RiverLink is hosting the 6th Annual Earth Day Kid’s Festival! This event will feature an exciting variety of environmentally focused activities for kids in grades K-12. Some of these activities include arts and crafts, musical performances, hands on learning, educational materials, interactive booths, and more! Earth Day Kids Festival encourages collaboration between environmental organizations in order to inspire younger generations to be stewards of our planet. This event is hosted in conjunction with WNC for the Planet, a collective of local environmental organizations that provides access to service, educational, and recreational opportunities in recognition of Earth Month in April. We hope you can join us to inspire younger generations to make positive change in our local and global environment!

The first big plant sale of the season in Asheville, featuring lots of local and regional family farms and nurseries, offering vegetable starts, flowers, herbs, ornamental and fruit trees, perennials, berries and more! Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25, 2020, 9am-5pm both days at the WNC Farmers Market.

The first big plant sale of the season in Asheville, featuring lots of local and regional family farms and nurseries, offering vegetable starts, flowers, herbs, ornamental and fruit trees, perennials, berries and more! Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25, 2020, 9am-5pm both days at the WNC Farmers Market.

To participate, simply:

1. Drive up to Well Played at 58 Wall St.
2. Pop your trunk
3. Our gloved & masked attendant will provide contactless game delivery!

There is no cost to participate. All you have to do is visit us!

“We want to keep this simple, safe, and fun. So show up to Well Played next Wednesday, and I’ll meet you out front with a board game to help get you through quarantine,” said Kevan Frazier, co-owner of Well Played. “While we can’t shift our operations to produce hand sanitizer, masks or other critical medical supplies, that doesn’t mean we can’t do our part to help. We hope everyone enjoys these games and finds time to play and connect with their loved ones.”

FAQ’s
Is there a cost?
Nope, it’s free! Just show up while supplies last!

What kind of games are they?
The good, the bad, the ugly, and the downright weird. They’re all lightly used, but very playable!

What game will you get?
No one knows! That’s why it’s a mystery!

Can you donate lightly used games?
Sure thing, feel free to drop them off during this time period! If there’s enough interest, we’ll get them sanitized and host another giveaway! If not, we’ll make sure they find a good home.

You’re not going out of business are you?
No! We’re just in the business of having a bunch of games 😂 We have extra games that are either starting to show their age or can’t fit in our library, and we wanted to pay it forward at a time when people would appreciate it!

We’ll do a two hour hike along one of Warren Wilson’s trail, choosing from among the River Trail, Jones Mountain, Suicide Ridge, Dam Pasture, etc. Trails are easy to moderate, but there are significant stretches that are very strenuous. Trails are not marked well and there are a lot of twists and turns on many trails.

Mountains-to-Sea-Trail hikes are designed for fitness and community among already experienced hikers. We repeat the same trails weekly so that, over time, we enjoy the beauty of each trail. We limit our hikes to two hours because many of us work and have to be somewhere else by 11:15 or so. Thus, it’s not possible to wait for slower hikers. We shuttle, so if someone is slower, the group would have to wait in order to give a ride back to the starting point. Thus, the need to be on the same page with regard to hiking pace.

Hikers who are new to hiking will likely be more comfortable on another meet up hike designed for people who are just beginning hiking or trying to get into shape for hiking. You might consider “WNC Easy Hikers Group,” for instance.

Join Irene Wortham Center’s 20th annual golf tournament fundraiser! As a non-profit, this annual event helps us continue serving the Buncombe County community. For 57 years and counting, we have been helping children and adults with developmental and/or socioeconomic challenges live more independent, happy, healthy, and full lives. Funds raised at this event will kick-start the building project for a new Early Learning Center. The current center, which is one of two organizations in Buncombe County helping pre-K children with developmental disabilities, enrolls 100 children and has a wait list of more than 400! We need YOUR support to expand our program and offer services to more children and families in need.
Please consider registering as a player, a sponsor, or making a donation toward the cause. The day will be full of golf, great food, cold beer, and lots of prizes and giveaways! Visit the event website to learn more and register!

