Asheville Gallery of Art’s January show, “Mountain Inspirations” will feature works by three new gallery members: Jan Smith, Mandy Kjellstrom, and Raymond Byram. The show will run January 2-31 during gallery hours, 11am-6pm. An event to meet the artists will be held at the gallery on First Friday, January 7, from 5-8pm at 82 Patton Avenue.

Jan has been a professional artist for forty years, and her body of work has evolved over years of experimentation with different materials and techniques. Oil is her medium of choice, and she paints both from photographs and on location. Her style approaches a hybrid impressionistic/realism in her landscapes and traditional realism in her animals, people, and florals. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous gallery showings. Jan has lived both on the coast and in the mountains of the Carolinas so it comes as no surprise that she transforms the canvas with the familiar beauty of mountain and coastal scenes.

Mandy Kjellstrom commenced her study of art in 2002, and later entered the Fine Arts League of the Carolinas, a school devoted to classical realism. This began her training, with specific interests in the figure, landscapes, and still life, which she continues to study. She finds joy in painting the ordinary things of life in a way that captures their sacredness. Believing that God is present in all things, she considers herself a “co-creator” of the beauty that she experiences as she paints her natural surroundings “en plein air.” Mandy’s preferred medium is oil, in a classical realism style, and she is inspired by the world’s ever-present natural beauty.

Raymond Byram has been painting in oils since 1969. After receiving a Fine Arts degree with a minor in art history, he has devoted his life to his painting and printmaking. Although he has worked in a variety of genres and styles, landscapes in oil are his primary pursuits. Byram’s oils are almost exclusively done with palette knives, rather than brushes. Ray enjoys both an Impressionistic style of painting, as well as the beauty of the mountains and forests. Combined, they have molded his style into what he calls Tight Impressionism. Ray finds his inspiration in the eastern mountains and forests of North Carolina.

For further information about this show, please contact the Asheville Gallery of Art at (828) 251-5796, visit the gallery’s website at www.ashevillegallery-of-art.com, or go to the gallery’s Facebook page.

January 2nd to January 31, Daily from 11am to 6pm

It’s the Year of the Tree in North Carolina State Parks, and we are encouraging guests to celebrate trees all year long! Start off in the winter months while branches are bare and capture some unique tree shapes or the beauty of frosty evergreens. You may win a prize for your efforts!

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

1st Prize: The winning photo will be our Facebook cover photo for two weeks, and the photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park, two boat tour tickets from Lake Lure Tours, and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

2nd Prize: After the first place photo, the second place photo will be our Facebook cover photo for one week. The photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

3rd Prize: The third place photographer will receive two adult day passes (or one family pack of day passes) to Chimney Rock State Park and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

CONTEST RULES:

1. There is no fee to enter the contest. All photographs must be taken of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park only in areas accessible to guests between January 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022.
   The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers.
2. Up to three photos per person can be submitted via any of the following ways to be eligible to win:
   • Facebook: First, like the Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park page. Next, send us a private message including your contact information specified in rule #3.
   • E-mail: If you don’t have access to social media, you may email your digital photo with your contact information specified in rule #3 to [email protected].
3. Every entry should be clearly labeled with the photographer’s name, city & state, a brief photo caption, an email address and the best phone number to reach you.
4. Photos should be available at a minimum resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels (1 MB minimum) to be eligible to win. Photos taken via smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are welcome if they meet minimum requirements.
5. For entries showing human faces, you must list their name(s) and have written permission from any photographed person(s) to use their image.
6. Entries should reflect the photographer’s interpretation of the theme. Emphasis will be placed on quality, composition and creativity. All entries may be used in promotions of Chimney Rock and park-related activities.
7. Digital images can be optimized but not dramatically altered with photo editing software. Black and white photographs are welcome.
8. Finalists will be chosen by Chimney Rock staff and the winner will be voted on by the public. Decisions regarding winners are final.

Winners will be notified personally and announced on Chimney Rock’s social media. For more information, call 1-828-625-9611, ext. 1812 or email us at [email protected].

Learn how to properly prune ornamental trees and shrubs with Bullington’s John Murphy. Class fills up quickly.

Enjoy the warmth of our greenhouse while you create your own miniature garden in a glass jar with Mary Martin. All materials will be supplied.

