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, December 26, 2020
Friends of the Henderson County Public Library: Book Store Open
Dec 26 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Friends of the Henderson County Public Library
The public is welcome and members of the Friends get a 10 percent discount on all
purchases. (You can join the Friends at the bookstore). Anyone can donate books, CDs,
and DVDs at the store, but only during the hours it is open.

As with the book sales, everything at the bookstore is in excellent condition. Books are
shelved by author or subject so they are easy to find, and books are restocked
throughout the week. The store also sells CDs and DVDs.
The bookstore follows health guidelines. Anyone entering must wear a mask and
practice social distancing. Hand sanitizers are available. When the store is busy,
shopping is limited to 30 minutes.

Except for the bookstore manager, the Friends is an all-volunteer organization. There is
a need for more volunteers to help at the bookstore. It is a great way to meet people
who love reading while also helping to support our library system.

Chimney Rock State Park Winter Break Family Animal Encounters
Dec 26 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

We are lucky to have incredible Animal Ambassadors to help us spread the word on the important roles they play in the Park. Join one of our Park Naturalists for an informal program where your family will love meeting some of our wilder teammates! Kids of all ages are sure to take home some fun facts and special memories.

North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Dec 26 @ 10:00 pm – Dec 27 @ 5:00 am
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday, December 8th that North Carolina will begin a Modified Stay at Home Order in response to a rapid increase in North Carolina’s key COVID-19 trends. The Order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, and takes effect Friday, December 11th. The Order is set to remain in place until January 8, 2021.
The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and more to close at 10 pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the order. FAQs on the order can be found HERE.
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Courses for Community Residents OLLI’s College for Seniors
Dec 27 all-day
Online

Intellectual stimulation and skills development are not just for full-time students. UNC Asheville courses for community writers of all levels of experience, and for seniors looking to continue a lifetime of learning, are now open for registration. These courses will all be online this winter and spring.

College for Seniors at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

OLLI’s College for Seniors, now in its fourth decade and offering an impressive variety of courses developed for Zoom to help prevent spread of COVID-19, draws from the experiences and professional expertise of its members as well as from UNC Asheville and other area institutions and people. Courses range from Being Chronically Well, to Asheville and Pandemics: TB, Flu and COVID-19; and also include What’s Up with Genesis; Welcome to Our City: Thomas Wolfe’s Asheville; Ecology of Southern Appalachia; and French Opera: A Reintroduction.

There are no tests, credits or grades. OLLI members collaborate with staff to teach, learn, and design curricula, and also arrange special events. In addition to the annual OLLI membership fee, a tuition fee for each term is paid by College For Seniors participants, with some partial scholarships available.

The College for Seniors winter term begins on Jan. 11, 2021, and registration is now open. To see course descriptions, cost information and more, visit olliasheville.com/college-seniors.

Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Dec 27 all-day
Asheville NC

Alternate text

Covid-Friendly Clean-Up Stations: #AVLquaranclean

We’ve learned a lot about adapting this year. Back in March, we canceled all of our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. But it didn’t stop you from working to make Asheville cleaner and safer.

So we amped up our Cleanup Supply Station program, fully stocking existing locations and adding on 2 new stations, for a total of 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville & Buncombe County. We threw in our catchy #AVLquaranclean hashtag on top, and you did the rest!

Since March, 132 volunteers used these stations 36 times to collect over 2,700 pounds of litter from creeks and roads on their own time!! We are also incredibly grateful to Mountain Xpress for donating newspaper stands to be repurposed into these supply stations, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government for supporting cleanups, and to Mast General Store and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for hosting our newest stations.

These stations remain stocked and ready for your quarantine pod’s next outing. Remember to sign out supplies, report the trash back to us afterwards, and return supplies for cleaning and reuse! Read more at https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest…/avlquaranclean and contact [email protected] for more information or to schedule supply pick up for larger groups.

Greenworks: Our Fleet of Trash Trout Jrs Expands!
Dec 27 all-day
Greenworks

Since 2015, GreenWorks has been working to perfect the 24/7 litter capturing device.

Enter… the Trash Trout Jr!

 

The litter traps on our Trash Trout Jrs work all day, every day to prevent trash from reaching our rivers. The majority of litter is single-use plastic, and most of it is not recyclable. These devices are less expensive to build and easier to maintain that our larger Trash Trouts, and they are perfect for small streams and tributaries — meaning we’re able to capture and remove litter earlier in its “life in the water.” This all means less photodegradation, less exposure to aquatic life, and less negative impact on water quality.

In 2020, we added 3 new Trash Trout Jr locations: Smith Mill Creek, Haw Creek, and Hayes Run Creek (Madison County). We also built 2 others, to be installed in 2021. These devices are checked regularly, especially after large rain events, and are cleaned out by staff, interns, and volunteers.

Wanna be a hero? We’re kicking off our Adopt a Trash Trout program! If you’d like to get more involved in protecting our waterways, and if you love the Trash Trouts (because who doesn’t?!) – find more information and sign up at https://bit.ly/2W2y0iR

Alternate text

Grants from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina have helped fund our Trash Trout program since 2017, and local sponsors provide support for annual maintenance and cleanouts. Let’s give them all a HUGE thank you:

 

Smith Mill Creek: Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing and Southern Appalachian Anglers

Town Branch Creek: Sponsored by Sitework Studios and Wedge Brewery

Hayes Run Creek: Sponsored by Ivy River Partners and Sustainable Madison

Hominy Creek: Sponsored by Zen Tubing and Pisgah Plants

Mud Creek: Sponsored by Hendersonville, NC City Government and Pisgah Plants

 

Housing Assistance Available for Those Affected by Pandemic-Related Losses
Dec 27 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Government

Update: Funding must be accessed by Dec. 30, 2020.

Attention Buncombe County residents: If you are struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, or utilities, Buncombe County’s COVID Housing Assistance Program may be able to help. The funds must be accessed prior to Dec. 30.

“If you think you may possibly qualify, please call our office at 250-5500 to learn more,” said Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “Financial assistance is available immediately to support our community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who need help with rent, mortgage, or utilities, but we have to use these dollars by Dec. 30.”

To qualify to receive relief funds earmarked for the Housing Assistance Program, households must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • The applicant/household lost income due to COVID-19.
  • There is a sustainability plan to pay shelter expenses going forward after the County assists with past due bills.
  • Income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400) for a family of four.

Buncombe County is now accepting inquiries and applications. Please fill out the attached form and return to Buncombe County Health and Human Services or call (828) 250-5500 to be connected with a caseworker to start the application process.

NCDHHS Offers Guidance for Fall-Related Events
Dec 27 all-day
Online

As we move toward the Holiday season, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released guidance for fall-related events. The guidance was developed with the goal of safer holiday breaks for college students and private social gatherings.

North Carolina Introduces COVID-19 County Alert System
Dec 27 all-day
Online
Governor Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) announced a new COVID-19 County Alert System to pinpoint counties with the highest levels of viral spread and offer specific recommendations to bring numbers down. This system will help give local leaders another tool to understand how their county is faring and to make decisions about actions to slow viral spread. The map will be updated every four weeks.
The system uses metrics informed by the White House Coronavirus Task Force and North Carolina’s key metrics to categorize counties into three tiers:
Yellow: Significant Community Spread
Orange: Substantial Community Spread
Red: Critical Community Spread
Because no one metric provides a complete picture, the COVID-19 County Alert System uses a combination of three metrics: case rate, the percent of tests that are positive, and hospital impact within the county.
Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Dec 27 all-day
Online
Pardee UNC Health Care recently shared CDC guidance on who should get tested for COVID.
Considerations for Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Click here for a Coronavirus Self-Checker
  • People who have had close contact (link to help you determine your risk) (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, links to local or state ​health departments.
Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.
UNC Asheville Courses for Community Residents Great Smokies Writing Program
Dec 27 all-day
Online

The GSWP, now celebrating its 20th year of workshops with some of Western North Carolina’s finest authors, is offering five-week, 10-week and 15-week courses including poetry, prose, feature-writing, editing and revision. These Spring 2021 Semester courses have start dates ranging from late January to mid March. Registration is now open, with course descriptions, instructor bios, cost information and more, available at greatsmokies.unca.edu.

Elizabeth Lutyens teaches a group of students.

Virtual Field Trips: Science for Kids
Dec 27 all-day
Online

Buncombe County Public Libraries have partnered with Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) to provide a series of virtual field trips that target NC Curriculum standards this fall and winter. These free virtual programs will be available on BiblioBoard from the library for two weeks at a time through January 2021.

Join our virtual field trips anytime here.

Forces and Motion: Using the Force!
Nov. 15- 30; Jan. 1- 15

We will be discussing the forces that exist around us and take a look at what forces are manipulated to make DRONES work! Students can then utilize the scientific method to test new designs for some of our challenges seen in the video. Challenges include making poppers, designing helicopters, testing airplane velocities, and more! Join us to become masters of using the force. This virtual field trip is designed for 3rd graders, but all are invited to check it out!

Rocky Roads!
Nov. 15- 30; Jan. 1- 15

Have you ever thought about how we use the rocks around us??? Why do we use different sized rocks for different things? Take the rocky road and learn all about rocks. We will be discussing the physical properties of soil and rocks. We will also discuss ability for different soil types to have different characteristics or properties, including: water retention, structural support, etc . We will also demo a fun activity on particle size and water movement. This virtual field trip is designed for 1st graders, but all are invited to check it out!

Weather Makers!
Dec. 1-15; Jan. 16-31

How do we study the weather?? Why do we study the weather?? Become a weather maker and shaker when you learn all about weather. We will be discussing the Weather! We will look at why it’s important to collect information about the weather, and describe the different types of weather tools. We will conduct a short demo and game. This virtual field trip is designed for 2nd graders, but all are invited to check it out!

Mineral Detectives!
Dec. 1-15; Jan. 16-31

How do we classify rocks? Become a rock star when you understand the rock cycle. Determine characteristics of certain minerals using our scientific detective work! We will be discussing the rock cycle, the different types of rocks, and some physical properties of rocks and minerals (including hardness). We will demo the Moh’s Hardness Scale and the rock cycle. This virtual field trip is designed for 4th graders, but all are invited to check it out!

Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC National Mentoring Month
Dec 27 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC various branches

January is National Mentoring Month, and this year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is celebrating it by recruiting more adult and high school volunteers, as well as children and youth who need an extra someone on their side.


“One truth I know,” said Lelia Duncan, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North
Carolina, “is that we are all called to take care of one another, to encourage, to uplift, to hold a space for
others to be listened to and valued. There is nothing more important, nothing closer to the divine, than
to be present and to take a moment to nurture those around us, especially children and youth.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC is especially effective in helping young people feel valued and heard.
Surveys of school personnel in the 2018-2019 school year show that, among BBBSWNC Littles in
community- and school/site-based programs

National Mentoring Month is the time of year where engagement from community members interested
in becoming a mentor is highest. This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is
encouraging the public to go beyond just digital engagement – and become involved in real life.
Mentoring relationships are at their best when connections are made between a caring adult and a
young person who knows that someone is there to help guide them through real-life decisions.

To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister in Henderson County, contact Program
Coordinator Morgan Harris at (828) 507-6644 or email [email protected]. You can learn more
about serving across the 18 county region by visiting www.bbbswnc.org.

COVID-19 Testing in Buncombe County
Dec 27 @ 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Allied Health Parking Lot AB Tech

Testing Site Locations in Buncombe County: Appointment required at these sites

A-B Tech, Genevieve Circle, Asheville (Allied Health Parking Lot)
Every Sunday
1:30-5:30 p.m.

Serving a meal at Western Carolina Rescue Ministry: Let’s Help Feed Those in Need
Dec 27 @ 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Western Carolina Rescue Ministry

Will be serving food at WNC Ministry

Let’s Help Feed Those in Need

To put action steps to the desire to help others. Anyone who is interested in helping those who are food insecure. We will organize a way to offer a meal once weekly to those in need.

North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Dec 27 @ 10:00 pm – Dec 28 @ 5:00 am
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday, December 8th that North Carolina will begin a Modified Stay at Home Order in response to a rapid increase in North Carolina’s key COVID-19 trends. The Order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, and takes effect Friday, December 11th. The Order is set to remain in place until January 8, 2021.
The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and more to close at 10 pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the order. FAQs on the order can be found HERE.
Monday, December 28, 2020
Courses for Community Residents OLLI’s College for Seniors
Dec 28 all-day
Online

Intellectual stimulation and skills development are not just for full-time students. UNC Asheville courses for community writers of all levels of experience, and for seniors looking to continue a lifetime of learning, are now open for registration. These courses will all be online this winter and spring.

College for Seniors at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

OLLI’s College for Seniors, now in its fourth decade and offering an impressive variety of courses developed for Zoom to help prevent spread of COVID-19, draws from the experiences and professional expertise of its members as well as from UNC Asheville and other area institutions and people. Courses range from Being Chronically Well, to Asheville and Pandemics: TB, Flu and COVID-19; and also include What’s Up with Genesis; Welcome to Our City: Thomas Wolfe’s Asheville; Ecology of Southern Appalachia; and French Opera: A Reintroduction.

There are no tests, credits or grades. OLLI members collaborate with staff to teach, learn, and design curricula, and also arrange special events. In addition to the annual OLLI membership fee, a tuition fee for each term is paid by College For Seniors participants, with some partial scholarships available.

The College for Seniors winter term begins on Jan. 11, 2021, and registration is now open. To see course descriptions, cost information and more, visit olliasheville.com/college-seniors.

Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Dec 28 all-day
Asheville NC

Alternate text

Covid-Friendly Clean-Up Stations: #AVLquaranclean

We’ve learned a lot about adapting this year. Back in March, we canceled all of our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. But it didn’t stop you from working to make Asheville cleaner and safer.

So we amped up our Cleanup Supply Station program, fully stocking existing locations and adding on 2 new stations, for a total of 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville & Buncombe County. We threw in our catchy #AVLquaranclean hashtag on top, and you did the rest!

Since March, 132 volunteers used these stations 36 times to collect over 2,700 pounds of litter from creeks and roads on their own time!! We are also incredibly grateful to Mountain Xpress for donating newspaper stands to be repurposed into these supply stations, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government for supporting cleanups, and to Mast General Store and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for hosting our newest stations.

These stations remain stocked and ready for your quarantine pod’s next outing. Remember to sign out supplies, report the trash back to us afterwards, and return supplies for cleaning and reuse! Read more at https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest…/avlquaranclean and contact [email protected] for more information or to schedule supply pick up for larger groups.

Greenworks: Our Fleet of Trash Trout Jrs Expands!
Dec 28 all-day
Greenworks

Since 2015, GreenWorks has been working to perfect the 24/7 litter capturing device.

Enter… the Trash Trout Jr!

 

The litter traps on our Trash Trout Jrs work all day, every day to prevent trash from reaching our rivers. The majority of litter is single-use plastic, and most of it is not recyclable. These devices are less expensive to build and easier to maintain that our larger Trash Trouts, and they are perfect for small streams and tributaries — meaning we’re able to capture and remove litter earlier in its “life in the water.” This all means less photodegradation, less exposure to aquatic life, and less negative impact on water quality.

In 2020, we added 3 new Trash Trout Jr locations: Smith Mill Creek, Haw Creek, and Hayes Run Creek (Madison County). We also built 2 others, to be installed in 2021. These devices are checked regularly, especially after large rain events, and are cleaned out by staff, interns, and volunteers.

Wanna be a hero? We’re kicking off our Adopt a Trash Trout program! If you’d like to get more involved in protecting our waterways, and if you love the Trash Trouts (because who doesn’t?!) – find more information and sign up at https://bit.ly/2W2y0iR

Alternate text

Grants from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina have helped fund our Trash Trout program since 2017, and local sponsors provide support for annual maintenance and cleanouts. Let’s give them all a HUGE thank you:

 

Smith Mill Creek: Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing and Southern Appalachian Anglers

Town Branch Creek: Sponsored by Sitework Studios and Wedge Brewery

Hayes Run Creek: Sponsored by Ivy River Partners and Sustainable Madison

Hominy Creek: Sponsored by Zen Tubing and Pisgah Plants

Mud Creek: Sponsored by Hendersonville, NC City Government and Pisgah Plants

 

Housing Assistance Available for Those Affected by Pandemic-Related Losses
Dec 28 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Government

Update: Funding must be accessed by Dec. 30, 2020.

Attention Buncombe County residents: If you are struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, or utilities, Buncombe County’s COVID Housing Assistance Program may be able to help. The funds must be accessed prior to Dec. 30.

“If you think you may possibly qualify, please call our office at 250-5500 to learn more,” said Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “Financial assistance is available immediately to support our community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who need help with rent, mortgage, or utilities, but we have to use these dollars by Dec. 30.”

To qualify to receive relief funds earmarked for the Housing Assistance Program, households must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • The applicant/household lost income due to COVID-19.
  • There is a sustainability plan to pay shelter expenses going forward after the County assists with past due bills.
  • Income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400) for a family of four.

Buncombe County is now accepting inquiries and applications. Please fill out the attached form and return to Buncombe County Health and Human Services or call (828) 250-5500 to be connected with a caseworker to start the application process.

NCDHHS Offers Guidance for Fall-Related Events
Dec 28 all-day
Online

As we move toward the Holiday season, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released guidance for fall-related events. The guidance was developed with the goal of safer holiday breaks for college students and private social gatherings.

Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Dec 28 all-day
Online
Pardee UNC Health Care recently shared CDC guidance on who should get tested for COVID.
Considerations for Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Click here for a Coronavirus Self-Checker
  • People who have had close contact (link to help you determine your risk) (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
  • People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, links to local or state ​health departments.
Not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.
UNC Asheville Courses for Community Residents Great Smokies Writing Program
Dec 28 all-day
Online

The GSWP, now celebrating its 20th year of workshops with some of Western North Carolina’s finest authors, is offering five-week, 10-week and 15-week courses including poetry, prose, feature-writing, editing and revision. These Spring 2021 Semester courses have start dates ranging from late January to mid March. Registration is now open, with course descriptions, instructor bios, cost information and more, available at greatsmokies.unca.edu.

Elizabeth Lutyens teaches a group of students.

Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC National Mentoring Month
Dec 28 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC various branches

January is National Mentoring Month, and this year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is celebrating it by recruiting more adult and high school volunteers, as well as children and youth who need an extra someone on their side.


“One truth I know,” said Lelia Duncan, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North
Carolina, “is that we are all called to take care of one another, to encourage, to uplift, to hold a space for
others to be listened to and valued. There is nothing more important, nothing closer to the divine, than
to be present and to take a moment to nurture those around us, especially children and youth.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC is especially effective in helping young people feel valued and heard.
Surveys of school personnel in the 2018-2019 school year show that, among BBBSWNC Littles in
community- and school/site-based programs

National Mentoring Month is the time of year where engagement from community members interested
in becoming a mentor is highest. This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is
encouraging the public to go beyond just digital engagement – and become involved in real life.
Mentoring relationships are at their best when connections are made between a caring adult and a
young person who knows that someone is there to help guide them through real-life decisions.

To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister in Henderson County, contact Program
Coordinator Morgan Harris at (828) 507-6644 or email [email protected]. You can learn more
about serving across the 18 county region by visiting www.bbbswnc.org.

Youth Winter Workshop Asheville School of Film
Dec 28 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Asheville School of Film

This hands-on two day class, geared towards teenagers 13-18 years old who want to explore the world of filmmaking, will take place during the winter break, Monday and Tuesday, December 28-29th, 2020 from 9am- 3pm. The first day walks students through to process of how to shoot and edit a documentary style interview. The second day show students how to film an action scene using a professional green screen. Take one day, or take both for a fun filled, interactive winter experience!
December 28th: Exploring and Documenting
9 am-Lighting for Interview, inside vs outside
10 am-Camera Operation and Filming
11 am-Using Movement
12 N- Lunch Break (on own)
1 pm- B roll selection
2 pm-Editing footage
3 pm- Sound
December 29th: Green Screen Action Scenes
9 am-Lighting the Green Screen
10 am-Staging Action and Filming
11 am-Filming Angles
12 N- Lunch Break (on own)
1 pm-Selecting Backgrounds
2 pm-Compositing Footage
3 pm- Editing Shots
Cost for one day is $150, or students that sign up for both days receive a bundle price of $250 for the two classes.
This course will be conducted in according to our Social-Distancing Policy for Covid-19, including limited class size, increased distance, masks and/or face shields, and increased sanitizing. Registration (via website) and a $50 non-refundable deposit will be needed to secure the registration
North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Dec 28 @ 10:00 pm – Dec 29 @ 5:00 am
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday, December 8th that North Carolina will begin a Modified Stay at Home Order in response to a rapid increase in North Carolina’s key COVID-19 trends. The Order requires people to stay at home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am, and takes effect Friday, December 11th. The Order is set to remain in place until January 8, 2021.
The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and more to close at 10 pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted from the order. FAQs on the order can be found HERE.
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Courses for Community Residents OLLI’s College for Seniors
Dec 29 all-day
Online

Intellectual stimulation and skills development are not just for full-time students. UNC Asheville courses for community writers of all levels of experience, and for seniors looking to continue a lifetime of learning, are now open for registration. These courses will all be online this winter and spring.

College for Seniors at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

OLLI’s College for Seniors, now in its fourth decade and offering an impressive variety of courses developed for Zoom to help prevent spread of COVID-19, draws from the experiences and professional expertise of its members as well as from UNC Asheville and other area institutions and people. Courses range from Being Chronically Well, to Asheville and Pandemics: TB, Flu and COVID-19; and also include What’s Up with Genesis; Welcome to Our City: Thomas Wolfe’s Asheville; Ecology of Southern Appalachia; and French Opera: A Reintroduction.

