**Epic Raffle**

Even though we cannot party together, we pulled together an amazing raffle basket as a way to say THANK YOU to all who donate to any of the three nonprofits above in 2020. To enter, simply make a donation of any amount to one of the three nonprofits listed above. If you have already donated to these groups in 2020, fear not – we will enter you in the raffle, too! The winner will be contacted in January 2021.

Way back in March 2020, we selected the following nonprofits. Though we were unable to support them as we typically do (through heartfelt toasts and lively gatherings), we wanted to highlight them to you and share some news related to each one.

NC Glass Center

The NC Glass Center (NCGC) is dedicated to education, exploration, and collaboration in all forms of glass. If you are not familiar with this group, check out its website. Despite the impacts of the pandemic, NCGC has been able to adjust and maintain its outreach programs (socially-distanced, in-person programing for youth and veterans). Also, starting in December 2020, NCGC launched its Cup of the Month subscription.

How to Help:
Donate to NCGC via its website
Visit the NCGC Gallery or make a purchase from its online shop (shop)!

Green Built Alliance – Blue Horizons Projects

Blue Horizons Project (BHP) was formed through the former Energy Innovation Task Force (EITF), a working group convened in April 2016 by the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and Duke Energy. BHP was conceived to help achieve specific goals by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy options throughout the region. BHP has a new Community Council seated and the meetings are open to the public.

How to Help:
Support BHP’s Energy Savers Network (free, income-qualified winterization program)
Donate to Green Built Alliance via Mountain Xpress Give!Local (Gift provided for donations over $50!).

Children First/ Communities in Schools of Buncombe County

Children First/Communities in Schools (CIS) of Buncombe County serves the community through direct services, education, and advocacy for family-friendly policies. Support from people in our community has made it possible for this group to serve students and families during this challenging year. This group has seen a greater need than ever before at the Family Resource Center at Emma Elementary, where curbside food box pick-up, clothing, school supplies, emergency financial assistance for rent and utility payments, and other supports are offered. Our Student Support Specialists work in five local schools and are currently serving students virtually and in-person, with proper health and safety measures in place.

How to Help:
Donate to Children First/ CIS via its PayPal link.
Donate via Mountain Xpress Give!Local (Publix is matching donations up to $3,000!)

We are still putting the finishing touches on the basket, but so far items include (value: $400+):

Strada (gift card)

Buxton Hall BBQ (gift card)

The Admiral (gift card)

Smoky Park Supper Club (gift card)

Poppy Popcorn

Gift items from Duncan & York

Sovereign Remedies (gift card)

Spicewalla Spice Set

Coca-Cola Gift Basket

French Broad Chocolate Lounge (gift card & chocolate)

Orange Peel (gift card)

Coach purses (two!)

ENTER NOW BY DONATING TO:

North Carolina Glass Center

Green Built Alliance

Children First/ Communities in Schools

Billy Zanski teaches a fun approach to finding your inner rhythm. Drums are provided. No experience required. Walk-ins welcome, reservations preferred. Private Lessons, special events, team building, and drum circles are also available. Please call or email to inquire.

Dreaming of starting your own farm? Farm Dreams is an entry-level, day-long workshop designed to help people who are seeking practical, common-sense information on sustainable farming and how to move forward. This is a great workshop to attend if you are in the exploratory stages of starting a farm.

In this one-day, exploratory workshop participants will…
Learn about sustainable farming careers in Western North Carolina.
Discover and assess your resources, skills and farming intentions.
Begin to develop an educational plan toward farming.
Connect with regional training opportunities and support networks.
Prioritize your next steps toward your farming goals.
Hear from experienced farmers running successful farms in WNC.

Register here/links to tickets: www.organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/farm-dreams

Join our Free Medicare Educational Webinar – How Medicare works – Part A,B,C and Prescription Part D, Medigap, Medicare Advantage. Learn, Take Notes, Ask Questions. We are here to help! Call us at 704-448-9997 for more information or register online.

Dreaming of starting your own farm? Farm Dreams is an entry-level, day-long workshop designed to help people who are seeking practical, common-sense information on sustainable farming and how to move forward. This is a great workshop to attend if you are in the exploratory stages of starting a farm.

In this one-day, exploratory workshop participants will…
Learn about sustainable farming careers in Western North Carolina.
Discover and assess your resources, skills and farming intentions.
Begin to develop an educational plan toward farming.
Connect with regional training opportunities and support networks.
Prioritize your next steps toward your farming goals.
Hear from experienced farmers running successful farms in WNC.

Register here/links to tickets: www.organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/farm-dreams

Homestead Dreams is an entry level, exploratory workshop designed to help you incorporate small-scale, self-sufficiency and sustainability into all aspects of your life.

This workshop will be held ONLINE. Register on our website: https://organicgrowersschool.org/gardeners/homestead-dreams/

Regardless of whether you own or rent a home, or live in a rural or urban setting, you can move towards more self-reliance NOW!

