• a love for North Carolina through mixed media on paper by Sophia Allison;
• well known local landscapes through acrylic on canvas by Carrie Jenson;
• a change in perspective through oil on linen by Joan Lesikin,
• communicative vessels through earthenware sculptures by Robert Milnes,
• vibrant abstract motion through acrylics on paper by Eleanor Palmer;
• and a glimpse of Asheville through oil on canvas by Maureen Scullin.

WORK OF THE WEEK Jeff Koons’s One Ball Total Equilibrium Tank (Spalding Dr. J Silver Series) is currently on view in the Museum’s Artistic Tribute: Representation of the Athlete exhibition. Keira Ezzo, summer 2021 communications – multimedia storytelling intern, shares her take on this work for our Work of the Week. Read more about this work on the blog.

ENGAGE WITH THE MUSEUM FROM HOME

• Explore the Collection and exhibitions virtually on our website.
• Get to know our staff and volunteers, take deeper dives into artwork with our Works of the Week, and more on the Museum blog.
• Catch up on past virtual programs, check out artist interviews, and learn about the history of Pack Square on our YouTube channel.
• Play “I Spy” with your kids using artwork from our Collection.
• Color our Collection (kids and adults) with downloadable coloring sheets and note cards.
• Follow us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Check back often for new content that provides inspiration, calm, comfort, and yes, even some fun during this unprecedented time.

Celebrate the holiday season and the joy of live theater by becoming a sponsor for A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas! Your support sustains the impact of the performing arts on our hearts and minds as well as our local economy.
Act now!

The ideal volunteer tutor is someone seeking to make a one-year commitment of two hours per week to help someone else make the change of a lifetime. For our volunteer tutors, an education background is helpful, but not necessary. The most important qualities are patience, an open mind, and resourcefulness. Tutors also need to be non-judgmental and sensitive to cultural differences. A GED or high school diploma is required. Ideal tutors enjoy seeing concrete outcomes from their efforts and sharing in the life-changing successes of others. See our full tutor position description here.

Learn more about Literacy Together’s volunteer roles!

Buncombe County is beginning a comprehensive planning process and would like to hear from residents of all ages. The comprehensive plan is used by local governments as a broad, long-range planning tool for the community. Our plan will focus on the next 20-year period and will look at the relationships between land uses, infrastructure, and key community needs. Information regarding the comprehensive planning process will be available online and in all 12 Buncombe County Libraries starting in October.

Also during October, the libraries will provide an opportunity for children in Buncombe County to participate in the Comprehensive Plan Post Card Project.  Come to the library and pick up your craft kits (while supplies last) that include a postcard where kids can draw what they want their neighborhood to look like. This is a chance for young people to vote for their future and say what they want County government to address in the next 20 years. These postcards will give the County valuable input and may be featured in the final comprehensive plan!  If you have any questions, contact your neighborhood librarian or visit the Comprehensive Plan online.

As a part of this year’s budget process, City of Asheville staff heard from our community that new City investments in neighborhoods were very important.  To respond to that need the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget includes $200,000 to launch a Neighborhood Grant Program.

This program is designed specifically for neighborhood-based organizations:

• Neighborhood associations;
• Homeowners associations;
• Neighborhood coalitions; and
• Resident organizations in tax credit-funded communities.

These organizations must represent a specific geographic location within Asheville city limits and have completed or are in the process of completing their Neighborhood Registration Form.

What kinds of projects can be funded?

Neighborhoods are encouraged to submit creative project ideas such as landscaping, murals, festivals, community art and cultural festivals. Traffic calming, public safety, marking and branding and organizational development can also be considered.

The Neighborhood Grant Program’s goal is to build neighborhood capacity and increase civic participation. Projects must be achievable within 12 months of contract execution, and there must be a dollar-for-dollar match through cash, volunteer hours, or in-kind donation of goods or services.

Neighborhoods can submit applications from October 1 – 31.

Click here to go to the application.

Oct. 5 Update: COVID Cases Drop for Third Week; Buncombe County Nears 400 Deaths

For the third straight week, COVID-19 cases continue to decline, and the percent positivity is 6.7%, down from the mid-9% range a month ago. As transmission rates decrease, hospitalizations have also decreased. However, with 397 COVID-related deaths, Buncombe County is closing in on a grim milestone. Cases per 100,000 per week is now 216, and school-aged children make up approximately 24.5% of new cases.

