Equity underlies everything we do. We serve immigrants, low-wealth, and disadvantaged individuals of every age. We know that literacy is the primary determinant of health, employment, income levels, and constructive self-expression. In 2017, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found that sixty percent of children nationwide are not reading proficiently. Without intervention children who do not read proficiently become adults with low literacy and the cycle continues. Our one-on-one and small group tutoring is free and based on students’ schedules, making it accessible to those who would otherwise be unable to afford or attend traditional classroom settings.

Our Ideal Volunteer Tutor

The ideal volunteer tutor is someone seeking to make a one-year commitment of two hours per week to help someone else make the change of a lifetime. For our volunteer tutors, an education background is helpful, but not necessary. The most important qualities are patience, an open mind, and resourcefulness. Tutors also need to be non-judgmental and sensitive to cultural differences. A GED or high school diploma is required. Ideal tutors enjoy seeing concrete outcomes from their efforts and sharing in the life-changing successes of others. See our full tutor position description here.

If you’re able to volunteer, all of us at MANNA, as well as recipients of food boxes across WNC, would be incredibly grateful for your support. If you’re unable to volunteer, we would greatly appreciate you spreading the word and letting friends, family members and neighbors know of the need for food assistance that exists right now and how they can help by volunteering with us here at MANNA. Those interested in volunteering can sign up for a shift on MANNA’s website. Volunteer shifts are Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, and 1:00 – 3:00 PM.

MANNA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS Without Key Groups of Volunteers, MANNA is Straining to Meet the Food Needs for 100,000 People Each Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can talk to a live person by calling the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Even though it may feel like it, you are not alone.

Before COVID-19, people in hazmat suits, state of emergency lock downs, and social isolation were concepts reserved for movies and far away places. Collectively, we draw our support from our community, friends, and families. Overnight, COVID-19 made it unsafe for many of us to stay meaningfully connected to the ones we love, leaving millions of people to go through this pandemic alone. Without a support system, people experience higher rates of physical and mental illness and overall wellbeing decreases. Add a pre-existing condition such as anxiety and depression to the already immense stress of the situation, the burden of this pandemic gets even greater.

These services are available to anyone in our community that needs them, especially those struggling with increased depression, anxiety, and suicidality. During this crisis, VAYA Health has agreed to refer to all mental health and developmental disability services, even for those agencies they do not manage. Their phone number is (800) 849-6127. You can also access this information, and a list of virtual peer support and recovery meetings, by calling 211.

The North Carolina Forest Service is accepting tree seedling orders as part of its annual sale.

Each year, the NCFS Nursery Program produces millions of quality seedlings for nearly 50 species of conifers, hardwoods and native understory plants, including eastern and Carolina hemlock seedlings, as well as an expanded selection of genetically improved third cycle loblolly pine seedlings.

How can you order tree seedlings from the NCFS Nursery Program?

• Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at www.buynctrees.com.
• Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337).
• Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form found in our current catalog. Complete the form and mail to Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
• A user-friendly catalog is available at the “Tree Seedlings & Nursery Program” link located at www.ncforestservice.gov. Catalogs are also available at local NCFS offices located in all 100 North Carolina counties. Inside the catalog, landowners can find information about the types of tree species, quantities and costs to order. Each tree description includes information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore habitats or as marketable timber.

Distribution of tree seedlings will occur December through mid-April, depending on weather conditions. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 12 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery, near Crossnore. For information on planting trees, people are encouraged to contact an NCFS county ranger. Contact information for your local NCFS county office and nursery locations is available at www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.

Vulnerable North Carolinians can request free PPE as they head to the polls.

Now available as Video On Demand!

All tickets are $25.00 plus taxes and fees and benefit ACT.

Asheville Community Theatre’s annual fundraiser Costume Drama: A Fashion Show is a fashion show where designers create garments from unconventional materials. Twelve designers competed in this year’s challenge, four were chosen as category winners – and one was named the Best in Show winner.

As in years past, Best in Show will receive a $500 prize, and the other 3 winners will each receive a $250 prize. Winners are revealed at the end of the broadcast!

Costume Drama: A Fashion Show originally aired on Saturday, August 8, 2020. Video On Demand of this show will be available for purchase until September 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

The State Board of Elections and N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles now offer certain online voter registration services for existing DMV customers

If you are a DMV customer with a N.C. driver’s license or DMV-issued ID, you may now register to vote or change certain parts of your registration online. 

