As we move toward the Holiday season, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released guidance for fall-related events. The guidance was developed with the goal of safer holiday breaks for college students and private social gatherings.

Asheville Police Department announces rollout of new anonymous crime tip tool

The Asheville Police Department (APD) is putting a new crime-fighting tool into the hands of community members. This new tool, TIP2APD, allows the public to share anonymous tips with police officers and lets officers respond back to create an anonymous two-way conversation. (See video tutorial below.)

 

The tool also allows the community to find information on incidents APD is currently asking for help with, and to receive alerts about crime activity in their city.

 

 

 

The application is available for free download for both iPhone and Android users via the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store by searching “AshevillePD.”

 

Individuals without a smartphone can share information with police by sending an anonymous text tip via their cell phone by texting keyword TIP2APD and their message/tip to 847411.

 

The TIP2APD tool is only for non-emergencies and is not a replacement for 9-1-1. In the event of an emergency please dial 9-1-1 immediately.

• farm design and production
• marketing and business development
• systems management
• connecting them to the regional farming community

Apply to be Mentored

• People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Click here for a Coronavirus Self-Checker
• People who have had close contact (link to help you determine your risk) (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
• People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, links to local or state ​health departments.

all donations — up to $200,000 — will be matched by donors

Pisgah Legal Services
is receiving 1,000 calls
per week on average
for assistance.

More than ever, people across Western North Carolina need Pisgah Legal Services: Many have lost their jobs and can no longer pay their rent; others need help securing health insurance. Many are facing increased domestic violence and do not how to safely escape. Others are too scared to seek medical treatment because of their immigration status.

Support Pisgah Legal today and help us provide legal remedies that result in long-term solutions for people struggling in our region during the COVID-19 crisis, and beyond. With early legal intervention, we can keep difficult situations from spiraling out of control and trapping families, seniors, children and other vulnerable people in poverty.

Please join us in the fight so that more people can get back on their feet and we can emerge from this crisis a more just and resilient community.

From Putumayo Presents Brazil: Samba, Bossa and Beyond

These seductive songs reflect the musical heartbreak of Brazil from the romance of Rio to the Soul of Salvador!

Learn more at:
putumayo.com
facebook.com/putumayo

Thank you for always being such a great friend of The Orange Peel. Your continued support means so much to us!

But, we still need your help!

Thanks to you, the Save Our Stages Act passed in the House of Representatives — but as you may know, it’s not law yet. We’re pushing to get it included in the next COVID-19 Relief package, which is being negotiated now – and we need your voice (again) ASAP.

The situation gets more dire with each passing day. With no emergency relief, hundreds of venues have already shuttered forever, through no fault of their own.

Even if you’ve done it before, can you please take 30 seconds to remind your Congressional representatives that you want them to pass the next COVID-19 Relief Act now and include crucial assistance for independent venues and promoters. Just click here to Save Our Stages.

When legislators hear from you it makes all the difference – and can help us get this across the finish line. On behalf of the nearly 3,000 members of the National Independent Venue Association, thank you for your continued support.

You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone…

You can also donate directly to The Orange Peel to help us get through this difficult time. Just click here!

Consider what it means to shop Amazon Did you know that Amazon’s net sales for Q4 are expected to be $121 Billion and to grow 38% compared with fourth quarter 2019 numbers? Clearly in this pandemic, they are the big winner. Y’all… there has NEVER been a more critical year to SHOP LOCAL! Please show your love and support of our amazing local business community which truly has all you could ever need- a vintage dress, wall tapestry, piece of pottery, growler of beer or endless gift cards to your favorite Asheville restaurants. Get some ideas here:  shops , restaurants , breweries , and more.

Apply by Jan. 11 | Visual artists, applications are now open for the 2021 Southern Prize & State Fellowships. $80,000 in cash awards and residencies at The Hambidge Center for Creative Arts & Sciences will be awarded to celebrate the highest quality artistic work being created in the South.

Holidays will be a little tougher this year, but we have a way to brighten your day and someone else’s too! We’re upgrading our Letters to New Friends program for the holidays, working along with our community partners, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels, Mountain Area Residential Facility, the Charles George VA Hospital, and people like you.

All you have to do is write a letter, make a card, draw a picture, and bring it to any library or drop it in the library book drop. This is a great project for families to work on together, all ages are welcome to participate. We’ll collect the cards and disperse them to our partners who will pass them along to folks who might need a little extra cheer.

