Mountain Xpress 10.08.25

FEATURES

Weaverville struggles

TUBING FOR TRASH

TDA doubles down on sports with more than $9M in tourism grants

Arden church festival features

When 9-year-old Riley Heinl was 5, he read Kids vs. Plastics, a National Geographic Kids book. Shortly thereafter, he approached his parents with his concerns about trash in the Ivy River, which flows through their backyard. He and his family eventually launched Tubing for Trash, an ad hoc group that invites and encourages families to get out on the water and remove detritus. In the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, the initiative is more active than ever.

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No thanks to a Weaverville on steroids

I read the latest interview with outgoing Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons in the Oct. 1 Mountain Xpress [“‘This Town Matters’: Mayor Ends Tenure With Eyes on Weaverville’s Future”]. No joke that the town’s population has nearly doubled in recent years! Everywhere you look, huge developments are going up, which includes farther out where I live: apartment complexes, condos and subdivisions. Reems Creek Road is turning into a stream of them headed out. The top of Monticello Road has been ruined. Farmland and woodlands laid waste by the bulldozers forever.

And for it all, it never seems to be enough. In the 35 years I have lived in this area, I have watched it turn into bumper-to-bumper traffic. And it’ll worsen as the next complexes and the hospital near Monticello Road are completed. I can’t imagine that intersection with ambulances trying to get through. Traffic already backs way up now. (For the record, I don’t oppose the hospital. Maybe the location.)

Weaverville used to be my quiet place to run errands and enjoy, as Asheville got too busy and packed. Now I fear it’ll

look like South Asheville before long, an area I avoid like the plague. Instead, now I take more of my business to Madison County.

My country living is changing, too, as houses have gone up all around me at an ever-increasing rate. After Tropical Storm Helene, I tried to walk down to check on an elderly friend. My road was closed, so we couldn’t drive out. Still, the traffic blew past me at a steady rate as I walked the road down to the river. Some motorists acted peeved that I was there, cutting close to me! There’s no shoulder to speak of. And forget bicycle riding. It’s far too dangerous to be enjoyable. Two cyclists died this summer on N.C. 251, which is a popular bike route.

I’m now reaching my later years. Moving is far too overwhelming. Plus I still love my home for all I put into it for the last 35 years. But if the mayor is proud of what’s been done to Weaverville, well, I find it shameful. It’s surely destroying the beauty and quiet we once enjoyed. Instead of mountain

just one: the undersized pool at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, with a maximum capacity of only 100 swimmers in a city of nearly 100,000 residents.

Meanwhile, private membership pools across Asheville — the YMCA of Western North Carolina, YWCA Asheville, Asheville Jewish Community Center, Asheville Racquet Club, Country Club of Asheville, East Asheville Recreation Club and Odyssey School — remain open and thriving. Every single one has a deep end. Public pools, on the other hand, now have none.

This is not equity. Families who can afford $500-$1,500 memberships have access to safer, more functional pools, while the majority of Asheville residents are left with shallow-water facilities.

views, they are now blocked by the ugliest apartment complexes imaginable. What was farmland with cows near Lake Louise is now a huge, ugly condo complex, one of several built/being built near there.

It simply breaks my heart. More isn’t always better. And with this unwanted fast-paced growth, it’ll only get worse. It is not sustainable. I don’t see a vision. I see greed. For shame!

— Troy Amastar Alexander

Restore true deep end for Malvern Hills pool

If you follow local public projects, you may have noticed the national trend of shrinkflation hitting close to home. Recently unveiled designs for Malvern Hills Park pool are a case in point. Asheville once had three public pools — Walton Street, Malvern Hills Park and Recreation Park. Today, after years of deferred capital investment and the destruction of the Rec Park pool by Hurricane Helene, the city has

Word of the week

jerkwater

(adj.)

remote and unimportant

This week’s issue is all about the small town of Weaverville. Believe it or not, when you search online “synonym for ‘small town,’” the internet offers you “jerkwater town” as one of the options. Let it be clear: Xpress does not consider Weaverville a jerkwater town. We just really enjoyed stumbling upon this adjective. X

A deep end is not a luxury feature. It is essential for safety, advanced swim instruction and lifeguard training. Without it, kids plateau at the beginner level, and the city limits its own ability to recruit and train lifeguards. Removing deep ends creates a two-tier system of aquatic access — deep water for those who can pay, shallow tubs for those who cannot.

The new design for Malvern Hills Pool — just 3.5 to 5 feet deep, with a small diving well — has left the community disappointed and frustrated. Malvern Hills has always provided both a true shallow end for children and a true deep end for older youths and adults. Under the new plan, both would be lost.

If this design goes forward, Asheville will have no public pools with deep ends, while every private pool continues to protect theirs.

City leaders should be expanding — not shrinking — public access to full-sized pools. Malvern Hills should maintain its historic footprint, with a zero-entry shallow end for young children and a true 8–9 foot deep end for teens, adults and lifeguard training. Asheville deserves public pools that meet the same safety and quality standards as private facilities. Anything less is inequitable.

Do the right thing. Restore the deep end.

—

Applause for civil discourse in new column

I just saw Bill Branyon’s and Carl Mumpower’s new column “I Beg to Differ: What’s Wrong With Our Political Discourse?” in the Mountain Xpress [Aug. 27]. I applaud them! Space for civil discourse is so important. Thank you for having the courage to do it.

—

Corinne M. Duncan Asheville

Brooke Heaton West Asheville

CARTOON BY RANDY MOLTON

Sound and fury

Weaverville struggles to balance pickleball and neighborhood noise concerns

BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE

jmcguire@mountainx.com

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and Weaverville is feeling the boom — along with the headaches that come with the popular paddle board game.

Since the town opened four asphalt courts at the Lake Louise Outdoor Recreation Complex in February 2024, officials have found it hard to keep up with demand from the legions of local pickleball fanatics. “There are over 500 people who have registered for the app that they use to schedule pickleball games on those courts,” says Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons. “So obviously, it’s very, very popular.”

The courts stay busy during early morning and evening hours, buzzing with energy and noise as enthusiastic (and often boisterous) players compete against each other in a fast-paced sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong.

And that — especially the noise part — is a problem, according to some residents of nearby Lakeshore and Metcalf drives. The neighbors say their homes are inundated with the rhythmic “poppop-pop” of paddles striking plastic balls, punctuated by sharp clacks as the balls hit the hard court surface. The sound is described as quick and repetitive, like a fast-paced drumbeat.

Longtime homeowners report being unable to enjoy their yards or porches and claim their property values have dropped due to the noise.

“My objection is not with pickleball in any form or fashion,” Michael Stuart, a longtime Metcalf Drive resident and physician, told Weaverville Town Council at its July 28 meeting. “My objection is the way that court was constructed. Massive errors were made in the design. Apparently, no environmental study, no acoustic sound study was done. And the worst mistake of all is [the courts] are snuggled up into a corner against two residential communities. This is an absolute no-no.” Stuart, one of three neighbors who expressed concern about noise at the meeting, added: “Those courts should be shut down until a suitable site that we can all agree on will be found.”

In a sign of how contentious the issue has become in the north Buncombe County town, at least one pickleball supporter can be heard on the meet-

ing’s recording booing Stuart after his comments.

NOISE REDUCTION

Weaverville Town Manager Scottie Harris first became aware of the noise complaints when he talked to some Lakeshore and Metcalf residents shortly after he was named interim town manager during the summer of 2024. He says officials are working to reduce the sound coming from the courts while still supporting Weaverville’s growing pickleball community.

“They do get an astronomical use,” Harris says of the courts. “I don’t know if anybody kind of envisioned the sport or the activities taking off the way it has.”

In the short term, the town has initiated a series of sound-mitigation efforts, spending approximately $20,000 so far. These include installing acoustic materials on fencing, planting trees to serve as sound barriers and purchasing quieter pickleballs and paddle sleeves designed to muffle impact noise. Additionally, officials are encouraging players to use quieter equipment listed on USAPickleball’s acoustic equipment site.

The town’s Public Works Department has also been directed to relocate permanent cornhole boards that are currently near the courts to another area of the park to make room for additional noise-buffering trees. And staff members are exploring turning underused areas such as parking lots into temporary or movable courts to reduce pressure on existing courts.

“The town is trying to exhaust all options and make sure we’re doing our due diligence of how can we help accommodate some of the noise that is impacting the neighborhoods and the community,” Harris explains.

Harris says the kind of permanent relocation of courts favored by Stuart is not out of the question, but the process would take time. “You’ve got to have land somewhere to even move the pickleball courts,” he says.

HEALTH BENEFITS

At the same July meeting at which Stuart addressed Town Council, nine residents came out to extol the virtues of pickleball and to ask for increased “dawn to dusk” summer hours at the

COURT’S IN SESSION: Siblings Hannah and Jan Jeske play pickleball at Weaverville’s Lake Louise Outdoor Recreation Complex. The town’s pickleball boom has sparked a clash between some players and frustrated neighbors.

Photo by Thomas Calder

courts, which are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. April through September.

Some of the comments highlighted the courts as part of the town’s broader commitment to wellness.

“Pickleball changed my life,” said Jayson Feliciano, a local information technology professional and father of two. After discovering the sport in Florida with his father, he brought it back to Weaverville, where it became a lifeline. “I’ve lost 60 pounds. My back pain that once limited me is gone. My depression has nearly disappeared. I’ve built lasting friendships. I even met my supportive partner on the courts.”

Health benefits were echoed by Laird Ruth, a retired health scientist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Just three sessions per week can increase cardiovascular fitness by 12%. It burns 350-500 calories per hour. … It also boosts mental well-being, combats isolation, and improves mobility and balance.” After heart surgery earlier this year, Ruth said he couldn’t return to playing soccer but found pickleball safe and life-giving.

Children and families are also benefiting. “There are very few community recreational opportunities where children, parents and grandparents can all have an even playing field,” said 12-yearold Charlie Wilkers. “Pickleball makes it possible.”

Inger Stallman, a 44-year Weaverville resident, called relocation of the courts “an unpractical and unwise idea,” and advocated for professional noise studies instead of reactive decisions. “Our tax dollars are precious,” she said. “Relocation … would be much more draining on time and resources.”

Lakeshore Drive resident Darla Letourneau said the town government has made an exceptional effort to keep the courts friendly to neighbors. “We are the most restrictive and conservative in the county,” she said, citing locked gates, limited hours and sound-dampening walls.

‘WE

THINK IT’S UNCONSCIONABLE'

But fellow Lakeshore Drive resident Mari Fox disagreed. During the July meeting, she read from the town’s noise ordinance and zoning regulations, saying the courts violate multiple aspects of the law designed to protect residential peace. “We think it’s unconscionable to think the Town Council would even consider extending the hours and continue to infringe on our liberties to enjoy our own outdoor and indoor living spaces.” Fox questioned the Council on enforcement. “Should we start calling the police every time a violation of these codes occur? In essence, we will be calling the town on the town. So my question for the Town Council is: Is that what you want us to do?”

Angel Erdmann, a longtime resident of Metcalf Drive, described how her family carefully maintains a quiet environment out of respect for neighbors, contrasting this with the disruptive noise from the courts. “The sound travels directly to our homes, straight over any barriers. It’s not just the ball noise, it’s the loud voices, the yelling and sometimes foul and distasteful language.” Erdmann added: “We can’t enjoy our yard, we can’t open windows, my granddaughter can’t nap in my house, and my kids who homeschool can’t focus. This is not just about pickleball; it’s about respect. ... I’ve heard you’re considering extending hours to 10 p.m., and I truly do not consider that fair.”

‘KEEP TRYING TO GET ALONG’

Council member Michele Wood, who is not seeking reelection next month, told Xpress she sympathizes with the residents and hopes current and future Council members will be more responsive to their concerns going forward. Neighbors have requested relief for over a year, she says, but most of their messages go unanswered

Wood says concerned residents have told her they won’t participate in further discussions with the town unless the courts are closed temporarily.

Back at the July 28 meeting, Council member Catherine Cordell pointed out that the site of the courts was home to Weaverville’s public pool from 1959 to the early 1990s.

“I do remember going there, and we screamed and played loud music, and we had a wonderful time,” she said. “And so it has always been a Parks and Recreation area. When I was growing up, a pool was the most important thing. But four or five years ago, we asked for people to tell us what they want there, and they wanted a pickleball court.”

She acknowledged the town’s unique identity and resisted comparisons to nearby Asheville, particularly when it comes to court operating hours. “We are Weaverville, we’re not Asheville,” she stated, suggesting that limited hours — rather than dawn-to-dusk play — may better suit the town’s quieter, more conservative character. She commended town staff members for their efforts to address concerns through landscaping and sound buffers.

“We’re trying to be community to everybody,” Cordell said. “All I can say is, we’re doing the best we

can. Everybody just keep trying to get along.”

Harris ultimately decided that the courts would retain current hours of operation. From April through September, they will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and from October through March, hours will run 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Play is still prohibited between sunset and sunrise, in line with broader park rules at Lake Louise Park.

“I truly do understand that it’s concerning on both sides,” he says. “Both sides are very passionate. The community wants a healthy lifestyle living, just as much as the pickleball players want a healthy lifestyle of living. I know that healthy lifestyle of living looks different to each group, so how do we navigate and find that win-win for both sides?”

Wood says that when the pickleball courts were first being planned and approved, she and her fellow Town Council members didn’t realize how disruptive the noise would be. With three open seats and no incumbents running in this Nov. 4 election, future Council members will have a more nuanced understanding of the issues at play.

“Maybe we didn’t know better when we built them,” Wood says. “But we know better now. We need to do something.” X

Game plans

TDA doubles down on sports with more than $9M in tourism grants

BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE

jmcguire@mountainx.com

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) continues to bet heavily on sports and outdoor recreation as a driver of tourism.

At its Oct. 1 meeting, TDA’s board approved nearly $9 million in new grants for projects aimed at attracting tournaments, athletes and families to the county for sporting events like cycling, soccer, baseball, diving and tennis. The grants are from the Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF), which supports significant tourism capital projects.

