Calendar of Events

 Right now, a team of doctors is scrubbing in for a surgery while a patient waits for a procedure that they hope will save their life; blood bags are prepared and ready.  In a different hospital, a team of nurses is giving a trauma victim a lifesaving blood transfusion.  Several floors away, a cancer patient is receiving a platelet transfusion after chemotherapy.  Those patients, and thousands of others, can hope and plan for the new year because blood products were available.

As we enter 2023, many are looking at a piece of paper, writing down their new year’s resolutions and goals: ‘read ten books…get outside more often…go to the gym.’ The Blood Connection (TBC), the non-profit community blood center, is encouraging people to add one more thing to that list: save a life with TBC. It may sound daunting.  It may sound unachievable.  But with just one hour and one blood donation, three lives can be saved in this community. The difference between a joyous and tragic new year for many local families is community blood donors.

TBC is urging community members to make blood donation a priority in 2023 – because, simply put: lives depend on it.

 Right now, a team of doctors is scrubbing in for a surgery while a patient waits for a procedure that they hope will save their life; blood bags are prepared and ready.  In a different hospital, a team of nurses is giving a trauma victim a lifesaving blood transfusion.  Several floors away, a cancer patient is receiving a platelet transfusion after chemotherapy.  Those patients, and thousands of others, can hope and plan for the new year because blood products were available.

As we enter 2023, many are looking at a piece of paper, writing down their new year’s resolutions and goals: ‘read ten books…get outside more often…go to the gym.’ The Blood Connection (TBC), the non-profit community blood center, is encouraging people to add one more thing to that list: save a life with TBC. It may sound daunting.  It may sound unachievable.  But with just one hour and one blood donation, three lives can be saved in this community. The difference between a joyous and tragic new year for many local families is community blood donors.

TBC is urging community members to make blood donation a priority in 2023 – because, simply put: lives depend on it.

 Right now, a team of doctors is scrubbing in for a surgery while a patient waits for a procedure that they hope will save their life; blood bags are prepared and ready.  In a different hospital, a team of nurses is giving a trauma victim a lifesaving blood transfusion.  Several floors away, a cancer patient is receiving a platelet transfusion after chemotherapy.  Those patients, and thousands of others, can hope and plan for the new year because blood products were available.

As we enter 2023, many are looking at a piece of paper, writing down their new year’s resolutions and goals: ‘read ten books…get outside more often…go to the gym.’ The Blood Connection (TBC), the non-profit community blood center, is encouraging people to add one more thing to that list: save a life with TBC. It may sound daunting.  It may sound unachievable.  But with just one hour and one blood donation, three lives can be saved in this community. The difference between a joyous and tragic new year for many local families is community blood donors.

TBC is urging community members to make blood donation a priority in 2023 – because, simply put: lives depend on it.

 Right now, a team of doctors is scrubbing in for a surgery while a patient waits for a procedure that they hope will save their life; blood bags are prepared and ready.  In a different hospital, a team of nurses is giving a trauma victim a lifesaving blood transfusion.  Several floors away, a cancer patient is receiving a platelet transfusion after chemotherapy.  Those patients, and thousands of others, can hope and plan for the new year because blood products were available.

As we enter 2023, many are looking at a piece of paper, writing down their new year’s resolutions and goals: ‘read ten books…get outside more often…go to the gym.’ The Blood Connection (TBC), the non-profit community blood center, is encouraging people to add one more thing to that list: save a life with TBC. It may sound daunting.  It may sound unachievable.  But with just one hour and one blood donation, three lives can be saved in this community. The difference between a joyous and tragic new year for many local families is community blood donors.

TBC is urging community members to make blood donation a priority in 2023 – because, simply put: lives depend on it.

 Right now, a team of doctors is scrubbing in for a surgery while a patient waits for a procedure that they hope will save their life; blood bags are prepared and ready.  In a different hospital, a team of nurses is giving a trauma victim a lifesaving blood transfusion.  Several floors away, a cancer patient is receiving a platelet transfusion after chemotherapy.  Those patients, and thousands of others, can hope and plan for the new year because blood products were available.

