Care for Corona is a grassroots support system comprised of psychotherapists and healing practitioners who offer short term free virtual counseling and healing sessions for Buncombe County medical personnel and psychotherapists who are on the front lines of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Care for Corona

Last night, over 350 people joined our volunteer call “Activism in a Disrupted World”. That’s one of the biggest volunteer calls we have seen in a long time — showing how many of us need community and action right now.  We spoke about the challenge, opportunity, and choice we’re facing right now and what’s next for the Greenpeace volunteer community.  I know for me, between the sense of community I felt and the opportunity to take action — that was something I really needed last night.

These are unprecedented times. The legislation being passed right now and the effects COVID-19 will have on our communities will permanently change our world. It feels like there is so much happening that we can’t control — but we can still create change and protect so much of what’s important. In fact, it’s often in times of disruption that what was once impossible becomes possible. Now more than ever, we need to be coming together (virtually) and taking action.

That is why we are launching a series of Greenpeace Action Calls. We want to make sure you have what you need to continue your activism — even from home. So we’ll be holding volunteer calls, trainings, and actions every week for you to join. We’re starting with Take Action Tuesday — a place to come together, learn together, and take action together.

Sign up today and get updates on calls like Take Action Tuesday!

WHAT: Get updates on Greenpeace’s Volunteer Action Calls
WHEN: The first call is on Tuesday, March 31 — then other calls throughout the month of April
WHERE: Join from home — from your computer or phone!
HOW: Sign up for alerts and to see the call calendar!

Take Action Tuesdays is a virtual volunteer call where we will take action collectively (and remotely) while also connecting and supporting one another during this time. It is critical that we support one another and continue the fight for a more just and livable future. Next week we will hear from campaigners about where we are with Congress and the unprecedented legislation that is on the table. We’ll learn how to make an effective call to congress and then try it out together — and debrief how it went. If you are looking for ways to take action right now — or just to see a few more faces in your day — this is the call for you.

By signing up for these calls, you will be connected with a community committed to building each other up and taking action during this time. We’ll update you on when calls are happening and ways to continue to take action. RSVP for next week’s calls today.

Henderson County Launches Live Streaming Updates for Residents Henderson County will host a live-streaming update for residents each Tuesday beginning April 7th for updates and information regarding COVID-19. The live stream will be featured on the County’s webpage (www.hendersoncountync.gov) and the video will be posted to the County’s FaceBook page and YouTube Channel for replay. Emailed questions will be addressed during the update as time allows. Questions can be submitted to [email protected] by Noon each Monday prior to the udates.

WNC for the Planet is a proud supporter of Earth Day Network’s effort to build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and planet. WNC for the Planet will  feature virtual opportunities for environmental education, advocacy and community events for people of all ages. Engagement opportunities will be offered across Western North Carolina well beyond the City of Asheville by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue, Asheville GreenWorks and other organizations.

Join WNC for the Planet partners to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Those interested in learning more about virtual Earth Month opportunities can visit www.WNCforthePlanet.org.

Those involved include:

Asheville GreenWorks

Conserving Carolina

Friends of the Smokies

MountainTrue

RiverLink

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Thank you so much for your support! To care for you and our staff, Malaprop’s is closed to the public and we have ceased curbside pick up. We have also suspended in-store events and bookclubs until May 15th.  Meanwhile, we are exploring new subscription services, delivery options, and more digital content. Please see the ways we are still serving you below. Stay home and stay safe!

• As always, you can order online 24/7 at malaprops.com. You can also call us at 828-254-6734 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily to order by phone. Yes, we can make suggestions! All orders will require prepayment. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Paypal.

• We are now offering home delivery throughout all of Buncombe County! The only requirement is a two-book minimum purchase. Deliveries will be made on Tuesdays and Fridays, with any order placed before 5 pm the previous day.  Orders will safely be left on your doorstep.

• FREE shipping via media mail is available for orders over $50.00 (before tax) sent to addresses in the continental United States. Other orders ship via Priority Mail or other services with prices listed at checkout.

We want to thank you again for your continued support at this time. If you’re looking for other ways to support our staff, you can donate to Malaprop’s via the icon to your right, contribute the Cafe Barista’s virtual tip jar, or to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC), which provides grants to booksellers in times of need. To support other local businesses, visit ashevillestrong.com.

Please take care of yourselves!

COVID-19 RAPID RECOVERY LOANS AVAILABLE

Mountain BizWorks and its partners are taking steps to ensure business owners and entrepreneurs have the resources they need to get through the coronavirus crisis.

Here are five awesome library resources you can use from anywhere.

For any service that asks for a User ID or PIN, your User ID is your library card number (with no spaces) and your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number. If you have a Buncombe County or Asheville City school ID card, your ID is your card number and your PIN is the last four digits of your ID number.

Ebooks and Audio Books:

We have thousands of ebooks and audio books on the North Carolina Digital Library you can download to any device. Get the free Libby app from your app store and you are ready to go. Digital materials automatically return themselves at the end of the loan period, so there are never any overdue fines.

• Adult ebooks and audio books you can download right now
• Teen books you can download right now
• Children’s books you can download right now

Magazines:

We have a large collection of recent popular magazines on the NCDL. Your User ID and PIN stay the same.

• Magazines you can download right now

Online Streaming Video:

For streaming video, you can use the North Carolina Digital Library, or Films on Demand on NC Live.

