Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at Story Parlor
April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18*
*Final class on May 18 runs from 6:30-9:30pm
Make up class reserved for May 25

Story Parlor presents Creativity Lab: a six-week exploration of the creative process, common blocks and obstacles, and ways to kickstart and sustain creative momentum.

Focused on the process and the act of doing, opposed to product or outcome, Creativity Lab explores ways to overcome fear, embrace curiosity, and channel our muse in all creative endeavors.

The six-week workshop is experiential, hands-on, and tactile. The Lab will utilize exercises to help cultivate imagination, innovation, and creativity. Each class will focus on a different part of the creativity process all while building a tool kit for dealing with obstacles in our way, creating positive habits for growth, and investigating the ways our personal narratives intersect with our work.

Registration Includes:

A guidebook with supplementary readings, exercises, and activities

A custom Story Parlor notebook

Access to Creativity Mixers

Who Should Attend:

Anyone looking to kickstart or follow-through with a creative project

Anyone wanting to discover more about their habits and approach to creativity

Anyone hoping to learn more about the process of being creative

Anyone wishing to make creativity a part of their daily life

Anyone looking to explore the intersection of art and the human condition

Anyone interested in identifying their core values’ intersection with creative goals and aspirations

Anyone wanting a creative community in which to play, explore, and experiment

That’s right! 12 Bones has partnered up with AVL Charcuterie Co. for a Charcuterie Board Making Class! Grab a beer and head to the private back room where you’ll learn how to make a charcuterie board with Lindsey from AVL Charcuterie Co.

Lindsey will take you through the process step by step on how to make a gorgeous board to impress your family and friends. Eat your board after the class or take it home to share!

Grab your friends, grab your family and join Odyssey Community School for an evening of music, dance and joy! Ticket includes food, 1 drink and headphones for our Silent Disco fundraiser event!

he Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville invites the entire community to
participate in its 2nd Annual Sneaky Scavenger Race. Event registration goes live on
Friday, April 1 – no joke! This event is being held in conjunction with National
Scavenger Hunt Day on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Berkeley
Mills Park in Hendersonville. Proceeds from the event will benefit the club’s Shoes and
Socks program for Henderson County youth.
Participants will engage in outdoor activities that are designed to be interactive and fun,
while challenging both the body and mind, much like traditional ‘field day’ activities.
Registration is open to teams of four, children ages 5 and up and adults. Snacks and
beverages will be provided throughout the event, and an awards ceremony will take
place around 2 p.m.
Event registration is $35 per team. For additional details and to register, please visit
https://www.hendersonvillekiwanis.org.
All proceeds from the Sneaky Scavenger Race support the Shoes & Socks program, a
Kiwanis managed program that provides shoes and socks to underprivileged students
identified by their teachers in the Henderson County school system. The program has
provided more than 5,600 pairs of shoes since its inception in 1955

The community, family, and friends are invited and encouraged to be present upon the return of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans from their visit to their memorials in Washington, D.C. earlier that day.

“The welcome home for these veterans is one of the most memorable and moving parts of this whole trip,” says Blue Ridge Honor Flight Founder, Jeff Miller. “It means so much to them to have the welcome home they never got when they returned from the war, and it’s an amazing thing for bystanders to witness.” 

Those wishing to attend the event are asked to park at Gate 7 of the WNC Agriculture Center on Highway 280 or at the Advent Health parking lot on Highway 280 beginning at 7 pm.

Parking is free and a complimentary shuttle will be transporting attendees to and from the airport for the event.

Please note that there is no parking available in the regular airport parking lot, however you may park in the WNC Agriculture Center parking lot, or in the Advent Health parking lot located across the street from the airport.

Established in 2006, Blue Ridge Honor Flight’s mission is to transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor the sacrifices of themselves and their comrades. 