As we enter 2023, many are looking at a piece of paper, writing down their new year’s resolutions and goals: ‘read ten books…get outside more often…go to the gym.’ The Blood Connection (TBC), the non-profit community blood center, is encouraging people to add one more thing to that list: save a life with TBC. It may sound daunting.  It may sound unachievable.  But with just one hour and one blood donation, three lives can be saved in this community. The difference between a joyous and tragic new year for many local families is community blood donors.

TBC is urging community members to make blood donation a priority in 2023 – because, simply put: lives depend on it.

 Right now, a team of doctors is scrubbing in for a surgery while a patient waits for a procedure that they hope will save their life; blood bags are prepared and ready.  In a different hospital, a team of nurses is giving a trauma victim a lifesaving blood transfusion.  Several floors away, a cancer patient is receiving a platelet transfusion after chemotherapy.  Those patients, and thousands of others, can hope and plan for the new year because blood products were available.

As we enter 2023, many are looking at a piece of paper, writing down their new year’s resolutions and goals: ‘read ten books…get outside more often…go to the gym.’ The Blood Connection (TBC), the non-profit community blood center, is encouraging people to add one more thing to that list: save a life with TBC. It may sound daunting.  It may sound unachievable.  But with just one hour and one blood donation, three lives can be saved in this community. The difference between a joyous and tragic new year for many local families is community blood donors.

TBC is urging community members to make blood donation a priority in 2023 – because, simply put: lives depend on it.

ASAP’s Annual Business of Farming Conference brings together professional farmers from across the Southeast region to network and share resources to grow their farm businesses. Farmers learn about marketing, business planning, and financial management from regional experts and innovative peers. The conference is designed for beginning and established farmers as well as those seriously considering farming as a profession. Scholarships are available for BIPOC and limited-resource farmers. Find out more and apply.

Interested in sponsoring the conference? Sponsorships are a great way to get your product or services in front of farmers and establish you as a leader of the local food movement. Contact Nora Scheff for details.

Interested in being an exhibitor at the conference? Exhibitors can connect directly with more than 200 farmers and agricultural professionals. Fill out an exhibitor application.

Workshops for Beginning and Established Farmers

Choose from workshops on business planning, farm financials, marketing, branding, legal considerations, and much more, led by regional business and marketing professionals and innovative farmers. Workshops are rotated regularly with some new workshops offered each year. See a preview of 2023 workshops here (additional workshops and speakers will be added).

Grower-Buyer Meeting

Meet with restaurant owners, chefs, distributors, and grocers to discuss sourcing and possible matches between what you produce and what each buyer needs. (It’s like speed dating for local sourcing!) Many farmers have made connections with participating buyers, and many more have improved their ability to serve wholesale accounts. Find out more.

Farmers Market Summit

The summit brings together farmers market managers from across the Appalachian Grown region for peer-sharing, technical assistance support, and annual planning. The summit is free for market leadership, but does require pre-registration. Each market may send two representatives to the summit. Contact Mike McCreary to learn more.

Networking and 1:1 Consulting

Attendees have the opportunity to meet, connect, and form supportive relationships. Experts are available to provide your farm with individual support on a variety of business, legal, marketing, and management topics.

Exhibitors Hall

Connect with representatives from a variety of regional agricultural and business services in our exhibitor hall.

The countdown to the annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is on. Buncombe County and Asheville first responders face off every year for a lifesaving cause and a little friendly competition.

Local heroes are rolling up their sleeves and encouraging the community to do the same. Just one donation can save up to three lives. Sign up to donate today and support your favorite badged department. All donors will receive a custom long sleeve Battle of the Badges T-shirt, a $10 Gift Card by email from Amazon, and a chance to win a FL trip: rcblood.org/heart. Give blood, warm hearts, and vote for your favorite first responders.

