This new app allows you to listen while also using your phone for other things like texting, browsing, and using other apps (like Dig Local to see where to go and what to do in AVL!) You’re able to pause and rewind the live audio, view the program schedule, and best of all, explore and listen to archived content whenever you want. You can even share stories with your friends and feedback with the station.

Visitors to the Asheville Gallery of Art will be able to view Robin Altman’s show from August 1st through August 31st. They will be present for a special “Meet the Artist” event on First Friday, August 5th, from 5pm-8pm in the gallery at 82 Patton Avenue.

Robin Wethe Altman was raised in a family of artists and musicians, so luckily there was plenty of support for her artistic leanings. The artist colony of Laguna Beach, California was where she grew up and she participated in the town’s galleries as well as the Summer Art Festivals there. Winning an art scholarship from the Festival of Arts, Robin went on to study art at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. She traveled abroad with college groups to study the art of the great masters as well
as to paint on location. Presently Altman licenses her artwork to several companies that produce her work as puzzles and paint by numbers and such. The artist’s move to Asheville four years ago has proved to be a great boost in inspiration for the artist in her search for diversity and adventure.

Altman’s style of painting is recognizable and bold. Professor James Green, who she studied with at Principia College, would admonish his students to avoid painting “wallpaper”. He said that paintings should be made to stand out from the walls and be seen. Strong contrast and color helps to create such a painting. A well thought-out design is requisite to capture the attention and soothe the viewer psychologically.

In the painting, “Jumping Fences”, Altman makes the point that, in the mountains, nature is pervasive as she climbs and grows around and over man made barriers such as fences. The painting beacons the viewer to see beyond limitations as well, to the ever expanding mountain vistas.

Besides the magnificent landscape of the Appalachian Mountains, there is the charm of its animal life. In her painting of the bear, Altman depicts the quietude of the lumbering creature as her outstretched neck invites us to smell the fragrant mountain air with her as she scopes out the morning view.

Winter need not be a depressing time. To the contrary, in Altman’s painting, “Birch Trees in Winter”, there is a transcendent glow that bathes the whole snowy scene with warmth. The painting illustrates the introspective mood that penetrates a winter’s day. The birds are evidence that life is continuing even in winter. The winter season provides a time of rest to both nature and people in which to reflect on life and what matters the most.

It’s no wonder that sages of all time would go to the mountains to find serenity. This exhibit is about the peace of mind and clarity that comes from an artist making her home in the mountains.

It’s inspiring to think about the first European settlers coming to the Appalachian Mountains. “In the painting titled, “The Highlander”, I endeavored to capture the confident spirit of the kind of men who first dared to make the New World their home.” The Scotsman’s eyes appear just over Grandfather Mountain and his shoulders align with the slope of the mountains. The colors in the man and his clothes are echoed in the mountain colors, as if mountain and man were one and the same. The rugged gentleman’s eyes look directly at the viewer and special emphasis is given to his hands.

Robin’s artwork can be found under “Robin Wethe Altman” on Etsy, Fine Art America and Facebook and her website is: www.robinwethealtman.com

ince 2003, the Bearfootin’ Art Walk has helped raise funding for Downtown Hendersonville and a variety of local non-profits. In addition to raising funds, the bears offer a window into good work being done by community organizations in Henderson County.

The Bearfootin’ Bears arrive as blank slates before local artists transform each in a spectacular fashion, with creative themes ranging from Mona Lisa to Blue Ridge Mountain scenery. After the “Reveal” event in early May, the bears then take up residence in downtown Hendersonville for the duration of the summer and fall, up until auction. Participants bid during the auction to raise funds for local non-profits and Downtown Hendersonville. Winning bids up to $3,000 are split evenly between the downtown program and the nonprofit chosen by the sponsor, while bid amounts exceeding $3,000 are directed entirely to the non-profit. In 2021, the Bears raised more than $100,000, and in 2022 we hope to continue the tradition of giving.

Official 2022 Raffle Rules

PROCEEDS

This raffle is a fundraising event, and all net proceeds benefit the Brevard Music Center (BMC). Brevard Music Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN# 56-0729350

DRAWING

The drawing will take place on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 3:00pm EDT. All mail, phone, and internet orders must be received by 11:59pm EDT on Monday, November 14, 2022.

TICKETS

The cost to purchase a single entry (“Ticket”) for the Raffle is $125 (U.S. Funds only) and is not tax deductible.

