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.
People have a new opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2021 on HealthCare.gov, but only for a limited time. This new COVID-19 Special Enrollment period starts on February 15, 2021 and ends on May 15, 2021. Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), and its enrollment partners of WNC, are once again offering free assistance helping people in the 18-county mountain region review their options and sign up for ACA health insurance.
With job losses continuing to mount amid the COVID-19 resurgence, and millions of people having lost their job-based health insurance since the start of this public health and economic crisis, the Biden Administration has opened up HealthCare.gov to give people who need health insurance a new opportunity to get covered, but they must act quickly. For free help locally, with trained assisters, make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.
“More than 535,000 North Carolinians enrolled in a health insurance plan during the last Open Enrollment period,” said Shannon Cornelius, Pisgah Legal’s Health Justice Program Director. “This is a new chance for people to sign up, and anyone who needs health insurance should visit HealthCare.gov today, or contact Pisgah Legal Services if you need assistance. Don’t delay.”
Health insurance is more affordable than many people think. In North Carolina, 83 percent of current marketplace consumers had plans available for 2021 that cost less than $50 per month, after financial help. Nine out of 10 marketplace enrollees in North Carolina received financial help that lowered their monthly health insurance premiums last year. In addition, 57 percent of enrollees also qualified for lower out-of-pocket costs for health care services.
“With this new Special Enrollment Period, both new and existing marketplace consumers can shop for marketplace pans, compare options, costs and even make changes. It opens up the ability to get health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. Our certified application counselors can help answer questions and get you enrolled in the plan that works best for you and your family,” said Cornelius.
Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage, with no pre-existing condition exclusions or markups. 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,” said Cornelius.
Make a Free Appointment Today
The health insurance landscape can be confusing, but free, local help is available. Appointments can be made online at www.pisgahlegal.org/aca or by calling (828) 210-3404. For the safety of consumers, staff and volunteers, all Pisgah Legal Services appointments are currently being conducted by phone, some community partners may offer in person assistance.
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and Pardee UNC Health Care, along with Morris Broadband and Judy Stroud – State Farm Insurance, are pleased to announce the 14th Annual ATHENA Award of Henderson County in memory of Vanessa, Y. Mintz. Nominations are now open for the 2021 ATHENA award, which will be presented at the Professional Women’s Luncheon, tentatively scheduled for May, to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way, and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential.
ATHENA International is a women’s leadership organization that supports, develops, and honors women leaders through the programs it administers. Vanessa Y. Mintz brought the ATHENA award to Henderson County in 2008 and she embodied the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities, and our government. This program is facilitated locally by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce as a licensed ATHENA host organization.
Nominations are sought throughout the community. Recipients are selected by a diverse group of out-of-town professional judges, based on ATHENA leadership criteria. Those interested in nominating should plan to tell their compelling story as if to a stranger. The deadline for nomination is Friday, April 2 at 5:00 pm. For more information, contact the Chamber at 828-692-1413
|
Pack Youth Services introduces Take & Play, a pilot program that offers everyone the opportunity to borrow games, ukuleles, and disc golf sets from the Youth Services department at Pack Library. Take & Play items check out for three weeks, and you need to pick them up and drop them off at Pack Library. Games, ukuleles, and disc golf sets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and you check them out with your library card just like a book. Call 250-4720 for details, or drop by the library anytime we’re open.
All our library hours are listed here.
April is National Poetry Month and we invite all poets, would be poets and poetry fans to celebrate with Buncombe County Public Libraries. We’ll be hosting the following free events at libraries all over the county. For more information on any of these programs, contact your friendly neighborhood library.
Black Out Poetry Kits Available at the Library
All Month Long
Every Library
Come to any library and pick up a free kit to create a black out poetry masterpiece. Black out poetry doesn’t start with a blank page, it starts with a page of words taken from an old book. Poets will eliminate words to create a poem composed of the words left on the page. Visit any branch of Buncombe County Public Libraries in April to pick up your very own black out poetry kit featuring markers, inspiration and pages of print to begin your creation. When you’re finished, photograph your creation and upload it to facebook or instagram. Tag your library’s account and we’ll feature it as a post! You can also drop your poem by the library and we’ll post it for you. Kits are available while supplies last.
