Across North Carolina, local government employees provide essential services for their everyday lives. Civic was created to be part of the local government world, offering member-specific financial solutions and support to build stronger communities. A member-focused Credit Union, they serve their members — not corporate interests. That means everything we do begins and ends with you.

Join us in celebrating their Grand Opening with light bites as well as beer, wine and refreshments from Twisted Laurel.

Center your mind, body and spirit with a soothing Sound Bath!
Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience. A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.
Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.
The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 6:15 PM, doors close promptly at 6:30 PM.
This service is being offered on a Love Offering basis. Donations allow us to continue to provide these immersive experiences.
Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk walk-way from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

5 week series. Every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30, beginning June 5. Class cancelled July 3. Ending July 10.

Poetry is the written act of paying attention. Paying attention to words, rhythm, and writing but most importantly the worlds that inspire you to write. Namely, your world.

“Wanted: a needle swift enough to sew this poem into a blanket.” -Charles Simic

Have you ever swooned at the thought of exploring your full expression, only to shuffle around the house more determined to rearrange mothballs than get something on paper?

Poetry is undoubtedly a practice, but it doesn’t have to be an intimidating sport for Creative Gods alone. The only “ask” is to take note and notice of your life.

We’ll help develop the work itself, together.

This full-bodied beginner’s poetry class will help you shift from “Oof, I could never…” into “Wait, where’s my journal?!” by tuning into your world: to the color palette of grass, to coffee-shop conversation, to the twitch in your left elbow. If you want language for the volcanic prayers of your soul or to describe your partner’s voice whispering “I love you” at 4am, we’ll get there. This class weaves the elements of poetry, forms of poetry, guided discussion with peers, and the works of prolific poets all into a multidisciplinary play space. Plus, oodles (oodles!) of writing time to build personal confidence and craft. This class immerses itself in artful experimentation across mediums, paired with a toolkit of technical writing skills. It’s the ultimate permission slip to be a beginner.

“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” -Carl Sandburg

Asheville’s longest running comedy open mic happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform can sign up starting at 7pm, and will get four minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Asheville’s longest running comedy open mic happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform can sign up starting at 7pm, and will get four minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Come join us for Business After Hours at Holiday Inn Asheville East  – Blue Ridge Parkway!

Feel free to bring a gift to be raffled off as door prizes towards the end of the evening. Bring your business cards for networking and a chance to win prizes!

Please take a look below at our members who have renewed for another year!

This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

The July session of the PROpel AVL GROW series for young professionals, we’ll explore “Acquistion Entrepreneurship.”

In the ever-evolving business landscape, “Acquisition Entrepreneurship” has emerged as a powerful pathway for young professionals eager to carve out their niche in the corporate world.

This presentation, designed specifically for forward-thinking and ambitious young professionals, will delve into the complexities and opportunities of acquiring and growing existing businesses as a form of entrepreneurship. Unlike traditional entrepreneurship that starts from scratch, acquisition entrepreneurship offers a unique blend of challenges and rewards involving the identification, evaluation, and successful takeover of existing enterprises.

The program will cover essential aspects of acquisition entrepreneurship, including the art of identifying potential acquisition targets, conducting due diligence, understanding valuation techniques, and negotiating deals. Participants will gain insights into the critical skills needed to navigate these processes successfully, such as financial analysis, market assessment, and leadership abilities to integrate and grow the acquired business. Additionally, the presentation will highlight the common pitfalls and how to avoid them, ensuring a smoother transition into ownership and management roles.

Key takeaways from this session will include specific, actionable strategies that young professionals can apply immediately in their pursuit of business acquisition. These include:

Frameworks for Identifying Suitable Acquisition Targets: Learn how to spot businesses with growth potential and understand what makes an acquisition target viable.

Due Diligence Checklists and Techniques: Gain knowledge on conducting thorough due diligence, a critical step in assessing a business’s true value and potential risks.

Negotiation Strategies for Acquisition: Discover key negotiation tactics for acquisition deals to ensure a beneficial agreement for all parties involved.

Post-Acquisition Integration Plans: Understand the steps necessary to successfully integrate an acquired company, from employee management to merging systems and cultures.

Financial Analysis and Funding Options: Explore financial analysis basics for acquisition and learn about various funding options, including loans, investors, and other financial instruments.