In May, the board had awarded $2.15 million for restoration of Azalea Park’s John B. Lewis Soccer Complex, which was devastated by Tropical Storm Helene, and about $500,000 for parking improvements to Bob Lewis Ballpark in Candler. That brings the total of TPDF

grants for sports this year to more than $11 million.

The funding decisions come on the heels of two recent TDA/Explore Asheville announcements of sports events coming to Asheville: The Big South Conference Baseball Championship will be held at McCormick Field in 2026 and 2027; and the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field National Championships will be hosted at UNC Asheville the same years. In both cases, facility upgrades funded partially by TDA grants helped land the events.

The largest award this cycle — $4.5 million — was granted to Beacon Park in Swannanoa. The 4.7-acre multiuse outdoor destination will feature the largest all-wheel bike park in North and South America, designed by Velosolutions, officials say. The bike park is expected to attract national and international competitions.

WHEELS IN MOTION: Officials hope the Beacon Park bike facility will draw national and international cycling events. Rendering courtesy of Explore Asheville

The complex is being built on the site of the former Beacon Manufacturing Co. blanket mill, which operated from 1924 to 2002 and was once one of the region’s major employers. “I believe it's a really important project for Swannanoa and the community there,” said Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County TDA.

An additional $1.97 million will fund the second phase of the Buncombe County Sports Park improvement project, which is focused on making the facility better suited for hosting multiday soccer tournaments. The money will be used to add turf and lighting to some fields, build accessible walkways, install a playground and improve facilities for visitors.

FUNDING OVERVIEW

Beacon Park (Swannanoa) Award: $4.5 million

The park will feature a world-class all-wheel bike facility with tunnels, start ramps and specialized infrastructure for bikes, scooters, skateboards and adaptive equipment. Additional amenities include outdoor bouldering walls, a 1-mile walking loop, pavilions and shade structures, a parking area and a large, open-event lawn capable of hosting concerts and festivals for up to 4,000 people.

Timeline: Phase 1 is scheduled for completion this month, with full completion by June 2026.

Buncombe County Sports Park Phase 2 (Enka)

Award: $1.97 million (supplemental to the 2023 award of $4 million)

Planned improvements include the turfing and lighting of fields 3, 4 and 5, as well as turfing of field 9.

Timeline: Construction is expected to begin this month, with field upgrades completed by fall 2026 and the full project done by June 2027.

Warren Wilson College Aquatics Center (Swannanoa)

Award: $1.6 million

The project entails demolition of the school's outdated 7,500-square-foot enclosure and construction of a new 10,000-square-foot building. The new facility will include a six-lane pool, two competition-grade diving boards, seating for up to 200 spectators and space for up to 100 athletes. The pool is not Olympic size, but the hope is that the aquatics center will be able to land collegiate diving competitions.

Timeline: Groundbreaking is planned for June 2026, with completion expected by January 2027.

UNC Asheville tennis facility

Award: $500,000

A new on-campus tennis facility will replace courts lost due to the Interstate 26 connector project. It will feature six lighted competition courts, spectator seating and a dedicated tennis building housing coaches offices, locker rooms, storage space, a sports medicine room and public restrooms.

Timeline: Groundbreaking is anticipated for February, with completion targeted for March 2027.

Bob Lewis Ballpark enhancements (Candler)

Award: $220,000 (contingent on a 1:1 funding match)

Facility upgrades are designed to attract higher-profile youth baseball and softball tournaments. Planned enhancements include installation of new entry gates and columns, synthetic turf behind all dugouts, shade canopies for bleachers and plazas, evergreen fencing in the outfields and a gravel pedestrian trail connecting the upper and lower complexes.

Timeline: The project is scheduled to be completed by February.

Other projects funded by TPDF grants:

• White Horse Black Mountain $736,537 for outdoor venue expansion.

• Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS)

$189,500 (contingent on 10-year lease) of expansion into adjacent building, creating new exhibit and classroom spaces. X

Weaverville

Town Council

Six candidates are running for three open seats on Weaverville Town Council. The town, many of the candidates note, is at a pivotal moment. Its population continues to grow, and future construction projects, such as the AdventHealth campus, will only add to Weaverville’s future expansion. Editor’s note: Responses were edited for legnth and clarity. For full responses, visit avl.mx/f4o.

— Thomas Calder X

Election Locations and Times

Early voting runs Thursday, Oct. 16-Saturday, Nov. 1. There will be no early voting Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 18-19 and Oct. 25-26. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except on Saturday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Early voting can be done at the Elections Services Warehouse, 50 Coxe Ave., Asheville. An additional site — the Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lake Shore Drive — will be open on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls are open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you will have the opportunity to vote. To find your voting location, go to avl.mx/6nq.

For additional information on matters such as voter ID and absentee voting, visit avl.mx/f45.

THE QUESTIONS

As previously reported by Xpress, Weaverville expects housing stock to increase by 40% in the next five years. With growth comes growing pains, especially as it relates to strain on the town’s infrastructure. What will you do as a Council member to ensure that Weaverville’s infrastructure keeps up with the town’s growth?

What types of development should Weaverville town leadership encourage? Conversely, what sort do you think the town should avoid? In both cases, what can Council do to ensure the desired projects are successful in Weaverville?

Website: Phil Barnett on LinkedIn

Occupation: Retired

Previous candidacy or offices held: Vice president for Professional Development, The Licensing Executives Society USA/ Canada

Amount of money raised: Self-funded Top three donors: NA

We do need more clarity on requirements for annexation and need to ensure that developers install infrastructure that meets the town’s standards, which makes future annexation less costly to residents.That said, we do have new electricity infrastructure recently finished, and our potable water plant and sharing agreements won positive regional recognition for resilience after last year’s storm. The town is doing well with new housing developments. The town has an active grants application process that successfully raised $21 million this year to support infrastructure recovery and hardening. This activity will continue.

We will need expansion of professional services capacity in the new hospital radius. The town is also quite supportive of artists, small businesses and entrepreneurs that fit in with our historic Main Street businesses and local arts events. Our Weaverville Economic Development Advisory Committee (WEDAC), of which I am chairman, has supported the development of a new public market concept in and on the campus of the old factory on Reems Creek Road, which will provide a new local showcase for entertainment, sports, dining and the arts, and also attract families and visitors alike. This development direction is a healthy one that preserves our small-town demeanor while onboarding the inevitable growth we expect. We also appreciate our legacy industrial businesses we already have but anticipate no new industrial additions.

Occupation: General contractor

Previous candidacy or offices held: 10 years on the Bele Chere board

Amount of money raised: Less than $1,000 Top three donors: Close friends and family

As a general contractor, I have a wealth of knowledge on infrastructure, building codes and general sustainability when it comes to construction growth. I feel like one of my strengths that I bring to the table is not just ideas or hopes but actual working knowledge of what can and should be done when this new development is proposed. I want to see responsible growth in our community without destroying the uniqueness or safety of the town.

I think the key to success, regardless of the proposed idea, is open communication and really listening to the people that will be affected by any changes. I’m a people person. I love getting to know my neighbors and residents around town. I am here to represent them, so listening would come first. As far as development, I think each case is an individual situation to consider. Personally, I look forward to working on proposed greenway and pedestrian plans already in the works.

AdventHealth is projected to open within the next few years, pending legal challenges. The trauma center will create thousands of new jobs and increase traffic in and out of Weaverville. What role can Council play in addressing community concerns over congestion?

Clearly, the town will need to collaborate with and support AdventHealth’s in-town and regional traffic access needs in cooperation with NCDOT. We’ll also need to evaluate in-town bottlenecks to increase pedestrian and driver safety in the presence of new emergency traffic. We have a voting seat on our regional DOT/ MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization), and I’ve raised my hand to succeed Councilwoman Catherine Cordell on this board, to be sure we continue to voice and elevate the traffic improvements we need now and in the future.

I think AdventHealth will be a wonderful addition to our community and a significant resource for the surrounding area. As a councilman, I hope to be a reassuring voice to the residents who have concerns. I also want to help bridge the communication between Advent and the Weaverville residents.

How will you engage with residents to make sure people feel informed and up to date on town business?

What is the biggest challenge facing Weaverville, and what will you do as a Council member to address it?

Our Economic Development Advisory Committee meets monthly at the Weaverville Community Center, and this session is open to the public. I, along with Councilman Dee Lawrence and others, am also proposing a new schedule of public town meetings to gather input from citizens and highlight town developments. We will work in the coming cycle to grow citizen engagement and populate committees and programs with new volunteers. This year, WEDAC created a new 501(c)(3) foundation to raise funds and support our town’s pipeline of great enhancement projects.

(1) Infrastructure hardening and resilience; (2) thoughtful hospital radius development planning; and (3) supporting new small business, entrepreneurs and artists in our local economy. We have a small corporate limits population but serve many multiples of that number of persons in our shared markets of North Buncombe/ Madison/Yancey counties. I estimate our town’s local economic impact to be in the range of $45$65 million with overlaps. I will be a champion for paced and thoughtful growth and analytical when it comes to avoiding the “law of unexpected consequences.”

I think the town does a wonderful job getting information out. They provide monthly email newsletters and then individual emails with Council meeting information. They have also set up an official Facebook page for all the current information around town. I would certainly encourage all residents to sign up for the newsletter and follow along on social media. If there is an issue to be addressed at a Council meeting in a very specific area of town or neighborhood, I do think an “old school” paper flyer in their mailbox would be appropriate in that area.

The biggest challenge I see this area facing is increased traffic and the safety of residents and visitors. Because the roads are state-owned, I will work with the Department of Transportation to create the safest roads possible. Town Council also collaborates well with the Weaverville Police Department to ensure speed limits are observed and pedestrians are safe.

Website: Facebook — Fred Borth for Weaverville Town Council

Website: Facebook — Mark Endries for Weaverville Town Council

Occupation: Transportation liaison and cartographer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Previous candidacy or offices held: Weaverville Planning Board since 2021, vice chair since 2024.

Amount of money raised: $1,550

Top three donors: Land of Sky Association of Realtors, private individuals

I think Weaverville needs to focus on long-term, data-driven planning and be proactive rather than reactive with town growth. The town is about to update its Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), which provides the ideal opportunity to implement this proactive approach. With a background in cartography and spatial analysis, I can greatly contribute to this effort by providing modern land-use planning, and I would work to ensure it is a highly collaborative process with strong buy-in from our residents. Plans are successful when the public has a voice and has some ownership.

Through the Planning Board, I am championing the establishment of a higher-density single-family zoning district that aligns with Weaverville’s historic platting and current development trends. This would allow for sensible infill development, making efficient use of existing infrastructure while alleviating sprawl and addressing affordability. A successful approach will also require communitywide collaboration, which is why I believe a focused CLUP update is vital for gathering public input on desired and undesired development. With an updated CLUP, Town Council can ensure desired projects are successful by implementing policies and strategic infrastructure (sidewalks, road improvements and utilities) that support the town’s vision for growth.

All major travel routes in Weaverville are statemaintained roads. Therefore, addressing the need for significant roadway improvements in Weaverville requires proactive engagement with regional and state entities. The NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is the primary mechanism for funding and scheduling these projects, and the French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBMPO) is the regional body that makes transportation planning decisions and assists with project prioritization. If elected, I would seek to serve as the town’s representative on the FBMPO board to ensure all modes of transportation needed in the community are effectively and consistently advocated for.

Already stated is my dedication to a collaborative CLUP update, one that includes extensive public input. I also understand that effective community engagement needs a constant, direct line of communication between residents and leadership. It would be effective to continue building the audience for the town Weaverville e-Focus newsletter and Facebook page. I also think using digital platforms to maintain a direct line of communication with residents can be effective. My campaign has already had successful interactions on platforms like Reddit, and I will continue to use it and others to share town information and foster community dialogue.

It’s a very exciting time for Weaverville. We are at a pivotal moment, and the arrival of AdventHealth will significantly shape our future. Our biggest challenge will be ensuring smart growth, especially addressing the critical issue of housing affordability. As a Council member, I will take an active role in meeting those challenges. My focus will be on driving economic prosperity, improving town services and expanding recreational opportunities. By being strategic in our development, we can meet the community’s needs while also protecting our environment and preserving Weaverville’s character.

2025 ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

Website: Did not answer

Occupation: Did not answer

Previous candidacy or offices held: Did not answer

Amount of money raised: Did not answer

Top three donors: Did not answer

One of my top priorities will be making sure the basic needs of Weaverville citizens are met and that adequate funding is budgeted each year to make sure those needs, such as infrastructure, are met.

Website: instagram.com/ eleanormrozkowski/ Occupation: Packaging tech at FedUp Foods

Previous candidacy or offices held: N/A

Amount of money raised: None

Top three donors: N/A

The main growth-related infrastructure concern relates to traffic, and unfortunately, most of the roads in town are owned and operated by NCDOT. I would work very closely with state officials to make them aware of the severity of the situation. Local officials need to be persistent in reminding NCDOT of our needs to have them met. I will make sure our town does not get forgotten again.

Website: Facebook — Young for Weaverville

Occupation:

Retired registered nurse

Previous candidacy or offices held: Previous candidate for Town Council 2023; current member Town of Weaverville Planning Board and the Firefighters Relief Fund Board

Amount of money raised: Did not answer

Top three donors: Did not answer

With the imminent growth within Weaverville, it is imperative that the Council has a long-range vision and prediction of services required. For example, to add a ladder truck for the fire department to mitigate a potential fire in the new hospital, the building of that truck takes two to four years. Adding five police officers to cover security required by law at the new hospital will take over one year to hire and train. We cannot wait until the needs present themselves but forecast the demands on all services and budget and plan to meet those needs without service interruptions.

Development in areas with adequate infrastructure access should be encouraged, as should affordable housing at all income levels, appropriate housing for an aging population and homes for young families. The need for adequate transportation systems and parks and recreational areas such as greenways should also not be overlooked. These ideas may not be able to happen all at once, but they should be part of the vision for a Weaverville that’s not only appealing but livable — for everyone possible. Overcommercialized/chain establishments should be avoided, especially in downtown. Success begins with a good plan Council supports.

