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.
Healthcare.gov is Open with Record-Low Premiums
New Savings Mean More People Qualify for Quality, Affordable Health Insurance
Free Help Is Available
Trained navigators are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.
Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.
Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.
Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigators Consortium.
Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.
PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton and Spruce Pine. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.
| Our WomanUP Celebration in January will focus on deliberate creativity & innovation that leads to a business thriving. Innovation is critical, especially during times of change or uncertainty like we’ve experienced during the past two years and we know there’s been a lot of creativity among our business community.
While the program will teach attendees how deliberate creativity works, we’re looking to highlight some local businesses who have gotten creative and innovated in recent years. Our speaker, Dr. Amy Climer, will weave some of these stories into her presentation at our event on January 27. Have you faced a challenge that you approached creatively? A business challenge? A new way to support your employees? It doesn’t have to be COVID-related and it doesn’t necessarily have to have been a success. We want to hear your story. If you have a story about creative innovation, contact our Vice President of Communications Erin Leonard at [email protected]. |
WomanUP Celebration
__
1 Resort Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
Creativity.
Thought-provoking artwork. A sleek new product design. Streamlined policies. New solutions. The much needed life hack. The well-timed pivot.
We’re all applying creativity to meet challenges in myriad ways at work and in our personal lives. At the annual WomanUP celebration on January 27th, we’ll honor the creativity of outstanding women in business and get inspiration to cultivate our own creativity.
We’ve come through another year of pandemic, and we’ve done MORE than survive! As we turn the calendar and begin a brand new year, we have even MORE reasons to smile and celebrate.
In her keynote Deliberate Creativity: Innovate to Thrive, Dr. Amy Climer encourages us to cultivate a mindset of openness as we face the new year head on. Over the past two years, businesses have had countless opportunities to innovate. Some have ignored the call and faded away. Others stepped up, got creative and are now thriving. Innovation is critical, especially during times of change and uncertainty. But it’s not always easy. During Dr. Climer’s presentation, you’ll learn how deliberate creativity works and hear inspiring stories of local businesses who innovated and are now thriving.
Awards to Outstanding Women in Business
- Outstanding Woman Nonprofit Leader, presented by TD Bank
- Woman Executive of the Year Award, presented by MAHEC
- Women Entrepreneurs, Best in Business Award, presented by Webb Investments Services, Inc.
- Rising Star Young Woman Professional Award, presented by Western Carolina University
- Impact Award, presented by Kudzu Brands
- Suzanne DeFerie Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by First Bank
Nominations are currently being accepted (submission deadline is December 1st). Self-nomination is accepted, or nominate a woman you know who exemplifies excellence in her field! Click here to nominate: 2022 WomanUP Awards
1-Month Free and No Join Fee*
Our YWCA Health and Wellness Center is so much more than just a gym and pool. We welcome all people who want to belong to a fitness community that values diversity and dignity, body-positivity, promotes health, wellness, and nurtures children. Where being a member means you are part of a community whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.
This winter season we are offering incentives for members who join before January 8, 2022, including a fitness center orientation that will help you make the most of your membership, and an entry for a chance to win a no-cost one-year membership. Additionally, every new member who chooses an annual commitment plan will receive the 13th month free, and enrollment fees are waived.
Check out our YWCA rate chart for more information, or give us a call at (828) 254-7206 today to learn more.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has extended the county-wide face covering requirement for all indoor public spaces through Jan. 3, 2022. The indoor mask requirement also extends to Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin.
