Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
Hiking Challenge 6 is here! In Conserving Carolina’s and WPA’s White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 6, you get to explore the places you’re helping to protect—and they’re amazing! We invite you to take eight hikes on lands that Conserving Carolina has helped to protect, enhance, or open to the public.
This challenge includes two all-new Conserving Carolina trails with gorgeous views! Plus, you can see the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, lakes and waterfalls in DuPont State Recreational Forest, expanded trails in Bracken Mountain Preserve, and a beautiful creek in the Green River Game Lands. There’s also the all-time favorite Bearwallow Mountain with its 360-degree views over the mountains and countryside we’re working to protect.
These hikes will take you to some of our region’s “greatest hits,” as well as hidden gems where you may have the woods to yourself. If you’re into mountain biking, you have the option of biking some of these trails. And if you love to swim, fish, or just be near the water, five of these hikes take you to rivers, lakes, or waterfalls.
And the Hikes Are…
Drumroll please…. Here are the 8 hikes for this new Hiking Challenge! You can find more information and links to the full hike descriptions below. Which one will you do first?
- Bearwallow Mountain
- Wildcat Rock Trail – Extended
- Bracken Preserve
- DuPont State Recreational Forest: Fawn Lake and Lake Julia
- DuPont State Recreational Forest: Holly Road to Hooker Falls
- Green River Game Lands: Green River Cove Trail
- Whitewater Falls
- Youngs Mountain Trail
- LOG YOUR HIKES
- Log each hike as you complete it. You can check your progress in this roster.
- You can do the hikes at your own pace. You can take weeks, months, or over a year—whatever works for you.
- You must complete all your hikes before the start of the next Hiking Challenge. We launch a new challenge about every two years.
- Only hikes that you’ve done after Oct. 1, 2021 count toward Hiking Challenge 6.
- You can complete the hikes on your own or as a group.
- Please share about your hikes with the hashtag #whitesquirrelhikingchallenge (optional)
- Feel free to share about your hikes and connect with other hikers in our Facebook group, the Conserving Carolina Community.
The Hiking Challenge is free and open to all, but you must be a Conserving Carolina member to become a Hiking Challenge 6 Champion. If you are a member and you complete all 8 hikes, you will earn your White Squirrel Patch and exclusive perks from local businesses that support conservation, including Appalachian Coffee Company, Lazy Otter Outfitters, Murphy’s Naturals, and YAM Yoga and Massage. Most importantly, you get to experience eight great places and deepen your personal connection to land conservation.
“Beautiful/Anonymous is my podcast. I tweet out a phone number. Thousands of people try to call. I talk to one of them for an hour. They never tell me their name. I’m not allowed to hang up. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. It’s a simple idea, but it’s turned into a thing that a whole lot of people love. Sometimes it’s funny. Often it’s dark. It’s a joy every time and a constant reminder that every single person has a story, and that we don’t often enough slow down to hear them.”
Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
Enjoy an ornithology-focused walk on the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Community Farm. Led by Simon Thompson, participants will hike the farm’s Discovery Trail searching to identify bird species. Simon is the owner and operator of Ventures Birding and has led birding trips all over the world. We are extremely excited to have him lead us on the hike. Diverse habitats across the farm lead to a great variety of bird species present.
Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular
Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.
We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity
To apply, click here.
If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.
NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!
Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.
- Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].
Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking six
AmeriCorps members for a year-long service opportunity beginning in August. Positions
are Construction Crew Leader, New Homes (2) Construction Crew Leader, Repair (3),
and Volunteer Services Coordinator (1). Members receive a living allowance and other
benefits. Those with a passion for affordable housing, an adventurous spirit, and a
sincere desire to serve others are encouraged to apply.
At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members play an important role in providing
leadership on project sites, engaging volunteers to become champions for the mission,
and creating new tools and systems to build capacity. During a year of service,
members gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on experience in
leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development. For some,
AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a career; for
others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.
No cost due to sponsor support
If you’re obsessed with Canva, you’re not alone! This session is for the small business owner who has started using canva, but wants a deeper dive to learn more fun tools you can use to promote your business. In this workshop you will learn advanced techniques on the Canva platform, including creating designs from scratch, uploading your own graphics, Canva Pro features, presentations and much more.
Speaker(s): TenBiz
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration
Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular
Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.
We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity
To apply, click here.
If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.
NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!
Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.
- Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].
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Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
We encourage you to bring a prize for the raffle later in the event. Bring your business cards for networking but also so you can enter the raffle! The early bird catches the worm…or maybe a great door prize!
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking six
AmeriCorps members for a year-long service opportunity beginning in August. Positions
are Construction Crew Leader, New Homes (2) Construction Crew Leader, Repair (3),
and Volunteer Services Coordinator (1). Members receive a living allowance and other
benefits. Those with a passion for affordable housing, an adventurous spirit, and a
sincere desire to serve others are encouraged to apply.
