OAKS Afterschool Program
Pre-registration required. FREE for the 2021-2022 school year
September 7-December 17, 2021 | Monday-Friday | 2:30-5:30pm
An inclusive recreation program designed to support rising 1st5th graders and their families. OAKS will provide homework
assistance and opportunities to play through a variety of activities
and field trips. Participants will benefit from lower child to
staff ratios, continuation of scholastic goals (as applicable),
and individualized treatment plans (facilitated by LRT/CTRS
and program staff). Participants who cannot meet eligibility
requirements may attend with a 1:1 worker.
Location: Oakley

Pre-registration required. FREE for the 2021-2022 school year
August 23, 2021-June 3, 2022 | Monday-Friday | 2:45-6pm
K-6th graders.
Does your child enjoy having fun and making new friends? Offering
arts, crafts, special events, homework assistance and more!
Families currently enrolled in the school system’s reduced or free
meal program, please contact your recreation center for discount
fee information.
Locations: Burton, Grant, Montford, Shiloh, Stephens-Lee

The NC Mountain State Fair is the third-largest fair in North Carolina. The Fair runs from September 10th – 19th, 2021 at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. It celebrates the heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including agriculture, music, crafts, art, food, entertainment, display of livestock, competitions, & midway amusement rides. Check the website for hours, price of admission, tickets, Special Promotions, Discount Days, and much more! http://www.wncagcenter.org/p/mountainstatefair  For more information call 828-687-1414

Montford Pre-Teen Afterschool Program
Pre-registration required. FREE for the 2021-2022 school year
August 23, 2021 – June 3, 2022 | Monday-Friday | 3:30-6pm
5th-6th graders.
New program designed to meet the needs of your pre-teen.
Providing time dedicated to school assignments, life skills, arts,
communication, leadership, fitness, nutrition, and loads of fun.
Location: Montford

Teen Leadership Program
Pre-registration required. FREE for the 2021-2022 school year
August 23, 2021-June 3, 2022 | Monday-Friday | 3:30-6pm
6th-9th graders.
Looking for a cool and enriching alternative for your Teen to attend
this school year? We offer creative activities, diverse projects,
field trips, and more.
Locations: Grant, Shiloh, Stephens-Lee

Tech Week (Group 1): Nov 1-4 | Monday through Thursday | 4:30-6:30 PM
Tech Week (Group 2): Nov 8-11 | Monday through Thursday | 4:30-6:30 PM
Tech Week (Group 3): Nov 8-11 | Monday through Thursday | 6:30-8:30 PM

Performances (Group 1): Saturday, Nov 6 at 2:30 PM and Sunday, Nov 7 at 6:30 PM
Performances (Group 2): Saturday, Nov 13 at 2:30 PM and Sunday, Nov 14 at 2:30 PM
Performances (Group 3): Saturday, Nov 13 at 5:30 PM and Sunday, Nov 14 at 5:30 PM

What goes on behind the curtains? In this course students learn the ins and outs of technical theatre and backstage work, including safety, basic light and sound board operation, and stage management. Students will then put their skills to practice by covering all technical and backstage roles during the Youth Clue performances. Students will split tech and performance dates so some scheduling conflicts may be accommodated.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

Please do not purchase registration prior to applying for a scholarship. Applications must be received by 2:00pm on Wednesday, September 1st for consideration.

Join us EVERY Wednesday night for Kid’s Night! Children receive a free four-count kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal. See you on Wednesdays!

Build on the fundamentals of musical theatre technique by integrating acting, singing, and basic choreography in the development of a musical revue. Expand on principles of vocal technique, music theory, knowledge of Broadway repertoire, expression of character through movement, and learn how to elevate performances by making specific and unique choices on stage. Apply your skills in an informal showcase for friends and family. With new material every semester, this class can (and should) be taken multiple times!

Notes: To ensure increased ventilation, this class will be held outside whenever possible. If rain forces the program indoors, all students and staff will be required to wear masks. Thank you for understanding as we work to keep our community safe. Read more about our Covid Safety Guidelines here. 

*Need-based scholarships are available upon application.
Learn more below about payment plans and multi-student discounts.