Sign up Online for the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Schedule an appointment and enter sponsor code avlbattleofbadges or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

Organic Growers School is now accepting work trade applications for the 30th Annual Spring Conference & Market!

The OGS Spring Conference will be held at Mars Hill University from February 24-26, 2023.

In exchange for each shift worked you will be compensated for the same day of the Conference. For example; if you work trade on Saturday, you will have access to the Conference on Saturday and will be free to attend workshops throughout the day, as long as they don’t conflict with your shift hours.

Work traders can select two shifts if they would like to attend on Saturday and Sunday, or three shifts, if they would like to participate the whole weekend.

General work trade shifts do not require special skills or backgrounds. They do, however, require timeliness and a friendly demeanor. Classroom Assistants/Moderators require training and classroom experience.

You should expect to be working during some of the class time unless you are approved for a pre-or post-conference shift, or come as a paying participant.

Please review the website for shift descriptions and complete the Work Trade Application if you are interested.

Work Trade at Spring Conference – Organic Growers School

We appreciate your interest in work trading for the 30th Annual Spring Conference & Market. Work traders play a vital role in the success of this event!

Thanks for your support,

Work Trade Deposit:

All volunteers are required to submit a $40 deposit. Please complete one registration and submit only one deposit. You may include any additional interest shifts in the additional notes section of the work trade application. Deposits are refunded once you complete your work trade shift. Once your schedule and duties are confirmed, it is up to you to show up for your shifts on time and to complete your shift as asked. In the unfortunate event that you do not fulfill your shift, we will process your credit card for the deposit amount. If providing a deposit is not possible, please email [email protected] so we may consider other options.

Giving blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others. Asheville Outlets is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a mobile blood drive on Friday, March 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot located behind the food court. Donors are asked to register in advance by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/give and entering the sponsor code AshevilleOutlets. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

Accessible gardens such as raised beds offer a chance for wheelchair bound and individuals with physical limitations grow vegetables and enjoy gardening. Join Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Alan Wagner and other members of the EMGV team in The Learning Garden for this program covering all the significant points on how to build an ADA compliant raised bed, including height, dimensions, and the materials to use.
Portions of this program may be held outside; please dress appropriately for the weather.
The presentation is free, but attendance is limited and registration is required.

Have social time meet our staff and current fosters and get to know more about our Foster Program. Games, snacks, and other goodies will be provided for attendees and donations of much-needed kitten items are encouraged. Items requested include vital supplies like kitten formula and food, kitten warmers, bottles, and supplements that give foster kittens the needed boost to grow into healthy adult cats.

The full kitten supply list is available on the Blue Ridge Humane Society website at https://www.blueridgehumane.org/donate/wish-list/. There are also options available for items to be purchased online and shipped directly to Blue Ridge Humane.

As the weather warms up, the birds, bees, and cats get busy. Soon, kittens start to appear in local animal shelters, “rescued” by well-meaning animal lovers. “We are coming on that time of year when animal lovers begin finding kittens outside,” says Angela Prodrick, Blue Ridge Humane’s Executive Director. “It is important to remember that the amount of community or feral cats in our county far outnumbers the number of people living in our community. If all the kittens were brought to a local shelter, the shelter would quickly become overwhelmed.”

If you find a kitten, here are a few simple things you can do to help save lives:

Instead of immediately springing into action once kittens are found, wait and watch. If the kittens aren’t visibly sick or injured, move away from the nest and wait to see if the mother returns. If the mother returns, you can help her by providing food and shelter while she raises the kittens.

If you discover that mom isn’t returning, or if it appears that she is not coming back, then you should remove the kittens. This is crucial to the kittens’ survival. The best place for kittens to grow is with a dedicated foster. Blue Ridge Humane provides kitten kits to help kitten rescuers turn into kitten fosters.

Once kittens are about 6-8 weeks old, a finder can look to get them spayed or neutered and adopted into new homes. If you find kittens that need care and you need supplies or advice, contact the BRHS Foster and Community Outreach Team at [email protected] or (828) 393-5832. Animal lovers can also view additional resources about what to do when kittens are found at https://www.blueridgehumane.org/resources/lost-found/kittens/.