The most important role the Council can play is as a conduit between all the players involved, such as state and county officials, medical community, etc., in meeting the needs and concerns that will arise from this new opportunity Weaverville is fortunate enough to have.

We need to encourage the construction of all kinds of housing. Wages have not increased by nearly enough to keep up with the cost of housing here. To build a Weaverville that will last, we need to make it affordable for young families to move here. We don’t need more big-box stores, gas stations and drive-thrus. Council can alter zoning codes to help developments fit our vision.

My plan to stay engaged with residents is to be accessible through town halls, community meetand-greets, coffee meetups, and my phone number and email are on my cards to make sure access can happen.

There are a number of important steps to take to reduce congestion around the new trauma center. First, it emphasizes the need to build more housing, so that AdventHealth employees don’t have to commute from Asheville, Madison County or elsewhere. The need for a second hotel is also even greater now because of traveling nurses. We also need to constantly remind NCDOT of our local needs.

Recently, construction in town has heavily targeted apartment living. But the need for single-family home construction has not been met. Much of the development is approved by Buncombe County, and in turn, developers come to the town with an approved project requesting annexation into the town. We need to partner with Buncombe County Planning Board to drive the vision of housing for our town, ensure our Comprehensive Land Use Plan reflects that vision and support a portion of those new developments to be affordable housing. We should also support small-business opportunities whenever possible and feasible.

It would be difficult to name the biggest challenge. Progress made to remedy any challenge will not be determined by one person. It will be made by the entire Council. Town government is a team endeavor. This is precisely why it is important to have Council members who not only understand their role but members willing to work with town staff, the mayor, other Council members and community stakeholders to find the best possible solution for the most people possible to all of the challenges ahead.

The town needs to do a better job of communicating through social media. As a digital native, I would bring insight and experience on how to reach younger residents who often fall through the cracks. The newsletter is great, but the key information from it needs to reach people where they are: on Instagram stories, on YouTube and on TikTok.

The initial opening of AdventHealth will offer 93 beds, with an additional 26 beds held in litigation with HCA. There is another Certificate of Need for an additional 126 beds opening for bids Oct. 15, 2025. If Advent is awarded those additional beds, they will qualify as a trauma center. The town must work collaboratively with NCDOT to ensure proper travel to and from the hospital property along Highway 25/70. This includes a traffic light and turning lanes along Highway 25/70 between Garrison Branch and Monticello Road with appropriate signage to direct traffic to the 25/70 main entrance.

I firmly believe the Council needs more transparency for the citizens. I will actively listen to speakers during public comments and show interest in their comments, demonstrating respect for their opinions and concerns. I am engaged in town events and activities and currently have a Facebook page where I post town events and links to pertinent information. I plan to compile a monthly newsletter about town events/business as well as schedule for opportunities for the citizens to meet with me on a quarterly basis to talk, hear concerns and ideas and be their voice on the Council.

The housing crisis is our greatest challenge, and there is a lot we can do. We are entering a potential golden age for our town, and the decisions this council makes about what kind of development to encourage will shape the future of our town for generations to come. As the only candidate in the race with a stake in this town’s long-term future, it is immensely important to me that we get this right. We need leaders who understand the crisis and have a vision to solve it.

Growth is the biggest challenge for Weaverville. As members of Council, we must develop a long-term vision for Weaverville and develop a sustainable plan to deliver our current level of service as we grow in space and population. I will continually assess the demands for the town’s resources and seek innovative ways to meet those demands. I support the exploration of grant opportunities and partnerships with county and state programs. Careful planning and budgeting are critical to meet the increasing demands on our town’s resources, while maintaining our culture and heritage that make our town special.

DEE LAWRENCE

Weaverville Mayor

Patrick Fitzsimmons, Weaverville’s current mayor, is not seeking reelection. Vying for his seat are two individuals familiar with the position: current Town Council member Dee Lawrence and former Town Council member Andrew Nagle

Infrastructure, growth and community engagement are among the topics both candidates address in their responses to this year’s Voter Guide.

Editor’s note: Responses were edited for legnth and clarity. For full responses, visit avl.mx/f4p

— Thomas Calder X

THE QUESTIONS

As previously reported by Xpress, Weaverville expects housing stock to increase by 40% in the next five years. With growth comes growing pains, especially as it relates to strain on the town’s infrastructure. What would you do as mayor to ensure that Weaverville’s infrastructure keeps up with the town’s growth?

Website: Facebook — Dee Lawrence for Mayor Occupation: Retired

Previous candidacy or offices held: I currently serve on the Weaverville Town Council

Amount of money raised: Less than $1,000

Top three donors: I do not divulge donor information. Suffice it to say, individual donations were small.

I expect a large percentage of the growth will be a result of AdventHealth’s presence. Their demands on infrastructure have been already planned for. New developers will specify their infrastructure needs. Weaverville Planning Board will provide zoning recommendations as usual.

Website: N/A

Occupation: CEO at Conrad Industries

Previous candidacy or offices held: Two terms on Weaverville Town Council

Amount of money raised: Not accepting donations

Top three donors: N/A

Infrastructure is a collaboration between the town, the county, the state and the developers. The town has already doubled the water treatment plant and worked on town roads, Duke [Energy] has added a substation on Aiken Road, MSD [Metropolitan Sewerage District] handles the sewer, the schools are in the county system, and most main roads are state roads. So there is not a lot left for the town to do on its own, except for sidewalks, which the town has already addressed by rules related to developments. Mostly, what I can do is encourage the collaboration between all entities and be an advocate for the town.

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What types of development should Weaverville town leadership encourage? Conversely, what sort do you think the town should avoid? In both cases, what can you do as mayor to ensure the desired projects are successful in Weaverville?

I expect to see development that reflects the current look and feel of Weaverville today, with opportunities to make changes for the better delivery of services to our residents.

AdventHealth is projected to open within the next few years, pending legal challenges. The trauma center will create thousands of new jobs and increase traffic in and out of Weaverville. What role should the mayor play in addressing community concerns over congestion?

How will you engage with residents to make sure people feel informed and up to date on town business?

Advent has already engaged with NCDOT [N.C. Department of Transportation]to plan and design traffic flows for the new hospital.

We should be encouraging higher density with smaller setbacks and multiuse zoning, to include affordable housing. Except in the established downtown neighborhoods, where we should be avoiding high density and multifamily zoning and should be honoring the traditional zoning rules. Town Council can write ordinances that help shape the vision to go along with the plan and vision already in place.

The hospital’s location is on a four-lane highway within easy access to the interstate and the main retail/restaurant strip of Weaver Boulevard. These are state-owned roads, so the answer goes back to question one, regarding collaboration between the town and the state.

What is the biggest challenge facing Weaverville, and what will you do as mayor to address it?

There are already many ways for residents to engage with the town, and I expect to continue a personal outreach with community leadership and those interested in town workings. I intend to be a visible and present mayor for our town.

Clearly, growth is the major challenge, and it will take clear communications to manage that growth. But with other small towns failing, I prefer managed growth over failure.

I’d like to return to physically mailing the monthly town newsletter (as well as email and online). I would move the monthly Council meeting back to 7 p.m. (after dinner time) to make it more convenient for more people. I would allow questions and answers during the opening public comment time; currently, only questions are allowed, no answers are given, and there is not a dialogue. I would have public comment on each agenda item that will be voted on directly after the item is presented, but before Council votes. This is the way Council meetings were run under Al Root’s tenure as mayor (2017-21), and we had much more public engagement.

I believe the biggest challenge is planning and managing growth of the area, including affordable housing. I will involve and listen to all the stakeholders — townspeople and developers. I will encourage the Council not to operate in a vacuum and be completely informed to make the best decisions for the town.

Tubing for trash

How one kid turned river fun into a cleanup initiative

STARTING YOUNG: When 9-year-old Riley Heinl was 5, he read Kids vs. Plastics, a National Geographic Kids book about plastic waste in the ocean. He promptly approached his parents, concerned about the trash in the Ivy River flowing through their backyard. Photo by Keely Sewell

BY ANABEL SHENK

anabelcshenk@gmail.com

Three years ago, Riley Heinl and his parents were tubing down the Ivy River with trash bags, cleaning up litter as they went, when Riley spotted something hanging from a branch.

“We were doing the bottom stretch of the river and we found this key hanging from a branch with a rope, and then maybe half a mile down past it, there was a chest, and the key fit in the chest, and there were like all these gems inside,” Riley recalls.

It was a moment of wonder and joy amid a long, arduous effort to clean up local waterways.

Just a one-minute walk from the Heinl family’s home in Weaverville, the Ivy River flows west, eventually feeding into the French Broad River in Madison County. Despite Tropical Storm Helene’s impact on the area, there is a sense of serenity in watching the river wash over the landscape. The Heinls don’t take this for granted. They look at it with deep appreciation and reverence. Back at the house, inner tubes lean up against the garage from years of joy and play. To an outsider, it wouldn’t be obvious that some of the tubes are actually “trash barges.”

KID ENERGY

When 9-year-old Riley was 5, he read Kids vs. Plastics, a National Geographic Kids book about plastic waste in the ocean. He promptly approached his parents, concerned about the trash in the Ivy River flowing through their backyard.

“I actually really started to be like, ‘Wow, there is a lot more trash in this river than I thought there was,’” Riley says. “It felt really surprising at first because before I read the book, I thought there were at most 10 pieces of trash, and to learn that there are like hundreds or thousands of pieces made me think, ‘Whoa, I need to do something to get it back down to what I thought it was at first.’”

Riley’s creative solution — to combine the family’s love for river tubing with an effort to clean it up — is now called Tubing for Trash, and it’s still active today. His parents, Keely Sewell and James Heinl, longtime environmental advocates, were on board from the moment Riley spoke up.

“When we were reading that book and thinking about how our river leads into the French Broad, which eventually leads into the ocean, and realizing all these rivers and waterways were contributing to the trash there, he was trying to figure out how he could make an impact on the ocean by doing something here,” Sewell says. “We had this very playful idea of the river — really just enjoyment of it. But we started to notice all the trash when you really look for it — and when it rains, how much trash is coming down.”

What started as the family tubing with garbage bags in hand evolved into a community outreach initiative. On Saturdays at the Mars Hill farmers market, they regularly informed residents about their efforts. They also set up trailers showcasing the types of trash they discovered. Meanwhile, Riley installed informational signs around town.

“Some people wanted to volunteer their time, and once they did it once,

they wanted to do it again,” James Heinl says. “Everyone wanted to know what we were doing and contribute in the way that they could. We had a ton of support.”

Soon, entire groups were joining Riley and his family on cleanup rides throughout the summer.

Eventually, this led the family to begin selling T-shirts to help cover the costs for popped tubes as well as the complimentary ice cream they purchase for all their youth volunteers.

“We wanted to make sure it was families and kids that were coming out,” Sewell says. “The energy of kids doing it is so incredible. I wasn’t really sure what it would be like to have a bunch of kids on the river — if they would just be focused on tubing — but they’re not. They are in it to get the trash, and they are focused and energized about it and feeling like they are doing something and actually making an impact.”

Thursday, 10/23 11:00 - 1:00 PM

Reimagining retirement has never been easier. Come enjoy a presentation about 60 Givens Gerber Park: a more affordable rental retirement option (55+) and enjoy lunch on us. Monthly fees are all-inclusive based on income. RSVP required.

TRASH TALK

Tropical Storm Helene’s impact on the river has made Tubing for Trash even more crucial, the family says.

In the aftermath of the storm, “we were unsure about whether we could get back into the river — what that would look like — because we knew there were homes very close to us that had been washed away,” Sewell says. But eventually, they did. “There were a lot of different types of debris, but the actual waterway we were tubing was safe. There was just tons of trash on the banks.”

Within 100 feet, Riley notes, they filled their two trash bags.

“There is a lot of work to do — a lot of trash,” Sewell says.

Though Helene brought new and grave concerns about the river, the health of the Ivy River has long been a focus for the family and their neighbors. It serves as the water source for all of Weaverville, and a couple of years ago, the town decided to double the size of its intake plant.

“Even before the hurricane, we were concerned about how the community uses water and grows, and whether or not this could truly support the drinking water demand in Weaverville,” Heinl says. “We learned a lot about our river through that process — studying it, understanding the flow and all that.”

‘GET INSPIRED’

Riley and his parents want the pro gram to grow and hope other commu nities will follow suit. They are actively thinking about ways to help others start similar initiatives on their own rivers.

When asked what advice he’d give other kids looking to do something like this, Riley pauses and looks around.

“Get inspired would be the only thing I would actually say,” he answers. “And if they are doing a cleanup, bring enough trash bags. We always find way more than we think.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/f3d.

OCT. 8 - OCT. 16, 2025

For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 828-251-1333, opt. 1.

 Online-only events

 More info, page 26

WELLNESS

Community Yoga & Mindfulness

Free monthly event with Inspired Change Yoga that will lead you into a morning of breathwork, meditation and yoga.

WE (10/8), 10:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave, Gentle Tai Chi for Balance

This class works on improving our balance through exercises that help you to think with your feet while strengthening your balance muscles.

WE (10/8, 15), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Tai Chi Fan

The Fan forms include movements from Yang, Chen and Sun styles of Tai Chi.

WE (10/8, 15), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Thursday Evening Sound

Baths

These sessions focus on nervous system regulation, energetic balance, and seasonal, lunar, and solar alignment.

TH (10/9), 7pm, Ritual Skin and Wellness, 802 Fairview Rd building 3000 Ste 11

Nia Dance

A sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts.

TH (10/9, 16), 9:30am, TU (10/14), Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Yang 24

Slow, gentle movements that promote good health.

FR (10/10), 10:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Teen Fitness

Group workouts are fun and challenging, with modifications available for different levels to maximize workouts safely.

