The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore is hosting the 10^th annual ReUse Contest to showcase innovative building projects constructed predominantly of used building materials.

Winners will be selected in the following categories:

• Furniture: $200 ReStore gift card
• Homesteading (i.e. chicken coop, raised bed): $200 ReStore gift card
• Live and/or work space: $200 ReStore gift card
• Art: $200 ReStore gift card
• Home Decor: $200 ReStore gift card
• Vans & Vehicle (NEW!): $200 ReStore gift card
• Best in Show: $500 ReStore gift card

Winners will be announced in a press release, on Asheville Habitat’s website and social media pages, and featured in the Asheville Habitat ReStore.

The purpose of this annual contest is to showcase innovative building and DIY projects
constructed predominantly of reused building materials. A large number of ReStore shoppers
purchase items intended to be repurposed or reused in unique and creative ways; the ReStore
Reuse contest is a great way to showcase their projects and inspire others to reuse, recycle
and repurpose usable materials.
The creativity of this community never ceases to amaze. Past projects have included a fence
fashioned from doors, a potting bench built from pallets, a chair crafted from an oil drum, yard
art made from old tools, and so much more. To see photos from the 2020 contest, click here.
A panel of five judges will select winners in the following categories: Furniture, Homesteading,
Live and/or Work Space, Art, Home Décor, Vans and Vehicles (NEW!), and Best in Show.
Winners will be announced in mid-October.

About Bearfootin’ Art Walk

Since 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 non-profit chosen by the sponsor, while bid amounts exceeding $3,000 are directed entirely to the non-profit. In 2020, the Bears raised more than $84,000, and in 2021 we hope to continue the tradition of giving.

2021 Bearfootin’ Auction

The 2021 Bears are currently stationed along Main Street until the auction in October. Check out our 2021 Bearfootin’ Bears!

Until 2020, the Bearfootin’ auctions were hosted in traditional style with a live auctioneer. Then, in response to the pandemic, Friends of Downtown Hendersonville pivoted to a virtual format for the 2020 auction. The virtual bidding format allowed people to bid over the course of a month until a scheduled bidding cutoff. This turned out to be a big success, with the 2020 auction raising more than $84,000. 

For the 2021 Auction, the Downtown Events Team and Friends of Downtown Hendersonville staff are incorporating the virtual bidding format with an in-person event. This means bidders will be able to begin bidding as early as September 15, 2021. Bidding will come to a close with an exciting in-person event on October 16 from 4-6:30pm, with all bidding closing at 6pm.

1. Bidding begins on September 15, 2021 at 12pm and ends at 6pm EST on October 16, 2021. Stay tuned for the release of the bidding platform closer to September 15!

2.  All bidding will occur virtually. There will be no in-person bidding. However, there will be live bidding via phone/computer up until the bidding cut off at 6pm on October 16.

3.  It’s free to register to bid, and you can bid anytime between September 15 and the deadline at 6pm on October 16. Initial bids will take place via the bidding website (stay tuned for link!). Bidders will receive automatic text message notification if they are outbid with the option to submit a new bid directly via text message.  

4. There will be an in-person countdown celebration on October 16 from 4-6:30 pm on the outdoor plaza at the Historic Train Depot at 650 Maple Street. The event will have a lively atmosphere with bells and cheers at each incoming bid, as well as live music, beer/wine and food trucks. The event is free and open to the public. While there will be no in-person bidding at the event, attendees can bid live via their cell phone. There will be an event information booth to help attendees get registered and begin bidding.

5. There will be no proxy bidding. Bidders will receive automatic text notification if they are outbid with the option to submit a new bid. There are no reserve/proxy bids, meaning you can’t set a price that the system will automatically bid for you. If you are outbid, you will need to place a higher bid if you wish to continue.   

6. Starting bids for all bears will be $1,500 and minimum bid increments are $100.  

7.  Any bear can be purchased at our “Buy Now” price of $10,000. The “Buy Now” option ends Thursday, October 14 at 5 p.m.

8. Bidders do not have to attend the in-person event to be a winning bidder. For those who can’t attend the in-person event on October 16, we will conduct a virtual Facebook Live event of the auction on the Downtown Hendersonville page. We will start the off by introducing the bears and providing information about how to bid before the clock runs out. All bidding is automatically cut off at 6pm on October 16.