“We anticipate children ages 5-11 to become eligible very soon, but until then, the rest of us need to do our part to keep our youngest protected,” said Public Health Director Stacie Saunders. “This means eligible populations who are not yet vaccinated should consider vaccination now. The more we as a community are protected, the better we build a shield around those who cannot be vaccinated, including our younger children.”

Because of sustained high transmission levels, the indoor face covering requirement for indoor public spaces has been extended until the end of October.

Help reach our matching gift challenge. We are halfway to our goal.

County Commissioners unanimously approved using $300,000 for a new initiative aimed at helping qualified homeowners. During their meeting on July 13, commissioners voted to move forward with the Homeowner Grant Program that could provide $300 for eligible residents.

“This is a new idea for our community, and I’m glad we are thoroughly evaluating it,” said Chairman Brownie Newman. “We are trying to provide some financial relief for folks seeing cost of living go up for a variety of reasons. We’ll make adjustments based on what works well,” said Newman noting the County might increase the program’s investment in the future.

Homeowners Grant Details

Grant amount: Up to $300
Frequency: Annual
Eligible payments types: Tax bill and other homeowner housing costs
Eligible area: Buncombe County
Length of primary residence: Five years
Income: 80% of annual median income
Application: Income documentation required, unless already enrolled in HHS means-tested programs
Other programs: Best fitting programs; no duplication of benefits

Applications will be available starting Aug. 1, and the deadline to apply will be Nov. 15. Buncombe County will work with the local media and add updates to the Homeowner Grant program on its website as more information and applications are available.

Need to get something off your chest about Buncombe County? Are you concerned about issues and areas where we could be providing better service? There’s a survey for that. Your voice can help change the future of Buncombe County. All we need is 10-15 minutes of your time.

Buncombe County is continually striving to make its strategic priorities a reality. To that end, we are launching the Buncombe County Community Survey to help us gather valuable input that will guide us in future decisions concerning everything from economic development, to County park facilities.  A randomly selected sample of County residents will receive the survey, and your anonymous answers will help drive key initiatives, programs, and identify other opportunities and challenges. “It is vitally important for residents to have the opportunity to share their opinions with us, and we hope the Community Survey provides one more avenue for that feedback,” says County Manager Avril Pinder.

The ETC Institute in partnership with Buncombe County’s Strategy & Innovation Department will administer the survey. Households will receive a questionnaire by mail, and staff asks that anyone 18 years or older complete and return it using the enclosed paid postage. The community survey is available in multiple languages, should take about 10-15 minutes of your time, and instructions are included to complete online or over the phone if needed. The survey will not ask residents to share any personal identifying information.

We thank you for your time and valuable insights as we continually evaluate our existing programs and resources while searching for new opportunities to better serve our community. Your voice is important and Buncombe County Government is committed to offering a broad range of opportunities for public input. If your household does not receive a survey we encourage residents to sign up for our e-newsletter at buncombecounty.org, or text bcalert to 99411 to stay informed about community meetings and engagement opportunities. To share your concerns anonymously please email [email protected].

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor all donations given through Sunday, November 21 will be matched up to $8,500 – turning each donation into a SUPER DONATION! When you donate to ACT, you are assisting with scholarships, helping to keep ticket prices affordable, and so much more!

Help us reach this goal with a gift of any size!

A guided whitewater rafting trip is one of the best ways to experience the Nantahala Gorge. The crystal-clear Nantahala River is the perfect family-friendly river where experienced river guides will help you navigate through splashy Class II-III rapids and bouncy waves, with occasional calmer waters where you can enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. The fully guided rafting trip the most popular adventure at NOC, with thousands of families returning year after year.

In this 1-hour program, Dr. David Moore, an archaeologist at Warren Wilson University, discusses the Joara Native American Village and Native resistance to the Spanish invasion of WNC in the 1500s. Dr. Moore has been involved with the archaeology of this site near modern Morganton, NC for nearly three decades. He describes the findings of ongoing excavations and places them in context with the culture of the Native peoples who eventually thwarted Spanish colonization attempts in the Appalachian Mountains.

To Asheville residents using paper bags for their fall leaves these past few years, we say thank you and keep up the good work!

We’d encourage everyone else to follow their example.

Paper bags cost about the same as plastic ones. They’re compostable and more eco-friendly. Below is a guide on how to use them effectively, with as little hassle as possible to you, our residents.

Thank you,

City of Asheville

Q&A

Question: Why use paper bags for leaf collection?

Answer: The City of Asheville began encouraging the use of brown paper bags for leaf collection after a local vendor confirmed for the City that they are compostable, and therefore using them is a more environmentally sustainable practice.