A casual 4-mile or 2.5-mile jog through West Asheville. Route is similar to last year’s with minor modifications. Visit our Pub Run Facebook page.

Registration deadline: September 13

In this four-week virtual class, explore natural and artificial light using digital photography! Through a series of weekly assignments, hone your observation skills, and capture landscapes, portraits, and more in a variety of lighting situations. Use images from the Museum’s Collection and other sources for inspiration. Class time includes instruction, group shares, and discussions; individual preparation between classes includes responding to weekly photo prompts, short readings, and journaling.

This virtual class is designed with beginners, hobbyists, and those with some photography experience in mind. Previous knowledge of digital photography is not needed to participate in and/or benefit from the class. Learning how to use a digital camera is not a focus; however, the instructor can answer specific questions about digital camera functions and use as requested.

M. Paige Taylor has a background in art and photography, earning an undergraduate degree from Bard College (NY) and a graduate degree from the Art Center College of Design (CA). Currently, she teaches online photography courses for the University of New Mexico and is the Asheville Art Museum’s learning & engagement assistant. Before joining the Museum’s staff, she held positions at 516 ARTS (NM) and the Robert & Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (CA). She is a member of the Society for Photographic Education, and enjoys meeting new people of all ages and engaging them in a thoughtful exploration of art.

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST

**Weather related cancellations will be posted by 3pm the day of the ride**

Wednesday evenings there will be a Beginner oriented trail ride in Bent Creek at the Rice Pinnacle parking area that leaves at 6:00PM. This ride provides a welcoming environment for anyone who might be uncomfortable on intermediate or advanced rides. IF YOU’VE NEVER RIDDEN A TRAIL, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE RIDE FOR YOU!! While we’ll use gravel roads to connect trails, our focus will be on learning to have fun and improve skills on singletrack. While this is beginner focused, it will also be a fun social ride for those with more experience. *THIS IS MOUNTAIN BIKING ON MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS*

Where we ride and what we do will be determined by who shows up, and what we want to learn and explore. Questions from “How do I change a flat tire?” to “How do I ride over a log?” are encouraged and impromptu mini-clinics at trail features might happen.

Details:

• A mountain bike is required – This is critical as bikes with skinny tires are dangerous on trails. NO SKINNY TIRE BIKES.

• Helmets are REQUIRED(!) and biking gloves and eye protection are highly recommended.

• Please bring your own water, snacks, and a spare inner tube.

• If bad weather is predicted we’ll post a cancellation by 3:00PM.

• We’ll leave the lot at 6:00PM: If you can, be there by 5:45PM.

• We’ll try to time our rides to end just before it gets too dark to ride.

• Parking is limited. Arriving early and carpooling are recommended!

• Ride is entirely at your own risk. You assume all responsibility for your own well-being. *THIS IS MOUNTAIN BIKING ON MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS*. We cannot make the trails easier, but we will tailor the pace to Beginners.

Looking to get involved, stay active, and meet some new friends? Sand Hill Community Garden workdays take place on Wednesdays (6-8 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-noon) from Feb. 27-Oct. 30, 2021, at Buncombe County Sports Park. The garden is located on 16 Apac Dr. in West Asheville/Enka-Candler.

Join friends and neighbors as they come together on common ground to raise fresh, organic vegetables and fruits for the Enka community.

Expect to wear a mask and maintain social distance throughout. Tools and hand sanitizer are available, but any gloves, loppers, pruners, or gardening tools you can bring will decrease the amount of contact between volunteers. Please wear work clothes to get dirty and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, water, and a hat are also handy items to have on hand.

Sand Hill Community Garden has been growing fresh produce since 2011 and raised over 1,200 lbs. of organic produce last year.

NOTE: Community workdays are weather dependent. Please join the community garden email list (send your info to [email protected]) to stay up on workday tasks and other garden news.

To receive the I Heart Parks monthly newsletter, sign up online. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

Dust off your thinking caps, grab your friends, and join us for Trivia Night at the taproom every Wednesday at 6pm!

