The Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency (AB Air Quality) is now accepting nominations for our twentieth annual air quality awards program. The goal of the Clean Air Excellence Awards is to recognize businesses and organizations that have truly gone above and beyond regulatory requirements to improve air quality for the residents of our area. Past years’ award recipients have included Dynamite Roasting Company, Eaton Corporation, and Western North Carolina Veterans Affairs Health Care System; each initiated voluntary efforts that improved air quality in the Asheville-Buncombe County Area.

Award guidelines explain the criteria for the awards and different categories of awards apply to different types of permitted facilities, organizations, and individuals that would like to nominate themselves or another entity for consideration.

To submit a nomination for a Clean Air Excellence Award, please download the application form online and include a brief summary describing what was done to improve air quality for Buncombe County.  Examples of voluntary pollution prevention measures include:  significant energy efficiency upgrades, switching to more environmentally friendly and lower-emitting solvents and cleaners, installing renewable energy systems, and upgrading fleet vehicles to more fuel-efficient or lower-emitting models. We ask that nominations be submitted to our Agency by April 12, 2024. We encourage you to submit any and all efforts your company (or another company or organization) has undertaken to reduce emissions. Agency staff are available to assist with emissions-related questions.

More information and the application form are available at abairquality.org. Please contact Ashley Featherstone at 828-250-6777 or [email protected] with questions.

Package List

• Golden Ticket (Thursday)

  Description: Receive one ticket to all performances included in the Symphony Series, Opera Lovers Series (Thursday), and the Parker Concert Hall Summer Series. Also includes Opening Night and Season Finale.

  Save 25% on single ticket prices.

  BMC Presents and Legendary Artists Series are not included.

  More Information

• Golden Ticket (Saturday)

  Description: Receive one ticket to all performances included in the Symphony Series, Opera Lovers Series (Saturday), and the Parker Concert Hall Summer Series. Also includes Opening Night and Season Finale.

  Save 25% on single ticket prices.

  BMC Presents and Legendary Artists Series are not included.

  More Information

• Symphony Series

  Description: Receive all sixteen (16) symphony events at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium.

  Save 20% on single ticket prices.

  BMC Presents and Legendary Artists Series are not included.

  More Information

• Compose Your Own

  Description: Purchase at least eight (8) eligible* events from our summer season.

  Save 15% on single ticket prices.

  *Opening Night, Season Finale, BMC Presents, and Legendary Artists Series are not eligible for inclusion.

  More Information

• Opera Lovers (Thursday)

  Description: Receive one (1) ticket to each of the following Thursday night events: Flight, La Bohème, The Threepenny Opera, and An Evening of Jerome Kern & Friends.

  Save 10% on single ticket prices.

  Please note that seating assignments for An Evening of Jerome Kern & Friends are on a first-come, first-served basis.

  More Information

• Opera Lovers (Saturday)

  Description: Receive one (1) ticket to each of the following Saturday afternoon events: Flight, La Bohème, The Threepenny Opera. Includes one (1) ticket to the following Thursday evening event: An Evening of Jerome Kern & Friends.

  Save 10% on single ticket prices.

  Please note that seating assignments for An Evening of Jerome Kern & Friends are on a first-come, first-served basis.

  More Information

• Parker Concert Hall Summer Series

  Description: Receive all twelve (12) Parker Concert Hall Summer Series events.

  Save 15% on single ticket prices.

  BMC Presents and Legendary Artists Series are not included.

  More Information

• Flex

  Description: Purchase at least three (3) eligible* events, and receive a 5% discount off single ticket prices.

  Flex tickets cannot be purchased during the subscription renewal/purchase phase and will be available during the donor presale to qualifying purchasers.

  *Opening Night, Season Finale, BMC Presents, Legendary Artist Series are ineligible for this discount package.

  This discount will activate automatically once you add the required number of eligible events to your cart.

Are you interested in doing business with Buncombe County or learning about outreach opportunities for your business? If so, Buncombe County’s new vendor portal has upgraded features so vendors can now self-register with a variety of new options. The new portal will also make it easier for all vendors to access information to bid on contracts, get updates, manage contract information, view existing contracts, and more. Additionally, updated commodity codes will allow vendors to identify what goods and services they provide, allowing the County to better determine who to solicit and increase participation in the bidding process.

In an effort to continually increase the County’s commitment to equity, one of its 2025 Strategic Plan priorities, vendors can self-identify as a Woman/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) or Historically Under Utilized Business (HUB).

You can visit Buncombe County’s new and improved vendor portal here. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Have your garden and plant questions answered. There are three ways to contact the Master Gardener Helpline:

Call 828-255-5522

Email questions and photos to [email protected] or stop by the extension office hours:

Mondays – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesdays – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a free community movie night!
In a world increasingly dominated by humans, three teams of determined conservationists go to extraordinary lengths to save three threatened species in the American heartland. “The Nature Makers” is a moving portrait of passionate people and the creatures they’re fighting for. The screening is a collaboration of Conserving Carolina, Gardening for Life Project, and the Congregational Church UCC of Tryon.
Pre-registration is required at http://conservingcarolina.org/calendar.

