Community Calendar

Michael Holcombe, author of the first book detailing the history of Asheville's water, will give a 45 minute presentation followed by audience Q&A and book signing. Like his book, this event will trace the history of Asheville's water system from the 1797 incorporation of the city to our post-Helene recovery. Michael explores the importance of this abundant natural gift to the growth of our city and the its reputation as a "climate haven."

Asheville's water resources director throughout much of the 1990s, Michael set out to write The Story of Asheville's Water: Before and Beyond Hurricane Helene after the infamous municipal outage of December 2022. "It became evident that the absence of crucial water system information, if not directly responsible, contributed greatly to the outage. I realized that with the passage of time, I had become one of the oldest surviving 'veterans' that had operated the Asheville water system and wanted very much to restore and preserve vital information."

Michael L. Holcombe was born in Asheville and educated at Appalachian State University. He spent over two decades in the management of the Asheville municipal water system. With his lifelong love of history, Michael writes the first-ever comprehensive account of how Asheville's water drove its development from its beginnings in the 1880s to how the utility plans resurrection from Hurricane Helene.

The Penland Gallery presents Family Dinner, an exhibition of wood sculpture by artist Vivian Chiu, through August 30. A reception will be held on Friday, July 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM with an artist talk at 4:30 PM.

The pieces in the exhibition are vessel forms made from pine crate wood. The artist received a gift of wooden shipping crates from Wing On Wo and Co, the oldest continuously operated storefront in Manhattan’s Chinatown. She dismantled them, cut them into hundreds of carefully calculated pieces, and then reassembled them into vessel forms that echo the porcelain wares that were shipped in the crates. Some of the pieces incorporate marquetry to create narrative imagery evoking stories of Chiu’s childhood in Hong Kong.

The work is beautiful and evocative, the technical complexity and execution are remarkable, and it all adds up to a breathtaking exhibition.

Join the Greer Farmers Market for it's 10th Anniversary year in Greer, each Sunday from May-August, 11AM-2PM. 30+ Farmers, Makers, and Bakers are nestled in scenic Greer City Park along with live music, food trucks, and kids activities. Come shop and eat local with us. We are a SNAP retailer, Healthy Bucks site, and have more food assistance programs TBA. Learn more at GreerFarmersMarket.com.

Playing John Prine/Americana

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold at the bar located on the lawn from 4:00-8:00 PM.

Schedule:
5:30-6:45 PM Thomas Kozak (Singer/Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, intricate picking patterns and soft, dark vocals has led to his music to be described as meditative and intimate.)
7:15-8:30 PM Hannah Kaminer (Americana-style songwriting about love, loss and home)
4:00-8:30 PM Cooking With Comedy (American-style food truck)

Challenge yourself while drinking beer! Teams of up to 6 can compete for fantastic prizes. Join us in the taproom every Wednesday from 7-9. Bring a phone!

Badd Wolf is a dreamer, artist, entertainer & free thinker from Los Angeles. He continues creating his own lane while enjoying the human experience.

The Penland Gallery presents Family Dinner, an exhibition of wood sculpture by artist Vivian Chiu, through August 30. A reception will be held on Friday, July 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM with an artist talk at 4:30 PM.

The pieces in the exhibition are vessel forms made from pine crate wood. The artist received a gift of wooden shipping crates from Wing On Wo and Co, the oldest continuously operated storefront in Manhattan’s Chinatown. She dismantled them, cut them into hundreds of carefully calculated pieces, and then reassembled them into vessel forms that echo the porcelain wares that were shipped in the crates. Some of the pieces incorporate marquetry to create narrative imagery evoking stories of Chiu’s childhood in Hong Kong.

The work is beautiful and evocative, the technical complexity and execution are remarkable, and it all adds up to a breathtaking exhibition.

Join the Greer Farmers Market for it's 10th Anniversary year in Greer, each Sunday from May-August, 11AM-2PM. 30+ Farmers, Makers, and Bakers are nestled in scenic Greer City Park along with live music, food trucks, and kids activities. Come shop and eat local with us. We are a SNAP retailer, Healthy Bucks site, and have more food assistance programs TBA. Learn more at GreerFarmersMarket.com.

For more than three decades, Our State “Ramblin’ Man” columnist T. Edward Nickens has reported on conservation, the outdoors and Southern culture for some of the world’s most respected publications. He is editor-at-large and columnist for Field & Stream, contributing editor for Garden & Gun and Ducks Unlimited magazines, and editor-in-chief of Tail, the saltwater flyfishing magazine. His work has appeared in Smithsonian, National Geographic Adventure, Men’s Journal and many others. He splits time between Raleigh and Morehead City with one wife, two dogs, the occasional sightings of two grown children, 14 flyrods, three canoes, two powerboats and an indeterminate number of duck and goose decoys. His most recent book is “The Last Wild Road.” Join us for a discussion and “meet-and-greet.” This event has two tiers of ticket access. “VIP Reception” tickets cost $60 for general admission and $51 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club – plus tax. “Presentation” tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for Bridge Club members.