Gardening advice is easy to find on the web, but much of the information is inaccurate, inappropriate for your area, and may do more harm than good! The links on this page are excellent sources for research-based gardening information. Click here for a few tips to finding useful gardening information for Western North Carolina: Web Research Tips for WNC
Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Friday, August
7, 2020
Lincoln Center Presents Carousel
North Carolina COVID-19 Resources for Renters Facing Eviction
Notice of Public Comment Period: Hellbender Regional Trail Plan
On line Gardening Resources Buncombe County Extension
Play Music Games From PBS Kids
Shop + Dine Henderson County
Stay Active with Your Library Card
Teacher Survey with Asheville Art Museum
The Dancing Pitcher w/ Sarah Wells Rolland: 2 Hr. Video Demonstration Workshop
UNC Weight Research Program: Free 8-week program Health-E From Home
Vessels of Hope Fundraiser Chapter Two
Virtual Tour Asheville Art Museum
YMCA offers flexible, affordable childcare options for school reopening
Your Voice Matters: Advocate for those experiencing poverty
YWCA 21 Day Racial Equity, and Social Justice Challenge
Tour d’Apple 2020
Grandfather Mountain
Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks
A Virtual Summer Camp Experience – Rising 1st-2nd Grade
A Virtual Summer Camp Experience – Rising 6th-9th Grade
Virtual Summer Camp Passport Program: Rising 3rd-5th Grade
Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens
ODYSSEY CLAYWORKS 2020–Kids Clay Camp — Fun, Colorful Clay — Ages 5 – 8
Library Computer Appointments Available
Summer Art Camp To Go! Mixed-Up and Messy (grades K–2)
Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Storytimes Online with Buncombe Librarians
Asheville Outlets Hosts American Red Cross Blood Donation Drives – All Blood Donations Tested for COVID-19 Antibody
Fused Silver Earrings
ODYSSEY CLAYWORKS 2020–Kids Clay Camp — Young Potter’s Wheel Camp — Ages 8 – 12
Don’t miss this performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, streaming now on YouTube.
From NCDHHS
If you are a renter in North Carolina facing eviction due to COVID-19 economic impacts, there may be resources available to you.
Rental and Utility Assistance
If you were unable to pay your rent and/or utilities due to COVID-19 or its economic impacts, you may qualify for assistance. Call NC 2-1-1 to learn of resources in your community for emergency needs, including rental and utility assistance.
The French Broad River MPO has been working with local governments and community stakeholders in the region over the last year to develop a plan for a regional trail network, the Hellbender Regional trail. This plan connects the various bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway plans developed locally in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties to illustrate existing and planned trails that may someday connect to form a regional network for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
Unlike highway and roads, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the various local governments in our region so the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan does not intend to usurp local brands or mandate designs, but intends to make the various sections of planned and existing networks greater than the sum of its parts through increased coordination and partnerships. This plan focuses on regional connections, but does not deprioritize more locally-focused infrastructure. It is primarily focused on multi-use paths (paved trails, greenways, rail-to-trails, sidepaths, etc.) but may include some sections with on-street and other connections where constraints may require exceptions to a typical off-road path. This is also a long-range plan. At more than 150 miles, the full build-out of this network would reflect a nearly ten-fold increase in the miles of multi-use paths in the region- a task that will likely take a considerable amount of time at current funding levels. At this point, organizers are inviting the public to comment on the Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan that reflects the work of the work group and stakeholders as well as the countless hours put into developing the local plans in our region on which the Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is based.
The Draft Hellbender Regional Trail Plan is available on the MPO’s website and comments bay be sent in by Friday, August 21st via the google doc form available on the website or by emailing [email protected].
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Resources
Enjoy free online games featuring music and dance with fun characters from PBS Kids.
What is Shop & Dine HC?
Shop & Dine HC is a collaborative movement designed to remind the public of the benefits and importance of spending their dollars with our local businesses. Local businesses lay the framework for a strong community and we want Henderson County to shop local, spend local, save local.
Why does shopping locally matter?
When you shop locally:
- $0.02 of every $1 stays in the community through the Sales Tax. These dollars support county and municipal budgets for schools, law enforcement, infrastructure, and more.
- you help create and retain jobs for existing businesses as they succeed and grow, and create a successful business community that attracts other businesses and entrepreneurs.
- those same businesses you are supporting will give back to our community through donations to non-profits, civic clubs, youth programs, and more.
Simply put – our local businesses make our community better.
Want to get involved?
Be part of the conversation!
Join the Shop & Dine Facebook Group
Shop to Win!
When shopping in Henderson County:
- take a selfie, post it to Facebook or Instagram
- use the #ShopandDineHC
- tag the Chamber @hendersoncochamber and business visited
- be entered to win bi-monthly contests.
Contests begin July 1, 2020.
You don’t need to give up your fitness or workout routine just because COVID-19 has you spending more time at home. If you’ve got a library card and access to WiFi, it’s easy to stay active with digital resources. (If you need a new library card or renewal, call Ask a Librarian at (828) 250-4700 or follow these steps.)