• Restoration
• Rehabilitation
• Adaptive Re-use
• In-fill Construction in Historic and Traditional Neighborhoods
• Research, Publication and Education
• Stewardship
• Preservation

Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!

Duration

1 hour and 30 minutes

About

Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!

Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!

Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.

Age Restrictions

13 and up. No exceptions.

Stops

10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery

What’s Included

Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop

What’s Not Included

Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.

There is no better way to DISCOVER and EXPLORE Asheville!  Hop-on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated day tour, highlighting the history, homes, hang-outs and hot spots of this “city of surprises.”

Tour Highlights include  .  .  .  Downtown Asheville  |  Montford Historic District  |  The Grove Park Inn and Grove Park Historic District  |  Thomas Wolfe District  |  Pack Square and Asheville Art Museum  |  Grove Arcade  |  River Arts District  |  Biltmore Village

Hop-On and hear the story of a city rich in architecture, history and the arts  . . .

Hop-Off and experience its eclectic shops and galleries; its world class culinary and craft brew scenes.

Tour Duration:  The complete tour (one loop) lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes.  There is an additional 15 minute stop at the Asheville Visitor Center.  The Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour ticket is valid for TWO consecutive days.

Departure Points: Join the Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour at any of the 10 stops.  If you’re driving in to join the tour, Stop 1, the Asheville Visitor Center may be your best option.  The Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at Exit 4C, offers free parking (on a first come-first served basis) and restrooms. The Asheville Visitor Center is the ONLY place to join the Overview Tour.

Joining a CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) program connects you directly with local farms in your community. Members buy a “share” of a farm’s harvest upfront and receive a weekly box of fresh produce or other farm goods. The best time to sign up for a CSA is in February and early March—prompting ASAP to declare Feb. 15 to March 15 to be CSA Month. CSA Month will include a social media campaign with CSA education and farmer features; digital tools for finding CSA programs; and an in-person CSA Fair at the YWCA of Asheville on March 8 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

The CSA Fair on March 8 highlights farms with a CSA pickup location in Buncombe County. In addition to traditional produce CSAs, the fair includes farms with specialty CSA products, such as meat or flowers. The fair is a relaxed, family-friendly setting where attendees chat with farmers about their products, growing practices, payment structure, and more. Attendees can sign up for a CSA during the fair or follow up with farmers later. The fair also features local food tastings and activities for kids, as well as produce and food products available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public. The YWCA is located at 185 S. French Broad Ave. in Asheville.

“CSA creates a resilient, family-based network that my farm can rely on year after year,” said Vannah Roddy of Encompass Farm, who has participated in the fair for several years. “Of all the marketing I do for my program, ASAP’s CSA fair is by far the one which provides the most direct results.”

Farms participating in the fair as of press time include A Way of Life Farm, Blazing Star Flowers, Crow Fly Farms, Encompass Farm, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Oak Holler Farm, Olivette Farm, Seven Seeds Farm, ShipShape Farmer & Chef, and Stump Farms. Farms are subject to change before the event date.

For those unable to attend the fair or who are looking for a CSA outside of Buncombe County, online tools at asapconnections.org/csa help customers compare CSAs throughout the Appalachian Grown region, making it easier to choose a program that fits individual needs. The Appalachian Grown region includes Western North Carolina as well as bordering counties in South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Things customers could consider when choosing a CSA include convenient pickup times and locations; the farm’s growing practices; and appropriate share size (i.e., how much food). Some farms offer variations on the traditional CSA model, such as online selection, shorter commitment, or a market share (members pay upfront, but select their own produce at the farmers market each week).

ABOUT ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT)

ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more, visit asapconnections.org.

Tanglewood Summer has long been a successful and inspirational part of children’s creative education in Western North Carolina. Our theatre camp has been extremely popular and is well-suited for any young person interested in exploring the exciting world of theatre. Our faculty represents some of the finest talent in the area, and we are thrilled to have them at Tanglewood Summer.

We have something for every kid this summer – whether it’s your first or one-hundred-and-first time trying theatre, Tanglewood Summer is the place for YOU!

• • Summer Session I: Adventure!
  • Summer Session II: Magic!
  • Summer Session III: Wild!
  • Summer Samplers
  • Master Classes
  • Summer Musical: Finding Nemo Jr.
  • Tech Camp
  • Scholarship Information

Dads, Moms, Grandparents, Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Siblings of all ages are invited to participate in this family theatre camp style production! There are roles for kids, teenagers and adults of all ages. Current, past, and new Playground Stage Families are invited to join!

