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.

Thursday, January 7, 2021
Modified Stay at Home Order Extended Through January 29th
Jan 7 all-day
Online
Governor Cooper announced on Wednesday, January 6th that the North Carolina Modified Stay at Home Order requiring people to remain home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am would remain in effect through at least Friday, January 29th. The announcement was in response to the continued rise in COVID-19 cases in North Carolina and the strain on the hospital systems.
Secretary Cohen also issued a Secretarial Directive with warnings for North Carolinians to avoid indoor spaces without masks and gatherings.
Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Jan 7 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.
COVID-19 Testing is Available in Buncombe County
Jan 7 @ 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park

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

South West Buncombe

58 Apac Dr., Asheville (Buncombe County Sports Park)
Every Thursday
9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

 

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Jan 7 @ 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Jan 7 @ 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

Asheville Fit Tribe Group: 60 minute of strength training
Jan 7 @ 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
Carrier Park

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Jan 7 @ 10:00 pm – Jan 8 @ 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.
Friday, January 8, 2021
Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Jan 8 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.

January is National Blood Donor Month
Jan 8 all-day
The Blood Connection various locations

Amid the arrival of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the demand for a well-known treatment for those battling the virus, convalescent plasma, has skyrocketed.

The Blood Connection (TBC), a non-profit community blood center, has seen the demand for this life-saving product triple in the past few months because of its effectiveness.
However, the need for convalescent plasma continues to far outrun the supply.
The release of the COVID-19 vaccine has created a challenge for TBC, as it reduces the number
of people who are eligible to give convalescent plasma. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
has recommended that donors who have received the vaccine should not donate convalescent
plasma but can donate whole blood (a regular blood donation). To give convalescent plasma,
donors must be symptom free for at least 14 days and must have proof of a positive COVID-19
test or positive COVID-19 antibody test.

Visit web site or call to schedule your donation appointment:
Hendersonville
825 Spartanburg Highway
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Greenville
435 Woodruff Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607

Spartanburg
270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Asheville
225 Airport Rd.
Arden, NC 28704

Modified Stay at Home Order Extended Through January 29th
Jan 8 all-day
Online
Governor Cooper announced on Wednesday, January 6th that the North Carolina Modified Stay at Home Order requiring people to remain home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am would remain in effect through at least Friday, January 29th. The announcement was in response to the continued rise in COVID-19 cases in North Carolina and the strain on the hospital systems.
Secretary Cohen also issued a Secretarial Directive with warnings for North Carolinians to avoid indoor spaces without masks and gatherings.
Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Jan 8 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.
North Carolina to Enter Modified Stay at Home Order
Jan 8 @ 10:00 pm – Jan 9 @ 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.
Saturday, January 9, 2021
Greenworks: 7 Cleanup Supply Stations throughout Asheville + Buncombe County
Jan 9 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.

January is National Blood Donor Month
Jan 9 all-day
The Blood Connection various locations

Amid the arrival of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the demand for a well-known treatment for those battling the virus, convalescent plasma, has skyrocketed.

The Blood Connection (TBC), a non-profit community blood center, has seen the demand for this life-saving product triple in the past few months because of its effectiveness.
However, the need for convalescent plasma continues to far outrun the supply.
The release of the COVID-19 vaccine has created a challenge for TBC, as it reduces the number
of people who are eligible to give convalescent plasma. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
has recommended that donors who have received the vaccine should not donate convalescent
plasma but can donate whole blood (a regular blood donation). To give convalescent plasma,
donors must be symptom free for at least 14 days and must have proof of a positive COVID-19
test or positive COVID-19 antibody test.

