In the spring of 2020, the City of Asheville launched several temporary initiatives to support safe business operations and customer access to goods and services during COVID-19. These “AVL Shares Space” initiatives enabled businesses and organizations to quickly expand outdoors, generally into adjacent public spaces and parking lots, with the primary goal of supporting the local economy while facilitating alignment with public health guidance. To date, over 100 businesses have been authorized to expand outdoors. More information, including other guiding principles and goals of the program can be found here.

The City would like to collect public feedback on the successes and impacts of each initiative in order to assess possibilities for longer-term programs.

Please let us know how you’ve interacted with any or all of these initiatives, and provide feedback on your experience.

The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore is hosting the 10^th annual ReUse Contest to showcase innovative building projects constructed predominantly of used building materials.

Winners will be selected in the following categories:

• Furniture: $200 ReStore gift card
• Homesteading (i.e. chicken coop, raised bed): $200 ReStore gift card
• Live and/or work space: $200 ReStore gift card
• Art: $200 ReStore gift card
• Home Decor: $200 ReStore gift card
• Vans & Vehicle (NEW!): $200 ReStore gift card
• Best in Show: $500 ReStore gift card

Winners will be announced in a press release, on Asheville Habitat’s website and social media pages, and featured in the Asheville Habitat ReStore.

The purpose of this annual contest is to showcase innovative building and DIY projects
constructed predominantly of reused building materials. A large number of ReStore shoppers
purchase items intended to be repurposed or reused in unique and creative ways; the ReStore
Reuse contest is a great way to showcase their projects and inspire others to reuse, recycle
and repurpose usable materials.
The creativity of this community never ceases to amaze. Past projects have included a fence
fashioned from doors, a potting bench built from pallets, a chair crafted from an oil drum, yard
art made from old tools, and so much more. To see photos from the 2020 contest, click here.
A panel of five judges will select winners in the following categories: Furniture, Homesteading,
Live and/or Work Space, Art, Home Décor, Vans and Vehicles (NEW!), and Best in Show.
Winners will be announced in mid-October.

Advance Livesaving Research

Your 2021 Annual Fund Drive gift will accelerate innovative research to improve and save the lives of sick and injured patients in western North Carolina. Please give generously.

• $50
• $100
• $250
• $500

Give Now

Official 2021 Raffle Rules

PROCEEDS

This raffle is a fundraising event, and all net proceeds benefit the Brevard Music Center (BMC). Brevard Music Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN# 56-0729350

DRAWING

The drawing will take place on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 3:00pm EDT. All mail, phone, and internet orders must be received by 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, November 14, 2021.

TICKETS

The cost to purchase a single entry (“Ticket”) for the Raffle is $125 (U.S. Funds only) and is not tax deductible.

September 19-25, 2021 marks the annual Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, hosted by the National Coalition for Literacy  This week exists to remind us all that reading, writing, and basic math remain an elusive target for 43 million adults nationwide, including 1 in 10 adults in Buncombe County (this is enough people to fill the Harrahs’ Cherokee Center three times). These neighbors lack the literacy skills they need to get better jobs, help their children with homework, or participate fully in our community. They struggle with simple tasks like completing a form at the doctor’s office or reading the label on a prescription medicine bottle. 43 percent of adults who have low literacy skills live in poverty, and 72 percent of children of low-literate adults read below grade level. What does this say about the cycle of poverty?  The mission of Literacy Together is to break that cycle of generational poverty. In recognition of Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, Literacy Together would like to ask you to join forces with us to accomplish our mission to transform lives and communities through literacy. I invite you to learn more about how you can help with the literacy crisis by visiting the Literacy Together website or calling our office at 828-254-3442. Even if you have visited our website before, I encourage you to check the website again to see the life-changing programs that Literacy Together has been providing during the pandemic. You can also learn more about our recent camp and the other ways we are tackling this literacy crisis head-on. I truly believe that we can make a difference in our community and change lives together through the power of literacy.

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

Emerging and established artists in NC can apply for $500-2,000 in aid

The North Carolina Arts Council understands the important role artists contribute to the vitality, unity and resiliency of our communities. NCAC has established the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant (ASG) as a regional grant program to support individual artists during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The program funds professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences.

Funds are granted through 18 regional partners across the state, to ensure a more equitable disbursement of funds to artists in rural and urban areas across the state. Buncombe County is part of Region 17, which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.

Last year, Region 17 received 126 applications and awarded 32 awards totaling $30,088– supporting artists from a variety of different mediums.

This year, applicants have the opportunity to apply for up to $2,000– double what was offered last year. Applicants will also apply directly through the NCAC website to help simplify the application process. Instructions and a virtual application workshop video are available on the AAAC website.

The deadline to apply is September 30.

Asheville Ale Trail has joined Wicked Weed in their WNC Love: Flood Relief

Flood Relief Fundraiser

On Tuesday, August 18th, Tropical Storm Fred hit Western North Carolina bringing 8-12 inches
of rainfall and causing extreme flooding. Haywood County in particular suffered severe flooding
and damage affecting both residential and commercial areas. Many residents of Haywood
County lost their homes. Unfortunately several members of the brewing community suffered
significant loss and destruction as well. BearWaters Brewing in downtown Canton had over 9
feet of flooding and lost countless kegs, barrels and equipment, in addition to some of their
outdoor structures.