Collecting leaves in paper bags is also a big time saver for Sanitation staff. This helps the Sanitation Department save money and provide more efficient service for our taxpayers.

An estimated 10,000 tons of brush and leaves are collected annually within the city limits. The use of biodegradable materials is a better waste management practice.

Numerous cities across the U.S. require paper bags for collection. So far, the City of Asheville is encouraging (not requiring) their use.

Q: Where do I find them?

A: Paper leaf collection bags are available at local home and hardware stores as well as many grocery stores. You can also buy them online. Please be sure to buy bags without plastic liners.

Q: Aren’t paper bags more expensive?

A: They are comparable in price to other options. For example, you can find an eight-count package of 30-gallon bags for as low as 39 cents each.

Q: Won’t the paper bags disintegrate if it rains?

A: Though these bags are heavy duty, rain can affect them. If that happens, Sanitation workers will still collect your leaves, using a shovel to scoop them up.

Q: What can go in paper bags?

A: Leaves and small twigs only should go in the paper bags. Garden and yard waste such as vines and tree or shrub limbs should go to the curb for brush collection. No grass clippings please.

Q: If I don’t want to use bags, can I use a container instead?

A: Yes! Please do label your container “leaves” so that our Sanitation workers clearly understand they have leaves in them.

Q: How else can I dispose of my leaves?

A: Compost them at home! Composting eliminates the chore of bagging leaves. Along with leaves you can compost much of your kitchen waste.

Compost improves your soil and helps retain water. Use it in flower and vegetable gardens, around trees and shrubs, and on houseplants and lawns.

So feed your landscape, not the landfill.  For composting tips, visit this link.

Want more information?

Please visit the City of Asheville Sanitation webpage. You can also email questions to [email protected].

As part of October’s NC Countdown to College and National Transfer Student Week, UNC Asheville will waive application fees for first-year and transfer students from North Carolina, Oct. 18-22, 2021. The application fee typically costs $75. Students may choose to apply for regular decision or for Early Decision, which gives priority consideration to students who are certain that UNC Asheville is their first-choice university. The deadline for Early Decision is Nov. 1.

If you are a resident of Woodfin, Weaverville, or the Woodfin Water and Sewer District, then you’re eligible to vote in the upcoming municipal election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Buncombe County Election Services wants to make sure you have all the information you need and is committed to having a safe and secure election. For more information about precautions regarding COVID-19, click here.

Below is information about voter registration, sample ballots, absentee ballots, Early Voting, and more. If you have additional questions, visit our website at buncombecounty.org/vote or contact our office by phone at:  (828) 250-4200.

What’s on the ballot?

• Town of Weaverville Mayor
• Town of Weaverville Town Council Members
• Town of Woodfin Commissioners
• Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District Trustee
• Three ways to vote: Absentee by Mail, Early Voting, and Election Day
• You may request an absentee ballot until Oct. 26.
• Early Voting period which runs Oct. 14-30.
• • Election Day

  Where to vote

  On Election Day, polls are open from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7:30 p.m., you will have the chance to vote.

A recent grant award by the Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund to help renovate and save the Tebeau Children’s Center. In addition to bringing Head Start, Early Head Start and NC Pre-K education programs to Henderson County’s underprivileged children under 5 years old, the renovation project will restore a community landmark that has provided childcare since the mid-1970’s!

WCCA is trying to raise the necessary funding to renovate the old daycare center and turn it into a modern early childhood education center.

WCCA has been awarded a $25,000 grant by the Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund of
the Community Foundation of Henderson County. The funds will be used to help
renovate and save the 70-year old Tebeau Children’s Center in Hendersonville, NC.
● The old daycare center which is located near Pardee Hospital off 9th Avenue between
Hendersonville Elementary and Middle School has been around since the mid-70’s. It
was called Stay ‘n Play, then Lovin’ & Learning, and Hendersonville School for Little
Folks. Generations of Henderson County families have relied on the center for childcare.
● After it closed in early 2020, WCCA bought the Tebeau Drive property. WCCA is in the
process of renovating and remodeling the facility to make it a modern early childhood
education center to serve nearly 100 children and families.
● David White, CEO for WCCA said “We’re grateful to partner with a group like the Perry
N. Rudnick Endowment Fund and the Henderson County Community Foundation to
save a piece of Henderson County’s past. Their support is an investment in future
generations of our children!”
● WCCA has raised just over $402,000 of the $850,000 needed to renovate the Tebeau
Center in time for its opening in April 2022. If you would like to help support this
worthwhile effort, please visit WCCA.org and donate!