Raising money for renewable energy

• Energy Savers Network: The program helps limited-income households across WNC, providing no-cost energy efficiency upgrades, including installing interior storm window inserts and insulating water heaters.
• Neighbor to Neighbor Solar: This program, created in 2021 and coordinated by Blue Horizons Project, funds solar energy systems for income-qualified residents of Buncombe County. Not only do the systems installed provide clean energy, but recipients can expect lower electric bills as a result.
• Appalachian Offsets: This program helps individuals and businesses calculate their carbon emissions and allows the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets, which fund renewable energy projects for local schools, churches, nonprofits, and affordable housing providers.

Offering support

• Holiday Party | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5-8 p.m. | Garden Party & Playdate, 315 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Garden Party and Playdate are bringing local businesses together for a night of festivities — enjoy treats from Camille Cogswell, vintage finds from GennyPop Shop, a munchies-themed menu from Dreamboat Cafe, and much more.
• Asheville Music Schools Silent Auction | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Archetype Brewing - Downtown, 174 Broadway St., Asheville | $10 | Bid on art, concert tickets, wine tasting events, and more to raise money for Asheville Music Schools’ rehearsal space and production studio, the AMS Sound Lab.

• Asheville Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker | Friday, Dec. 8-Sunday, Dec. 10 | Times vary | Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $25-$50 | The state’s oldest professional ballet company will depict the classic story through dance, set to the traditional Tchaikovsky score.

• Holiday Bag O’ Books Sale | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville | $5 | Friends of the East Asheville Library will provide a bag for you to stuff with as many new or lightly used books as you can.
• Code Purple Volunteer Training | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | ABCCM Transformation Village, 30 Olin Haven Way, Asheville | Free | New and existing volunteers are welcome to learn how to support unhoused individuals on nights when temperatures fall below 32 degrees.

• Refraction Holiday Art Market | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 12-6 p.m. | Wedge Brewing at Foundation, 5 Foundy St., Asheville | Free | Explore prints, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, and more from 20+ exceptional local artists.
• The Great Smokies Writing Program Presents: Writers at Home | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Celebrate the fall 2023 issue of The Great Smokies Review by listening in on author readings.

1. Sport Hoodie: This top-seller is almost sold out.
2. The Anson performance polo: It’s rated five stars by 99% of customers.
3. The Sully quarter zip: Many of these colors match up with The Anson colors for a coordinated, layered look.

• This evening marks the beginning of Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights. The eight-day celebration is marked with a nightly menorah lighting and often with special blessings + foods fried in oil.

• At its Tuesday, Dec. 5 meeting, the Buncombe County Commissioners approved a rezoning request from Biltmore Farms. The ~765-acre property was previously designated for residential and commercial use, but the rezoning gives the property an employment designation while maintaining a section for low-density residential.

• Join Kudzu Culture, Urban Forest Alliance, and the Montford Neighborhood Association this Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help remove kudzu along Reed Creek Greenway, making way for planting native species. You’ll learn all about removing kudzu root crowns + how to repurpose mature vines for wreaths and baskets.

• The Buncombe County Tax Collection division is warning of fraudulent letters from a fake agency — calling itself the Tax Processing Unit of Buncombe County Public Judgement Records — in an attempt to trick people into paying a nonexistent tax debt. Find a copy of the scam letter and steps to take if you’ve received one.

• Santa is coming down the chimney... rock. This Saturday, Dec. 9, Kris Kringle himself will rappel down the 315-ft Chimney Rock — but not without taking breaks to pose for photos with visitors. Entrance into Chimney Rock State Park includes all the festivities that are part of this annual tradition.

• If you can’t make it to Christmas Jam this year, you can still help support its mission of constructing an affordable home with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and BeLoved Asheville — and all you have to do is quench your thirst. Pick up Sierra Nevada’s Christmas Jam IPA in local stores or Devil’s Foot Brewing’s Unity Berry Soda at The Mule.

• Blood donors always make the nice list. Donate blood this December with TBC and help make this the most wonderful time of the year for someone in your community. Save up to 3 local lives by donating this season.*

• Step one of your dog’s wellness journey: Nom Nom. The vet nutritionist-developed meals are perfectly portioned for a vibrant, joyful life. Get 50% off your first order.*