At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members play an important role in providing
leadership on project sites, engaging volunteers to become champions for the mission,
and creating new tools and systems to build capacity. During a year of service,
members gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on experience in
leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development. For some,
AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a career; for
others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.
No cost due to sponsor support
Google is an excellent way to connect customers to your small business. Learn how to grow and protect your business online brand in 2022 with new ways to better connect with potential and existing customers through using Google “free” products: Alert, Analytics, Calendar, Gmail, Maps, Google My Business, Search, Translate, YouTube while being more organized and efficient.
Speaker(s): Gary Heisey
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration
Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular
Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.
We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity
To apply, click here.
If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.
NC DEACS Accepting Applications Now!
Last month DEACS launched a Multifamily Recycling Grant to support recycling at multifamily properties in North Carolina. Local governments, recycling businesses, and property management companies are all eligible to apply for funding. Grant funding can be used to purchase equipment and site developments to establish or expand recycling access for multifamily units. The maximum award is $250,000.
- Multifamily Recycling Grant Program – OPEN
This special grant program offers funding to initiate or expand multifamily recycling programs within the state. Eligible applicants include local governments, recycling businesses or non-profits, multifamily property owners, or multifamily property management companies. Grant funds may be used to purchase typical equipment needs to start or expand the collection of traditional household recyclables (paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass and plastic bottles and containers) from multifamily residences. Examples of eligible purchases include carts, dumpsters, collection vehicles, concrete pads, recycling corrals and education. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with no due date. Approved grant applications will be funded in the order in which they are received until funding is exhausted.Download the Multifamily Recycling Grant request for proposals (RFP) by selecting one of the following links (PDF or Word). Please submit completed applications to Tara Nattress at [email protected].
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Once you start seeing all the plastics you use, you can’t unsee it.
You reach for your chips, your tube of toothpaste, or your plastic sandwich bags, and feel guilty that all that packaging will spend the rest of time in the landfill.
Us too.
Plastic is super light, but the average person throws away more than 110 lbs of it each year – the equivalent of almost 9,100 plastic soda bottles.
It’s too much. And we decided it doesn’t have to be that way.
We just have to get creative.
When we first started tracking our plastic waste, we challenged ourselves:
How little could we use?
Replacing plastic drink bottles with a reusable bottle was simple.
Keeping reusable shopping bags in the car to grab on the way into the store was also easy.
What’s the next level?
Join our Race2Reduce to find out!
Race2Reduce is your pledge to decrease your plastic use for the entire month of May.
Once you sign up HERE we will send you plastic tips, volunteer opportunities, and educational materials featuring local Asheville businesses!
But you won’t do it alone.
You’re joining a whole community of action takers opening their minds and kitchen pantries to plastic alternatives.
Plus there’s a little friendly competition…
How it works: Earn points to win a $75, $50, or $25 gift certificate to Ware, a local sustainability and refill shop in downtown Asheville.
5pts: Like or share a MYPM Instagram or Facebook post
10pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
15pts: Answer our Friday Trivia question
20pts: Post (and tag us) or email us a video/photo of you using one of our plastic tips
25pts: Lead your own trash clean up with GreenWorks’ supplies
Enter to win by pledging to reduce your plastic here.
(*Be sure to check the box that asks if you want to be in the running for prizes.)
Lots of plastics aren’t recyclable, and when we throw them “away,” they only go as far as the Buncombe County landfill off Panther Branch Road in Alexander.
So here’s the thing:
If you want to get in shape, no one else can do your push-ups for you.
If you want to feel awesome, no one else can choose your car dance song for you.
And if you want to protect your home and health from plastic pollution, no one else can choose to consume less plastic for you.
But we CAN do it together.
Over 400 residents participated in the last Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction challenge – and together we diverted 6,750 lbs of trash from the landfill in just 30 days.
Will you help us break that record this year? Join here.
We’re proud that so many of our fellow Ashevillians are working to end their reliance on plastic! Many thanks to the businesses and restaurants who supported this effort, and are working hard to reduce their own plastic waste. Mind Your Plastic May 2022 is presented for the residents of the City of Asheville in partnership with the City of Asheville. #goingplasticfree.
Questions? Give us a shout at: [email protected]
P.S. It’s Mind Your Plastic May, which means we’re taking action to reduce plastic all month long!
Check out all our events and activities here: ashevillegreenworks.org/mind-your-plastic-may
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Take your Business to the Next Level with the Mission Accelerator Program
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Companies in 2022 will face a business landscape disrupted by a pandemic: staffing issues, supply chain issues, new business models, shift in consumer purchasing patterns, revenue disruptions, and new applications of tech just to name a few.