• NCDL Streaming Videos
• Films on Demand

Tutorials and Courses:

Get unlimited access to an online library of high-quality instructional videos taught by industry experts on the latest software tools and skills with LinkedIn Learning. Learn a whole course or just the section you need. Topics include Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Web design, Social Media, Business and Career Skills and much more.

• Log into LinkedIn Learning

Want to learn another language? Mango Languages is an online language-learning system teaching actual conversation skills for a wide variety of languages. Mango uses real-life situations and actual conversations to more effectively teach a new language.

• Log into Mango

Local History Buffs:

If you love local history, our North Carolina Room at Pack Library has an extensive collection of materials available online that bring the past to life. The photograph collection documents over 200 years of Buncombe County history.

• Check out the NC Collection

You can email the library for help with any of these resources at [email protected].

Want to access our online resources but don’t have a library card? While library branches are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we’re issuing and renewing library cards by email.

1. Email [email protected] and ask for a library card. You need to be a Buncombe County resident to get a card.
2. We’ll respond with instructions on how to email a copy or photo of your local ID.
3. We’ll send you back a library card number and PIN that you can use for all digital resources. The physical card will be mailed to you at a later date.

We’ll issue new cards by email as long as library branches are closed to the public. We can also renew cards by email.

Paycheck Protection Program The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorship, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by COVID-19. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.

We’ve turned some of our youth conservation education programs into videos to share online. Earlier this year, we asked elementary and middle school students what might prevent them from enjoying time outdoors – and many responded “snakes” or “spiders.” So, we developed fun lessons to help dispel myths and fears about snakes and spiders. These video adaptations of our youth education programs include short 5-minute lessons and step-by-step craft activities. Enjoy!

SPIDERS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRWaw6jPeN8&utm_source=SAHC+Default+MC+List&utm_campaign=6b1835d2ec-February_2018_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4717684d09-6b1835d2ec-144635353&ct=t%28February_2018_COPY_01%29&mc_cid=6b1835d2ec&mc_eid=cccced3ffd

SNAKES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpFcByki9xM&utm_source=SAHC+Default+MC+List&utm_campaign=6b1835d2ec-February_2018_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4717684d09-6b1835d2ec-144635353&ct=t%28February_2018_COPY_01%29&mc_cid=6b1835d2ec&mc_eid=cccced3ffd

Economic Injury Disaster Loans The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to North Carolina small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the COVID-19, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Roy Cooper on March 17, 2020. Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the COVID-19. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.ed for COVID-19. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The deadline to apply for assistance is December 18, 2020.

Synopsis:
The British working class is once again the empathetic subject of Ken Loach’s SORRY WE MISSED YOU, a wrenching, intimate family drama that exposes the dark side of the so-called “gig economy”.
Ricky, a former laborer, and his home-attendant wife Abby—who lost their home in the 2008 financial crash—are desperate to get out of their financial distress. When an opportunity comes up for Ricky to work as his own boss as a delivery driver, they sell their only asset, Abby’s car, to trade it in for a shiny new white van and the dream that Ricky can work his way up to someday owning his own delivery franchise.
But the couple find their lives are quickly pushed further to the edge by an unrelenting work schedule, a ruthless supervisor and the needs of their two teenage children.  Capturing the sacred moments that make a family as well as the acts of desperation they need to undertake to make it through each day, this universal story is skillfully and indelibly told with unforgettable performances and a searing script by Loach’s long-time collaborator Paul Laverty.
Director: Ken Loach
Cast: Kris Kitchen, Debbie Honeywood, Rhys Stone, Katie Proctor, Ross Brewster
Heavily Accented English with English Subtitles
100 min.

In this short video, UNC-Asheville Lecturer in Art Rob Anderson talks color and takes an up-close look at Collection favorite Woman Arranging Flowers by Myron G. Barlow.

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT The hillbilly stereotype is one that is alive and well in American popular culture as a quick survey of the cable dial reveals with such shows as Moonshiners, Appalachian Outlaws, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and countless others. Surprisingly, it is one often displayed among educated sorts here in Western North Carolina who would never dream of disparaging any minority or “out group,” but do not hesitate to characterize native Western North Carolinians, as a group, as ignorant, in-bred, hopelessly retrograde, violent, snake-handling, moonshining/meth-making rednecks. The Hillbillyland Exhibition explores the power, prevalence, and persistence of the hillbilly stereotype from the days of its beginnings in the late 19th century to the present day. The exhibit takes a unique approach by focusing on photography featuring the people of the region, some of them stereotypical images, combined with poetry and short prose pieces that challenge and complicate these stereotypes. Visit the Virtual Exhibit

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT In the midst of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, we take an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.wnchistory.org/virtual-exhibits/influenza/?utm_source=Western%20North%20Carolina%20Historical%20Association&utm_campaign=78fa0bbdf8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_01_23_05_25_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7424f63c4d-78fa0bbdf8-329482143

Every April, American Folk Art honors a wild pottery tradition that began regionally in the early 1800’s. No one knows for sure when the first face jug was created, but around the mountain region of North Carolina, face jugs began to be created for the storage of moonshine around 1810. The faces, snakes and other foreboding additions were added to the clay jugs to scare the children, so they would not drink the contents. In the unadorned world of the 1800’s, the face jug was remarkable and the tradition allowed for much creativity and fun amongst potters. Face jugs continue to be created in the same fashion as of old, which includes hand digging and mixing regional soils to make the clay, using regional materials to make the glazes, in many cases using broken plates for the teeth, and wood-firing the jugs to 2300 degrees. They are still in use, holding moonshine, but not necessarily scaring the kids.