Latest Coronavirus Community Updates
Watch the daily briefings from Buncombe County Public Health on the Coronavirus and preparedness efforts in Buncombe County.
Archived Daily Briefings: Updated on March 21, 2:43 p.m.
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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.
Publix Markets reserves 7-8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for customers age 65 and older. Home delivery is available through Instacart.
Tune in with me on Facebook Live each morning at 7:30am for a 20 minute live meditation with didgeridoo. I’ll be guiding you through simple and effective ways that will help you to:
The intention is for you to learn this simple skillset quickly and use it right now to stay centered, balanced and show up for yourself, your family, and your community.
The more of us that can do that, the better! I hope to see you soon.
Warmly,
Corey Costanzo
ps If you miss the live meditation, check our website later in the day. We will be uploading all recordings.
| The Asheville Police Department will host Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, March 25 from 8:30-10:30am at . Meet new Chief of Police David Zack, along with members of the new Charlie District, which incorporates downtown and surrounding areas. Talk with officers about downtown, any concerns you might have, and learn more about resources. |
On display daily January 18 – April 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the upstairs gallery of the Education Center, the Asheville Printmakers’ newest exhibit, Natural Impressions, will feature a variety of two- and three-dimensional print pieces utilizing numerous printmaking processes. Works will inspire visitors to think about the beauty and fragility of plants and the natural world through various perspectives and printmaking techniques. All pieces are available for purchase and a portion of the sales will benefit The North Carolina Arboretum Society.
Founded in 2013, the Asheville Printmakers is an energetic group of artists dedicated to expressing ideas and imagery through the medium of print. The group encompasses a wide range of processes and content, including traditional methods, such as lithography, woodcut and screen printing, and contemporary photographic printing processes, such as carbon printing, platinum-palladium and photopolymer etching.
Parking Fees
There are no other admission charges required for visitors to access the Arboretum’s grounds and facilities during the day beyond the standard parking fees listed above.
- Pickup window is 1-4 PM.
- Orders placed after 7 am will be available for pickup the following day– orders placed on Sunday will be available for wed pickup.
- Please reference website for available product and pricing. We had to change the price on the beef sampler and are no longer selling single meat sticks, hot dogs, sausage chubs, etc.
HNG Orders for Pickup
Our Butchery will be offering pre-packed boxes of various cuts (many of which are discounted) for pick up at the farm in a drive thru fashion. Meat box drive-thru pick up will be available for pickup between 11:00am-4:00 pm.
- Beef Box – $250 (STORE ONLY)
- 2 ea- Tri Tip or Coulotte
- 3-4 depending on size- Skirt Steak
- 1 bulk 5# pack- Bavette or Flatiron
- 2 ea- 5# total- Chuck Roast
- Pork Box – $180 (STORE ONLY)
- 2 ea- Baby Back Ribs
- 2 ea- Pork Tenderloin
- 1 cs (20 each) Boneless Pork Chops
- 4 ea- Breakfast Sausage Chubs
- 2 packs- Retail Sweet Italian Sausage
- 2 packs- Retail Bratwurst
- Sausage Chubs
- $6.25/each or $67.50/cs (12/cs)
- 10% discount per case
- Breakfast, Mild Italian, Chorizo
- Retail Sausages
- $7.99 per pack. $79.99/cs
- Bratwurst or Sweet Italian
- SALE Boneless Pork Chops (IN-STORE ONLY)
- Case only- 20 chops $40
- SALE Salamis
- $8.99/ea. $106.99/case – (12/cs)
- All flavors- no mixed cases
- SALE Meat Sticks
- 24 stick caddy $30. $120 case (6 caddies)
- SALE Hot Dogs
- $5 ea. (6 dogs/pack) $40/cs (8 / cs)
- Ground Beef
- 1lb – $7.49/lb
- 5lb bulk – $37.45
- 10lb bulk – $74.90 (2 5lb bags)
- Bacon
- $11.99 for 1lb pack
Call 828-628-1027 to order.
Or Order Online
HNG Lunch Take-Out Menu
Our Deli will be offering drive-thru, prepaid lunch orders only. To-go orders will be available for pickup between 11:00am-3:30 pm.Meats
- Pulled Pork BBQ
- $16.00 per qt
- Herb Roasted Pork Loin
- $20.00 2.5# avg.