Buncombe County Schools is one of the largest employers in our community. In this meeting, we will be hearing from their Human Resources Department about how things have changed and how things are going.
We will start with some networking from 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. before the program begins at noon; please arrive early.
Generally, Goodwill provides lunch at these meetings. But under the current circumstances, this meeting will be a virtual potluck!
Things to do to prepare for the event:
- Support a local restaurant by getting take-out to bring to the event.
- When you join, we encourage you to join with video so we can see your smiling face.
- Bring any questions you may have for this amazing group of speakers.
Once you have registered, a link to the meeting will be sent to you.
Because of the Covid-19 restrictions, our Library Tax-Aide program is changing the way you can get help with your taxes in 2021. Tax assistance is available now through April 8.
You will need an appointment this year to speak with a tax help aide at the library. At your appointment, you can drop off your tax documents and you’ll be given another appointment in about two weeks to pick up your paperwork and completed tax form.
How it works
- Pick-up a Tax Record Envelope and instructions at Black Mountain, West Asheville or Pack Library during library hours.
- Complete the Intake/Interview Booklet in your envelope by answering all questions. Then sign and date the last 3 pages. Place all your tax forms and any information relating to your tax return in your envelope.
- Make an appointment to drop off your Tax Record Envelope and meet with a Tax-Aide volunteer.
Schedule
Weaverville Library and Weaverville First Baptist Church: Thursdays, appointments available between 1-5pm
- To make an appointment for tax help at the Weaverville First Baptist Church email [email protected] with your name and telephone number OR call the Weaverville Library at (828) 250-6482 with questions. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. At your appointment, a tax volunteer will check all documents and give you a follow-up appointment to pick up your completed tax return and documents in 1 or 2 weeks.
Tax help is available now through April 8.
Bring the following documents and tax forms to your tax help appointment (photocopies are recommended):
- Photo ID / Driver License for Taxpayer and Spouse
- Social Security Cards for Taxpayer, Spouse and ALL dependents
- Prior year (2019) Federal and State tax returns
- W-2 Wages, W-2G (Gambling winnings)
- SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement
- 1099-R Retirement, 1099-RRB (Railroad Retirement Benefits)
- 1099-Interest, 1099-Dividend, 1099-OID
- 1099-B Brokerage Statement, Sale of Stocks and Bonds, 1099-Ks
- 1099-G Unemployment and State refunds
- 1099-NEC Self-Employment, 1099-MISC
- 1099-C Sale of Home, Forgiveness of Credit Card Debt
- 1098- Home Mortgage Interest and Real Estate Taxes
- 1099-T Education Credits PLUS Student Account Statement
- 1098-E Student Loan Interest
- 1099-SA and/or 5498-SA (HSA = Health Savings Account)
- 1095-A Health Insurance – Affordable Care Act, Health Insurance Marketplace
- Schedule K-1 (Forms 1065, 1120S or 1041)
- Any other documents or information relevant to preparation of the tax return
- Voided check for direct deposit of any refund to your checking / savings account
Because of the Covid-19 restrictions, our Library Tax-Aide program is changing the way you can get help with your taxes in 2021. Tax assistance is available now through April 8.
You will need an appointment this year to speak with a tax help aide at the library. At your appointment, you can drop off your tax documents and you’ll be given another appointment in about two weeks to pick up your paperwork and completed tax form.
How it works
- Pick-up a Tax Record Envelope and instructions at Black Mountain, West Asheville or Pack Library during library hours.
- Complete the Intake/Interview Booklet in your envelope by answering all questions. Then sign and date the last 3 pages. Place all your tax forms and any information relating to your tax return in your envelope.
- Make an appointment to drop off your Tax Record Envelope and meet with a Tax-Aide volunteer.
Black Mountain Library: Thursdays, appointments available between 1-5 p.m.
- To make an appointment at Black Mountain Library email [email protected] with your name and telephone number OR call (828) 419-0030. An AARP volunteer will contact you to set up your appointment. At your appointment, a tax volunteer will check all documents and give you a follow-up appointment to pick up your completed tax return and documents in 1 or 2 weeks.