Visit web site or call to schedule your donation appointment:
Hendersonville
825 Spartanburg Highway
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Greenville
435 Woodruff Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607

Spartanburg
270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Asheville
225 Airport Rd.
Arden, NC 28704

Modified Stay at Home Order Extended Through January 29th
Jan 9 all-day
Online
Governor Cooper announced on Wednesday, January 6th that the North Carolina Modified Stay at Home Order requiring people to remain home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am would remain in effect through at least Friday, January 29th. The announcement was in response to the continued rise in COVID-19 cases in North Carolina and the strain on the hospital systems.
Secretary Cohen also issued a Secretarial Directive with warnings for North Carolinians to avoid indoor spaces without masks and gatherings.
Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Jan 9 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.
Tuckasegee River Excursion with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Jan 9 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

The Tuckasegee (tuck-uh-SEE-jee) River Excursion includes an 1½ hour layover in the historic town of Dillsboro, where you’ll find more than 50 shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and country inns. There is time to shop, snack, and visit the many unique shops before returning to Bryson City.

Health Intention Mapping for 2021
Jan 9 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Online

Health Intention Mapping for 2021

What do you want for yourself in 2021? How do you want to feel? What parts of your health do you want to see an improvement with? Join us for this gathering where we set our intentions for 2021 and discuss how we can move the needle on our health using Medical Medium information. Together, we’ll help one another map out what we need to do to make what we want for our health a reality. Get accountability by sharing your goals with others and let the group be witness to you saying what you’re going to do! Newbies and experienced welcome!! If you are a newbie, familiarize yourself with Anthony William’s work before attending. Please arrive in a private space with no distractions, and with your drinks and snacks.

Foraging Food Tour
Jan 9 @ 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
No Taste Like Home

Join us for three hours “off the eaten path” as we find and gather over a dozen wild edibles. We’ll whip up a little tasting right on the trail. Take home the rest of your finds and/or get ready for some find dining when one of our award-winning restaurant partners prepares your “catch of the day,” with lunch, brunch or dinner, for free. Wild mushroom pizza, daylily tamales, sassafras root beer, wisteria ice cream… it all depends on what we find!


Pricing

  • Adult (Ages 12+): $75
  • Child (Ages 5-11): $35
  • Child (Ages 4 & Under): Free
Sunday, January 10, 2021
January is National Blood Donor Month
Jan 10 all-day
The Blood Connection various locations

Amid the arrival of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the demand for a well-known treatment for those battling the virus, convalescent plasma, has skyrocketed.

The Blood Connection (TBC), a non-profit community blood center, has seen the demand for this life-saving product triple in the past few months because of its effectiveness.
However, the need for convalescent plasma continues to far outrun the supply.
The release of the COVID-19 vaccine has created a challenge for TBC, as it reduces the number
of people who are eligible to give convalescent plasma. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
has recommended that donors who have received the vaccine should not donate convalescent
plasma but can donate whole blood (a regular blood donation). To give convalescent plasma,
donors must be symptom free for at least 14 days and must have proof of a positive COVID-19
test or positive COVID-19 antibody test.

Visit web site or call to schedule your donation appointment:
Hendersonville
825 Spartanburg Highway
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Greenville
435 Woodruff Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607

Spartanburg
270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Asheville
225 Airport Rd.
Arden, NC 28704

Modified Stay at Home Order Extended Through January 29th
Jan 10 all-day
Online
Governor Cooper announced on Wednesday, January 6th that the North Carolina Modified Stay at Home Order requiring people to remain home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am would remain in effect through at least Friday, January 29th. The announcement was in response to the continued rise in COVID-19 cases in North Carolina and the strain on the hospital systems.
Secretary Cohen also issued a Secretarial Directive with warnings for North Carolinians to avoid indoor spaces without masks and gatherings.
Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Jan 10 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.
COVID-19 Testing in Buncombe County
Jan 10 @ 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.

Tai Chi Easy Practice Group
Jan 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Online

Tai Chi Easy Practice Group

Eight week course to learn Tai Chi Easy! Meeting outdoors, Sundays 2:00PM at Highland Park (corner of Zillicoa and Montford Ave.) Jan. 3 – Feb. 21. Start with gentle Qigong warm ups to boost immune function. Learn essential Tai Chi principles in five Yang-style movements that enhance balance and flexibility. Explore the martial applications, or just learn to de-stress and enjoy freedom of movement. Bring water, dress warmly, wear sunblock, and be ready to shed layers. Highland Park offers no shade. Here is a video of Dr. Roger Jahnke, doing the Tai Chi Easy form he developed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dijBCf8GUVs

Monday, January 11, 2021
COVID-19 Testing in Buncombe County
Jan 11 all-day
Various locations in Buncombe County

COVID-19 Testing in Buncombe County

Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic aquí.

