Calendar of Events

The Biltmore Avenue parking garage will temporarily close March 25 to April 8 due to construction of the adjacent Moxy Hotel. This closure is to ensure safety. The Biltmore Avenue Garage will be temporarily closed for 15 days beginning March 25, 2023, through April 8, 2023, for the second phase of the Moxy Hotel construction. The garage will temporarily close to all parking customers to ensure the community’s safety. The closure will impact a total of 412 parking spaces. The construction contractor will provide parking garage security for the duration of the garage closure.   The Moxy Hotel, a 115-unit, 7-story building, is currently being constructed on the south side of the Biltmore Avenue Parking Garage. To accommodate hotel construction, renovations to the Biltmore Parking Garage are required. The garage’s construction needed to renovate was initiated in January 2023 with a two-phase approach. The first phase was completed on February 8, 2023, 22 days ahead of schedule. Parking arrangements for the City’s Monthly parking accounts   Access cards for the City’s monthly parking accounts in the Biltmore Avenue Parking Garage will be reprogrammed to allow access into the following parking areas during the 15-day closure period:   Harrah’s Cherokee Center parking garage Rankin Street parking garage Wall Street parking garage Parking lot is located at 50 Asheland Avenue (adjacent to the Transit Center)   Monthly parking account holders at the Biltmore Avenue Parking Garage will also receive a 50% credit to their accounts on March 1, 2023, for the inconvenience. Monthly parking account holders have been notified via email and text message alerts.   Parking arrangements for hourly parkers   The City strives for minimal disruption during this closure. Several alternate free and fee-based parking options are available through the City of Asheville in the downtown area, including monthly parking garage passes, lots and street options starting at $30 per month. You can always find more information about parking in Asheville by visiting the City of Asheville parking services page or on the Asheville App. You can always find more information about parking in Asheville by visiting the City of Asheville parking services page

The City of Asheville is seeking feedback from businesses and residents on how we can curb the use of single-use plastics, particularly plastic bags and styrofoam foodware containers, in our community.

This short survey should take less than ten minutes to complete and will ask residents and businesses to share their experiences with these products, what actions they would like to see the City take and what kind of support would be necessary to reduce the consumption of these single-use plastic products.

The survey will remain open through April 30 and results will inform City Staff’s recommendation on next steps to City Council in October, 2023. Staff will also share results and any additional engagement opportunities with the community on the project page.

Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

The popular on-demand film streaming service Kanopy is now available for free with a Buncombe County Library card.  Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device, or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, or Roku.

With the motto of “thoughtful entertainment,” Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie films, classics, and world cinema. Explore a world of movies with no wait, no fines, and no borrowing limits.

“Streaming video—and the Kanopy service in particular—is something our patrons have been asking for,” adds Library Director Jason Hyatt. “We’re excited to provide this service as part of our ever-growing digital library.”

To access Kanopy, visit the library website, or download the app to your phone, TV, or digital device. If you have any questions, contact your local library.

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

Who do you think shines as a small business leader in Buncombe County? Your boss? Your friend? The owner of your favorite local business?
Or does your family-owned business stands out?

The Chamber’s annual leadership awards recognize outstanding businesses and leaders. Tell us who you think deserves recognition: nominating someone for Small Business Leader of the Year or submit an application for Family Business of the Year.
Sponsored by HomeTrust Bank, Small Business Leader of the Year awards recognize two individuals who clearly reflect quality and dedication to the operation of business in the Asheville area and provide leadership accomplishments including innovation, initiative and civic responsiveness. Submit a nomination.

The Family Business of the Year Award, sponsored by the UNC Asheville Family Business Forum, recognizes a family-owned business for their contributions to the community and success as a family-owned enterprise. Self-nominations encourage. Submit a nomination.

We’re also taking applications for Sky High Growth Awards recognizing business success. Submit your Sky High application.

We are introducing a new software system for our Playhouse Jr. families! This new system will make your life easier! Once you have registered you are in our system for good. That means that once you register all you have to do is access your account to purchase any classes and camps moving forward. No need to register every time!

To register for our new system and to enroll in classes please visit this link: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regv2.asp?id=548849

Questions? Please email [email protected]!

Want to register over the phone? No problem! You can call our Education Director, Lauren Hopkins at (828)693-0403 ext. 246 starting Monday March 6!

