Is it time to give your winter wardrobe an upgrade? Do you have any winter clothing that you don’t want or need? Are some of your winter clothes too small or too big? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider donating your extra or unwanted winter clothing items to the Winter Clothing Drive hosted by Beaverdam Valley Neighborhood Association. Donations can be made up until December 18th and will go to the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.  Please drop off all items on the front porch at 42 Pinecroft Road, Asheville NC 28804.

Welcome back to the Asheville Science Tavern (in person)! For those of you who are regulars you will know that we have been hosting events online since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued such until recently. We will be meeting at our old haunt in the upstairs presentation room at White Labs Taproom in Asheville. As always we are supported through generous donations from our attendees, these donations go towards covering website costs and any event related costs.

Barry Markovsky is no stranger to the Science Tavern as he presented his work for us virtually back in September of 2021. We are thrilled to be hosting him again as he has begun work on a book exploring nuances of belief and science communication. We look forward to seeing you there and please enjoy a short description from the author.

Carl Sagan popularized the aphorism “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” But his skeptic’s credo hasn’t stemmed the sometimes dangerous tides of pseudoscience, paranormal beliefs, and conspiratorial claims.

One facet of the problem is a failure to communicate the awesomeness of science and critical thinking to a general audience. In hopes of filling this gap, I’m working on a book that tells true stories of everyday extraordinary experiences: A dear friend’s faith in astrology, a UFO sighting, a haunted workplace, a dream that foretells the future, and many more. In each case, the story draws on one of more sciences to make what’s likely going on “backstage” just as interesting as the unfounded pseudo-explanations. Some of it’s pretty funny, too.

My research and publications are in several areas of social psychology: group processes, human judgment and beliefs, social influence, and social networks. I taught and conducted research at the University of South Carolina (2001-2019), and the University of Iowa (1983-2001), and was Sociology Program Director at the National Science Foundation (1997-1999). I’ve lived in Asheville at least part time since 2006, and full time since retiring a couple of years ago.

The working title for the book mentioned above is Everyday Extraordinary: A Scientist Ponders a Lifetime of Magical, Bizarre, and Paranormal Experiences. The hour will include a short presentation, a reading from a book in progress, and an open discussion.

• We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.
• Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign (11/30 – 12/20): Whole Foods shoppers are invited to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. Whole Foods will also match a donation to MANNA when a customer buys a locally made product.

Is it time to give your winter wardrobe an upgrade? Do you have any winter clothing that you don’t want or need? Are some of your winter clothes too small or too big? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider donating your extra or unwanted winter clothing items to the Winter Clothing Drive hosted by Beaverdam Valley Neighborhood Association. Donations can be made up until December 18th and will go to the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.  Please drop off all items on the front porch at 42 Pinecroft Road, Asheville NC 28804.

• We are so grateful to all of our partners who are helping us during this critical time by providing various ways for people to get involved and help provide meals for neighbors this holiday season. Read through the list below to find out ways you can get involved.
• Whole Foods’ Round-Up Campaign (11/30 – 12/20): Whole Foods shoppers are invited to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. Whole Foods will also match a donation to MANNA when a customer buys a locally made product.

Join host Tena Frank for Malaprop’s Mystery Book Club! Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at Malaprop’s on the second Monday of every month at 7:00 pm.

Is it time to give your winter wardrobe an upgrade? Do you have any winter clothing that you don’t want or need? Are some of your winter clothes too small or too big? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider donating your extra or unwanted winter clothing items to the Winter Clothing Drive hosted by Beaverdam Valley Neighborhood Association. Donations can be made up until December 18th and will go to the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.  Please drop off all items on the front porch at 42 Pinecroft Road, Asheville NC 28804.

 

For the second consecutive year, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville (HCCA) and Grateful Bread will team up to host a Winter Coat Drive to benefit our local community. Guests, community members, and more are encouraged to bring their lightly used and recently cleaned jackets, coats, and related winter apparel to the HCCA Box Office during business hours (Tuesday-Friday, 10a-4p) or during active event times until December 22nd. Grateful Bread will also be hosting a special pop up coat drive event on December 10th in front of the venue for the Christmas Jam.

George Masa’s Wild Vision by Brent Martin The Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA) is pleased to announce Brent Martin’s George Masa’s Wild Vision: A Japanese Immigrant Imagines Western North Carolina as the 67th winner of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. The Award has been presented annually by the Western North Carolina Historical Association since 1955 for printed works that focus special attention on Western North Carolina. Of the work, Catherine Frank, Chair of the selection committee, said: “In ‘George Masa’s Wild Vision: A Japanese Immigrant Imagines Western North Carolina’ Brent Martin brings together Masa’s arresting images and his own reflections on walking in Masa’s footsteps to tell one of our region’s important stories in an innovative way. Masa played a pivotal role in the creation of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Appalachian Trail through photographs that allowed viewers to experience places they would never visit. Martin creates a portrait of a man and a region we now know a little better.” A prize of $2,500 accompanies the engraved Literary Award trophy. Both of which will be presented to the author at the event, which will be held this year in-person and via Zoom on Tuesday, December 13 at 5:00pm. Light refreshments will be served.

If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!

Outsiders are always given a choice: the Forest or the lake. Either way, they’re never heard from again.
Leelo has spent her entire life on Endla, coexisting with the bloodthirsty Forest and respecting the poisonous lake that protects her island from outsiders who seek to destroy it. But as much as Leelo cares for her community, she struggles to accept that her younger brother will be exiled by his next birthday, unless he gains the magic of enchanted song so vital to Endla.
When Leelo sees a young outsider on the verge of drowning in the lake, she knows exactly what she’s supposed to do. But in a moment that will change everything, Leelo betrays her family, her best friend, and Endla by making an unthinkable choice.
Discovery could lead to devastating consequences for both Leelo and the outsider, Jaren, but as they grow closer, Leelo realizes that not all danger comes from beyond the lake–and they can only survive if Leelo is willing to question the very fabric of her society, her people, and herself.

Mara Rutherford began her writing career as a journalist but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Originally from California, Mara has since lived all over the world along with her Marine-turned-diplomat husband. A triplet born on Leap Day, Mara holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from the University of London.

Kristin Dwyer is the author of SOME MISTAKES WERE MADE. She grew up under the California sun and still prays every day for a cloudy sky. When she’s not writing books about people kissing Kristin works as a part-time hair model but is full-time TSA PRECHECK. One time a credible news outlet asked for her opinion on K-pop (it was the best day of her life). Please do not talk to her about your fandom, she will try to join.

Isabel Ibañez is the author of Woven in Moonlight, Together We Burn, and Written in Starlight, a finalist for the William C. Morris Award, and is listed among Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time. She was born in Boca Raton, Florida, and is the proud daughter of two Bolivian immigrants. Isabel has a profound appreciation for history and traveling and loves hosting family and friends around the dinner table. She currently lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, their adorable dog, and a serious collection of books. Say hi on social media!

Rebecca Ross writes fantasy novels for teens and adults. She lives in the Appalachian foothills of Northeast Georgia with her husband, their lively Australian Shepherd, and an endless pile of books. THE QUEEN’S RISING duology, SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG, and DREAMS LIE BENEATH are her titles for teen readers. A RIVER ENCHANTED and A FIRE ENDLESS are her bestselling novels for adults. When not writing, she can be found reading or in her garden, where she grows wildflowers and story ideas.