Apprenticeship
Come meet with representatives from area businesses
involved in our apprenticeship program.

Participating businesses
Anderson Automotive Group
Boyd Chevrolet
Champion Credit Union
EGolf Motors
Elkamet Inc.
Fields Land Rover Jaguar Asheville
First Bank
First Citizens Bank
GF Linamar LLC
Harry’s on the Hill
Hunter Automotive Group
Jabil Inc.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Kyocera Corporation
Meritor Inc.
Mountain Credit Union
Norafin Americas Inc.
Parks Ford Hendersonville
Prestige Subaru
Self-Help Credit Union
Summit Marketing Group
Westrock

Do you have questions about the property value appeal process? Do you know Buncombe County offers multiple ways to pay your property taxes? Property Assessment and Tax Collections experts from Buncombe County are coming together to launch a Community Help Desk series on Saturdays at select Buncombe County Public Libraries throughout the month of March.

The public is invited to meet your property assessors and tax collection specialists, get one-on-one help with the appeal process, ask questions, or find out what you need to start a payment plan. Buncombe experts are always available via live chat online or by phone, but these Saturday hours make it easier to access the help you might need on your own time.

Staff will be available from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays in March at the following locations:

Please note that social distancing measures will be in place and face coverings strongly recommended.

NORTH – Weaverville Library, 41 N Main Street, Weaverville

NORTHWEST – Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Rd, Leicester

• March 5 – WEAVERVILLE
• March 12 – LEICESTER *Spanish Interpreter available
• March 19 – WEAVERVILLE
• March 26 – LEICESTER *Spanish Interpreter available

SOUTH – Skyland/South Asheville Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville

SOUTHEAST – Oakley/South Asheville Library, 749 Fairview Road, Asheville

• March 5 – SKYLAND
• March 12 – OAKLEY
• March 19 – SKYLAND
• March 26 – OAKLEY

EAST – Black Mountain Library, 105 N Dougherty Street, Black Mountain

• March 5
• March 12
• March 19
• March 26

WEST – Enka/Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler

• March 5
• March 12
• March 19
• March 26

Can’t make one of these sessions? Please reach out for questions and assistance. Property Assessment is available by Live Chat online at buncombecounty.org/myvalue2021, click the live chat button or call 250-4940. The property value appeal process is open now-start an appeal online at taxappeal.buncombecounty.org. Tax collections specialists are available by Live Chat online at buncombecounty.org/taxcollections or call 250-4910.

Showcase of Excellence features the exceptional artistic talent of high school students in our area. This premier event is a juried fine arts competition that offers young artists their first taste of a professional gallery environment. Cash prizes are awarded for the top student artists and teachers.

High school teachers in North and South Carolina are invited to submit their students’ best work in painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, and photography.

First Prize and Best in Show students are awarded a cash prize to encourage their artist pursuits. Winning teachers are awarded a Be Inspired Grant that they may use for classroom projects. These prizes are made possible by our generous donors.

The 2022 Showcase of Excellence will held from February 19 – March 12 in the Parker Gallery at TFAC.

Information about registration and Showcase rules can be found below.

Do you need help preparing your taxes? If so, Buncombe County Pubic Libraries can help. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in cooperation with the IRS, NC Department of Revenue, Buncombe County Library System, and Council on Aging, Inc. will offer free tax preparations for taxpayers of low and moderate-income, with special attention to those age 60 and older from Feb. 1-April 15.

You will need an appointment to speak with a tax help aide. At your appointment, you can drop off your tax documents and you’ll be given another appointment in about two weeks to pick up your paperwork and completed tax form.

How it works

1. Pick up a tax record envelope and instructions at Black Mountain, West Asheville, Weaverville or Pack Library during library hours.

2. Complete the Intake/Interview Booklet in your envelope by answering all questions. Then sign and date the last 3 pages. Place all your tax forms and any information relating to your tax return in your envelope.

3. Make an appointment to drop off your Tax Record Envelope and meet with a Tax-Aide volunteer.

Pack Memorial Library

Saturdays, appointments available between 10:30am and 2pm
To make an appointment for Saturday tax help at Pack Library, email [email protected] with your name and telephone number. A volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. At your appointment, a tax volunteer will check all documents and give you a follow-up appointment to pick up your completed tax return and documents in 1 or 2 weeks. This tax help is provided by UNCA.

Every bite counts!

The Girl Scouts will set up on Saturdays to sell Girl Scout Cookies near the entrance of Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Hours of Operation – Please note dates and times are subject to change subject to troop availability and weather conditions.

January 22 – March 19, 2022
Saturdays: 11am-5pm

Hey Mamas, we are checking in on how you’re doing this month. What is your plan for treating yourself well? Is it a day in bed? A spa day? … What’s nourishing you? How are you talking to yourself these days?
Join me for this virtual event – link coming soon.

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.

