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Thu, Oct. 15. Polls are open. Early voting starts today and runs through Oct. 31 at six Watauga sites, from the student union to the Western Watauga Community Center in Sugar Grove. Any site in your county works, no precinct required, 8am to 7:30pm on weekdays. Every site and its hours.

Who's on your ballot. Candidates in a dozen races each got the same questions, and our rundown points you to their answers. Every name for Watauga, Ashe and Avery sits on one page, county by county.

Tonight at 5:30pm, a Voterfest march leaves Howard Hall and walks about a mile around campus to the early voting site in the Plemmons Student Union. Everyone's welcome, and you can join along the way. App State students, bring a physical AppCard printed on or after Aug. 10, 2023. The mobile one doesn't count as voter ID.

Tomorrow at 5:30pm, another Voterfest march leaves the Watauga County parking deck. Saturday, No Kings: Vote Early runs 4–6pm at the Ag Center with speakers and bands, then a Honk N Wave on King Street from 6 to 6:45pm.

Missed the registration deadline? This is your second chance. Register and vote in the same trip, with a photo ID and something showing your current address. One warning worth taping to the fridge. Watauga's sites are closed both of the next two weekends, Oct. 17–18 and 24–25, then open the last Saturday, Oct. 31, until 3pm. Ashe votes at one site, the Agricultural Services Building in Jefferson, and it's open all three Saturdays, 8am to 3pm. Avery's lone site is in Newland, weekdays until 4:30.

Weather

What a week. Over at Ray's Weather, the Golf-O-Meter is reading four golf balls through the end of the work week.

Today and tonight

1:30pm Postcard Protesters at the Watauga County Public Library. Write postcards to registered voters, back tables, everyone welcome.
5:30pm Touchpoints: Exploring Texture in Art, an opening reception at the Watauga Arts Council. Meet the artists, light refreshments, free.
7pm Reggae Night in the Solarium with three local bands, hosted by the Appalachian Popular Programming Society. Hippie-themed dress encouraged.
7pm Meet & Mingle: Girls Who Fly Fish at Speckled Trout Outfitters. A casual meet-up for women into fly fishing and the outdoors.
7pm Boots on the Rock line dance at Betsy's Barn in Todd.
9:30pm Silent Disco with DJ Muz and Raheim at Boone Saloon. $5, 21+.
10pm R&B / Hip Hop Night with DJ Craig at Lily's, free.

Worth knowing

Ellen spent a Friday at the Todd CommUnity Dance, where Todd's general store turns into a square dance floor once a month. Potluck at 6, dancing at 7, $5, with a caller who has been at it for 25 years. The next one is Fri, Nov. 13.

The Watauga County Farmers Market was voted the best farmers market in North Carolina. It holds AppleFEST on Saturday, 8am to noon, with a pie contest and fresh-pressed cider.

Bears are eating like it's their job. The state wildlife agency says they're in peak feeding mode before winter, so lock up anything with a smell: food, trash, anything a bear would call dinner.