In Buncombe County, COVID-19 case rates continue to be high, and per the CDC definition, the County remains an area of high transmission. The percent positivity remains in the moderate category, and the death rate remains in the substantial category.“Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases continue to increase after a high level plateau. The percent positivity is now consistently above 5% again, and we are likely to see a further increase after the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “Transitioning to living with COVID-19 means doing what we can now to reduce transmission and burden of new infections. Our goal is to dampen as much as possible any surge we may see during this holiday season with the hope of achieving decreasing case rate and spread as we enter the new year.”
| Get in the Local Food Guide! |
 Every year, ASAP calls more than 1,400 businesses to update our Local Food Guide and CSA guide so that we get the most accurate information about connecting with local food and farms. We’ve started making calls for 2022!Want to get a head start on updating your listing? You can give us a call (828-236-1282) or do it yourself online (click login in the upper right of appalachiangrown.org). The deadline to be included in the print Local Food Guide is Jan. 31 (or Dec. 31 for CSA farms).
Have a new farm, restaurant, retail outlet, or other locally sourcing food business that you want to be listed? Go to appalachiangrown.org and click Get in the Guide. An online listing is completely free.
|
Macie joined the YWCA earlier this year, and if you’ve been in the building you’ve probably been greeted with her warm energy and welcoming smile. Macie is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and as our Membership Coordinator, she’s here to support all members. Raised by a strong single mother who worked tirelessly to cover the bills, Macie saw her mom compromise her own wellbeing at times to ensure all of Macie’s needs were met. “She did the absolute best she could to provide for us with the resources and education she had, and I know my mom could have benefited from a program like what we have here at the YWCA,” says Macie. With just the two of them navigating their hardships together, Macie grew determined to build a life that was abundant, full of resources, and felt empowering. Today she is part of the YWCA’s Health and Wellness team, and has a passion for helping people, and supports programming that is accessible, inclusive, and that defines wellness as supporting the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Read more of Macie’s story online.
Stop by and meet Macie and the rest of our Health and Wellness team or join us on January 1st for Community Day or on January 8th for a free Health and Wellness Fair! EveryBODY is invited regardless of membership.
YWCA Community Day – January 1st
Click for Details
Health & Wellness Fair – January 8th
Click for Details
1-Month Free and No Join Fee*
Our YWCA Health and Wellness Center is so much more than just a gym and pool. We welcome all people who want to belong to a fitness community that values diversity and dignity, body-positivity, promotes health, wellness, and nurtures children. Where being a member means you are part of a community whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.
This winter season we are offering incentives for members who join before January 8, 2022, including a fitness center orientation that will help you make the most of your membership, and an entry for a chance to win a no-cost one-year membership. Additionally, every new member who chooses an annual commitment plan will receive the 13th month free, and enrollment fees are waived.
Check out our YWCA rate chart for more information, or give us a call at (828) 254-7206 today to learn more.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has extended the county-wide face covering requirement for all indoor public spaces through Jan. 3, 2022. The indoor mask requirement also extends to Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin.
In Buncombe County, COVID-19 case rates continue to be high, and per the CDC definition, the County remains an area of high transmission. The percent positivity remains in the moderate category, and the death rate remains in the substantial category.“Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases continue to increase after a high level plateau. The percent positivity is now consistently above 5% again, and we are likely to see a further increase after the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “Transitioning to living with COVID-19 means doing what we can now to reduce transmission and burden of new infections. Our goal is to dampen as much as possible any surge we may see during this holiday season with the hope of achieving decreasing case rate and spread as we enter the new year.”
| Get in the Local Food Guide! |
|
Every year, ASAP calls more than 1,400 businesses to update our Local Food Guide and CSA guide so that we get the most accurate information about connecting with local food and farms. We’ve started making calls for 2022! Want to get a head start on updating your listing? You can give us a call (828-236-1282) or do it yourself online (click login in the upper right of appalachiangrown.org). The deadline to be included in the print Local Food Guide is Jan. 31 (or Dec. 31 for CSA farms).
Have a new farm, restaurant, retail outlet, or other locally sourcing food business that you want to be listed? Go to appalachiangrown.org and click Get in the Guide. An online listing is completely free.
|
1-Month Free and No Join Fee*
Our YWCA Health and Wellness Center is so much more than just a gym and pool. We welcome all people who want to belong to a fitness community that values diversity and dignity, body-positivity, promotes health, wellness, and nurtures children. Where being a member means you are part of a community whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.