- Bring the following documents and tax forms to your tax help appointment (photocopies are recommended):
- Photo ID / Driver License for Taxpayer and Spouse
- Social Security Cards for Taxpayer, Spouse and ALL dependents
- Prior year (2019) Federal and State tax returns
- W-2 Wages, W-2G (Gambling winnings)
- SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement
- 1099-R Retirement, 1099-RRB (Railroad Retirement Benefits)
- 1099-Interest, 1099-Dividend, 1099-OID
- 1099-B Brokerage Statement, Sale of Stocks and Bonds, 1099-Ks
- 1099-G Unemployment and State refunds
- 1099-NEC Self-Employment, 1099-MISC
- 1099-C Sale of Home, Forgiveness of Credit Card Debt
- 1098- Home Mortgage Interest and Real Estate Taxes
- 1099-T Education Credits PLUS Student Account Statement
- 1098-E Student Loan Interest
- 1099-SA and/or 5498-SA (HSA = Health Savings Account)
- 1095-A Health Insurance – Affordable Care Act, Health Insurance Marketplace
- Schedule K-1 (Forms 1065, 1120S or 1041)
- Any other documents or information relevant to preparation of the tax return
- Voided check for direct deposit of any refund to your checking / savings account
Buncombe County Schools invites you to our Educator Career Fair to be held on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. We will present information about our outstanding school district, followed by an opportunity for Q&A with HR staff, district leaders, and school principals.
🔗 Please REGISTER to receive the Zoom link: https://forms.gle/bPhbJRaYF3u5MfENA
We look forward to speaking with you on April 1st!
Asheville City Council will hold a planning retreat on March 31 and April 1 on the Arena Floor of Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, 87 Haywood St.
This retreat will be in-person for Council members, a small number of staff, facilitators and members of the media; however, due to COVID restrictions, the public should continue to view the meeting virtually. Members of the public will be able to view the meetings live remotely through the City’s Virtual Engagement Hub, YouTube channel or on television on Charter Cable channel 193 and on AT&T U-Verse channel 99. No public comment will be taken.
The March 31 meeting will begin at 3 p.m. and the April 1 meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Members of the City Council and City staff will meet on March 31 prior to the start of the public meeting, but no public business will be deliberated and no action will be taken. This portion of the retreat will not be open to the public.
Prior to 3 p.m. March 31, Council will focus on strengthening personal relationships, teamwork, and communication required to do meaningful work together.
Starting at 3 p.m. March 31 and all day on April 1, the attention will turn to a discussion of priorities that will inform focus areas and goals for the upcoming year.
The retreat is designed for City Council to create meaningful change and measurable results for our community.
Facebook is the largest and most prolific social media channel out there with over 2 billion users. So, how to best leverage it for your business or nonprofit? In this session we will cover all the most important basics for 2020 and beyond:
- How to position your brand on Facebook
- Best practices for a successful Facebook business page
- What type of content to post/share to get the most engagement
- What type of content Facebook favors which increases your visibility
- When to post, how often, and how to tag for more engagement
- How to leverage Reviews
- A quick starting look into boosting/paid ads
- Live Q&A
This webinar may be converted into an in-person seminar, pursuant to state recommendations. Attendees will be notified by email if the class type is changed.
Speaker(s): Aaron Wesley Means
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration.
|
|
1918 vs. 2020
In the midst of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, we take an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic.
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Tax Provisions for Individuals & Businesses – This resource breaks down individual taxpayer relief and credits as well as the expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit and other business tax benefits.
- Key Provisions for Employee Benefits & Plan Administrators – This publication outlines key changes designed to preserve the health benefits for involuntary terminations, dependent care assistance, credits for paid sick and family leave, and updates affecting pension plans.
|
|
|
|
 |
| The residents of the Smith-McDowell House and grounds were woven in to the fabric of Asheville.
This driving tour begins at the Smith-McDowell House Museum on the campus of A-B Tech and continues through historic sites related to early occupants of the house. |
#WNCFORTHEPLANET
April is Earth Month, and for all of you looking for ways to help our beautiful mother Earth, we’ve got you covered. This year 6 of the partnering environmental organizations have gathered various way for you to enjoy nature, learn new things about the environment, and help protect our local ecosystems. By participating in some of these activities, you can be entered to win a bundle of goodies. Here’s how it works:
- Click on each bingo square to learn more about that activity.
