Our Fitness Center successfully reopened in September and is available along with our indoor pool to all of our members by reservation. With our facility operating at 30% capacity, we are able to provide you with the space needed for a socially distant, indoor workout, swim, or limited personal training. You may make a reservation to use our Fitness Center or pool by either downloading the Daxko App, by visiting our website or by calling us directly and speaking with a Guest Services Associate. YWCA Hours: Mon – Fri: 6 am – 6 pm | Sat: 7 am – 4 pm | Sun: closed  Pool Hours: Mon – Fri: 6 am – 6 pm | Sat: 7 am – 4 pm | Sun: closed

Since the onset of the pandemic in March, the YWCA of Asheville has been flexible and sensitive to the needs of our families as they arise. We closed our doors to the public from March–June to provide children of medical professionals and other essential workers with no-cost child care; now we continue to adapt. We have opened a school-age classroom and are now enrolling children in grades Kindergarten-5th who are learning virtually. They will have access to a safe, learning environment, with WiFi access, meals (breakfast, lunch, and snack), outdoor activities, and crafts while guardians work. We accept vouchers for this program. Fees are $433 per month, Priority will be given to families that qualify for vouchers and subsidies OR who have no alternative childcare options. We accept Child Care vouchers. *At this time we are only enrolling full-time attendance.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) is a vital resource available to women and transgender individuals between the ages of 40 and 64 who are uninsured and underinsured, meet certain income requirements, and are residents of Buncombe County. The BCCCP program provides chest exams, pap smears, HPV testing, and mammograms, all at no cost. If results indicate that treatment is needed, patients may qualify for BCCCP Medicaid which covers the cost of treatment and our staff will assist in care coordination.

BCHHS also offers WISEWOMAN, a program aimed at helping women improve their health and reduce their chance of developing heart disease. WISEWOMAN offers free cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure screenings, as well as counseling, coaching, and education services that make it possible for women to get achieve their health goals and stay healthy. Our staff are trained to help you determine your personal health goals and support your progress through regular check in’s and encouragement.

While you can’t fully control your risk for developing breast cancer, you can take steps to ensure that you catch it early. Buncombe County offers free support services, screenings, and treatment programs that make healthcare accessible for many women in Buncombe County. To find out if you are eligible for BCCCP and WISEWOMAN, visit our website or call (828) 250-6006.

For the general election, Early Voting will run Oct. 15-31, and you can use same-day registration during those dates. Get a downloadable .pdf of the Early Voting schedule with dates and times. During the early voting period you can choose to vote at any early voting location below.

Early Voting dates and times:

• Oct. 15-30:
  • Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Oct. 31 (last day):
  • 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Please note: Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!

The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!

Let’s Dump Trump

When to vote? Early Vote in-person polling places are open October 15th to 31st
• Monday through Friday, 8 am to 7:30 pm
• Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm (last Saturday – Oct 31 – opens at 8 am)
• Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm
• You can also vote on Election Day November 3rd but earlier is safer – to make your vote count!
Where to vote? Any voter can go to any Early Voting site in your home county.
You can register and vote at the same time at an Early Voting location.

Need a ride to vote? Call 828-274-4482

Prefer to use an Absentee Ballot?
– Request Absentee Ballot online (www.ncsbe.gov)
– You will receive your Absentee Ballot in the mail
– Complete your Absentee Ballot immediately, following instructions, and note ballot number for tracking.
– Immediately mail the ballot back to the Board of Elections (BOE) using one stamp. You can also turn the
completed ballot in at the BOE (77 McDowell St.) or any Early Voting site.

Questions or concerns? Call the NC Voter Hotline 888-687-8683 or go to NCVoter.org
Pick whichever Early Voting Site – below – that is most convenient for you.
EAST Asheville Mall Next to Old Navy 3 S. Tunnel Rd
SOUTH Asheville Outlet Mall Next to Levi’s 800 Brevard Rd
EAST Bee Tree Fire Dept 510 Bee Tree Rd
EAST Black Mountain Library 105 N. Dougherty St
CENTRAL Civic Center, Downtown 87 Haywood Rd
CENTRAL Dr Wesley Grant Ctr 285 Livingston St
WEST Enka Candler Library 1404 Sand Hill Rd
EAST Fairview Community Center 1357 Charlotte Hwy
WEST Land of Sky Regional Council 339 New Leicester Hwy
WEST Leicester Community Center 2979 New Leicester Hwy
NORTH Reynolds Village 50 N. Merrimon Ave; #107
SOUTH South Buncombe Library 260 Overlook Rd
SOUTH Turtle Creek Shopping Ctr 23 Turtle Creek Dr
NORTH UNC-Asheville Campus Highsmith Student Union 1 University Heights
WEST West Asheville Community Ctr 970 Haywood Rd
NORTH Weaverville Town Hall

Need a ride to vote? Call 828-274-4482

Prefer to use an Absentee Ballot?
– Request Absentee Ballot online (www.ncsbe.gov)
– You will receive your Absentee Ballot in the mail
– Complete your Absentee Ballot immediately, following instructions, and note ballot number for tracking.
– Immediately mail the ballot back to the Board of Elections (BOE) using one stamp. You can also turn the
completed ballot in at the BOE (77 McDowell St.) or any Early Voting site.
Questions or concerns? Call the NC Voter Hotline 888-687-8683 or go to NCVoter.org

Experience the best views of the Fall colors this Autumn at the SkyLift Park and SkyBridge. Numerous photo opportunities, unique Smoky Mountain experiences, hot seasonal drinks, and perfect fall mountain vistas are all waiting for you after conquering the Gatlinburg SkyBridge this Fall. Live music on the SkyDeck will be scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm. Whether you are riding the iconic yellow SkyLift chair, relaxing on the SkyDeck, fueling up in the SkyCenter, conquering the SkyBridge, or exploring the SkyTrail, there will no shortages of family-fun memories for you to cherish after your visit is complete. Autumn is the most beautiful time of year in Gatlinburg, so make sure to take it all in while “above it all” at the the SkyLift Park.