9. Winning bidders will be contacted regarding payment and picking up their bear via text and email. Bears can be picked up at the event, or during a scheduled “pick up window” the week following the event. Winners have 5 days to pay or they will be automatically charged on the credit card filed. Alternatively, winners can pay with cash or check. There will be a 2.95% processing fee on all credit card transactions. 

Buncombe County is excited to announce the launch of a new website to help qualified homeowners streamline the process of submitting an inquiry to the Homeowner Grant Program. As of Friday, Aug. 6, qualified Buncombe County homeowners will have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for housing-related costs. The Homeowner Grant Program is now accepting inquiries for support on the program website or by calling (828) 250-5500. You must call or submit an inquiry to determine eligibility.

With the FY22 budget approval, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $300,000 for this new initiative aimed at helping qualified homeowners. Through a collaborative partnership, residents in the City of Asheville and the Town of Woodfin will be eligible to receive additional assistance, and the program will be administered through Buncombe County Health and Human Services (HHS).

“This is a new idea for our community, and I’m glad we are thoroughly evaluating it,” said Chairman Brownie Newman at the July 13 meeting. “We are trying to provide some financial relief for folks seeing cost of living go up for a variety of reasons. We’ll make adjustments based on what works well,” he said, noting the County might increase the program’s investment in the future.

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.

Starting Friday, Aug. 6, 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.

“If you think you may qualify, but you aren’t sure, please give our team a call,” said 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.”

Homeowner Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $300 for Buncombe County residents
• City of Asheville and Town of Woodfin residents may receive additional grant of up to $200
• Frequency: Annual
• Length of primary residence: Five years
• Household Income: at or below 80% of AMI
• Application: Income documentation required, unless already enrolled in HHS means-tested economic assisted programs
• Other programs: Applicant will be paired with best fitting programs with no duplication of benefits.
• You must apply. This is not an automatic enrollment. 
• Eligible payment types:
  • If eligible, grantees may choose to have grant funds applied to their property tax bill, city/municipality taxes, and/or applied to other housing-related obligations such as housing costs, mortgage, or insurance. Payments are made directly to the source of the approved bill. Payments will not be made directly to individuals.

*For households over 5, please contact the HHS Call Center for assistance

Buncombe County Permits & Inspections is taking another step toward streamlining the inspections scheduling process. Effective Friday, Aug. 20, scheduling building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing inspections will transition to the Development & Permits online portal.

The portal offers the ability to search permit records and inspection results, and the addition of online inspection scheduling makes this an exciting new tool for our contractors and owner/builders.

“The convenience of an online scheduling tool is something the building community has been waiting for a long time,” says Permits & Inspections Director Matt Stone. “The 24/7 online system allows more flexibility in how and when they will be able to schedule their inspections, and will free up staff time normally spent each day handling these requests.”

Visit buncombecounty.org/permits to access the Development & Permits online portal, and click here for directions on how to log in and schedule an inspection. Please be advised when scheduling an inspection, some inspections will appear as optional even though they might required. Please contact our office with any questions at (828) 250-5360.

Note: Contractors without online access will still have the ability to schedule same day inspections by calling (828) 250-5360 between 7-8:30 a.m., the day of the required inspection.

Buncombe County Permits & Inspections provides building inspections and permitting services for all unincorporated areas of Buncombe County and through contractual agreements, provides these services for the towns of Biltmore Forest, Weaverville, and Woodfin.

On Wednesday, Aug. 18, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency. The Local State of Emergency also applies within the municipal limits of the City of Asheville, the Town of Weaverville, the Town of Woodfin, the Town of Black Mountain, the Town of Montreat, and the Town of Biltmore Forest.

With the declaration, Buncombe County Emergency Mangement personnel will implement plans for the prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from any and all emergency situations that may result from the impacts of the storm.

The implementation of such Emergency Management plans will allow sufficient personnel to be mobilized and positioned in order to:

a)         Reduce vulnerability of people and property of Buncombe County to damage, injury, and loss of life and property;

b)         Prepare for prompt and efficient rescue, care, and treatment of threatened or affected persons;

c)         Coordinate with state and federal agencies for the orderly rehabilitation of persons and restoration of property; and

d)         Provide for cooperation and coordination of activities relating to emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery among agencies and officials of Buncombe County and with similar agencies and officials of other counties, with state and federal governments, with interstate organizations, and with other private and quasi-official organizations.