- Use this printable bingo card to track the activities you complete.
- Once you’ve completed a row or column on the bingo card, email your filled out bingo card to [email protected]
- For every row or column that you complete you’ll get one entry into the drawing for a swag bag prize bundle.
The City of Asheville wants to hear from you! City staff have approached the budget process differently this year by reviewing existing services with a focus on members of our community that experience inequity.
Through our internal department work, and from what heard through Reimagining Public Safety several opportunities for improvements emerged: Economic Opportunity, Access to Government, Increased Community Engagement, Increased Budget Transparency.
We want to know from you whether these potential changes are worth pursuing, and if you have other ideas about how we can improve.
Click here to take the survey and let us know.
In addition to the survey, we are holding virtual discussion sessions as another way to gather information from you. The questions in the survey will be leading the first round of discussions. There will be new topics for Round Two in April. To register to be a part of the discussions visit the Equity Focused Budget Engagement Page or click on the dates below.
Round two budget sessions:
To follow along the budget process visit the Equity Focused Budget Engagement webpage.
Here is the upcoming City Council budget schedule:
-
April 13: Budget work session #3
-
May 25: City Manager’s Proposed Budget goes to City Council
-
June 8: Budget public hearing at City Council meeting
-
June 22: City Council to vote on budget adoption
We encourage all residents to watch the budget work sessions and keep up with the budget process and participate in this engagement. For any questions, contact Beth Bechel 828-259-5598 or [email protected].
Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper signed three Executive Orders. Executive Order 206 extends North Carolina’s statewide residential eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s recent extension of the nationwide moratorium through the same date. Executive Order 207 expedites the processing of unemployment insurance claims and is also effective through June 30, 2021. Executive Order 205 extends the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC Commission)’s authorization to permit the delivery or carry-out of mixed beverages as an alternative to on-site consumption through April 30, 2021.
- Write letters to the editor
- Sign the petition
- Get a yard sign… when more arrive!
Spring is here and we are all in need of a ReTreat! Vaccinations are rolling out, kids are going back to school, and now seems like the perfect time for some reprieve before the Summer comes into full swing. Join us May 13-16 for the second annual LEAF ReTreat – a weekend event to rejuvenate the soul and spark your inspiration so that we can continue building connection and bridging communities. This special enews is dedicated to the ReTreat. We invite you to join us and make it yours.
LEAF ReTreat offers beautiful seclusion in which you can relax and get away from the world. At 1/5th the attendee size of a traditional Festival, while maintaining the same acreage, Retreat gives you the feeling of having the place to yourself, creating more small and safe groups, and connecting you with nature, the lake, and the outdoors as an essential part of the experience. AND…you can bring your bike!
Did you know Buncombe County is actively involved in an important initiative aimed at more accurately reflecting the history of racial and economic injustice? The Buncombe County Remembrance Project is a part of the Equal Justice Initiative’s nationwide effort to work with counties to raise more awareness about individuals lynched in our County. Further, the project is working to bring about community healing concerning Jim Crow-era discrimination, mass incarceration, state-sanctioned violence, contemporary racial trauma and violence, and other important issues.
The Buncombe County Remembrance Project is a partnership with multiple local organizations that all recognize the need to publicly acknowledge and educate the public about racial issues. This work ties into the County’s 2025 Strategic Plan which is focused on equity defined as: Systems, policies, and practices that support equity for all people and an organizational culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. To learn more about the Buncombe County Remembrance Project, click here.
MLK Youth Scholarship
Martin Luther King Junior’s work to advance equal rights was pivotal in helping shape today’s landscape. There is much work still to be done, but his legacy continues to inspire generations. Buncombe County strives to be a place where Dr. King’s vision is realized by prioritizing equity and being intentional about highlighting racial injustice through initiatives such as the Buncombe County Remembrance Project, our Racial Equity Action Plan, and other efforts.
To further honor Martin Luther King Junior’s legacy, Buncombe County wants to ensure students are aware of the MLK Youth Scholarship for Buncombe County residents. Applications are due April 15, learn more here.