Calendar of Events

Local author Misha Lazzara, known for her novel Manmade Constellations, is offering a free writing workshop for teens and adults titled “Write Your Values.” The workshop is scheduled for August 19th at 3pm at Firestorm Books in Asheville, NC.

In this practical workshop, participants will explore their personal values and learn how to incorporate them into their writing. From spiritual beliefs to environmental concerns, attendees will discover how to infuse their stories with deeper meaning. The workshop is designed for writers of all levels who seek to add depth and significance to their work. Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating their beliefs and passions into their writing, enhancing their storytelling abilities.

This workshop is offered as a part of Misha Lazzara’s current book tour surrounding the paperback launch of Manmade Constellations. This debut novel is a modern-day love story that explores childhood trauma, the boundaries between idealism and self-righteousness, and the heartaches we must confront in order to chart our courses forward. Published by Blackstone Publishing, the novel was originally released on August 9, 2022, and will be launched in paperback on August 10, 2023.

Four women navigating middle age are thrown off course with their own personal challenges.  Join them on their journey in this funny, poignant story about aging and friendship.  Fourteen original songs will have you tapping your feet, laughing out loud and even shedding a tear. (Mature themes, not suitable for children.)

A musical by local playwright Marcy Gallagher.

Music by local singer/songwriter Sarah Kohrs.

Eitan Levine is a New York based writer and comedian/human theme park. He’s also written for the New York Times, New York Magainze (The Cut), Amazon, Sony/Embassy Row, Reader’s Digest and has worked on creative projects with companies like Nike, Red Bull, JEEP, Audible, Tru TV and others. His work has been featured on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE, Late Night With Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, Extra and More. He has previously been staffed as a journalist/producer/on-air talent at Elite Daily, Cheddar, Mashable and several other publications. In 2017, Eitan was hired as a writer for “Hollywood Says,” China’s only celebrity talk show filming in the U.S.. During his time at Cheddar, his series “Money Menu” and “Business of Going Viral” were the highest-rated shows on the channel. His work has been covered by the New York Post, Daily Beast, Jerusalem Post, Algemeiner, BroBible, Time Out New York, New York Magazine, several Taylor Swift message boards, Glen Beck once for some reason and others. Through articles, videos, a documentary series and live broadcasts his work has been seen by billions of people across the globe.

In 2022, Eitan was tapped to Co-Host a show on Amazon’s new Sports Talk network. It’s called “Game Breakers” and is LIVE everyday from 2-4pm

In 2020, with comedy clubs shut down, Eitan started an outdoor show in Central Park with comedian Drexton Clemons. The show became a local hit and was picked up by Sony / Embassy Row (Watch What Happens LIVE!) to be turned into a podcast with video called NYC Is Dead.

In 2022, Eitan went viral with his Jewish Man On The Street videos— especially a series called “Jewish Or Antisemitic”. To date, the video series has over 21 Million views and 3.5 Million likes.

Other credits include writing for the Emmy awarding winning sports segment “5 For Fischler,” being one of 30 finalists in the running to live in the MLB FanCave 2013 and posing for a picture featured in The New York Times while holding a sign that said “PALIN! CALL ME” with his cell phone number underneath. He’s also been featured as a performer at Asheville Comedy Festival, Milwaukee Comedy Fest, Motor City Comedy Fest, Baltimore Comedy Festival, the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Comedy Mob Fest, New York Comedy Festival, Stand Up NY, Cleveland Comedy Fest (BEST OF FEST AND WINNER OF THE NATE COCKERILL PERFORMANCE AWARD), Cola Con, North Carolina Comedy Festival, Greenwich Village Comedy Club, Carolines, Broadway Comedy Club and others around New York city and across the country. On top of that, Eitan has performed at numerous synagogues, JCCs, cultural centers, colleges and corporate functions.

None of his favorite sports teams have won a championship since 1994.

He also once threw a 5 day comedy festival in his apartment called “Apartment Fest.” It had 6 sponsors, which is crazy.

ages 18+

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Four women navigating middle age are thrown off course with their own personal challenges.  Join them on their journey in this funny, poignant story about aging and friendship.  Fourteen original songs will have you tapping your feet, laughing out loud and even shedding a tear. (Mature themes, not suitable for children.)

A musical by local playwright Marcy Gallagher.

Music by local singer/songwriter Sarah Kohrs.

The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for three or more years and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy.

This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of:

• Scale

• Market access

• Land access

• Risk management

• Understanding cash flow

• Enterprise innovation

Farm Beginnings® is training the next generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more.

Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. We support individuals in clarifying their goals and strengths, developing agricultural skills, and growing profitable, equitable, and ecologically sound farm businesses.

Guided by our commitment to social justice, our programming is led by farmers and mentors active in food, farming, or social justice. By empowering people with skills, knowledge, and access to resources, together we can build a more diverse, equitable food system that enriches the environment and creates a thriving food and farming community.

We use a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentoring, and an extensive farmer network. The topics of equity and justice in the food systems are woven into the curriculum, including examples of realistic approaches within the scope of your business models.

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

• Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

• Sessions taught by regional, experienced Farmers

• One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network Membership

• Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

• Access to Field Days with regional partners

• Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

• Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

• 15 hr mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for three or more years and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business’s scale, viability, and long-term direction while making connections that deepen peer-to-peer support.

Limited spots are available for the full program, and those who want to be eligible for our Savings Incentive Program and the professional development funds must commit to participating in all aspects of the program.

Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy.

This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of:

• Scale

• Market access

• Land access

• Risk management

• Understanding cash flow

• Enterprise innovation

Farm Beginnings® is training the next generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more.

Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. We support individuals in clarifying their goals and strengths, developing agricultural skills, and growing profitable, equitable, and ecologically sound farm businesses.

Guided by our commitment to social justice, our programming is led by farmers and mentors active in food, farming, or social justice. By empowering people with skills, knowledge, and access to resources, together we can build a more diverse, equitable food system that enriches the environment and creates a thriving food and farming community.

We use a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentoring, and an extensive farmer network. The topics of equity and justice in the food systems are woven into the curriculum, including examples of realistic approaches within the scope of your business models.

The 200+ hr, year-long program consists of:

• Training on holistic management, farm business, marketing & financial planning

• Sessions taught by regional, experienced Farmers

• One-year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network Membership

• Completing and presenting an individualized farm plan

• Access to Field Days with regional partners

• Entry to ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

• Entry to OGS’s Spring Conference

• 15 hr mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor

View a sample of the full course schedule here.

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)