- Beef Pot Roast
- $24.00 2.5# avg.
Sides
(by the qt, serves approx. 4)
$12.99 ea
- Lard Roasted Red Potatoes
- Cheese Grits
- Green Beans w/ Butter & Garlic
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Bacon
- Baked Beans
- Mac & Cheese
Salad
- Spring Mix Salad -$10
- green goddess dressing, cherry tomatoes, red onion, carrots, cucumbers & goat cheese
Call 828-628-1027 to order.
Asheville City Schools began delivery March 17 to the following locations from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Successfully grow and harvest tasty blueberries in your own home garden. Area Extension Specialized Agent Craig Mauney will share practices on getting blueberries established and growing well, how to prune, pest problems and which are the best varieties for our area. 
Join them as they kick off their 2020 beer dinner series at Hemingway’s Cuba. On March 25, they are partnering with Foothills Brewing to bring you Cuban dishes, perfectly paired with their renowned and award-winning brews. Executive Chef, Duane Fernandes and a representative from Foothills Brewing will explain each dish and the complimenting beer paring throughout the evening. Reservations required. Tickets are $45 each. Please call the restaurant direct at 828.417.6866 or email [email protected].
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EventAsheville: 10 Things I’ve Been Meaning to Say to You
Please join Asheville City Schools Foundation and Asheville City Schools for an evening of spoken word and poetry performed by Asheville City high school and middle school students, followed by a presentation from Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and author of Ghost, the Track Series, As Brave As You, and Long Way Down. Doors open at 5:30, event 6:30-8:00 Pre-event author book signing available with Platinum ticket level. Ticketed after-party at Benne on Eagle available with Gold or Platinum ticket levels. Includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverage ticket for wine, beer, or signature cocktail. Complimentary tickets for ACS teachers and ACS middle and high school students will be available at the door on a first come, first served basis. Please note, this event is geared to 6th grade and above. Content may be mature for elementary students. *Interpretation in Spanish will be available. |
Looking to launch or expand your farming business?
Join this 200+ hour Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training Program!
www.organicgrowersschool.org/farm-beginnings
Many skills are required to start a successful farm: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. The Farm Beginnings® class is a 12-month training session that helps beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan and start building their operation. The course uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network. Farm Beginnings® is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. Students do not need to currently own land, but some farming or production experience is helpful to get the most out of the class.
2019-2020 Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is 200+ Hours including:
— Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses – 60 hours (October – March)**
— ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference (February) – 8 hours
— OGS Conferences – 40+ hours
— Mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor (March – September) – 15 hours
— Production Training – 45 hours (April – October): WNC CRAFT tours on sustainable farms around WNC & Field Days at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm and Living Web Farms
— One year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership – Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network
**Location of Winter Sessions: Creekside Farm and Education Center at Walnut Cove at 339 Avery Creek Rd, Arden, NC 28704
https://www.facebook.com/events/624408214665085/?event_time_id=624408234665083
Yavilah McCoy, who founded Ayecha, an organization dedicated to Jewish people of color, and who continues work on equity and inclusion as CEO of Dimensions Educational Consulting, will present a talk, “Faith, Power, and Privilege,” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Student Union, Blue Ridge Room. This event, sponsored by the University’s Center for Jewish Studies, and Department of Religious Studies, along with Carolina Jews for Justice, is free and open to everyone.
A teacher, writer, editor and diversity consultant, McCoy was born and raised in an orthodox Jewish home in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her grandparents converted to Judaism, and she continues the traditions handed to her over three generations as part of her African American Jewish family. In her talk, McCoy will discuss the practice of holding multiple identities within efforts to build greater equity and justice in the changing political and social climate of 2020. She will address the challenges of diversity and inclusion in religious communities, as well as opportunities that these communities can engage toward becoming deeper allies and stronger advocates in working together toward social justice.
McCoy is a certified trainer for the Anti-Defamation League’s World of Difference Institute, the National Conference for Community and Justice, and the National Coalition Building Institute, and a certified coach for the Auburn Theological Seminary Pastoral Training Program. She also co-authored and performed The Colors of Water, a 2009 theater piece sharing the history of the generations of her family.
