Online or in-print, you can’t avoid all the hype around the new AIs like ChatGPT. They are going to take over the world! But first they are going to replace lawyers, doctors, accountants, marketing departments, script writers… and on…

Or maybe… they are yet another tool that will help – in powerful ways – but not replace any of those groups or replace you. In fact, they are already helping in many fields and have been before all the press coverage started. But they are also getting people into trouble. And they can get you into trouble, or hurt your business results, if you don’t understand their limits and uses.

In this class you will learn how Large Language Models (like ChatGPT) work (and how they don’t). You will learn how they can get people into trouble so you will have a better chance to avoid that. And you will learn a few, basic, ways they can be used, after all, to help you with your small business.

If you can, please bring a laptop or tablet so you can setup a free ChatGPT account (if you don’t have one) and can tailor some of the class examples to your own business interests. However, a computer is not required to benefit from the class – we will be running examples and results on the projector screen as well.

This is not a technical class. We will not get into APIs and will only talk about the model parameters as part of showing, in a non-technical way, how the models work. We will also not debate whether they will replace all those professional groups “in a few years” because a) they won’t because they can’t by their very nature and b) we’re going to spend the class time talking about how small business owners can safely and productively use the tools today.

Instructor: Michael Truffa

Michael Truffa has been involved in a range of technology roles starting in the 1970s continuing on to today – doing application scripting, web & back-end programming, data science, error analytics, team management, and more. He also has a wide range of non-computer experience including roles in direct & b2b sales, as a mechanical & electrical technician in the oilfield, retail, and more that help inform his pragmatic view of how computers can, and sometimes can’t, help people do real-world jobs.

From the regional crafters to local guide artisans, set up on the river banks of the Nantahala. Come and meet these vendors and more on the second Saturday of every month, May – September.

If you are interested in joining us as a vendor, please fill out your information here: https://forms.gle/BgqQQpY4XSGqtH6f6

Are you curious or even passionate about using advocacy, technology and sensible design to create more equitable social and civic structures in Western North Carolina?
Whether you call yourself an organizer, a technologist, a designer, planner, concerned resident, all of the above or something else entirely, we want to be in relationship and build community together with you.
Check out a list of our current projects: https://github.com/CodeForAsheville/projects
What to expect:
Since project work takes place asynchronously—individually and in smaller squads—the goals of our monthly gatherings are to:

• build relationships and learn about each other’s skills, interests and goals,
• learn what we are doing across the organization (project updates),
• provide opportunities to get involved with and/or initiate projects, and
• shape where we are going as an organization, co-creating the culture and course of our work together.

In this meeting, we will:

• gather virtually using Zoom for group video chat,
• do brief introductions, with a prompt,
• share updates about the projects that we’re working on, highlighting deliverables for the next month and areas where additional resources would be useful, and
• discuss proposals and new opportunities to engage with local government and community organizations.

It isn’t all glamorous, but the stakes are low for showing up and we’d be delighted to join together with you in this work.

Acorns’ Annual season of trunk shows highlights the talented creators of fine art, designer jewelry, and home goods.
Elizabeth Locke travels the world in pursuit of the uncommon elements to make up her designs. All pieces are individually designed by her and completely handmade in 19K gold using coins from Greece, Rome, and forgotten empires, as well as luminous pearls from the South Seas.

Acorns’ Annual season of trunk shows highlights the talented creators of fine art, designer jewelry, and home goods.
Elizabeth Locke travels the world in pursuit of the uncommon elements to make up her designs. All pieces are individually designed by her and completely handmade in 19K gold using coins from Greece, Rome, and forgotten empires, as well as luminous pearls from the South Seas.

From the regional crafters to local guide artisans, set up on the river banks of the Nantahala. Come and meet these vendors and more on the second Saturday of every month, May – September.

If you are interested in joining us as a vendor, please fill out your information here: https://forms.gle/BgqQQpY4XSGqtH6f6

Acorns’ Annual season of trunk shows highlights the talented creators of fine art, designer jewelry, and home goods.
Elizabeth Locke travels the world in pursuit of the uncommon elements to make up her designs. All pieces are individually designed by her and completely handmade in 19K gold using coins from Greece, Rome, and forgotten empires, as well as luminous pearls from the South Seas.

Acorns’ Annual season of trunk shows highlights the talented creators of fine art, designer jewelry, and home goods.
Isabelle Ambrose launched in 2016, with Marci getting her start making jewelry while she and her family lived on Scenic Highway 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Following their move to Highlands, NC, Marci draws her inspiration from the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains and the Emerald Coast of Florida. Focusing on semi-precious stones, pearls and other high-quality materials, each beautiful piece is designed to bring the wearer joy, confidence and inspiration!

From the regional crafters to local guide artisans, set up on the river banks of the Nantahala. Come and meet these vendors and more on the second Saturday of every month, May – September.

If you are interested in joining us as a vendor, please fill out your information here: https://forms.gle/BgqQQpY4XSGqtH6f6

Acorns’ Annual season of trunk shows highlights the talented creators of fine art, designer jewelry, and home goods.
Each Southern Bungalow candle is hand-poured in a reusable statement piece container using an organic and clean-burning coconut wax. Coconut wax is odorless until scented with cosmetic-grade fragrances and essential oils. Each fragrance is carefully curated and inspired by nature, my love of travel, and my fondest memories of growing up in the South. Southern Bungalow Co. was created from a love for fragrances and all things beautiful for the home.

Acorns’ Annual season of trunk shows highlights the talented creators of fine art, designer jewelry, and home goods.
Each Southern Bungalow candle is hand-poured in a reusable statement piece container using an organic and clean-burning coconut wax. Coconut wax is odorless until scented with cosmetic-grade fragrances and essential oils. Each fragrance is carefully curated and inspired by nature, my love of travel, and my fondest memories of growing up in the South. Southern Bungalow Co. was created from a love for fragrances and all things beautiful for the home.

Stop by the historic Monte Vista Hotel for our first ever  Antique & Collectible Sale. The museum will be selling deaccessioned items from its extensive collection and select vendors will be selling antiques and collectibles.

Join us Saturday August 26, 2023 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville.

$20 VIP tickets include early admission 10am – 11am, and a sturdy tote bag the perfect size to carry your purchases, and including goodies from our sponsors.
$5-10 Suggested Donation Regular Admission 11am – 5pm

We’ll have over 30 vendors this year providing over 10,000 square feet of records, 45s, CDs, collectibles and MORE!

Hear great live DJ sets and performances by local artists!

Tickets Available Soon!

***You*** can sign up to be a record fair vendor HERE

We want your unwanted vinyl and CD collections!

If you’ve got a batch of interesting and eclectic vinyl and CDs that you’d like to donate to us ahead of the fair, please email us.  We use these donations to help fill in holes in our ever-expanding music library and to help generate funds for the station. And we will happily provide a tax receipt for your donation!

We’re looking for business sponsors for Record Fair!

Volunteer to Help!

Just like the rest of our programming, we rely on volunteers to make our Record Fair a great experience for vendors and attendees! Contact Volunteer Coordinator Jess Speer at [email protected] to learn more!

Location & Directions

Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville (sometimes still referred to as the Civic Center) is located in downtown Asheville at 87 Haywood St.

Paid parking is available at the Center, with all parking fees supporting Asheville FM. Enter on Rankin Ave.

There are also over 700 metered parking spots, and several parking garages within a 3-5 minute walk.

FOR MORE INFORMATION email us at [email protected]