Sept. 20-26 in the Swannnanoa Valley

Linus Project reconvenes to help children

Project Linus is a group of sewers and non-sewers who enjoy making quilts and other items for children and adults at Mission Hospital and in the community. It focuses on children’s quilts, which are given out by the regional Project Linus group to children in crisis in the local area.

Project Linus meets next on Friday, Sept. 22 from 1-3 p.m. on the lower level of the Lakeview Center at Lake Tomahawk in Black Mountain. It will be cutting and stuffing pillows, as well as pinning quilts.

No experience is necessary. Fabric has been donated and experienced quilters are available to teach and help out. There is no charge. A sewing machine is not needed. However, projects can be taken home to be finished. Call Sara Hill at 664-0974 for more.

Broad River’s indoor yard sale is Saturday

Join the Broad River Volunteer Fire Department for its indoor craft, yard and bake sale from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.  Local craftsmen will show their goods inside the community center while several families sell yard sale items inside the fire department bays.  The fire department's auxiliary will have baked goods and coffee for sale. The fire department is at 44 Broad River VFD Road, Black Mountain.

Church's fall picnic means hots dogs and fixings

Swannanoa Valley Presbyterian Church will hold a fall picnic at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at the church, 115 Rockdale Ave. Everyone is invited for hot dogs and fixings, lawn games and music by Mindy & Ryan. Call 686-5716 for more.

Montreat shop sale helps out The Elephant Sanctuary

From 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, Ten Thousand Villages Montreat will celebrate Elephant Appreciation Day with its yearly shopping benefit for The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee. The shop will donate 15 percent of sales to The Elephant Sanctuary, aiming to raise enough ($316) to fund the care of one elephant for one day. Shoppers can watch a short video about the Elephant Sanctuary and speak to a volunteer - or “Ele-ambassador” - from the elephant sanctuary. There will be free elephant giveaways from the sanctuary and the traditional handmade elephant-themed gift for donation or purchase over $40.

Founded in 1995, The Elephant Sanctuary is the largest natural-habitat refuge in the United States. It is designed to meet the needs of endangered elephants, specifically old, sick, or needy elephants that have been retired from zoos and circuses.  

Library’s mystery series picks up “Time’s Witness”

The Friends of the Black Mountain Library offers the second in its “Let’s Talk About It” book series at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25. Focusing on mysteries, this series continues with a discussion of “Time’s Witness” by Michael Malone. Visiting scholar Julie Cantner will provide background information to enhance understanding of the book and its meaning.

Copies of this book will be available for check out at the Black Mountain Library for program participants. To reserve a copy and register, stop by the library. There is no fee to register. This series will continue with a program about a different book and visiting scholar every two weeks until Nov. 6.

For more, email folblackmountain@gmail.com.

Swannanoa Library needs donations for its book sale

The Friends of the Swannanoa Library is gratefully accepting book and media donations for its library book sale. The proceeds from the sale help the Friends provide media for the library as well as upkeep for the library building (textbooks, tapes, Reader’ Digest Condensed Books and magazines will not accepted).

The book sale is open during library hours. The Swannanoa Library is located at 101 W. Charleston St. in Grovemont, Swannanoa.

For more, call 828-250-6486.

Middle school holiday crafts fair accepting applications

Owen Middle School Holiday Craft Fair is now accepting applications for vendors at owenmiddlecraftfair.weebly.com.

The Holiday Craft Fair will be Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Owen Middle School gymnasium. The event will include juried artisans, music, food, homemade concessions, door prizes and a raffle. Handcrafted items include pottery, metalwork, woodwork, fabrics, jewelry and more. The free children’s area will include crafts (and Santa).

Check the website for more information.

Libraries now offer free access to Lynda.com 

Educators, small business owners, job seekers and anyone looking to learn new skills will benefit from the free instructional videos at Lynda.com offered by Buncombe County Public Libraries.