This winter season we are offering incentives for members who join before January 8, 2022, including a fitness center orientation that will help you make the most of your membership, and an entry for a chance to win a no-cost one-year membership. Additionally, every new member who chooses an annual commitment plan will receive the 13th month free, and enrollment fees are waived.
Check out our YWCA rate chart for more information, or give us a call at (828) 254-7206 today to learn more.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has extended the county-wide face covering requirement for all indoor public spaces through Jan. 3, 2022. The indoor mask requirement also extends to Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin.
In Buncombe County, COVID-19 case rates continue to be high, and per the CDC definition, the County remains an area of high transmission. The percent positivity remains in the moderate category, and the death rate remains in the substantial category.“Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases continue to increase after a high level plateau. The percent positivity is now consistently above 5% again, and we are likely to see a further increase after the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “Transitioning to living with COVID-19 means doing what we can now to reduce transmission and burden of new infections. Our goal is to dampen as much as possible any surge we may see during this holiday season with the hope of achieving decreasing case rate and spread as we enter the new year.”
| Get in the Local Food Guide! |
|
Every year, ASAP calls more than 1,400 businesses to update our Local Food Guide and CSA guide so that we get the most accurate information about connecting with local food and farms. We’ve started making calls for 2022! Want to get a head start on updating your listing? You can give us a call (828-236-1282) or do it yourself online (click login in the upper right of appalachiangrown.org). The deadline to be included in the print Local Food Guide is Jan. 31 (or Dec. 31 for CSA farms).
Have a new farm, restaurant, retail outlet, or other locally sourcing food business that you want to be listed? Go to appalachiangrown.org and click Get in the Guide. An online listing is completely free.
|
Healthcare.gov is Open with Record-Low Premiums
New Savings Mean More People Qualify for Quality, Affordable Health Insurance
Free Help Is Available
Trained navigators are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.
Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.
Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.
Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigators Consortium.
Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.
PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton and Spruce Pine. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.
| Our WomanUP Celebration in January will focus on deliberate creativity & innovation that leads to a business thriving. Innovation is critical, especially during times of change or uncertainty like we’ve experienced during the past two years and we know there’s been a lot of creativity among our business community.
While the program will teach attendees how deliberate creativity works, we’re looking to highlight some local businesses who have gotten creative and innovated in recent years. Our speaker, Dr. Amy Climer, will weave some of these stories into her presentation at our event on January 27. Have you faced a challenge that you approached creatively? A business challenge? A new way to support your employees? It doesn’t have to be COVID-related and it doesn’t necessarily have to have been a success. We want to hear your story. If you have a story about creative innovation, contact our Vice President of Communications Erin Leonard at [email protected]. |
WomanUP Celebration
__
1 Resort Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
Creativity.
Thought-provoking artwork. A sleek new product design. Streamlined policies. New solutions. The much needed life hack. The well-timed pivot.
We’re all applying creativity to meet challenges in myriad ways at work and in our personal lives. At the annual WomanUP celebration on January 27th, we’ll honor the creativity of outstanding women in business and get inspiration to cultivate our own creativity.
We’ve come through another year of pandemic, and we’ve done MORE than survive! As we turn the calendar and begin a brand new year, we have even MORE reasons to smile and celebrate.
In her keynote Deliberate Creativity: Innovate to Thrive, Dr. Amy Climer encourages us to cultivate a mindset of openness as we face the new year head on. Over the past two years, businesses have had countless opportunities to innovate. Some have ignored the call and faded away. Others stepped up, got creative and are now thriving. Innovation is critical, especially during times of change and uncertainty. But it’s not always easy. During Dr. Climer’s presentation, you’ll learn how deliberate creativity works and hear inspiring stories of local businesses who innovated and are now thriving.
Awards to Outstanding Women in Business
- Outstanding Woman Nonprofit Leader, presented by TD Bank
- Woman Executive of the Year Award, presented by MAHEC
- Women Entrepreneurs, Best in Business Award, presented by Webb Investments Services, Inc.
