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.

Saturday, June 11, 2022
Call to Action: Voice your support for the House Bills that have impact on the ARTS
Jun 11 all-day
online w/ Asheville Area Arts Council

Call to Action

Three NC bills with direct impacts on the arts have been introduced:

  • Senate Bill 914: Buncombe County Occupancy Tax Modifications
  • House Bill 1105: Makes recurring the additional $1 million in FY23 for the Grassroots Arts Program
  • House Bill 1104: Allocates an additional $500,000 to NC Arts Council General Grants in FY23

Voice your support for the House Bills here.

Learn More
Conservation Videos
Jun 11 all-day
YouTube
Conservation Videos
Building Resilient Food Systems
New Public Lands
Pollinators 101
Partnerships, with HRI
Check out recordings from our recent Lunch and Learns and more! Subscribe to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s YouTube channel for updates.
Need Help With Water Bills? New Water Assistance Program Could Offer Help.
Jun 11 all-day
online

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

Outpace Hunger Feed People and Your Passion
Jun 11 all-day
Online w/ Manna FoodBank

OUTPACE HUNGER

FEED PEOPLE AND YOUR PASSION!

What Is Outpace Hunger?

Looking for a way to make a real impact this spring and summer? Feed people while pursuing your passion through Outpace Hunger, an action-based fundraising campaign that turns a favorite activity into meals!

For decades, MANNA FoodBank has been working to outpace hunger and food insecurity all across 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. The 2022 campaign runs May 1 through September 30, and we invite you join the growing community of folks who are Outpacing Hunger alongside of us!

How It Works

Participating in Outpace Hunger is easy!

You decide your level of commitment, so every participant can create their own path to helping provide food to our community. Participants also decide how, when, and where they complete their goal, any time now through the campaign end on September 30.

Outpace Hunger participants:

(1) Register to be a part of MANNA’s Outpace Hunger community. The $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt for you and provides 80 MEALS for neighbors facing food insecurity in WNC.

(2) Choose a favorite activity (run, walk, roll, stroll, hike, bike, paddle, climb, float, skate, golf, and everything in between!) to complete individually, or as a family/group/team.

(3) Set a goal to reach. This can be an activity-related goal, a fundraising goal, or both.

(4) Invite friends and family to support your fundraising efforts through your own, personalized Outpace Hunger webpage.

Whether running a 5K, walking your neighborhood, hiking the Mountains to Sea trail, or paddling the French Broad River, Outpace Hunger participants play a vital part in ensuring our WNC neighbors have access to healthy food

READY TO OUTPACE HUNGER WITH US?

REGISTER NOW!

ALREADY AN OUTPACE HUNGER PARTICIPANT?

VISIT YOUR PAGE

 NEED MORE INFORMATION?

OUTPACE HUNGER HOW-TO GUIDE

Reusable Bag Donations to MANNA Foodbank
Jun 11 all-day
MANNA Foodbank

Reusable Bag Donations

At our markets, we try to use as many reusable bags as possible. If you have any reusable bags at home that you want to donate, please drop them off at MANNA.

The Blood Connection in Critical Need of Vital Blood Type
Jun 11 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Blood Connection Asheville

Not Enough O Negative Blood Available to Sustain Local Hospitals, Program to Help Victims of Uvalde Shooting Also Announced

The Blood Connection’s O negative blood supply has now reached a critical level. Because The Blood Connection (TBC) is the primary blood provider for hospitals in this region, the need for O negative blood donations is dire. The combination of already low supply, the approaching summer season, and sustained low donor turnout could result in an O negative blood shortage soon, which could disrupt patient care.

 

Last week, TBC was activated through the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), to send O negative blood to South Texas after the devastating school shooting. The need for O negative blood has since been highlighted by that tragedy but has unfortunately not resulted in an increase in O negative donations. Adding to the issue, the summer months are usually the hardest season to collect enough, exacerbated by an increase in travel and traumas. It is estimated that summer travel will increase by 16% and 75% of Americans are expected to take a summer vacation, indicating this travel season is set to be the busiest since the pandemic – a sign that people are returning to normal. As that happens, the fear is that patients like Kristen Odom will continue to be overlooked.

 

“During my labor, unbeknownst to anyone…I was bleeding internally but no one knew it and it was not discovered until immediately after our daughter was born,” says Odom. “I will never forget one anesthesiologist yelling over the team, referring to blood, ‘I don’t care where you get it, but I need it, and I need it now.’ After I came out of ICU, my husband and I realized how much blood I needed, and the fact that donated blood was the key factor that turned everything around.”

