Aug. 8 This Week in the Swannanoa Valley

Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry needs 

A current list of needs at the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry: Canned pork and beans, canned red kidney beans, canned vegetables of any type, sugar, all-purpose flour, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo. Monetary donations designated to food are also welcome (send to P.O.  Box 235).

Drop off items at 101 North Ridgeway Avenue, Black Mountain.

Celebrate Recovery meetings

Are you or someone you know struggling with anger, codependency, eating disorder, love & relationship addiction, abuse, alcohol, drug of other forms of addiction? Celebrate Recovery, which meets every Tuesday evening at Mountain View Church on 2221 North Fork-Right Fork, features inspiring teaching and testimonies of God’s healing power by our family in recovery.

Meetings begin at 6:15 p.m. with a free meal, before worship, testimony, or lessons begin at 7 p.m. Small groups take place at 8:00 p.m. for open share and 12-Step studies,before dessert is served at 9 p.m. Free child care is available. For more information contact Connie at 669-1981 or Jeanie at 669-4146.

Poker night at the VFW

VFW Post 9157 is hosting Wednesday night poker night. The weekly tournaments are open to the public, with the first one beginning at 7 p.m., followed by a 9 p.m. tournament. 

Dinner plates are available for $5. A $5 credit will be awarded to the winner of each tournament.

So you want to raise a guide dog?

The Black Mountain-Tyson Library will host a program by The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9. 

Attendees will learn about raising guide dogs for the blind, what makes a good guide and how the puppies are raised. 

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call (828) 250-4756,

Free seminar for caregivers of people with dementia 

The Lakeview Center for Active Aging has partnered with the Western Carolina Chapter Alzheimer’s Association to conduct a series of free Caregiver Dementia Educational Seminars for those affected by Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. 

These seminars, which will be held from 11 - 11:45 a.m. on the first Monday of the month from August through November, are for caregivers or anyone wanting more information and resources. 

The Lakeview Center is located at 401 Laurel Circle Drive in Black Mountain.

For more information contact Melinda Polites  at melinda.polites@townofblackmountain.org or call 669-8610.

And coming up...

Auditions for "Wit"

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts Theatre (BMCAT), formerly known as the Front Porch Theatre, is holding auditions for "Wit" by Margaret Edson, the first production of BMCAT's seventh season.

Auditions will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14 and from 10 a.m. - noon on Saturday Aug.17. The play will be performed for three weekends starting October 11. Rehearsals begin in September.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, "Wit" introduces its audience to Dr. Vivian Bearing, a brilliant and uncompromising professor of English literature who has spent years specializing in the Holy Sonnets of John Donne. Vivian has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. She agrees to undergo an experimental chemotherapy treatment that, although not guaranteed to save her, will provide excellent research data for the future of oncology.

"Wit" is a poignant and humorous look at life, death, poetry and compassion.

For detailed character descriptions, please visit www.blackmountainarts.org/theatre.

Actors are not asked to prepare anything in advance, as there will be scenes (sides) from the play for each character available. Each actor should arrive with enough time to sign-in, familiarize themselves with the play, be assigned a character(s) to audition for, and prepare for that particular scene(s).

For more information, email bmcatheatre@blackmountainarts.org, or call (828) 669-0930

Museum continues historic documentary series

The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center will continue its historic documentary series at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15 with a showing of "Ready for Harvest: Clearcutting in the Southern Appalachians."

The film, which is the final presentation of the summer series, focuses on the extensive logging and explores the complex questions of how to best protect the area's native forests.

The event is free and open to the public. Limited seating is available so those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP at swannanoavalleymuseum.org. 

Gardening with native plants

Do you use native plants in your landscape?  Join the Black Mountain Blooms Seed Lending Library and Buncombe County Extension Master Garden Volunteers at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 for a workshop on Gardening with Native Plants at the Black Mountain-Tyson Library located at 105 North Dougherty Stereet. 

The presentation will be given by Debbie Green, Black Mountain resident and Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.  

Learn about the benefits of choosing plants native to our area to reduce maintenance while attracting pollinators and wildlife to your garden. Many natives are easy to share from plant divisions and seeds, making them budget-friendly choices for enhancing your home’s curb appeal. This hour-long presentation is free and open to the public. 

Calling on crafters and yard sale managers

The Auxiliary of the Broad River Volunteer Fire Department will host a Fall Flea Market & Fair from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday., Sept. 28, at 44 Broad River VFD Rd., 28711. 

This will be a craft, yard and bake sale with a hot dog lunch, plus games and raffles for all ages. 

Tables may be reserved for $10 by calling Jeannette Stender at 828-329-3531.