FR (10/10), 6pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Yoga Hike

Enjoy a moderate one mile hike up to the summit of a scenic mountain top plus an hour of yoga for all levels and opportunities for lots of pictures before heading down.

FR (10/10), SA (10/11), SU (10/12), 9am, Bearwallow Mountain Trail, 4899 Bearwallow Mountain Rd, Hendersonville

The Professor's Tai Chi

This class is a step up from the Beginners Class and is a great class for those who have studied Yang 37.

SA (10/11), 8:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Stw 109

Himalayan Sound Bath

Meditation

Immerse yourself in a somatic journey of sound and relaxation, where ancient wisdom meets modern well-being.

SA (10/11), 11am, Somatic Sounds, 157 S Lexington Ave B1

Rooted & Radiant: Mobility & Myofascial Release

Designed to engage your body's intelligence and

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

awaken your vitality.

SA (10/11), 11am, YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave

Yoga in the Park

All-level friendly yoga classes based on Hatha & Vinyasa traditions. Classes led by a rotation of certified yoga instructors.

SA(10/11), SU (10/12), 11am, W Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave

Barn Yoga

Community Yoga class with Fairview-based yogi

Mary Beth, who teaches a gentle and vinyasa flow.

SU (10/12), 10am, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview

Sunday Morning Meditation Group

The Sunday Morning Meditation Group will gather for a combination of silent sitting and walking meditation.

SU (10/12), 10am, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Metal Yoga w/Quantum Mystic

This class will take you on a journey through the abyss. Plan to sweat, stretch, growl and reset.

SU (10/12), 11am, Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave

Sunday Sound Bath

Meditation

Imagine the soothing tones of Himalayan singing bowls washing over you, calming your mind, and rejuvenating your spirit.

SU (10/12), 11am, Somatic Sounds, 157 S Lexington Ave B1

Chen Tai Chi

It is considered a very high level of Tai Chi.

MO (10/13), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Qigong for Health & Resilience

This class is an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to learn traditional Qigong exercises.

TU (10/14), 9am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Yoga & Coffee

Practice on the outdoor deck, get the body and mind balanced, and then

RHYTHMS & BREWS CONCERT FINALE: Downtown Hendersonville hosts the final Rhythms & Brews concert of the season on Thursday, Oct. 16, starting at 5:30 p.m. Serving up classic ’70s funk and soul is headliner is BonaFide Soul, with the Congdon Griffin Band opening with its original mix of Southern rock, blues and Americana. Photo courtesy of the City of Hendersonville

you can hang out after for some coffee, tea and pastries.

TU (10/14), 9:30am, Cooperative Coffee Shop, 210 Haywood Rd

Chair Aerobics Workout

A well rounded workout that helps reduce the risk of falling, alleviates joint pain, increases flexibility and range of motion.

TU (10/14), noon, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Intro to the Fitness Center

Tour the Stephens-Lee fitness center and learn how to use each machine and receive lots of encouragement to keep you on track.

TH (10/16), 1pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

SUPPORT GROUPS

Disordered Eating/Eating Disorders

This support group is peer-led and facilitated by licensed therapists &

RiverRock Clinic

Primary Care Physician Taking New Patients

TH (10/9, 16), 6:15pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Salsa Tuesday w/Bachata AVL

All are welcome and an intro-to-salsa class is offered at the beginning of the evening courtesy of Sara Duarte.

TU (10/14), 7pm, The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd

Monday Night Contra Dance

Follow a lesson at 7 p.m. and then dance to a live band and caller at 7:30 p.m.

TU (10/14), 7:30pm, A-B Tech, 340 Victoria Rd

Open-Level Adult Contemporary Dance (Ages 16+)

dietitians specializing in eating disorders.

WE (10/8, 15), 6pm, Online

Marijuana Anonymous

Whether you’re exploring sobriety, new to recovery, or have been on this path for a while, you are welcome here.

TH (10/9, 16), 6:30pm, American Legion Post #2, 851 Haywood Rd

Caregiver Support Group w/Stronger Together Wellness

Stronger Together

Wellness empowers stroke survivors and their caregivers through shared experiences, fostering a vibrant community that inspires healing, resilience, and hope on the journey to recovery.

TH (10/9), 3pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Nicotine Anonymous

People share their experience, strength and hope to stop using nicotine. You don’t need to be stopped, just have a desire to attend.

TH (10/9, 16), 4:30pm, Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 1 Kenilworth Knolls Unit 4

Reconnecting Through Hard Times

In this 1-hour virtual training you’ll gain an understanding of how hard times affect us all, and what to do or say for others when it matters most. Register at avl.mx/f0s.

TH (10/9, 16), noon, Online

Magnetic Minds: Depression & Bipolar Support Group

A free weekly peer-led meeting for those living with depression, bipolar, and related mental health challenges. For more information contact (828) 367-7660.

SA (10/11), 2pm, First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St

Atheist Meetup

This little Atheist group invites anyone who doesn’t believe in religions to come chat with like-minded people.

SU (10/12), 10am, Earth Fare, 66 Westgate Parkway

Community Narcan Training

Learn how to use Naloxone, an introduction into harm reduction, what’s going on in our community and more.

TU (10/14), AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

The Men’s Nest

Make meaningful human connections to strengthen your social health, cultivate compassion, and learn to use your power to give and receive authentic support.

TU (10/14), 5:15pm, SeekHealing, 50 S. French Broad Ave, Ste 138 Virtual Listening Circle

This free virtual listening circle offers a judgement-free, trauma-informed spaced to gather, reset and reflect-together. Register at avl.mx/f29. WE (10/15), noon, Online

Mad Hatter’s Collective: Hearing Voices Network

A group collective that gathers to talk about encounters with visual, tactile, sensational, or fringe experiences with life and the interaction of energy.

TH (10/16), 6pm, 12 Baskets Cafe, 610 Haywood Rd

DANCE

Open-Level Adult Ballet Class (Ages 16+)

Whether you’re a first-timer or returning to the barre, this class offers physical and emotional benefits through timeless technique.

WE (10/8, 15), 6:30pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ Mtn Vibez

A Latin dance social featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, and reggaeton with dance lessons for all skill levels.

WE (10/8, 15), 8pm, One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd

BMCA Dance: Kids in Motion 2

This class focuses on growing the foundations needed for many dance techniques, including contemporary, ballet, jazz, and lyrical.

TH (10/9, 16), 3:45pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

BMCA Dance: Contemporary 3 (Ages 13 - 16) This class fuses contemporary, modern, lyrical, and jazz styles for diverse dance knowledge.

TH (10/9, 16), 6:45pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

We Line Dance

Brenda Mills leads an all-inclusive exercise class using line dancing to get your body moving.

Rediscover your love of movement in this drop-in Adult Contemporary class. Blend modern, lyrical, and jazz elements in a supportive, body-positive environment.

WE (10/15), 5:30pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

Country Line Dancing w/ Kristey Featuring beginner and advanced classes that’s open to everyone. This event is hosted by Kristey. WE (10/15), 6pm, Eda’s Hide-a-Way, 1098 New Stock Rd, Weaverville

ART

Modern Bestiary: Creatures from the Collection

This exhibition explores the artistic legacy of the medieval bestiary through a selection of animals and fantastic beasts from the Museum’s Collection. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through March 15, 2026. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Tintype Time: Capsule. Marshall After the Flood

A powerful solo exhibition of wet plate collodion photography by Sarah Jones Decker that documents downtown Marshall after Helene with tintypes created out of the back of her Subaru Outback mobile darkroom. Gallery open Monday through Friday, 10am. Exhibition through Oct. 30. See p26 Weizenblatt Art Gallery at MHU, 79 Cascade St, Mars Hill

Mystery Museum A free spook-tacular family-friendly walkthrough exhibit featuring your favorite ghouls, ghosts, and classic monsters inspired by the Scooby-Doo universe. FR (10/10), SA (10/11), SU (10/12), 5pm, Belk Theatre, UNC Asheville, One University Heights Lasting Legacies: Architecture in Asheville by Richard Sharp Smith, Albert Heath Carrier & Douglas D. Ellington Lasting Legacies shines

Intermediate Tai Chi

a spotlight on the contributions of two of the city’s most prominent architectural firms to Asheville’s built environment and artistic spirit in the early decades of the 20th century. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through Jan. 18, 2026.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Native America: In Translation

This exhibition, curated by Apsáalooke artist Wendy Red Starr, features the work of seven Indigenous artists who explore themes of community, heritage, and the lasting impact of colonialism in North America. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through Nov. 3.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Photos From Helene:

Troubled Water Film

Installation

Taylor Schenker had the persistence to help compile retrieved photos and reunite them with their lost owners. This event will feature a dance and a film installation.

SA (10/11), 3pm, Little Animals Space, 31 Carolina Ln

Pet Portraits

Owendale art is returning to Green Man turning your pet into a work of art. Bring a photo of your pet and she will create a portrait.

SU (10/12), 1pm, Green Man Brewery, 27 Buxton Ave

Julie Miles: MADEofTHIS

This exhibition is Julie’s reentry into art, a series that began as an homage to her grandparents’ manual labor as farmers and evolved into a celebration of the materials, memory, and identity. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 10am, and Sunday, noon. Exhibition runs through Oct. 26.

Pink Dog Gallery, 348 Depot St

Outside the Classroom

This exhibition features multi-media work by five working artists and faculty members at AB-Tech.

Works displayed include textiles, painting and encaustic. Gallery open Monday through Friday, 9am. Exhibition through Oct. 17.

Coman Student Activity Center, 10 Fernihurst Dr Points in Space: Performance

This exhibition will feature visual and time-based artworks that echo BMC’s innovative spirit from 1933 to 1957. BMC was a nexus of avant-garde activity, fostering innovation through collaboration and experiential learning. Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through Jan. 10, 2026.

Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Joshua Messick In Concert w/James Kylen & Ryan Knott

An evening with hammered dulcimer virtuoso and composer Joshua Messick, joined by James Kylen on percussion and Ryan Knott on cello.

TH (10/9), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Bob Sima & Shannon Plummer Concert

Bob brings you into the present moment with powerful lyrics and soulful guitar. Shannon channels lightning, thunder, and earth through her voice and presence.

FR (10/10), 7pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way Opening Night w/The Sphinx Virtuosi

This acclaimed chamber orchestra, made up of some of the nation’s top Black and Latinx musicians.

FR (10/10), 7:30pm, Parker Concert Hall at Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Celebrating John Prine w/Gill Francis & Friends

Soul-soaked Americana artist Gill Francis will be joined by an incredible

lineup of local and regional guests.

SA (10/11), 8pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

WNC Pagan Choir: Fall Season

The WNC Pagan Choir is a community choir open to all voices in which everyone sings together to celebrate the magic of the natural world.

SU (10/12), 3pm, Weaverville Yoga, 3 Florida Ave, Weaverville

Asheville Jazz Orchestra Big Band Night

The AJO can be heard throughout WNC performing in formal concert settings, on stage at clubs and grooving hard at swing dances.

SU (10/12), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Carolina Celtic Presents: Ken Kolodner & Mary Lynn Michal

Two of the finest hammered dulcimer players in the U.S. have joined forces to perform a wide-ranging repertoire of traditional and original music.

MO (10/13), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Asheville Beer Choir

Support local breweries and businesses while coming together to socialize in weekly choir rehearsals.

TH (10/16), 7pm, Ginger's Revenge Craft Brewery & Tasting Room, 829 Riverside Dr

Planet Radio w/Adam Maalouf & Aparna Keshaviah

Asheville’s acclaimed global-jazz duo, Free Planet Radio will perform live alongside multi-instrumentalist, Adam Maalouf, and classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer, Aparna Keshaviah. See p26

TH (10/16), 7pm, Folkmoot Auditorium, 112 Virginia Ave, Waynesville

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Pyrography Art Class

This workshop will teach you the basic safety and techniques to begin your journey with pyrography.

TH (10/9), 4pm, Trackside Studios, 375 Depot St

Asheville Music Makers: Adult Class Classes will focus on composition techniques, music production, songwriting & song structure, live recording, music for multimedia, and all other aspects of making music.

TH (10/9, 16), 7pm, Asheville Music School, 10 Ridgelawn Rd

Farm Legacy Planning Workshop

This event will feature a meal and multiple speakers covering essential topics, including basic estate planning, conservation easements, and family communication.

TH (10/9), 5:30pm, NC Cooperative Extension-Madison County Center, 258 Carolina Ln, Marshall

Boost Your Farm’s Bottom Line: Diversify for New Revenue Streams

An insightful seminar and tour designed to help you unlock your farm’s full potential. Attendees will share innovative ways to generate additional revenue streams.

MO (10/13), 5:30pm, A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Rd, Candler

The Foxy Chef: A Night of Vegan Cooking Chefs will take us on a culinary journey, explaining health benefits of nature’s herbs and spices.

MO (10/13), 5:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

How to Automate Your Marketing Like a Pro

Learn to level up your marketing, grow your business, and save time with simple and easy to use Automations.

TU (10/14), 1pm, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler

Can Your Woods Work for You? Forest Farming

Factors

Learn how to assess site conditions, navigate legal considerations, and evaluate the profitability of crops.

TU (10/14), 5:30pm, Southwestern Community College, 447 College Dr, Sylva

Fly Fishing Series

This workshop will focus is on knots and setting up (rigging) your rod in a way that positions you for success.

TU (10/14), 5:30pm, $5, Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins, 9 Midnight Dr Simply Charmed: Drop In Workshop

Choose from more than 60 styles of metal stamps and a variety of jewelers hammers to complete your charm.

WE (10/15), 11am, Ignite Jewelry Studios, 84 Walnut St Unit A

Hemlock Restoration Workshop

Learn about the Lingering Hemlock Project, which aims to support resistance breeding in hemlock trees for long-term control against hemlock woolly adelgid.

TH (10/16), noon, Walkup Building, 300 Community Center Building, Montreat

Be a Smooth Operator: Tips for Streamlining Your Airbnb Business

A course designed to help Airbnb Hosts optimize and streamline their operations, allowing for greater efficiency, improved guest experiences, and increased profitability. Register at avl.mx/f4u.