O negative blood is the most transfused blood type for traumas and emergencies, so the demand never wavers. O negative blood donors are often referred to as the “universal donor” since everyone, no matter their blood type, can receive O negative blood. TBC aims to have a 5-7 day supply of O negative blood but has recently had a one day supply. In some instances, one trauma case alone can use up that supply.

 

TBC has also announced a program that uses blood donations to help victims of the Uvalde shooting. TBC blood donors now have the option to convert their reward points into a monetary donation to the Robb School Memorial Fund (One Star Foundation) through the TBC online store. These funds will be used locally to support the families and community affected in Uvalde, Texas.

The Blood Connection Sends Blood to Texas: Give Blood Help
Jun 11 @ 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
The Blood Connection

The blood from BERC Network blood banks is being sent to South Texas Blood and Tissue, the steward of the local blood supply in that part of Texas. TBC has more blood in reserve to send if called upon again. In order to help other communities, the local blood supply must be stable. It’s important to have an available day-to-day blood supply on the shelves in the event of any emergencies – locally or BERC-assisted – when blood and time are critical. The community is urged to donate blood now at any TBC center or bloodmobile.

Continuing the Challenge – Reproductive Justice
Jun 11 @ 9:00 am
online w/ YWCA

Reproductive Justice

We recently wrapped up our 21-Day Stand Against Racism Challenge in April. The conversation moves forward with continuing the challenge because the work is far from over! As we became aware of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, it is again evident that the systems in place that already harm young women of color the most can be regressed even more by those with power today. In these crucial moments and always, knowledge is a way to take back power.
WE CHALLENGE YOU TO…

2 mins
Watch Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice shares The History of Reproductive Justice (RJ), a powerful video clearly communicating the definition of RJ, watch here.

10 mins
Check out Planned Parenthood’s article, Roe v. Wade at Risk: Nationwide Legal Abortion May Be a Thing of the Past. Access the article here.

13 mins
Consider this from NPR, which featured an article titled, Roe’s Legal Fate is Unclear. But Studies already Show Who’d Likely Be Hit the Hardestread here.

42 mins
Listen. Parenting and Politics host Monica Simpson, a North Carolina Native and Executive Director of Sister SongSister Song is a Southern-based, national membership organization; our purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities. Listen to the podcast here.

For more Continuing the Challenge resources click below:



What is the Stand Against Racism Challenge?

Many people are becoming newly aware of how systemic racism and violence are impacting people of color. Even if you are new to the conversation, that is OK. Our STand against racism challenge, formerly the  21 Day Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. Participants who sign up for the Challenge will receive daily tasks via email to help foster their understanding and awareness, with activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, or reflecting on personal experience. If you’ve already completed this challenge with us in the past please know that our challenge is designed to be taken multiple times by selecting different daily challenges in order to expand what you have previously learned. Follow this link for the resources.

Compost Demo Site Opens
Jun 11 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Jesse Israel & Sons Garden Center.

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers maintain a composting demonstration site at the Western NC Farmers Market, at the Jesse Israel & Sons Garden Center. After a two-year hiatus, due to Covid, the site is reinstituting public demonstrations, beginning April 9, 2022.

When to Visit?
The site is staffed and provides demonstrations from 10:00am to 1:00pm on the second Saturday each month, April through September.

What Will You See?
There are five different composting methods on display at the site. There is a single bin unit, a tumbling composter, a wood pallet bin and a classic 3-bin system — we also usually bring an example of vermiculture on each demo day.  The site is stocked with informational pamphlets on the how-to and why of composting and they complement the information available in the composting video on this website. Click here to view the video: Making and Using Compost at Home.

An additional Composting demonstration area is located at The Learning Garden at the Extension Office, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville, NC 28806.  Click here for details about The Learning Garden.

Local History Volunteers Needed
Jun 11 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Online w/ Buncombe County Libraries

Special Collections logo

Did you know that Buncombe County Special Collections collects, preserves, and provides access not only to photos, documents, books, and letters but also to audiovisual materials such as event recordings and oral history interviews? In order to increase access to these materials, BCSC has been hard at work digitizing audiocassettes, migrating CDs/DVDs, and uploading digitized or born-digital recordings to a dedicated page on the Internet Archive.

Volunteers are needed to make sure that these resources are transcribed so that researchers can more easily find and search for the topics they need. Contact BCSC to learn how you can help by transcribing interviews from home!