If you’d like a reply, you can include your address, but a one-time note is fine too. Please share this with others — the more the merrier.

Spread hope and happiness, and we can all help to make the holidays a little brighter for our neighbors.

Brought to you by Buncombe County Public Libraries and the Buncombe County Communications and Public Engagement Team.

America’s national parks belong to all of us. They connect us to the natural world and root us to our nation’s rich and fascinating history.

National parks exist because people had the foresight to protect the wonder of these unique places for future generations. The parks are a legacy that has been handed down to us; it is up to us to prove that we are worthy of that legacy by continuing to protect and preserve these iconic locations for the generations that come after us.

That’s the idea behind our annual Preserve Our Parks Fund Drive. In order to provide the resources for the crucial work that’s needed in our parks in 2021, we must raise $1,332,000 before December 31.

As an added incentive, when you donate to the Preserve Our Parks Fund Drive, you are able to send a beautiful eCard featuring our national parks to whomever you want. Let your friends, colleagues, and loved ones know how important our national parks are to you.

The GSWP, now celebrating its 20th year of workshops with some of Western North Carolina’s finest authors, is offering five-week, 10-week and 15-week courses including poetry, prose, feature-writing, editing and revision. These Spring 2021 Semester courses have start dates ranging from late January to mid March. Registration is now open, with course descriptions, instructor bios, cost information and more, available at greatsmokies.unca.edu.

Buncombe County Public Libraries have partnered with Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) to provide a series of virtual field trips that target NC Curriculum standards this fall and winter. These free virtual programs will be available on BiblioBoard from the library for two weeks at a time through January 2021.

Join our virtual field trips anytime here.

Forces and Motion: Using the Force!
Nov. 15- 30; Jan. 1- 15

We will be discussing the forces that exist around us and take a look at what forces are manipulated to make DRONES work! Students can then utilize the scientific method to test new designs for some of our challenges seen in the video. Challenges include making poppers, designing helicopters, testing airplane velocities, and more! Join us to become masters of using the force. This virtual field trip is designed for 3rd graders, but all are invited to check it out!

Rocky Roads!
Nov. 15- 30; Jan. 1- 15

Have you ever thought about how we use the rocks around us??? Why do we use different sized rocks for different things? Take the rocky road and learn all about rocks. We will be discussing the physical properties of soil and rocks. We will also discuss ability for different soil types to have different characteristics or properties, including: water retention, structural support, etc . We will also demo a fun activity on particle size and water movement. This virtual field trip is designed for 1st graders, but all are invited to check it out!

Weather Makers!
Dec. 1-15; Jan. 16-31

How do we study the weather?? Why do we study the weather?? Become a weather maker and shaker when you learn all about weather. We will be discussing the Weather! We will look at why it’s important to collect information about the weather, and describe the different types of weather tools. We will conduct a short demo and game. This virtual field trip is designed for 2nd graders, but all are invited to check it out!

Mineral Detectives!
Dec. 1-15; Jan. 16-31

How do we classify rocks? Become a rock star when you understand the rock cycle. Determine characteristics of certain minerals using our scientific detective work! We will be discussing the rock cycle, the different types of rocks, and some physical properties of rocks and minerals (including hardness). We will demo the Moh’s Hardness Scale and the rock cycle. This virtual field trip is designed for 4th graders, but all are invited to check it out!

Join the School of Stage and Screen for a unique radio drama experience of “A Ghost of Christmas Past” where Fan – Scrooge’s often forgotten younger sister – takes center stage as the feminine and ethereal guide to restore balance in the unbalanced world and heart of Ebenezer Scrooge.

The radio drama was written and adapted for the stage by assistant professor Ashlee Wasmund with original music and lyrics by assistant professor Kristen Hedberg.

City of Asheville Transit will begin enforcing face covering requirements for riders and will reduce the maximum passenger capacity per bus to 9 people plus the driver.

Free face coverings are provided on all ART buses and at the Transit Center, both on the platform and at the customer service window. Please ask an ART employee for assistance if a face covering is needed.

Riders who refuse to wear a face covering, or who are improperly wearing a face covering, will not be allowed to board the bus and will be denied service.  Additionally, riders will be required to exit the bus if the face covering is removed or is being worn improperly.  Face coverings are also required to be worn at all times at ART facilities, including the Transit Center and bus stops.  Riders who refuse to wear face coverings will be subject to a 15-day ban from riding transit and may be subject to civil penalties and trespassing charges. Recurring violations may result in additional penalties and a longer ban from riding ART.