TH (10/16), 6pm, Online

LITERARY

Poetry Reading w/James P. Lenfestey & Nikole Brown

A poetry reading with James Lenfestey & Nickole Brown. James will read from his new collection, Time Remaining: Body Odes, Praise Songs, Oddities, Amazeme

WE (10/8), 6:30pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva Poetry Open Mic

This open mic welcomes any form of artistic expression from poetry to improv theatre to music to dance.

WE (10/8, 15), 8:30pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave

Jeremy Jones Presents Cipher: Decoding My Ancestor's Scandalous Secret Diaries

Jeremy Jones will be reading sections from Cipher: Decoding My Ancestor's Scandalous Secret Diaries

and playing old-time tunes on his banjo.

TH (10/9), 6pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva Author Reading w/ Caroline Rash

A special author reading with writer, educator and quilter Caroline Rash who will be briefly share her book, Because the Bullet Arrives. FR (10/10), 2pm, Blue Ridge Books, 428 Hazelwood Ave, Waynesville Graphic Novel Book Release w/Allan Wolf Book talk and slide presentation by WNC Favorite Local Author, Allan Wolf. About the amazing Lake Peigneur Texaco disaster of 1980.

SA (10/11), 2pm, East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Rd

Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos

Author Leah Rampy shares her award-winning book, Earth & Soul, and discusses its call to renew a deep and personal relationship with Earth in response to accelerating climate devastation and an uncertain future.

SU (10/12), 3pm, Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd

Fireside Tales: Spooky Season

A night of scary stories around the campfire hosted by Ayla Claypool. Bring a story with you or just listen to some spooky tales and enjoy a Halloween treat.

SU (10/12), 7pm, Crow & Quill, 106 N. Lexington Ave

Harm Reduction Reading Group

During this three part reading group we will discuss Shira Hassan's book, Saving Our Own Lives, and its applications locally.

WE (10/15), 6:30pm, Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd

Asheville StorySLAM: Masks

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story

on the night’s theme.

TH (10/16), 7:30pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

THEATER & FILM

Fire & Flood

On the anniversary of Helene, The Sublime Theater presents the world premiere of a double feature of short plays by Travis Lowe, one of Western North Carolina’s most-produced playwrights.

TH (10/9, 16), FR (10/10), SA (10/11), 7:30pm, BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St

The Rocky Horror Picture Show w/Live Shadowcast

A screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with live shadowcast performance by Unexpected Pleasures RHPS Troupe. Dress up in your most outrageous RHPS costumes.

FR (10/10), 8pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd Ste 10

Qui Nguyen: She Kills Monsters

A heartfelt, humorous, and fight-heavy story about Agnes, who discovers her late sister Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons campaign. As she navigates Tilly’s fantasy world, Agnes uncovers hidden truths about her sister’s life, grief, and their bond.

FR (10/10), SA (10/11), SU (10/12), 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St

Troubled Water 2.0, Hell'n High Water

A film installation and modern dance performance. It will feature an extended film installation from Erin Brethauer and a dance performance from Caro and Chri.

SA (10/11), 3:30pm, Little Animals Space, 31 Carolina Ln

Reasonably Priced Babies

Presents: Up to Here with Leaves

No two RPB shows are the same. The Babies take audience suggestions to build each show, so come ready to participate because the audience makes the show.

SA (10/11), 7:30pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

The Shark is Broken Dive deep into the murky waters of the making of a major motion picture, Jaws, with testy, feuding costars, unpredictable weather, and a shark prop whose constant breakdowns are looking like an omen for the future of the movie.

WE (10/8), TH (10/9), FR (10/10), SA (10/11), 7:30pm, SU (10/12), 2pm, NC Stage Co., 15 Stage Ln

Washington Place

Written by acclaimed local playwright David Hopes, Washington Place tells the story of a group of women at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory as they find strength, camaraderie, and hope amid grueling work and danger.

TH (10/9), FR (10/10), SA (10/11), 7:30pm, SU (10/12), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville

Aphorisms: A Tribute to Ursula Mamlok

Aphorisms is a tribute to composer and Black Mountain College student Ursula Mamlok, inspired by her life, art, and triumph over persecution and oppression.

WE (10/15), 7pm, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

Clue on Stage

Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meetsmurder mystery.

TH (10/16), 7:30pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

Southside Cyber

Wednesday

Dive into the exciting world of e-sports and gaming with two powerful PlayStation 5 consoles.

WE (10/8), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Contraception Class w/ Dr. Taylor Yankey

A brief history, overview of hormones and what role they play, contraception options, and more.

WE (10/8), 6:30pm, Period Nirvana, 315 Haywood Rd, Unit 113

NSA-WNC Meeting Professional keynote speakers, coaches, trainers, facilitators, and consultants who cover a broad range of topics, skills, & knowledge.

TH (10/9), 10am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

IBN Biz Lunch: Brevard/ Pisgah Forest Incredible Towns of WNC invites you to WNC's largest free and independent Business Networking group.

TH (10/9), noon, Hawg Wild Smokehouse & Taproom, 91 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest

Agribusiness Series: Is Agritourism a Good Idea for Your Farm?

Laura Lauffer with EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems will lead this interactive program and help you explore this option.

TH (10/9), 5:30pm, Regional High Technology Center, 112 Industrial Park Dr, Waynesville Climbing Wall Belay Clinic

This hour and a half long clinic will go over the basics of knot tying, safety checks, and belaying using the PBUS technique.

TH (10/9), 5:30pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Lifestyle Choices

An opportunity for young men to engage in open discussion regarding the problems they encounter, why behavior matters, community involvement and more.

TH (10/9), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Craft & Connect

Get crafty and learn new skills while connecting with friends and neighbors in your Asheville community.

TH (10/9), 7pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Community Connections: Speed Resource Networking

Explore the wealth of support and services available in our area by participating in a speeddating-style networking session.

FR (10/10), 11:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Lego Halloween Build-Off

Compete as teams of three in to build a spooktacular Lego creation. Winners receive prizes and all participants take home their Lego sets.

FR (10/10), 1pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Tarot w/Cats

This 1-hour workshop will include a brief history of the tarot and how to incorporate a one- and three-card pull for daily guidance.

FR (10/10), 5:30pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Forest Bathing Retreat:

The Experience of Fall Your guide, Kelly Bruce, will lead you on a colorful journey through the fall forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing and nature therapy together on some of the trails less traveled.

SA (10/11), 2pm, NC

Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way

EveryDay Strong

The program promotes a simple, research-based framework that any caring adult can use to help build a sense of safety, connection, and confidence in young people.

MO (10/13), 10am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

IBN Biz Lunch: Candler

All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts.

TU (10/14), noon, Elena's Mexican Grill, 101 Westridge Market Place, Candler

Mitigating Climate Change: Using Science to Transform Uncertainty into Progress

Review successful climate mitigation strategies already in place and investigate new, innovative approaches to addressing an uncertain future, particularly in the context of agriculture and soil science.

TU (10/14), 7pm, OLLI/ Reuter Center, UNCA, 300 Campus View Rd

We are the Ones

This is a space for real talk, deep connection, and conscious spiritual practice.

WE (10/15), 3:30pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way

Mindful Stretching

Reconnect with your body through this program designed to gently release tension, improve flexibility, and calm the nervous system through guided sessions.

WE (10/15), 6:15pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Treks Hiking Club for Adults 50+

A low-impact hiking club offering leisurely-paced hikes for active adults 50 or better.

TH (10/16), 9:30am, Murphy-Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd

Harvesting Health Senior Expo

At this free community event, you'll be able to learn about local resources and services that support your overall wellbeing, plus participate in senior-related workshops and activities.

TH (10/16), noon, CenterWell Senior Primary Care, 1425 Patton Ave

Senior Games Track & Field Club

Practice sprints, starts, and jumps or just get some exercise around the city’s brand new track.

TH (10/16), 1pm, Memorial Stadium, 32 Buchanan Pl

Maximize Farm Production: Farm Tour

Visit Lee's One Fortune Farm to learn about season extension and a diversified cropping system for maximum production.

TH (10/16), 5:30pm, McDowell Technical Community College, 54 College Dr

TEAM Fertility Monthly Community Night

These monthly gatherings offering education, healing modalities, and a chance to connect with others walking a similar path on a Fertility Journey.

TH (10/16), 6:30pm, South Slope Acupuncture & Wellness, 261 Asheland Ave

GAMES & CLUBS

Neighborhood Strollers Walking Club

Meet at Crump Shiloh Center and head to local neighborhoods to connect with each other while walking and enjoying a change of scenery.

WE (10/8, 15), 10am, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Asheville Board Game Club Meet-Up

Featuring a wide variety of tabletop games—from light party games to deep strategy favorites.

WE (10/8, 15), 5:30pm, Well Played, 162 Coxe Ave, Ste 101

Music Bingo

Music Bingo with DJ Spence on Wednesdays at the Green Mansion. It’s free to play and you’ll be able to win prizes.

WE (10/8), 6pm, Green Man Brewery, 27 Buxton Ave

Bid Whist

Make bids, call trumps, and win the tricks every Saturday with your community.

SA (10/11), 1pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston StA

Interactive Murder Mystery: Yaas, Bit¢h! It’s Murder!

Fierce queens will serve looks and lethal secrets in this immersive drag show murder mystery.

SA (10/11), 7pm, Ginger’s Revenge Craft Brewery & Tasting Room, 829 Riverside Dr

Weekly Sunday Scrabble!

If you like Wordle, Boggle, Words with Friends or Scrabble online, this club may be a good fit for you.

SU (10/12), 1:30pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Afternoon Bocce League

Players of all ages can compete with friends and family to roll, learn, and claim victory in this new league.

MO (10/13), 2pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Ping Pong Tournament

Come by and shoot your shot against some of the best ping pong players in town. Free to enter and $50 bar tab to the winner.

MO (10/13), 6pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave

Pool Night

Pool night, every Monday night with a $5 buy in.

Must be signed up by 7 p.m.

MO (10/13), 6:30pm, Eda’s Hide-a-Way, 1098 New Stock Rd, Weaverville

Music Bingo w/Spencer

Bring your friends to Taproom Tuesdays featuring Music Bingo with Spencer and rotating food trucks.

TU (10/14), 6pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200

Neighborhood Strollers

Walking Club

Socialize and get moving on the paved outdoor loop around the park at Crump Shiloh Center.

TH (10/9, 16), 6pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

KID-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS

Tiny Tykes Play Dates

Open play for toddlers to explore bikes, balls, inflatables, and climbing structures.

WE (10/8, 15), 10am, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Little Kids Kung Fu (Ages 5-7)

This class builds a solid foundation through playing Kung Fu games while building Hand-EyeFoot coordination as well as listening skills.

WE (10/8), 3pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Family Story Time

A fun and interactive story time designed for children ages 18 months to 3 years.

WE (10/8, 15), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain

Kids & Teens Xing Yi

Learn complete systems of Xing Yi, Baguazhang, and Taiji, including weapons and sparring as optional classes.

TH (10/9, 16), MO (10/13), TU (10/14), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Baby Storytime

A lively language enrichment story time designed for children ages 4 to 18 months.

TH (10/9, 16), 10:30am, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain

Black Cat Tales: Story Time w/Cats

Foster a love of reading in your kiddos while also socializing the cats in the lounge.

TH (10/9, 16), FR (10/15), 4pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Petite Picassos

Designed to spark imagination and foster a love of art in young children through engaging activities.

MO (10/13), 10am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Dr. Grant Gym Rats

A fun and active P.E. program specifically for homeschooled students that offers a variety of physical activities, games, and sports.

MO (10/13), 11:45am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

APR Afterschool Discovery Den

Featuring a mix of cooking, pottery, music, digital arts, STEM, and more for kids to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and make friends.

MO (10/13), 2:30pm, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St

Tiny Tykes Discovery Time: Fun w/The Nature Center

This program fosters imagination and helps develop social and motor skills.

TU (10/14), 10am, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Tiny Tykes: STEM for Toddlers

Through playful exploration and hands-on activities, toddlers learn fun concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math.

TU (10/14), 2pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Tiny Tykes Obstacle Course

Bring your bike and helmet and enjoy a fun morning exploring a pint size bike course.

WE (10/15), 10am, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

LOCAL MARKETS

RAD Farmers Market

Asheville’s only yearround weekly market, featuring 30+ vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, beverages, grab-and-go meals, and more. EBT and SNAP accepted.

WE (10/8, 16), 3pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St

Leicester Farmers Market

A community-led farmers market local produce, cheese, meats, honey, strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, ramps, a variety of plants and more. Every Wednesday through October.

WE (10/7, 15), 3pm, Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester Biltmore Park Farmers Market

This market features fresh seasonal produce, delicious homemade pastries, premium meats and seafood, beautiful vibrant flowers, and more.

TH (10/8, 16), 3pm, Biltmore Park Town Square, Town Square Blvd

Enka-Candler Farmer’s Market

A grand selection of local foods and crafts, everything from produce to pickles, baked goods to body care, and even educational resources. Every Thursday through October 31.

TH (10/8, 16), 3:30pm, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler

Weaverville Tailgate Market

This market features a selection of fresh, locally grown produce, grass fed beef, pork, chicken, eggs, cheese, baked goods, artisan bread, eclectic handmade goodies, garden and landscaping plants. Open year-round.

WE (10/8, 16), 3pm, 60 Lake Shore Dr East Asheville Tailgate Market

Featuring over 25 vendors selling meat, seafood, produce, flowers, bread, eggs, baked goods, fruit, herbs, sweet treats, tamales, and more. Every Friday through Nov. 21.

FR (10/10), 3pm, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd

Mills River Farm Market

This market offers local food, live music, kids' activities, cooking demos, and a welcoming community. Browse fresh produce and pasture-raised meats to homemade breads, fresh flowers, and artisan goods.

