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.

Sunday, August 4, 2019
60th Annual NC Mineral and Gem Festival
Aug 4 all-day
The Spruce Pine Commons Shopping Center

For the last 60 years, Spruce Pine has welcomed rockhounds and gem and mineral enthusiasts to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

Welcome to the North Carolina Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Festival website! Since the early 1950’s Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the Festival and welcomed visitors from around the world to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more! Even celebrities have been spotted at the Festival selecting their jewelry, gemstones and gifts! The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can’t miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival.

Celebrating our Diamond Year!
August 1-4, 2019

One of the oldest & most popular mineral and gem shows in the country!

Admission $5 adults, $3 Seniors, Kids 10 & under free

Festival Times:
Thursday- Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Monday, August 5, 2019
Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 5 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 6 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 7 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Strolling Through History: Active Bodies, Active Minds
Aug 7 @ 10:30 am
Pack Library

You can’t beat a walk with a friend over good conversation. So, why not take a walk with lots of friends and a history expert to boot? Buncombe County Libraries is excited to announce its Strolling Through History program focused on getting you moving while taking in some experiential history. “Each one of the strolls is a little different. We’ll talk about the evolution of the architecture, famous (or not quite so famous) residents, important events, and more,” explains Pack Memorial Librarian Katherine Calhoun Cutshall. “On our Haywood Street stroll, we talked about how the street has seen two major rebirths and discussed the careers of two WWI nurses who grew up on the street while it was mostly residential.”

Pack Librarians are always looking for innovative ways to showcase the library’s portfolio of initiatives and resources. “The North Carolina Room is a hidden gem in our library system, so programs like Strolling Through History bring the collection to the streets of downtown while showing off resources and programs in a fun new way,” notes Katherine. And of course, exercising your muscles and social skills are important at any age

So, how can you get involved with the monthly Strolling Through History? There are two versions: one for elder adults and one for babies and their caregivers. If you’re interested in participating, the elder adults strolls are the third Friday of every month, and the babies and caretakers strolls are the third Wednesday of every month (except July). All strolls will meet at Pack Memorial Library at 10:30 a.m., and participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring water to stay hydrated. Registration is required. 

Asheville Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Expo Registration Open
Aug 7 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

With 120+ local companies offering business solutions at the WNC Regional Chamber Business Expo, you can solve your business issues in one fell swoop. Take this opportunity to share ideas, make connections and learn about products and services from local, trustworthy companies. The expo will include Health & Wellness, Financial Services, Insurance, Professional Services, Printing and more!

 

Tools For Schools Supply Drive
Aug 7 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Ingles

These dollars have been used for valuable learning tools and equipment. Public schools, private schools and home school associations are welcome to participate in this program, grades K-12. Ingles and our Tools for School program are committed to helping thousands of schools and students achieve their education goals.
Building our City Speaker Series with Kristen Jeffers
Aug 7 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
The Collider

 

 

 

 

Asheville is changing again. From becoming a major urban area in the North Carolina mountains to becoming a major tourist destination, one can’t deny that the growth has brought a lot of good. However, too much of a good thing can turn to bad. Kristen will take her method of sharing her personal story of migration and change and resilience as it relates to the places she’s inhabited and encourage Ashevillians in attendance to embrace everything that makes Asheville Asheville and continue the path to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Kristen E. Jeffers is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Black Urbanist multimedia platform, author of A Black Urbanist (second edition forthcoming), creator of the public speaking course Plan to Speak and 1/2 of the podcast Third Wave Urbanism, as well as a freelance writer, urban planner and advocate.

Thursday, August 8, 2019
Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 8 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Friday, August 9, 2019
Clemson August graduation ceremony
Aug 9 all-day
Littlejohn Coliseum

CLEMSON — Clemson University will confer more than 1,000 degrees during the summer graduation ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, in Littlejohn Coliseum. Visitors should plan extra time for travel and prepare for metal detectors at each entrance and the enforcement of the clear bag policy as well.

Students from the university’s seven colleges will participate in Friday’s ceremony. A doctoral hooding ceremony for approximately 85 prospective Ph.D. candidates will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, in the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.

Thursday’s doctoral hooding and Friday’s graduation will be streamed live for those unable to attend.

