This week, we’re asking for support

Stress-free morning news

• 2nd Annual Mosaic Art Walk + Benefit | Thursday, May 2 | 5-9 p.m. | Participating downtown art galleries, Asheville | Free | Enjoy light fare and drinks while 14 downtown galleries display pieces from local and international artists and highlight the work of nonprofits.
• “Anne of Green Gables” | Thursday, May 2-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville | $5-$32 | Dive into the enchanting world of Anne Shirley with a heartwarming adaptation of Lucy Montgomery’s classic tale.

• Trivia & Game Show Fun | Friday, May 3 | 6-7 p.m. | Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville | Free | Test your knowledge and rise to the challenge with an evening of themed games.
• Petey & Company | Friday, May 3 | 6-8 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St., Asheville | $15 | Settle in for the sassy Southern charm of Hilliary Begley and the local laughs of Cody Hughes during this comedy night hosted by Petey Smith-McDowell.

• Annual Spring Kids Fishing Tournament | Saturday, May 4 | 8-11:30 a.m. | Lake Julian Park, 37 Lake Julian Rd., Arden | $10 | Young anglers can compete to reel in prizes — preregistration is recommended but not required.
• Tech Time | Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Sit down with library staff to get one-on-one help with computer problems or tech tasks.
• Get In Gear Fest | Saturday, May 4 | 12-5 p.m. | The Outpost, 521 Amboy Rd., Asheville | Free | Try on gear, visit the kids’ bike park, and demo bikes, e-bikes, hammocks, riverboards, and paddleboards.

• Gringo de Gallo Brunch | Sunday, May 5 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop, 32 Broadway St., Ste. 110, Asheville | $5 reservation | Transform attitudes surrounding Cinco de Mayo into an inclusive celebration with dishes from Chef Luis Martinez of Tequio Foods.

• Buncombe County is hosting a series of community input sessions to help guide the continued development of its five-year strategic plan, which represents the local vision through 2030. The first opportunity will be at the Fairview Library tomorrow, May 3 during the community engagement market.

• Novant Health announced plans to apply for a 26-bed, cancer-focused hospital at 455 Long Shoals Rd. In addition to the proposed Novant Health Asheville Medical Center, $20 million over five years was committed to develop rural primary care, and space at 1815 Hendersonville Rd. was acquired to build a medical office building.

• Explore Asheville, River Front Development Group, and the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail Advisory Committee are looking for artists to work on public art enhancements of the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail. Qualified artists or collaborative art teams should apply by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 30.

• Asheville Tea Company is expanding into 46 Whole Foods Market locations in the Southeast. Raise a glass to the exciting announcement with the three newly released cold brew iced teas, just in time for the summer heat: Hibiscus Mojito, Blue Ridge Mountain Mint, and Looking Glass black tea.

• The game is on. More than 550 athletes will take to the field today, May 2 for the Buncombe County Special Olympics Spring Games. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the T.C. Roberson High School stadium, cheer on the competitors in track + field events — then head to the Olympic Village to check out the vendors.

• Just picture it — local artist Jaime Byrd and her husband Adam Cohen are hosting the grand opening of the new Jaime Byrd Art Gallery at 375 Depot St. This Friday, May 3, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., nosh on food and wine while you experience the oil paintings and augmented reality multimedia films.

• Sweeten Creek Brewing is putting on its dancing shoes again as the What’s Shaking? Music and Dance Party summer series returns to the lawn. The interactive hour-long concert is specially designed for kids and their adults with a drum jam, games, dance breaks, and more. Stop by every first Saturday, starting May 4.

• No. 1. That’s where Great Smoky Mountains National Park landed on Explore Worldwide’s list of trending national parks in 2024. Online searches for its park tours increased 97% year-on-year during the two-year timeframe of the study, which also cited scenic drives + misty hikes as part of the attraction. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• We can’t get enough of this private five-acre property in Fairview Forest that features a wraparound porch, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces, and gorgeous skylights that bathe the space in warm, natural light.*