Spa Blowout!
Jun 11 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center Davis Event Center
Asheville Outlets Hosts All About Safety
Jun 11 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Asheville Outlets in the parking lot in front of Gap Factory

The center is teaming up with The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, to help families be more safety conscious, understand the risks their kids might face, and recognize the steps they can take to help avoid those risks.

The day will include valuable tips from several organizations including WNC Safe Kids. The non-profit will educate parents and caregivers on bike helmet safety. Attending children will receive free bike helmets (while supplies last). In addition, Child ID kits, fire trucks, free blood pressure screenings, self-defense exhibitions, disaster training and meet and greets with local law enforcement will also be a part of the day’s activities. Children can enjoy a complimentary cereal bar and hot dog giveaway.

All About Safety is complimentary and open to the public.

Sunday, June 12, 2022
2022 RiverLink Annual Fund
Jun 12 all-day
online w/ River Link

What makes a place idyllic?

Start with an emerald river that flows from ancient mountains. Add an abundance of living creatures that co-evolved over millennia. Bring in humans who honor their place in the interconnected web. And rebuild a vital stream that supports us all.

Your support and engagement helps ensure the health of this watershed for the ages! We can’t do it without you.

Buncombe County Special Collections Invites You to Share Blog Submissions
Jun 12 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Special Collections

a historic photo shows young African American girls reading books at the libraryFrom Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC)

Since 2013 our blog, HeardTell, has engaged lovers of Buncombe County history by sharing stories about and found in our archive. Over the years, HeardTell has become a tremendous resource and outreach tool, reaching more than half a million views. The blog was so well-received that our Friends group and staff transformed many of the posts into our first publication, Hidden History of Asheville (Arcadia, 2019).

Until now, postings on the blog have been limited to Special Collections staff and regular volunteers, but we know that others in our community are passionate about local history and want to share that interest with the community. That is why, beginning in July 2022, we’ll begin accepting submissions to HeardTell from community members.

Great blog posts are short (500-1500 words) and are engaging. Topics can range from observations, curiosities, hidden histories, personal memories, and more. While they might be longer than a social media posting, these posts aren’t meant to be in-depth research, though they should be factually accurate and include citations when appropriate. We especially encourage submissions that include plenty of visuals and are linked to collections and materials held in our library.

Earlier this year, we shared a series of five posts by former BCSC collections manager Zoe Rhine. Zoe’s posts are a great example to follow.

Though we will not accept submissions before July, you can view and download the submission guidelines here. We encourage you to get started now!

This is an exciting move for us! Part of the BCSC mission is to share and collect the history and culture of our region. By inviting our community to share their stories and research with a wide audience, we can help nurture a community of history buffs in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond.

Staff and volunteers are looking forward to the diverse perspectives that our community can add the narrative of our collective past! Happy research and writing!

Katherine Cutshall, Collections Manager

Call to Action: Voice your support for the House Bills that have impact on the ARTS
Jun 12 all-day
online w/ Asheville Area Arts Council

Call to Action

Three NC bills with direct impacts on the arts have been introduced:

  • Senate Bill 914: Buncombe County Occupancy Tax Modifications
  • House Bill 1105: Makes recurring the additional $1 million in FY23 for the Grassroots Arts Program
  • House Bill 1104: Allocates an additional $500,000 to NC Arts Council General Grants in FY23

Voice your support for the House Bills here.

Learn More
Conservation Videos
Jun 12 all-day
YouTube
Conservation Videos
Building Resilient Food Systems
New Public Lands
Pollinators 101
Partnerships, with HRI
Check out recordings from our recent Lunch and Learns and more! Subscribe to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s YouTube channel for updates.
Make a Difference in Your Community, Apply Now for the Early Childhood Committee
Jun 12 all-day
Online w/ Buncombe County Government

This is a great chance to be a part of shaping the future for children in Buncombe County. The Early Childhood Education and Development Fund is a major driver in assuring every child in Buncombe County has an equal opportunity to thrive during their first 2,000 days. The focus of this initiative is to increase access to quality, affordable early childhood education.

As such, Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Committee, featuring 15 total members including 3 County Commissioners, was established to guide how the fund is invested. The purpose of the committee is to engage with community partners, solicit public input, and make policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. This committee typically meets monthly, on the first Tuesdays from 1-2:30 p.m. To learn more about the Early Childhood Fund, click here to visit our website.

