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.

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.

Free Technology Workshop Lead by “Rent a Millennial”

Topic: Setting Up Your Home Internet
This class will cover your local area network (the internet in your home). How to set it up, how to optimize it, how to troubleshoot common issues. There will be time for Q&A and individual attention.

NEEDED ITEMS:
wet food

dry food

treats

toys

litter

donations

School is out for a teacher’s work day, so bring your child (age 7-17) to our esports day camp from 8am-4pm – bring their own lunch. Only $70 for the day. (18 spots available)

School is out for a teacher’s work day, so bring your child (age 7-17) to our esports day camp from 8am-4pm – bring their own lunch. Only $70 for the day. (18 spots available)

Do you want to have a date night or just some quiet time at home? Drop off your kids with us anytime between 5-10pm for a fun night of video games and a variety of board games!

Join Pack Square Collection for a free rooftop paw-ty on October 14th from 11am-2pm on the top of the Pack Square Parking Garage at 26 Biltmore Avenue, through the stairs by White Duck Taco. Attendees can bring their four-legged friends for a paw-some good time with complimentary pet portraits, pet caricatures, live music, dog-friendly vendors and more!

FREE | All ages, advance registration requested

Dress up those pups and bring them to a treat scavenger hunt with giveaways for canines and their human companions. Dogs must be on a leash. For more info, call 828-507-9003.

‘Your Dog Here’ Returns – Be Part of the Legacy! 🐾

Your furry friend’s chance at stardom is here! ‘Your Dog Here’ is back for its third year, and it’s your golden opportunity to have your beloved pup featured on a limited-edition DSSOLVR beer label – all while supporting the incredible work of Asheville Humane Society.

For just $25, your furry companion will strike a pose and earn their spot on our ‘Your Dog Here’ beer can label. But that’s not all – every participating pup enters our raffle for a chance to be front and center on the label!

📅 Event Dates & Locations: 📅

1️⃣ The Whale Edition:

🗓️ Thursday, October 19th

⏰ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🏢 The Whale

2️⃣ DSSOLVR Edition:

🗓️ Sunday, October 22nd

⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

🏢 DSSOLVR Taproom

💙 Supporting Asheville Humane Society: 💙

Every dollar raised goes directly to Asheville Humane Society, a dedicated organization working tirelessly to promote the compassionate treatment of animals in our community through education, sheltering, and adoption. Last year, ‘Your Dog Here’ raised a remarkable $5,750 and showcased the love for 115 dogs on our label.

Don’t miss your chance to make your dog a star and support a great cause! Join us at ‘Your Dog Here’ and let’s make it a bark-tastic day to remember. See you there! 🐶👽🐶”

‘Your Dog Here’ Returns – Be Part of the Legacy! 🐾

Your furry friend’s chance at stardom is here! ‘Your Dog Here’ is back for its third year, and it’s your golden opportunity to have your beloved pup featured on a limited-edition DSSOLVR beer label – all while supporting the incredible work of Asheville Humane Society.

For just $25, your furry companion will strike a pose and earn their spot on our ‘Your Dog Here’ beer can label. But that’s not all – every participating pup enters our raffle for a chance to be front and center on the label!

📅 Event Dates & Locations: 📅

1️⃣ The Whale Edition:

🗓️ Thursday, October 19th

⏰ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🏢 The Whale

2️⃣ DSSOLVR Edition:

🗓️ Sunday, October 22nd

⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

🏢 DSSOLVR Taproom

💙 Supporting Asheville Humane Society: 💙

Every dollar raised goes directly to Asheville Humane Society, a dedicated organization working tirelessly to promote the compassionate treatment of animals in our community through education, sheltering, and adoption. Last year, ‘Your Dog Here’ raised a remarkable $5,750 and showcased the love for 115 dogs on our label.

Don’t miss your chance to make your dog a star and support a great cause! Join us at ‘Your Dog Here’ and let’s make it a bark-tastic day to remember. See you there! 🐶👽🐶”

A congregation of local makers and practitioners of all things magical, feline, and magically feline.

Benefiting Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue. Bring your furry friend for costume contests, raffles, local vendors, specialty cocktails, tunes from DJ RexxStep. $5.

A unique event featuring a group mediumship reading and a silent auction is set
to raise funds for local non-profit, Asheville Cat Weirdos, a local non-profit organization that
provides assistance with emergency veterinary costs for cats in Western North Carolina.
Since the organization relies 100% on donations and volunteers, local psychic medium, Kelly
Palmatier, was inspired to donate a fundraising event, “An Evening with Spirit & Fundraiser for
Asheville Cat Weirdos.” It is scheduled for Monday evening, November 27, 2023, from 6 to 8
p.m. and will be held at the Hi-Wire Brewing Event Space in Biltmore Village at 2B Huntsman
Place, Asheville, NC 28803.
For skeptics and believers alike, Palmatier aims to channel loved ones who’ve crossed over and
bring inner peace to audience members, although event details make it clear that not every
audience member will receive a reading.
“I named my company Channeling White Light because it’s a metaphor for making a positive
difference in the world,” says Palmatier, “so I love donating fundraisers and helping the
community in any way I can.” She and her assistants are handling and paying for every detail of
the event, and 100% of the proceeds will go to Asheville Cat Weirdos.
Star Broadnax, Interim Director for the Asheville Cat Weirdos Emergency Fund
(AshevilleCatWeirdos.org), expresses gratitude for the event: “Our organization thrives on
donations and the selfless efforts of volunteers. We are incredibly thankful for this event and
the support it provides in our mission to help cats in need.”
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for the silent auction, followed by the group mediumship reading
beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event also features a cash bar provided by Hi-Wire. Tickets are $25
per person or $40 for a couple and can be purchased online at ChannelingWhiteLight.com.