Using this service existing DMV customers may register to vote, update their voter registration address, or update their party affiliation. They may not change their name.

This is a standalone service that does not require the user to complete a DMV transaction (such as duplicate or license renewal) at the same time.

There is no fee for voter registration services.

Voter registration applications submitted fewer than 25 days before an election will not be processed until after the election. You may still register to vote in person using same-day registration in your county during the early voting period.

V-LEAF, LEAF’s 1st Virtual Festival- You can still experience!
Friday // Saturday // Sunday

Roots + Wings Creative Community

“What Motivates People from Dominant Groups to Support Social Justice” Diane J. Goodman and Lee Anne Bell

“The Costs of Racism to White People” by Paul Kivel

Seeing White Series from Scene On Radio, a 14-part documentary series exploring whiteness in America.

Slavery By Another Name, PBS Documentary

White Awake Manual — a set of educational resources for guiding white affinity processes

Apply to become a Featured Artist

https://sandhillartists.com/featured-artists/

28806, 28715, 28728, 28716, and 28810 are the eligible zip codes for entry.

Vote AVL is a nonpartisan movement to increase voter turnout in the Asheville Area. The site features voter resources including registration info, a calendar of important dates, and information on candidates at the local, state and national levels. Businesses can take the pledge to provide information and resources to their employees, so that they can use their voice to make their vote count. Learn more at voteavl.org.

Important Dates:

Friday, October 9th – Voter Registration deadline (online or postmarked by)

Thursday, October 15th – Early Voting begins, including same-day registration

Tuesday, October 27th – Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot (received by)

Saturday, October 31st – Early Voting Ends

Tuesday, November 3rd – Election Day and Absentee Ballot deadline (received by)

The Bird Who Sang Beethoven is a children’s book in rhyme about a baby bird born in the concert hall at the Brevard Music Center just as Beethoven’s Fifth is being played and he thinks that is what birds sing! His offspring continue the tune for generations and spread it far and wide!

About the Author: Harper Howze is a freshman at Sumner Academy in Kansas City, Kansas, and an aspiring writer. This is his first published work. Lucille Chaveas, his co-author and “Grand” (mother), is a Brevard resident and avid supporter of the Brevard Music Center.

Price: $12.00

Authors: Harper Howze, Lucille Chaveas

Illustrator: Megan Robertson

“As we continue to press into Hope, we continue to hear from supporters, and the message is loud and clear – they also feel the Hope connected to our mission, and want to keep supporting us.” Discovering new ways to sustain The Village Potters Clay Center during this season is the primary job now for the resident potters at TVPCC. As Sarah continues to apply for loans and grants, other potters are choosing hope each day by taking the torch from her to carry on the mission with a second “chapter” of Vessels of Hope.

The Village Potters are Sarah Wells Rolland, George Rolland, Judi Harwood, Lori Theriault, Julia Mann, Christine Henry, and Tori Motyl. They comprise an intentional Collective of potters who share a commitment to nurture creative exploration through education, experience, and community. The Village Potters includes a fine craft gallery, a Teaching Center offering ongoing classes in wheel and hand building for adults, an Advanced Ceramic Studies Program, and online demonstration and workshops. The Village Potters Clay Center is an educational member of The Craft Guild of the Southern Highlands, and is an official distributor for Laguna Clays.

Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer roles range from: Maintaining our beautiful corn maze trails! Hosting one of our many attractions including the jumping pillow or the slides! Picking corn from the maze for our Corn Cannons! Helping with Check-In and merchandise sales! *If you have specific needs related to a physical disability be sure to let us know and we will be happy to accommodate you in your role assignment. Volunteer Perks Shifts are two or three hours long, and you’re free to sign up for multiple shifts! You will receive a snack & refreshment after your shift! FREE ticket to visit Maze on Thursdays!

Winter Lights at The N.C. Arboretum

November 20, 2020 – January 10, 2021

5:30 – 10:30 p.m. Nightly

Experience Asheville’s BRIGHTEST holiday tradition at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum. This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and attend Winter Lights safely within their own vehicles. In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-thru show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming.