There are two open positions designated as Community/At Large for a two-year term that begins July 1, 2022. To apply, click here to complete an online application. The deadline to apply is June 24.

Need Help With Water Bills? New Water Assistance Program Could Offer Help.
Jun 12 all-day
online

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

Outpace Hunger Feed People and Your Passion
Jun 12 all-day
Online w/ Manna FoodBank

OUTPACE HUNGER

FEED PEOPLE AND YOUR PASSION!

What Is Outpace Hunger?

Looking for a way to make a real impact this spring and summer? Feed people while pursuing your passion through Outpace Hunger, an action-based fundraising campaign that turns a favorite activity into meals!

For decades, MANNA FoodBank has been working to outpace hunger and food insecurity all across 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. The 2022 campaign runs May 1 through September 30, and we invite you join the growing community of folks who are Outpacing Hunger alongside of us!

How It Works

Participating in Outpace Hunger is easy!

You decide your level of commitment, so every participant can create their own path to helping provide food to our community. Participants also decide how, when, and where they complete their goal, any time now through the campaign end on September 30.

Outpace Hunger participants:

(1) Register to be a part of MANNA’s Outpace Hunger community. The $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt for you and provides 80 MEALS for neighbors facing food insecurity in WNC.

(2) Choose a favorite activity (run, walk, roll, stroll, hike, bike, paddle, climb, float, skate, golf, and everything in between!) to complete individually, or as a family/group/team.

(3) Set a goal to reach. This can be an activity-related goal, a fundraising goal, or both.

(4) Invite friends and family to support your fundraising efforts through your own, personalized Outpace Hunger webpage.

Whether running a 5K, walking your neighborhood, hiking the Mountains to Sea trail, or paddling the French Broad River, Outpace Hunger participants play a vital part in ensuring our WNC neighbors have access to healthy food

READY TO OUTPACE HUNGER WITH US?

REGISTER NOW!

ALREADY AN OUTPACE HUNGER PARTICIPANT?

VISIT YOUR PAGE

 NEED MORE INFORMATION?

OUTPACE HUNGER HOW-TO GUIDE

Reusable Bag Donations to MANNA Foodbank
Jun 12 all-day
MANNA Foodbank

Reusable Bag Donations

At our markets, we try to use as many reusable bags as possible. If you have any reusable bags at home that you want to donate, please drop them off at MANNA.

The Blood Connection in Critical Need of Vital Blood Type
Jun 12 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Blood Connection Asheville

Not Enough O Negative Blood Available to Sustain Local Hospitals, Program to Help Victims of Uvalde Shooting Also Announced

The Blood Connection’s O negative blood supply has now reached a critical level. Because The Blood Connection (TBC) is the primary blood provider for hospitals in this region, the need for O negative blood donations is dire. The combination of already low supply, the approaching summer season, and sustained low donor turnout could result in an O negative blood shortage soon, which could disrupt patient care.

 

Last week, TBC was activated through the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), to send O negative blood to South Texas after the devastating school shooting. The need for O negative blood has since been highlighted by that tragedy but has unfortunately not resulted in an increase in O negative donations. Adding to the issue, the summer months are usually the hardest season to collect enough, exacerbated by an increase in travel and traumas. It is estimated that summer travel will increase by 16% and 75% of Americans are expected to take a summer vacation, indicating this travel season is set to be the busiest since the pandemic – a sign that people are returning to normal. As that happens, the fear is that patients like Kristen Odom will continue to be overlooked.

 

“During my labor, unbeknownst to anyone…I was bleeding internally but no one knew it and it was not discovered until immediately after our daughter was born,” says Odom. “I will never forget one anesthesiologist yelling over the team, referring to blood, ‘I don’t care where you get it, but I need it, and I need it now.’ After I came out of ICU, my husband and I realized how much blood I needed, and the fact that donated blood was the key factor that turned everything around.”

O negative blood is the most transfused blood type for traumas and emergencies, so the demand never wavers. O negative blood donors are often referred to as the “universal donor” since everyone, no matter their blood type, can receive O negative blood. TBC aims to have a 5-7 day supply of O negative blood but has recently had a one day supply. In some instances, one trauma case alone can use up that supply.

 

TBC has also announced a program that uses blood donations to help victims of the Uvalde shooting. TBC blood donors now have the option to convert their reward points into a monetary donation to the Robb School Memorial Fund (One Star Foundation) through the TBC online store. These funds will be used locally to support the families and community affected in Uvalde, Texas.