Mission Health is accepting applications from throughout the community for the Kesha Young Health
Careers Scholarship , with the aim of supporting the education goals for high school seniors and college
students of color from Western North Carolina who are pursuing careers in healthcare.
For more than 25 years, Mission Health has been awarding the Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship,
with more than $1 million given to make college more affordable for high school seniors and college
students of color from Western North Carolina who are pursuing careers in healthcare. The scholarship
is named in honor of Kesha Young, a 22-year-old, bi-racial woman who was born with mental and
physical disabilities and underwent multiple surgeries at Mission Hospital. Kesha died just months
before she was scheduled to earn her high school diploma. Despite her health struggles, Kesha was
described by her adoptive parents as embodying the characteristics that are vital to how healthcare
team members engage with patients, families and visitors, with a strong spirit, warm smile and positive
encouragement.
At Mission Health, we recognize that having a diverse workforce, especially in healthcare, is very
important to provide the best possible care to our patients and communities. This is integral to who we
are as a company. Our mission statement is based around recognizing and affirming the unique and
intrinsic worth of each individual: “Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of
human life.”
The completed application, along with all additional materials, must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday,
April 14th, 2023 for consideration. Recipients will be notified in early May and invited to a reception at
Mission Hospital on Wednesday June 7th.

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so more people can access the necessities for a regular fitness routine. Locals can sign up online or at either community center to receive a fitness center key fob that can be scanned at either location.

“Our team is committed to creating spaces in which everyone feels welcome,” according to D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director. “We are in the community building business. The gyms and fitness rooms at these two locations are filled with everything you’d expect from other top-notch fitness facilities and dedicated to body positivity and accessible wellness. By waiving the cost to use them for the first six months of the year, we hope more friends and neighbors will be able to connect with each other and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so more people can access the necessities for a regular fitness routine. Locals can sign up online or at either community center to receive a fitness center key fob that can be scanned at either location.

“Our team is committed to creating spaces in which everyone feels welcome,” according to D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director. “We are in the community building business. The gyms and fitness rooms at these two locations are filled with everything you’d expect from other top-notch fitness facilities and dedicated to body positivity and accessible wellness. By waiving the cost to use them for the first six months of the year, we hope more friends and neighbors will be able to connect with each other and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

We’re offering TWO grade levels this summer for our workshops: Younger Ages (Rising First – Third Grade) and Older Ages (Rising Fourth – Tenth Grade) Pricing First Student: $350 per week Sibling & Multiple Week Camp Discounts are available Madagascar Workshop June 12-16 & July 17-21   Get read to MOVE IT, MOVE IT! Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins in this crack-a-lackin’ adventure from New York City to Madagascar. Matilda Workshop June 19-23 & July 24-28   It’s time to act like REVOLTIN’ CHILDREN! Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace! Shrek Workshop June 26-30 & July 31-August 4   Come and let your FREAK FLAG FLY! It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way. The Little Mermaid Workshop July 10-14 & August 7-11   Discover what it means to be PART OF YOUR WORLD! In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

The Biltmore Avenue parking garage will temporarily close March 25 to April 8 due to construction of the adjacent Moxy Hotel. This closure is to ensure safety. The Biltmore Avenue Garage will be temporarily closed for 15 days beginning March 25, 2023, through April 8, 2023, for the second phase of the Moxy Hotel construction. The garage will temporarily close to all parking customers to ensure the community’s safety. The closure will impact a total of 412 parking spaces. The construction contractor will provide parking garage security for the duration of the garage closure.   The Moxy Hotel, a 115-unit, 7-story building, is currently being constructed on the south side of the Biltmore Avenue Parking Garage. To accommodate hotel construction, renovations to the Biltmore Parking Garage are required. The garage’s construction needed to renovate was initiated in January 2023 with a two-phase approach. The first phase was completed on February 8, 2023, 22 days ahead of schedule. Parking arrangements for the City’s Monthly parking accounts   Access cards for the City’s monthly parking accounts in the Biltmore Avenue Parking Garage will be reprogrammed to allow access into the following parking areas during the 15-day closure period:   Harrah’s Cherokee Center parking garage Rankin Street parking garage Wall Street parking garage Parking lot is located at 50 Asheland Avenue (adjacent to the Transit Center)   Monthly parking account holders at the Biltmore Avenue Parking Garage will also receive a 50% credit to their accounts on March 1, 2023, for the inconvenience. Monthly parking account holders have been notified via email and text message alerts.   Parking arrangements for hourly parkers   The City strives for minimal disruption during this closure. Several alternate free and fee-based parking options are available through the City of Asheville in the downtown area, including monthly parking garage passes, lots and street options starting at $30 per month. You can always find more information about parking in Asheville by visiting the City of Asheville parking services page or on the Asheville App. You can always find more information about parking in Asheville by visiting the City of Asheville parking services page

The City of Asheville is seeking feedback from businesses and residents on how we can curb the use of single-use plastics, particularly plastic bags and styrofoam foodware containers, in our community.

