Calendar of Events

Extension Master Gardener volunteers will staff the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your gardening question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

⮕Call 828-255-5522
⮕Email questions and photos to [email protected]
⮕Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March (starts March 10) – October (ends October 23)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Extension Master Gardener volunteers will staff the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your gardening question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

⮕Call 828-255-5522
⮕Email questions and photos to [email protected]
⮕Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March (starts March 10) – October (ends October 23)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Join us for The HEAL Collective’s one-of-a-kind Summer Tour!

📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2025
🕔 5:00–7:30pm (doors open at 4:45)
📍 The Studio AVL — 34 Wall Street, Asheville, NC 28801

You’ve done the inner work.
You know how to name your patterns, ride the emotional waves, maybe even hold space for others.

But…
You still crave something deeper.
A place where your body can exhale.
Where healing doesn’t feel like a solo mission.
Where you can be held, celebrated, and activated alongside others who get it.

This is that space.

We’re Carissa & Eric—partners in love and in the wild vision of a more embodied, relational world.
We’ve walked through burnout, heartbreak, anxiety, and the kind of disconnection that healing work alone couldn’t quite touch.

This event is a call to come back into the body.
Into connection.
Into playful, powerful presence.

✨ What You’ll Experience:

❤️‍🔥 Grounding breathwork + guided meditation
❤️‍🔥 Somatic practices for regulation and joy
❤️‍🔥 Authentic relating & vulnerable connection
❤️‍🔥 Dance, movement, and community magic

🌟 You’ll Leave With:

💫 Practices to anchor yourself when the world feels chaotic
💫 Soul-nourishing connections with conscious humans
💫 A felt sense of possibility—in your body, your life, and your relationships

We believe healing is a path we must each walk ourselves, but we don’t need to walk it alone.
Healing can be embodied. It can be communal. It can be alive.

This isn’t just an event.
It’s the revolution.
A gathering of people who are ready to feel more free—together.

🎟️ Tickets
$44 – Individual
$77 – Bring a friend, partner, or fellow seeker and receive a discount

🍇 Light refreshments provided.
🌸 Space is intimate—reserve your spot early.

Come as you are. Leave more fully expressed.
We can’t wait to heal with you.

Docents and Presenters: Extension Master Gardener volunteers working in the garden.

Program Description: On the last Wednesday of the month from May to October you can join a more formal tour and be led through the gardens by a master gardener docent as you watch the other gardeners caring for the plants. See beautiful and interesting plants, delicious vegetables, native plants for beauty and pollinator interest.
The tours start at 10:00 a.m. and should last approximately an hour. The tours will begin outside the front door of the Buncombe County Extension Office.

Wear appropriate attire (hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes and bring some water) as this event will be held outside. In the event of steady rain in West Asheville, the workday and the tour will be canceled.

The tour is free and registration is not necessary.
If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

NOTE: The Learning Garden is open for informal visits Monday through Friday throughout the year, but if you visit on a Wednesday, during the growing season, you can meet the Master Gardeners working in the gardens and ask questions about the plants and their care. We invite you to visit often, observe the gardens, and ask questions as the Master Gardeners tend the gardens through the growing season. If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Extension Master Gardener volunteers will staff the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your gardening question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

⮕Call 828-255-5522
⮕Email questions and photos to [email protected]
⮕Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March (starts March 10) – October (ends October 23)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

THURSDAY JULY 31, 7:30Pm at The Orange Peel PULP
ENJOY standup comedy in a whole new way with picture and videos to go along with the fun in a bourbon bar comedy club! Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Prime Video. Headliner Jordan Julius, winner of Slice Standup Comedy Contest. Featuring hot regional comics Sarah Love, Jason Reel & Lois Adjevi
FREE SNACKS, outside food ok!
Get you tix now, these shows sell out!

Standup Comedy Picture Show

Period Nirvana’s Grand Opening Celebration!

Stop by our new space filled with thoughtfully curated menstrual care products and our museum exhibit featuring 100 years of period technology.

Come support your local (and only) period store- we can’t wait to see you there!

All Day Fun Friday: 11am-7pm Join us on Friday for our Official Grand Opening. Period Nirvana will have a goodie bag full of some of our favorite wellness treats for the first 10 people who visit our store. We will have light refreshments for our guests in store while they browse.

Sweet Treat Alert: From 4:30-6:30pm, enjoy soft serve ice cream from Sweet Cub right outside the store. Ice cream is on us for the first 100 guests. It’s our way of saying thanks for showing up!

Afterparty: 8pm-? After we close the store, we’ll be heading over to Archetype Brewing for some “Time of the Month” trivia! Come test your knowledge on all things period + uterus and enjoy a drink with us!

We can’t wait to see you there!

In a world of noise, give yourself the gift of stillness. Realign your nervous system and rest in the sanctuary of peace.

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience. A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 1:00 PM, doors close promptly at 1:15 PM.

This Sound Bath is offered on a sliding scale of $10-20

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Join us as we partner with Blue Ridge Pride for a 90s Country-themed Downtown After 5! Featuring headliner Mustache the Band and opener Shakey’s Live Band Karaoke. Show off your style in our Best Boots Contest or channel your inner queen in the Dolly Parton Lookalike Competition for a chance to win fun prizes!

Downtown After 5 is more than just a concert series—it’s a community staple that celebrates the diversity and creativity of Asheville. Each event is free to the public, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of between 5,000 to 6,000 attendees. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site alongside a marketplace component where attendees can explore and shop handmade crafts from local makers. Join us at Pack Square Park for these unforgettable evenings of music, community, and celebration.