Continuing the Challenge – Reproductive Justice
Jun 12 @ 9:00 am
online w/ YWCA

Reproductive Justice

We recently wrapped up our 21-Day Stand Against Racism Challenge in April. The conversation moves forward with continuing the challenge because the work is far from over! As we became aware of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, it is again evident that the systems in place that already harm young women of color the most can be regressed even more by those with power today. In these crucial moments and always, knowledge is a way to take back power.
WE CHALLENGE YOU TO…

2 mins
Watch Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice shares The History of Reproductive Justice (RJ), a powerful video clearly communicating the definition of RJ, watch here.

10 mins
Check out Planned Parenthood’s article, Roe v. Wade at Risk: Nationwide Legal Abortion May Be a Thing of the Past. Access the article here.

13 mins
Consider this from NPR, which featured an article titled, Roe’s Legal Fate is Unclear. But Studies already Show Who’d Likely Be Hit the Hardestread here.

42 mins
Listen. Parenting and Politics host Monica Simpson, a North Carolina Native and Executive Director of Sister SongSister Song is a Southern-based, national membership organization; our purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities. Listen to the podcast here.

For more Continuing the Challenge resources click below:



What is the Stand Against Racism Challenge?

Many people are becoming newly aware of how systemic racism and violence are impacting people of color. Even if you are new to the conversation, that is OK. Our STand against racism challenge, formerly the  21 Day Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. Participants who sign up for the Challenge will receive daily tasks via email to help foster their understanding and awareness, with activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, or reflecting on personal experience. If you’ve already completed this challenge with us in the past please know that our challenge is designed to be taken multiple times by selecting different daily challenges in order to expand what you have previously learned. Follow this link for the resources.

Local History Volunteers Needed
Jun 12 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Online w/ Buncombe County Libraries

Special Collections logo

Did you know that Buncombe County Special Collections collects, preserves, and provides access not only to photos, documents, books, and letters but also to audiovisual materials such as event recordings and oral history interviews? In order to increase access to these materials, BCSC has been hard at work digitizing audiocassettes, migrating CDs/DVDs, and uploading digitized or born-digital recordings to a dedicated page on the Internet Archive.

Volunteers are needed to make sure that these resources are transcribed so that researchers can more easily find and search for the topics they need. Contact BCSC to learn how you can help by transcribing interviews from home!

Make A Splash: Buncombe Swimming Pools Open
Jun 12 @ 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Buncombe County Swimming Pools


Start mentally preparing for the ceremonial start to the summer and your first dip in the pool! Buncombe County Recreation Services opens its five outdoor swimming pools on Saturday, May 28.

Pools are open Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, pools may close for a short period of time or the entire day. Follow individual pools on Facebook for the latest information on closings.

Cost to swim is $3.00 per day. Visitors are welcome to bring their own chairs and lounging towels.

For many local families, our pool openings signal the beginning of summer and more relaxing days. They’re an affordable, fun, and healthy way to beat the heat. Thanks to their locations, they’re also surrounded by stunning views of our mountains.

Pools are located across the county, ensuring easy access for all kids and families. The facilities are managed through an agreement with Swim Club Management Group of Asheville which oversees maintenance, hires staff, and handles daily operations. Community members can sign up for swim lessons and book private parties on the management group’s website, buncombepool.com.

Sun safety information is available at each location, but pool visitors are reminded to apply water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before putting on a bathing suit and reapply every two hours or after swimming. Other tips to avoid the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays include wearing high-UPF swim shirts, wide brim hats, and wraparound UV-blocking sunglasses. More sun safety tips are available from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Pool Locations

Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Like on Facebook

Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Like on Facebook

Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
Like on Facebook

North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Like on Facebook

Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Like on Facebook

Monday, June 13, 2022
Buncombe County Special Collections Invites You to Share Blog Submissions
Jun 13 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Special Collections

a historic photo shows young African American girls reading books at the libraryFrom Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC)

Since 2013 our blog, HeardTell, has engaged lovers of Buncombe County history by sharing stories about and found in our archive. Over the years, HeardTell has become a tremendous resource and outreach tool, reaching more than half a million views. The blog was so well-received that our Friends group and staff transformed many of the posts into our first publication, Hidden History of Asheville (Arcadia, 2019).

Until now, postings on the blog have been limited to Special Collections staff and regular volunteers, but we know that others in our community are passionate about local history and want to share that interest with the community. That is why, beginning in July 2022, we’ll begin accepting submissions to HeardTell from community members.