Allow extra time for travel

Families and guests should plan extra time for travel due to the presence of construction at various parts of the main campus. Please visit the university’s interactive map for up-to-date areas impacted by construction and resulting alternate traffic routes.

Police officers will be directing traffic to help visitors get to the coliseum for the ceremonies. Parking is available in several lots near the coliseum. The lot directly north of Littlejohn is reserved for vehicles with handicap access, while the Avenue of Champions and C-9 parking areas will be reserved for event staff.

All lanes of Highway 93 (Walter T. Cox Boulevard) will be open Friday. Doors open for the event at 7:30 a.m.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 9 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Strolling Through History: Active Bodies, Active Minds
Aug 9 @ 10:30 am
Pack Library

You can’t beat a walk with a friend over good conversation. So, why not take a walk with lots of friends and a history expert to boot? Buncombe County Libraries is excited to announce its Strolling Through History program focused on getting you moving while taking in some experiential history. “Each one of the strolls is a little different. We’ll talk about the evolution of the architecture, famous (or not quite so famous) residents, important events, and more,” explains Pack Memorial Librarian Katherine Calhoun Cutshall. “On our Haywood Street stroll, we talked about how the street has seen two major rebirths and discussed the careers of two WWI nurses who grew up on the street while it was mostly residential.”

Pack Librarians are always looking for innovative ways to showcase the library’s portfolio of initiatives and resources. “The North Carolina Room is a hidden gem in our library system, so programs like Strolling Through History bring the collection to the streets of downtown while showing off resources and programs in a fun new way,” notes Katherine. And of course, exercising your muscles and social skills are important at any age

So, how can you get involved with the monthly Strolling Through History? There are two versions: one for elder adults and one for babies and their caregivers. If you’re interested in participating, the elder adults strolls are the third Friday of every month, and the babies and caretakers strolls are the third Wednesday of every month (except July). All strolls will meet at Pack Memorial Library at 10:30 a.m., and participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring water to stay hydrated. Registration is required. 

Saturday, August 10, 2019
Unveiling “Going to Market,” Art Installation by local artist Cleaster Cotton
Aug 10 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS®

Please join us the morning of August 10th from 10am-11am for

the unveiling of “Going to Market,” Art Installation by local artist

Cleaster Cotton on the Beaumont Street wall. This art is a gift from

the developers of 55 South Market to the residents of the building.

We appreciate you and look forward to celebrating.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 10 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Redistricting – What Happens Next?
Aug 10 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Kaplan Auditorium at Hendersonville Public Library

The panelists will be Rep. Chuck McGrady (a sponsor of HB 140 and 69), Sen. Terry Van Duyn (a sponsor of SB673), and Blake Esselstyn (an expert on the use of GIS for drawing maps). After comments by each panelist, the speakers will respond to questions submitted by the audience. The co-sponsors for the event are LWV Asheville-Buncombe, Carolina Jews for Justice, DemocracyNC, Fair DistrictsWNC, NAACP, AAUW, Down Home NC, and Unity of the Blue Ridge.

Sunday, August 11, 2019
Lake Lure Olympiad
Aug 11 all-day
varies upon race

Sign up for the bundle and take the ultimate challenge by combining 3 races in 3 days. Turn your competition into a destination race weekend and enjoy the amazing backdrop of the Hickory Nut Gorge, serving as both a place to compete and a fun summer getaway with views that will take your breath away!

We love where we live and we always want to give back to those that sacrifice everyday to make our community a better place to live.  Many times local heroes get forgotten; this is our way of supporting them.

Over the past 13 years, the Lake Lure Olympiad has given back over $315,000 to area charities and service organizations

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 11 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Monday, August 12, 2019
40th Annual Shut-In Ridge Trail Race Lottery Open
Aug 12 all-day

Entries – NEW LOTTERY SYSTEM FOR 2019

Current-Course Records:
Women – CHERI ROSENBLATT – 2:41:24
Men – SHILOH MIELKE – 2:16:55

Entry fee for the race is $100.00. Lottery will open at 12:00AM on August 1st and close at 11:59PM on August 14th. Runners must be 19 or older to participate. For the first time and NEW for the 40th Anniversary, we will be operating from a LOTTERY SYSTEM this year. All prospective entrants will be required to use Ultrasignup to enter the lottery. There will be NO in-store entries.
Priority will be given to previous winners, those who have completed the race the last five years consecutively, eight or more times cumulatively, and previous race volunteers. ***It is still imperative that these runners still enter the lottery***
Race numbers may be picked up on the day of the race at the arboretum from 8:30 until 9:45
AM, November 2rd.