SA (10/11), 8am, Mills River Elementary School, 94 Schoolhouse Rd, Mills River

North Asheville Tailgate Market

Browse from over 70 vendors that will be offering sustainably produced produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, breads, honey, plants, prepared foods, crafts and more.

SA (10/11), 8am, 275 Edgewood Rd

Asheville City Market

A producer-only market featuring local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and other artisan products. Every Saturday through December.

SA (10/11), 9am, 52 N Market St

Black Mountain Tailgate Market

A seasonal community event featuring organic and sustainably grown produce, plants, cut flowers, herbs, local raised meats, seafood, breads,

pastries, cheeses, eggs and locally handcrafted items. Every Saturday through Nov. 22.

SA (10/11), 9am, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Mars Hill Farmers & Artisans Market

A producer-only tailgate market located on the campus of Mars Hill University on College Street. Offering fresh local produce, herbs, cheeses, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, body care and more. Every Saturday through Oct. 26.

SA (10/11), 10am, College St, Mars Hill

WNC Farmers Market

This year-round market features locally grown produce, fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, plants, shops, arts and crafts, sourwood honey, and other farm fresh items. Open daily, 8am.

570 Brevard Rd

Meadow Market

This vibrant outdoor market features a curated selection of local makers and artisans. Browse a delightful array of one-of-a-kind textiles, handcrafted jewelry, beautiful pottery, and more.

SU (10/12), 1pm, The Meadow at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200

West Asheville Tailgate Market

This market features an array of goods including fruits, vegetables, baked goods, bread, eggs, cheese, plants, specialty items, locally made art and crafts and more.

Every Tuesday through November.

TU (10/14), 3:30pm, 718 Haywood Rd

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Pop-Up Tattoo Event w/ Steve Zimovan Pop-up tattoo flash event with local talented artist,

Steve Zimovan.

FR (10/10), 2pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St

Art Walk

Arrowhead Gallery & Studios is the starting and end point for the Art Walk, from there walkers will continue on to various locations in town to view art, socialize and see demonstrations.

FR (10/10), 4pm, Arrowhead Gallery & Studios, 77 Catawba Ave, Old Fort Bandaloop Tiny Music & Story Festival

A wink to author Tom Robbins, this Bandaloop festival brings magic and story woven with music and dance.

FR (10/10), 6pm, Rare Bird Farm, 91 Duckett Top Tower Rd, Hot Springs

Fall 2025 Citywide Dementia Symposium

This symposium is for persons on the dementia journey, their caregivers and family members, or anyone interested in learning more about dementia.

SA (10/11), 9am, AC Hotel Asheville Biltmore Village, 186 Hendersonville Rd

Downtown Waynesville's 42nd Annual Church St Art & Craft Show

Explore more than 100 vendors offering handmade art, jewelry, and crafts. It will also feature live Appalachian music and dance performances, food trucks and community.

SA (10/11), 10am, Historic Downtown Waynesville, 9 S Main St, Waynesville Kenilworth Artists Association Open Studio Tour

This year’s event features 15 locations and 27 artists showcasing a diverse range of mediums, including painting, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, glass, fiber and fashion, woodcraft, mixed media and more.

SA (10/11), SU (10/12), 10am, Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Rd

44th Annual WNC Parade of Homes

This free, self-guided tour features new and remodeled homes by top builders throughout Asheville, Hendersonville, Black Mountain, Fairview, and beyond.

SA (10/11), SU (10/12), 11am, Multiple Locations, Citywide

The 13th Annual Haunted Trail

An interactive outdoor Haunted Trail for all ages that features classic spooky themes and dozens of local community partners.

FR (10/10), SA (10/11), 6pm, Adventure Center of Asheville, 85 Expo D Fall Festivities

Celebrate the fall season with hayrides, pumpkins, fresh-pressed apple cider, and the unbeatable scenic landscape.

SA (10/11), 11am, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd, Fairview

Bark-O-Ween & Bloody Mary Bar

It will feature pup vendors, pup portraits, pup photo booths, a costume contest nad more.

SA (10/11), 11:30am, Mills River Brewing Co., 336 Banner Farm Rd, Mills River

25th Annual Autumn Rails

An exposition of model trains with working displays and different ways to interact with an assortment of scales of model trains.

SA (10/11), noon, WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd

Blue Ridge Humane Society's 75th Birthday Bash

Expect a special birthday treat for dogs and humans, photo booth fun, live music, pet vendors and more.

SA (10/11), noon, Mills River Brewing, Mills River

Asheville Dispensary & Plant Bar: Grand Opening Block Party

Experience an ultimate day of music, food, community and good vibes. Dance, eat, drink, and be merry while mingling with friends and neighbors in a fresh and groovy new spot to connect.

SA (10/11), 12:30pm, Asheville Dispensary - S Slope, 32 Banks Ave Ste 105 Oklawaha Oktoberfest w/Hustle Souls & BRAM

A block party style party with live music, an art market by Blue Ridge Artisan Markets, food from Blunt Souls, and Oktoberfest-themed game competitions.

SA (10/11), 1pm, Oklawaha Brewing Co., 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville Weaverville Oktoberfest

This celebration features German beer specials, food vendors, and special musical guests.

SA (10/11), 1pm, Leveller Brewing Co., 25 N Main St, Weaverville Appfest w/Jade Throneberry

Celebrate all Appalachia has to offer with live music, a makers market hosted by the Appalachian Artist Collective, fall beer releases and pumpkin decorating.

SA (10/11), 2pm, Wicked Weed Brewing, 91 Biltmore Ave Oktoberfestw/ Lagerhosen

From September through October, enjoy steins, pretzels, and plenty of polka-inspired fun while the bands keep the party going.

SA (10/11), 2pm, The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave

9th Anniversary w/The Brue

Celebrate their 9th anniversary with cold beer, fresh pizza and live music from The BRUE, who brings that classic rock crunch with a little pop, a little blues, and a

whole lotta groove.

SA (10/11), 6pm, Mad Co. Brew House, 45 North Main St, Marshallr 2nd Annual Summer Jam

This show presented by EOSA will feature performances from Mykko Montana, Crime Mob, Trizzy Da1, Young Ralph, Jizzal of Dem Franchise Boyz, The Eastside Boyz and more.

SA (10/11), 9pm, Third Room, 46 Wall St

Black Bear Half Marathon & 8k

An exhilarating fall event that beckons both seasoned athletes and recreational runners alike.

SU (10/12), 8am, Jackson Park, 801 Glover St, Hendersonville

Rhythm & Brews

Concert Series w/ BonaFide Soul

Each month features craft beverages, food trucks, vendors and a fun-filled Kids Zone. Taking the stage as the finale headliner is BonaFide Soul with Congdon Griffin Band setting the tone as the opening act.

TH (10/16), 5:30pm, Historic Downtown Hendersonville

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING

Oakley Community Closet

A cost-free opportunity to swap and shop clothes, shoes, and toys.

WE (10/8), 1pm, Murphy-Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd

Low-Cost Community Neuter Clinic

Please schedule and pay for your appointment prior to showing up.

Appointments and additional services can be scheduled at avl.mx/dlq.

TH (10/9), 9am, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Brave Voices: A Fundraiser for Blue Ridge Pride

A celebration of resilience and artistry featuring heartfelt coming out stories, stirring performances by the Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus, and the dazzling one woMan cabaret-style show.

FR (10/10), 5pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St

Lions Club Asheville:

Shred-A-Thon

Watch your confidential and important papers shred in a 360 Shred Truck. Donate gently used eyeglasses to help someone see clearly. All proceeds help those with vision loss and neighbors in need.

SA (10/11), 10am, 2310 Hendersonville Rd

Pathway to Citizenship:

A Benefit for our Immigrant Friends

Help our WNC Immigrant Community by coming to this uplifting show that will be raising money for pro-bono legal help through Pisgah Legal and CIMA.

SU (10/12), 3pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Bread of Life Day

The Bread of Life is partnering with local restaurants that will donate a portion of their sales to benefit The Bread of Life, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating hunger in our community.

TH (10/16), 6am, Downtown Brevard, E Main St, Brevard

AMS Silent Auction

A silent auction fundraiser to benefit Asheville Music School’s scholarship and outreach programs through the Paul Thorpe Music Education Fund. It will also feature music showcase performances by AMS students. See p26

TH (10/16), 5:30pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd Ste 10

On Jan. 1, Christopher Arbor and his friends pledged to visit one Asheville brewery each week for all of 2025 in the order that they opened, then share the experience with Mountain Xpress readers. To read about their trip to Outsider Brewing, visit avl.mx/f4c.

The universe must’ve provided a tailwind to get me to Weaverville. I hadn’t been derailed by my usual side quest of searching for my car keys. Traffic was light. Parking was easy.

I arrived at Leveller Brewing Co. ahead of schedule and was greeted by Katarina Lavenski, who was tending bar but also serves as Leveller’s event coordinator. From a few short interactions with her, it quickly became obvious that her insight, enthusiasm and unpretentious charm were going to be the basis of this write-up.

Before the rest of the crew arrived, I was able to squeeze in a little interview, which has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

Christopher: Katarina, I noticed that Leveller has a lot of lagers on tap. It's my understanding that those are typically more time- and energy-intensive, requiring longer fermenting at colder temperatures. What can you tell me about that?

Katarina: We make what we like to drink. Customers also like lagers, and [head brewer/co-owner] Andrew [Zinn] likes making them. All beers are fairly energy-intensive, and the difference between fermenting at 68 degrees and 52 degrees isn’t actually that substantial at our scale (a 5-barrel system). We have two casks and are extremely passionate about our unique and traditional styles.

Christopher: Zebulon Artisan Ales and Eluvium Brewing Co. are just a

ARTS & CULTURE

ON THE LEVEL: Leveller Brewing Co. bartender and event coordinator Katarina Lavenski talked with the Year in Beer crew about lagers, farmhouse ales and the Weaverville brewery community. Photo by Christopher Arbor

stone’s throw away. How does that work out for you all?

Katarina: We could not be happier to have two breweries within walking distance to Leveller. It helps bring business to the area. And we are also all very different. We are actually collaborating for [Weaverville] Oktoberfest (FridaySunday, Oct. 10-12), where all three breweries are brewing the same style of beer, and it’s really fun to have customers try all three and discuss them.

Christopher: What makes Leveller unique? How do you stand out in such a brewery-rich area?

Katarina: We specialize in farmhouse ales (which originated in ancient Europe with farmers who brewed beer using grain and yeast from their own farms). We grow passion vines that give our patio a natural shade in the summer and brew saisons with the fruit that it bears. Sally [Anne Morgan] (co-owner and Zinn’s wife) hand-prints all of our merchandise. We have brewed with fruits and herbs from Andrew and Sally's farm in Alexander. Our space has a home/cottage vibe that’s a bit different — we don’t have TVs, we have toy cabinets for the kids, we have multiple community tables. We encourage customer connection in a day and age where technology is constant and often hard to get away from.

Christopher: We’ve reached the one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene. Any stories, thoughts or reflections?

Katarina: Helene was hard. We are so thankful that we got to open just a few short weeks after the storm hit. We were lucky enough to be a distribution site for overflow World Central Kitchen meals. We welcomed the community to fill up their water jugs off of our double-filtered system. We brewed a beer in collaboration with Zillicoah where a portion of proceeds went to helping rebuild their taproom, and we brewed a beer for ReString Appalachia, where funds went to helping replace musicians’ instruments that were lost in the flood.

Being a midpoint between Asheville and Marshall, I mostly saw people who had spent the last 12 hours volunteering their time and had been doing so for weeks. I heard stories about people watching their spouses get swept away, stories about how people spent three days on their roofs, stories that I cannot even repeat. It was hard. I feel incredibly grateful that we were able to give these folks somewhere to come sit, connect, use the bathroom and have a cold one.

Christopher: My goodness, Katarina. Cheers to you.

Come join us on another adventure. We gather at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. You can email me at yearinbeerasheville@ gmail.com or just show up.

• Oct. 8: Salt Faced Mule Brewing Co. Woodfin.

• Oct. 15: Diatribe Brewing Co. — Christopher Arbor X

A taste of tradition Arden

church festival features Eastern European cuisine

Living Grace Church, a Slavic Christian congregation in Arden, will host its annual cultural festival from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at 14 Legend Drive. The event will feature traditional Eastern European food, activities for children and live music, all aimed at raising funds for the church’s children’s ministry.

Founded by a community of Ukrainian, Russian and Moldovan families, Living Grace Church has grown into a diverse congregation of about 400 people. Roughly a quarter are recent Ukrainian refugees, many of whom have taken active roles in the church’s leadership and music ministries, says the Rev. Mikhail Tikhonov, lead pastor of the congregation.

The festival will highlight popular dishes from the region, including chebureki (deep-fried turnovers), plov (a rice dish cooked over a wok) and shashlik (grilled meat skewers). Ukrainian baked goods, prepared by members of the church, will also be for sale — often among the most in-demand items, Tikhonov says.

Modern Alchemist to open in Old Fort

Modern Alchemist Co., the latest creation from Appalachian Mountain Brewery founders Chris Zieber and Nathan Kelischek, opens Friday, Oct. 10, in Old Fort. Described in a press release as “[p]art distillery, part brewery, part restaurant and part cannabis bar,” the establish-

ment features house-distilled spirits, beer, THC/CBD beverages and handcrafted mocktails, paired with a full-service Latin-inspired menu of tortas, tacos and bowls.

Modern Alchemist marks Zieber’s and Kelischek’s third dining establishment over their dozen-plus years of experience in Western North Carolina. For the town of Old Fort, the business partners seek to have the new spot serve as “a signal of resilience and growth following [Topical Storm] Helene, and a gathering place for locals, hikers and visitors alike.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/f4i

Benefit for Brian Canipelli’s children

In early February, chef Brian Canipelli unexpectedly passed away at the age of 46. The owner of Cucina 24 and Contrada was beloved by the local culinary community and Asheville at large.