***Tickets go on sale September 1***

Fit Tribe athletes get unlimited access to outdoor groups and virtual sessions. All you have to do is show up and we will help you show out! Pick your workout schedule and reach your goals.

Workout Times

The Magnetic Theatre is seeking 2 – 10 minute, holiday season themed monologues, vignettes and one-act pieces to be performed later this year as a compilation show.  The show will be a live-streamed performance, though some segments may be pre-recorded.

Parameters:

Theme must be tied to December seasonal holidays (including New Year’s Eve).

–          Between 2 and 10 minutes in length.

–          A monologue or vignette/one-act with no more than two characters.

–          Any genre accepted (Comedy, Dramatic, Horror, etc.).

Submission Deadline:
October 1, 2020

2020 has taught us that everything is subject to change. In the interest of protecting our artists, audience, staff and volunteers, we will be having very few, if any, in-person shows during this year’s festival. If there are opportunities for safe in-person performances, preference will be given to local artists. We cannot encourage any interstate travel during the pandemic. The good news is: because much of the festival will take place online, anyone, anywhere, who wishes to apply now has a chance to perform without traveling. Although this format may seem limiting, the audience is limitless. We are open to all sorts of new experiments in live or virtual performance, whether it be an unconventional show format, online platform or unusual venue. Email us if you’ve got any questions.

A Musical Love Letter from Asheville to the World

Celebrating the diversity of music in Western North Carolina, The Asheville Symphony Sessions features songs that combine the unique styles of locally based musicians, with the Asheville Symphony. The album was produced by Michael Selverne of Welcome to Mars, at Asheville’s Echo Mountain Recording Studios.

Featured artists are Doc Aquatic, Electric Owls, Free Planet Radio featuring Lizz Wright, Lovett, Matt Townsend, Rising Appalachia, Shannon Whitworth, and Steep Canyon Rangers. The album synthesizes a variety of genres including folk, country, roots, rock, pop, bluegrass, R&B, and jazz, with each track featuring ensembles from the ASO ranging in size from 9 players to 24.

A number of notable arrangers worked on the project including Michael Bearden, who works with Lady Gaga and Neil Young and was Michael Jackson’s musical director for the This Is It tour; Van Dyke Parks, who composed and arranged the score for Disney’s The Jungle Book (1967) animated film and composed Smile with Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys; and Jonathan Sacks, a composer and orchestrator who has worked on many blockbuster films including The Princess and the Frog (2009), Disney’s Cars (2006), and Seabiscuit (2003).

Black Folks Camp Too launched as a marketing initiative aimed at connecting Black individuals with camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Founder Earl B. Hunter was inspired by his son, Dillion, during a three month RV road trip in which they met only one other black family.

The inaugural class of the automotive apprenticeship program has kicked off at Blue Ridge Community College. The apprentices were presented with shop towels to mark the beginning of their time in the program.

The inaugural class of the automotive apprenticeship program has kicked off at Blue Ridge Community College. The apprentices were presented with shop towels to mark the beginning of their time in the program.

Earn while you Learn!

• Get paid full time—go to class 1 day/week and work 4 days/week
• Free college tuition
• Finish with a credential in your field

The raffle will offer three separate prizes to three separate winners: first prize, Moog Source, serial number 2628 (valued at $2,800); second prize, an updated Moog Prodigy, serial number 3078 (valued at $2,500); and the Moog Rogue, serial number 3674 (valued at $1,500) as third prize. The Moog Source and Moog Rogue were expertly restored by Tone Tweakers. The Prodigy was expertly restored by Wes Taggart, who also updated the instrument with a Synthrotek MST MIDI-to-CV Converter, which allows control of the Prodigy from a MIDI keyboard or sequencer, velocity routing, aftertouch or mod wheel MIDI messaging directly to the cutoff frequency of the Prodigy’s world-famous Moog filter.

All three synthesizers share the robust Moog build and rich sound quality as well as a shared technical lineage rooted in the legendary Minimoog, which is widely known as the most iconic, archetypal analog synthesizer of all time. The Rogue and Prodigy are renowned for their deep bass and flexible modulation capabilities while the Source is lauded for its rich sound, and for its sequencers, sample and hold, arpeggiator, presets, and unique data wheel.