• Register for City Hike, a nationally-powered, locally-experienced event raising money to protect the Earth while providing an adventurous, challenging, and engaging exposure to the great outdoors.

• Fundraise to support Sierra Club’s local and national environmental initiatives, like ensuring a just transition to 100% clean energy. Show how much you care about our planet, and get your friends and family to join you. 

• Hit the Trail! From September 19th – October 9th, lace up your shoes and get outside! Use AllTrails to find a great hike near you, or create a new experience. We’ll send you a virtual scavenger hunt that you’ll access through the Glide app to enhance (and educate you) along your self-guided hike route!

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor all donations given through Sunday, November 21 will be matched up to $8,500 – turning each donation into a SUPER DONATION! When you donate to ACT, you are assisting with scholarships, helping to keep ticket prices affordable, and so much more!

Help us reach this goal with a gift of any size!

A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.

September is National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is Prepare to Protect.  In 2020,  North Carolina experienced 247 flood events and 609 severe thunderstorms with damaging wind and hail. Weather events, the global pandemic, and even a 5.1 earthquake, are stark reminders that disasters can happen quickly. “Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time and we want individuals, families and our entire community to be Buncombe Ready,” says Buncombe County Public Health Preparedness Director, Fletcher Tove. “The recent flash flooding events serve as a reminder that families and individuals need to have a plan in place for unexpected disasters.”

Each week in September, the national campaign will be highlighting different aspects of preparedness planning to encourage residents and communities to consider their options in the event of an emergency.

COVID-19 Vaccination 

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you have not already been vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and are our best chance to defeat the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine may not keep you from getting the virus, but it is highly effective at reducing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death in vaccinated individuals. Additionally, as more people get vaccinated, the virus loses the opportunity to evolve into new variants. Getting the vaccine is vital to the safety of our community and ensures that you and your family are taking the most important step in being prepared for this real, disaster-level virus.

Click here, to find a vaccine provider near you.

Week 1 September 1-4: Make A Plan  

Active communication with your loved ones is crucial before, during, and after a disaster or emergency. Discuss a shelter plan, an evacuation route, a family communication plan and review the items in your emergency preparedness kit when composing a plan with your household. You should also establish a family meeting place that is familiar and easily accessible in case you are not together when disaster strikes.

Click here, for a guide to developing a household preparedness plan.

Week 2 September 5-11: Build A Kit  

There is a chance that you and your family may have to stay put in a designated area for several hours or days in the event of an emergency or disaster. It is important to have a kit ready with food, water and other supplies that can last your entire household at least three to seven days. You need to compile all supplies in an easy to carry container before an emergency so that it is ready at a moment’s notice. Consider unique needs of family members and pets when putting together your kit and make sure that all of the members of your household are aware of its location.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, make sure to include extra protective face masks, soap, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in your kit.

Click here, for a comprehensive list of supplies to include in your emergency kit.

Week 3 September 12-18: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness  

Learn more about the risk of disasters in your area in order to limit their impacts on you and your family. Residents of Buncombe County can sign up to receive time-sensitive emergency alerts with the Buncombe Alerts emergency notification system. You can choose one or more options for receiving notifications, including landline, cellphone, text message, email, TTY, and the CodeRED mobile app.

Click here, to sign up for Buncombe Alerts.

Week 4 September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness  

Household members of all ages can and should get involved in making a preparedness plan and putting together an emergency kit. Getting kids involved in planning can ensure that they know what to do in the event of an emergency or disaster, especially if you are separated at first.

Click here, to find out more about how to involve youth in different aspects of preparedness planning.

The bottom line is that simple steps such as making a family disaster plan, creating an emergency supply kit, and signing up for your county’s emergency notification system are smart, cheap, and easy to do. Additionally, www.ReadyNC.org is a great resource for disaster preparedness in North Carolina. The site features resources and videos in multiple languages including American Sign Language. Prepare to Protect by taking these simple steps today!

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when Buncombe County Public Libraries join the American Library Association and libraries nationwide to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.