About the presenter:

Benjamin Wann, CMA, CSCA, MBA, PMP, owns Asheville accounting firm CFO Consultants, LLC, with a team of 13 and 2 offices in NC.

Originally from the Philadelphia region and coming from a 10-year career providing insights to executives of mid-sized manufacturing firms, Ben transitioned to entrepreneurship full-time in Nov 2022. Ben’s thesis was that the small business community would value the same expertise, technology and know-how that the large organizations have to help accelerate their own businesses.

12:00-1:00pm – GROW Session

Sandwiches, salad and chips will be catered by Del Vecchios!

Please register for this event in order to help us plan accordingly.

About PROpel AVL:
Designed for young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 in the Asheville/Buncombe area, PROpel AVL provides outstanding professional leadership development opportunities through educational seminars, service opportunities and networking.

Stay connected with text alerts! Text #propelavl to 828-827-5332 for updates and reminders about PROpel AVL programs.

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Chamber members impact the local business community by making an investment in Chamber membership. Whether you’re a new member, a long-time member with new staff, or a business who’s considering membership, we welcome you to attend our Chamber Orientation to learn how to get the most value from your membership investment.

Chamber President Kit Cramer will give an overview of the work the Chamber is doing every day to build our community, including how we support our thriving economy by growing jobs, advocating for a business-friendly environment and helping our members prosper. We’ll dive into member benefits and share ideas of how you can take advantage of the many opportunities available to you as a member. You’ll also have a chance to meet Chamber staff and learn how you can get more engaged.

Orientation is also a great chance to meet other Chamber members.

This event is free, but registration is requested in order to help us plan appropriately.

Chicago’s Funniest Interactive Standup show is back in Asheville Wednesday July 17, 7-9pm. Hosted by Alex Joyce in The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP. Get tix early! These shows sellout.
The Blackout Diaries is a comedy show where standup comedians, plus ‘regular’ people (cops, firefighters, teachers, etc) tell hilarious drinking or other buzzed stories. Then you, the audience, can dive even deeper by asking questions to the performers about their stories.
The show has been a critics’ pick by all major Chicago periodicals and has been featured on NPR, Comedy Central and more. Its host and creator, Sean Flannery, was even named the best drunk in Chicago by The Chicago Reader, though we are still trying to figure out what that award means and if it should be considered an accolade.
Come for some of the funniest drinking stories you’ve heard
Featuring comedians Ryan Gordon, Cayla Clark, Larry Griffin & Miranda Allison!!
*if you have a funny buzzed story, whether it involves drinking or other, and would like to be on this show, contact Michele at [email protected]

Chicago’s Funniest Interactive Standup show is back in Asheville Wednesday July 17, 7-9pm. Hosted by Alex Joyce in The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP. Get tix early! These shows sellout.
The Blackout Diaries is a comedy show where standup comedians, plus ‘regular’ people (cops, firefighters, teachers, etc) tell hilarious drinking or other buzzed stories. Then you, the audience, can dive even deeper by asking questions to the performers about their stories.
The show has been a critics’ pick by all major Chicago periodicals and has been featured on NPR, Comedy Central and more. Its host and creator, Sean Flannery, was even named the best drunk in Chicago by The Chicago Reader, though we are still trying to figure out what that award means and if it should be considered an accolade.
Come for some of the funniest drinking stories you’ve heard
Featuring comedians Ryan Gordon, Cayla Clark, Larry Griffin & Miranda Allison!!
*if you have a funny buzzed story, whether it involves drinking or other, and would like to be on this show, contact Michele at [email protected] See less

Drip is Asheville’s first and only wood fired sauna and cold plunge experience, overlooking the beautiful French Broad River. Enjoy a traditional sauna experience in the great outdoors with friends, for a truly unique experience that will leave you energized and inspired. They’re supporting events through mobile delivery and bringing the heat to nature near you.

Come check out their new location to take in the view while enjoying a sauna and cold plunge experience. They will offer a raffle for a free sauna experience as well as other fun items on site.

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Standup Comedy featuring Sarah Love On Wednesday July 24, 7-9p we will be having another professional comedy open mic in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind). Featuring Sarah Love, also known as “Ingles Laura Lynn Sarah Silverman”, is a comedian from Asheville, North Carolina. She is wry yet kinetic. Provocative yet relatable. She can’t wait for you to see her.
Host is Hilliary Begley voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
[Comedy Open Mic is 3-5m depending how many signup. Signup at door. See Hilliary at the show to get your time and lineup placement. We have a comedy table with exclusive snacks. No entry fee for performing comics.]

