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

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

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

Rules of the trail:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After an extensive remodeling project, Tax Collections’ lobby has been expanded and can accommodate in-person services while adhering to social distancing requirements. Per our Stay Safe, Stay Smart order, we ask that you wear a face covering while inside County facilities. If you do not have a face covering, we can provide one. We also ask that if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you use one of our alternative methods of accessing our services.

Overall, Buncombe County has taken precautions and audited our public-facing facilities to determine the safest way to operate. As a result, here are some of our countywide precautions:

• Installation of plexiglass barriers for public-based work
• Increased sanitation and cleaning of County facilities
• Public accessibility of hand sanitizer and disposable face coverings
• Social distancing markers and signage
• Comprehensive internal procedures for employees to foster a safe workplace, including a daily employee self-screening tool

Tax Collections’ alternative means of services remain available, and we encourage the public to use those methods when possible. To look up property information or your tax amount due, visit buncombecounty.org/tax.

You can make tax payments:

• Online
• By phone: 1-877-690-3729, jurisdiction code 4301 (If payments are made online or by phone with an electronic check, no service fees apply.)
• By mail: PO Box 3140, Asheville, NC 28802
• Dropboxes:
  • Driveway of the Family Justice Center, 35 Woodfin Street, Asheville
  • Next to the Tax Department Office Entrance, 94 Coxe Ave.

If you have additional questions, you can contact Tax Collections via email at [email protected] or call (828) 250-4910.

When a friend gave Toland Sand a stained glass studio in 1977, he embarked upon a journey that would lead him to explore the myriad qualities that define glass as a medium. Sand’s 43 years as a sculptor has resulted in works of stained glass, blown glass, and every combination in between. A pioneer in utilizing the unique properties of dichroic glass, Sand begins his current sculpture with optical crystal and dichroic coated glass, hand worked by grinding in ever finer stages until a polish is achieved. Seeking balance, harmony, and symmetry, with an accent on deconstructed form, his work inhabits the symbolic, the cosmic, and the mystery. Sand is inspired by his peers as well as artists such as Isamu Noguchi, David Smith, Henry Moore, and Mark Rothko.
Sand’s work can be found numerous public and private collections including the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, Neenah, WI, Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga, TN, Imagine Museum, Sarasota, FL, and others.

Bender Gallery continues to be open and welcoming visitors into our gallery in limited numbers and with facemasks, of course. We remain dedicated to supporting our artists during these unprecedented times by making ourselves available almost anytime you wish to speak with us to answer questions and sharing their work online and through social media. We and our artists thank you for your support!

In the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, Kwame Brathwaite used photography to popularize the political slogan “Black Is Beautiful.” This exhibition—the first ever dedicated to Brathwaite’s remarkable career—tells the story of a key figure of the second Harlem Renaissance.

Inspired by the writings of activist and Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, Brathwaite and his older brother, Elombe Brath, founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) and the Grandassa Models, a modeling agency for Black women.

This exhibition returns us to the Naturally fashion shows of the 1960s walked by Grandassa models and produced by the African American artists, designers, musicians, hairdressers, writers, and jazz lovers of AJASS.

Images have power, and this is an important example of a creative collective formed in order to radically shift the dominant narrative at midcentury.

Exhibition organized by Aperture, New York and Kwame S. Brathwaite.

Blood Mobile located in valet parking area.

Face masks require. All donors will receive free antibodies test!

Appointments recommended at https://www.thebloodconnection.org

AdventHealth is renamed Park Ridge Health

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

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

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

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

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

The Bob Moog Foundation is also excited to welcome shoppers back into the Moogseum Store in downtown Asheville, NC. While the exhibit space will remain closed until North Carolina enters phase 3, the store offers a wide variety of synth-inspired merchandise from magnets, t-shirts and pint glasses, to books, hats and vinyl records. The Moogseum Store will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

To ensure the safety of guests, extensive cleaning measures and CDC guidelines will be followed by staff, and both staff and visitors will be required to wear cloth or disposable face coverings.

St. Gerard House is pleased to announce its tenth annual First Words of Hope Luncheon. Its title,
First Words of Hope, represents many things. It refers to the organizations’ firm commitment to
help individuals with autism reach their highest potential, and pays homage to one of the
greatest blessings in their work, the opportunity to witness a child communicate successfully for
the first time.
The live premier event will take place August 26th at 12 noon online at
https://givebutter.com/sghluncheon. All are welcome. Caroline Long, Executive Director shares
“First Words of Hope is our annual fundraising luncheon that serves as the largest source of
unrestricted funds.” Proceeds from this fundraising event help meet the needs of many WNC
families with children on the autism spectrum. Over 70% of programs offered at St Gerard
House are subsidized to make services accessible to all who need them. Community financial
support allows St. Gerard House to continue this practice.
The mission of St. Gerard House is to help individuals with autism and their families
experience more joy and achieve meaningful life outcomes. St. Gerard House is a nonprofit organization in Hendersonville, NC offering evidence-based treatment for
individuals with autism as well as programs for family members, guardians, caregivers,
teachers, and others involved with care of the individual.

