This Week in the Swannanoa Valley

UNCA holds session for prospective teachers

UNC Asheville’s department of education will hold a free information session for post-baccalaureate students interested in teaching K-12, from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 in Highsmith Union, room 104. The market for qualified teachers in North Carolina is growing, and UNCA’s teacher education program has a strong record of placing its graduates.

UNCA’s post-baccalaureate program is well-suited for career changers, providing credit in some cases for courses already taken, said Kim Brown, chair and associate professor of education at UNCA. Post-bac students can typically complete UNCA’s teacher licensure program in four full-time semesters, which includes one semester of student-teaching, she said.

No pre-registration is required for the session. For more, email teach@unca.edu or call Brook Thompson 251-6304. On March 17, UNCA will hold at Future Teacher Conference for high school students who want to pursue a career in teaching. Registration is open through March 9. Register and learn more at education.unca.edu.

CNA meeting held for

prospective students

The next CNA informational meeting will be at 6 p.m. March 15 in the G-2 Training Room at Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center. The meeting will let prospective students know when the next CNA class will be offered at the center and what is needed to participate in the class.

Attending the free meeting is the first step in getting into the CNA class. The cost of the class $178, to be paid on the first day of class. The cost of the state test $101, to be paid on the last day of class. For more, call 259-6766 or email debra.bartlett@dhhs.nc.gov.

GED classes meet

in Black Mountain

GED classes meet at Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry’s Opportunity House from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. For registration information. call A-B Tech at 828-398-7433 or 828-398-7136.

Auction for the Arts

tickets go on sale

Tickets are on sale for the Black Mountain Center for the Arts’ annual Auction for the Arts, to be held at 6 p.m. March 5. With silent and live auctions, a catered buffet and open bar, the fundraiser helps support all the varied classes, gallery shows and theater productions and special events that the arts center offers each year.

Items available in the silent auction may include entertainment discounts and packages, gift certificates, textiles, pottery and jewelry. Live auction items may include vacation accommodations, sculpture, musical instruments, photographs, prints and furniture. Reservations prior to March 5 are $25 (admission the day of the auction is $30, if seats are available). For tickets and information, call 669-0930.

Arts Center offers new clay class

If you’ve always been curious about the process of working with clay, consider taking Charles Freeland’s Beginners Clay class from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays starting Feb. 20. Perfect for busy professionals who can’t spare weeknight hours, the class takes place in the clay studio behind the Black Mountain Center for the Arts at 225 W. State St.

The cost for this six-week session is $185 and includes a lab fee for 25 pounds of clay, as well as glazing and firing and all the open studio time you need. Freeland, the clay studio manager, holds an MFA in ceramics, was part of Sally Jones Pottery in Montreat for 10 years, works at the Squeaky Wheel in Asheville’s River Arts District and produces his own ceramics in his studio.

For more, call 669-0930 or visit BlackMountainArts.org.

Council on Aging has

new Facebook page

Council on Aging of Buncombe County offers Medicare news, information, resources and more on its new Facebook page: COABC’s SHIIP Program.

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County’s SHIIP Program page offers easy to read infographics, news and changes to Medicare plans, upcoming Medicare Choices Made Easy classes and other information. The page is open to anyone who has a Facebook page. One only needs to “like” the page and stay up-to-date with everything Medicare.

Democrats hold precinct organizational meeting

The Democratic Party precincts in the Black Mountain area will have an organizational meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Wild Hare, 406 State St. The precincts include Carver Center, Black Mountain Elementary School, Own Middle School, Lakeview Senior Center, Montreat and Garren Creek Fire Department.

Mothers and daughters

invited to conference

Mothers and teen daughters (ages 13 and up) are invited to attend the Walking Together Conference on Saturday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m-4 p.m. at Asheville Christian Academy, 74 Riverwood Road, Swannanoa. The faith-based event of teaching, worship and fellowship featuring author and speaker Camille Cates teaches moms and daughters the biblical principles of walking in faith, not fear; walking in peace, not anger; and walking in grace, not perfection.

Early bird pricing of $29 adult and $15 youth expires Feb. 20. The full price is $39 adult and $25 youth. The event is being put on by Healing Hearts Ministries. Register at healinghearts.org.

Owen golf tournament

returns March 5

The 21st Annual Owen Golf Team Tournament will be March 5 at the Black Mountain Golf Course, with a rain/snow date of March 12. The format will be four-person captain's choice. There will be trophies and prizes. The cost, which includes lunch, is $50 per person or $200 per team. Sign up at the Black Mountain pro shop or by contacting John Knight at 669-7043.

Light Center holds ‘Love

the World’ celebration

Join the Light Center on N.C. 9 south of Black Mountain on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. for “Love the World,” a sacred celebration led by Rev. Kiah Abendroth of Black Mountain. World musicians William DeHaro and Christy Clavio join a community celebration of meditation and sacred music. By donation. For more, contact the UR Light Center at 669-6845 or dome@urlight.org.

SVCM food pantry needs continue

The Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry needs the following to provide for clients: ramen noodles (beef or chicken), canned fruit, canned tomatoes (diced or stewed), canned mixed vegetables, canned beans (pinto, red kidney black beans, pork and beans, baked beans), canned corn, canned tuna, all-purpose flour, sugar, coffee, tea, toothbrushes and toothpaste, bar soap, toilet paper, large-size diapers (sizes 3-6), laundry detergent, towels (bath, hand, washcloth) and bedsheets. Monetary donations designated to food are also welcome. Drop off items at 101 N. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain.

MLK documentary

shown in Swannanoa

To mark Black History month, “Al-Helm: Martin Luther King in Palestine” will be shown in Black Mountain at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at Swannanoa Valley Friends Meetinghouse, 137 Center Ave. This documentary by noted film-maker Connie Field tells the story of dramatic conflicts and transformative collaboration between an African-American playwright, a gospel choir and Palestinian actors and director as they produce, for Palestinians, a play about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be refreshments and discussion. It’s free, and all are welcome.

‘Book Thief’ discussed by Montreat book club

The Montreat College Community Book Club will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 in the Archives Room of the L. Nelson Bell Library. The book to be discussed is “Book Thief” by Markus Zusak. Gill Campbell will be the discussion leader. Everyone is welcome to attend.

School raffle tickets to go on sale

Black Mountain Elementary announces its third annual raffle, with $1 tickets for sale March 1-22. There are great prizes from supporting local businesses, so select the item on the prizes list you like and enter your ticket for that drawing.

Purchase tickets from BME 4-5th grade students, and at Merry Wine Market or Common Housefly downtown, as well as at the school's front office at 100 Flat Creek Road. Proceeds go to the school’s priority needs. The school’s PTO welcomes prize items from businesses until Feb. 26. For more, email bmeptolisa@gmail.com.

Cragmont Assembly yard

sale back this weekend

Cragmont Assembly will put on the fourth annual Community Yard Sale at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1233 N. Ford Road. More than 30 vendors have signed up. To rent a table, call Brenda at 828-582-1439. Coffee and food will be available.

Local nonprofits encouraged

to apply for grants

The Black Mountain–Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, is accepting applications from Swannanoa Valley nonprofits for its spring grant cycle. The grants will range in size from $2,500-$10,000 and will focus on projects and programs relating to health and wellness, education, cultural and natural resources and people in need. The deadline to apply is March 1. The online application is at cfwnc.org/Nonprofits/GrantPrograms. For more, contact Virginia Dollar at CFWNC, 828-367-9907.