For the stuff in the back of the closet

• Eblen Charities is hosting its annual Spring Cleaning Coat Drive on Friday, April 19 at its 23 Hamilton St. facility — stay up to date with the charity’s events to find more donation opportunities throughout the year.
• You can give your clean, in-season clothing (and many other items) to the Asheville Humane Thrift Store, Charlie’s Angels Thrift Store, or Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s Second Chances Thrift Store, where all sales benefit pets in need.
• WNC Bridge Foundation Thrift Store welcomes clothing donations, and sales from the store support the foundation’s initiatives, like the Rathbun House and Children’s Services Fund.

For the furniture gathering dust

• Take your furniture and household goods to Homeward Bound WNC’s donation center in Woodfin — community donations are distributed to people transitioning out of homelessness and into housing.
• Send big items like couches, dressers + working appliances (even your car) to the Asheville Habitat for Humanity ReStore or schedule a pick-up if you can’t transport items yourself.
• If your kiddo has outgrown their stroller, high chair, or bouncy seat, call B.E.A.R. Closet to set up a donation — you can also give new and gently used clothing (preemie to size six) to help local families.

For other miscellaneous items

• The Bicycle Thrift Shop will take your old bikes, parts, and gear.
• Donate diapers, baby wipes, and rash cream at one of Babies Need Bottoms’ drop-off sites.
• Asheville Poverty Initiative accepts cleaning supplies, disposable take-out boxes, packaged plastic utensils, and more.

• ecoEXPLORE Botany | Thursday, March 28 | 4-5 p.m. | East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Rd., Asheville | Free | Kids and families will learn all about the plants that call WNC home, from how they make their own food to where they can be found.
• Business In Color | Thursday, March 28 | 6-8 p.m. | Different Wrld, 701 Haywood Rd., Ste. 101, Asheville | Free | Mingle with peers and leaders for an inspiring night dedicated to fostering inclusivity, diversity, and community in local business.

• “The CAP Playbook” | Friday, March 29 | 5-7 p.m. | Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Join author DeWayne Barton for a discussion of his new book on creating an inclusive and economically empowered culture in historically marginalized communities.
• The Sounds of Innovation | Friday, March 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Moogseum, 56 Broadway St., Asheville | $15 | Hear the first public broadcast of the Abominatron Tape, where Bob Moog explains the Moog modular prototype in detail.
• Dine with Divas | Friday, March 29 | 7-8 p.m. | Event Center at Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Ste. 200, Asheville | $40 | Enjoy a delicious dinner and a captivating celebrity impersonator drag show during this fundraiser for BeLoved Asheville.

• Saturday Morning Cartoon Party | Saturday, March 30 | 12-3 p.m. | The Whale, 507 Haywood Rd., #10, Asheville | $5 | Feel like a kid again with a bowl of cereal and cartoons on the big screen — pajamas are encouraged.
• Mountain Brook Vineyard Wine Dinner | Saturday, March 30 | 6 p.m. | Ivory Road, 1854 Brevard Rd., Arden | $65-$89 | Savor a five-course dinner from the Ivory Road crew with wine pairings from Mountain Brook Vineyards in Tryon.

• Pickle Fest | Sunday, March 31 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $15-$39 | Folks 21+ can sip on briny beverages and savor salty snacks at this pickle-themed festival.

• At its Tuesday, March 26 meeting, the Asheville City Council approved several fee adjustments, including a fee increase for water. An increase of 31.7% can be expected for wholesale operations, 11.9% for small commercial businesses, and 0.5% for residents (about $20 per year). (Blue Ridge Public Radio)

• Listen up, foodies. Chef William Dissen of the James Beard Award-nominated restaurant The Market Place is hosting a release party for his upcoming cookbook, “Thoughtful Cooking.” Meet the mind behind the recipes and enjoy bites and cocktails on Tuesday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m. — reserve your spot.

• On Wednesday, April 10, the Buncombe County Board of Adjustments will see a proposal for Central Park, a development that could bring 23 single-family units and 185 townhomes to the former Brookwood Gold Club at 455 Mills Gap Rd. Amenities for the proposed project include a dog park, gazebo, and walking trail. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• This spring, nine local farmers markets are participating in Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture’s Double SNAP program, expanding access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the community. Learn more about the Double SNAP program and find the participating markets.

• Get a taste of what Wild Abundance is all about before signing up for a class. The carpentry, earthskills, and permaculture school is hosting a work party the weekend of Saturday, April 13. RSVP to learn skills while helping with projects like prepping a garden and building tent sites and trails.

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• Rates for metered on-street parking will rise from $1.50 to $2.50 per hour — but it will stay free after 6 p.m.
• Special event parking in parking garages will now be a flat rate of $9.
• The daily maximum to park in a garage will be lowered from $20 to $15. Currently, the first hour is free no matter how long you’re parked, but with the approved change, the first hour will be free only if you’re parked for 60 minutes or less.