The emergency management plan will remain in effect until the declaration expires at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 or is rescinded.

Click here to read the Local State of Emergency.

Buncombe County continues to see a significant growth in the number of positive COVID-19 cases. Since Aug. 3, trends have not improved. The local cases per 100,000 per week has increased six-fold compared to one month ago with current rate at 261 cases per 100,000 people per week. About 90 new cases per day are entering the public health work flow, up from 51 new cases per day just two weeks ago. The current percent positivity is 8.5% positivity rate compared to 7.2% on Aug. 3.

Buncombe County is experiencing an upward trend in COVID-related hospitalizations. As of now, Buncombe County has 62% of our total population at least partially vaccinated and 58% of our total population fully vaccinated. Looking at vaccine rates by age, the highest rates are in those that are who are 65 or older with younger age groups seeing some upward trend in rates over the last week.

Masks Required Indoors in Buncombe County

At its Aug. 18 emergency meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency requiring residents and visitors in any indoor spaces in public spaces to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others. Effective immediately, indoor public spaces include business establishments, offices and workplaces, public transportation facilities and vehicles, and any indoor place the public is invited and allowed to enter and gather. The order applies to all people who are at least 5 years old, and face coverings are recommended for all people over the age of 2.

The mask requirement currently extends throughout unincorporated Buncombe County as well as the municipal limits of the City of Asheville, the Town of Montreat, the Town of Woodfin, and the Town of Weaverville.

Worship, religious, and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, and other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights are exempt from the requirement of this order.

Click here to read the full order.

Additional Dose Recommended for Moderately and Severely Immunocompromised Individuals

New recommendations from the CDC advise people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine series (two doses) to begin receiving an additional third dose to better protect themselves from COVID-19. The CDC recommends an additional dose for people in the following categories:

• Receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last two years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

Individuals must self-attest they qualify for the additional dose by having a condition or taking a medication that causes them to be moderately to severely immunocompromised.

Vaccine Administration

Buncombe County Health & Human Services vaccine administration takes place at the Buncombe County Health Department, 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville. Walk-in vaccines are available between Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn more at buncombeready.org. Additional vaccine providers can be found by visiting covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines. In addition, Buncombe County is coordinating multiple mobile vaccine events Aug. 18-23. Click here for details on those events.

COVID-19 Testing

Visit the Find my Testing Place website to find COVID-19 testing locations in Buncombe County or to request a free, at-home COVID test. Individuals who are showing symptoms or believe they have had close contact to COVID-19 should get tested.

For more information about COVID-19 and vaccines in Buncombe County, go to buncombeready.org.

Buncombe County, including the City of Asheville, continues to see a significant growth in the number of positive COVID-19 cases. Since Aug. 3, trends have not improved.

At its Aug. 18 emergency meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency requiring residents and visitors in any indoor public spaces to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others. Mayor Esther Manheimer signed an order for the City of Asheville shortly thereafter.

Effective immediately, indoor public spaces include business establishments, offices and workplaces, public transportation facilities and vehicles, and any indoor place the public is invited and allowed to enter and gather. The order applies to all people who are at least 5 years old, and face coverings are recommended for all people over the age of 2.

Worship, religious, and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, and other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights are exempt from the requirement of this order.

Click here to read the City of Asheville order.

For the most update COVID-19 information buncombeready.org

Take a look around. Now, look closer.

The word “pixelated” means made of small pieces but the word, “pixilated” means infatuation with a mischievous, mythical creature called a pixie.

Looking at the world in a different way can feel mischievous. Walk through your neighborhood looking up, looking down. Look at how buildings are put together or how things fall apart.  Find patterns, shadows, twisting vines, whatever makes you stop and think. Whatever makes you feel pixelated.

Send us your favorite square-framed shots of simple, surprising thing that make you think, wonder or smile in Buncombe County.

Look for BiblioBoard on the Buncombe Public Library site. Make an account and log in. Select Menu and Buncombe County. Scroll down to Buncombe County collections. Dive into the CITYPIXels module and submit a photo.

If we get enough submissions, we’ll put them together as pixels in a larger display of just what it is we love about where we live. Then we can enjoy what we love alone, together!

Get pixelated, Asheville!