Excellent for those in the exploratory stages of getting started with a land-based life. We cover common sense, relevant information to help maximize your independence, increase your connection to community, place, and self, and plan out your dreams for the next 1 to 5 years.

Appropriate for those who are incorporating agriculture, renewable energy, green building, land planning, hand-made products, and land-based living of all kinds. Includes a panel of local homesteaders and a regional expert on soil, climate, rainfall, typography, vegetation, wind, and how that affects and determines life, farming, and building in our region.

Taught by Lee Warren & Brandon Greenstein.

Lee Warren is the co-founder, designer, and builder, of an off-grid, sustainably-built CoHousing Neighborhood at Earthaven Ecovillage; founder and manager of Imani Farm, 5-acre pasture-based cooperative farm; and managing partner of SOIL, School of Integrated Living, which teaches organic food production, regenerative systems, and community living. Lee is also an herbalist, writer, teacher, and food activist, with an avid interest in rural wisdom, sustainable economics, and empowered self-reliance.

Brandon is the Home-Grower Program Director for OGS, developing new initiatives to provide services to home-growers. His background is in Renewable Systems, Earth Works, Energy, Water, Homesteading, Permaculture. He offers consulting, design, and technical services for the creation of low impact and energy conserving systems through his company, Integrated Ecological Solutions.

Learn the basics of blacksmithing, forge a basic knife and enjoy local beer with mountaintop views! Ages 13+

Janet McKee, Speaker, Best-Selling Author, High Performance™ Success Coach, Wellness Expert and CEO of SanaView, is on a mission to inspire and teach you proven and effective ways to Embrace a Better Life; a life that is richer, happier, healthier, and more fulfilling. “Sana” is Latin for “wellness” and her organization provides a “view” into enjoyable ways to dramatically improve your life.

After obtaining her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and climbing the corporate ladder in several Fortune 500 companies, Ms. McKee became passionate about helping others achieve stress-free successful lives by pursuing a wellness degree from Columbia University. After working for many years to help people achieve greater levels of wellbeing, Ms. McKee expanded her expertise by researching how psychology impacts a person’s ability to achieve personal and professional goals. Based on this work, she has achieved the status of being selected as one of only 200 elite Certified High Performance Coaches™ in the world and has received the honor of being awarded membership into the National Association of Experts, Writers and Speakers.

Ms. McKee is the creator of the innovative and acclaimed Accelerated High Performance Program and emPower 3 Leadership + Lifestyle Retreat designed to help others fuel their passion, positivity and purpose. Through her Stressless Success Shift™, she inspires others to break negative patterns and achieve greater success. She is a vibrant and inspirational speaker who is known for captivating audiences through the use of real-life stories that engage, entertain, uplift and empower people with real solutions that they can begin to use immediately to realize their dreams.

Whether you consult with Ms. McKee directly, or hire her to speak to your organization, or peruse her multitude of online courses and inspirations, you are certain to become more knowledgeable, uplifted and motivated to improve your life.

As the founder of SanaView, Ms. McKee has released her new best-selling book titled, Stressless Success: The Surprising Secrets to a Life of Passion, Purpose, and Prosperity, along with her own recipe book titled, Fabulous Recipes for Vibrant Health, and co-authored a best-selling book with Brian Tracy and other experts titled, Ready, Set, Go!. Ms. McKee is also the Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary, Bethany’s Story about the healing power of food. Because of her passion for healthy living, Ms. McKee spends her free time helping to develop SanaView Farms, her 52-acre historic landmark organic farm nestled in the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she teaches ways to regenerate our land and our health through natural living and eating. A true powerhouse of positive energy and motivation, Ms. McKee is poised to dramatically improve the lives of everyone she touches.

Teaching proven methods to achieve greater levels of energy, engagement, joy and confidence are the keys to her success in helping others.

The foundation and first step to anyone’s first-aid knowledge. Learn life-saving knowledge with us this day.

Learn:
-AED usage
-CPR for adults
-First-aid
-Severe bleeding first-aid including tourniquets

For The People Academy is an inclusive high level skills training company working out of Asheville. Our goal Is to create heroes in our own communities.

Like getting a puppy for the first time, having a gun in the house comes with a lot of unexpected responsibilities.

Whether you bought a gun in the last year (or your partner did without telling you) learn how to be safe around them. An introductory course, this class will go over the basics of firearms ownership and safety.

We provide training guns for all of our students to practice with. This class has no range portion. You do not need gun or ammo to take it.

Learn:
-Firearms safety
-How to handle a firearm
-How to make a firearm “safe”
-How to store a firearm
-Caring for a firearm
-Common safety mistakes
-Defensive considerations
-How to train
-Ownership legality

Janet McKee, Speaker, Best-Selling Author, High Performance™ Success Coach, Wellness Expert and CEO of SanaView, is on a mission to inspire and teach you proven and effective ways to Embrace a Better Life; a life that is richer, happier, healthier, and more fulfilling. “Sana” is Latin for “wellness” and her organization provides a “view” into enjoyable ways to dramatically improve your life.

