Happenings this week in the Swannanoa Valley

Cloud Cottage begins a new year-long class in basic Buddhism

A year-long class on basic Buddhism that meets twice a month is beginning again at Cloud Cottage, 219 Old Toll Circle, Black Mountain. Taught by Rev. Judith Toy, author, columnist and mindfulness teacher, the next class in the series is 3-4:30 p.m. June 14. Students are asked to purchase "The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings" by Thich Nhat Hanh and read the first three chapters prior to class. The suggested donation is $10 per class. Drop-ins are OK. For more, contact 669-6000 or www.cloudcottage.org.

Parents Night Out at BM Yoga

Black Mountain Yoga will host Parents Night Out from 6-8 p.m. June 5 with Ms. Brandon Hudson. Drop the kids off for yoga, games, crafts, music and more while you enjoy an evening to yourself. This event is held at Black Mountain Yoga, 116 Montreat Road, Black Mountain. For more, visit blackmountainyoga.com or call 669-2939.

Prostate cancer group meets once again in Asheville

Us TOO of WNC, a prostate cancer support forum for men, caregivers and family members, will meet at 7 p.m. June 2 at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street. This month Dr. Miller with Human Relations Associates, Inc. will speak on the emotional aspects of mortality and living with cancer. There is no fee to attend. For more, call 338-0290.

Learn more about solar at WWC

On May 30, Clean Energy for North Carolina, the French Broad River Garden Club and the North Carolina Audubon Society are sponsoring Solar Saturday in the Karpen Pavilion at Warren Wilson College from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ashley Edwards from Clean Energy for North Carolina will lead a workshop on residential solar and energy efficiency from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At 1 p.m., Kimberly Brand from Audubon North Carolina will present "Save the Songs, Birds and Climate Change," a scientific study just released by Audubon in September 2014. At 2:30 p.m., Ashley Edwards will lead a workshop on solar and energy efficiency for business and worship centers. The event is free. For more, contact Annie Ager at 273-6236 or visit www.cleanenergyfor.us.

Bounty & Soul seeks donations for yard sale across from playground

Bounty & Soul is holding a fundraiser yard sale from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6 at Grandma's Lake Cottage, 306 Rhododendron Ave., across from Lake Tomahawk playground. It's asking for donations of household items (no clothes, please). If you'd like to help, drop off donations from 5-7 p.m. June 3-4 at the cottage.

Blood drive returns to Black Mountain Presbyterian Church

Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 117 Montreat Road will hold a blood drive from 1:30-6 p.m. June 4. Donors of all blood types – especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative – are needed. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Kids art classes are down the mountain in beautiful Old Fort

Get your kids involved with the visual arts this summer, taught by Jake Mowery, known as Mr. Jake for the volunteer work he does with McDowell Elementary School and other organizations. Arrowhead Gallery, at 78 Catawba Rd., Old Fort, is holding four summer art classes for kids from 1-3 p.m. June 17 and 26 and July 5 and 12. The cost is $50. Space is limited; to register, call 668-1100.

Free balance clinic offers grounding, fall prevention tips

Dr. Kim Fox, an advanced vestibular therapist, will conduct a free balance seminar from 2:15-3 p.m. May 28 at Cheshire Fitness Club at The Village of Cheshire, Black Mountain. He'll talk about balance, fall prevention secrets and what walking speeds say about longevity, as well as offer exercise tips and answer questions.

Learn how to maintain vibrant gardens from master gardener

Master Gardener Bob Wardwell will discuss how to maintain a healthy and abundant garden throughout the growing season at 7 p.m. June 2 at the Black Mountain Library. The program is free and open to all. Each summer these hills come alive with the sound of organ music, congregations singing, and the Good News shared by special guest preachers each Sunday morning from May 31 through August 2 in Montreat's Anderson Auditorium.

Montreat reconvenes its popular Summer Worship Series on May 31

The Summer Worship Series at Montreat Conference Center kicks off May 31 with an address by the Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes, associate professor of homiletics and worship at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. The summer series, which continues through Aug. 2, brings to the conference center leading theologians and preachers from across the country who join with visual and performing art professionals and volunteers in a service of worship open to the surrounding community. Everyone is welcome.

All of the summer Sunday services in the series are at 10:30 a.m. in Anderson Auditorium, just off Assembly Drive in Montreat. Child care is available for children six months through kindergarten at the Updike Child Care Center on Texas Road. The community is invited to the lunch buffet at 11:45 a.m. in the Assembly Inn's Galax Dining Room following worship. For more, visit www.montreat.org, or call 669-2911.

North-South players Wilcox and Tolley prevail at bridge game

The Max Woodcock Bridge match on May 19 was played with five tables. Coming in first place NS was Lee Wilcox and Walt Tolley, with Mike Bernatovicz and Chuck Murdock in second (Chuck and Mike are almost always in the money). EW saw the strong play of Roger Fenna and David Hirsch winning first, with Dot Kaylor and Ron Gibson dropping back to second this week. The group plays at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday; contact Walt Tolley at 669-4563 to join in.

Louisiana lovers to meet and break bread over seafood

Attention, all Louisianians living in the Swannanoa Valley. It's time for your third annual Spring Get Together. This year it will be held at the Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting House, 137 Center Ave., Black Mountain (just one block south of State Street). The date is May 30; the time is 1 p.m. Organizers have lined up this lovely indoor-outdoor setting and invited people to bring lawn chairs to enjoy sitting outside. Once again this year, a Louisiana seafood dish will be served, along with Barq's root beer and café au lait. The cost is $12 per person, and checks may be sent by May 21 to Kathryn Hilliard, 118 Brookside Ave., Black Mountain, 28711. Attendees are asked to bring a Louisiana side dish or dessert to share. No alcohol is permitted.

Sign up for Owen Middle School yard sale on June 6

Reserve space now for the community yard sale that Owen Middle School Career Club is hosting from 8 a.m.-noon June 6. Drop off the $10 fee at the school. For more, email amanda.venturella@bcsemail.

New SV Fine Arts League show to open at Red House House

"Americana," the new show by the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League, opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. June 5. SVFAL shows at the Red House next to the Monte Vista Hotel rotate every two months, and artists exhibit as well in the hotel. Founded in 1967, SVFAL is one of the oldest art organizations in the area. Red House Studios and Gallery opened in late 2012. The show runs through the beginning of August. Red House hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

African children to sing and dance at Swannanoa church

Mwangaza Children's Choir from Uganda, Africa will be at First Baptist Church Swannanoa, at 503 Park St., at the 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services on May 31. This will be a Sunday morning of exciting dances, great voices and moving testimonies. These talented children will bring a message of hope and salvation by presenting a program centered around the message of "breaking free from sin." For more call 686-5123. A love offering will be received for the African children.

'Old House' author demonstrates old window restoration

Steve Jordan, a contributor to Old House Journal and author of "The Window Sash Bible: A Guide to Maintaining and Repairing Old Wood Windows," will put on a window preservation workshop from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 30.

The workshop will be at Black Mountain Town Hall.

The workshop, free of charge and limited to 75 people, is geared toward property owners, do-it yourselfers, building contractors and all-around old building enthusiasts.

Jordan will discuss the benefits of repairing existing windows and demonstrate restoration methods and tools.

The workshop is open to historic preservation commission staff and members, who will receive education credit for attendance of the full workshop.

To register, email jennifer.tipton@townofblack

mountain.org or call 419-9373.