North Carolina Digital Library
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| Calling all teachers! If you teach in a public, private, charter school, home school, or learning pod, we want to hear from you. As we transition in-person group programs to the virtual realm, we need your feedback to create a model that will work for you and other teachers for the upcoming school year. We’re giving away a FREE Virtual Visit to one of the first 25 teachers to fill out the survey! |
This form has been a signature piece in Sarah’s body of work for years. The award winning Dancing Pitcher celebrates gracefulness, soft lines, and movement. The process making this unique form is inspiring and challenging.
This workshop is designed to push our limits as potters and push the limits of clay. We will cover many techniques. The goal is to stretch our thinking when making and designing pots. Creating designs where the flow of line and space are key. The making of this sectional graceful pot is perfect for discussion about design and training our eye to see.
We will cover:
- Throwing w/excellence
- Throwing in Sections
- Throwing with larger volumes of clay
- Darting
- Fluid Handles
- Pulling a large handle off the pot
- How to glaze this 24″ tall form and not ruin it
- Art that functions and why it matters
I will have several Pitchers in the different stages so we can all see this pot made to completion in the set 2 hours.
Hang on to you potters stool because you are in for a beautiful ride!
The video workshop is available for 30 days after purchase.
Health-e from Home is a free 8-week program designed to help you make a few small changes to your everyday health habits – and it can be done at home, or anywhere. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are evaluating the acceptability and usage of this free online program that is designed to help people who are spending more time at home due to COVID-19 build healthier habits. Those who join the study will receive access to weekly lessons and tailored feedback from the study team that will encourage small changes to their eating, small increases in activity, and simple activities to promote well-being. Participants will complete a brief, 20-minute survey at the beginning and end of the program, as well as weekly check-in questions to help the study team provide personalized feedback to help individuals meet their health goals. Those who are interested in focusing on maintaining or losing weight will also be invited to a private Facebook group to join other study members working to meet weight goals during the study. To learn more and find out if you are eligible to participate, please visit http://healthefromhome.org.
“As we continue to press into Hope, we continue to hear from supporters, and the message is loud and clear – they also feel the Hope connected to our mission, and want to keep supporting us.” Discovering new ways to sustain The Village Potters Clay Center during this season is the primary job now for the resident potters at TVPCC. As Sarah continues to apply for loans and grants, other potters are choosing hope each day by taking the torch from her to carry on the mission with a second “chapter” of Vessels of Hope.
The Village Potters are Sarah Wells Rolland, George Rolland, Judi Harwood, Lori Theriault, Julia Mann, Christine Henry, and Tori Motyl. They comprise an intentional Collective of potters who share a commitment to nurture creative exploration through education, experience, and community. The Village Potters includes a fine craft gallery, a Teaching Center offering ongoing classes in wheel and hand building for adults, an Advanced Ceramic Studies Program, and online demonstration and workshops. The Village Potters Clay Center is an educational member of The Craft Guild of the Southern Highlands, and is an official distributor for Laguna Clays.
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As the state’s largest provider of licensed school-age childcare, the YMCA of Western North Carolina is enhancing its childcare programs to meet the needs of working parents as area schools reopen under Plan B and Plan C.
The Y is working with its school partners to create a flexible program that can accommodate changes to school plans and offer consistent care that meets children’s social, emotional, and academic needs for the 2020-2021 school year.
Starting Aug. 17, the Y will offer childcare options for the state’s Plan B (in-person and remote) and Plan C (fully remote). As always, the programs are affordable and accessible to all.
The Y’s childcare programs vary by school system and are subject to change. Here’s an overview:
- Asheville City Schools
As of July 23, ACS plans to reopen in Plan C for all grades for the first nine weeks of school. During this time, the Y will operate “School’s Out” care at the YMCA Youth Services Center for ACS students in K-5. - Buncombe County Schools
As of July 28, BCS will implement an enhanced version of Plan B. After one week in Plan B for onboarding and orientation, all K-8 students will switch to Plan C until Sept. 28. During Plan B weeks, the Y will offer onsite afterschool programs as well as full-day care at the YMCA Youth Services Center at Beaverdam and the Reuter Family YMCA. During Plan C the Y will operate “School’s Out” locations in the Roberson, Reynolds, Enka, and North Buncombe districts. - Henderson County Public Schools
As of July 20, HCPS will reopen in Plan C for all grades for the first six weeks of the school year. Under Plan C, the Y will offer full-day care at the UNC Asheville Kellogg Center. When HCPS moves to Plan B, the Y will offer afterschool and full-day care at the Kellogg Center. -
Hours of operations will vary by school system, and will adjust to meet local school day requirements. The Y will provide afterschool care during Plan B weeks. During Plan B and Plan C weeks, the Y will also offer full-day care.Families can sign up for afterschool care, full-day care, or both. In Buncombe and Henderson, afterschool is $95/week per child and full-day care is $200.