Pre-registration required. FREE for the 2021-2022 school year
August 23, 2021-June 3, 2022 | Monday-Friday | 2:45-6pm
K-6th graders.
Does your child enjoy having fun and making new friends? Offering
arts, crafts, special events, homework assistance and more!
Families currently enrolled in the school system’s reduced or free
meal program, please contact your recreation center for discount
fee information.
Locations: Burton, Grant, Montford, Shiloh, Stephens-Lee

Montford Pre-Teen Afterschool Program
Pre-registration required. FREE for the 2021-2022 school year
August 23, 2021 – June 3, 2022 | Monday-Friday | 3:30-6pm
5th-6th graders.
New program designed to meet the needs of your pre-teen.
Providing time dedicated to school assignments, life skills, arts,
communication, leadership, fitness, nutrition, and loads of fun.
Location: Montford

Teen Leadership Program
Pre-registration required. FREE for the 2021-2022 school year
August 23, 2021-June 3, 2022 | Monday-Friday | 3:30-6pm
6th-9th graders.
Looking for a cool and enriching alternative for your Teen to attend
this school year? We offer creative activities, diverse projects,
field trips, and more.
Locations: Grant, Shiloh, Stephens-Lee

 CITY COUNCIL FORMAL MEETING
January 11, 2022 – 5:00 p.m.
AGENDA

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) this will be a remote meeting which the public can access by any of the following means found at https://publicinput.com/D0115

Maggie Burleson, City Clerk
828-259-5601

Contact Maggie Burleson to be added to the email distribution list to receive City Council agendas and City Council related notifications.

One of Asheville’s newest food trucks is coming to Down Dog! Hashi Hana will be joining us every Tuesday from 5-8. The rotating menu includes: scratch-made soba noodles, Okonomiyaki Mochi waffles, and tofu skewers.

Speaker(s): Aaron Wesley Means

Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce

Webinar info will be emailed after registration

Literacy Together (formerly Literacy Council of Buncombe County) has a determined group of students waiting for volunteer tutors so they can move forward on their goals for a better future. Tutor training is via distance learning, and all tutoring sessions are online. We have programs teaching English to immigrants; adult literacy for folks working on a GED; and youth literacy for kids struggling to learn to read.

Update on our work with the Afghan newcomers Asheville has so far received 17 adult Afghan newcomers through Operation Allies Welcome. The first eleven to arrive have been matched with Literacy Together tutors for one-on-one instruction and are also taking ESOL classes at AB Tech – for a total of 15 hours per week of English lessons. The next six have arrived in recent days and are scheduled for registration with both AB Tech and Literacy Together. We’ve been working very closely with staff from AB Tech and Catholic Charities, and along with Catholic Charities, we’ve experienced an outpouring of support from the community. If you’d like to offer the Afghan newcomers any kind of support other than tutoring, please contact Catholic Charities at [email protected]. We are so grateful for the ways people are stepping up to welcome our new neighbors! We also still have over 40 people from other countries who’ve been waiting for weeks or months for a tutor. To sign up to become a volunteer tutor click here.  Thank you, Asheville!

The ideal volunteer tutor is someone seeking to make a one-year commitment of two hours per week to help someone else make the change of a lifetime. For our volunteer tutors, an education background is helpful, but not necessary. The most important qualities are patience, an open mind, and resourcefulness. Tutors also need to be non-judgmental and sensitive to cultural differences. A GED or high school diploma is required. Ideal tutors enjoy seeing concrete outcomes from their efforts and sharing in the life-changing successes of others. See our full tutor position description here.

Learn more about Literacy Together’s volunteer roles!

The Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meetings take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at 200 College Street in room 326 in downtown Asheville. To view the agenda, previous meeting videos, or to view future meeting agendas – you can visit buncombecounty.org/commissioners. Click on the agenda item below to jump to that section of the meeting. Click “Read More” to connect to a news article about the agenda item.

Join Asheville Women in Tech online! Bring your favorite beverage and talk about tech or anything you want! Need help finding a job? Working on a project? Do you need help learning? Want to present to the group? Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, let’s chat!

It’s time again for EYLA to host our ever popular Game Night! We are proud and excited to have Hi-Wire Brewing RAD, in its newest location, to host our group.
Please bring your favorite games to share and your competitive spirit to make it a fun and exciting evening of game play.
Please be aware that this and all future Game Nights will be held at the River Arts District location. Please Venmo Norque Smith for fees or pay in person Cash to the host.