On Friday, Oct. 10, noon-7 p.m., Biltmore Village bottle shop and bar Appalachian Vintner, a longtime collaborator of the chef’s, will host a benefit for Canipelli’s three children. Tickets will be available for a silent auction, which will include gift certificates from some of Asheville’s top restaurants, as well as bottles of wine and craft beer.

Food will also be for sale, including bites from Sunny Point Café, Chai Pani, Cúrate, Gemelli, OWL Bakery and Three Sisters Cheese

WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD

& Provisions. Appalachian Vintner’s bar will be open, as will its retail area. All proceeds from food, bar and retail sales will be donated to a fund for Canipelli's children.

Free to attend. To learn more, visit avl.mx/f4d

The Imperial's next chapter

Local restaurant industry veteran Drew Hendrickson has taken over ownership of Imperial cocktail bar and is bringing new energy and offerings to the downtown staple. While the space upstairs remains home to the cocktail lounge and late-night dance club, the downstairs area is now The Imperial Taproom, featuring a curated selection of craft cocktails and beers on tap.

In addition, the Dizzy’s Glizzies hot dog window has been transformed into Imperial Street Food, led by Ryan Kline, the former executive chef at Jargon. The new menu features globally inspired street food, available for order from the College Street window and inside the bar. The Imperial will give back to Asheville’s service industry through its Industry Night each Sunday, offering a family-style menu to hospitality professionals.

“We’re excited to build on The Imperial’s legacy and bring new flavors and experiences to Asheville’s vibrant downtown,” Hendrickson says in a press release. “Our team looks forward to welcoming guests, old and new, to discover everything The Imperial has to offer.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/f4j.

City launches weekly food truck initiative

As of Oct. 3, the City of Asheville launched Food Truck Fridays, a program that spotlights a local food truck in Pack Square Park each Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., through Friday, Dec. 19.

“This program is meant to promote additional activity downtown, while supporting local food vendors,” the city says on its Instagram page. “If you stop by, check out the QR code to share thoughts on what works and what could be done to improve this downtown experience.”

The weekly food truck will be announced in advance each week on the city’s social media pages.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/f4m

Local wine competition deadline looms

The French Broad Vignerons’ Western North Carolina Regional Wine Competition will be held Saturday, Oct. 25 (for vinifera and hybrid wines) and Sunday, Oct. 26 (muscadine and fruit wines). The deadline for commercial winemakers to enter wines in the competition is Friday, Oct. 17. Judging will be conducted blind and managed by certified American Wine Society judges. Each entry requires two 750-milliliter or four 375-milliliter bottles of wine. The cost to enter is $35 per wine entry.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/f4l. — Edwin Arnaudin with additional reporting by Justin McGuire.  X

WORLD OF FLAVOR: Living Grace Church’s fall festival will feature traditional Eastern European food. Photo courtesy of the church

by Edwin Arnaudin | earnaudin@mountainx.com

Tintype Time Capsule

Popularized during the Civil War, tintype photographs are produced by pouring collodion solution on a piece of metal and coating it with silver nitrate to make a light-sensitive surface that can produce an image before it dries out.

In the wake of another destructive historical event, Tropical Storm Helene, Marshall-based photographer Sarah Jones Decker used the bygone technology to capture portraits of her town in a difficult time, albeit one when local residents’ resilience was palpable. To take the process to Marshall, she built a mobile darkroom in the back of her Subaru. The result is Tintype Time Capsule: Marshall. After the Flood, on display at nearby Mars Hill University’s Weizenblatt Gallery through Friday, Oct. 31.

“Out of context, our town could be mistaken for a war zone,” Decker says in a press release. “But our people are still here. This series is my way of saying we are still here.”

Free to attend. To learn more, visit avl.mx/f4h  X

Free Planet Radio

Four years after the untimely death of bassist Eliot Wadopian, Free Planet Radio's members have adapted to life as a global-jazz duo, honoring their dearly departed collaborator with each new composition and performance.

The latest opportunity to do so takes place Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Folkmoot Center of the Arts in Waynesville. Percussionist River Guerguerian and multi-instrumentalist Chris Rosser will be joined by multi-instrumentalist Adam Maalouf (cello, handpan, Indian tabla and more) and Aparna Keshaviah, a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer and innovative movement artist. The event is the latest live offering from Folkmoot USA as it shifts to more frequent local programming in place of an annual festival.

The fully seated concert begins at 7 p.m. Suggested donation is $25, but attendees may pay what they can.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/f4g  X

Asheville Music School Silent Auction

Interested in bidding on luxury regional experiences, vacation getaways to Italy and Costa Rica, wine-tasting events, fine art, spa packages, restaurant and wellness gift certificates and/or concert tickets, all while supporting local music education efforts? Then Asheville Music School (AMS) has the event for you.

A silent auction benefiting music scholarships and outreach programs

through the Paul Thorpe Music Education Fund (which provides need-based scholarships for music lessons, instruments and musicbased community outreach) takes place Thursday, Oct. 16, 5:30-8 p.m., at The Mule at Devil's Foot Beverage Co. The evening also includes a cash bar, food by local chefs and performances by AMS students. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. To learn more, visit avl.mx/f4f. X

Photo of Free Planet Radio by Brandi Hubiak

Photo of "Johnny" by Sarah Jones Decker courtesy of the artist

Photo of Asheville Music School students courtesy of AMS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8

12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE & BREWING

Trivia w/King Trivia, 7pm

ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO.

Wednesday Trivia, 6:30pm

CAMDEN'S COFFEE

HOUSE Open Mic Night, 7pm

ELUVIUM BREWERY

The Candleers (country), 5:30pm

EULOGY

Clay Street Unit w/ Valley Flower (roots, Appalachian, bluegrass), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Safety Coffin w/ Starseer (garage-blues, punk), 9pm

FOOTHILLS GRANGE Trivia Night, 6:30pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Saylor Brothers Jamgrass Wednesdays, 6:30pm

GALACTIC PIZZA

Fast Eddie's Trivia, 6:30pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

LEVELLER BREWING

CO.

Folk Music Showcase, 6pm

PISGAH BREWING

CO.

Dirty Dead 9 Year Anniversary Show (Grateful Dead/Jerry Garcia Band Tribute), 6:30pm

SHAKEY'S

SSIN w/DJ Ragga Massive, 10pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 7pm

STATIC AGE

RECORDS

The Rishis, 100 Watt Horse, Ben Asbury & Blake Hornsby (psychrock, folk), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Jacoozy: Album Release Show (Southern-rock), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Rod Sphere (soul, rock, reggae), 6pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Well-crafted Music Series w/Molly Rose Reed (multi-genre), 6pm

THE MULE Jazz Trio & Wine Wednesdays, 6pm

THE ODD

Terraoke Karaoke Takeover, 9pm

opt. 4.

THE ORANGE PEEL Neko Case w/Des Demonas (indie-rock, alt-country, garagepunk), 8pm

THIRD ROOM

Disclaimer Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Open Mic Night, 6pm

URBAN ORCHARD Wayward Trivia, 6:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

• Irish Session, 5pm

• White Horse Bad Ass Blues Jam, 7:30pm

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

ANTIDOTE COCKTAIL

LOUNGE AT CHEMIST

Antidote Comedy w/ Secret Headliner, 7pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

High Fade (funk, disco), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

Firecracker Jazz Band (jazz), 8pm

EULOGY

Panzerfaust w/Groza, All Hell & Widowed

Light (black metal, punk), 7pm

FLEETWOOD'S Tiger Eye, We have Ignition & Why Why? (indie, surf-rock, psych), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead Thursdays (Grateful Dead & JGB tribute), 6pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Books & Brews Trivia, 6pm

GREEN MAN BREWERY

Thursday Night Trivia, 7pm

HI-WIRE BREWING

South Slope Open

Mic w/Stephen Evans, 5:30pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Detective Blind (indierock), 7pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING

Skylar Jacobson (folk, rock, reggae), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

The Greenliners (bluegrass, Appalachian, Americana), 7pm

SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/DJ Franco Nino, 9pm

CLUBLAND

YACHT-ROCK VOYAGE: On Friday, Oct. 10, Thurston Howell performs at Asheville Music Hall. The yacht-rock band sets sail at 9 p.m., featuring the smooth sounds of the ’70s and ’80s with a modern touch. Photo courtesy of Thurston Howell

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Django Jazz Jam, 7pm STATIC AGE LOFT

Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch

A Mic, 10pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Jodi John & Todd Hoke (alt-indie), 5:30pm

• The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band (blues), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Company Swing (swing, jazz, blues), 7pm

THE MULE Latin Night w/ WAILERÎ, 6:30am

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

• Justin Heter Pan w/ CC Rider (surf, reggae, psych-rock), 7pm

• Dark Moon Hollow (bluegrass), 10pm

THIRD ROOM

Black Uhuru (reggae), 8pm

TWIN WILLOWS

The Candleers (country), 5pm

WICKED WEED

BREWING

Mike Hollon (roots, blues, Americana), 5pm

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

27 CLUB

Mafia, Die the Fallen & Smog Breath (death-metal, hardcore), 9pm

ALL DAY DARLING

Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 6pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Thurston Howell (yacht-rock), 9pm

COFFEE, ART, MUSIC

TYPE PLACE

Open Mic, 6pm

CROW & QUILL

Las Monta ñ itas (psych, Latin), 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Tina & Her Pony (folk, Americana, psychsoul), 8pm

EULOGY

Mind's Eye & Hot Flash Heat Wave w/ Sad Park (indie rock, pop), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S Socially Constricted, Ton of A Bitch & Falling Behind (punk), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER ACADEMY

Dr. & the Contraband (multi-genre), 6pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

Modelface Comedy Presents: Carmen Lynch, 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Peggy & the Daddy Longlegs (blues), 8:30pm

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE

Two Fontaines (rock), 6pm

MALS

List of Boys, Joshua Carpenter, Daryl Leroi Fleming (multi-genre), 6pm

NEW BELGIUM

BREWING CO.

Elusive Groove (reggae, rock), 5:30pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Elizabeth & The Working Men (roots, Americana), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING

Scott Hall Band (jazz, funk), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Pleasure Chest (blues, psych, rock), 9pm

PISGAH BREWING

CO.

An Evening w/ Brushfire Stankgrass (bluegrass, reggae, funk), 8pm

REVIVAL

Empire Strikes Brass (funk, rock), 8pm

SHAKEY'S

2000s Karaoke w/DJ

Franco Nino, 10pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Silver C2E Paraflexc Demo (experimental), 6pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Wagging, Real

Companion & Rowan

Newby (pop, indiefolk, punk), 8:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Sold Out: Moth Super Rainbow (neo-psych, indie-rock, experimental), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Soul Blue (soul, blues, R&B), 7pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Nash Hamilton (country), 7pm

THE MULE

The Rocky Horror Picture Show w/Live Shadowcast, 8pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Dallax Wax (punk-rock, psych, blues), 10pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Congress The Band (indie-rock), 8pm

THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN

Mr Jimmy (blues), 5pm

THIRD ROOM

Chalk Dinosaur w/Solar Circuit (indie, surfrock, psych), 9pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

27 CLUB

Jawjacked, Absent Colors, Kept in Ruins & Linechalk (metal, hardcore), 9pm

ASHEVILLE CLUB

Mr Jimmy (blues), 6pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Illiterate Light w/ Yesterday's Clothes (indie-rock, neo-psych), 9pm

CORK & KEG

Soul Blue Rocks (soul, blues, R&B), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

Meschiya Lake & The Moodswingers (jazz), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Rober Thomas Band (jazz), 6pm

GREEN MAN

BREWERY

The Z Man Experience (Ska, funk, experimental), 3pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

• Nobody’s Darling String Band, 4pm

• Lenny Pettinelli & Friends (rock, soul),

8:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

• The Feels (soul, funk, R&B), 4pm

• Treehouse w/ Rockstead & Austin

Grimm (psych, reggae, rock), 9pm

PISGAH BREWING

CO.

Phuncle Sam (Grateful Dead tribute), 8pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Lazybirds (roots, blues, jazz), 9pm

SIERRA NEVADA

BREWING CO.

Coconut Cake (Cuban, rock, rumba), 2pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Gus Englehorn & Floating Action (indierock), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Patio: Josh Rennie-Hynes (folk, indierock, dream-pop), 3pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Midnight Aces (blues), 7pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Flashback Band (80's rock tribute band), 6pm

THE ODD Party Foul Drag, 8pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

• Riyen Roots (blues, soul), 6pm

• Three Fourteen (blues, reggae, psych), 10pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

The Emo Night Tour (emo), 7pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Open Mic Night, 7pm

FLEETWOOD'S Bloodletting: Gothic Night Dance Night, 8:30pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 3pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Sunday Jazz Jam, 2:30pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Bluegrass Brunch w/ The Bluegrass Brunch Boys, 12pm

• Traditional Irish Music Session, 3:30pm

• 1916 (Irish, punkrock), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

• Suns of Stars Sunday Residency (bluegrass), 2pm

• One Love Sundays w/Tuff Sol (reggae), 7pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Pisgah Sunday Jam, 6:30pm

SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO.

McKinney (funk), 2pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Open Mic w/Mike Andersen, 6:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Country Brunch w/ Gracie Lane Vaden

Landers & Clark Blomquist, 11am

• Patio: ZG Smith (indie-folk), 7pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Reedy River String Band (bluegrass, Appalachian), 2pm

THE MULE

Modelface Comedy

Presents: Zak Toscani, 6:30pm

THIRD ROOM

Billy Strings Watch Party, 2pm

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13

27 CLUB

• Rock Star Karaoke w/Grimm Morrison, 9pm

• 27 Club Karaoke, 10pm

FLEETWOOD'S Best Ever Karaoke w/ Honey, 9pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Alex Bazemore & Friends (bluegrass), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Trivia Night w/Two Bald Guys & A Mic, 6pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Open Mic Downtown, 6:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Mashup Mondays w/ JLloyd, 8pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

Hot Seat Comedy w/C.J. Green, 8pm STATIC AGE RECORDS Glimmer, Subvertigo & Tanner York (pop, noise, alt-rock), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE Brennen Leigh w/ Hearts Gone South (country, honky-tonk), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Mr. Jimmy & Friends (Blues), 7pm

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14

ARCHETYPE

BREWING

Trivia Tuesdays w/ Party Grampa, 6:30pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY Eda's Bluegrass Jam, 6:30pm

EULOGY Hovvdy w/Tombstone Poetry (indie-pop, indie-rock), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

LOOKOUT BREWING

CO.