Blue Ridge Humane offers kitten care support for volunteers, as well as comprehensive training and support for fosters in the BRHS foster program. To learn more about fostering, visit https://www.blueridgehumane.org/get-involved/foster/ or contact Michaela Okuda, Foster Program Coordinator at [email protected].

The Blue Ridge Humane Society, Inc., is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization started in 1950 and dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of life for animals in Henderson County and our neighboring communities. BRHS cares for pets awaiting adoption at the Adoption Center; offers low-cost vaccine clinics, animal education programs, pet training classes, and youth education and projects; coordinates community pet food assistance, emergency vet assistance, and the Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), which is a collaboration with Henderson County, the City of Hendersonville, and the Henderson County Animal Services Center.

If you believe in our cause, consider donating or learning how to volunteer by visiting the Blue Ridge Humane Society’s website at www.blueridgehumane.org or call (828) 692-2639.

Kate Steinbeck
Music for solo flute – A program of surprises

This concert is a fundraiser for a mission trip to Armenia to play concerts for UN Refugee communities and others

Advanced reservations are encouraged.

Read more about Adventure Armenia here: https://panharmonia.org/2023/01/02/adventure-armenia/

La Sylphide (translated to “The Sylph”) is a magical morality tale about the pitfalls of temptation.  Set in Scotland, the ballet tells of James, his fiancé Effie, and a beautiful Sylph who first appears as a dream, ultimately luring James into the woods, abandoning friends and his bride.  La Sylphide features exquisite classical technique, intriguing characters, and leaves questions for the audience to ponder about the choices we make. La Sylphide is one of the oldest full length classical ballets still in repertoires of major ballet companies across the globe.

International Ballet’s La Sylphide will feature Greenville Native Ekaterina Nechayeva as the Sylph.

3rd Annual Spring Fling with over 20 craft artists, live music & food truck. 22 Living Greenhouses full of exotic plants, annuals, perennials, veggie starts, bushes and trees. Our very own Appalachian Standard CBD products for purchase.
Raffle with proceeds benefiting Asheville’s very own Dementia Partners!

Our annual Spring Fling! is just a few weeks away (April 29th). We’ve got a great line up of performers and local vendors…and of course there will be loads and loads of plants!
Things kick off at 11am with the puppet show and will wind down sometime around 5 pm. As always, plants are available on sliding scale honor system – and all proceeds go to support our free CSA and youth programs.

Please join us in Hendersonville, NC, April 29th, 2PM. Live Music From Johhny Blackwell and Joe Roads, as well as Raffle Prizes! Fundraiser benefits Jennifer’s cancer treatment and search for a cure. Thank you!!! Other ways to help: https://givesendgo.com/G9QUV?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=G9QUV https://gofund.me/57aec302

Join us on SATURDAY, APRIL 29TH at 305 Main Street in Hendersonville, NC for a Benefit to help fund our treatment and search for a cure (STAGE 4 NO MORE: SEARCH FOR A CURE).There will be LIVE MUSIC by Johnnie Blackwell & Joe Roads, a RAFFLE & MORE!!!
Fun begins at 2 PM. See you there!!!

Other ways to help:
https://givesendgo.com/G9QUV?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=G9QUV

https://gofund.me/57aec302

We are delighted to welcome Andrew Wakefield to Bloom WNC Outdoor Summer Concert Series!

Andrew Wakefield is a guitarist, songwriter and singer based in Asheville, NC. He has an extensive and eclectic catalogue of compositions ranging from guitar-driven bluegrass to folk, old-time, newgrass, rock, american, and more!

2023 SPRING FLING PLANT SALE, sponsored by the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Buncombe County, the Asheville-Blue Ridge Rose Society, and The Men’s Garden Club of Asheville.