For more information about how to get involved in Blue Ridge Honor Flight, make a donation, or to get a veteran signed up for a flight, please visit the Blue Ridge Honor Flight website at: blueridgehonorflight.com.

ccess the Groove – Celebrating Disability and Neurodiversity is a benefit concert, art fair, and inclusive community gathering on May 22nd from 1-5 pm at the Grey Eagle Music Hall in Asheville, NC.

The event will feature performances by a stellar lineup of musicians from Johnson City and Asheville with and without disabilities including Jordan Scheffer and Chinobay, Mad Mike Martinez , Will Gott, DIYabled, and Lavender Latte.

A variety of artists, entrepreneurs, and local agencies that act toward disability justice, equity, and inclusion will also be on-site selling wares and sharing information about their work. Vendors include Open Hearts Art Center, Madam Clutterbuckets Neurodiverse Universe, DIYabled, Austin Shreds, Bo Fisher, FIRST Resource Center, Access ETSU, and more.

Proceeds will help support Access ETSU, a new inclusive higher education program for students with intellectual disabilities at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. In addition to raising crucial funds for program sustainability, Access ETSU will also be congratulating their first-ever graduate and second-ever full cohort of incoming students.

The Grey Eagle Taqueria will be open during the event, offering authentic and fresh Latin-American cuisine. There will also be a raffle with lots of local goodies available.

If you would like to perform, vend, or contribute to the raffle, please contact Daniel Scherer-Emunds ([email protected]).

Accessibility: The Grey Eagle building is ADA compliant and we always do everything we can to make sure that every guest we have is comfortable. For specific accessibility questions or needs, please contact [email protected].

It’s a suggested minimum donation of $15 for entry, but nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

Join performers G Wick, Krave Amiko, Fiddlehead and Astoria for a groove-filled day of music, food trucks, lawn games and local bevs at French Broad Outfitters along the beautiful Hominy Creek.

Anxiety can be a debilitating force in life and at times, so debilitating that it interferes with the ability to manage one’s own activities of daily living. When this happens, it’s important to know that there are supports available to treat and assist in the management of symptoms. This free workshop focuses on different types of anxiety disorders and specifically details ones more commonly seen in older adults. The class will also cover interventions available to assist in calming the anxious mind.

These events will be facilitated by the Vaya Health GERO team. CEU’s are provided through NC Department of Health and Human Services. The workshops are free, but you do need to register here.

Workshop information

Thursday, May 12 at 10:30 AM
Pack Memorial Library – 67 Haywood St. – Asheville
(828) 250-4700

Tuesday, May 24 at 1:00 PM
Enka-Candler Library – 1404 Sandhill Rd. – Candler
(828) 250-4758

Veterans Healing Farm (VHF) is excited to announce a benefit
performance of Brothers and Sisters Like These, Friday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the
Veterans Healing Farm, 38 Yale Rd., Hendersonville, NC. There is no fee to attend but
donations are welcome.
Brothers and Sisters Like These is a writing group founded by Vietnam combat veterans at the
Charles George VA Medical Center in 2014 to find their voices the war had taken from them. It
has since included veterans from all our wars and uses poetry and essay writing to help them
heal from past trauma.
The Veterans Healing Farm is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 2014 to enhance the mental,
emotional, and physical well-being of our nation’s veterans through agri-therapy and
community.
This is an outdoor event so please plan on bringing a lawn chair or blanket to the Farm. For more
information, please contact the VHF at 828-595-6111 or [email protected]

May 30th is Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day- a time reserved to honor those who have fought and died for the freedoms we exercise. Many soldiers have paid for our liberties with their lives and it is our honor at Buncombe County Veterans Services to serve their families on Memorial Day and every day.

To serve our Veterans and their families better, we have added a new staff member to the Veterans Services Team. “We are fortunate to welcome Ivan Sarabia to our staff,” says Heath Smith, Director of Veterans Services for Buncombe County HHS. “His years of experience in Veterans Affairs and Patient Advocacy made him an exceptional choice for this role and we are proud to have him on our team.”