McCoy was a leader of the Jewish delegation to the 2017 Women’s March, and two years later, was placed in the spotlight as one of three Jewish leaders added to the Women’s March steering committee after accusations of anti-Semitism had been lodged against march organizers.
“People will need to recover their deepest sense of their humanity in relationships,” she told Jewish Boston about her work in the Women’s March leadership. “All of my work is based in relationship-building. And the first thing I ask people to do is to agree to be proximate to one another.”
She also told Jewish Boston that she takes a similar approach in addressing racism and sexism she has encountered in the Jewish community. “In contrast to demanding that our leaders be denounced for the racism and sexism they have exhibited, I and many other Jewish activists that I respect have figured out strategies to engage in ‘teachable moments’ where leaders can listen, learn and change their behavior in accountability to the people and communities they have been empowered to serve,” said McCoy.

The Quarantine Concert Series – Streaming from The Orange Peel
& PULP
Iamavl and The Orange Peel are partnering to create a free live concert streaming series for Asheville and the world to enjoy!
Full schedule below!
Tune in at 7:00 pm EST to watch these amazing performances on the Iamavl Facebook Live Stream, on their website at www.iamavl.com or on their YouTube Channel.
Also please don’t forget to donate to/tip the band at: https://iamavl.com/musician-relief-fund/ !
Sit back, relax from the comfort of home and enjoy The Quarantine Concert Series on Iamavl where we bring the music to YOU!
SCHEDULE:
3/19 – Russ Wilson and his King’s of Jazz – 7:00 pm
3/20 – Travers Brothership – 7:00 pm
3/21 – Screaming Js – 7:00 pm
3/22 – Andrew Scotchie (of Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats) – 7:00 pm
3/23 – Bill Altman – 7:00 pm
3/24 – Asheville Music Hall presents The Tuesday Night Funk Jam – 7:00 pm
3/25 – The Moon and You – 7:00 pm
3/26 – The Connor Law Duo – 7:00 pm
3/27 – Asheville Circus – 7:00 pm
3/28 – Jeff Sipe and Friends – 7:00 pm
3/29 – Richard Shulman, Composer of New Age, Jazz, and Classical Music – The Richard Shulman Trio – 7:00 pm
3/30 – Lo Wolf – 7:00 pm
3/31 – Bardic Academy – 7:00 pm
4/1 – Hustle Souls – 7:00 pm
4/2 – Darby Wilcox – 7:00 pm
4/3 – Vaden Landers – 7:00 pm
4/4 – PYLETRIBE – 7:00 pm
4/5 – Pleasures of the Ultraviolent – 7:00 pm
4/6 – Lotion – 7:00 pm
4/7 – Sparrow Pants (of The Resonant Rogues) – 7:00 pm
4/8 – Dr. Bacon – 7:00 pm
4/9 – Anthony Wayne Vibe – 7:00 pm
4/10 – Ambiguous Roots – 7:00 pm
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Three Tall Women April 16 -26th Friday thru Sunday Three Tall Women, by Pulitzer Prize winner, Edward Albee, follows the lives and memories of three women, who have more in common then we know. The storyline explores a startling and provocative life review, bristling with unresolved guilt.“Powerful!” “Brilliant!” |

Well is a funny and touching comedy about mothers and daughters, mind over body, social activism and theatre itself. Lisa, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother, Ann, who though constantly ill manages to heal a community. The playwright asks the provocative question: “Do we create our own illness?” The answers she gets are much more complicated than she bargained for as the play spins dangerously out of control into riotously funny and unexpected territory.
“deceptively deep and clever as ever.” – Curtain Up
Discretionary Warning: Adult themes and language

More than 500 representatives of recycling companies, local governments, state and federal agencies, universities and colleges, state recycling organizations and other non-profits will gather in Raleigh, NC – the vibrant capital of North Carolina – at the Raleigh Convention Center from March 23-26, 2020 to network, learn, plan, and influence issues affecting recycling in both states and beyond.
Asheville Area Arts Relief Fund Survey
We are looking into starting an arts relief fund, but donations are hard to come by right now. Please complete this very short survey to help us determine how we can work together to support our local arts community during this pandemic.
