Friday, January 13
The American Chamber Players
Performing pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms. Concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place at Charlotte Street. Tickets are $35 each. To order tickets or for more information visit www.ashevillechambermusic.org or call Pam Miller at (828) 259-3626. Students may attend ACMS concerts free of charge.
A free pre-concert talk will be given at the Reuter Center on the campus of UNCA on Thursday, January 12 at 4 p.m. Lecture details at unca.edu/ncccr or (828) 251-6140.

January 13 - February 3
Art Opening and Lecture
Third Annual Drawing Discourse Exhibition. Jerome Witkin, prominent American figurative artist, lectures from 5-6 p.m. in UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. The Third Annual Drawing Discourse Exhibition, juried by Wiktin, opens with reception from 6-8 p.m. in the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery in Owen Hall on campus. Exhibit on view weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through February 3, 2012. Lecture, reception, and exhibition are free and open to the public. Details at art.unca.edu or (828) 251-6559.

Sunday, January 15
Grace Art Show
An opening reception will be held at 12:30 p.m. for Western North Carolina artist Monique Johnson at Grace Centre. On display through February 20. Johnson’s work has been met with critical acclaim and much demand as a result of national exposure on Eye on America with Katie Couric. Grace Centre is located three miles west of the Asheville Airport on Highway 280 next to the Asheville Land Rover dealer. Gallery hours: 9-5 p.m. daily, Sunday 9-12 a.m.

Wednesday, January 18
Pianist Kimberly Cann in Concert
Free and open to the public. Concert begins at 12:45 p.m. in UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Details at (828) 251-6432.

Kimberly Cann

Thursday, January 19
Celebrating Life in the Mountains: “Native Born”
“How to Create Unique Mountain Landscapes Using Native Plants and Nature-Inspired Garden Elements.” Presentation and discussion with horticultural experts. Free and open to the public, 7 p.m. at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center, home of the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement. Details at unca.edu/ncccr or (828) 251-6140.

Friday, January 20
Fab Friday with Rheumatologist Ellison Smith
Dr. Ellison Smith, rheumatologist and internist with the Asheville Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center, presents “When Friendly Fire Occurs in our Body,” a talk about autoimmune diseases, symptoms, and treatments. Free and open to the public, 11:30 a.m. at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center. Lunch available in the Reuter Café; brown bags welcome. Details at unca.edu/ncccr or (828) 251-6140.

January 20 & 27
Medicare Choices Made Easy
Get information about policies from the trained volunteers of the N.C. Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIPP) in two sessions, 2-4 p.m. January 20 and 27, in UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center. Free and open to the public. To register, or for more details, contact Sybil French, Council on Aging, (828) 277-8288.

Saturday, January 28
Civil War Lecture
“Rebels and Tories in the Mountains,” by Steven E. Nash; part of a series sponsored by WNC Historical Association, UNC Asheville’s North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, and the Zebulon Baird Vance Birthplace Historic Site. 2 p.m., UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center. $5 donation. Details at http://rocky2.unca.edu/ncccr/events/specialevents.html or (828) 251-6140.

Financial Education Classes
OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling Education classes help people manage their money and credit better. Free Women’s Financial Empowerment Classes, Money Management Classes, and Credit & Debt Classes. For more information or to register for a class call (828) 255-5166 x3 or visit www.ontrackwnc.org.

Sundays
Black Mountain Drum Circle
Steven Townsend leads a drumming workshop at 2 p.m. followed by an open drum circle at 3 p.m. Drummers of all levels including complete beginners. If you’ve always wanted to learn about African drumming come join us. For more information on the Black Mountain Drum Circle, contact Steven Townsend at (828) 545-0389. Held at the White Horse, 105C Montreat Rd. in Black Mountain, NC 28711. Call (828) 669-0816 for more information.

Buncombe County Commissioners Meeting
January 17 & February 7 – Monthly meeting takes place the first and third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in Commission Chambers, 30 Valley Street in downtown Asheville. The Board will hear general public comments at the end of the meeting during the designated public comment period. For more information, contact the Clerk at (828) 250-4105 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Stephens-Lee Alumni Association Meeting
January 14 – Monthly meeting takes place the second Saturday of each month at 3 p.m. in the Asheville Housing Authority Board Room, 165 South French Broad Avenue. Everyone who attended Catholic Hill High School or Stephens-Lee High School is encouraged to attend. Contact Pat Griffin (828) 253-1051, or LaFredia Brown Morris (828) 254-4445 for more details.

Asheville City Council Meetings
January 24 & February 14 – Asheville City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber located on the second floor of City Hall. The meeting agenda is posted at 3 p.m. the Friday before the meeting date.

East End Community Association Meeting
January 12 & February 9 – We welcome all residents to attend monthly meetings the 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at St. James A.M.E. Church, 44 Hildebrand St. and the corner of Martin Luther King Blvd. in Asheville. Renee White, East End Association President.