Rail jam, a bazaar, and a joust of jams

Beech Mountain gets an early start on winter with the Early Access Rail Jam at noon, skiers and snowboarders on the tubing hill with music, while Huzzah Books runs an all-day Bazaar where everything is cheap.

Today

11am Huzzah Bazaar at Huzzah Books, 114 Clement Street, used clothes, objects, and much more, all cheap, until 9pm.
Noon Early Access Preseason Rail Jam at Beech Mountain Resort, presented by Recess, noon to 4pm, with music and early-season competition.
Noon Slow Art & Sips at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.
1pm AppTheatre's 88th Birthday at The Appalachian Theatre, an interactive screening of "The Wizard of Oz," until 4pm.
2pm West Jefferson Christmas Parade downtown.
2pm Girls Who Code at Watauga County Public Library, until 3pm.
4pm App State vs. Marshall Watch Party at App State Hickory, food and fun for the football game.

Tonight

8pm Evening at Dark Sky Observatory, App State's monthly open house, with scattered clouds in the forecast.
8pm Joust of Jams at House of Brik, with Willingdon, Ellie K, and Midsummers, doors at 7, $10, 18+.
9:30pm Mono Means One with Muscle Tough at Boone Saloon, prog-rock, $5, 21+.
10pm Latin Night Dance Party at Lily's Snack Bar, free, until 2am.

Cold and windy today, so coats and gloves for the parade, and keep them on for the late shows.

Worth knowing

• Helton Rd in Ashe County closes to all lanes in both directions from NC 194 to Silas Creek Rd starting Monday, Nov. 16 at 8am for maintenance. The closure notice.
• Boone Town Council meets in special session Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 9am in Council Chambers, 1500 Blowing Rock Rd. The agenda is up, with a public hearing on revised fire and planning fees that would start Jan. 1, a $4.8 million Helene grant application for the new Public Works Facility, and a $386,500 advisory contract. Meeting details.
• Recess is running the whole Rail Jam weekend, from free skate films at The Cardinal last night to the jam on Beech today, with raffle money going to Phase 3 of the Boone skatepark. Our story.
• Nth Degree Gallery at 683 W King St wants small works for its holiday show, "it's the little things." Drop off trinkets, small paintings, and tiny crafts Nov. 16 or Nov. 23, 7:30 to 9pm, with show night Dec. 4. How to submit.
• 630 acres at the headwaters of the Yadkin River are now protected in a deal between the Blue Ridge Conservancy and the Wildlife Commission, aimed at native brook trout. The conservation deal.
• Grandfather Mountain brings the holiday tree in Friday, Nov. 20 at 11am, included with park admission. Tree arrival.
• App State is at Marshall today looking to snap a losing streak. The preview.
• A Warrensville man has requested an Ashe County nuisance ordinance to stop people from feeding bears. The request.
• The Watauga Arts Council has a call for artists for its ink show, Making Marks: Expressions in Ink, up to three pieces each. The call.
• Avery County commissioners voted Nov. 2 for a one-year moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining, citing electricity and water use, noise, and environmental effects. The vote.