On Sundays, December 3, and December 17, 2023, visit Asheville Outlets from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for FREE pet photos with Santa by TapSnap Phototainment. Located in the Food Court. Visitors receive one FREE 4” by 6” photo and digital download of a single image (while supplies last). For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

ONSITE | Wednesday, December 13, 1 – 3 p.m. | $30 Adult Non-Member (Arboretum member discount applies!) Pre-registration Required.

Cats and dogs are exposed to plants and plant materials in the garden, home environment and as part of their normal diet. Many plants, plant materials and horticultural products are safe for pet animals to consume or be exposed to but others are potentially hazardous. This class will focus on how plants and plant materials found in the garden or home may adversely affect pet animals. Phil Roudebush, a veterinarian, clinical nutritionist, small animal internist and extension master gardener volunteer, brings practical ideas about how to keep pets safe around plants and gardens.

Pre-register for this small-group experience through the form linked below and staff will  be in touch to finalize registration and payment.

This six week course focuses on proper socialization, bite inhibition, house training, manners and much more!

Your goal as a puppy parent is to give your pup the best possible start in life. Puppies learn more between 5 and 12 weeks of age than they will in their entire lifetime! Laying a positive foundation during this time is critical for puppies to grow into behaviorally healthy dogs.

This six week course focuses on proper socialization, bite inhibition, house training, manners and much more! The class is limited to 12 puppies who are 8 to 18 weeks old when the course begins (if your dog is over 18 weeks of age, please sign up for the Canine Manners class).

* All puppies must have started their puppy vaccine series (distemper, parvo and bordetella) at least one week prior to the first class. Owners are expected to commit to continuing this vaccine series during the six week course.

The cost of this course includes six classes, held one hour per week for six weeks from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM on the following dates: December 16, January 6, 13, 20, 27, & February 3. Scheduled cancellations: December 23 and 30 or unless otherwise stated by trainer.

This class will take place at the Asheville Humane Training Center (800 Fairview Road, Suite C1). Please go to the BACK of the building to enter through the back training center door.

About the trainer:

Pia Silvani is an internationally-recognized dog trainer and lecturer with over 35 years’ experience. As VP of Training and Behavior at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ, she developed numerous courses focused on positive, reward-based techniques. In 2013, Pia began working for the ASPCA, eventually becoming the Director, Behavioral Rehabilitation where she led programs to educate shelter professionals in effective behavior rehabilitation techniques, as well as specialized socialization, enrichment, and shelter protocols. This cutting-edge program is featured in the award-winning Netflix documentary, “Second Chance Dogs”.

After 6 years at the ASPCA, Pia has decided to re-establish her consulting business here in the Asheville area specializing in rehabilitating fearful and aggressive behaviors in dogs. She is Director of Behavior and Training at Asheville Humane, offers private behavioral consultations in client’s homes as well as teaching classes for Asheville Humane Society.

Pia has been chosen as one of Bark’s 100 picks of the best and brightest people that changed the world of dogs. Her goal has always been to combine her love of dogs with her respect and affection for people. She enriches the lives of both through humane relationship work and training.

For more information on Pia, visit her website: www.piasilvani.com and email her for more information.

Join us for a festive, fun-filled celebration for you and your pups this December 17th! We will have Santa here for photo opportunities, live music, and dog treats!
Donations will be accepted for the Blue Ridge Humane society during the month of December

On Sundays, December 3, and December 17, 2023, visit Asheville Outlets from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for FREE pet photos with Santa by TapSnap Phototainment. Located in the Food Court. Visitors receive one FREE 4” by 6” photo and digital download of a single image (while supplies last). For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

Join the growing tech scene in Asheville and connect with fellow developers and designers in town. Each event will include a presentation (or two) and the opportunity to discuss technical, design, and product challenges with our talented community of creators and engineers.

Interested in presenting? Apply here: https://forms.gle/bJyj9AK9ruJpXzYX6

AVL Tech Connect starts at 5:30 with 30 minutes of socializing and presentations start at 6:00.

Event series supported by: AVL Digital Nomads, Venture Asheville, and the NC Biotech Center

Hosted at The Track at Asheville, there will be an opportunity to experience the thrill of SIM racing toward the end of the event.
Sign up and help us spread the word!

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.

A new performance work, titled “Redemption/TIME,” brings together acclaimed poet Jimmy Santiago Baca and jazz violin virtuoso Christian Howes in a unique multimedia collaboration under the direction of Dr. David Gonzalez. The project aims to inspire a new generation through the hard-won life lessons of Santiago-Baca and Howes, and to bring their powerful voices to a wide audience through live performances and streaming services.

In “Redemption/TIME,” Baca’s poetic genius intertwines with Howes’ soulful musicality, along with compelling video design, to create a performance work that aims to “inspire, educate, and motivate audiences across the country,” according to Gonzalez.

Both Baca and Howes have powerful stories to tell, with the former having overcome illiteracy and incarceration to become an award-winning poet, while the latter learned valuable life lessons during his time in prison. Their collaboration is a testament to the power of transformation, resilience, and art.

Who Let the Dogs Out Costume Contest, 1-5pm, Grab your pup and join Bold Rock in Mills River and celebrate “National Dress
Up Your Dog Day” Costume contest. There will be a local dog-trainer on-site to help host, along with dog-inspired giveaways,
prizes for the winners, and live music from Stephen Evans at 1pm,

Benefitting TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions
Fundraiser & Silent Auction, Music
Performances, Cat Clicker-Training, & More!
Join us for the purrfect, cat-filled evening!