To Asheville residents using paper bags for their fall leaves these past few years, we say thank you and keep up the good work!

We’d encourage everyone else to follow their example.

Paper bags cost about the same as plastic ones. They’re compostable and more eco-friendly. Below is a guide on how to use them effectively, with as little hassle as possible to you, our residents.

Thank you,

City of Asheville

Q&A

Question: Why use paper bags for leaf collection?

Answer: The City of Asheville began encouraging the use of brown paper bags for leaf collection after a local vendor confirmed for the City that they are compostable, and therefore using them is a more environmentally sustainable practice.

Collecting leaves in paper bags is also a big time saver for Sanitation staff. This helps the Sanitation Department save money and provide more efficient service for our taxpayers.

An estimated 10,000 tons of brush and leaves are collected annually within the city limits. The use of biodegradable materials is a better waste management practice.

Numerous cities across the U.S. require paper bags for collection. So far, the City of Asheville is encouraging (not requiring) their use.

Q: Where do I find them?

A: Paper leaf collection bags are available at local home and hardware stores as well as many grocery stores. You can also buy them online. Please be sure to buy bags without plastic liners.

Q: Aren’t paper bags more expensive?

A: They are comparable in price to other options. For example, you can find an eight-count package of 30-gallon bags for as low as 39 cents each.

Q: Won’t the paper bags disintegrate if it rains?

A: Though these bags are heavy duty, rain can affect them. If that happens, Sanitation workers will still collect your leaves, using a shovel to scoop them up.

Q: What can go in paper bags?

A: Leaves and small twigs only should go in the paper bags. Garden and yard waste such as vines and tree or shrub limbs should go to the curb for brush collection. No grass clippings please.

Q: If I don’t want to use bags, can I use a container instead?

A: Yes! Please do label your container “leaves” so that our Sanitation workers clearly understand they have leaves in them.

Q: How else can I dispose of my leaves?

A: Compost them at home! Composting eliminates the chore of bagging leaves. Along with leaves you can compost much of your kitchen waste.

Compost improves your soil and helps retain water. Use it in flower and vegetable gardens, around trees and shrubs, and on houseplants and lawns.

So feed your landscape, not the landfill.  For composting tips, visit this link.

Want more information?

Please visit the City of Asheville Sanitation webpage. You can also email questions to [email protected].

Ride in style on the historic Great Smoky Mountains Railroad aboard your very own restored Caboose. These are great for family reunions, birthday parties, private meetings, corporate field trips or just any time!

Our cabooses accommodate up to 15 people with seating on the main level and in the cupola. (And, remember, babies are people, too!) The cabooses feature heat, private bathrooms, windows that can be opened, and open air vestibules at each end for unobstructed views. Advanced reservations are required and availability of caboose rentals are limited.

A platter of cheese and crackers, and an assortment of 15 bottled Coca-Cola products are included. Plus, the caboose is the only place where you can bring your own food and drink (please, no alcohol) in picnic baskets or coolers.

You can charter the caboose on:

• Nantahala Gorge
• Tuckasegee River

Best value for small groups and private parties up to 15 passengers. Available by phone only. Book now by calling 800-872-4681.

Western North Carolina has a rich assortment of county historical societies, archives, and museums. The Western North Carolina Historical Association seeks to help researchers, historians, genealogists, and the general public take full advantage of these resources.

The Omni Grove Park Inn, home of the iconic National Gingerbread House Competition, announced a reimagined Competition for 2021. After a virtual 2020, the Resort is planning to welcome back participants in-person this year, along with an esteemed panel of judges, including renowned Food Network Chef, Carla Hall.

Gingerbread enthusiasts are now encouraged to enter the Competition (find entry details HERE) and begin dreaming up dazzling designs for their confectionary creations. The 2021 Competition will take place at The Omni Grove Park Inn on November 22, 2021.

November 8, 2021: Competitor Entry Form Deadline.

November 15, 2021: Digital Content and Description Summary Form Deadline.

November 22, 2021: Awards Ceremony and Winners Announcement.

December 1-12, 2021: 12 Days of Gingerbread series on The Omni Grove Park Inn social channels highlighting top finalists. Assets will be available.

November 2021 – January 2, 2022: In-person Gingerbread Display will be open for public viewing at The Omni Grove Park Inn.

The Venardos Circus, a unique Broadway-style circus, is returning to Asheville Outlets at 800 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC from Wednesday, October 20 through Sunday, November 7, 2021.

• Showtimes: Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: 7 p.m.; Saturday: 1 p.m./4 p.m./7 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m./4 p.m.
• Admission Tickets: Adult General Admission: $27; Child General Admission (12 years and younger): $17

Venardos Circus proudly features its own custom-made big-top, a classic red-and-white striped tent, with an intimate feel and limited seating. The circus performers are also the crew in this traveling tour, much like the original circus tradition. There are no animals in Venardos Circus. Guests will be transported back in time to the center ring of a centuries-old tradition, enjoying an amazing assortment of aerialists, acrobats, juggling, balancing, comedy, daredevilry, magic, musical production and more. Complete show schedule and tickets available at www.venardoscircus.com/asheville.

As part of October’s NC Countdown to College and National Transfer Student Week, UNC Asheville will waive application fees for first-year and transfer students from North Carolina, Oct. 18-22, 2021. The application fee typically costs $75. Students may choose to apply for regular decision or for Early Decision, which gives priority consideration to students who are certain that UNC Asheville is their first-choice university. The deadline for Early Decision is Nov. 1.