The libraries are now offering free, unlimited access to the award-winning online learning company, Lynda.com. Lynda.com offers streaming video courses on thousands of topics taught by recognized industry experts. Learn business, software, technology and creative skills at your own pace without leaving home.

You can use Lynda.com anytime from anywhere you have internet access, including the Black Mountain and Swannanoa libraries - all you need is a Buncombe County Library card. Stop by any of the 12 library locations in Buncombe County to get your free card and learn about other online resources at your disposal.  Visit the library website at buncombecounty.org/library and use the Lynda.com link.

Boy Scout Troop 50 welcomes new members

Looking for adventure? Want to camp, learn new skills and earn merit badges? Boy Scout Troop 50 welcomes boys age 12-17 to join the troop.  The troop meets in Montreat from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday nights and is chartered by at Christ Community Church. No previous experience with Scouting is needed; parents are not required to attend meetings with child but are welcomed to volunteer with troop activities. To visit a weekly meeting or to get more information, contact Scoutmaster Gerald Runkles at runklesg@gmail.com.

And  coming up ... 

Donate blood at Black Mountain Fire Department

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Black Mountain fire Department from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS.

As the American Red Cross responds to wildfires and historic hurricanes, eligible donors are reminded that giving blood or platelets during National Preparedness Month in September is one way to help ensure the Red Cross is prepared to respond to patient emergencies across the country every day.

Asheville Christian holds Christian College Fair

The campus of Asheville Christian Academy is the host site for the 2017 Asheville Christian College Fair on Friday, Sept. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ACA is at 74 Riverwood Road in Swannanoa.

More than 40 representatives of Christian colleges in North America will be there. The fair, free and open to all, features a college financial aid seminar. For more, contact Joe Hagan at (828) 581-2217 or joe.hagan@acalion.org. 

Attendees may go to myblueprintstory.com to register in advance and receive a printed bar code to use when visiting college representatives at the fair. An up-to-date listing of colleges attending is on the website.

Church to hold revival in early October

Swannanoa Church of God is holding a revival Sunday-Thursday, Oct. 1-5 at the church, 119 Wilson Ave, Swannoana. Services are 5 p.m. Oct. 1 and 7 p.m. other nights. Pastor Eric Young will be ministering. For more, call 669-4641.

Runners can avoid injury with this workshop

Jason Gulley of Black Mountain Physical Therapy will offer a free workshop for runners, "Tips to Prevent Injury, " at Vertical Runner from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2.  Space is limited.  To register and learn more, call 669-6896.

Here's a chance to learn more about the Constitution

“We the People,” a six-week study of the U.S. Constitution, is being offered at no charge by the League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County, co-sponsored by the YWCA, AAUW, and ACLU of WNC.

Sessions will take place at the YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Ave., from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 and Nov. 7 and 14. To reserve a seat, send name and email to We.people.us@gmail.com. 

Swannanoa Community Yard sale returns Oct. 7

The fall edition of Swannanoa's popular twice-annual community yard sale will take place (rain or shine) from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 in the Swannanoa Ingles parking lot, 2299 U.S. 70. 

The yard sale has become a much anticipated Swannanoa tradition, attracting dozens of sellers and hundreds of shoppers. Seller spaces (about 10- by 10-feet; bring your own tables) are $10 each. Reservations will be accepted beginning Sept. 23. To reserve a spot (or two or three), email SwannanoaYardSale@gmail.com or call 828-581-9707. Payment for seller spaces will be made on the morning of the sale, in cash only, as part of the registration process (give 24-hour notice if you want to cancel your reservation). Seller spaces usually sell out in advance.

The Swannanoa Community Yard Sale is sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS). Proceeds from space rentals are used to support FANS’ work in the Swannanoa community. For more about FANS, visit SwannanoaFANS.org.

Kerlee family plans 32nd annual reunion

The 32nd annual Kerlee reunion will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 at the Lake Tomahawk picnic shed in Black Mountain. Descendants of the Kerlee family are encouraged to attend and bring a covered dish suitable to feed a family of eight. Bread and drinks will be provided. Bring photos of family members.