Plus, a hike up Mount Kilimanjaro.
 
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Today’s Forecast

42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.
 

🪐 Set your sights on the skies

Sights on the skies with local stargazing
Visitors look through large telescopes in red lighting during a stargazing event at lookout observatory at unc asheville.jpg
Stargazing events are out of this world. | Photo courtesy of UNC Asheville
No need to spend the last days of summer hiding inside from the heat — instead, we suggest an activity that gets you out after the sun goes down. The Astronomy Club of Asheville and area observatories open up the wonders of the night sky for those ready for a little stargazing.

🔭 Search the skies

The nonprofit Astronomy Club invites the public to observe the universe at their twice-monthly stargazes. The next stargaze will take place Friday, Aug. 11 at Grassland Mountain Observatory, located in Madison County and owned + operated by the club. This event is free with no registration. If the night is clear, you might be able to see the Perseid Meteor Shower.

The club will also host a public stargaze with UNCA on Friday, Aug. 18 at the Lookout Observatory on campus. The event is also free but requires registration. The astronomers will set up equipment a little before sunset, and the observations typically end about three hours after the sun goes down.

There’s no need to have your own telescope or astronomical knowledge before attending — stargazes are open no matter age or interest level. You won’t know ahead of time what you may see through your telescope, like far-off stars, galaxies, nebulae, or planets.

🌙 Take a tour

You can request a private stargaze with the Astronomy Club and have a two-hour tour of the night sky.

Area observatories can also show you the world behind astronomical research. Mayland Community College’s Bare Dark Sky Observatory in Burnsville has regular events, with observatory managers educating visitors as they see the stars. Down in Rosman, the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) hosts a variety of tours all around their facility as well as public and private stargazes.
Mission Health
 
Events
Tuesday, July 25
  • Punch Bucket Lit: “Starving Artist” Rapid Read | Tuesday, July 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Revolve Mercantile, 697 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Join 12 authors from the Asheville literary community as they perform original works in short and quick succession.
Wednesday, July 26
  • Michiko Tsuda Travelogue, Streaming to Vimeo | Wednesday, July 26 | 12 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Presented by Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, this new video by Michiko Tsuda explores spirituality and water.
  • Latin Night | Wednesday, July 26 | 8 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $5 | Brush up your dancing skills with lessons in styles like Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue then open dance until midnight.
Thursday, July 27
  • Story/Arts Residency: The Memory Quilt Project: Sight & Touch | Thursday, July 27 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10 | The final iteration of the summer Story/Arts Residency, this event with Shunyu Huang will explore memory with sight and touch.
  • Project Mind Lab | Thursday, July 27 | 7-9 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N Lexington Ave., Asheville | Experience the extraordinary world of mind control during the third installment of this Adult Science Night.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Try This

Planning Christmas in July? Register for the ultimate gingerbread house competition
A detailed gingerbread house featuring a baker.
This entry from last year’s competition wowed the judges. | Courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn
Ready, set, bake — registration is now open for The 2023 National Gingerbread House Competition at The Omni Grove Park Inn.

Gingerbread enthusiasts of all ages will gather this November to show off their most spectacular decorating work, competing for thousands in cash and prizes.

This year’s judges include Good Hot Fish owner Ashleigh Shanti and celebrity cake artist Yolanda Gampp.

Bonus: All entries will be displayed throughout the holiday season.
Enter the competition
News Notes
Community
  • The Homeowner Grant Program will open for inquiries starting on Aug. 1. Now in its third year, the program offers financial assistance to qualified Buncombe County homeowners for housing-related costs. The City will accept inquiries online or by phone from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.
Plan Ahead
  • Rabbit Rabbit will be playing host to country music legend Willie Nelson on Oct. 18. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be an unforgettable concert. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 28 at 10 a.m.
Ashevillian
Featured
  • All Day Darling and former head of the restaurant’s pastry program Ashley Cort were featured in the August/September issue of “Garden & Gun” in a roundup of delicious breakfast joints all around the South. Ashley and the cafe’s croissants were worthy of a full-page photo.
Environment
  • The City of Asheville has started a study on the Stormwater Utility Program, aimed at assessing the current state and future needs of the program and offering a plan for improvement. Take the short Stormwater Public Input Survey to help with the strategy.
Civic
  • Time to do your pre-election research. Candidate filing has ended for the Town of Woodfin, Town of Weaverville, and Woodfin Water & Sewer District. Voters in these districts can view the list of candidates before the election on Nov. 7.
Eat
  • While we’re down for The Lobster Trap’s Maine Lobster Roll any day of the week, we’re also salivating over their seasonal seared sea scallops with crab-stuffed cherry peppers, balsamic pearls, and avocado cream sauce. Get this summer treat while you still can. Make a reservation.*
Fact or Fiction
 
Show

Culture

Looking for love at Blind Date Live
The two hosts of Blind Date Live Asheville stand next to the two blind folded guests on stage.jpg
Searching for a soulmate, sight unseen. | Photo by David Gwaltney
Modern dating can be... a challenge. If you’re sick of endless swiping on dating apps and the impossibilities of meeting someone organically, Blind Date Live might just have the solution to all Asheville’s love woes: add a live audience into the mix.

Yes, you read that right. Hosted by matchmakers Cayla Clark and Donnie Rex Bishop, this show asks you to sit back and watch real local singles step out on stage to potentially fall in love — without seeing each others’ faces. It could be sweet and romantic, hilarious and absurd, or maybe just downright awkward. No matter what, you’ll be entertained.

The next Blind Date Live will take place at the Grey Eagle on Friday, Aug. 25. at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22 and include a mixer at 7 p.m., so even if you aren’t up on stage, you might just meet your match.
 
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The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
This weekend, I was on a mission to find a new (antique) desk. I walked into Regeneration Station and Sweeten Creek Antiques & Collectibles... and walked out with several 1970s dresses and no desk. Next time, I may just be honest with myself and hit up some vintage clothing stores instead.
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