Welcome to Sky Top Orchard!

We are asking guests to visit on weekdays whenever possible. We offer the same items you love on those days as we do on weekends plus it helps keep crowds down on weekends. Thank you!

The mountains of western North Carolina are full of pick your own u-pick orchards. We offer more. In addition to a long list of apple varieties, visit Sky Top Orchard and you’ll enjoy panoramic mountain views, orchard ponds with ducks and geese, a barnyard area with sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, peacocks and more, a bamboo forest to explore, lots of picnic areas and, of course, a mountaintop of fragrant apple and fruit trees. View our downloadable map to see all that we have to offer and visit our picking schedule to find out what’s available now.

When you purchase a bushel of apples, a wagon load of pumpkins or a cooler full of apple cider you’ll take home more than the makings for delicious fall recipes, you’ll take home a mountain of memories too. And don’t forget our famous apple cider doughnuts. They’re an autumn tradition. We bet you can’t eat just one.

Ready to join us on top of our mountain? Plan Your Visit Today!

To keep guests and our staff safe, we require face masks (covering both nose and mouth) by employees and guests in any area where social distancing is difficult so plan to wear them in the fruit stand, in line for doughnuts, in any areas that are not out in the orchard where you are picking. You must also maintain a distance of 6 feet in all lines and areas where you encounter others.

Wortham Center in collaboration with Hola Community Arts presents
Día de los Muertos Art Installation: Catrinas by Margarita Figueroa
Self-Guided, Physically Distanced Tours

In celebration of Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead, Hola Community Arts presents the work of renowned Mexican artist Margarita Figueroa at the Wortham Center for Performing Arts October 21 – November 2.  

Margarita Figueroa sculpts whimsical, life-size Catrinas in the Alambroide technique, which consists of wire-structured figures covered with papier-mâché and painted with acrylic colors.

Catrina, an elegant, skeletal woman made famous by printmaker José Guadalupe Posada in the early 1900s, is one of the most recognizable figures in the Day of the Dead holiday and still permeates and influences Mexican Folk Art today.

The Día de los Muertos holiday has expanded beyond its roots in Mexico to provide comfort and community to those who have lost loved ones in cultures around the world.

“Día de los Muertos is distinctly different from Halloween in origin, celebration and culture. Día de los Muertos is truly a joyous celebration of life and the beauty of remembering those who have come before us,” says Adriana Chavela, executive director of Hola Community Arts. “During this celebration, the dead sort of become a part of the living world, as families tell stories and reflect on memories of them.”

The Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd throughout Latin America, but is more closely associated with Mexico, where it originated.

About Hola Community Arts 
Hola Community Arts is building bridges between cultures, embracing diversity and creating more economically vibrant communities. We recognize the power of the arts to challenge and shift perceptions, spark creativity and connect people across cultures. HOLA Community Arts is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3). Donations are welcome. Learn more at www.holacommunityarts.org.

Help us Light Up State Street and fill our beautiful downtown with Halloween Cheer with this community pumpkin carving contest! All ages are invited to participate. Children (under 15) are $5 to register, and adults (15 or older) are $10. Pumpkins must be dropped off at BMCA on Tuesday, October 27 or Wednesday, October 28. BMCA will display and illuminate the pumpkins on State Street Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31st. Winners will be chosen in both age groups for 4 different categories: scariest (must be family friendly), funniest, most creative, and art(ist) inspired​​. Participants must procure their own pumpkin.

2020 A YEAR OF COVID, TURMOIL, UNCERTAINTIES, HEROES & HOPE

The year 2020 for better or worse will go down in American history as a pivotal moment. It has been often said that history is written for and by the victors.

But nowadays in a world overwhelmed with 2-second tweets, forgettable social media, conspiracy theories and online rages; modern history seems to be written by the distracted, the delusional and the destructive.

Mountain Made, a local arts & crafts boutique in Grove Arcade, is taking a different approach. We are creating a public history journal of poetry, personal musing, thoughtful insights and yes, rants on “The Year 2020”. They could be funny or serious.

We have setup two interactive art stations inside the gallery:

* The first one is where you can quickly put down your thoughts on some blank paper (the original “i-pad”) and leave it with us.

* The other is a shared, public painting series where you can lay brush to canvas if you are more a visual person.

Upon reopening, the Nature Center will be open seven days a week, from 10 am until 4:30 pm.  Asheville residents receive a discounted rate with local ID and children under the age of 3 are free.

Adonna Khare, Pool Party, 2015, carbon pencil on paper, 6 × 20 feet. Collection of the Artist. © Adonna Khare, image Phil Hatten.

An exhibition highlighting the works of John James Audubon juxtaposed with the work of 21st-century artists who continue his tradition of animal allegories and metaphors is currently on view at the Asheville Art Museum. The exhibition features more than 40 works and will be on display in the Explore Asheville Exhibition Hall through November 30.