In Buncombe County, there are two ways to get a library card.

Go to any library – this is the fastest way.

If you can’t to come to a library, we can give you a card online.  You will need to email us a photo of your ID to get a card by email. We’ll email you a library card number and PIN that you can use immediately for all digital resources and the physical card will be mailed to you at a later date.

Remember, all Buncombe County and Asheville City School IDs can be used to check out library materials, so if you have a school ID you already have a library card. The PIN for your school ID is the last four digits of the ID number.

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. Please contact us if you have any questions and we look forward to seeing you at the library.

The City of Asheville is seeking public feedback on temporary initiatives launched in the spring of 2020 to support safe business operations and customer access during COVID-19. These initiatives have enabled over 100 businesses and organizations in Asheville to quickly expand outdoors into adjacent public spaces and parking lots.

Take the survey here.

The AVL Shares Space initiatives include the following:

• “Shared Streets” (pedestrian priority environment and use of on-street parking spaces along a corridor)
• Temporary Parklets (use of on-street parking spaces)
• Expansion on private lots (i.e. parking lots)
• Expansion on public sidewalks
• 10-minute curbside pick-up zones

While these temporary initiatives were launched in response to specific needs during the pandemic, the City would like to collect public feedback on the successes and impacts of each initiative to assess possibilities for longer-term programs. The survey will remain open through September 20. (Participating businesses are being surveyed separately.)

More information about each initiative, as well as goals and objectives of the program, can be found at www.ashevillenc.gov/AVLSharesSpace.

Unique outdoor sculptural works by environmental artist Patrick Dougherty, known as “Stick Man,” will reside in Antler Hill Village. Renowned worldwide for his monumental creations, Dougherty weaves saplings and branches into intricate artworks, fashioning whimsical forms ranging from gigantic snares and cocoons to sculptural interpretations of notable buildings. The visual appeal of these large-scale artworks may be appreciated up close as guests are encouraged to walk through and around the creations, affording the opportunity to admire the artistry and technical skills required to make the sculptures.

Want to save money and support your community organizations at the same time? Join the Target Circle Rewards Program! Members have the chance to vote for a local non-profit whenever they shop at Target between now and September 30.

Join today at target.com/circle and vote for ACT! It’s the easiest way to support ACT and save on products you need!

For the first time in Greenville Chautauqua’s history you can view three of 2021 Reinventing America Festival performances and discussions.

You can catch them virtually through Oct 3. You have access to videos of the live shows and also the Virtual Conversations with the performers about their characters.

Please note, these virtual programs are only viewable through mid-night Sunday October 3 (to honor the intellectual property of the performers.) 

So go ahead and schedule some “downtime” in the comfort of your home and step back into history with Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, and Rosa Parks.

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.

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.

YMICC is committed to economic development and entrepreneurship for Black individuals and communities. Through this program entrepreneurs will receive six (6) months to one (1) year of business incubation support that will include business development training, startup and capacity building funding, as well as, mentorship opportunities. We are interested in you and your business ideas.

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The “HMMM” (Hospitality, Medical, Manufacturing, Municipality) workforce training initiative and business development program is designed to support participants with training to build technical and workforce skills. The expansion of this program is “Operation Gateway” which provides a “circle of support” that addresses barriers to successful employment.  In this program participants will receive wraparound services along their pathway to the workplace. This circle of services includes childcare, transportation, financial support, guidance, and re-entry skill development (e.g., resume-building and interviewing).

What is the 21 Day Racial Equity & Social Justice Challenge?

Many people are becoming newly aware of how systemic racism and violence are impacting people of color. Even if you are new to the conversation, that is OK. Our 21 Day Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. Participants who sign up for the Challenge will receive daily tasks via email to help foster their understanding and awareness, with activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, or reflecting on personal experience. If you’ve already completed this version of the challenge (released in March of this year) with us in the past please know that our challenge is designed to be taken multiple times by selecting different daily challenges in order to expand what you have previously learned.

Our next challenge starts on Monday, September 6th, and continues (Monday –Friday) through October 1st.