Join us in celebrating the Grand Opening of Coldwell Banker Advantage with a ribbon cutting!

Get ready to dance the night away with six hours of disco! Featuring everything from the classics to the best nu-disco out there.

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

Sunday July 28 at 6:30p is another great comedy show at Asheville Pizza in Theatre 2, get your dinner , drinks & laughs with a comedy open mic & Professional featured performers in a fun environment. Hosted by Zandra Johnson, featuring Hilliary Begley, Jess Cooley & Alana Eisner!

Sunday July 28 at 6:30p is another great comedy show at Asheville Pizza in Theatre 2, get your dinner , drinks & laughs with a comedy open mic & Professional featured performers in a fun environment.
Hosted by Zandra Johnson, featuring Hilliary Begley, Jess Cooley & Alana Eisner!

In 2014, a group of Vietnam combat veterans began meeting at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville to participate in a unique creative writing program. The focus was capturing their stories through essays and poetry to find the voices war had taken from them. The hope was to reclaim a sense of their shared humanity, build camaraderie and find some degree of healing.

To continue this work, the NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation will be offering free creative writing classes at the East Asheville Library in June and July. The goal is to provide healing through the art of creative writing to all veterans in our community.

Join other veterans for this series of classes on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from June 11-July 30 at the East Asheville library. To sign up, please e-mail Ron Toler at [email protected].

Join us for an evening of networking, great food and drinks at Bears Smokehouse BBQ!

PROpel AVL provides outstanding professional leadership development opportunities through educational seminars, service opportunities and networking for Asheville professionals between the ages of 21 and 40.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s annual School Supply Drive is thrilled to give you the opportunity to help distribute backpacks to various local nonprofits for students who cannot afford school supplies. This year, PROpel AVL is teaming up with Highlands Circle, UWABC’s young professional group, to highlight how essential community service is for ensuring that everyone in Asheville and Buncombe County can thrive.

We have an important volunteer shift coming up on Wednesday, July 31st, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. During this time, we’ll be loading backpacks into vehicles, breaking down and cleaning the space, and returning items to UWABC’s offices.

By joining us, you’ll play a crucial role in providing over 2,000 backpacks to students in our county, giving thousands of children the supplies they need to succeed in school. Your participation is vital to making this initiative a success.

Every single contribution counts, and your efforts truly matter. Together, we can make a significant impact on our community. Your support will help ensure that all students have the tools they need for a bright future. Please come out and join us—your involvement can make all the difference!

To read more about school supply drive go here! If this shift does not work for you, but you would like to participate please email Ella Pullman at [email protected].

Standup Comedy featuring Alex ParsonsOn Wednesday July 31, 7-9p we will be having another professional comedy open mic in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
Featuring Alex Parsons, a Boston transplant. Alex brings New England sass to the southern arena with his onstage antics. This comedian, actor, and singer, is ready to make your sides split with stories from his sordid past by making fun of some of the harder parts of life.
Host Cody Hughes is a comedian from Asheville NC. He’s lived in a few different big cities and a lot of comedians like him and a lot of other comedians have heard good things about him from the comedians who like him. A few comedians don’t like him and he can’t do anything about that.
[Comics Signup at door. 3-5m See host at the show to get your time and lineup placement. We have a comedy table with exclusive snacks. No entry fee for performing comics.]

Standup Comedy featuring Alex ParsonsOn Wednesday July 31, 7-9p we will be having another professional comedy open mic in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
Featuring Alex Parsons, a Boston transplant. Alex brings New England sass to the southern arena with his onstage antics. This comedian, actor, and singer, is ready to make your sides split with stories from his sordid past by making fun of some of the harder parts of life.
Host Cody Hughes is a comedian from Asheville NC. He’s lived in a few different big cities and a lot of comedians like him and a lot of other comedians have heard good things about him from the comedians who like him. A few comedians don’t like him and he can’t do anything about that.
[Comics Signup at door. See host at the show to get your time and lineup placement. We have a comedy table with exclusive snacks. No entry fee for performing comics.]

WomanUP welcomes keynote speaker, author and executive coach Val Grub for a workshop on working across generations. On August 1st, we’ll explore strategies to engage with people of all ages in the workplace and embrace the wisdom of age while valuing the contributions of youth.

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM