Did you know Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation conserved 220 acres of land and completed 40 erosion control plans over the last year? To learn more about Soil & Water’s important work, read the annual report.

Peace Gardens

is creating a destination where community is cultivated using gardens & art!

By supporting creators you love on Patreon, you’re becoming an active participant in their creative process. As a member, you receive exclusive content, community access, behind-the-scenes updates, and the pride of fueling work that matters to you.

https://www.patreon.com/peacegardens?fan_landing=true&fbclid=IwAR1_I_QRH8Tw824vOy5couHcvVP5hC6KioMpdxjw98rmgjBK2LSl9IKKHiM

Have y’all missed going to the WNC Nature Center as much as we have? We’ve got good news! Kate Frost, the Director of Development is very excited to share all of the ways that they are adapting to these new norms. While you may not be able to go and see your favorite reptile friends, you can still see a majority of the outdoor exhibits or even tune in online and participate in the Brews and Bears event (Uno and Ursa are so excited to see you!)
See the video interview here!

While we’ve all had to adjust to the “new normal” (whatever that is), our local business owners and managers each have their own story to tell about how they’ve been affected and what they are doing during these unprecedented times. Dig Local is proud to partner with our friend, Ann Smith, at Leap Frog Tours to interview some of the awesome folks who make Asheville, Asheville.

Your input is needed. Buncombe County is considering applying for a County’s Community Development Block Grant to assist with Coronavirus relief, and we’re holding a public hearing at the Sept. 15 Board of Commissioners meeting. Find out more.

If you missed the sign-up period for public comment, you can still weigh in on the application process and what activities we should apply for.

Direct your written comments to Buncombe County Strategic Partnerships at 200 College St., Suite 300, Asheville, NC 28801, email [email protected],  or call Strategic Partnerships directly at (828) 250-4048.

On-site staffing is limited. Reservations recommended.

NOC’s Guest Appreciation Festival has been a staple in Western North Carolina since 1982. Bringing together families, friends and the community to celebrate another season of outdoor adventure. In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, we have made the decision to change up GAF for the 2020 season — with a focus on a virtual appreciation event throughout the month of September and no in-person festival the weekend of September 25th – 27th. The recreational releases on the Cascades and Upper Nantahala are still scheduled as normal.

In 2020 the festival format might change — but the spirit is stronger than ever. Let’s celebrate another summer of (socially distanced) adventure with a month full of deals on new and used gear, apparel from the big brands, and last minute savings on fall adventures in the mountains.

It has been a challenging year, but one that has reminded us that outdoor adventure plays a critical role in a healthy lifestyle. As we “space out” what is normally an action-packed weekend in the gorge, we plan to bring offers throughout the month of September that will keep you outfitted for the next adventure, big or small.

Want to be on the inside track? Sign up below to be added to our #GAF2020 list. We’ll be sharing additional updates soon and subscribers will be the first to know when the big deals hit.

Please note: Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!

The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!

The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.

Rules of the trail:

Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.

Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.

Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.

Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.

The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.

The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!

P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

Community Testing Site Locations in Buncombe County: Appointment required at all sites

East Buncombe

2217 US 70 Hwy., Swannanoa (Ingles Parking Lot)
Every Tuesday
9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Buncombe County offers drive-thru COVID-19 community testing at specified locations throughout the county. Community testing provides an easy and efficient way for those who live, work, or attend school in Buncombe County to get tested for COVID-19.

Testing is available by appointment only. Here are the steps to sign up for community testing at one of the Buncombe County community testing sites:

Step 1: Complete the Buncombe County COVID-19 Self-Checker.  The self-checker will tell you whether or not you need to be tested. You can access the self-checker here. You can also call the Ready Team at (828) 419-0095 and they will help you to complete the self-checker.

Step 2: If your self-checker results indicate that you need to be tested and you do not have a primary care provider who is providing COVID-19 testing or you cannot get tested at an urgent care, you will need to register for the testing site. You can register online or by calling the Ready Team. You must complete the registration form and wait for a call back (next step).

Step 3: Once you have completed the registration, the Ready Team will call you within 2 business days to schedule your appointment. They will call from this number: (828) 419-0095. Do not show up at the testing site without an appointment. 

Step 4: Show up at the testing site at your scheduled date and time.

Step 5: Wait for your testing results or access them online. Your test result will be available within 48 hours. While you are waiting for your test result, you should act as if you have COVID and reduce or eliminate your contact with others until your test results return.

• While waiting for your test result, please follow the instructions in the “Steps for People After COVID-19 Testing” handout that you received at the testing site and attached below. This handout also tells you what to do once you get your test result.

