Applications for the 76th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles, are now available. The parade rolls, dances and marches through Downtown Asheville on Saturday, November 19 beginning at 11am. Before applying please read the detailed rules and information for participants here. The parade only runs smoothly if everyone follows the rules and direction from Parade organizers. Application available here. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 14 at 5pm. Sponsors and Partners make the Parade possible. Thanks to Bojangles, Explore Asheville, Ingles Markets, City of Asheville, Go Mini’s Portable Storage, Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum, Apple Tree Honda, Deerfield, Sun Soo Martial Arts, WLOS, Star 104.3, 99.9 Kiss Country, Kudzu Brands, Kimpton Hotel Arras, Aloft Asheville Downtown, Asheville Color & Imaging.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and we continue to adapt. It challenges us as individuals and as a community to understand how our everyday activities impact the health and safety of those around us and how we can prepare ourselves for future waves. As an agency focused on the health and safety of our residents, Buncombe County Health and Human Services strives to ensure that everyone has the opportunity and resources to live well. During National Preparedness Month, our Preparedness Team has made a list of the 5 most important steps we can take to protect your health and the health of your loved ones, friends, and community.

Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations

• Vaccines create a shield of protection around vaccinated individuals, warding off illnesses like measles, mumps, and smallpox and help to reduce severe illness and deaths for illnesses like the Flu and COVID-19. Our community’s shield of protection grows stronger as more individuals get vaccinated. Being vaccinated and adding to our community’s shield of protection is essential to staying Buncombe Ready.

Buncombe County Health and Human Services Immunizations Clinic- (828) 250-5000

Know Your Testing Locations

• Quick testing and identification of illness is important in stopping the spread of disease. Know where you can get testing in your community for seasonal illnesses like Flu, COVID-19, STIs, and other communicable diseases.
• At-home test kits are also available for some illnesses like COVID-19. Now is the time to test kits in your home ready for use if you have symptoms.
• Did you know that all non-monogamous, sexually active individuals should be tested for STIs regularly? The CDC recommends testing every 3 months but, depending on the number of partners and type of sexual activity, it may need to be more frequent.  Regular testing is an essential part of being a responsible and respectful sex partner.

COVID-19 Testing Locations in NC

Buncombe County Health and Human Services STI Testing and Treatment- (828) 250-5000

Stay Home/Wear A Mask When Sick

• Among the best strategies to reduce the spread of germs to others is isolation. Staying home and away from others when feeling sick significantly reduces the risk of spreading illness.
• Wearing a mask after you’ve isolated or when the disease is spreading at high levels is also recommended. While it won’t stop all transmission, it can reduce the rate of transmission for some illnesses like the common cold, flu, and COVID-19.

Click Here for More Information

Make A Plan

• Having a plan in case of a public health emergency like a large-scale outbreak or a natural disaster (flood, ice storm, fire) is an important way for residents to remain Buncombe Ready. Knowing where to receive care like testing and treatment, mapping out evacuation routes, locating area disaster shelters, maintaining a preparedness kit,  and having photos of important documents will ensure that you and the people you are close with will have the resources you need in the case of an emergency.

Click Here for More Information

Stay Informed

If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, information and knowledge can evolve as quickly as the event or disaster. It’s important to stay on top of new developments and information.

CodeRED Alerts allow Buncombe County officials to send emergency alerts to residents in real-time using email, phone, and text. All residents are encouraged to visit buncombecounty.org/codered or text BCAlert to 99411 to enroll in the CodeRED system. For more information on the CodeRED notification system or registration, please contact [email protected]. or call CodeRED support at 1-866-939-0911.

The Artist Support Grant provides funding emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences. Grants range from $500-3,000.

Visitors to the Asheville Gallery of Art will be able to view Anne Marie Brown’s show from September 1st through September 30th.

Anne Marie Brown started her career as a florist in New Jersey in her 20’s. “I owned a shop with a boyfriend who was into houseplants, and I loved flowers! I would do an arrangement and fall so in love with it, that I would do a small watercolor of it.” Many careers later, Anne Marie again picked up a brush and started painting when, as a realtor in Florida in 2007, the market tanked. “I’m not sure how I started painting again, I guess it was sheer boredom.”

She started doing outdoor art shows with the Delray Art League in Delray Beach, Florida. And to her surprise and delight, the pieces were selling. Thus started a 10 year journey of the outdoor art circuit. She attended shows all over Florida, and eventually started travelling up the east coast.

“I went from watercolor to acrylic, and finally to oil. By the time I got to oil painting, I had moved to Asheville, North Carolina, and started participating in plein air events.” The rolling mountain ranges were exceptionally inspirational to her after all the ocean scenes she’d been exposed to. “I went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway in October, 2014, and that was it! I had to move here!”

Anne Marie’s first and strongest passion is painting, particularly flowers and landscapes. “I also create needle felted animals, and do jewelry work in silver, but painting is my first love, and I devote most of my time to it.” She has won numerous awards, participated in multiple juried shows, and even ran an artists’ cooperative in Delray Beach called “The Arts Arena”.

Now, her heart is settled within these Blue Ridge Mountains, and she hopes that the scenes that touch her heart, will touch yours, and thus, the circle is complete!

Anne Marie’s artwork can be found under “Fine Art by Anne Marie Brown” on Etsy, Fine Art America and Facebook and her website is www.anne-marie-brown.pixels.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.”

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.”

Twice each year, the Asheville Downtown Association surveys its members and the downtown community on issues related to downtown. We understand that downtown and our City are facing significant overlapping challenges and have been meeting with City and County leadership and staff as well as other organizations. The data collected in this survey will help us further those conversations into solutions. The data collected in the survey will be shared with City and County elected officials and staff. Survey responses are anonymous. We appreciate your response by Friday, September 23.