On June 1, the Buncombe County Commissioners proclaimed June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month, a time for our residents to educate themselves, support the elders in their lives, and raise awareness of elder abuse in their communities.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Month runs Mother’s Day to Father’s Day, with a culmination of activities on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15, 2021. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day highlights solutions to elder abuse and encourages communities to reevaluate the systems and structures in place to protect our seniors. Due to COVID-19, many organizations have had to modify their typical World Elder Abuse Awareness Day activities. Buncombe County Health and Human Services Adult and Aging Services Department, in collaboration with partners, will staff a table outside of 35 Woodfin on Tuesday, June 15 to raise awareness about elder abuse by handing out purple ribbons and educational information.

Elder abuse is a serious issue in our communities but is hard to track due to the lack of reporting. The World Health Organization estimates that as few as one in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported. Last year in Buncombe County, Adult Protective Services received 1,794 adult protective services reports alleging elder abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation.

There are a number of factors including the pandemic that make it challenging for older adults to stay involved with and connected to their communities as they age. Two of the primary factors that contribute to an increased likelihood of abuse include social isolation and mental impairment (such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease). It’s important to know the warning signs of elder abuse and report them to Adult Protective Services. Some warning signs include that the individual:

• Stops taking part in activities he or she enjoys
• Looks messy, with unwashed hair or dirty clothes
• Has trouble sleeping
• Loses weight for no reason
• Becomes withdrawn or acts agitated or violent

The circular economy is a bold vision for tomorrow — and today — empowering leaders across industries and communities to increase resilience, mitigate climate risk and unlock new business opportunities. Circularity 21, the largest online circular economy event, offers an engaging and informative program, expo and networking opportunities. Join the growing global community of thousands of visionaries and practitioners to learn, connect and accelerate the circular economy.

On June 17, Guest-favorite singer-songwriter Erick Baker from Knoxville, Tennessee, returns to Highlands for this special Orchard Sessions event.

Settle into comfortable seating and relax into a summer evening under the heirloom apple trees at the Farm at Old Edwards.

The music of Popular self-taught singer-songwriter Erick Baker, from Knoxville, Tennessee will fill the magical mountain air in the stunning surroundings of the orchard, while you enjoy light bites and a cash bar. 

Old Edwards Hotel Guests & Members $15    
General Admission $25 (bookable two weeks prior to the event)
Cash Bar & Complimentary Light Bites will be served.

Planning a trip to Italy to celebrate a special anniversary? Have a child in school that needs extra practice in a foreign language? Just want to brush up that language you studied for four years in school, but somehow can’t seem to remember at all? We’ve got you covered.

Buncombe County Public Libraries now offers Transparent Language Online free to all library cardholders. Whether you’re starting at the very beginning or you’re an intermediate learner looking to enhance your vocabulary, Transparent Language Online can help. With over 110 languages to choose from, including English for non-native speakers, there is something for every learner. With mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, learners can enjoy the freedom to learn at home, in the library, or on the go.

Transparent Languages includes learning for kids of all ages. KidSpeak introduces children to English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese. The program teaches words and phrases suitable for learners’ age, needs, and interests. More than 40 activities, puzzles, and songs guide young learners through the basics, along with a cartoon friend who speaks the language.

Transparent Language will be available on NC LIVE beginning Jan. 1, 2021. For all library services, your ID is your library card number and your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number. Contact your library with any questions.

Gardening in the Mountains Presents:
Creating and Managing Pollinator Habitat

This presentation by Bryan Tompkins, Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service covers specific details about prepping, planting, and maintaining pollinator gardens as complete habitats. It will also discuss different opportunities and methods for implementing other pollinator-habitat components into your area—from assessing and developing a habitat suitable to your site to working with others in your neighborhood to create connected and contiguous habitat components. Bryan takes a deeper look into the elements and factors that are needed to go beyond just creating a nice flower garden. Armed with the information in this talk, you can create a habitat!

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), has reopened all adventure activities and river outposts for the 2021 season featuring new food and beverage venues, expanded courses, and the return of events and live entertainment to main resort campus in Bryson City.

• Launched whitewater rafting on seven rivers in the Southeast and aerial adventures to high demand
• Two new food and beverage venues launching on NOC’s 500-acre campus including a renovated coffee and donut shuttle bus as well as a beer venue featuring New Belgium beer and custom beer blends
• Expanded courses at NOC’s Paddling School for kayakers to learn new skills and experience Southeastern rivers
• Full calendar of live music from local and regional bands, and the return of events like Women’s Paddlefest and river releases
• Relia’s Lost Kitchen dinner series kicking off this month with a sold out Orin Swift Wine Dinner; more to follow through October.

A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.

• 
• National Museum of African American History & Culture: The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
• School House Rocks-style overview of Juneteenth, via Black-ish
• The Devastation of Black Wall Street
• Juneteenth website
• Center for the Study of Social Policy: Juneteenth and Challenging Anti-Black Racism

Energy Savers Network The Energy Savers Network works with volunteers to empower people and restore the climate through free home energy-efficiency assessments and upgrades. They also provide education resources and referrals to other programs. Click the link below for more information if you or someone you know could benefit from these services during the hot summer months. ESN-Flier-email-english-1.pdf (eblencharities.org)

Unique outdoor sculptural works by environmental artist Patrick Dougherty, known as “Stick Man,” will reside in Antler Hill Village. Renowned worldwide for his monumental creations, Dougherty weaves saplings and branches into intricate artworks, fashioning whimsical forms ranging from gigantic snares and cocoons to sculptural interpretations of notable buildings. The visual appeal of these large-scale artworks may be appreciated up close as guests are encouraged to walk through and around the creations, affording the opportunity to admire the artistry and technical skills required to make the sculptures.

Summer is coming and that means fans! We will begin distributing fans to those who are in need very soon. Each fan is purchased at a cost of around $20. If you would like to help cover the cost of a fan to keep someone cool this summer, please visit our website to make a donation or mail a donation to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville NC 28806

Get ready to go wild at the library for our annual Summer Learning Program. Join us for Tails & Tales – an exploration of wildlife and fantastical folktales. We’ll have an activity sheet with lots of fun adventures for all ages. You can pick up a sheet at any library starting June 1, or download it HERE. Check our calendar to find our most up to date list of programs all summer long.

The 2021 Summer Learning Program is open to young people, preschool through teen, with books and activities for every age. All library programs are free and open to children of all abilities. Come in and see what the library has for you!

This year’s sensational summer season features an exciting, in-depth performance schedule spanning 5 weeks from July 9 through August 8. Highlights include Beethoven@251 “Festival Within a Festival,” the acclaimed BMC Presents series, performances by Brevard Music Center’s Janiec Opera Company, esteemed Artist Faculty, and more!