How can I participate?

• Turning off non-essential lights between 12 and 6 a.m.
• Not using landscape lighting in trees or gardens.
• Using warm temperature bulbs or installing down-shields for lighting that can’t be extinguished.
• Closing the blinds to reduce light emission to the outdoors.

A bird’s eye view

• Record Spin Night | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 5-7 p.m. | Archetype Brewing West, 265 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Kickstart your weekend with music from team members Gaines’ + Will’s record collections.

• TMNT Movie (1990) Screening | Friday, Sept. 29 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | $15 | Grab a slice and watch the turtles’ first live-action film, followed by a Q+A with screenwriter Todd Langen.
• Friend of the Devil Release Party | Friday, Sept. 29 | 5-9 p.m. | The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | Free | Get a taste of Devil’s Foot Beverage Co.'s new craft canned cocktails, a vodka lemonade and a Carolina mule.

• Blue Ridge Pride Festival | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza, Asheville | $5 | Join WNC’s largest pride event early for a procession to the park then celebrate with vendors, food, drinks, entertainment, and activities.
• Cyanotype Workshop | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Asheville Print Studio, 191 Lyman St., Asheville | $150 | Create camera-less photographs of plants and objects using natural and artificial light sources.

• Cease and Desists: Panda Excess | Sunday, Oct. 1 | 5-10 p.m. | Cultura, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $60 | Chef Eric and his team will be dishing out a tasting menu inspired by the popular chain restaurant, Panda Express.
• BIPOC Farmers Market | Sunday, Oct. 1 | 12-3 p.m. | Southside Community Farm, 133 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Support local BIPOC vendors, and get your fill of fresh fruits and veggies at the last market of the season.
• Beer4Boobs Kickoff Party | Sunday, Oct. 1 | 2-7 p.m. | White Labs Brewing Co, 172 S. Charlotte St., Asheville | Free | Kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month and help fund cancer research with pink beer specials, the Breast Pizza Ever, Beer 4 Boobs merchandise, and live music.*

• Cold Mountain Release Weekend | Thursday, Nov. 9-Monday, Nov. 13 | Times vary | Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | $10-$20 | Celebrate the release of Highland’s Cold Mountain Winter Ale with a weekend-long event that includes a dinner, live music, small batch releases + more.*

• Packing a flavor punch in their plant-based burgers (made with 100% organic sunflowers, cashews, brown rice + more)
• Serving organic ingredients that are non-GMO, vegan, and soy-, gluten-, MSG-, and glyphosate-free eats
• Using sea salt, organic spices, and high-oleic sunflower oil

• Asheville City Council voted 5-2 to approve Project Aspire, a 10.5-acre development proposing a new YMCA, apartments, a 20-story hotel, and more. The council meeting was open to public comment, with people voicing support for the project as well as concern over the hotel’s height and proximity to the historically Black East End/Valley Street neighborhood. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Mission Health secured approval for its Certificate of Need to build an emergency room in western Buncombe County near the intersection of Smokey Park Highway and Interstate 40 on Crowell Road. Work will begin soon on the 24/7 ER, featuring 12 patient rooms. Construction is expected to be completed in July of 2025. (Blue Ridge Public Radio)

• MANNA FoodBank and Buncombe County Community Connectors have teamed up for a fall food drive, running now through Saturday, Oct. 7. The need for emergency food has continued to climb across WNC, so find the items that are most needed and locations to drop off donations to help your neighbors.

• The City of Asheville announced a three-part learning series centered on homelessness in our community. Information builds from one session to the next, covering the topics of understanding homelessness, understanding solutions to homelessness, and personal response to homelessness. Find details and preregistration information.

• Your library card can get you a whole lot more than books. Cardholders for Buncombe County Public Libraries can check out ZOOM passes, offering free admission to local museums and attractions. ZOOM passes are now available for the Cradle of Forestry, aka the birthplace of forestry in America.

• The Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO) hit a high note with a record 200 student musicians enrolled for the fall season. The program offers training and education for a variety of ensembles — find upcoming events to experience the talent of the ASYO.

• Ever tried Salt Therapy? Be transformed by the healing wonders of the Asheville Salt Cave — a full-circle wellness spa offering therapeutic massages, a hammam bathhouse and steam room, and a one-of-a-kind, micro-climate salt cave loaded with 30 tons of element-releasing pure pink salt. Book a relaxing experience (you deserve it).*

• Role models wanted — If you’re passionate about working with children in our community, the YMCA of WNC is currently hiring after school counselors to help kids learn, grow, and thrive. Learn more + apply.*