Great blog posts are short (500-1500 words) and are engaging. Topics can range from observations, curiosities, hidden histories, personal memories, and more. While they might be longer than a social media posting, these posts aren’t meant to be in-depth research, though they should be factually accurate and include citations when appropriate. We especially encourage submissions that include plenty of visuals and are linked to collections and materials held in our library.

Earlier this year, we shared a series of five posts by former BCSC collections manager Zoe Rhine. Zoe’s posts are a great example to follow.

Though we will not accept submissions before July, you can view and download the submission guidelines here. We encourage you to get started now!

This is an exciting move for us! Part of the BCSC mission is to share and collect the history and culture of our region. By inviting our community to share their stories and research with a wide audience, we can help nurture a community of history buffs in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond.

Staff and volunteers are looking forward to the diverse perspectives that our community can add the narrative of our collective past! Happy research and writing!

Katherine Cutshall, Collections Manager

Call to Action: Voice your support for the House Bills that have impact on the ARTS
Jun 13 all-day
online w/ Asheville Area Arts Council

Call to Action

Three NC bills with direct impacts on the arts have been introduced:

  • Senate Bill 914: Buncombe County Occupancy Tax Modifications
  • House Bill 1105: Makes recurring the additional $1 million in FY23 for the Grassroots Arts Program
  • House Bill 1104: Allocates an additional $500,000 to NC Arts Council General Grants in FY23

Voice your support for the House Bills here.

Learn More
Conservation Videos
Jun 13 all-day
YouTube
Conservation Videos
Building Resilient Food Systems
New Public Lands
Pollinators 101
Partnerships, with HRI
Check out recordings from our recent Lunch and Learns and more! Subscribe to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s YouTube channel for updates.
Make a Difference in Your Community, Apply Now for the Early Childhood Committee
Jun 13 all-day
Online w/ Buncombe County Government

This is a great chance to be a part of shaping the future for children in Buncombe County. The Early Childhood Education and Development Fund is a major driver in assuring every child in Buncombe County has an equal opportunity to thrive during their first 2,000 days. The focus of this initiative is to increase access to quality, affordable early childhood education.

As such, Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Committee, featuring 15 total members including 3 County Commissioners, was established to guide how the fund is invested. The purpose of the committee is to engage with community partners, solicit public input, and make policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. This committee typically meets monthly, on the first Tuesdays from 1-2:30 p.m. To learn more about the Early Childhood Fund, click here to visit our website.

There are two open positions designated as Community/At Large for a two-year term that begins July 1, 2022. To apply, click here to complete an online application. The deadline to apply is June 24.

Need Help With Water Bills? New Water Assistance Program Could Offer Help.
Jun 13 all-day
online

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

Outpace Hunger Feed People and Your Passion
Jun 13 all-day
Online w/ Manna FoodBank

OUTPACE HUNGER

FEED PEOPLE AND YOUR PASSION!

What Is Outpace Hunger?

Looking for a way to make a real impact this spring and summer? Feed people while pursuing your passion through Outpace Hunger, an action-based fundraising campaign that turns a favorite activity into meals!

For decades, MANNA FoodBank has been working to outpace hunger and food insecurity all across 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. The 2022 campaign runs May 1 through September 30, and we invite you join the growing community of folks who are Outpacing Hunger alongside of us!

How It Works

Participating in Outpace Hunger is easy!

You decide your level of commitment, so every participant can create their own path to helping provide food to our community. Participants also decide how, when, and where they complete their goal, any time now through the campaign end on September 30.

Outpace Hunger participants:

(1) Register to be a part of MANNA’s Outpace Hunger community. The $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt for you and provides 80 MEALS for neighbors facing food insecurity in WNC.

(2) Choose a favorite activity (run, walk, roll, stroll, hike, bike, paddle, climb, float, skate, golf, and everything in between!) to complete individually, or as a family/group/team.

(3) Set a goal to reach. This can be an activity-related goal, a fundraising goal, or both.

(4) Invite friends and family to support your fundraising efforts through your own, personalized Outpace Hunger webpage.

Whether running a 5K, walking your neighborhood, hiking the Mountains to Sea trail, or paddling the French Broad River, Outpace Hunger participants play a vital part in ensuring our WNC neighbors have access to healthy food

READY TO OUTPACE HUNGER WITH US?

REGISTER NOW!

ALREADY AN OUTPACE HUNGER PARTICIPANT?

VISIT YOUR PAGE

 NEED MORE INFORMATION?

OUTPACE HUNGER HOW-TO GUIDE