Ivan relocated to Buncombe County after establishing himself as an exceptional Veterans Services Officer and Patient Advocate in several states around the region. His motivation to serve the Veteran community is grounded in his personal military experience. Ivan is an Army Veteran with the 101st Airborne Division in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He served as a Combat Engineer and served a tour in Afghanistan. “My time in the Army is something I look back on fondly and I’m thankful for the lifelong friendships and lessons I learned while serving,” Ivan says. “However, after leaving the military I faced many hurdles adjusting back to civilian life. Luckily, I was able to connect with other Veterans and healthcare providers at the VA who helped me navigate the benefits that were available to smooth that transition. These experiences fueled my desire and passion to pursue a career in which I could help fellow Veterans.”

Buncombe County is committed to honoring fallen soldiers, veterans, and their families and we want to make sure everyone in our community has a chance to honor them as well. Join the Buncombe Community in solidarity at the following events taking place in our county this Memorial Day.

Heath Smith, Veteran Services Director for Buncombe County Health and Human Services, is participating in the Memorial Day program for the Mayor’s Veterans Council. The event will take place on May 30, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Pack Square Park. The keynote speaker will be Spencer Ellis Hardaway, a retired Army Chaplain who received the Bronze Star and served in Iraq from 2009 to 2010.

Additionally, you can pay tribute to our heroes at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. The sight of 5,700+ graves, each marked with an American flag, is striking and serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made to secure our rights. The Memorial Day service takes place at 10 AM on Monday, May 30.

Enjoy ASHEVILLE’S ABSOLUTE BEST ROAD RUNNING. Spectators, sponsors, hype, and incredible energy along with spectacular mountain views. WHERE: Participants will START and FINISH near downtown Asheville, but will run up and down the tree lined streets of North Asheville nearby the historic Omni Grove Park Inn and the Governor’s Western Residence. Course Description. ABOUT US: Brought to you by the same race organizers that bring you the Asheville Turkey Trot (now in its 20+ year) and the Shut-In Ridge Trail Run (now in its 40+ year). The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) permanently protects and stewards our region’s most beloved natural areas. Since 1974, over 80,000 acres of unique plant and animal habitat, clean water sources, farmland, scenic beauty, and places for people to enjoy outdoor recreation have been permanently protected in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. SAHC is committed to creating and supporting equitable, healthy and thriving communities for everyone in our region. We value our local Western North Carolina community and are committed to giving back. A portion of our race proceeds go towards our charity partner for that year. For the inaugural Flying Squirrel Ten Miler we are proud to be supporting a Western North Carolina based non-profit who is helping to conserve the endangered Carolina Flying Squirrel. The Carolina Flying Squirrel is a subspecies of the Northern Flying Squirrel and requires high elevation habitat to thrive. Read more about the Carolina Flying Squirrel here: https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/mammals/carolina-northern-flying-squirrel/

Join a group of like-minded female paddlers for a three-day paddle festival, hosted by inspirational paddler Anna Levesque! This festival is all about fostering community by connecting, sharing, paddling, and supporting each other on the river. Trips will be offered on different rivers representing a range of skill levels, and are open to all women in all watercraft!

Donations and registration fees benefit the Shannon Christy Memorial Fund, an organization that supports non-profits focused on women’s empowerment, and also benefits the Live Like Maria Fund.

2022 EVENT SCHEDULE

Schedule is subject to change and will be updated here.

If you love honey, beekeeping, saving our planet, and summer fun next to the French Broad River this event is for you.
Join the Center for Honeybee Research and Shanti Elixirs for Asheville’s First Annual Honey Festival at the Salvage Station on Sunday, June 5th from 12-5pm.

During this event the Center for Honeybee Research will also hold their 11th annual Black Jar International Honey Contest, with a grand prize of $5,500.00.

This will be a family friendly event with live music, vendors, non profit booths promoting the environment, pollinators and their habitats, and other important organizations supporting the world we live in.

Festival attendees will also be able to taste honey from all over the globe and watch the judges determine the “World’s Best Tasting Honey”.