Buncombe County School Supply Drive
Aug 12 all-day
various locations--see details

News
                            article image

Back to school time is right around the corner (sorry kids), and Buncombe County wants to help make sure every student has everything they need.

When: July 15-Aug. 12

Where:  Donation boxes will be located at:

  • County HR, on the first floor of 200 College St.
  • 60 Court Plaza, Sheriff’s Office on the 4th floor
  • Buncombe County Detention Facility
  • Jeff Hewitt’s Office at Leicester Crossing on New Leicester Hwy

Types of donations needed: backpacks, pencils, crayons, glue sticks, packs of Kleenex, paper, wireless notebooks, folders, money donations.

Thank you in advance for helping us provide much needed school supplies

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 12 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Arts Alliance Social
Aug 12 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville Area Arts Council

Join the art organizations that help make Buncombe County great at the AAAC Refinery. We will have fresh economic development data from Creative Vitality Suite to share, as well as some materials about the new WelcometoAVL.com website and mobile platform. The public is welcome to attend!

  • Pointers on why economic development data is important with Heidi Reiber, the Director of Research at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • An introduction to the new WelcometoAVL.com website and mobile platform with Pat Kappes, the Director of Public Affairs for Explore Asheville CVB.
  • Followed by an update on changes coming to the Downtown Asheville Arts District, presented by Michael Manes, the Director of Blue Spiral 1.

The public is welcome to attend to learn more about the organizations that make the art in Asheville great!

Tuesday, August 13, 2019
40th Annual Shut-In Ridge Trail Race Lottery Open
Aug 13 all-day

Entries – NEW LOTTERY SYSTEM FOR 2019

Current-Course Records:
Women – CHERI ROSENBLATT – 2:41:24
Men – SHILOH MIELKE – 2:16:55

Entry fee for the race is $100.00. Lottery will open at 12:00AM on August 1st and close at 11:59PM on August 14th. Runners must be 19 or older to participate. For the first time and NEW for the 40th Anniversary, we will be operating from a LOTTERY SYSTEM this year. All prospective entrants will be required to use Ultrasignup to enter the lottery. There will be NO in-store entries.
Priority will be given to previous winners, those who have completed the race the last five years consecutively, eight or more times cumulatively, and previous race volunteers. ***It is still imperative that these runners still enter the lottery***
Race numbers may be picked up on the day of the race at the arboretum from 8:30 until 9:45
AM, November 2rd.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 13 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Fall Organic Gardening Series: Preparing Your Garden for Winter
Aug 13 @ 10:00 pm – Aug 14 @ 12:00 am
Dr. John Wilson Community Garden

Western NC plant hardiness zones range from 6 to 8 which means that no matter where you live in our region, a wide range of vegetables can overwinter without much fuss. Discover when to seed and transplant, which vegetables to plant, site location based on the hours of sunlight, and simple techniques for winter protection. And don’t forget that winter months are perfect for planning your spring garden. Possible additional topics as time allows:
Raised beds
Fertilization and water
Mulching systems
Three-season cover cropping
Harvesting tips and timelines
Fall and winter pest pressure
Increasing plant hardiness

Instructor: Diana Schmitt McCall
Diana McCall manages the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden which is home to nearly 70 gardening families, over 100 fruit and nut trees, mushroom logs, a native species trail and a biodynamic donation garden which produces 4000 pounds of produce annually for distribution in Black Mountain. Her work also includes school garden programs, expanding community gardens in the town, and partnering with numerous agencies and institutions to educate her community on how to grow, access and prepare healthy food for themselves and their families.

https://www.facebook.com/events/508027436271838/

Wednesday, August 14, 2019
40th Annual Shut-In Ridge Trail Race Lottery Open
Aug 14 all-day