COVID-19 Testing General Information

Think you have been exposed to COVID?

Testing is widely available at urgent cares, federally qualified health centers, and through some primary care providers for those who need it however, it remains important to focus on the prevention of COVID first and foremost to keep the virus from spreading further into the community and to loved ones.

Find testing near you:

  • If you DO NOT HAVE a healthcare provider who offers testing for COVID-19 and you need to get tested, there are several ways to find testing near you.
  • Visit the Find My Testing Place website to find a clinic or pop up testing site near you.
  • People in Buncombe County can access testing by completing the Buncombe County Self-Checker online. If you need testing, you can set up an appointment at one of the county’s open-air, drive-through sites. People can also call the Ready Team at (828) 419-0095 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday to be pre-screened for testing at these sites. A Ready Team member will call you within 2 business days to schedule your appointment.
  • You can call the Buncombe County nurse line at (828) 250-5300 to find out where you can get tested (Press OPTION #1 to speak with a nurse) from 8 am to 5:30 pm.
  • Community Testing Site Information

    Please read: You must schedule an appointment for community test sites.

    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 at the fixed sites 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.

    Testing site locations in Buncombe County are at the Buncombe County Sports Park on Thursdays and on Sundays at the AB Tech Allied Health Building. Please pre-register for testing at these locations by completing the Self-Checker or by calling the Ready Team at (828) 419-0095. Please check the calendar below for testing site times and dates. 

    Important: Please check Buncombe County’s Facebook page for site cancellations due to weather. 

Current COVID-19 Immunization Phase
Jan 11 all-day
online w/ Buncombe County Government

All online vaccine appointments are currently filled.
More appointments will become available when vaccine allotments are announced from the state.

 

Buncombe County’s Current Vaccination Phase: 1B

Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine, quantity of 700 doses, on December 21. Within 24 hours of receiving the shipment, BCHHS began vaccinating individuals in the Phase 1A group. Buncombe County HHS has received two subsequent weekly shipments of vaccine of 975 doses each on December 30 and January 5. BC HHS continues to vaccinate Phase 1a population in the week of January 4. As of time of release, over 1,200 individuals in total have been vaccinated by Buncombe County HHS and Emergency Services.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will open Phase 1B in small groups due to the limited vaccine supply. Phase 1B Group 1 will begin with persons 75 years and older in order to best manage vaccine dose availability.  BCHHS will begin vaccinating this population the week of January 11, 2021.

Important Details for Week of January 11, 2021:

  • People who fall into Phase 1B (those 75 and over) can call BCHHS starting Thursday, January 7, 2021 to schedule their COVID-19 immunization.
  • Appointments can be made by calling (828) 250-5000, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. As long as vaccine supply is available, appointments will be available for this population.
  • Vaccine supply is extremely limited during the first phases of the vaccination effort. For this reason, you must have an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccination in Buncombe County at this time.
  • When making your appointment, you will receive information on where and when to arrive for your vaccine. In order to maintain a steady flow of appointments and a safe environment, please arrive at your scheduled time.
  • Remember, two COVID-19 shots are necessary to build up immunity and we have a plan to help everyone get both doses. The second shot will come 3-4 weeks after the first. It is important to get two doses of the same vaccine.
  • The vaccine is free to everyone, even if you don’t have health insurance. While there is a small administrative fee covered by insurance, cost will not be a barrier to your COVID-19 immunization.
  • Your ability to get a vaccine is not impacted by your citizenship status and there is not an ID requirement. You (or a legal guardian) will need to sign a consent form to get the vaccine when you arrive. Language services will be available on site.
  • Please plan for safe transportation to the immunization site. Drivers and riders should wear masks and social distance to the extent possible. Please wear a mask to the immunization site.