Old Time tea party with cucumber sandwiches and other traditional ladies party foods.

OBSERVING mitigation hiking guidelines we will meet at the trailhead, however, if you decide to carpool I suggest you wear masks and bring hand wipes to wipe down door handles…surfaces. Post where you plan to meet.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: We will begin hiking the Flint Creek River Trail return taking a ridgline loop spur, pick up the White Cliffs spur trail plus an optional trail. The trails are mostly under forest hardwoods, Flint Creek Trail follows the winding creek trail which snakes through the gorge fed by small streams and waterfalls. There are 10 log bridge-over-creek crossing plus a few smaller step-over streams. Like the Smoky Mountains National Park, Rocky Fork State Park has one of the most Biological diverse floras in the country. The trails are flat to rolling with moderate and steep climbing sections.
Elevation Gain Estimate.? 2,100-2,400′ (Level 7)**

PACE: See below*

DOGS: Friendly dogs are welcome and must remain close to their owners. Water is continuously available along the creek trail.

IF YOU SIGN UP THEN CHANGE YOUR MIND CHANGE YOUR RSVP TO “NOT ATTENDING” TO CLEAR A SPOT FOR ANOTHER HIKER

TRAIL HEAD DIRECTIONS:
I-26 West 31 miles and take Exit 50 toward Flag Pond Rd. Proceed for approx. 0.4 miles to a “T”. Turn left onto Upper Higgins Creek Rd for 0.6 mile. Turn right onto Old Asheville Hwy for 2.3 mile. Turn left on to Rocky Fork Rd for 1 mile to the Rocky Fork State Park Main Entrance Gate. Gravel road following Flint Creek for 1/4 mile with Parking on the right.

501 Rocky Fork Rd.
Flag Pond Tennessee.

OPTIONAL: Please post if you prefer to meet me just off the Flag Pond Exit (gravel pullover, or the road shoulder on left, Upper Higgins Creek rd. @ 9:30.

*ALL FITNESS HIKES ARE FAST PACED. HIKES HIKE LEVELS are based only on the total elevation gain for each hike while distances vary as described. Lower levels hikes focus on endurance conditioning and higher level hikes add increasing cardio challenges. Pace is adjusted for steepness of grade, and ruggedness of the trail.. Scout hikes are hikes where the trail is partially or completely unexplored by the hike leader (s).

HIKE LEVELS:
Hike Level (1) Up to 600 feet of elevation gain.
Level (2) 600′- 900′; Level (3) 900′ – 1200′; Level (4) 1200′ – 1500′; Level (5) 1,500′ – 1,800′; Level (6)*1,800′ – 2,100′; Level (7)* 2,100′ – 2,400′; Level (8) 2,400′ – 2700′; Level (9) 2700′ – 3000′ Level (10) 3000′ – 4000′;

ULTIMATE HIKES are hike > 4,000′ elevation gain; WE POST 3-4 of these hike challenges a year.

This hike follows along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Most of the time we do an in and out instead of a shuttle. We start from the side of the road near the exit to Highway 25 (Hendersonville Road) on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can park along either side of the road. The dirt has eroded so the drop is kind of deep, so you’ll want to be careful with your car.

Mountains-to-Sea-Trail hikes are designed for fitness and community among already experienced hikers. We do the same trail on Monday and Friday and tend to repeat that same hike every five weeks so that, over time, we enjoy the beauty of each trail. We limit our hikes to two hours because many of us work and have to be somewhere else by 11:15 or so. Thus, it’s not possible to wait for slower hikers.

Hikers who are new to hiking will likely be more comfortable on another meet up hike designed for people who are just beginning hiking or trying to get into shape for hiking. You might consider “WNC Easy Hikers Group,” for instance.