Classic movies at reasonable prices are only part of the experience. Decorations, introductory speakers, gala celebrations, and specialty beer make the films all the more entertaining for everyone.

TFAC Film Series Returns with classic movies you’ll want to see on the big screen!
2nd Tuesdays of the month starting October 12th
$7 Single Admission

North by Northwest                               January 11
Funny Girl                                               February 8
Raiders of the Lost Ark                           March 8
Jaws                                                        April 12
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid     May 10

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for fun and mingling. The film starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are accessible online for a single film or the entire Film Series, and concessions will be available.

Films will be shown in the Auditorium, allowing PLENTY of room for comfortably distanced seating.  Please see TFAC Covid policies by clicking the button below.

Join us every Tuesday night for Trivia!

Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!

No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for a good time and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!

Citizen Cope aka Clarence Greenwood is an American songwriter / producer. He has released seven studio LP’s that have garnered him a loyal following despite never being fully embraced by mainstream media and commercial radio. Describing his music is difficult, he’s been inspired by artists such as John Lennon and Stevie Wonder to Bob Marley and Outkast. Citizen Cope’s compositions have been recorded by Carlos Santana, Dido and Richie Havens. In 20 years of touring, he has built a devout following, performing at sold out theaters and ballrooms across the country. Over time, Cope’s music has become the soundtrack to the lives of those who have embraced it and he continues to inspire audiences through what can only be described as deep personal connection.

Boris Khaykin is a Brooklyn based comedian with a silent ‘K’ in his last name. He’s performed stand up on CollegeHumor Live, as a warm for The Opposition with Jordan Klepper,and was listed by TimeOutNY as one of Brooklyn Comedy Festival’s Biggest Stars. He’s been featured in Broad City webisodes, Amazon Prime’s Red Oaks, and is a regular guest on The Comedy Cellar’s Live From America Podcast. He’s a writer and director for political comedy channel We The Internet TV, where his work won a 2017 Webby Award and a 2018 Webby Award Honoree. He’s also written and performed with UCB Digital sketch teams and hosts Impro(VS)tandup every month at UCB East, The Breakdown with Boris Khaykin every month at The Red Room, and co-hosts the monthly traveling comedy show Undie-Party with Justin Perez and Corinne Fisher.

ages 21+ (must have ID with you)

A new partnership from Buncombe County and the City of Asheville aims to help reduce greenhouse gases and organic matter in the landfill by offering residents a place to drop off compostable matter. Starting Oct. 4, County residents can drop off food scraps and other compostable materials at the Buncombe County Landfill Convenience Center to be recycled into compost. The City of Asheville is operating a drop-off location at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center that also opens to the public on Oct. 4. Read more about that initiative here.

Organic waste in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By composting wasted food and other organics, methane emissions may be significantly reduced. For residents who are interested in composting but worry about bears or finding the space for backyard composting Buncombe County is proud to partner with the City of Asheville and Food Waste Solutions to open two compost drop-off locations for County residents.

In alignment with the Buncombe County Strategic Plan goals, the Landfill compost drop-off center is part of a pilot program designed to assess interest and engagement for food waste diversion and composting in Buncombe County.

How the compost drop-off works

• Collect compostable materials at home and make sure to remove all produce stickers, rubber bands, wrappers, ties, bags, and plastics.
• To collect materials use a compost pail, bucket, paper bags, or other certified compostable bag.
• At the landfill scalehouse let us know you would like to drop off your compostable materials and staff will direct you to the drop-off location.
• Empty food scraps and compostable waste into the cart on-site.
• Close and secure lid when finished.
• Do not overfill.

• Brittany Brady, President – Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, providing an update on economic development in Henderson County.

• Lew Holloway, Community Development Director – City of Hendersonville, providing an update from the City.

The City of Asheville’s 2022 Events Brochure is now available on Issuu.com.

The brochure is more than just a directory highlighting fun things to do. The festivals and events brochure is a tool to assist the community for vendor, exhibitor, marketing, and volunteer opportunities. Looking for tips on planning an event? The online version contains click-through links to the producing organization or event’s webpage for more details.