Phased Vaccination Groups:

To see all the groups for Phases 1b and Phase 2 please review this Infographic of Vaccine Phases. As we move through new phases of vaccine distribution, BCHHS will provide information by phone, website, and via media partners. We will also coordinate closely with our community partners and networks to ensure that frontline workers have a clear path to immunizations in the later subgroups of 1B.2 and 1B.3.

The vaccination effort continues to be a fluid situation and will require patience and diligence from our community as this process depends on the vaccine supplies received each week. Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County Public Health Director, emphasizes the bigger picture of the pandemic response and says, “It is important for everyone in Buncombe County to continue following the public health guidance as we move through the subsequent phases of the vaccination plan. Full implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine plan is expected to take months, so we encourage residents to continue to follow all protective measures like wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance from others and avoiding gatherings. We are working as hard as we can given vaccine supply limitations to get vaccine into our community.”

For more information:

BCHHS will provide information on the Buncombe Ready website, social media, and through our call center in the coming days, weeks, and months. We will continue to work closely with partner organizations, community messengers, and local media outlets to provide information throughout the phased vaccination process.

Click here to see the outline of the state’s current phased approach. 

January is National Blood Donor Month
Jan 11 all-day
The Blood Connection various locations

Amid the arrival of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the demand for a well-known treatment for those battling the virus, convalescent plasma, has skyrocketed.

The Blood Connection (TBC), a non-profit community blood center, has seen the demand for this life-saving product triple in the past few months because of its effectiveness.
However, the need for convalescent plasma continues to far outrun the supply.
The release of the COVID-19 vaccine has created a challenge for TBC, as it reduces the number
of people who are eligible to give convalescent plasma. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
has recommended that donors who have received the vaccine should not donate convalescent
plasma but can donate whole blood (a regular blood donation). To give convalescent plasma,
donors must be symptom free for at least 14 days and must have proof of a positive COVID-19
test or positive COVID-19 antibody test.

Visit web site or call to schedule your donation appointment:
Hendersonville
825 Spartanburg Highway
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Greenville
435 Woodruff Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607

Spartanburg
270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Asheville
225 Airport Rd.
Arden, NC 28704

Modified Stay at Home Order Extended Through January 29th
Jan 11 all-day
Online
Governor Cooper announced on Wednesday, January 6th that the North Carolina Modified Stay at Home Order requiring people to remain home between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am would remain in effect through at least Friday, January 29th. The announcement was in response to the continued rise in COVID-19 cases in North Carolina and the strain on the hospital systems.
Secretary Cohen also issued a Secretarial Directive with warnings for North Carolinians to avoid indoor spaces without masks and gatherings.
Pardee UNC Health: CDC Guidance on Who Should Get Tested for COVID-19
Jan 11 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.
Shiloh Peace Garden Food Pantry + PPE Supplies for those In Need
Jan 11 all-day
Shiloh Peace Garden

Community Collaboration Helps Neighbors in Time of Need

Food insecurity has risen significantly across the country due to pandemic-related job losses and struggles, and in Buncombe County local food pantries are popping up to help feed neighborhood families.

A collaborative, community-led project between Bountiful Cities, St. James AME Church, East End Valley Street Neighborhood Association, and Shiloh Community Association has neighbors helping neighbors to get non-perishable food and personal protective equipment (PPE) right where it’s needed most.

To serve people in need in the community, there are two new food pantries located at St. James AME Church and the Shiloh Peace Garden. Both pantries were handmade by Asheville local, Max Mandler of Mandler Construction. The pantry at St. James AME is dedicated to the memory of Bernadette Thompson, a longtime community activist and faithful member of the church for many years, and features artwork by local artist Jenny Pickens.

Community members will find both pantries stocked with non-perishable, nutritious food and free masks, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, and other items that will assist individuals in staying safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Upkeep and stocking the pantry will be a joint effort among the sponsoring organizations and the community-at-large. Thanks to CARES funding, Buncombe County government was able to help with initial supply efforts. The pantries will be open seven days a week and are set up to be self-serve. Everyone is welcome to utilize the pantries for both food and PPE needs.