Local Filmmakers Win Best Short Documentary Award  I just returned from Belize, where my film "The Wood Thrush Connection" was selected as the Best Short Documentary at the 12th Annual Belize International Film Festival! This was my first feature film and this is a huge honor as a new director. Thanks and praise to Andrea Desky, director of photography and editor of “The Wood Thrush Connection” for believing in me, going on this amazing adventure, and creating a film that is visually stunning. We showed the many ways climate change is impacting so many people around the world - and how love connects us all and drives us to work together for solutions. This film follows the path of the Wood Thrush's migration from North Carolina to Belize and shows the many people working together to protect this beloved song bird from climate change impacts around the world. For the Wood Thrush, a bird that travels thousands of miles between its breeding grounds in eastern North America to its wintering grounds in Central America, the threats of climate change are compounded by dwindling habitat. This newly discovered Wood Thrush connection between North Carolina’s breeding grounds and Belize’s wintering grounds has further inspired action to help this beloved bird. According to Audubon’s Birds and Climate Change Report, the Wood Thrush is predicted to lose up to 82 percent of its summer range by 2080. I started the Climate Listening Project three years ago in Asheville and have been following these connections (a bird we love, the food we eat, the faith we believe, the children we care for, and the businesses we want to thrive) to share hopeful conversations on climate and community across the United States and around the world through video and film.  This film was made in collaboration with National Audubon Society, Audubon North Carolina, Forsyth Audubon, Audubon's International Alliances Program, and Belize Audubon Society. Thanks to Kim Brand of Forsyth Audubon and Audubon North Carolina for envisioning “The Wood Thrush Connection” and trusting me to bring this story to life. And, thanks to all the bird lovers who shared their stories. Special thanks to Mack Pearsall, founder of The Collider, for sponsoring my journey to the Belize International Film Festival, an experience I will never forget! Photo by Andrea Desky   Climate City Soiree Thursday  Join me at the Climate City Soiree this Thursday, November 16th at 6pm at The Collider in the Wells Fargo building across from Pritchard Park downtown. This event, hosted by the Asheville Affiliates, is going to be a night to remember and will benefit The Collider, a nonprofit innovation center focused on solutions for climate change. There will be live music by One Leg Up, local food, Catawba Brewing Company beer, Epiphany Wine, raffle prizes, a silent auction and much more. $25 pre-party or $30 at the door gets you all of the above and goes directly to The Collider, an important local nonprofit. The first 200 guests in the door will receive a $10 Diamond Brand Outdoors gift card. Guests will also receive a Go Local Card while supplies last. Raffle and silent auction items include:

• 2 Tickets to Steep Canyon Rangers at the U.S. Cellular Center
• Stay at the OM Sanctuary
• Two nights at the Hyatt Place Downtown
• Cold Mountain from Highland Brewing Company
• Photo session with Alina Kolberg Photography
• Pet portrait session from HH Photography
• Two tickets for TD Bank Courtside Experience at UNC Asheville Basketball game
• Gift cards for local yums at Twisted Laurel, Gan Shan Station, Green Sage Cafe and more!
• One hour massage with Town Mountain Massage Therapy
• Zen facial at Serenity Spa
• 3 month fresh flower subscription from Carolina Flowers
• Gift basket from Gaia herbs
• Star Map mixed media collage from Christa Capua Art
• Ammonite fossil with stand from Enter the Earth
• Art from JT Pottery, Mountain Made, Sea Glass Fine Art Photography and more!
• Books and more books from Malaprops
• 2 passes to Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures
• 2 passes to Kolo Bike Park
• 2 games at the Breakout Room
• 8 tickets to the Biltmore
• 2 tickets for the LaZoom Tours
• 2 passes for whitewater rafting at Nantahala Outdoor Center
• Gifts and gift cards for The Goddess Shop, Oil & Vinegar, Traveling Chic Boutique and more!
• 2 pairs of movie passes for the Grail Moviehouse
• 2 tickets to a show at the Orange Peel
• WNC Magazine subscription & swag
• Plus, tons of gift packages AND SO MUCH MORE!!!!!!

Come out and show your support and let's have a great time for a great cause! Reserve your tickets.