The 2022 Mission Accelerator class can help organizations you know develop new tools and strategies to proactively successfully navigate the ever changing business environment that 2022 will be.
Registration is open through January 24th. The program begins January 26th and will meet every-other Wednesday from 8:30 am – 1 pm through June 1st. The cost for the program is $295.
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Not sure if your business could benefit from this program? Take the self-assessment below to rate your success.
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Blue Ridge Community College and the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce have partnered once again to offer the Mission Acceleration Business Accelerator, a five-month, ten-course program.
January 26, 2022
Business Best Practices and KPI (Key Performance Indicators) Checklist by Department Identifying Opportunities for Acceleration
February 9, 2022
Management and Leadership
February 23, 2022
Human Resources, Legal and Insurance
March 9, 2022
Capital and Purchasing
March 23, 2022
Competition and Competitive Advantage
April 6, 2022
Branding, Marketing and Sales
April 20, 2022
Customer Service and Information Technology
May 4, 2022
Business Logistics: Best ways to meet customer needs
May 18, 2022
Accounting and Finance
June 1, 2022
Business Acceleration Plan Presentation and Graduation
Sessions run Wednesdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. except 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 26.
Cost for the course is $295.
Area artists and other creative professionals are
invited to learn how to grow their art businesses at the third annual Business
of Art conference on May 18. Presented by Blue Ridge Community College, the
conference will be held in Brevard College’s Porter Center. The Blue Ridge
Small Business Center (SBC) announced the return of the conference this
month after a two-year hiatus.
The event features keynote presentations and a panel discussion, as well as a
series of breakout sessions featuring local voices. Experts will discuss
strategies to navigate business in the creative landscape. Registration is free,
and registrants can also participate in a networking event including lunch at no
cost.
SBC director Ben Smith explained how the arts sectors of Transylvania and
Henderson counties play a critical role in tourism and overall economic vitality.
“The Business of Art Conference serves as a free, local training opportunity to
entrepreneurs and business owners as they explore ways to increase their
business knowledge and secure future viability,” he said.
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking six
AmeriCorps members for a year-long service opportunity beginning in August. Positions
are Construction Crew Leader, New Homes (2) Construction Crew Leader, Repair (3),
and Volunteer Services Coordinator (1). Members receive a living allowance and other
benefits. Those with a passion for affordable housing, an adventurous spirit, and a
sincere desire to serve others are encouraged to apply.
At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members play an important role in providing
leadership on project sites, engaging volunteers to become champions for the mission,
and creating new tools and systems to build capacity. During a year of service,
members gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on experience in
leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development. For some,
AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a career; for
others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.
Chamber members impact the local business community by making an investment in Chamber membership. Whether you’re a new member, a long-time member with new staff, or a business who’s considering membership, we welcome you to attend our Chamber Orientation to learn how to get the most value from your membership investment.
Chamber President Kit Cramer will give an overview of the work the Chamber is doing every day to build our community, including how we support our thriving economy by growing jobs, advocating for a business-friendly environment and helping our members prosper. We’ll dive into member benefits and share ideas of how you can take advantage of the many opportunities available to you as a member. You’ll also have a chance to meet Chamber staff and learn how you can get more engaged.
Orientation is also a great chance to meet other Chamber members.
This event is free, but registration is requested in order to help us plan appropriately.
Buncombe County Organizations Can Apply For Free Hotspots and Service As Part of $13 Million Dollar Pledge From UScellular
Access to reliable internet connectivity causes a divide between Asheville area youth who have access and those who do not. Millions of children nationwide and many right here in our area rely on public Wi-Fi to study when away from school. We are thrilled to announce that UScellular is providing $13 million dollars in free mobile hotspots and service to bridge this issue knows as the “homework gap”.
We encourage nonprofits working with youth in afterschool programs to apply and use this resource to enhance the important work they are already doing. Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
– Certified 501c3 nonprofit organizations
– Operate within UScellular’s service area
– Focused on kindergarten through 12th grade
– Not a school or government entity
To apply, click here.
If you’re not currently set up as an applicant on Grants Connect, you will need to set up an applicant profile first. Once you’ve set up your profile, click the above link or refresh your page to be taken to the After School Access Project landing page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Students across Western North Carolina deserve the tools and resources they need to succeed. Hotspots are stand-alone Wi-Fi networks that can connect several devices at once wirelessly and have proven to be a vital tool for youth to access the internet, study and complete homework. In 2021, UScellular donated 2,800 hotspots and service to 33 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, a $2.6 million investment. Clubs have used them to boost their connectivity on site and loaned the devices out to youth and their families to support reliable access at home. Now more organizations have the opportunity to apply.
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