Volunteers needed for the 2020 hurricane season!

Microsoft Teams Session
RSVP required by 8/28. tinyurl.com/VirtualVolunteerFairRSVP

Join us to learn how to help your neighbors and community in times of need!
Due to predictions for an active hurricane and wildfire season and the complexities of COVID-19, the Red
Cross will need thousands of volunteers to care for people when disasters strike. Learn how you can be a
Ready Red Cross Shelter or Health Services Volunteer so you can answer the call when your community
needs it most.

Virtually enjoy the process of marbling, the antique process of floating paint on a thickened water surface. Watch as Pam Granger Gale drops paint onto the surface and each drop expands. More and more paint drops push others around without mixing. Then combs and rakes are used to create both historical and freeform patterns. Paper is placed on the surface and captures this monoprint forever.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) / COVID-19

During this free one-hour interactive webinar, Mountain BizWorks Coach Mike Ames will provide an overview of the rules surrounding the Small Business Administration’s PPP program and walk you through 8 Guidelines for PPP Forgiveness that can help your business maximize the forgivable portion of your loan, before opening the webinar for questions.

In the meantime, as a PPP loan borrower, there are two very important things you must do to avoid trouble and maximize your forgiveness amount under this program. First, your business MUST use at least 60% of your loan proceeds for eligible payroll costs.  And you must make sure that your PPP loan proceeds are only spent on items from the very specific list of eligible uses for funds.  Failure to meet these guidelines will certainly reduce your potential forgiveness, AND could even create penalties including fines or criminal charges if the use is determined to be fraudulent. Get a deep dive on these two key things and 6 more guidelines, as well as lots of helpful tips and tricks in this webinar!

Prior to the webinar, we recommend reading MBW’s Guide to Maximizing Your PPP Forgiveness, which contains the latest information and examples to help you better understand the program, consider strategies to optimize your results, and answer common questions.

PPP is a very new program, created extraordinarily quickly by the Federal Government to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on employment. We are still getting frequent clarifications, new rules and guidance from the Small Business Administration and Department of the Treasury. As the program is refined we will continue to update the guide and make the most recent version available at our COVID-19 Funding Help Center website page.

We are so excited to announce that we are reopening for dine-in, take-out, and delivery on August 26th. From our contactless payments, to online ordering to digital waitlists, and countless other new safety measures, we’ve been busy making lots of changes to help keep our staff, guests and community safe. One thing we haven’t changed is our commitment to provide you with the best quality food, drinks, and service in town. We will be open Wednesday through Sunday nights for dinner, and while we encourage reservations, walk-in tables are also available utilizing our mobile waitlist. Additionally we offer pick-up or delivery with online ordering available on our website. We would also like to announce a change in our management. After decades of fantastic work in the service industry, Sam Douglas, is leaving to be able to spend more time with his family and explore opportunities in real estate. While we are sad to see him go, we’re excited to announce that our Executive Chef, Chris Benson, will be adding the role of General Manager. He’ll bring along some familiar faces to help him, Savanna Millet as Front of House Manager and Christopher Ducker as Sous Chef. Using their combined 50 years of industry experience, they’ll work together to make sure Bone & Broth continues to be your favorite spot in town. We’ve all missed you so much and look forward to getting to serve you once again.

We’re starting something new for you all: Wednesday Night Date Night! Join us for dinner from 5-9PM every Wednesday for a fun evening with a great deal.

For $27, you’ll get your choice of two small salads or one large salad, one appetizer, and one pizza (specialty or a 3-topping BYO) from Grata Pizzeria. Add two UpCountry beers for a total of $37.

See you here!

A Wednesday tradition at Oklawaha Brewing Company

The French Broad Valley Music Association: FBVMA jam session is focused on regional fiddle tunes and songs. Carol Rifkin and John Mitchell cohost weekly, bring an instrument to play or just enjoy the music, its free, kid friendly, donations encouraged.

Key Players are intermediate to advanced but beginners are most welcome and encouraged to attend to listen, learn/quietly play along. More experienced players sit in the inner circle and take turns choosing fiddle tunes or songs. Guests, families and kids are invited to listen and often sing along. This style of community play has been used to entertain and pass down music to kids for generations.

The French Broad Valley Music Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization formed to celebrate local musical heritage. “Our community. Our music. Our sense of place.”