This will be about a 3-hour hike, including rest stops. We will be doing the Coontree trail which is one of the few trails open at this time. This is a spectacular trail with a number of stream crossings and great mountain views along the ridgeline. It is a loop with an elevation change of 1000 feet. While poles are not necessary, they do make it much easier to hike. The only challenge is parking. It is very limited, probably no more than 7 to 9 parking spots, all parallel to the road. For this reason we will be starting earlier…at 8:30am. PLEASE NOTE…The directions for this location on this site are INCORRECT. It would not allow me to simple put Coontree trailhead, but required that I put a city. As a result, the map takes you to downtown Brevard, not Pisgah Forest. The Coontree trailhead is actually about 3 miles past the Pisgah Visitor’s Center, off US276. The trailhead is across from the picnic area. Please keep my phone number handy,[masked], in case we have trouble hooking up.

Cooperative Gardens Commission – WNC FREE SEED LIBRARY EVENT

Coop Gardens WNC is working as a volunteer based collective to increase community food gardens, facilitate resource-sharing, help first-time gardeners succeed, build a more resilient community, and support existing food sovereignty projects and networks, especially in communities that were already struggling before the COVID-19 pandemic.

• TAKE:
o The seed packets you need/want <10 packets per person
o + 10 extra:
o if you plan to participate in MANNA FoodBank‘s plant a row
o Are planting for a community garden with Bountiful Cities or any others
o Are associated with any non-profit or grass-roots effort aiding the community
o Share your food garden goods with those in need within your community

• DONATE: (only what/if you can!)
o Gardening Tools and/or related items
o Seeds you do not need or want

***RULES***
1. GLOVES are REQUIRED
2. MASKS are REQUIRED
3. SOCIAL DISTANCING >6 ft is REQUIRED
4. The seeds will be divided and organized by type and clearly labeled please only touch what you plan to take

We also welcome any other organizations or folks wanting to utilize the outdoor or indoor space for similar efforts to contact me at [email protected]. Please reach out with any questions!

If you’d like to join our Coop Gardens Work Group feel free to sign up here: https://forms.gle/FRfyBHnMuXTQfV3i7?fbclid=IwAR3UeIroiMMaL4QX8O6O1c3BuMX0MEHxiAiEB0bHxNBZ4NXUi0KznhG0JH8

❤️, Vanessa Violet & Coop Gardens Work Group WNC

Cooperative Gardens Commission – WNC FREE SEED LIBRARY EVENT

Coop Gardens WNC is working as a volunteer based collective to increase community food gardens, facilitate resource-sharing, help first-time gardeners succeed, build a more resilient community, and support existing food sovereignty projects and networks, especially in communities that were already struggling before the COVID-19 pandemic.

• TAKE:
o The seed packets you need/want <10 packets per person
o + 10 extra:
o if you plan to participate in MANNA FoodBank‘s plant a row
o Are planting for a community garden with Bountiful Cities or any others
o Are associated with any non-profit or grass-roots effort aiding the community
o Share your food garden goods with those in need within your community

• DONATE: (only what/if you can!)
o Gardening Tools and/or related items
o Seeds you do not need or want

***RULES***
1. GLOVES are REQUIRED
2. MASKS are REQUIRED
3. SOCIAL DISTANCING >6 ft is REQUIRED
4. The seeds will be divided and organized by type and clearly labeled please only touch what you plan to take

We also welcome any other organizations or folks wanting to utilize the outdoor or indoor space for similar efforts to contact me at [email protected]. Please reach out with any questions!

If you’d like to join our Coop Gardens Work Group feel free to sign up here: https://forms.gle/FRfyBHnMuXTQfV3i7?fbclid=IwAR3UeIroiMMaL4QX8O6O1c3BuMX0MEHxiAiEB0bHxNBZ4NXUi0KznhG0JH8

❤️, Vanessa Violet & Coop Gardens Work Group WNC

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.

Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.

Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.

Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:

Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.

Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.

Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.

Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:

Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.

Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.

Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.

Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:

Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.

Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.

Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.

Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:

Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.

Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.

Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.

Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:

Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)

The Art of Games – VIRTUAL

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.

Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.

Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.

Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:

Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)