After obtaining her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and climbing the corporate ladder in several Fortune 500 companies, Ms. McKee became passionate about helping others achieve stress-free successful lives by pursuing a wellness degree from Columbia University. After working for many years to help people achieve greater levels of wellbeing, Ms. McKee expanded her expertise by researching how psychology impacts a person’s ability to achieve personal and professional goals. Based on this work, she has achieved the status of being selected as one of only 200 elite Certified High Performance Coaches™ in the world and has received the honor of being awarded membership into the National Association of Experts, Writers and Speakers.

Ms. McKee is the creator of the innovative and acclaimed Accelerated High Performance Program and emPower 3 Leadership + Lifestyle Retreat designed to help others fuel their passion, positivity and purpose. Through her Stressless Success Shift™, she inspires others to break negative patterns and achieve greater success. She is a vibrant and inspirational speaker who is known for captivating audiences through the use of real-life stories that engage, entertain, uplift and empower people with real solutions that they can begin to use immediately to realize their dreams.

Whether you consult with Ms. McKee directly, or hire her to speak to your organization, or peruse her multitude of online courses and inspirations, you are certain to become more knowledgeable, uplifted and motivated to improve your life.

As the founder of SanaView, Ms. McKee has released her new best-selling book titled, Stressless Success: The Surprising Secrets to a Life of Passion, Purpose, and Prosperity, along with her own recipe book titled, Fabulous Recipes for Vibrant Health, and co-authored a best-selling book with Brian Tracy and other experts titled, Ready, Set, Go!. Ms. McKee is also the Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary, Bethany’s Story about the healing power of food. Because of her passion for healthy living, Ms. McKee spends her free time helping to develop SanaView Farms, her 52-acre historic landmark organic farm nestled in the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she teaches ways to regenerate our land and our health through natural living and eating. A true powerhouse of positive energy and motivation, Ms. McKee is poised to dramatically improve the lives of everyone she touches.

Teaching proven methods to achieve greater levels of energy, engagement, joy and confidence are the keys to her success in helping others.

We’ve expanded our Gardening Series to cover three seasons!

All classes will be fully ONLINE.

Our Gardening Series will feature 2 classes for each season: Spring, Summer & Fall.

You can purchase each season individually, or buy all three for a discounted rate.

Register here: https://organicgrowersschool.org/gardeners/gardening-series/

Summer:
May 3rd and 10th, 2021
6:00-7:30pm EST
Topics: How to build Sensational Compost, Forging a new relationship with Weeds, Crops for Summer, Watering, Fertilizing, Pollinators and Companion Plants

Janet McKee, Speaker, Best-Selling Author, High Performance™ Success Coach, Wellness Expert and CEO of SanaView, is on a mission to inspire and teach you proven and effective ways to Embrace a Better Life; a life that is richer, happier, healthier, and more fulfilling. “Sana” is Latin for “wellness” and her organization provides a “view” into enjoyable ways to dramatically improve your life.

After obtaining her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and climbing the corporate ladder in several Fortune 500 companies, Ms. McKee became passionate about helping others achieve stress-free successful lives by pursuing a wellness degree from Columbia University. After working for many years to help people achieve greater levels of wellbeing, Ms. McKee expanded her expertise by researching how psychology impacts a person’s ability to achieve personal and professional goals. Based on this work, she has achieved the status of being selected as one of only 200 elite Certified High Performance Coaches™ in the world and has received the honor of being awarded membership into the National Association of Experts, Writers and Speakers.

Ms. McKee is the creator of the innovative and acclaimed Accelerated High Performance Program and emPower 3 Leadership + Lifestyle Retreat designed to help others fuel their passion, positivity and purpose. Through her Stressless Success Shift™, she inspires others to break negative patterns and achieve greater success. She is a vibrant and inspirational speaker who is known for captivating audiences through the use of real-life stories that engage, entertain, uplift and empower people with real solutions that they can begin to use immediately to realize their dreams.

Whether you consult with Ms. McKee directly, or hire her to speak to your organization, or peruse her multitude of online courses and inspirations, you are certain to become more knowledgeable, uplifted and motivated to improve your life.

As the founder of SanaView, Ms. McKee has released her new best-selling book titled, Stressless Success: The Surprising Secrets to a Life of Passion, Purpose, and Prosperity, along with her own recipe book titled, Fabulous Recipes for Vibrant Health, and co-authored a best-selling book with Brian Tracy and other experts titled, Ready, Set, Go!. Ms. McKee is also the Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary, Bethany’s Story about the healing power of food. Because of her passion for healthy living, Ms. McKee spends her free time helping to develop SanaView Farms, her 52-acre historic landmark organic farm nestled in the Laurel Mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she teaches ways to regenerate our land and our health through natural living and eating. A true powerhouse of positive energy and motivation, Ms. McKee is poised to dramatically improve the lives of everyone she touches.

Teaching proven methods to achieve greater levels of energy, engagement, joy and confidence are the keys to her success in helping others.