Calendar of Events

Aladdin, Jr. benefit performances by the students of The Learning Community School to be held March 27-29

Based on the hit 1992 animated film, The Learning Community School is pleased to present “Aladdin, Jr.” in the Owen High School auditorium on March 27-29. The entire K-8 student body of 75 students participates in the show, which features impressive choreography, singing, and live accompaniment.
It’s not just the students who are represented in the show. Every parent and staff member in the school contributes to the production. From costumes​ and make-up to lighting and props, and the dedicated team who gathers, organizes, and displays the incredible silent auction, this school-wide effort goes far beyond what’s seen on stage. Every single participant – kids, parents, staff, and faculty alike – shines in their own way and contributes to the overwhelming success of the show each year.

The event is unique in that it serves as the primary source of community outreach, community building, and fundraising for The Learning Community School; it is the school’s flagship event. This event is also an opportunity for this small school to give back to the WNC Community in a big way. On March 26th, we offer a free preview show to share a live-theater experience with members of our greater community with visitors from Black Mountain Neuromedical Treatment Center, Swannanoa Valley Montessori School, Fox Flower Montessori, local homeschool groups, and more.

Community building is a key component of the event. From the team of Saturday morning set builders to the Tuesday night costume sewing circle to the students creating magic on stage, the sense of working together for a common purpose permeates the atmosphere. Robin Jacobs, TLC parent, PE teacher, and silent auction coordinator says, “This common purpose creates an environment where collaboration is essential and familiar. It builds group stability and individual equanimity, while contributing to a culture of group success.” Executive Director Katherine Murphy says, “At the close of Sunday’s performance at our community gathering, we all celebrate the success of working together for the good of our community.”

While there are so many community benefits, the bottom line is that it is also an incredibly successful fundraiser for a small school. Ticket sales, concessions, sponsorships, and the silent auction all complement each other; “We’re incredibly fortunate to have this annual opportunity to give our students and community a meaningful and enriching experience while raising necessary funds for the school” says Holly Baumgartner, Administrative Director.

Musical highlights including “Prince Ali” and the show-stopping “​Never Had a Friend Like Me” are an opportunity for our talented students to show off their hard work and dedication. “Arabian Nights” is a stand-out performance that includes every member of the K-8 school’s student body. These songs and more will be performed as part of the school’s full-length, professional-level theater presentation.

This year’s show represents a few important milestones as well. First, it will be the 20th year for our incredible Costume Director, Theresa Cote, who oversees the design of the event’s custom-tailored costumes. Many of these outfits are hand sewn from scratch by staff members and teams of hard-working community volunteers.

The show’s director, Black Mountain resident, Dead Poets member, and TLC School alumni parent and teacher, Tom Tracy, is celebrating his 15th year at the helm. “I never grow tired of watching these young people get up on that stage and pour themselves into the show. They work so hard and I love to watch that moment when they drop into the full experience and “find” their place on that stage and in the story” says Tracy.

Aladdin, Jr.
Friday, March 27 at 6pm
Saturday, March 28 at 4pm
Sunday, March 29 at 2pm
Owen High School auditorium, Black Mountain NC
Tickets: $10 general admission
Purchase tickets online at www.thelearningcommunity.org.

Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure with a 5 course menu. Undisclosed Location. Menu Undisclosed.Proceeds Benefit Mountain Child Advocacy Center. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased here!

Harris Teeter reserves 6-7am on Mondays and Thursdays for in-store shoppers age 60 and older. ExpressLane Online Shopping pickup times from 9am-2pm on Thursdays are reserved for these shoppers with the $4.95 fee waived (use code: SD60). Home delivery is also offered for seniors during these times for $5 (used code: SDDEL).

• The WNC Farmers Market (570 Brevard Rd.) is open for business daily from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. Find fruits + veggies, plus other staples like meats, cheese, beans, preserves, salsas, honey + condiments.

In a continued effort to provide our community with fresh, locally grown produce, meats and cheeses from area farmers, the market will remain open and operate under normal business hours. The market will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While most of the market will remain open as usual, there are some exceptions:

• Moose Cafe  – CLOSED.

Additional updates to vendor schedules will be posted as soon as possible. For specific vendors not listed above, we encourage you to reach out to them directly before coming to the market.

Visitors are encouraged to follow CDC recommendations when visiting the market. A complete list of tips and best practices can be found here.

COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness. It is extremely unlikely that someone will catch it through eating. The virus is most likely to cause illness through respiratory transmission. The routes to be concerned about include being in very close proximity to many people, or coming in contact with high touch surfaces.

Thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times!

Tune in with me on Facebook Live each morning at 7:30am for a 20 minute live meditation with didgeridoo. I’ll be guiding you through simple and effective ways that will help you to:

• Calm your nervous system
• Become more resilient to stress
• Get you ready for the day and evening

The intention is for you to learn this simple skillset quickly and use it right now to stay centered, balanced and show up for yourself, your family, and your community.

The more of us that can do that, the better! I hope to see you soon.  

Warmly, 

Corey Costanzo

ps If you miss the live meditation, check our website later in the day. We will be uploading all recordings. 

On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.

Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching. 

Parking Fees

• Members: Free
• Personal Vehicles: $14
• Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
• Buses: $100

There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.

Starting on Tuesday, March 24, Ingles will dedicate the first shopping hour from 7 – 8 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to senior shoppers and those with compromised immune systems.

Publix Markets reserves 7-8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for customers age 65 and older. Home delivery is available through Instacart.

• The WNC Farmers Market (570 Brevard Rd.) is open for business daily from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. Find fruits + veggies, plus other staples like meats, cheese, beans, preserves, salsas, honey + condiments.

In a continued effort to provide our community with fresh, locally grown produce, meats and cheeses from area farmers, the market will remain open and operate under normal business hours. The market will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While most of the market will remain open as usual, there are some exceptions:

• Moose Cafe  – CLOSED.

Additional updates to vendor schedules will be posted as soon as possible. For specific vendors not listed above, we encourage you to reach out to them directly before coming to the market.

Visitors are encouraged to follow CDC recommendations when visiting the market. A complete list of tips and best practices can be found here.

COVID-19 is not a food-borne illness. It is extremely unlikely that someone will catch it through eating. The virus is most likely to cause illness through respiratory transmission. The routes to be concerned about include being in very close proximity to many people, or coming in contact with high touch surfaces.

Thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times!

Tune in with me on Facebook Live each morning at 7:30am for a 20 minute live meditation with didgeridoo. I’ll be guiding you through simple and effective ways that will help you to:

• Calm your nervous system
• Become more resilient to stress
• Get you ready for the day and evening

The intention is for you to learn this simple skillset quickly and use it right now to stay centered, balanced and show up for yourself, your family, and your community.

The more of us that can do that, the better! I hope to see you soon.  

Warmly, 

Corey Costanzo

ps If you miss the live meditation, check our website later in the day. We will be uploading all recordings. 

On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.

Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching. 

Parking Fees

• Members: Free
• Personal Vehicles: $14
• Motorhomes / Vehicles (21’ or larger): $50
• Buses: $100

There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.