- Rising Star Young Woman Professional Award, presented by Western Carolina University
- Impact Award, presented by Kudzu Brands
- Suzanne DeFerie Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by First Bank
Nominations are currently being accepted (submission deadline is December 1st). Self-nomination is accepted, or nominate a woman you know who exemplifies excellence in her field! Click here to nominate: 2022 WomanUP Awards
1-Month Free and No Join Fee*
Our YWCA Health and Wellness Center is so much more than just a gym and pool. We welcome all people who want to belong to a fitness community that values diversity and dignity, body-positivity, promotes health, wellness, and nurtures children. Where being a member means you are part of a community whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.
This winter season we are offering incentives for members who join before January 8, 2022, including a fitness center orientation that will help you make the most of your membership, and an entry for a chance to win a no-cost one-year membership. Additionally, every new member who chooses an annual commitment plan will receive the 13th month free, and enrollment fees are waived.
Check out our YWCA rate chart for more information, or give us a call at (828) 254-7206 today to learn more.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has extended the county-wide face covering requirement for all indoor public spaces through Jan. 3, 2022. The indoor mask requirement also extends to Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Black Mountain, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin.
In Buncombe County, COVID-19 case rates continue to be high, and per the CDC definition, the County remains an area of high transmission. The percent positivity remains in the moderate category, and the death rate remains in the substantial category.“Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases continue to increase after a high level plateau. The percent positivity is now consistently above 5% again, and we are likely to see a further increase after the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “Transitioning to living with COVID-19 means doing what we can now to reduce transmission and burden of new infections. Our goal is to dampen as much as possible any surge we may see during this holiday season with the hope of achieving decreasing case rate and spread as we enter the new year.”
| Get in the Local Food Guide! |
|
Every year, ASAP calls more than 1,400 businesses to update our Local Food Guide and CSA guide so that we get the most accurate information about connecting with local food and farms. We’ve started making calls for 2022! Want to get a head start on updating your listing? You can give us a call (828-236-1282) or do it yourself online (click login in the upper right of appalachiangrown.org). The deadline to be included in the print Local Food Guide is Jan. 31 (or Dec. 31 for CSA farms).
Have a new farm, restaurant, retail outlet, or other locally sourcing food business that you want to be listed? Go to appalachiangrown.org and click Get in the Guide. An online listing is completely free.
|
The beginning of a new year symbolizes a fresh start for you and your business! It’s time to set specific measurable goals for your business. Strive to make 2022 the best year your business has seen yet! Setting and accomplishing your goals will not only make your business grow but will make you grow as a person and business owner as well.
This award winning business coach will help you develop goals that are ambitious but realistic. He will help you look at the ups and downs your business went through in 2021 and help you figure out exactly what you want the new year to look like. Setting small, specific, achievable goals will give you the motivation and boost you need throughout the year to keep working towards what you want to accomplish. Goals are nothing without an action plan. We will help you not only set attainable goals but an action plan to make it happen along with tips and strategies to stay on track.
Need a little inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of ideas that could be applied to your business. If you already have a list of things you want to accomplish it can be difficult to narrow it down. This seminar will help you narrow down your list. Ben Franklin shared “that if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. If you do the same thing, you get the same results. Being proactive creates more success than being reactive.
This 3-hour investment of your time, will produce the best return on investment for your business in 2022. Now is the time to make a decision for greater success in 2022. Register for this seminar today. Limited class size.
Your instructor’s background:
Gary is the marketing and branding expert with his company Brand Door, teaches BRCC SBC Business Classes as an Adjunct Faculty and serves as the Executive Director for the BRCC Mission Accelerator Program. Prior to directing the Mission Acceleration: Business Accelerator, a Blue Ridge Community College Continuing Education Program, Gary for eleven years was the award winning Blue Ridge Community College Small Business Director.
