Calendar of Events

With the convenience of being open year-round, 7 days a week, the WNC Farmers Market offers a selection of farm-fresh produce at the lowest prices in Western N.C. Our popular retail buildings, providing a selection of non-perishables, fruits, vegetables, crafts and more, are open daily.

March is Red Cross Month, and for more than 130 years, heroic American Red Cross volunteers have provided hope and urgent relief to families in communities across the country.
This March the community is invited to join in the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross and be
someone’s hero by rolling up a sleeve to give blood.
According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds to respond to
patient emergencies. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients,
and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all require blood.
All blood types are needed.
Be a hero in your community by rolling up a sleeve….

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor
App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood
Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Completion of a RapidPass® online health history
questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the
instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. A blood donor card
or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who
are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh
at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High
school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height
and weight requirements.

 Blue Ridge Honor Flight has teamed up with AdventHealth Hendersonville to administer vaccinations to veterans who have not yet received a shot. 

We will not be doing a drive-thru event. They will be greeted in the parking lot/front portico and directed through the process to receive the shots inside the clinic.

People have a new opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2021 on HealthCare.gov, but only for a limited time. This new COVID-19 Special Enrollment period starts on February 15, 2021 and ends on May 15, 2021. Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), and its enrollment partners of WNC, are once again offering free assistance helping people in the 18-county mountain region review their options and sign up for ACA health insurance.

With job losses continuing to mount amid the COVID-19 resurgence, and millions of people having lost their job-based health insurance since the start of this public health and economic crisis, the Biden Administration has opened up HealthCare.gov to give people who need health insurance a new opportunity to get covered, but they must act quickly. For free help locally, with trained assisters, make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.

“More than 535,000 North Carolinians enrolled in a health insurance plan during the last Open Enrollment period,” said Shannon Cornelius, Pisgah Legal’s Health Justice Program Director. “This is a new chance for people to sign up, and anyone who needs health insurance should visit HealthCare.gov today, or contact Pisgah Legal Services if you need assistance. Don’t delay.”

Health insurance is more affordable than many people think. In North Carolina, 83 percent of current marketplace consumers had plans available for 2021 that cost less than $50 per month, after financial help. Nine out of 10 marketplace enrollees in North Carolina received financial help that lowered their monthly health insurance premiums last year. In addition, 57 percent of enrollees also qualified for lower out-of-pocket costs for health care services.

“With this new Special Enrollment Period, both new and existing marketplace consumers can shop for marketplace pans, compare options, costs and even make changes. It opens up the ability to get health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. Our certified application counselors can help answer questions and get you enrolled in the plan that works best for you and your family,” said Cornelius.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage, with no pre-existing condition exclusions or markups. 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,” said Cornelius.

Make a Free Appointment Today

The health insurance landscape can be confusing, but free, local help is available. Appointments can be made online at www.pisgahlegal.org/aca or by calling (828) 210-3404. For the safety of consumers, staff and volunteers, all Pisgah Legal Services appointments are currently being conducted by phone, some community partners may offer in person assistance.

 Mingus Creek

4 miles | easy

Historic cemeteries and mill, wildflowers

2021 CLASSIC HIKES OF THE SMOKIES

Discover America’s most-visited national park with a guided day hike! The Classic Hikes of the Smokies feature interpretation of the history, flora, and fauna of park trails. Hikes vary in distance, difficulty, and location within the park to provide a comprehensive overview of the Smokies, exposing hikers to high Appalachian vistas, streams teeming with aquatic life, the best collection of log structures on the Eastern Seaboard, and much more.

After completing registration…
You will receive an email the Friday before the hike with directions, and more information. All hikes begin at 9 a.m

You’ve heard that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That’s especially true at
Bargain Hendo located on the corner of
 They recently had a couple of rough-looking bicycles that were dropped off – tires flat,
dusty and starting to rust. But a volunteer named Sawyer saw something beautiful
underneath the dull chrome. He spent a few hours restoring the old bikes and advertised
them on Facebook where they quickly sold.
 Proceeds raised will help support WCCA programs like Apple Country Transportation here
in Henderson County. Apple Country helps people get to doctor appointments, food
shopping, congregate meal sites, school and work.
 Bargain Hendo needs more volunteers who want to help their community by helping out at
the thrift store. Go to www.WCCA.org or call (828) 435-6880 for more information.

The Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville is proud to announce “An Evening with The Avett Brothers” on November 19, 2021, in the ExploreAsheville.com Arena. Tickets for the event will go on publicly on Friday, March 5 at 10:00am via Ticketmaster.com. A select number of tickets will be available via The Avett Guild for members. For more information about this event, please click here.

EVENT: An Evening with The Avett Brothers
WHEN: November 19, 2021 at 8:00pm (Doors at 7:00pm)
WHERE: ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville | 87 Haywood Street
TICKETS: Public tickets go on sale begins on Friday, March 5 at 10am

The Avett Brothers made mainstream waves with their 2009 major label debut, I And Love And You, landing at #16 on the Billboard Top 200 & garnering critical acclaim. In 2012, The Carpenter hit #4 on the Billboard Top 200 & was followed by Magpie And The Dandelion (2013) which debuted at #5 on Billboard’s Top 200. True Sadness (2016) achieved The Avett Brothers’ highest career debut to date hitting #1 on Billboard’s Top Albums Chart, #1 Top Rock Albums Chart, #1 Digital Albums Chart, #3 on Billboard Top 200 & scoring 2 Grammy noms. That same year, the band was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. In 2017, documentary May It Last: A Portrait of The Avett Brothers (co-directed by Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio) was released. The film followed the band as they wrote their Grammy-nominated album True Sadness. The film was released theatrically & on HBO to rave reviews & is now available on DVD/Blu-Ray/VOD. In November 2018, the band headlined a concert for Hurricane Florence Relief, raising $325,000 to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. In 2019, the band released their 10th studio album Closer Than Together feat. single High Steppin’ which reached #1 on the Americana Radio Chart. New album The Third Gleam (August 2020) debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Americana/Folk Albums Chart, with the vinyl debuting at #1 on the Vinyl Albums Chart. Single “Victory” hit #1 on the Americana Radio Singles Chart. The Avett Brothers played two drive-in shows at The Charlotte Motor Speedway in the span of three months and ended 2020 on a high note with a livestream of their 17th annual New Year’s Eve concert. An estimated 150,000 fans watched the show, which featured a full-band performance and an impressive lineup of special guests. Coming in 2022: Swept Away – a musical inspired by & featuring the music of The Avett Brothers.

 Blue Ridge Humane Society has been awarded a grant by the Community Foundation of Henderson County to provide assistance for pet owners seeking housing. Blue Ridge Humane Society is committed to keeping pets in loving homes through a range of programs and assistance for community pets. The new program adds a needed service to assist in the current pet-friendly housing challenges facing Henderson County residents.

The new program will assist pet owners through two avenues—either through assisting with temporary boarding cost while the owner is unable to keep an animal due to relocation or other emergency circumstances; or through assisting with one-time pet deposit for a rental unit.

Those needing assistance or interested in learning more about the program can call (828) 393-5832 (you may experience a delay on holidays and weekends).

Community Foundation of Henderson County, founded in 1982, supports charitable programs in the greater Henderson County area.

Blue Ridge Humane Society, Inc., is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization started in 1950 dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of life for animals in Henderson County and our neighboring communities. BRHS cares for pets awaiting adoption and in foster homes; offers low-cost vaccine clinics, animal education programs, pet training classes, and youth education and projects; coordinates community pet food assistance, emergency vet assistance, and the Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), which is a collaboration with Henderson County, the City of Hendersonville, and the Henderson County Animal Services Center.

If you believe in our cause, consider making a donation or learning how to volunteer by visiting the Blue Ridge Humane Society’s website at www.blueridgehumane.org or call (828) 692-2639.

A good business plan will provide the platform to take your business to the next level and optimize your results.  A plan identifies the strategy, resources and actions needed to achieve improved success.

The seminar will cover the key result areas of a business such as:

• legal entity structure alternatives
• the critical importance of having a competitive edge
• how to effectively perform market analysis
• how to plan and manage cash flow
• how to more effectively manage your human resources and much more

The seminar will be conducted by business consultant Bob Papes and the legal structure perspective will be presented by Anderson Ellis, Attorney with Van Winkle Law. Through Bob’s extensive operational and financial corporate management experience, he has helped more than seventy businesses improve their results.  This is an exceptional opportunity to re-energize your business.  Also, Bob will give you information about the upcoming Chamber’s Business Plan Contest that you will want to consider entering.