As a response, Wicked Weed created the WNC Love: Flood Relief Fundraiser Campaign to
encourage the brewing community to get involved and help raise flood recovery donations.
Along with Wicked Weed, several breweries have joined in participation by donating a portion of
their proceeds to flood relief initiatives, and are hoping many more will join.
About Asheville Ale Trail: Asheville Ale Trail is the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide
to breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries in Western North Carolina. The printed Field
Guide is available for free at hundreds of locations throughout the region.

About Bearfootin’ Art Walk

Since 2003, the Bearfootin’ Art Walk has helped raise funding for Downtown Hendersonville and a variety of local non-profits. In addition to raising funds, the bears offer a window into good work being done by community organizations in Henderson County.

The Bearfootin’ Bears arrive as blank slates before local artists transform each in a spectacular fashion, with creative themes ranging from Mona Lisa to Blue Ridge Mountain scenery. After the “Reveal” event in early May, the bears then take up residence in downtown Hendersonville for the duration of the summer and fall, up until auction. Participants bid during the auction to raise funds for local non-profits and Downtown Hendersonville. Winning bids up to $3,000 are split evenly between the downtown program and the non-profit chosen by the sponsor, while bid amounts exceeding $3,000 are directed entirely to the non-profit. In 2020, the Bears raised more than $84,000, and in 2021 we hope to continue the tradition of giving.

2021 Bearfootin’ Auction

The 2021 Bears are currently stationed along Main Street until the auction in October. Check out our 2021 Bearfootin’ Bears!

Until 2020, the Bearfootin’ auctions were hosted in traditional style with a live auctioneer. Then, in response to the pandemic, Friends of Downtown Hendersonville pivoted to a virtual format for the 2020 auction. The virtual bidding format allowed people to bid over the course of a month until a scheduled bidding cutoff. This turned out to be a big success, with the 2020 auction raising more than $84,000. 

For the 2021 Auction, the Downtown Events Team and Friends of Downtown Hendersonville staff are incorporating the virtual bidding format with an in-person event. This means bidders will be able to begin bidding as early as September 15, 2021. Bidding will come to a close with an exciting in-person event on October 16 from 4-6:30pm, with all bidding closing at 6pm.

1. Bidding begins on September 15, 2021 at 12pm and ends at 6pm EST on October 16, 2021. Stay tuned for the release of the bidding platform closer to September 15!

2.  All bidding will occur virtually. There will be no in-person bidding. However, there will be live bidding via phone/computer up until the bidding cut off at 6pm on October 16.

3.  It’s free to register to bid, and you can bid anytime between September 15 and the deadline at 6pm on October 16. Initial bids will take place via the bidding website (stay tuned for link!). Bidders will receive automatic text message notification if they are outbid with the option to submit a new bid directly via text message.  

4. There will be an in-person countdown celebration on October 16 from 4-6:30 pm on the outdoor plaza at the Historic Train Depot at 650 Maple Street. The event will have a lively atmosphere with bells and cheers at each incoming bid, as well as live music, beer/wine and food trucks. The event is free and open to the public. While there will be no in-person bidding at the event, attendees can bid live via their cell phone. There will be an event information booth to help attendees get registered and begin bidding.

5. There will be no proxy bidding. Bidders will receive automatic text notification if they are outbid with the option to submit a new bid. There are no reserve/proxy bids, meaning you can’t set a price that the system will automatically bid for you. If you are outbid, you will need to place a higher bid if you wish to continue.   

6. Starting bids for all bears will be $1,500 and minimum bid increments are $100.  

7.  Any bear can be purchased at our “Buy Now” price of $10,000. The “Buy Now” option ends Thursday, October 14 at 5 p.m.

8. Bidders do not have to attend the in-person event to be a winning bidder. For those who can’t attend the in-person event on October 16, we will conduct a virtual Facebook Live event of the auction on the Downtown Hendersonville page. We will start the off by introducing the bears and providing information about how to bid before the clock runs out. All bidding is automatically cut off at 6pm on October 16.

9. Winning bidders will be contacted regarding payment and picking up their bear via text and email. Bears can be picked up at the event, or during a scheduled “pick up window” the week following the event. Winners have 5 days to pay or they will be automatically charged on the credit card filed. Alternatively, winners can pay with cash or check. There will be a 2.95% processing fee on all credit card transactions. 

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

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

Learn more about Literacy Together’s volunteer roles!

Take a look around. Now, look closer.

The word “pixelated” means made of small pieces but the word, “pixilated” means infatuation with a mischievous, mythical creature called a pixie.

Looking at the world in a different way can feel mischievous. Walk through your neighborhood looking up, looking down. Look at how buildings are put together or how things fall apart.  Find patterns, shadows, twisting vines, whatever makes you stop and think. Whatever makes you feel pixelated.

Send us your favorite square-framed shots of simple, surprising thing that make you think, wonder or smile in Buncombe County.

Look for BiblioBoard on the Buncombe Public Library site. Make an account and log in. Select Menu and Buncombe County. Scroll down to Buncombe County collections. Dive into the CITYPIXels module and submit a photo.

If we get enough submissions, we’ll put them together as pixels in a larger display of just what it is we love about where we live. Then we can enjoy what we love alone, together!

Get pixelated, Asheville!