Extension Master Gardener volunteers will offer a huge selection of plants for any garden spot. Choose among perennials, ground covers, native plants, vegetable starts, herbs, shrubs. Garden art, books and some hard goods will also be available. Master Gardeners will help you select the right plant for the right place and answer your gardening questions.

The Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society will sell many varieties of roses, including own-root, fragrant, and miniature roses. Expert rosarians will be on hand to help you choose the perfect rose and to give practical advice on growing and caring for roses.

The Men’s Garden Club of Asheville will be selling popular annual flowering plants in a wide variety of colors including Sunpatiens, impatiens, geraniums, marigolds, begonias, non-flowering sweet potato vines, and several others.

A planting activity for children will be offered. Parental supervision required.

Rain or shine, we’ll see you there! Don’t forget to bring your wagon.

While the county mask mandate has been lifted, participants for all events and activities are welcome to wear a mask to feel more comfortable.

We are hosting our third blood drive!

Please join us on Tuesday, May 9th at our Connestee Falls office from 12-4 PM.

Give us a call at (828) 884-7355 to reserve your appointment or go online to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor keyword: LookingGlass

We hope to see you there!

ASO Amadeus Festival

Visit the Asheville Art Museum Atrium for Music Mixology!

Music on the hour from Noon to 5 pm
The music begins with Flute at Noon, adds Bassoon at 1 pm then Clarinet at 2 pm; Oboe at 3 pm and finally mixes in a French horn at 4 pm to concoct a woodwind quintet!

Gorgeous music featuring: Kare Steinbeck, flute; Rosalind Buda, bassoon; Taylor Massey, clarinet; Michael Jones, oboe; Anneka Zuehlke, French horn

Each musical portion is 20-25 minutes long. Drop in for any part of the afternoon. Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited.

Black Mountain Garden Sale, one of the most popular gardening sales in WNC, will be held on Friday, May 19, 4-8pm and Saturday, May 20, 9am-4pm at the Town Square Parking Lot at the corner of E. State St. and Richardson Blvd.

Hosted by Black Mountain Beautification Committee the sale will feature annuals, carnivorous plants, cut flowers, edible shrubs, herbs, native plants, perennials, shrubs, trees, and vegetable starts from specialty plant vendors. Plus garden décor including bee cabins, garden art and containers, wood carvings, and other specialty items.

The popular Members’ Market will have personal services and baked goods for sale. Purchase raffle tickets to take a chance to win plants. Proceeds help support the Seed Money Award, Community Improvement Award, and to keep the town beautiful!

Additional information at blackmountainbeautification.org. Let us help you create the garden of your dreams!

Black Mountain Garden Sale, one of the most popular gardening sales in WNC, will be held on Friday, May 19, 4-8pm and Saturday, May 20, 9am-4pm at the Town Square Parking Lot at the corner of E. State St. and Richardson Blvd.

Hosted by Black Mountain Beautification Committee the sale will feature annuals, carnivorous plants, cut flowers, edible shrubs, herbs, native plants, perennials, shrubs, trees, and vegetable starts from specialty plant vendors. Plus garden décor including bee cabins, garden art and containers, wood carvings, and other specialty items.

The popular Members’ Market will have personal services and baked goods for sale. Purchase raffle tickets to take a chance to win plants. Proceeds help support the Seed Money Award, Community Improvement Award, and to keep the town beautiful!

Additional information at blackmountainbeautification.org. Let us help you create the garden of your dreams!

Save a Life. Donate Blood.

Giving blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others.  Asheville Outlets is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a mobile blood drive.

The American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Friday, May 26, from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in the parking lot located behind the food court. May is Trauma Awareness Month for the Red Cross.  Blood need rises as Trauma needs rise in summer months, with more travel, Auto accidents, and when outdoor activities increase so does physical injury. Your help collecting much needed blood supply is valued. Thank you!

Donors are asked to register in advance by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/give and entering the sponsor code AshevilleOutlets.

Stop by and learn about composting at home. See five different composting methods on display, including a single bin unit, a tumbling composter, a wood pallet bin, a classic 3-bin system and an example of vermiculture on demo day.