• A Buncombe County employee will call you with your test result.
      OR
• You can register with our lab partner, Genova Diagnostics, to check on your results online. Please do not call Genova for your results.

To get your results from the lab partner, Genova Diagnostics*:

• Register for the Genova Diagnostics myGDX Patient Resource Center at https://www.gdx.net/prc.
• To access your result, you will be asked to enter the last 5 digits of your social security number to verify your identity. If you do not have a social security number, enter any 5 numbers and you will be able to get your result by providing different identifying information.
  * You may see a note on Genova’s website about a 10 day delay in releasing results to patients, but this does not apply to COVID testing through our sites.

4 state exhibit – SC, NC, TN, GA

The entries have been chosen for this year’s annual juried exhibition. Thank you to all who entered.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be an awards reception this year, but we will make the awards announcements online at 11:00am on 26 September.

The exhibit can be viewed in our Solomon Gallery 15 September – 17 October, during normal business hours.
Tues – Sat 10am – 4pm

View the list of accepted entries.

This class will be held virtually via a videoconferencing platform and will be structured to optimize community building through online learning. 

Class will meet every Tuesday, August 11 – September 22 from 10am – 12:30pm with no class on September 8th.

Our Foundations business planning class helps guide ideas from concept to reality in a participatory, supportive learning environment. Join a cohort of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to gain an aerial perspective of your vision and the comprehensive business skills necessary to help bring your visions into reality.

Participants will gain a clear aerial perspective of their business operations, financials, research and development, and marketing strategies. They will leave the course with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work.

• Week 1: Gaining Perspective: We start by viewing our business concepts from a high altitude, in order to define our visions and get a good look at the main topics to be addressed.
• Week 2: Laying the Foundation: Next, we return to the ground level to define our lines of business and analyze financial essentials, from overhead costs to break-even points.
• Week 3: Getting into the Flow: In the third session, we’ll cover the financial bases of cash flow, sales forecasting, and financial documents.
• Week 4: Mission & Markets: Then, we’ll revisit our mission, discuss market research, and identify competitors in order to align with our target markets.
• Week 5: Get the Word Out: Next, we’ll discuss creative marketing strategies and give peer feedback on marketing materials.
• Week 6: Goodbye & Good Luck: Finally, we’ll present our business plans, share final pitches, and plan for next steps.

Throughout the class, emphasis will be placed on developing the social capital of the group. Participants will be encouraged to gather feedback from their peers, creating a strong network of deep support and synergy.

Facilitator

2020 A YEAR OF COVID, TURMOIL, UNCERTAINTIES, HEROES & HOPE

The year 2020 for better or worse will go down in American history as a pivotal moment. It has been often said that history is written for and by the victors.

But nowadays in a world overwhelmed with 2-second tweets, forgettable social media, conspiracy theories and online rages; modern history seems to be written by the distracted, the delusional and the destructive.

Mountain Made, a local arts & crafts boutique in Grove Arcade, is taking a different approach. We are creating a public history journal of poetry, personal musing, thoughtful insights and yes, rants on “The Year 2020”. They could be funny or serious.

We have setup two interactive art stations inside the gallery:

* The first one is where you can quickly put down your thoughts on some blank paper (the original “i-pad”) and leave it with us.

* The other is a shared, public painting series where you can lay brush to canvas if you are more a visual person.

As the credit needs of businesses continue to change, the Asheville Chamber is pleased to bring you a webinar to address lending in the “New Normal.”
Our guests, John Scroggs from TD Bank, Kelly Foster from Mountain Biz Works, and Sandra Dennison from the Small Business and Technology Development Center of WCU and UNCA, will present on what businesses owners may face in the current landscape if they’re applying for a loan for their business. Additionally, our panelists will review additional resources for businesses to help you navigate this unprecedented time.

In the registration please ask your questions ahead of time so we may tailor this webinar to your concerns.

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase.

GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made.

Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant serving GSMR’s freshly cooked pulled pork barbeque rubbed with Cajun spices then slow-roasted to perfection served with southern sweet cornbread muffin with honey butter, coleslaw, and cinnamon apples then finish with a delicious piece of Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake. Riders will also receive their very own Carolina Shine mason drinking jar, refillable with soda beverages and tea throughout the day, and a souvenir GSMR tote bag (1 per couple/party).

Have you registered to vote? If so, are you certain all of your information is correct? Have you moved lately? Well, today is your lucky day. Come by one of our curbside locations on Sept. 22 from 1-5 p.m., and we’ll have all the forms you need to make sure you are able to vote in the next election.

We will have forms for registering, forms for absentee voting by mail (no reason necessary), and change forms if you need to find out your voting precinct. And volunteers will be on site to answer questions and tell you where to find out more.