Entries – NEW LOTTERY SYSTEM FOR 2019

Current-Course Records:
Women – CHERI ROSENBLATT – 2:41:24
Men – SHILOH MIELKE – 2:16:55

Entry fee for the race is $100.00. Lottery will open at 12:00AM on August 1st and close at 11:59PM on August 14th. Runners must be 19 or older to participate. For the first time and NEW for the 40th Anniversary, we will be operating from a LOTTERY SYSTEM this year. All prospective entrants will be required to use Ultrasignup to enter the lottery. There will be NO in-store entries.
Priority will be given to previous winners, those who have completed the race the last five years consecutively, eight or more times cumulatively, and previous race volunteers. ***It is still imperative that these runners still enter the lottery***
Race numbers may be picked up on the day of the race at the arboretum from 8:30 until 9:45
AM, November 2rd.

Vance Elementary School and Ben & Jerry’s Art Showcase
Aug 14 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ben & Jerry' s Scoop Shop

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Strolling Through History: Active Bodies, Active Minds
Aug 14 @ 10:30 am
Pack Library

You can’t beat a walk with a friend over good conversation. So, why not take a walk with lots of friends and a history expert to boot? Buncombe County Libraries is excited to announce its Strolling Through History program focused on getting you moving while taking in some experiential history. “Each one of the strolls is a little different. We’ll talk about the evolution of the architecture, famous (or not quite so famous) residents, important events, and more,” explains Pack Memorial Librarian Katherine Calhoun Cutshall. “On our Haywood Street stroll, we talked about how the street has seen two major rebirths and discussed the careers of two WWI nurses who grew up on the street while it was mostly residential.”

Pack Librarians are always looking for innovative ways to showcase the library’s portfolio of initiatives and resources. “The North Carolina Room is a hidden gem in our library system, so programs like Strolling Through History bring the collection to the streets of downtown while showing off resources and programs in a fun new way,” notes Katherine. And of course, exercising your muscles and social skills are important at any age

So, how can you get involved with the monthly Strolling Through History? There are two versions: one for elder adults and one for babies and their caregivers. If you’re interested in participating, the elder adults strolls are the third Friday of every month, and the babies and caretakers strolls are the third Wednesday of every month (except July). All strolls will meet at Pack Memorial Library at 10:30 a.m., and participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring water to stay hydrated. Registration is required. 

Thursday, August 15, 2019
Council on Aging Offers Free Medicare Classes August-September
Aug 15 all-day
various see below

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County in conjunction with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) announces its classes “Introduction to Medicare – Understanding the Puzzle” for August – September 2019. The classes will explain how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties, and ways to save money.

The classes are free and open to the public.

Residents who are new to Medicare, caregivers, and others who help senior citizens with their Medicare insurance should consider attending this informative class. The information presented is unbiased and accurate. No products are sold, recommended, or endorsed.

Medicare Classes:  August – September 2019

  • Aug. 21, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. PM Blue Ridge Health, 2579 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville
  • Aug.  23, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Goodwill, 1616 Patton Ave, Asheville
  • Aug. 28, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Brian Berg Dr, Brevard
  • Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd, Asheville
  • Sept. 13, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. OLLI/Reuter Center, UNCA, One University Heights, Asheville
  • Sept. 17, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Woodfin YMCA, 40 N Merrimon Ave #101, Asheville
  • Sept. 20, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Goodwill, 1616 Patton Ave, Asheville
  • Sept. 25, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Black Mountain YMCA, 25 Jane Jacobs Rd, Black Mountain
  • Oct. 1, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Ferguson YMCA, 31 Westridge Market Pl, Candler
Justice Forum Pisgah Legal Jose Antonio Vargas Registration Open
Aug 15 all-day

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS

Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, author of Dear America: Notes of An Undocumented Citizen and a leading voice for the human rights of immigrants. He is the Founder and CEO of Define American, the nation’s leading nonprofit media organization that fights injustice and anti-immigrant hate through the power of storytelling.
Mr. Vargas will share details of his childhood journey to the United States from the Philippines and his life in America as an immigration reform activist. Some have called him the most famous undocumented immigrant in America.