During this time, he directed the BRCC Small Business Center, rated number one SBC training center out of 58 North Carolina Colleges across the state. Gary personally taught over 600 business seminars and assisted over 1,000 start-ups, growth and scale-up companies with management advice, branding, marketing, social media, access to capital, and business planning.
Update: Gary for the 2022-2023 Vision Henderson County Program will be the Executive Director. Currently he is the Interim Executive Director shadowing the 2021-2022 program.
Gary has been recognized by:
• Small Business Administration
• National Association of Entrepreneurship
• 2016 North Carolina Community College Staff Person of the Year Award
• 2014 Dr. Molly A. Parkhill Blue Ridge Community Staff Person of the Year
• Mountain Bizworks (Former Board Chair, Board Member 2014-2020 and member of the Finance & Chair of the Lending Committee)
• SCORE (Service of Retired Executives)
Speaker(s): Gary Heisey, Brand Door
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar will be emailed after registration
Healthcare.gov is Open with Record-Low Premiums
New Savings Mean More People Qualify for Quality, Affordable Health Insurance
Free Help Is Available
Trained navigators are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.
Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.
Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.
Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigators Consortium.
Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.
PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton and Spruce Pine. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.
| Our WomanUP Celebration in January will focus on deliberate creativity & innovation that leads to a business thriving. Innovation is critical, especially during times of change or uncertainty like we’ve experienced during the past two years and we know there’s been a lot of creativity among our business community.
While the program will teach attendees how deliberate creativity works, we’re looking to highlight some local businesses who have gotten creative and innovated in recent years. Our speaker, Dr. Amy Climer, will weave some of these stories into her presentation at our event on January 27. Have you faced a challenge that you approached creatively? A business challenge? A new way to support your employees? It doesn’t have to be COVID-related and it doesn’t necessarily have to have been a success. We want to hear your story. If you have a story about creative innovation, contact our Vice President of Communications Erin Leonard at [email protected]. |
WomanUP Celebration
__
1 Resort Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
Creativity.
Thought-provoking artwork. A sleek new product design. Streamlined policies. New solutions. The much needed life hack. The well-timed pivot.
We’re all applying creativity to meet challenges in myriad ways at work and in our personal lives. At the annual WomanUP celebration on January 27th, we’ll honor the creativity of outstanding women in business and get inspiration to cultivate our own creativity.
We’ve come through another year of pandemic, and we’ve done MORE than survive! As we turn the calendar and begin a brand new year, we have even MORE reasons to smile and celebrate.
In her keynote Deliberate Creativity: Innovate to Thrive, Dr. Amy Climer encourages us to cultivate a mindset of openness as we face the new year head on. Over the past two years, businesses have had countless opportunities to innovate. Some have ignored the call and faded away. Others stepped up, got creative and are now thriving. Innovation is critical, especially during times of change and uncertainty. But it’s not always easy. During Dr. Climer’s presentation, you’ll learn how deliberate creativity works and hear inspiring stories of local businesses who innovated and are now thriving.
Awards to Outstanding Women in Business
- Outstanding Woman Nonprofit Leader, presented by TD Bank
- Woman Executive of the Year Award, presented by MAHEC
- Women Entrepreneurs, Best in Business Award, presented by Webb Investments Services, Inc.
- Rising Star Young Woman Professional Award, presented by Western Carolina University
- Impact Award, presented by Kudzu Brands
- Suzanne DeFerie Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by First Bank
Nominations are currently being accepted (submission deadline is December 1st). Self-nomination is accepted, or nominate a woman you know who exemplifies excellence in her field! Click here to nominate: 2022 WomanUP Awards
1-Month Free and No Join Fee*
Our YWCA Health and Wellness Center is so much more than just a gym and pool. We welcome all people who want to belong to a fitness community that values diversity and dignity, body-positivity, promotes health, wellness, and nurtures children. Where being a member means you are part of a community whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.
This winter season we are offering incentives for members who join before January 8, 2022, including a fitness center orientation that will help you make the most of your membership, and an entry for a chance to win a no-cost one-year membership. Additionally, every new member who chooses an annual commitment plan will receive the 13th month free, and enrollment fees are waived.