Curbside locations:

• Black Mountain Library
• Fairview Library
• Leicester Library
• North Asheville Library
• Oakley/South Asheville Library
• South Buncombe/Skyland Library
• West Asheville Library

If you can’t make it on Sept. 22, ask for a form any day you visit the library to pick up a hold at curbside. Our libraries have the forms available.

Voting is one of the most important roles you perform as a citizen of these United States, and your choices affect your library too. We hope to see you there.

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. First observed in 2012, it has quickly gained momentum ever since. Nearly 3 million voters have registered to vote on the holiday to date.

For more information, contact our Ask A Librarian line at 828-250-4700 or Election Services at 828-250-4200.

The Steady Collective is dedicated to promoting the wellness of people who use drugs through empowerment and respectful collaboration. This outreach event is open to all and includes comprehensive harm reduction to improve overall community health by reducing the rate of drug overdose and the spread of infectious disease with education, advocacy, and direct services.

Participants receive educational material, naloxone, syringes, and supplies at no cost.

We have been working hard to establish Emergency Safety Guidelines in order to safely operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It’s important for all to remember that we are able to be open because we are an open-air grocery store, not a social gathering.

 Taught by Amanda Klinikowski 

6 week class meets on Tuesdays.

Have you ever wanted to use your voice, body, and imagination to say something you believe in?! Then this is the class for you! Each day we will warm up our bodies, voices, and imagination and work together to create an original skit with movement based on one of Aesop’s Fables! Our final class session will be recorded and shared with friends and families. This class is taught using ZOOM video conferencing.

This will be a quick intensive dive into the first 3 steps to take in order to turn you skill(s) into a successful workshop. I have developed this program and would love some feedback on it. So in exchange for this free session, I will be asking for your thoughts in a survey at the end. Also, there will be some pre-work required, but it won’t be too extensive.

To keep this session as effective as possible, I am limiting the number of attendees to 10. So the first 10 to hit the “I’m Going” button are in!

And yet again, we will be getting together virtually. I’m super excited to be working with you!

Join us for a special, in-person, Mini-Business After Hours. This networking opportunity will be limited to 40 attendees and will be held outside at Southern Appalachian Brewing. Attendees will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing. *Attendance is limited and registration is REQUIRED to attend

Lights, camera, action! “Let’s go to the movies” in this fun class celebrating

Weekly Zoom class, one 20-minute private coaching
Instructors: Anna Kimmell, Matthew Glover

Tuesdays from 4:30 – 5:30 PM

Lights, camera, action! “Let’s go to the movies” in this fun class celebrating songs of the silver screen! In a combination of weekly Zoom sessions and one private coaching, young actors will work with Studio 52 faculty to develop their skills in vocal technique, acting through song, and movement. The semester culminates in a one-of-a-kind movie musical revue, presented in a final virtual screening! 

Hone your ability to create honest characters, feel confident connecting and collaborating with others, and discover freedom and playfulness. In this class for high school actors (both beginners and experienced performers), students will explore performance technique in the development of monologues (which can be used for future auditions), as well as digging deep into character objectives and tactics. At the end of the semester, share your newfound skills in a final virtual showcase.

Tuesdays from 6 – 7 PM
Sep. 22 – Nov. 17
9th – 12th Grades
​Weekly Zoom class
Instructors: Betsy Bisson, Lisa K. Bryant
​

This week we will be meeting at Rabbit Rabbit (75 Coxe Avenue) again which is next to Asheville Brewing on the Southslope. The venue was nice and more open than we have experienced.
The 5-6 mile runners will leave at 6:00 while the 3 milers will leave out at 6:20. Please RSVP and let us know what time you’re heading out and because I can be a little dense, what distance you’re doing. This will help people be able to run with somebody but keep the numbers lower for each group. Please note if you wish to start on your own and just meet up afterward, then by all means be about it.
Remember, we’ll meet back at the brewery afterward for a cold frosty one (or more if you’re feeling saucy). Please bring a mask to wear when you are not at your table. They had a wonderful Taco truck last time. I hate to say it, but if you have fever, cough, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste/smell, then please stay home and recover. We’re capping the run at 20 runners. If you have a significant other/ friend that you wish to join us, that is fine. But please count them as your +1.
The days are getting shorter and be aware that it is getting close to needing a headlamp/ reflective vest for safety but not yet.

See you all there!

This is a Zoom virtual meeting of HLAA – Asheville Chapter. Find out more about the Hearing Loss Association of America – what we do – who we serve – how we can help you with your hearing loss. We are an information, support and advocacy organization – WE ARE NOT SELLING ANYTHING!