Additionally, in accordance with Executive Order 180, the maximum passenger capacity per bus will once again be limited to 9 riders plus the driver. Riders are asked to limit their use of ART to essential travel only and to continue to practice the 3 W’s: Wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth, Wait 6 feet apart and avoid close contact, and Wash your hands or use sanitizer.

Please check the Service Alerts section on the website for any updates.
https://www.ashevillenc.gov/service/transit-service-alerts

Make your holidays merry, bright and a culinary delight with the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association. Before you go out or order in for your special holiday evenings, make sure that your favorite restaurant is open for business! Check the AIR Holiday Hours – a complete list of AIR restaurant’s special holiday hours from Thanksgiving to ringing in the New Year! These will be updated often, so please check in throughout the season! View Holiday Hours here –

The holidays are a precious time of connection: a time to share joy among friends, family, and community. Where the coronavirus pandemic imposes barriers to physical reunion, music allows us to gather in spirit wherever we are. In October 2020, a small subset of musicians from the Blue Ridge Orchestra spaced out their stands, put on their masks, and gathered at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts to record holiday favorites for a concert that can unite loved ones near and far.

Programmed by John Gordon Ross, this unique concert will feature secular and sacred favorites performed by a variety of musical ensembles: a woodwind quintet, a brass octet, a 13-piece string orchestra, a solo soprano with piano, and a string quartet.

The final recording will be available here from December 11-31!

BRO: Beyond the Concert Hall explores the ways the members of the Blue Ridge Orchestra are playing, practicing, and enjoying music during the 2020 pandemic. New videos will be added weekly so check back to see more musicians!

Buy a brick or granite paver to honor a friend or family member, and make their name a part of the Swannanoa Valley’s geography and history! The pavers will form a mosaic which will show the north and south ridgelines of the Swannanoa Valley and the locations within the Valley which trace the settlement and the evolution of the Valley to the vibrant community it is today.

The Valley in the Alley exhibit is located, fittingly, in the alley owned by the Museum between the Museum and the Dripolator Coffee House, just off West State Street in Black Mountain.

The exhibit is based on the sale of engraved brick pavers, but with an approach distinct from the usual random placement of pavers. Purchasers of all engraved bricks within the alley will have the same opportunity to honor or memorialize friends and recognize special achievements as in other paver programs. However, through the purchase of a variety of special granite pavers, individuals, families and businesses will be owning “a piece of history” by forming the geographic outline of the Valley and locating major points of special interest in the Valley, such as communities, dwellings, or landscape features.

The result will be a mosaic which will show the north and south ridgelines of the Swannanoa Valley, the major geographic features on, and within, the ridgelines and the locations within the Valley which trace the settlement and the evolution of the Valley to the vibrant community it is today.

When the Valley in the Alley is complete, it will be a primer for children, acquainting them with the geography and history of the Swannanoa Valley; it will quickly orient visitors to what they are seeing around them; it will allow generations of families to recall and tell of their place in the Valley’s history; and it will be an aesthetically pleasing walkway, complimenting both the Museum building and Black Mountain’s Historic Downtown. The Museum will also provide permanent seating in the alleyway for use by the community.

Pricing

Regular 4″x8″ brick pavers holding three lines of text are $100. Engraved granite pavers will form the special features of the mosaic. They start at $200 for one 4″x8″ paver with three lines of text and increase in cost and available text depending on the size of paver chosen. Approximately 4,000 pavers make up the Alley, of which nearly 600 will form the outline of the Valley. Along the outline and within the Valley, over 100 sites are available for special recognitions or dedications.

Once the initial cost for acquiring and placing pavers is recovered, all proceeds from the Valley in the Alley purchases will be devoted to completion of the renovation and the operations of the Swannanoa Valley Museum including exhibits, on-and off-site programming, outreach to schools, preservation, and research.

Participants in the Valley in the Alley program will be contributing their own piece of history to our community.
For more information:

Brick Locations

COVID-19 cases are surging, resources are being stretched to their lowest levels, and provisions from the CARES Act — like unemployment insurance, paid leave, and Paycheck Protection Program support — are set to expire at the end of this month. Despite these concerns, Congress still has failed to act and provide relief for families across the country.

Will you spare two minutes and tell your Members of Congress to support nonprofits like the YWCA on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic?

In 2016, the Asheville community approved a $17 million general obligation bond for park projects. The park bond funding has supported major improvements to parks and recreation facilities throughout the city.
We are excited to share our progress and accomplishments with you!