Check out our YWCA rate chart for more information, or give us a call at (828) 254-7206 today to learn more.
| Get in the Local Food Guide! |
|
Every year, ASAP calls more than 1,400 businesses to update our Local Food Guide and CSA guide so that we get the most accurate information about connecting with local food and farms. We’ve started making calls for 2022! Want to get a head start on updating your listing? You can give us a call (828-236-1282) or do it yourself online (click login in the upper right of appalachiangrown.org). The deadline to be included in the print Local Food Guide is Jan. 31 (or Dec. 31 for CSA farms).
Have a new farm, restaurant, retail outlet, or other locally sourcing food business that you want to be listed? Go to appalachiangrown.org and click Get in the Guide. An online listing is completely free.
|
Healthcare.gov is Open with Record-Low Premiums
New Savings Mean More People Qualify for Quality, Affordable Health Insurance
Free Help Is Available
Trained navigators are ready to help local people – at no cost – who would like help reviewing the plans and signing up. Make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.
Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.
Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits. HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage.
Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigators Consortium.
Since 1978, nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services has provided free civil legal aid to help people with low incomes seek justice and meet their basic needs including preventing homelessness, stopping domestic violence and securing health care. PLS provides a broad array of free legal services. Last year Pisgah Legal served more than 20,000 people across the mountain region.
PLS has offices in Asheville, Burnsville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton and Spruce Pine. Pisgah Legal employs staff attorneys and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys.
| Our WomanUP Celebration in January will focus on deliberate creativity & innovation that leads to a business thriving. Innovation is critical, especially during times of change or uncertainty like we’ve experienced during the past two years and we know there’s been a lot of creativity among our business community.
While the program will teach attendees how deliberate creativity works, we’re looking to highlight some local businesses who have gotten creative and innovated in recent years. Our speaker, Dr. Amy Climer, will weave some of these stories into her presentation at our event on January 27. Have you faced a challenge that you approached creatively? A business challenge? A new way to support your employees? It doesn’t have to be COVID-related and it doesn’t necessarily have to have been a success. We want to hear your story. If you have a story about creative innovation, contact our Vice President of Communications Erin Leonard at [email protected]. |
WomanUP Celebration
__
1 Resort Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
Creativity.
Thought-provoking artwork. A sleek new product design. Streamlined policies. New solutions. The much needed life hack. The well-timed pivot.
We’re all applying creativity to meet challenges in myriad ways at work and in our personal lives. At the annual WomanUP celebration on January 27th, we’ll honor the creativity of outstanding women in business and get inspiration to cultivate our own creativity.
We’ve come through another year of pandemic, and we’ve done MORE than survive! As we turn the calendar and begin a brand new year, we have even MORE reasons to smile and celebrate.
In her keynote Deliberate Creativity: Innovate to Thrive, Dr. Amy Climer encourages us to cultivate a mindset of openness as we face the new year head on. Over the past two years, businesses have had countless opportunities to innovate. Some have ignored the call and faded away. Others stepped up, got creative and are now thriving. Innovation is critical, especially during times of change and uncertainty. But it’s not always easy. During Dr. Climer’s presentation, you’ll learn how deliberate creativity works and hear inspiring stories of local businesses who innovated and are now thriving.
Awards to Outstanding Women in Business
- Outstanding Woman Nonprofit Leader, presented by TD Bank
- Woman Executive of the Year Award, presented by MAHEC
- Women Entrepreneurs, Best in Business Award, presented by Webb Investments Services, Inc.
- Rising Star Young Woman Professional Award, presented by Western Carolina University
- Impact Award, presented by Kudzu Brands
- Suzanne DeFerie Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by First Bank
Nominations are currently being accepted (submission deadline is December 1st). Self-nomination is accepted, or nominate a woman you know who exemplifies excellence in her field! Click here to nominate: 2022 WomanUP Awards
Hosted September through June, this series offers a wide variety of opportunities to enhance abilities and training for optimum performance in the marketplace.