Take the Survey
Americans for the Arts Economic Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Arts and Cultural Sector Survey
This survey is designed to collect information about the financial and human impacts that the spread of the coronavirus has had on arts and cultural organizations. The survey also collects basic information about the participating organizations so that the data can be parsed by specific geographic regions, artistic disciplines, and budget categories.
Take the Survey
Hello,We hope you and your family are coping with this unprecedented situation. The City and Development Services Department (DSD) recognize the essential importance of construction activity to the well-being of our community. In order to serve you during this time, we need your help! To ensure that permits and inspections are completed efficiently- and most importantly, safely– please read the messages below. Thank you!
- Important inspection safety update: Click here to review our modified operations policy for inspections.
- Online permitting is easy! You can now apply for any type of permit online through the Development Portal, as well as submit revisions and amendments, check permit status, pick up plan review comments and approved permits and schedule inspections. Use the “All other permit types” button on the Development Portal!
Finally, a few reminders:
- DSD’s physical location is closed to the public. There are bins to drop off and pick up paper plans and permits if absolutely necessary. Permits submitted using the Development Portal will be prioritized for processing and routed for staff review more quickly.
- Customers may call and email staff as usual. Our main number is 828-259-5846. Please have patience with us, as there may be a higher-than-normal call volume. Additional contact information is available on this page.
- Staff remain available for pre-construction and early assistance meetings by remote video conference. Use the buttons on the Development Portal to sign up.
- Please check the DSD home page often for updates! https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/development-services
Asheville Development Services Department to continue business, but will close doors
Hello, we want to inform you of the latest news from the Development Services Department regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The City recognizes the essential nature of construction activity and its impact on the lives of our community. We are continuing to do business, but with significant changes.
- First, the Department’s physical location at 161 S. Charlotte Street will be closed to the public indefinitely starting Tuesday, March 17.
- All inspections will take place as scheduled, but with social distancing precautions.
- Customers are encouraged to submit permit applications or other requests electronically using the Development Portal. We will make other online options available very soon.
- Customers may drop off paper plans when necessary at the building. A drop-off box will be made available at the north entrance of the building.
- You may call and email staff as usual. Our main number is 828-259-5846. Additional contact information is available on this page. Please have patience with us, as there may be a higher-than-normal call volume.
- Please check our home page often for updates!
https://ashevillegrown.com/covid-19?utm_source=Farm+General+Interest&utm_campaign=ad50dba514-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_25_12_35&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c6a6d890c6-ad50dba514-34117913
We are all in this together! Asheville Grown has put together a fantastic list of resources to assist the public with issues arising from the COVID-19 outbreak. From filing for unemployment to volunteering at Manna Food Bank, this list is helpful to anyone who is in need of support, or who has extra time, energy and resources to support others.
Supporting local businesses and workers is one thing each of us can do right now. We’ve set up this page with resources, key information, creative initiatives and contacts.
Old Europe downtown will offer a free breakfast pastry and juice to any school-aged child from 7 a.m.-noon.
The door will be open for walk-in or call for curbside pickup, said an employee at the store.
“We hope this can help our community and reduce any struggles of replacing a school meal,” said the owners on Facebook. 13 Broadway St., 828-255-5999.
White Duck Taco Shop: One free regular priced taco for school-age children per day, Monday-Friday for lunch or dinner.
Baked Pie Company: Brown bag lunches will be available for school-age children, Tuesday-Saturday. Available at the Arden location, 4 Long Shoals Road from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Call ahead for curbside pickup: 828-333-4366.
Biscuit Head Biltmore: This popular biscuit shop has shifted to take-out only at its Biltmore location, with the request that customers call in orders. The West and South Asheville locations are now closed. Call 828-505-3449. Pick up at 417 Biltmore Ave., suite 4F.
ConoSur: This Mills River restaurant will serve one free burger and fries to kids while schools are closed. Children have to be present. This restaurant has shifted to takeout only. 4195 Haywood Road, Mills River. www.conosurasheville.com. 828-513-1731.
Strada Italiano: Now through the end of March, this restaurant will offer a free slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza to grade-school students during weekday lunch.
The offer is available for curbside service only. The restaurant opens at noon. Call 828-348-8448 to order. 27 Broadway St.