While the 2022 Outdoor Public Space Event brochure highlights many of the community’s larger, annual public events produced throughout the year, there are many more smaller, varied events as well. To view the full calendar of current permitted events, check out the City’s online calendar at ashevillenc.gov. For a peek at scheduled events still in planning, visit the special events page at ashevillenc.gov/specialevents to access a working calendar in real-time.

The beginning of the year is a great time  for Ashevillians of all ages to explore, connect, and discover with Asheville Parks & Recreation. Now is the time to take a look at winter and spring offerings in the new activity guide with registration dates, information, and listings for hundreds of fitness and active living classes, sports and clubs, arts and culture programs, out-of-school time activities, outdoor recreation, and more.

The latest winter-spring edition of Asheville Parks & Recreation’s activity guide can be found online or at community centers across the city. Community members may also download the new AVL Rec app for iPhone or search programs on AVLrec.com.

Winter-Spring Guide highlights

All opportunities and events are free to Asheville residents unless noted.

• Afterschool programs with homework assistance, games, arts projects, and more are divided into three age groups: kindergarteners through fifth-graders, fifth- and sixth graders, and sixth- to ninth-graders.
• Fitness center memberships at Stephens-Lee and Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Centers feature free weights, exercise machines, and cardio equipment.
• Celebrate Black history with events, including a soul food supper, pie baking contest, community cleanup on Burton Street, movies, and a pop-up Black history museum.
• Glow-in-the-dark basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, laser tag, and climbing.
• Adaptive and inclusive exercise classes, drop-ins, afterschool programs, tennis, and archery as part of the therapeutic recreation program. Noncompetitive basketball and baseball leagues teach the basics with an extra emphasis on fun for $40 per player.
• Festivals and special events include a Valentine’s Dad and Daughter Dance, Mardi Gras party for older adults, and Truck City 2022.
• The Asheville Fit 50 Challenge encourages all community members to stay active by walking, running, or rolling 50 miles on their own schedules between February 1-April 1. It’s a great way to prepare for events in the spring including Track 10K Challenge, Carrier Park Relay Race, and WNC Nature Center’s Running of the Goats 5K.
• Boyz 2 Men and All About Me are clubs for boys and girls, respectively, that meet monthly to take field trips, throw afterparties, host sleepovers, play games, volunteer, and more. Fee, if any, is based on activity.
• Learn something new, like healthy Latin eating (taught in English and español), basic vehicle care, painting, and more.
• Outdoor programs for all ages feature hikes, biking, paddling, archery, disc golf, and making lures for fly fishing.
• Check out weekly opportunities for retirees and older adults to line, tap, and folk dance; play games like canasta, Mexican Train dominoes, and billiards; and socialize through woodworking, sewing, and writing clubs. Low-cost clay sculpting and weaving classes are also a great way to socialize and hone a skill.
• Competitive and recreational sports include dodgeball, softball, baseball, flag football, and sand volleyball for all ages. Open gym times for pickleball, volleyball, and basketball are available throughout the week. Club sports include rugby, lawn bowling, ultimate, inline hockey, cycling, lacrosse, and disc golf. Prices vary.
• Events for dogs and their human companions include Smooch Your Pooch social media celebration at Azalea Dog Park, St. Waggy’s Day at Burton Street, and Southside Bark Park pop-up.
• Summer camp registration begins at 6 p.m. February 7. These spots go quick, so mark your calendar!

If you have additional questions about programs or the activity guide, please email [email protected] or call 828-259-5800. Keep an eye on our website, Facebook page, and Instagram feed for additional opportunities and the latest updates.

Some individual activities or events may be canceled or rescheduled due to inclement weather or COVID-19’s continued spread in the community. When programs that have a cost associated with them are canceled, customers receive a refund.

Stories from the House is a virtual tour of our 1840s-era brick mansion as seen through the eyes of many of the people who walked these same hallways over a century ago and whose stories represent a microcosm of the history of western North Carolina. In 1918 vs 2020, we take an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic. The South Asheville Cemetery was founded in the early 1800s as a burial ground for people who had been enslaved by the Smith family–the first family to live in what is currently known as the Smith-McDowell House, a c1840s brick mansion that is now our home.

Healthcare.gov is Open with Record-Low Premiums
New Savings Mean More People Qualify for Quality, Affordable Health Insurance

Free Help Is Available
Trained navigators are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.

Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigators Consortium.

Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.

PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton and Spruce Pine. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.