Welcome to your new home, Samson and Bonita!  The two red foxes will be joining the other residents of the WNC Nature Center and are coming to us from Izzie’s Pond Sanctuary in Liberty, S.C.

Samson and Bonita have something more in common than their new home.  They are both less than a year old and were both injured as a result of being caught in leg-hold traps and each has three legs, which means they would not be able to survive in the wild but can live safely in a zoo environment.

“The Nature Center has long provided excellent care for animals that, for one reason or another, could not live in the wild,” said WNC Nature Center Director Chris Gentile. “We are so excited to be able to welcome red foxes back to our Center.”

Come say “Hi!” to Samson and Bonita at the WNC Nature center beginning Feb. 11, when they’ll enter their new habitat for the first time.

March is Red Cross Month, and for more than 130 years, heroic American Red Cross volunteers have provided hope and urgent relief to families in communities across the country.
This March the community is invited to join in the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross and be
someone’s hero by rolling up a sleeve to give blood.
According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds to respond to
patient emergencies. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients,
and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all require blood.
All blood types are needed.
Be a hero in your community by rolling up a sleeve….

To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor
App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood
Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Completion of a RapidPass® online health history
questionnaire is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. To get started, follow the
instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. A blood donor card
or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who
are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh
at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High
school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height
and weight requirements.

Desire Paths looks at makers within the discourse of craft and those existing on the periphery of the craftscape who focus on the movement of the body towards something desirable. These desires of the body are in relationship to nature, technology, self, and society. Using architectural theory and queer curatorial strategies, Desire Paths examines the possibilities and futures of bodies, revealing connections between the corporeal and craft.

“Desire paths,” a term taken from urban planning, are lines trodden in the landscape when constructed walkways do not provide a direct or desired route. Through action, repetition, and intentionality, desire paths are crafted modifications to the landscape that allow for a body to move towards a horizon. The format of the works include traditional craft media, performance, video, and interactive web-based work. Through this variety of media and performative tactics the makers in Desire Paths consider how we view, value, and ascribe meaning to a body/the body/the others body. They show us the power and agency held in body and present us with crafted visions of the body that confront and expand expectations

The works in this exhibition reclaim the concept of craft from its historical associations with the decorative, frivolous, feminine, indigenous, and the other. The makers use the medium of craft, and the action of crafting, to produce powerful representations and counter narratives to dominant culture.

Two Ways to View

Virtual Tour

Online visitors can register to attend a virtual tour of this exhibition. This is a free event. A $5-10 donation at time of registration is recommended.

In-Person

The Center is offering free, unguided visits and affordable tours of its exhibitions to the public. Guests can reserve a 30-minute visit to explore the current exhibitions, learn more about the Center’s national impact in their Craft Research Fund Study Collection, and enjoy interactive activities. The Center is open to the public Tuesday-Friday, 11 am -5 pm. Hours of operation may be subject to change.

Center for Craft is monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on the community and following the instruction of federal, state, and local health departments. Our top priority is always the health and safety of our staff, coworkers, and visitors. At this time, the Center can only allow a maximum of five guests in its public space at once and will require the use of masks or face coverings by all visitors, including children. The Center reserves the right to refuse entry to any visitor that will not comply.

This monthly discussion via Zoom invites you to exchange ideas about readings that relate to artworks and the art world, and to learn from and about each other. Books are available at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café for a 10% discount. What is it about a woman reading that has captivated hundreds of artists over the centuries? Women Who Read Are Dangerous explores this popular subject in more than 70 artworks. Bollmann profiles how a woman with a book was once seen as idle or suspect and how women have gained autonomy through reading over the years. This program takes place via Zoom; space is limited. More info and register at ashevilleart.org/events.

Contracts: Why the Heck do I Need them for My Small Business?

This beginner-level seminar offers participants an opportunity to learn about small business contracts, why they are needed, and how to read them. Small business attorney, Kristy Cook of Mod Law Firm, brings her near decade experience in contract law and management to this session with the goal of teaching attendees to:

• Understand the basics of contract law and the legal basics of a contract;
• Understand the different types of contracts common to small businesses, including the difference between an independent contractor and an employee;
• Identify important elements of contracts and understand what they mean;
• Identify the roles, responsibilities, and opportunities contracting provides to build relationships, set expectations, and balance conflicting priorities;
• Identify when a contract is in breach and what to do about it; and
• Apply negotiation strategies to vendor agreements.