This short survey should take less than ten minutes to complete and will ask residents and businesses to share their experiences with these products, what actions they would like to see the City take and what kind of support would be necessary to reduce the consumption of these single-use plastic products.

The survey will remain open through April 30 and results will inform City Staff’s recommendation on next steps to City Council in October, 2023. Staff will also share results and any additional engagement opportunities with the community on the project page.

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 aged 60 and older.

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 2 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.

Schedule and appointments

Black Mountain Library

Mondays and Thursdays, appointments are available between 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

To make an appointment, either email [email protected] with your name and telephone number, or call (828) 669-8610 between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. You can pick up a tax packet at the library. 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.

Pack Memorial Library

Wednesdays, appointments are available between 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

To make an appointment on Wednesday at Pack Library, email [email protected] with your name and phone number. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. If you don’t have access to email, the staff at the library can email AARP for you. You can pick up your tax packet at the library. 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.

Saturdays, appointments are available between 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

To make an appointment for Saturday tax help at Pack Library, email [email protected]. 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. This tax help is provided by UNCA. Saturday tax help ends on April 1 and there will be no tax help on February 18.

Weaverville Library and Weaverville First Baptist Church

Thursdays, appointments are available between 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

To make an appointment for tax help at the Weaverville First Baptist Church email [email protected] with your name and telephone number OR call the Weaverville Library at 828-250-6482 with questions. If you don’t have access to email, the staff at the library can email AARP for you.  An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment at the Weaverville First Baptist Church. You can pick up your tax packet at the library. 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.

West Asheville Library

Tuesdays, appointments are available between 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

To make an appointment at the West Asheville Library email [email protected] with your name and telephone number. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. If you don’t have access to email, the staff at the library can email AARP for you. You can pick up your tax packet at the library. 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.

Tax help will start on Feb. 1 and end on April 15.

Bring the following documents and tax forms to your tax help appointment. Photocopies are recommended:

• Photo ID / Driver License for Taxpayer and Spouse
• Social Security Cards for Taxpayer, Spouse and ALL dependents
• Prior year Federal and State tax return
• W-2 (Wages), W-2G (Gambling winnings)
• Amounts of Stimulus Payments you received (EIP-3, IRS Letter 6475)
• Amounts of Child Tax Credit Payment you received (IRS Letter 6419)
• SSA-1099 (Social Security Benefit Statement)
• 1099-R (Retirement), 1099-RRB (Railroad Retirement Benefits)
• 1099-Interest, 1099-Dividend, 1099-OID
• 1099-B (Brokerage Statement, Sale of Stocks and Bonds), 1099-Ks
• 1099-G (Unemployment and State refunds)
• 1099-NEC (Self-Employment), 1099-MISC, PLUS itemized list of expenses
• 1099-S (Sale of Home), 1099-C (Forgiveness of Credit Card Debt)
• 1098- Home Mortgage Interest and Real Estate Taxes
• 1099-T (Education Credits) PLUS Student Account Statement
• 1098-E (Student Loan Interest)
• 1099-SA and/or 5498-SA (HSA = Health Savings Account) PLUS itemized list of expenses
• 1095-A (Health Insurance – Affordable Care Act, Health Insurance Marketplace)
• Schedule K-1 (Form 1065)
• Any other documents or information relevant to preparation of the tax return
• Voided check for direct deposit of any refund to your checking / savings account

Green Drinks lives on every Saturday as The Free & Open University of Eco-Sustainability on Facebook

Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline

Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

The popular on-demand film streaming service Kanopy is now available for free with a Buncombe County Library card.  Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device, or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, or Roku.

With the motto of “thoughtful entertainment,” Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie films, classics, and world cinema. Explore a world of movies with no wait, no fines, and no borrowing limits.

“Streaming video—and the Kanopy service in particular—is something our patrons have been asking for,” adds Library Director Jason Hyatt. “We’re excited to provide this service as part of our ever-growing digital library.”

To access Kanopy, visit the library website, or download the app to your phone, TV, or digital device. If you have any questions, contact your local library.