- Community donations fund scholarships, which are available for each program on a sliding scale.
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Unlike so many canceled events, the Tour d’Apple will take off on Labor Day, September 7, 2020 with rolling starts beginning at 7:00am until 10am from Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, NC! Tour d’Apple invites up to 350 cyclists to ride from 25-100 miles one of four scenic routes around the apple orchards and beautiful mountains of Henderson County, NC.
New for 2020
To help with social distancing, this year the ride has been limited to 350 participants.
All staff/volunteers will be required to wear a face covering during the event. These will be provided to volunteers if necessary. Participants must wear a face covering (the free TDA buff meets this requirement) until the event starts, at all rest stops, and after they finish the event.
Participants will not be permitted to form in groups. They must maintain 6 foot distancing while in the start/finish area, in the event hub, and at all rest stops.
Custom Tour d’Apple buffs will be given to all 350 participants to register. The deadline to register and receive a free buff is August 15th.
An optional Virtual event experience is being offered so riders can participate in this cycling event from anywhere. Ride from your home, the park, or anywhere else you choose and submit your results online.
New Packet Pick-up Procedures: The packet, numbered bib and swag for this event can be shipped before the ride for $10, an option that is available when you register. Deadline to have packets mailed is August 15th. For those who do not want their packets mailed, there is a Drive-thru Packet Pick-up the day prior to the event (September 6th) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Blue Ridge Community College Parking lot. To encourage social distancing, there will be no packet pickup or registration on the morning of the ride.
Look for updates on the Tour d’Apple website http://tourdapple.com/ for updates and changes as Labor Day approaches. We have also published a Blog Post on what we are doing to adhere to the NC guidelines.
Free Ride T-shirt
Those cyclists who register by August 14th will receive a free Tour d’Apple t-shirt if registered prior to August 14th at midnight. After that, shirts will be available on a limited basis for an additional $10.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)
Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!
The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!
A Virtual Summer Camp Experience – Rising 1st-2nd Grade – CO20032201
A virtual camp experience for socializing and fun for your rising 1st-2nd grader. Each day staff lead activities, crafts, and virtual field trips. Multiple sessions offered at different times throughout the day for an easy going virtual camp. Parents should enroll their children for ALL weeks they wish to attend.
A Virtual Summer Camp Experience – Rising 6th-9th Grade –
A virtual camp experience for socializing and fun for your rising 6th-9th grader. Each day staff lead activities, crafts, and virtual field trips. Multiple sessions offered at different times throughout the day for an easy going virtual camp. Parents should enroll their children for ALL weeks they wish to attend. Call 828-450-4896 for more information.
Summer Camp Passport Program: A Virtual Experience – Rising 3rd-5th Grade
A virtual camp experience for socializing and fun for your rising 3rd-5th grader. Each day staff lead activities, crafts, and virtual field trips. Multiple sessions offered at different times throughout the day for an easy going virtual camp. Parents should enroll their children for ALL weeks they wish to attend. Call 828-450-4896 for more information.
The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
Instructor: Kristen Easters
In this camp, designed for the youngest age group, we’ll create beautiful and functional pottery forms on and off the potter’s wheel. We’ll decorate our masterpieces using colors we love and fire them so that you can
Tuition: $225
$25 discount for siblings enrolled in the same class
Use promo code “claycamp25”
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Explore the messy side of art! Students experiment with painting, printmaking, and much more. Students explore different artists from the Museum’s Collection and how they use their messy styles to create art and inspire the world around us.
(additional charge for shipping)
“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!
Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.
Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase.
GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made.
Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant serving GSMR’s freshly cooked pulled pork barbeque rubbed with Cajun spices then slow-roasted to perfection served with southern sweet cornbread muffin with honey butter, coleslaw, and cinnamon apples then finish with a delicious piece of Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake. Riders will also receive their very own Carolina Shine mason drinking jar, refillable with soda beverages and tea throughout the day, and a souvenir GSMR tote bag (1 per couple/party).
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Join us a for a fun, socially distanced story time! A brand new story time video will be posted every day. Keep checking back! |
As the need for blood donations continues, Asheville Outlets will host two blood donation drives in partnership with the American Red Cross on Fridays, August 7 and 21, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. next to Famous Footwear. The American Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet, and plasma donations for the COVID-19 antibody. Red Cross donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within 7 to 10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or on the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. Donors are asked to register in advance, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/give and entering the sponsor code Ashevilleoutlets. The American Red Cross will establish additional safety guidelines to ensure all donors are socially distanced.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the coronavirus (COVID-19) does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.
Join me in the studio as we use hammers, saws, files and fire to transform silver wire into a beautiful pair of silver drop earrings. Class price includes all materials.
Instructor: Amy Briggs
Ready? Set? Throw! Let’s explore what clay can do! We’ll use the potter’s wheel to make cereal bowls, candlesticks, storage jars and more. Join Amy as she shows you how to spin some amazing creations in the studio!
Tuition: $225
$25 discount for siblings enrolled in the same class
Use promo code “claycamp25”