Because of the Covid-19 restrictions, our Library Tax-Aide program is changing the way you can get help with your taxes in 2021. Tax assistance is available now through April 8.

You will need an appointment this year to speak with a tax help aide at the library. At your appointment, you can drop off your tax documents and you’ll be given another appointment in about two weeks to pick up your paperwork and completed tax form.

How it works

1. Pick-up a Tax Record Envelope and instructions at Black Mountain, West Asheville or Pack Library during library hours.
2. Complete the Intake/Interview Booklet in your envelope by answering all questions. Then sign and date the last 3 pages.  Place all your tax forms and any information relating to your tax return in your envelope.
3. Make an appointment to drop off your Tax Record Envelope and meet with a Tax-Aide volunteer.

Schedule

West Asheville Library: Tuesdays, appointments available between 1-5p.m.

• To make an appointment at the West Asheville Library email [email protected] with your name and telephone number. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. If you don’t have access to email, someone at the library can email AARP for you. At your appointment, a tax volunteer will check all documents and give you a follow-up appointment to pick up your completed tax return and documents in 1 or 2 weeks.

Pack Library: Wednesdays, appointments available between 1-5p.m.

• To make an appointment on Wednesday at Pack Library, email [email protected] with your name and telephone number OR, on Wednesdays only between 1 and 5 p.m. call (828) 747-3579. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. At your appointment, a tax volunteer will check all documents and give you a follow-up appointment to pick up your completed tax return and documents in 1 or 2 weeks.

Saturdays, appointments available between 10:30am and 2pm

• To make an appointment for Saturday tax help at Pack Library, email [email protected] with your name and telephone number. A volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. At your appointment, a tax volunteer will check all documents and give you a follow-up appointment to pick up your completed tax return and documents in 1 or 2 weeks. This tax help is provided by UNCA.

Black Mountain Library: Thursdays, appointments available between 1-5 p.m.

• To make an appointment at Black Mountain Library email [email protected] with your name and telephone number OR call (828) 419-0030. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. At your appointment, a tax volunteer will check all documents and give you a follow-up appointment to pick up your completed tax return and documents in 1 or 2 weeks.

Weaverville Library and Weaverville First Baptist Church: Thursdays, appointments available between 1-5pm

• To make an appointment for tax help at the Weaverville First Baptist Church email [email protected] with your name and telephone number OR call the Weaverville Library at (828) 250-6482 with questions. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. At your appointment, a tax volunteer will check all documents and give you a follow-up appointment to pick up your completed tax return and documents in 1 or 2 weeks.

Tax help is available now through April 8.

Bring the following documents and tax forms to your tax help appointment (photocopies are recommended):

• Photo ID / Driver License for Taxpayer and Spouse
• Social Security Cards for Taxpayer, Spouse and ALL dependents
• Prior year (2019) Federal and State tax returns
• W-2 Wages, W-2G (Gambling winnings)
• SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement
• 1099-R Retirement, 1099-RRB (Railroad Retirement Benefits)
• 1099-Interest, 1099-Dividend, 1099-OID
• 1099-B Brokerage Statement, Sale of Stocks and Bonds, 1099-Ks
• 1099-G Unemployment and State refunds
• 1099-NEC Self-Employment, 1099-MISC
• 1099-C Sale of Home, Forgiveness of Credit Card Debt
• 1098- Home Mortgage Interest and Real Estate Taxes
• 1099-T Education Credits PLUS Student Account Statement
• 1098-E Student Loan Interest
• 1099-SA and/or 5498-SA (HSA = Health Savings Account)
• 1095-A Health Insurance – Affordable Care Act, Health Insurance Marketplace
• Schedule K-1 (Forms 1065, 1120S or 1041)
• Any other documents or information relevant to preparation of the tax return
• Voided check for direct deposit of any refund to your checking / savings account

Learn the ins and outs of musical theatre auditions in this engaging class for teens. With an emphasis on material selection and preparation, resumes, etiquette, and self-taping, students will workshop audition-cut songs and leave with fresh, ready-to-use material for virtual or in-person auditions. Whether you’re preparing for a school show, a local theatre production, or college pre-screens, this class will leave you feeling confident and prepared for your next big audition.