There are no tests, credits or grades. OLLI members collaborate with staff to teach, learn, and design curricula, and also arrange special events. In addition to the annual OLLI membership fee, a tuition fee for each term is paid by College For Seniors participants, with some partial scholarships available.

The College for Seniors winter term begins on Jan. 11, 2021, and registration is now open. To see course descriptions, cost information and more, visit olliasheville.com/college-seniors.

Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Dec 29 all-day
Asheville NC

Alternate text

Covid-Friendly Clean-Up Stations: #AVLquaranclean

We’ve learned a lot about adapting this year. Back in March, we canceled all of our upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. But it didn’t stop you from working to make Asheville cleaner and safer.

So we amped up our Cleanup Supply Station program, fully stocking existing locations and adding on 2 new stations, for a total of 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville & Buncombe County. We threw in our catchy #AVLquaranclean hashtag on top, and you did the rest!

Since March, 132 volunteers used these stations 36 times to collect over 2,700 pounds of litter from creeks and roads on their own time!! We are also incredibly grateful to Mountain Xpress for donating newspaper stands to be repurposed into these supply stations, the City of Asheville and Buncombe County Government for supporting cleanups, and to Mast General Store and Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts for hosting our newest stations.

These stations remain stocked and ready for your quarantine pod’s next outing. Remember to sign out supplies, report the trash back to us afterwards, and return supplies for cleaning and reuse! Read more at https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/latest…/avlquaranclean and contact [email protected] for more information or to schedule supply pick up for larger groups.

Greenworks: Our Fleet of Trash Trout Jrs Expands!
Dec 29 all-day
Greenworks

Since 2015, GreenWorks has been working to perfect the 24/7 litter capturing device.

Enter… the Trash Trout Jr!

 

The litter traps on our Trash Trout Jrs work all day, every day to prevent trash from reaching our rivers. The majority of litter is single-use plastic, and most of it is not recyclable. These devices are less expensive to build and easier to maintain that our larger Trash Trouts, and they are perfect for small streams and tributaries — meaning we’re able to capture and remove litter earlier in its “life in the water.” This all means less photodegradation, less exposure to aquatic life, and less negative impact on water quality.

In 2020, we added 3 new Trash Trout Jr locations: Smith Mill Creek, Haw Creek, and Hayes Run Creek (Madison County). We also built 2 others, to be installed in 2021. These devices are checked regularly, especially after large rain events, and are cleaned out by staff, interns, and volunteers.

Wanna be a hero? We’re kicking off our Adopt a Trash Trout program! If you’d like to get more involved in protecting our waterways, and if you love the Trash Trouts (because who doesn’t?!) – find more information and sign up at https://bit.ly/2W2y0iR

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Grants from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina have helped fund our Trash Trout program since 2017, and local sponsors provide support for annual maintenance and cleanouts. Let’s give them all a HUGE thank you:

 

Smith Mill Creek: Sponsored by New Belgium Brewing and Southern Appalachian Anglers

Town Branch Creek: Sponsored by Sitework Studios and Wedge Brewery

Hayes Run Creek: Sponsored by Ivy River Partners and Sustainable Madison

Hominy Creek: Sponsored by Zen Tubing and Pisgah Plants

Mud Creek: Sponsored by Hendersonville, NC City Government and Pisgah Plants

 

Housing Assistance Available for Those Affected by Pandemic-Related Losses
Dec 29 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Government

Update: Funding must be accessed by Dec. 30, 2020.

Attention Buncombe County residents: If you are struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, or utilities, Buncombe County’s COVID Housing Assistance Program may be able to help. The funds must be accessed prior to Dec. 30.

“If you think you may possibly qualify, please call our office at 250-5500 to learn more,” said Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “Financial assistance is available immediately to support our community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who need help with rent, mortgage, or utilities, but we have to use these dollars by Dec. 30.”

To qualify to receive relief funds earmarked for the Housing Assistance Program, households must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • The applicant/household lost income due to COVID-19.
  • There is a sustainability plan to pay shelter expenses going forward after the County assists with past due bills.
  • Income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400) for a family of four.

Buncombe County is now accepting inquiries and applications. Please fill out the attached form and return to Buncombe County Health and Human Services or call (828) 250-5500 to be connected with a caseworker to start the application process.