Copper River Grill: Through April 3, this restaurant offers a complimentary lunch for school-aged children from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Order anything from the kids’ menu, no purchase necessary. 1302 Hendersonville Road. Call ahead: 828-210-8999.
Sand Hill Kitchen: Call 828-633-6868 to request a free bagged lunch. Lunches include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, an apple, house-fried chips and pickles. Pick up in the drive thru at 491 Sardis Road.
Pescado’s Burritos: This Brevard restaurant offers free tacos for kids in need while schools are closed.
“If you or someone you know has children who may go hungry without a meal please come by and grab a taco, with chips and salsa,” they posted on social media. “No questions asked.”
The restaurant is asking diners to “pay it forward by and donating what you can spare. We can’t do this ourselves, the whole community needs to come together during this time of need.” 265 N Broad St., Brevard 828-884-5559.
In accordance with this order, Biltmore will temporarily close all guest experiences, including both of our hotel properties and access to our gardens and grounds, effective Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 5 p.m. Re-opening to be announced at a later date.
Rest assured we will continue to monitor updates from the CDC, NC Department of Health and Human Services, and Buncombe County Health and Human Services and evaluate how to best move forward in the days ahead. Please continue to consult this page for updates.
The health and safety of our guests and employees is our collective focus right now, and we look forward to welcoming you to the estate when we reopen.
VISIT WEB SITE FOR REFUND INFORMATION: https://www.biltmore.com/coronavirus-covid-19-update/

It is very important for donors to continue donating in the weeks and months ahead in order to maintain an adequate local blood supply. If you are feeling healthy and well, please make an appointment before donating so we can maintain the proper social distancing. The safety of our donors and staff is our top priority!
According to experts, outdoors might not be much safer as far as this fast-moving virus is concerned. Maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others, no matter indoors or outdoors, is the recommended practice during this pandemic.
the Blue Ridge Parkway closed its year-round Visitor Center in Asheville, at Milepost 384 near the U.S. 74A entrance, out of safety concerns for staff, volunteers and visitors.
“Other year-round facilities on the parkway managed by local partners will remain open at this time,” according to a statement from the National Park Service. “These sites include the Folk Art Center at Milepost 382 and the Museum of NC Minerals at Milepost 331.”
The parkway motor road and all accessible trails will also remain open where not otherwise closed due to weather. Decisions regarding planned seasonal, spring openings, such as park campgrounds and visitor centers, will be made at a later date.
Similarly, Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced March 17 that Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, and Cades Cove visitor centers are closed until further notice for public safety.
Seasonally open park campgrounds, picnic areas, roads, trails and restroom facilities located adjacent to visitor centers remain open and accessible to the public.
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site temporarily closed the Sandburg Home and Barn on March 17. This includes Sandburg Home tours, the park store, access to the goats and farm animals, all special events, all volunteer shifts, and in-park and off-site programs. Park grounds, except for the barn area, trails, and restrooms will remain open.
https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
THE MUSEUM OF THE WORLD interactive
Watch the daily briefings from Buncombe County Public Health on the Coronavirus and preparedness efforts in Buncombe County.
Archived Daily Briefings: Updated on March 21, 2:43 p.m.
All nonessential, public-facing functions are closed. Essential operations — including emergency services, Public Health and Health and Human Services mandated services, sheriff’s office, permitting, solid waste, and Transportation — will continue.
“Since this is a rapidly evolving situation, we will reevaluate these changes as more information becomes available and provide more detailed information at buncombecounty.org,” said Day.
Until further notice, Buncombe is taking the following measures until further notice:
The county also offers the following online resources:
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic every Wednesday 9:(ish)pm at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall.
Fun and free show of hit-or-miss comedy where comics stop by to work on their material or try out new stuff. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. The order of sign-up is not necessarily the order of the show.
https://www.facebook.com/events/3174166542609086/?event_time_id=3174166702609070
Leadership Asheville, a program of UNC Asheville, will host its 2020 Winter Buzz Breakfast series with the theme, “How Resilient Are We as a Community?” The breakfasts at the Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville are open to the public and provide a chance to network with a broad array of community leaders, including Leadership Asheville alumni, and hear thoughtful panel discussions. The moderator will be Jim Fox, director of UNC Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC).
Tickets online only.