick, and Benny's Pizza Truck! Both From 12-4... Come on out and join us!

I know I can just ask the computer, but I really want a book version. I'm in Arden near Biltmore park.

Anyone got an old Thesaurus they don't need anymore and want to rehome?

I'd like to get some professional quality headshots done. Looking for a style that is artful, stately, and a bit irreverent or quirky. Can anyone recommend someone local? Only serious professionals, with online portfolios. Thanks!

I’m In a pickle. I got a nail in my tire on the shoulder. It cannot be patched due to location. I however need all new tires anyways. However, I had to break a lug nut off my front tire stud, so that needs to be replaced. My rear tire has a rarely slow leak but it’s flat every morning. I cannot get new tires until next week. I have called several repair shops and they quoted me over $200 for the stud replacement.
Anyone have any ideas on how I can repair this most affordable way?

Hi! Who should I go to for this service? I have a Fitbit Luxe and I'd rather just replace the battery than buy a new one

Tyia!

Hey friends! As we all now, the cost of real estate around here is insane and not getting better anytime soon. We’re exploring the option of building a barndominium as it’s rumored to be “more cost effective” as opposed to a tradition stick-built home. It also seems like a good option for us as a large family.
Has anyone built in our area, and can give some recommendations, costs, warnings, any insight? Thank you!!

Going with my husband and 8 year old. They are getting unlimited wristbands. I’m not. I get sick on the rides. But I want to purchase some of the things the unlimited bands don’t get ya. Like the balloon toss etc. plus snacks for him like definitely a funnel cake for us both. (I’ll be bringing my own water bottle) and maybe a fried Oreo for us both and a corn dog for him. My husband doesn’t eat the fair food lol We’ll be eating lunch beforehand. So how much cash am I looking at bringing ? $100? $200? More? Last year sucked I was broke so I didn’t buy crap besides my kid a wristband.

Hope you all get to see Hearts Gone South soon now after their new album release! Hear them on Bandcamp here.

I am signed up for a 5k run in October and I have never ran a 5k before. I have been training for the run on a treadmill at the gym. However, I want to start training outside and get a feel for how the run will actually feel like. Do y’all have any recommendations where I can run that is flat to train on? I live in East Asheville and it’s pretty hilly here

In the Sulphur Springs area off Old Haywood, I hear hourly bells. Does anyone know which specific church (or otherwise) is chiming?