Show Title: To be revealed at the 5 Year Birthday Celebration!
Dates and Times
Info Sessions & Auditions:

(Participants must choose one date to attend an info session) (Speaking role auditions are optional)

June 12, 2024 – Summer Family Musical Info Session & Speaking Role Auditions

or

June 19, 2024 – Summer Family Musical Info Session & Speaking Role Auditions

Rehearsals:

Evenings July 22nd – August 2nd

Located at Avery’s Creek Community Center

899 Glenn Bridge Rd SE, Arden, NC

Evenings August 5th-8th

Located at Asheville High School Theatre

Performances: August 9th & 10th

Asheville High School Theatre

Optional music learning rehearsals will take place every Wednesday from 6:00-7:30pm throughout the summer starting June 26th 2024

Spring Break Day Camps: This year, Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is offering a new spring break day camp program for youth ages 8-12. These day camps will take place on April 2 at Charles D. Owen Park and on April 4 at Lake Julian Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These nine-hour days will be filled with various workshops and skills courses by Asheville Sailing Club, Buncombe County’s Environmental Educators, and Parks & Recreation staff. Workshops vary by location and date. The cost per day camp is $10. Pre-registration is required. While snacks and beverages are provided, students must bring their own lunch. Registration opens on March 4 and closes on March 27.

Introducing RiverLink’s year-long campaign to recruit absolutely everyone to help restore the health of the French Broad River.

Untreated rainwater (also known as stormwater) flows off hard surfaces such as parking lots and roofs, and carries sediment, pollutants and bacteria with it, negatively impacting water quality. The sheer volume and velocity of rain runoff is the biggest threat today to the French Broad River.

Our campaign includes educational resources and action steps everyone can take to protect our rivers and streams here in Western North Carolina. You’ll also find real-life stories of local people taking action to reduce rain runoff at their homes and businesses. We want YOU to join us!

As a resident or business owner in WNC, you can be part of the solution. Here are four ways to take action to reduce rain runoff and protect our rivers and streams:

• Disconnecting Your Downspout
• Installing Rain Barrels
• Implementing Rain Gardens
• Other Green Infrastructure

Enter for your chance to see Tony Award winners Hamilton and Hadestown (from incredible seats) and get your travel and lodging expenses covered as well. Don’t miss your chance to enter! Tickets are only $45 and going fast.

The Broadway Raffle is Back!

Secure your chance to win a Broadway trip in May 2024! Each $45 ticket enters you to win:

• A pair of tickets to see Hadestown at the Walter Kerr Theatre on May 17 at 7pm. Seats in Center Orchestra, Row D, on the aisle
• A pair of tickets to see Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theater on May 18 at 7pm. Seats in Center Orchestra, Row C, on the aisle
• $2500 for roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations during your stay
• _{Total package value: apx $3800}

Raffle drawing to be held at the closing performance of Witch on April 7, 2024 at 2pm

THAT SOUNDS GREAT! HOW DO I BUY TICKETS?

Tickets are $45 each and there is no limit on the number you may purchase.

Here’s your chance! Asheville Community Theatre is thrilled to offer you the opportunity to win a magical 4-day Disney Cruise for four. By purchasing a raffle ticket, not only do you get a shot at an unforgettable family vacation, but you also support the arts in our community.

Prize Details:

• A Dream Cruise: The winner and three guests will embark on a 4-day journey to the Bahamas aboard a Disney Cruise ship. You’ll stay in a Veranda Cabin with breathtaking views and top-notch amenities.
• Customized Experience: Work with our travel agent, David Lloyd of Foothills Travel, to tailor your trip to perfection. Whether it’s exciting onboard activities or exploring the ports, your adventure will be exactly what you’ve dreamed of.
• Travel Support: We’ve got you covered with an additional $500 to help with transportation to and from Port Canaveral, ensuring a smooth start and end to your magical journey.
• Complete Assistance: From the moment you win to the end of your cruise, you’ll have personalized support to ensure your trip is seamless and unforgettable.
• Tickets are just $50 each, making this the perfect opportunity to potentially win a trip valued at $8,800, while supporting Asheville Community Theatre’s mission to enrich our community through the arts.

Don’t miss out on this chance to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Get your tickets now!

Click here to view the complete set of rules.

Calling All Young Artists, Poets, and Creative Souls

We invite you to get inspired by the French Broad River and her watershed. Show off your creativity by submitting 2D art, 3D art, and poetry that reflect your connection with nature. Your work serves as a reminder of the beauty of Western NC and the impact it can have on us all.

We are now accepting submissions for our 17th annual Voices of the River Art and Poetry Contest. Children in grades K-12 are invited to submit original creative works that reflect their personal experiences, observations, and/or feelings regarding the river.

2024 Theme | “What is your favorite memory from beside the river or in the water?”

Local environmental advocates, artists, and poets will review entries and select three winners from each category and age group. The winners will receive prizes from some generous local businesses. All submissions will be displayed at a special gallery event on May 11 from 10 AM – 1 PM at Black Wall Street AVL.

Submission Deadline | April 19,2024