The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Activities of the American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter include: Blood Services, Training Services, Disaster Services, and Home Fire Campaign.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and one blood donation can save up to three lives. Help support lives in North Carolina by signing up to become a Blood Drive Volunteer today.  

Time Commitment:

Blood drives occur M-F and volunteers are expected to attend one blood drive a month to remain an active volunteer. This position is flexible as volunteers can sign up for shifts that work for their schedule and instructions for shift selection will be sent after responding to the opportunity.

Volunteer Roles:

• Warmly greet donors and assist with registration in reception area.
• Assist with initial intake and hand off through blood donation process.
  • Ensure donors have relevant information and all questions are answered appropriately.
  • Maintain proper sanitizing and cleanliness of reception and hospitality areas.
• Attend canteen area in support of donors.
  • Thank donors for their contribution.
  • Alert staff immediately if a donor shows signs of feeling unwell.
• Inform donors of current and upcoming donation promotions.
  • Make reminder/cancellation calls.
  • Reschedule donor appointments.
  • Perform follow-up activities as directed.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Modeling excellent customer service behaviors.
• Knowledge of technology needed for position (training provided)
  • Donor checkin, donor tablet, rapid pass, donor app.
• Comfortable working with people from diverse communities and backgrounds
• Dependable, punctual, and professional
• Adhere to all Red Cross guidelines
• Ability to remain calm in crisis situations
• Adhere to CDC safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 precautions
• Safety First! Our need for volunteers is constant and our guidelines reflect the latest CDC safety recommendations and follow the national and local government laws. COVID-19 vaccination will be required for in-person volunteer roles beginning January 3, 2022.

Turn the Dallas Asheville into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a two and a half-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Start when you want and play at your pace. Price is per team, not per person. Find details and Redeem your ticket as a Prepaid Code online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com.

It can be ruff out there for our canine companions, but we have pawsitively great news. Buncombe County’s first-ever dog park is now open at our Sports Park in Candler. While this is a soft open, the park features two fenced-in play areas; one for large dogs and one for smaller pups. “We do have plans to add other amenities and water fountains,” exclaims Recreation Services Program Coordinator Mac Stanley. “People are very excited about this new opportunity. Since it was announced, we have gotten letters of support as well as many emails questioning when will the project be completed.”

So join us in a round of apaws as we celebrate the opening of this new venue for hot dogs and cool people. “It’s an amazing place to bring your dog to run free without a leash and interact with other dogs,” says Stanley. “One of my favorite aspects of this new dog park is being able to cultivate a community. Hopefully, this dog park will be instrumental in connecting dogs as well as people within the community.” Paw-yeah, sounds great.

Location: Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Circle

Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (same as the Sports Park)

Dog park drools rules
Dogs must be:

• On a leash at all times until safely in the fenced-in dog park area
• Vaccinated, licensed, and in good health
• At least four months old to enter
• Wearing a collar with ID tags
• Under voice control of their human and not aggressive

Humans must:

• Be with dogs at all times
• Remove dogs at first sign of aggression
• Pick up poop and dispose of it in receptacles provided
• Be liable for any and all injuries caused by their dogs

Not Allowed:

• Pronged, spike or choke collars
• Aggressive dogs, aggressive humans, or dogs in heat
• Unsupervised children 12 years of age or younger

Recreation Services’ Lake Julian Park Rangers have assembled a new paddle boat fleet that is ship-shape and ready to hit the water. “We have received and assembled 17 brand new paddle boats to complete our fleet of 20 boats at Lake Julian Park,” notes Park Ranger Matt Dixon. “This is a great addition to the park and will be an enjoyable amenity for our park patrons for years to come.”

Lake Julian Park offers paddle boat rentals for $12/ hour and $8/half hour. The boats are available to rent every day the park is open (weather permitting), up until 2 hours before park closing time. Head over to the park on the next sunny day and make your own splash. Learn more at buncombecounty.org/parks.

Muddy Sneakers is proud to host Asheville and Salisbury’s only screening of Mountainfilm on Tour this March! Join us virtually from Thursday, March 3rd to Sunday, March 6th for a fantastic weekend of community and film as we celebrate our shared passion for the outdoors. As this event is virtual, viewing the films is entirely at your leisure! Once you register for your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email with the show link. The event will go live at 9:00am ET March 3rd, and end at 11:55pm ET March 6th.

This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our desire to raise awareness of our work in the communities we serve, we’re giving tickets away for free! We only ask for a meaningful donation to support Muddy Sneakers’ mission and work. To learn more about Muddy Sneakers, visit www.muddysneakers.org

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.

The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Activities of the American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter include: Blood Services, Training Services, Disaster Services, and Home Fire Campaign.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and one blood donation can save up to three lives. Help support lives in North Carolina by signing up to become a Blood Drive Volunteer today.  

Time Commitment:

Blood drives occur M-F and volunteers are expected to attend one blood drive a month to remain an active volunteer. This position is flexible as volunteers can sign up for shifts that work for their schedule and instructions for shift selection will be sent after responding to the opportunity.