DETAILS

1. By entering this raffle, entrants accept and agree to be bound by all the rules, limitations and restrictions set forth here and that their names and/or likenesses may be disclosed to and used by the news media and may otherwise be used by BMC for publicity purposes.
2. The winner may choose a new 2022 Volvo, Subaru, or Hyundai prize vehicle from Hunter Automotive Group of Fletcher, NC with an MSRP up to $50,000.
3. Vehicle choice will be subject to the current available inventory of the dealer. BMC reserves the right to substitute a Volvo, Subaru, or Hyundai model of equal value.
4. The winner is responsible for all taxes, delivery costs, dealer fees, and any options he or she may choose above the vehicle’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) greater than $50,000.
5. The gross winnings of the raffle will be reported to the federal and state tax authorities at the MSRP and the winner is responsible for income tax withholding prior to taking title to the prize.
6. Individuals may purchase as many tickets as they wish; however, only 1,500 tickets will be sold.
7. Participants must be 18 years old or older.
8. BMC employees, faculty, and students 18 or older are eligible to participate.
9. Winnings are not redeemable for cash.
10. If a minimum of 600 tickets is not sold, all ticket holders will receive a full refund and the raffle will not occur.
11. BMC does not make or provide any representation, guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, in connection with the car and accepts no liability or responsibility regarding the construction or condition of the car.

WINNINGS

Once the winner has selected a prize vehicle, the Dealer will notify BMC of the award vehicle’s MSRP. BMC will calculate the required federal income taxes due. The raffle winner is responsible for remitting the funds to BMC for the federal income tax. Brevard Music Center is required by law to report the base MSRP of the vehicle the winner chooses as gaming income to federal and state authorities and to withhold and deposit federal income taxes equal to 25% of the MSRP less the wager (raffle ticket). The winner’s payment of the federal taxes to BMC will be deposited with the US Federal Treasury and the winner will receive credit for the taxes remitted. In order for the dealer to release the winner’s vehicle, the winner will need to provide the following to BMC:

1. A completed form W-9.
2. Payment to BMC of the appropriate amount of federal tax withholding in cash or certified check.

Once both of these are received, BMC will authorize the dealer to release the vehicle. The winner will receive a Form W-2G by January 31, 2023 to use in preparing their 2022 income tax return.

Buncombe County is excited to announce the inquiry process is now open for the 2022 Homeowner Grant Program. This program is officially in its second year, and qualified homeowners will have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for housing-related costs. The program website is now accepting inquiries for support, or homeowners can call (828) 250-5500. You must call or submit an inquiry to determine eligibility.

With the FY23 budget approval, the Board of Commissioners approved $300,000 for the program, and through a collaborative partnership, residents in the City of Asheville and the Town of Woodfin will be eligible to receive additional assistance. You may qualify for up to $300 in unincorporated Buncombe County, and up to $500 in City of Asheville and Woodfin. Please note that applicants who received grants last year will need to re-apply.

Through this program, residents who own residential property in Buncombe County that they have lived in as their primary residence for at least five years and who earn at or less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) as a household may be eligible to participate. Those who apply for the program and meet these criteria may receive up to $300 from Buncombe County and up to $200 from the City of Asheville or the Town of Woodfin.

If eligible, grantees may choose to have grant funds applied to their property tax bill and/or paid and applied to other housing-related obligations such as housing costs, mortgage, or homeowner’s insurance. Payments are made directly to the source of the approved bill. Payments will not be made directly to individuals. There are several new aspects to this year’s program including new eligibility requirements, and now mobile-home owners may receive the grants.

• You must have owned and lived in your home for 5 years or more
• Your home must by your primary and only residence
• Your household income is at or below 80% of area median income (AMI)
• Your household cannot already be receiving tax deferment assistance like elderly/disabled, or Veterans exemptions.
• You must not have more than $60,000 in liquid resources (for example: your cash on hand, checking & savings accounts combined, or other investments available to you within 7 days)

The inquiry process will be open through Sept. 30. Eligible homeowners can submit an inquiry on the homeowner grant website or call (828) 250-5500 to start the application process. Phone support is available in any language. Please note that we anticipate a high volume of calls and inquiries at the onset, and it may take a few weeks for a case manager to get back with you.

“If you think you may qualify, but you aren’t sure, please give our team a call,” says Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “We know there are a number of unique circumstances, and our staff will work with homeowners to help find solutions.”