Learn the ins and outs of musical theatre auditions in this engaging class for teens. With an emphasis on material selection and preparation, resumes, etiquette, and self-taping, students will workshop audition-cut songs and leave with fresh, ready-to-use material for virtual or in-person auditions. Whether you’re preparing for a school show, a local theatre production, or college pre-screens, this class will leave you feeling confident and prepared for your next big audition. 

Marking the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 state of emergency declaration for the City of Asheville, the Angel of Light brings promises of hope and redemption. For the past year she has held vigil over the city – a small, dim light at the end of the tunnel, growing larger and brighter until finally visible to all.

On Tuesday, March 9^th 2021, from 7pm ‘til 8pm, Asheville based artist Cilla Vee will present an hour long durational performance at the Asheville Art Museum which will be viewable to the public in the museum’s unique oculus window feature above the entrance to the building.

Angel of Light is the most recent piece in Cilla Vee’s pandemic performance series “VIGIL: Prayers of Healing for the Living and the Dead” – and the one created specifically for her home community of Asheville.

The VIGIL series was developed over the summer in New York through NYC art organization Chashama’s “Enliven NYC” grant funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Cilla Vee performed 30 prayers in 30 days in a storefront gallery space on the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront – viewable through the storefront window.

On completion of her NY residency, Cilla Vee felt compelled to bring the VIGIL project to her home community and create a performance specifically for the City of Asheville.

 :

Cilla Vee is the artist moniker of interdisciplinary artist Claire Elizabeth Barratt. She is the director of Cilla Vee Life Arts – an international arts organization for cross-disciplinary and collaborative projects.

Her background is in the performing arts, with training in her native British Royal Academy of Dance, Laban Center at Goldsmiths College and London Studio Centre. She has a Masters of Fine Arts from the Transart Institute for Creative Research with Plymouth University – where she developed her performance method and pedagogy “Living Art”.

Claire served as an apprentice with the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation in New York and as a founding director for Circle Modern Dance in Knoxville, TN.

She is based in Asheville, NC where she has worked with local organizations such as Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre, Black Mountain College Museum + Art Center and the Asheville Art Museum.

Recent information about Cilla Vee projects can be found on Instagram at

#cillaveelifearts

Hey Asheville women! Are you a coder, a developer, a designer, an architect of information? This is a group for Asheville women in tech who want a collaborative and supportive space to bring projects to workshops, participate in tutorials facilitated by other members, spark new ideas, write practice code, and develop cool stuff. Maybe (like me) you’re just getting started, and you wish you could bounce ideas off someone, or just ask them how to center that block of text on the page? You should come! We’ll work it out together. Or maybe you’re a veteran web developer who thinks rookies are brave (possibly foolish) souls with no idea what they’re getting into? Please come tell us all the things you wish someone had told you! Let’s skill-share, meet other women in the biz, learn new things, and give each other a leg up!

We’re on Slack!

Postponed

Important Information
The performances of Hamilton at the Peace Center have been postponed until late summer 2022.

The Peace Center is working to reschedule the events, and new dates will be announced as soon as possible. Ticket holders will be contacted when details become available.

This “theatrical landmark has transformed theater and the way we think about history” (The New York Times)

Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theater — a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It has won Tony^®, Grammy^®, and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

This show was originally scheduled for April 7, 2020. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this show has been cancelled. Please consider donating your ticket money to The Orange Peel! Email [email protected] for more info. Refunds will be processed shortly.

Is that a goddamn bouzouki? you may ask. A pedal steel guitar? What kind of Stephen Malkmus album is this, anyway?

It’s called folk music, and it’s taking the country by storm. Stephen Malkmus is only the latest popular artist to apply this old new approach to their rock and roll sounds.

Take the name Traditional Techniques with as much salt as you’d like or dig the Adorno reference, Malkmus’s third solo LP without the Jicks (or Pavement) is as organic as they come. It’s packed with handmade arrangements, modern folklore, and 10 songs written and performed in Malkmus’s singular voice. An adventurous new album in an instantly familiar mode, Traditional Techniques creates a serendipitous trilogy with the loose fuzz of the Jicks’ Sparkle Hard (Matador, 2018) and the solo bedroom experiments of Groove Denied (Matador, 2019). Taken together, these three very different full-lengths in three years highlight an ever-curious songwriter committed to finding untouched territory. Perhaps some of these “folk” musicians could take a lesson or two.