Weekly Picks: May 25-31, 2011

Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road in West Asheville, invites the public to join Merlin Merritt, director of life support for the lunar module during the Apollo 13 saga, who will share stories from his 30-year career with NASA. Held on Wednesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. Info: 253-7301.

Asheville filmmaker Rod Murphy will visit the White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Road, for a screening of his film Being the Diablo on Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m. The event will also include excerpts from his latest project, which documents the Miss Gay Latina Pageant. Info: whitehorseblackmountain.com or 669-0816.

Carrier Park in West Asheville will spring to life on Friday, May 27 as the Mountain Sports Festival kicks off a three-day run along the river. The annual event will feature food, beer, outdoor activities (including rock climbing, cycling, disc golf and more) and performances from more than a dozen local musicians. Info: mountainsportsfestival.com.

Downtown Brevard will celebrate the city's beloved mascot on Saturday, May 28, with the eighth annual White Squirrel Festival, featuring performances by 18 local musicians (including Acoustic Syndicate, Jill Andrews and Town Mountain), a 5K/10K White Squirrel Race, a parade and more. Festivities continue through Sunday evening. Info: http://brevardnc.org/white-squirrel-festival.

Step inside the antebellum-era Smith-McDowell House on the A-B Tech campus on Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m. to find out what everyday life was like during the Civil War. Richard Russell will read from Civil War journals kept by local resident Cornelia Henry between 1860 and 1868. Info: 253-9231.

Share your favorite music at the Freeskool community sing on Monday, May 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. New and experienced musicians will sing traditional songs at 41 Balsam Ave. in Asheville. Info: tinyurl.com/6j3nxw9.

Enjoy the bounty of local food with a cooking demonstration at the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center, 94 Coxe Ave., on Tuesday, May 31 at 5:30 p.m. Registration required. Info: 255-5522.

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