Join us to explore the world of forest farming during farm tours and workshops to develop an understanding of the wealth and history of woodland botanicals and forest products. Participants will dive into plant propagation and production, forest stewardship and observation, and alternative & value-added products. These tours will include hands-on workshops and site visits to offer beginning and advanced forest farmers valuable learning opportunities.

Workshop 1: Integrating Forest Farming into Existing Farm Enterprises
Date & Location: June 5th, 2022, in Leicester, NC, 2-6 pm.

Organic Growers School offers this series of forest farm tours and workshops in partnership with the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC). ABFFC is dedicated to increasing opportunities for farmers and forestland owners in Appalachia and beyond.

Learn more and register today,
https://organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/forest-farming/

If you’ve been wanting to try a new and vibrant medium that works on a wide variety of materials and surfaces, you’ll love alcohol inks! As you drip, blow, and manipulate the brilliant colors of this art form, you’ll be amazed at the intricate patterns that emerge!

Veteran artist and teacher Robyn Crawford will show you how to create beautiful, professional-looking artwork with very little effort. You’ll leave with at least one print suitable for framing, a ceramic coaster(s), and one or two other home accessories. Only you (and your fellow classmates, of course!) will know how quick and easy your masterpieces were to make!

Integrated Pest Management techniques are helpful for reducing pesticide use and cutting costs in the long run. They can also create a deeper understanding of your garden and the various roles different plants play within it. Join Lisa Gonzalez, Clay County Extension Director, for an overview of Integrated Pest Management as well as a deeper look into select strategies to manage and prevent garden damage from pests using ecosystem-based knowledge and approaches.

June 14, 2022 at Smith Mill Works Greenhouse, 6-8 pm

$20 – $25

Register: https://organicgrowersschool.org/product/gardening-june/

All proceeds from Reproductive Freedom Jam 2022 directly fund the NC ACTION PAC. This PAC supports the advocacy and voter contact work by endorsing NC candidates who advocate for accessible reproductive healthcare, protect access to abortion, support LGBTQ+ rights, and work for equity of people and their families.

Hosted by Barbie Angell, the event will feature performances from Ken Kahn, Melissa Hyman and Dulci Ellenberger, Daniel Shearin (of River Whyless), Lo Wolf, Life Like Water, Kendra Penland and Friends, Greg Cartwright (of Reigning Sound), The Smoky Mountain Sirens, and more!

Although the exquisitely detailed patterns of Shibori, a form of tie dye, look complicated, they can actually be quite easy to make—especially if you learn from a pro. In just a few hours, veteran textile artist Camille Duanno will teach you everything you need to know to get started with this ancient Japanese art.

Camille will begin by presenting an overview of Shibori, including its history, materials, and tips and tricks for success. Then, she’ll demonstrate four basic Shibori techniques using wooden blocks, popsicle sticks, tied bundles, and a small pole wrap. You’ll be invited to follow along, creating your own samples.

You’ll take home two beautiful scarves (an 8”x54” silk scarf and an 11”x60” chiffon scarf), as well as a couple of smaller pieces of Shibori that will be suitable for hanging.

No dyeing experience necessary!

Join writers and poets from across the country each month for a virtual writing workshop. A link will be added to their name when more details and sign-up information becomes available. These workshops are geared towards amateur writers, ages 16 and older recommended. Follow us on Facebook for notifications too.

Poetry of the Spirit with Luke Hankins

This class will focus on contemporary poetry that engages the “spirit” in some way, from a range of perspectives, both religious and non-religious. Some of the aspects of spiritual poetry that will come under discussion are the experience of transcendence, the longing for connection to something larger than ourselves, and the search for overarching meaning that might guide us throughout our lives. In addition to reading and discussing sample poems, we will do an in-class writing exercise aimed at writing from or to whatever “spirit” means to each participant.