Come join us at the Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Cafe at the Coman Center at A-B Tech for a wonderful day filled with good food and good people. We are so excited to have local vegan vendors get together and show you what they’ve got. You can stop by and get some treats to go or, even better, hang out with us for a while. There will be plenty of seating for eating and socializing. Find out more on Instagram and Facebook @vgnmkt
The event is indoors and is Rain or Shine. There will be some food trucks right out front.
Hours are 11:00 – 3:00.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. It’s a vegan party & you’re invited!

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Monthly Visitor is a new class series by Period Nirvana. Every month, we will host a speaker to teach a class or lead a workshop in their area of expertise. The class will be about an hour long with the opportunity for questions and to shop for menstrual care and wellness products afterwards. Enjoy 15% off your purchase as a thank you for purchasing a ticket and attending!

This month, we invite Dr. Taylor Yankey to lead a workshop on contraception! This class will include a brief history, an overview of the hormones involved with menstruation to understand the variety of contraceptives, and a breakdown of all of the options for contraception. She will also cover how contraceptives can be used for more than preventing pregnancy.

This event is for anyone curious about contraception! Period Nirvana is an inclusive space and we welcome anyone who wishes to attend. This class is geared toward high-school and college aged folks, but is also appropriate for middle-schoolers who might be interested.

Get to know our August Monthly Visitor!

Dr. Taylor Yankey, PharmD, MPH is a pharmacist who currently serves as the primary pharmacist for the Sona Access Program at Sona Pharmacy & Clinic, a local independent pharmacy in Asheville, NC. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health degrees at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. Awarded the USPHS Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award in 2023, Yankey believes that a community pharmacist is the most accessible healthcare provider for rural and underserved communities. She strives to leverage pharmacy practice to enhance the holistic health of our community, working on projects related to medication adherence, medication access, health literacy, and the wellbeing of healthcare staff. When not on the job, you can find her meandering through the River Arts District or enjoying quiet time at home with her husband, Tanner, and feline companion, Lilly

Join AdventHealth Hendersonville and The Blood Connection for a blood drive on Thursday, August 21, at AdventHealth Hendersonville.

To make it easy for the public to donate, AdventHealth and The Blood Connection follow all safety protocols for blood donation.

Blood Drive at AdventHealth Hendersonville

Thursday, August 21 | 10 am to 3 pm

100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville

Look for The Blood Connection Mobile Donor Unit near the Valet parking lot.

Donors will receive up to $40 in rewards!

To make an appointment, visit thebloodconnection.org and search for the Sponsor Code 23AC.

Presenters: Drake Fowler, Executive Director, North Carolina Arboretum

Program Description: We often see Asheville, North Carolina, as a “climate haven,” and we were all shaken by the impacts of Hurricane Helene last September.

In this thought-provoking talk, Drake Fowler, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Arboretum, discusses our first-hand experience living through this major geological event and what it reveals about the vulnerability—and potential—of our landscapes.

Learn how local professionals and other specialists are charting a path toward long-term recovery, and explore strategies for building more resilient gardens and communities in a changing climate.

The presentation is free, and registration with Eventbrite is required.

If you have questions, contact the Buncombe County Extension office at 828-255-5522.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Support your local pollinators in The Learning Garden and participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Join us and learn how to identify and count common pollinators and what plants they favor. After a brief presentation we will go out into the garden and count pollinators.

Two (15 minute) counting sessions will be held back to back. Come for the first one or stay for both. Extension Master Gardener volunteers will provide instruction and assist. Your count matters!

Please bring a hat, water bottle and a chair if needed.

The program is free, but participation is limited and registration is required. Details of the program, along with registration instructions are found on the Buncombe County Extension website.

If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.
Photo by Donna Sapp, Extension Master Gardener volunteer

Starseed Sound Bath with Levi Reynolds

Calling all Starseeds, lightworkers, and cosmic travelers—this is your invitation to a high-frequency sound healing experience designed to awaken your celestial essence and realign your energy with the cosmic flow.

Levi Reynolds will guide you through a multidimensional sound journey using upgraded gongs, sound bowls, and celestial vibrational instruments infused with meteorites and tektites from Mercury, Mars, the Moon, and asteroid Vesta (Tatahouine). These high-vibration frequencies resonate with starseed DNA, activating deep inner wisdom, light codes, and cosmic remembrance.

This experience is designed to help you:
✨ Connect with the cosmic origins of your soul
✨ Activate starseed light codes and higher consciousness
✨ Release stagnant energies and realign with your soul’s mission
✨ Journey through celestial frequencies in a deeply immersive soundscape

Our space is small and cozy, creating an intimate setting for this powerful experience. Arrive early to claim a spot lying down—otherwise, chairs will be available for seating.
Please bring any comfort items you may desire: blankets, pillows, bolsters, eye mask, etc. We also have some community items available for use.

🔹 Tickets: $33 per person
🔹 Purchase upon arrival

Come and bathe in the frequencies of the stars—your soul will remember the way home. 🌌✨

Join us for our monthly market, where you’ll discover local vendors offering a variety of houseplants, garden plants, and planty-related items, including crafts and jewelry. Show your support by visiting our social table, where we will have branded merchandise for sale to help fund the event, as well as tags for social media pages to follow your favorite vendors. Enjoy live music and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
🅿️Free parking is available! Please park at the front of the building and enter through the hydroponics shop. Vendors will be set up inside the shop as well as outside the back of the shop.

Join us at Olivette’s Riverside Park on Saturday August 23rd for a very special benefit show in support of ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program. HarvestFest is a celebration of local farmers, community and music. Doors open at 3pm with family games and activities and live music.
In honor of our local farmers and all they do to sustain our community, all farmers and their families will have free entry to the event. All ticket proceeds will go towards the ASAP Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program.