Registration will be open soon. Please check back for more details about this month’s presentation.
This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We also believe these are important topics for everyone, so we are opening this event to non-members for $15. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.
Buncombe County is an area of high transmission. In accordance with CDC guidelines and the new mandate from Buncombe County, and to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, masks will be required at this event.
36 Montford Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
A positive workplace culture is not only an enjoyable place to work but also a key componet of the most successful businesses. Whether you have 100 employees, 10 employees or just one, a positive culture can distinguish you from your competitors and add to your bottom line. This presentation will explain how workplace cultures are created and why it is important for you to include this aspect of your business in your people strategy. It will also provide some practical tips you can use to foster an engaged and inclusive workforce.
Aspects to be presented:
- Why workplace culture is important to a business
- Impact on external community: customers, competitors and charitable
- Impact on internal community: productivity and engagement
- How workplace cultures are created
- Purpose
- People
- Policies
- Intentional vs. unintentional workplace cultures
- The process of creating or changing a culture
- Develop an elevator speech for your workplace
- Brand your company internally and externally
- An effective employer brand is the foundation of an effective workplace culture and can distinguish you from competitors
- The key components of an effective employer brand
- Attracting employees
- Retaining employees
- Focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion
- Managing performance
- Reaching out to the community
- Your company’s reputation is all about your customers’ interactions with your employees. Run your business with your employees in mind. Become an employer of choice.
- Tips on becoming an employer of choice
- Matching your people to your jobs
- Intergrating DEI into your daily operations
- Involving your employees in your business
- Celebrating accomplishments
- Promoting your organization
Our speaker for this Smart Series is Desiree Stark from The Davidson Group. Desiree is an HR leader with progressive experience in talent management, compensation, benefits, employee engagement, policy development and compliance. Over her career, Desiree has held various senior roles consulting leaders on people stratefy and coaching managers on employee relations. She has managed HR Operations for a global financial services corportation and supported diverse workforces in Chicago, Phoenix and Bangalore, India.
She enjoys working with people, solving problems and making an impact. As skilled trainer and facilitator. Desiree conducts workshops on leadership development, change mnagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as teaching courses on employment law. In her personal time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, watching baseball and anything having to do with nature.
Desiree holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois, as well as an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago. She is certified as a Senior HR Professional with HRCI.
Lunch will be provided.
This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We also believe these are important topics for everyone, so we are opening this event to non-members for $15. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.
Buncombe County is an area of high transmission. In accordance with CDC guidelines and the new mandate from Buncombe County, and to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, masks will be required at this event.
1-Month Free and No Join Fee*
Our YWCA Health and Wellness Center is so much more than just a gym and pool. We welcome all people who want to belong to a fitness community that values diversity and dignity, body-positivity, promotes health, wellness, and nurtures children. Where being a member means you are part of a community whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women.
This winter season we are offering incentives for members who join before January 8, 2022, including a fitness center orientation that will help you make the most of your membership, and an entry for a chance to win a no-cost one-year membership. Additionally, every new member who chooses an annual commitment plan will receive the 13th month free, and enrollment fees are waived.
Check out our YWCA rate chart for more information, or give us a call at (828) 254-7206 today to learn more.
| Get in the Local Food Guide! |
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Every year, ASAP calls more than 1,400 businesses to update our Local Food Guide and CSA guide so that we get the most accurate information about connecting with local food and farms. We’ve started making calls for 2022! Want to get a head start on updating your listing? You can give us a call (828-236-1282) or do it yourself online (click login in the upper right of appalachiangrown.org). The deadline to be included in the print Local Food Guide is Jan. 31 (or Dec. 31 for CSA farms).
Have a new farm, restaurant, retail outlet, or other locally sourcing food business that you want to be listed? Go to appalachiangrown.org and click Get in the Guide. An online listing is completely free.
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