Our friends over at The Haunted Trail (located at the Adventure Center of Asheville) are looking for volunteers!

From the fine folks at The Haunted Trail:

“Lookin’ fer somthin outdoorsy ta do this Halloween season?! 

We are lookin’ to recruit a few more volunteers – who are NOT shy! – to act in our brand new scene: a wild western walk through! (Acting spaces are limited and assigned based on level of availability. There are also some non western roles still waiting for the perfect volunteer to find us!!)

Don’t fancy yerself as one of those dramatic type folk?! We would love to have some festival area volunteers as well!

Adult volunteers will receive free beer with their dinner which is provided by our amazing title sponsor Mellow Mushroom!!”

Please email Lauren Rivas if you would like to join in the fun at The Haunted Trail this year!

If you are a resident of Woodfin, Weaverville, or the Woodfin Water and Sewer District, then you’re eligible to vote in the upcoming municipal election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Buncombe County Election Services wants to make sure you have all the information you need and is committed to having a safe and secure election. For more information about precautions regarding COVID-19, click here.

Below is information about voter registration, sample ballots, absentee ballots, Early Voting, and more. If you have additional questions, visit our website at buncombecounty.org/vote or contact our office by phone at:  (828) 250-4200.

What’s on the ballot?

• Town of Weaverville Mayor
• Town of Weaverville Town Council Members
• Town of Woodfin Commissioners
• Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District Trustee
• Three ways to vote: Absentee by Mail, Early Voting, and Election Day
• You may request an absentee ballot until Oct. 26.
• Early Voting period which runs Oct. 14-30.
• • Election Day

  Where to vote

  On Election Day, polls are open from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you will have the chance to vote.

A recent grant award by the Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund to help renovate and save the Tebeau Children’s Center. In addition to bringing Head Start, Early Head Start and NC Pre-K education programs to Henderson County’s underprivileged children under 5 years old, the renovation project will restore a community landmark that has provided childcare since the mid-1970’s!

WCCA is trying to raise the necessary funding to renovate the old daycare center and turn it into a modern early childhood education center.

WCCA has been awarded a $25,000 grant by the Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund of
the Community Foundation of Henderson County. The funds will be used to help
renovate and save the 70-year old Tebeau Children’s Center in Hendersonville, NC.
● The old daycare center which is located near Pardee Hospital off 9th Avenue between
Hendersonville Elementary and Middle School has been around since the mid-70’s. It
was called Stay ‘n Play, then Lovin’ & Learning, and Hendersonville School for Little
Folks. Generations of Henderson County families have relied on the center for childcare.
● After it closed in early 2020, WCCA bought the Tebeau Drive property. WCCA is in the
process of renovating and remodeling the facility to make it a modern early childhood
education center to serve nearly 100 children and families.
● David White, CEO for WCCA said “We’re grateful to partner with a group like the Perry
N. Rudnick Endowment Fund and the Henderson County Community Foundation to
save a piece of Henderson County’s past. Their support is an investment in future
generations of our children!”
● WCCA has raised just over $402,000 of the $850,000 needed to renovate the Tebeau
Center in time for its opening in April 2022. If you would like to help support this
worthwhile effort, please visit WCCA.org and donate!

Rabbit Rabbit is hosting a Winter Tree Carnival beginning Nov. 8. Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree to decorate or adopt a tree for a nonprofit to decorate. Trees will be on display beginning Nov. 8 through Jan. 3

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

Although cases per 100,000 per week decreased to 295 this week from 351 the week prior, COVID cases, rates, and percent positivity remain at high levels. The percent positivity decreased slightly to 8.3% from the mid-9% range for the past month. Hospitalizations remain level but high. Currently 13.4% of inpatient hospital beds are occupied with COVID-19 patients, and 54% of ICU beds are occupied with COVID-19 patients. Last week, there were 14 COVID-19-related deaths reported in Buncombe County.

Because of sustained high transmission levels, Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) recommended extending the indoor face covering requirement for indoor public spaces until the end of October. Buncombe County Commissioners voted to extend the requirement through Oct. 29, 2021. Read the entire declaration.

To date, BCHHS has administered almost 100,000 total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with about 3,000 of those coming in outreach settings. Currently 65% of the total Buncombe County population is partially vaccinated, and 73 percent of the eligible population is partially vaccinated.

According to recent NC DHHS data, unvaccinated individuals have a risk that is 4 times that of their vaccinated counterparts in becoming ill with COVID-19. Additionally, unvaccinated individuals have a risk of death that is 14 times that of their vaccinated counterparts.

Last week, the FDA recommended COVID-19 Pfizer booster shots for individuals who received Pfizer and are:

• 65 or older
• At high risk of severe COVID-19
• At high risk of occupational exposure

The CDC and ACIP are expected to meet Sept. 22 regarding recommendations. When recommendations are finalized, BCHHS will announce booster vaccine opportunities using its emergency alert program. To enroll, text “BCAlert” to 99411 or click here.

It is also anticipated that Pfizer vaccines for children ages 5-11 will be announced soon.

Currently, $100 incentive cards are still available through the NC DHHS extension while supplies last for eligible individuals (18 years and up) receiving their first dose of vaccine at the Buncombe County Vaccination Clinic. Individuals can visit the Buncombe County Health Department at 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. to receive a vaccination. Individuals can also visit yourspotyourshot.nc.gov to find a vaccination site near you.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and isolate from others while waiting for your test results. Testing locations can be found at Find My Testing Site NC. Beginning Sept. 27, StarMed will offer testing at Harrah’s Event Center.