Volunteer Roles:

• Warmly greet donors and assist with registration in reception area.
• Assist with initial intake and hand off through blood donation process.
  • Ensure donors have relevant information and all questions are answered appropriately.
  • Maintain proper sanitizing and cleanliness of reception and hospitality areas.
• Attend canteen area in support of donors.
  • Thank donors for their contribution.
  • Alert staff immediately if a donor shows signs of feeling unwell.
• Inform donors of current and upcoming donation promotions.
  • Make reminder/cancellation calls.
  • Reschedule donor appointments.
  • Perform follow-up activities as directed.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Modeling excellent customer service behaviors.
• Knowledge of technology needed for position (training provided)
  • Donor checkin, donor tablet, rapid pass, donor app.
• Comfortable working with people from diverse communities and backgrounds
• Dependable, punctual, and professional
• Adhere to all Red Cross guidelines
• Ability to remain calm in crisis situations
• Adhere to CDC safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 precautions
• Safety First! Our need for volunteers is constant and our guidelines reflect the latest CDC safety recommendations and follow the national and local government laws. COVID-19 vaccination will be required for in-person volunteer roles beginning January 3, 2022.

Turn the Dallas Asheville into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a two and a half-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Start when you want and play at your pace. Price is per team, not per person. Find details and Redeem your ticket as a Prepaid Code online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com.

It can be ruff out there for our canine companions, but we have pawsitively great news. Buncombe County’s first-ever dog park is now open at our Sports Park in Candler. While this is a soft open, the park features two fenced-in play areas; one for large dogs and one for smaller pups. “We do have plans to add other amenities and water fountains,” exclaims Recreation Services Program Coordinator Mac Stanley. “People are very excited about this new opportunity. Since it was announced, we have gotten letters of support as well as many emails questioning when will the project be completed.”

So join us in a round of apaws as we celebrate the opening of this new venue for hot dogs and cool people. “It’s an amazing place to bring your dog to run free without a leash and interact with other dogs,” says Stanley. “One of my favorite aspects of this new dog park is being able to cultivate a community. Hopefully, this dog park will be instrumental in connecting dogs as well as people within the community.” Paw-yeah, sounds great.

Location: Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Circle

Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (same as the Sports Park)

Dog park drools rules
Dogs must be:

• On a leash at all times until safely in the fenced-in dog park area
• Vaccinated, licensed, and in good health
• At least four months old to enter
• Wearing a collar with ID tags
• Under voice control of their human and not aggressive

Humans must:

• Be with dogs at all times
• Remove dogs at first sign of aggression
• Pick up poop and dispose of it in receptacles provided
• Be liable for any and all injuries caused by their dogs

Not Allowed:

• Pronged, spike or choke collars
• Aggressive dogs, aggressive humans, or dogs in heat
• Unsupervised children 12 years of age or younger

Recreation Services’ Lake Julian Park Rangers have assembled a new paddle boat fleet that is ship-shape and ready to hit the water. “We have received and assembled 17 brand new paddle boats to complete our fleet of 20 boats at Lake Julian Park,” notes Park Ranger Matt Dixon. “This is a great addition to the park and will be an enjoyable amenity for our park patrons for years to come.”

Lake Julian Park offers paddle boat rentals for $12/ hour and $8/half hour. The boats are available to rent every day the park is open (weather permitting), up until 2 hours before park closing time. Head over to the park on the next sunny day and make your own splash. Learn more at buncombecounty.org/parks.

 Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) is a comprehensive two-year college and one of 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community College System, serving students in five locations in Buncombe and Madison Counties.  A-B Tech, through its dedication to student success, strives toward its mission to deliver quality education to enhance academic, workforce, and personal development. A-B Tech envisions changing lives and strengthening communities. 

We are seeking volunteers to help support our Veteran’s Cafe. A-B Tech recognizes that student military veterans benefit significantly from fellowship and networking with their peers. To meet this need, the College created the Vet’s Cafe, a supportive gathering place where students can relax, network, connect with resources, use a computer and enjoy complimentary coffee or pre-packaged snack. 

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Hosts, ensuring the Cafe is welcoming and supportive.
• Setting out snacks and coffee
• Helping students with computers, and tutoring/mentoring as appropriate
• Volunteers also act as a conduit between students and the A-B Tech Veterans Advisor to ensure students get all the support they need to succeed.

Time Commitment:

• 3 hours per shift (8am-11am, 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm 8am-5pm)
• 1 volunteer per shift, couples are welcome to volunteer together.

Qualifications:

• Must have patience and understanding while volunteering at the Cafe
• Military experience is preferred but not required
• Must be computer literate

Requirements:

• Must be 21 years old
• Complete volunteer application with A-B Tech
• Complete FERPA & HIPAA forms
• Submit to a criminal background screening
• Attend an in-person interview and orientation with A-B Tech Campus Volunteer Coordinator

Health & Safety:

• A-B Tech is following all CDC guidelines for higher educational institutions