Luke Hankins is the author of two poetry collections, Radiant Obstacles and Weak Devotions, as well as a collection of essays, The Work of Creation. A volume of his translations from the French of Stella Vinitchi Radulescu, A Cry in the Snow & Other Poems, was released by Seagull Books in 2019. Testament, a chapbook of poems, is forthcoming from Texas Review Press. His poems, essays, and translations have appeared in a wide variety of periodicals, including 32 Poems, American Literary Review, Image, New England Review, Poetry International, Verse, World Literature Today, and The Writer’s Chronicle. Hankins serves as an Associate Editor at Asheville Poetry Review and he is the founder and editor of Orison Books, a non-profit literary press focused on the life of the spirit from a broad and inclusive range of perspectives.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Zoom for the virtual connection. The link will be sent by the morning of the presentation. Check your junk folder if you have not received it by then.

Sun printing (aka solar printing) is a wonderful way to capture the summer sunshine! In this fun and easy workshop, textile artist Camille Daunno will show you how to create beautiful, personal pieces of art by applying SolarFast™, a non-toxic, light-reactive dye, to a “resist” and exposing the surface to light. The results are stunning and unlike traditional cyanotyping, which produces only blue images, can be quite colorful!

You’ll start by painting paper or fabric with SolarFast™ and then arranging stencils, paper pieces, or other flat objects to create a design. Camille will offer suggestions for manipulating your designs and layering colors so you can experiment with different looks. Then, you’ll expose your piece to a light source and watch the magic happen. Within minutes, your masterpiece will develop!

You’ll take home a beautiful canvas tote bag and an 8”x54” silk scarf, as well as a couple of smaller sun prints that will be suitable for hanging.

No dyeing experience necessary!

Join Emily Bell of Rhythm & Ritual for an evening of broomcraft and connection.

More than a handcrafts class, Emily creates a ritual space for participants to settle in and create with intention. Everyone will have an opportunity to make their own large AND small turkey wing whisk brooms for practical or ritual use (or both!)

This class is open to those who identify as women.
Class size is limited, so register early!

Note: this is a two-day course which takes place on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, 9:30AM-5PM each day.

This is a beginners class for students wanting to learn the skills, exercises, and the fundamentals of mediumship. (Students need to bring a pen and notebook. Printed handouts will be also provided.)

Anthony Mikolojeski will be teaching students the foundation and techniques behind mediumship, and all healing aspects. Students will begin to learn various exercises in how to expand their energy to connect with loved one’s in the spirit world. Students will be engaging in exercises with each other while being mentored by Anthony. They will learn the boundaries, the responsibilities and professional ethics surrounding doing this work.

We will be doing a few singing bowl meditations, practice in meeting spirit guides we haven’t met before and learning techniques on how to build your personal power.

(Because of the summer tourist season and increased high traffic, students will be expected to allow extra traveling time so you arrive promptly for class.) We will start at 9:30 am sharp.

I just love what I do and look forward to to working with everyone in class!❤️

Lunch will be provided along with water, coffee, teas, and chilled beverages. (Please indicate if you have any specific dietary restrictions or allergies, please email Anthony at: [email protected].

Anthony has studied with some of the best mediums in the U.S and U.K such as James Van Praagh, Tony Stockwell, Mavis Pitilla, and Sheila French, just to name a few. He has completed a mentorship in mediumship with James Van Praagh and advanced mentorship with Mavis Pitilla. Anthony has also studied at the prestigious Arthur Findlay College in Stansted, England, in advanced mediumship.

Anthony Mikolojeski is known as the Asheville Medium. He has traveled internationally demonstrating mediumship on stage and provided personal readings. You can read more about his background, how he works or to book your next appointment at his website: ashevillemedium.com

Join Emily Bell of Rhythm & Ritual for an afternoon of broomcraft and connection.

More than a handcrafts class, Emily creates a ritual space for participants to settle in and create with intention. Everyone will have an opportunity to make their own cobweb broom.

A variety of broomsticks will be available to choose from and wood selection will be discussed, as well as cultivation of broomcorn.

This class is open to those who identify as women.
Class size is limited, so register early!