Team Trivia, 6:30pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

The Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute), 6pm

SHAKEY'S Booty Tuesday in The Office, 10pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Open jam, 8pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Lily Seabird, Thomas Dollbaum & Walkhome (folk, rock), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Golden Folk Sessions, 7pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

The BRUE (rock, pop, blues), 6pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Early Tuesday Jam, 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club w/Humanist (rock'n'roll, alt-rock), 7pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

• White Horse's Open Mic, 7pm

• Nothin' But The Blues Jam, 7:30pm

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15

12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE & BREWING

Trivia w/King Trivia, 7pm

ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. Wednesday Trivia, 6:30pm

ASHEVILLE YARDS

MJ Lenderman w/ David Nance & Mowed Sound (indie-rock, alt-country, blues), 7pm

CAMDEN'S COFFEE HOUSE

Open Mic Night, 7pm

ELUVIUM BREWERY

The Candleers (country), 5:30pm

FLEETWOOD'S Safety Coffin w/Mad Mike (garage-blues, punk), 9pm

FOOTHILLS GRANGE Trivia Night, 6:30pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Saylor Brothers Jamgrass Wednesdays, 6:30pm

GALACTIC PIZZA

Fast Eddie's Trivia, 6:30pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

SHAKEY'S SSIN w/DJ Ragga Massive, 10pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 7pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Chris Bullock, Homemade Haircuts & Annie Leeth (hip-hop, indie-rock), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Reed Turchi World on Fire Album Release Show (blues, rock), 5:30pm

• Ben Sollee (folk), 7pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Raphael Graves & Bill Altman (multi-genre), 7pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Well-Crafted Music Series: Michael Libramento, Seth Kauffman & Evan Martin (multigenre), 6pm

THE ODD

Terraoke Karaoke Takeover, 9pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Anamanaguchi w/ Be Your Own Pet & Pulses. (rock, post-hardcore), 8pm

THIRD ROOM

Disclaimer Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Open Mic Night, 6pm

URBAN ORCHARD Wayward Trivia, 6:30pm

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

ALO (rock, funk, R&B), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

Lock, Stock & Teardrops (country), 8pm

EULOGY

The Runarounds w/ William Wild (alt, pop, alt-rock), 7pm

FLEETWOOD'S Floral Hygienists, Siichaq & Annalise (alt-indie, rock, folk), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead Thursdays (Grateful Dead & JGB tribute), 6pm

GREEN MAN BREWERY

Thursday Night Trivia, 7pm

HI-WIRE BREWING

South Slope Open Mic w/Stephen Evans, 5:30pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm

LEVELLER BREWING CO.

Old Time Jam, 6pm

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE

Sufferin' Fools (county, power-pop), 6pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Kid Billy (funk, soul, Americana), 7pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING

Mark Schimick Duo (acoustic), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm

PULP

The Slice of Life Comedy Standup Contest Series: Round 2, 7:30pm

SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/Franco Nino, 9pm

SIERRA NEVADA

BREWING CO.

The California Honeydrops (jazz, retro-soul), 6pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Unbridled Sonic Anarchy w/ffALO, Lumen Valen (experimental, dark), 7pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch

A Mic, 10pm

STATIC AGE

RECORDS

BRNDA & Cor de

Lux (art-punk, noise), 8:45pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

John Keck Band (rock), 7pm

THE ODD

Kal-El, Insomniac & Shun (rock, metal, psych), 9pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Cheat Mountain Riders (country, funk, rock'n'roll), 9pm

TWIN WILLOWS

The Candleers (country), 5pm

WICKED WEED

BREWING

Pete Townsend (acoustic), 5pm

WEDNESDAYS 7:00PM

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): No relationship is like any other. The way we bond with another has a distinctive identity that embodies the idiosyncratic chemistry between us. So in my view, it's wrong to compare any partnership to a supposedly ideal template. Fortunately, you Aries are in a phase when you can summon extra wisdom about this and other relaxing truths concerning togetherness. I recommend you devote your full creativity and ingenuity to helping your key bonds ripen and deepen.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Poet Rainer Maria Rilke advised, “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.” These days, dear Taurus, that’s your power move: to stay in conversation with mystery without forcing premature answers. Not everything needs to be fixed or finalized. Your gift is to be a custodian of unfolding processes: to cherish and nourish what’s ripening. Trust that your questions are already generating the early blooms of a thorough healing.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I am a great admirer of Bart Simpson, a fictional fourth-grade student on the animated TV show *The Simpsons*. He is a constant source of unruly affirmations that we could all benefit from incorporating into our own behavior when life gets comically weird. Since I think you’re in such a phase now, Gemini, I am offering a batch of Bart-style gems. For best results, use them to free yourself from the drone of the daily routine and scramble your habitual ways of understanding the world. Now here’s Bart: 1. “I will not invent a new religion based on bubble gum.” 2. “I will not sell bottled ‘invisible water.’” 3. “I will not try to hypnotize my friends, and I will not tell co-workers they are holograms.” 4. “I will not claim to be a licensed pyrotechnician.” 5. “I will not use the Pythagorean theorem to summon demons.” 6. “I will not declare war on Thursdays.”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): During its entire life, the desert plant *Welwitschia mirabilis* grows just two leaves. They never wither or fall off but continually grow, twist, split, and tatter for hundreds of years. They keep thriving even as their ends are worn or shredded by wind and sand. I love how wild and vigorous they look, and I love how their wildness is the result of their unfailing persistence and resilience. Let’s make *Welwitschia mirabilis* your inspirational symbol in the coming weeks, Cancerian. May it motivate you to nurture the quiet, enduring power in your depths that enables you to express yourself with maximum uniqueness and authenticity.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Have you been to Morocco? I love that so many houses there are built around spacious courtyards with intricate tilework and lush gardens. Sooner or later, of course, the gorgeous mosaic-like floors need renovations. The artisans who do the work honor the previous artistry. “In rebuilding,” one told me, “our goal is to create new magnificence that remembers the old splendor.” I hope you pursue an approach like that in the coming weeks, Leo. The mending and healing you undertake should nourish the soulfulness you have cultivated, even as you polish and refine.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo novelist

Christie often planned her elaborate plots while cleaning her house or washing dishes. She said such repetitive, physical tasks unlocked her creativity, allowing ideas to emerge without force. I suggest you draw inspiration from her method in the coming weeks. Seek your own form of productive distraction. Instead of wrestling with a problem in a heroic death match, lose yourself in simple, grounding actions that free your mind to wander. I am pretty sure that your most brilliant and lasting solutions will emerge when you’re not trying hard to come up with brilliant and lasting solutions.

others are alienating. What was the source of his genius? He avoided abstract principles and studied how people actually used spaces. His best architecture soulfully coordinated the relationships between indoor and outdoor areas, private and public zones, and individual needs and community functions. The “quality without a name” was the term he used to identify the profound aliveness, wholeness, and harmony of spaces where people love to be. In the coming weeks, Libra, I hope you access your own natural gift for curating relationships and cultivating balance. Your solutions should serve multiple needs. Elegant approaches will arise as you focus on connections rather than isolated parts.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Some medieval mystics claimed that angels spoke in paradoxes because the truth was too rich for simple logic. These days, I believe you Scorpios are extra fluent in paradox. You are raw yet powerful, aching and grateful, confounded but utterly clear. You are both dying and being reborn. My advice: Don’t try to resolve the contradictions. Immerse yourself in them, bask in them, and allow them to teach you all they have to teach. This may entail you sitting with your sadness as you laugh and letting your desire and doubt interweave. The contradictions you face with open-heartedness will gift you with sublime potency and authority.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The ancient city of Petra, built in sandstone cliffs in what’s now Jordan, was mostly hidden from the outside world for centuries. In 1812, Sagittarian Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it by disguising himself as a pilgrim. He trained extensively in the Arabic language, Islamic culture, and local customs so he could travel incognito. You Sagittarians can benefit from a similar strategy in the coming weeks. Life will conspire to bring you wonders if you thoroughly educate yourself about the people and situations you would like to influence. I invite you to hike your empathy up to a higher octave, cultivate respect for what’s unfamiliar, and make yourself extra available for exotic and inspiring treasures.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): During the 1800s, countless inventors chased the impossible dream of perpetual-motion machines: contraptions that would run endlessly without any fuel source. Every attempt failed; such devices bucked the fundamental laws of physics. But here’s good news, Capricorn: You are close to cracking the code on a metaphorical version of perpetual motion. You are cultivating habits and rhythms that could keep you steady and vital for a long time to come. I predict the energy you’re generating will be self-sustaining.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood. They taste with their skin, solve puzzles, and squeeze their entire bodies through coin-sized holes. No wonder they are referred to as the aliens of Earth, just as you Aquarians are the aliens of the zodiac. According to my analysis, now is a perfect time for you to embrace your inner octopus. I authorize you to let your strangeness lead the way. You have the right and duty to fully activate your multidimensional mind. Yes, you may be misunderstood by some. But your suppleness, radical empathy, and nonlinear genius will be exactly what’s needed. Be the one who sees escape routes and paths to freedom that no one else perceives. Make the impossible look natural.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Dear Pisces, it’s like you’re in one of those dreams when you’re exploring the attic or basement of your home and discover secret rooms you didn’t realize existed. This is good! It means you are finding uncharted frontiers in what you assumed was familiar territory. It suggests you are ready to see truths you weren’t ready for before. Congrats! Keep wandering and wondering, and you will discover what you didn’t even know you needed to know.

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Agatha

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libra architect Christopher Alexander developed a sixth sense about why some spaces feel comfortable while

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CONCENTRATOR May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-464-2920 (AAN CAN)

REPLACE YOUR ROOF With the best looking and longest lasting material – steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last

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LET IT BE KNOWN TO ALL PEOPLE OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA This is public notice and affirmation that a baby girl has been born on the land in a mortal body to the DeBaun family. The family welcomed their baby earthside on the land of the geographical location commonly known as [Asheville, North Carolina Republic, United States of America] North America on the 15th day of March in the calendar year 2025 AD. She is happy, healthy and thriving! Publication: September 17, 2025 Publisher: Mountain Xpress

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To satisfy a lien for: a 1988 Prowler Camping Trailer against Norman Glenn Harrill and Berry Blalock Harrill for $10,625.00; a 1994 Jaguar against Scott Bron Turbyfill for $7725.00; a 2002 Ford against Rapid Service Inc for $5365.00; a 2005 Maserati against Charles Michael Hurt for $6495.00; a 2005 Dodge against David Jacob Daveport for $5605.00; a 2006 Subaru against Vicky Suzette Shah and Tiffany Nicole Penaloza for $7645; a 2014 Dodge against Derek Anthony Morris for $6125.00; a 2014 Mazda against Taylor Jayde Gibson for $5445.00; a 2014 Hyundai against Perriysh Lataezia Edgerton and State Employees Credit Union for $6725.00; a 2016 Ford against Suzanne Spivey Hartwell and Ally Financial for $6325.00; a 2016 BMW against Carvana LLC for $6885.00; 2020 Toyota against Brian Phillip Hudgins Jr and Regional Acceptance Corp for $5685.00. Auto Safe Towing Inc., 474 ½ N. Louisiana Ave., Asheville NC 28806. 828-236-1131 Publication: October 1, 2025 Publisher: Mountain Xpress

edited by Will Shortz

ACROSS

1 Project for a beginning knitter

6 Petri dish medium

10 Niecy ___ of “Clean House”

14 Exposed, as one’s dirty laundry

15 Protein in a niçoise salad

16 Guthrie who sang “Alice’s Restaurant”

17 Neutral shade in some Florida décor?

19 One getting top billing

20 Just OK

21 Break in the action

22 Censures

23 Lighthearted invitation for joining one’s sled team?

26 [Is this thing on?]

29 Fish feared by dragons in “How to Train Your Dragon”

30 Cry of defeat

31 Chess piece that can be promoted

34 Creature of Sherpa folklore

37 Chop (off)

38 Fancify … or a phonetic hint to 17-, 23-, 50and 62-Across

41 Stalling sounds

42 Tolkien trilogy, to fans

44 Word after latch or glom

45 “Death of a Salesman” salesman

47 A half-filled auditorium, per Robert Frost

49 Puts the pedal to the metal

50 Headline during a zombie attack?

55 Pair of cymbals with a foot pedal

56 Gain

57 World’s mostwatched television franchise, informally

61 School within both Princeton and Carleton?

62 Price of makeup at the dollar store, informally?

64 No longer applicable

65 Feel sore

66 Console for the game Pitfall!

67 Partner of odds

68 Rhyming word after speed

69 Loses color

DOWN

1 Exams that are often optional

2 Florence farewell

3 Munitions

4 Spreads on social media

5 Cosmeticsregulating org.

6 Couldn’t get enough of

7 Reason for a tucked tail, perhaps

8 ___-Saxon

9 Issa of “Insecure”

10 How a Dylan impersonator might sing

11 Tate Modern and others

12 “That slaps,” for something good, e.g.

13 One might be mounted

18 Tiny deviation from a general trend

22 Product from Rit

24 New York City

28 Prepare to do an oil change, say 31 “The shoddy sandwich knife couldn’t cut the mustard,” e.g.

Early H.I.V. med

“___ knows?”

Phuket native

“___ she lovely?” (Stevie Wonder question)

Greeting that becomes another greeting if you add an A at the front and reverse it

Promote

The least amount a person might give

___ Baron Cohen, “The Trial of the