Due to the continued and rising increase in community spread of COVID-19, Buncombe County will continue hosting virtual feedback sessions through September. Should metrics improve, additional in-person feedback sessions will be scheduled at the end of the series, with priority for the Oakley, Shiloh, Swannanoa, and Weaverville communities.

Upcoming sessions:

• Wednesday, Sept. 15 , 12-1 p.m. with simultaneous live Spanish interpretation and broadcast live on Facebook in English at @BuncombeGov and in Spanish at @BCHHS
• Monday, Sept. 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The Zoom links for each session can be accessed from the calendar below.

Last fall, more than 1,500 residents weighed in during the development of the proposed Library Facilities Master Plan, and this series of feedback sessions is designed specifically to gather input on facility structures and locations. During the feedback sessions, community members will be asked to share their opinion on the proposed regional model and share information that will go to the Board of Commissioners about the proposed plan. Feedback can also be emailed to [email protected].

In June, the Board of County Commissioners paused moving forward with the Library Facilities Master Plan to allow for more community input. No elements of the recommended plan have been adopted at this time.

To help curb the spread of COVID-19, masks are required by all staff and visitors at all Buncombe County Government facilities, including libraries. Free COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone 12 and older Buncombe County Health and Human Services between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville. No ID is required. Learn more at www.buncombeready.org.

Due to the rapid increase in community spread of COVID-19, all in-person library feedback sessions have been paused. Should metrics improve, additional in-person feedback sessions will be scheduled at the end of the series in October, with priority for the Oakley and Shiloh communities. The session scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Oakley community will be held virtually. See the calendar below for more information on that session and to attend virtually. More virtual opportunities will be added.

*Photo depicts summary of recommendations

“We know that our libraries are true community hubs and our patrons are passionate about their local branches,” says Library Director Jim Blanton. “Our goal with the feedback sessions is to take the consultant’s recommendations and ideas out to the community to continue our public engagement process.”

Additional sessions may be announced.

What to expect

There will be no formal presentation during the feedback sessions. Sessions are scheduled for approximately one hour, start with a brief introduction, and then facillitators will request feedback and opinions on the proposed Library Facilities Master Plan.

View the consultant’s presentation to the Board of Commissioners.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Everyone has a story. Many of us attempt to put our story in writing.  Some of us get published. An even smaller number can take credit for having written something of lasting value.

On eight evenings from September to December at the West Asheville Library, the Wilma Dykeman Legacy will celebrate four memoirs of lasting value from the mountains of Western North Carolina. These sessions will be offered in person and online

Through four lectures and four book discussions the following writers will be featured:

Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.
Talk by Jim Stokely, son of Wilma Dykeman and President of the Wilma Dykeman Legacy, featuring Wilma’s memoir Family of Earth: A Southern Mountain Childhood.

Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.
Book discussion of Family of Earth: A Southern Mountain Childhood.

Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
Talk by Walter Ziffer, retired engineer, minister, and professor, featuring his memoir Confronting the Silence: A Holocaust Survivor’s Search for God.

Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
Book discussion of Confronting the Silence: A Holocaust Survivor’s Search for God.

Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
Talk by Dr. Warren J. Carson, retired Professor of English and Director of the Gospel Choir at the University of South Carolina Upstate, featuring Nina Simone’s memoir, I Put a Spell on You.

Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
Book discussion of I Put a Spell on You.

Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
Talk by Mary Judith Messer, featuring her memoir Moonshiner’s Daughter.

Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.
Book discussion of Moonshiner’s Daughter.

All programs are free, and everyone is invited. Light refreshments will be served. To register for the online/zoom meetings, email [email protected]. For more information contact the West Asheville Library.

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night

The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 8pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 8pm, and will get five minutes on stage. The order of sign-up is not necessarily the order of the show.

MTN VIBEZ Presents Latin Night-every Wednesday.  Free Dance Lessons 8:30-9PM-All Skill Levels and All Latin Genres-Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Reggaeton.

DJ Ephcto spins cultural bass music from 6:30pm-9pm and is a perfect time to come for some dinner prior to the start of Latin night.

“Move On Up” is a night of your favorite and forgotten Soul/RB cuts right after Comedy Night.