What’s been completed?

Time to celebrate

• Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Town Hall | Monday, Aug. 21 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | ArtsAVL is hosting this town hall on the current state and potential future of the auditorium — registration is required.
• Sketch Book Club | Monday, Aug. 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Foundation Studios, 27 Foundy St., Asheville | $10 | Develop your sketchbook skills in a creative community with experienced instruction from artist Spencer Beals — bring your sketchbook and some art supplies.

• Mushroom Magic | Tuesday, Aug. 22 | 2-3:30 p.m. | North Asheville Public Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | Free | Learn about mushroom types from our area, and go on an adventure outside to search for more.
• Paint Your Pet | Tuesday, Aug. 22 | 6-8 p.m. | 12 Bones Brewing, 2350 Hendersonville Rd., Arden | $50 | Capture your furry friend’s unique personality in a portrait with the help of Monet & Chardonnay.

• Midweek Showdown: Game Night | Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 7-9 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Put your game face on for a night of live game show challenges, board games, and pinball.

• MANNA FoodBank’s 40th Anniversary Celebration | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 5:30-9 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $40 | The nonprofit’s accomplishments will be honored at this milestone anniversary presented by Biltmore with a dance party, snack table, and popsicles — one ticket provides 160 meals for neighbors facing food insecurity.

• A seven-concert Masterworks series
• A four-concert ALT ASO series
• A Star Wars concert held in conjunction with Beer City Comic Con
• A soulful New Year’s Eve show
• A world-class piano recital
• The new Asheville Symphony Artist Residency

• A new study from Smart Asset, using data from the IRS and US Census Bureau, ranks Buncombe County third for small business income and eighth for small business returns in North Carolina. To sweeten the deal, Buncombe County boasts the highest rating of any county on the list that has a metropolitan area. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Firestorm Books is ready to show off its new digs at a Grand Reopening party on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The bookstore co-op has moved to a new location at 1022 Haywood Rd. Find a few reads while enjoying free popsicles and food available for purchase from The Smokin’ Onion food truck.

• The Land of Sky Regional Council was awarded grant funding from AmeriCorps for “The Remembrance Project,” an initiative to preserve the physical integrity of African American cemeteries in WNC. The grant will be used to identify, map, protect, and preserve the historic sites and amplify their significance through community engagement.

• Passionate about working with animals? Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is seeking applications for its fall 2023 Animal Husbandry internship. The 12-hour-per-week role will include responsibilities of wildlife rehabilitation, daily care, and wildlife transportation + communication. Learn more and apply.

• We’re excited to welcome Wendy Newman Designs, an Asheville-based brand, to our online shop (Six & Main). Led by Wendy Newman, a photographer and degreed fashion designer for 40 years, this business features deconstructed photographs of Asheville that are rebuilt as mandala images. Shop unique scarfs, umbrellas, and leggings.

• Going solar means you can skip the rising energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and take advantage of tax credits. Bonus: MB HAYNES has been proudly servicing WNC for over 100 years and can help you increase your home’s value while decreasing your electric bills.*

• Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

• The Asheville Jewish Community Center’s Mountain Music Jam will be canceled this week while the building is closed to update solar panels — but fear not because the jam session should be back in full swing on Monday, Sept. 4.