Please join us for our next free Community Garden Network Workshop, where we will join Lauren “LB” Bacchus, Executive Director of Kudzu Culture, for a hands-on demonstration teaching how kuzu (kudzu root starch) is made. Kuzu has a long legacy of use in Asia, especially in Japan, as an ingredient in macrobiotic cooking. Kuzu is a strong alkaline, and has been traditionally used to make a soothing gooey drink called kuzuyu, among other foods such as noodles, mochi, breads, and soups. LB is an experimental fiber artist whose sculptural work is made from abundant, often invasive, plant material. LB is passionate about learning from traditional craft, and sharing research and processes with others, and has taught eco-art workshops for children and adults at a variety of schools in WNC. This workshop is presented in collaboration with The City of Asheville. For more info go to https://kudzuculture.net/. Please RSVP via the ticket link, and if you have any questions please contact Ta’rin’ii [email protected] or Isa Whitaker at [email protected].

Relax, Restore, Renew

Unwind and rejuvenate in our blissful 2-hour Restorative Yoga Workshop designed to melt away stress, promote deep relaxation, and nurture your well-being.

Immerse yourself in a series of gentle, supported yoga poses that encourage relaxation and release tension. Utilize an array of props such as bolsters, blankets, and blocks to fully support your body in each pose.

Learn the art of mindful breathing techniques to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and enhance your overall sense of peace.

Indulge in a guided meditation journey to promote mental clarity and inner calmness.

Sign up for an amazing class taught by Lori Jenkins of Sister of Mother Earth. She will guide you through making a Springtime fire cider, a blood-moving oxymel, and herbal honey to awaken your body out of Wintertime slumber.

Discuss wild herbs that pop up in late Winter and early Spring to harvest and enjoy, and partake in a bit of Springtime magick to help celebrate this time of year.

All you need to bring is a basket to carry your goodies home in and a learning spirit!

The class will be held on February 10th, 2024 from 3 – 5 pm
*Must have 10 registrants to hold class

Class items you will go home with:
*1 quart of fire cider
* 8oz herbal oxymel
* 6oz herbal honey
* 1oz herbal tea blend
* sample of stinging nettles salt blend
* worksheet filled with information and recipes
* and a few other surprises!

Join us each month for an info-packed event brought to you by the Blue Ridge Community College\’s Small Business Center, the City of Hendersonville Main Street Program, the Hendersonville Merchants & Business Association and the Chamber. Get the lowdown on current community events and the issues that matter to our local businesses and community.

Stay tuned for updated on our monthly lineup of guests and speakers!

The 2024 Business Morning Updates are proudly Presented by ALLCHOICE Insurance!

Calling all gardeners crazy about growing tomatoes! Learn best varieties to grow, their culture and disease management.

At our Business After Hours next Thursday, February 15, we’re excited to gather and honor our incredible Total Resource Committee Volunteers, who, through their dedication, have raised over a Million dollars to support the Asheville Chamber’s initiatives.

Our Total Resource Committee consists of 12 remarkable community volunteers, each playing a crucial role:

• Lindsey Bnadad, Chair and Co-Owner of Kudzu Brands
• Elizabeth Bridgers, Chair and CMO of HomeTrust Bank
• Heather Johnson, Co-Owner of Kudzu Brands
• Kendra Payne, Co-Owner of A Look at Asheville
• Sandra Dennison, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Quility
• Jeff Switzer, UPS
• Jared Bailey, Market President at TruPoint
• Maria Pilos, Director of Marketing at DMJPS
• Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Managing Loan Officer at PrimeLending
• Sharon Owens, Retired from Mercy Urgent Care
• Donna Hammett, Business Development Executive at Forvis
• Monica Rousseau, Principal Broker at Realty ONE Group Pivot

Join us at The Radical in the River Arts District and enjoy food, drinks, and camaraderie. Explore the awesome new space within The Radical and savor delicious dishes from Afterglow, Golden Hour, and The Roof.
This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.

Want to avoid the winter blues? Get motivated with the 32nd Annual Frostbite Races presented by Hunter Subaru!

Join the largest winter footrace in Henderson County for a fun-filled afternoon of running and family-friendly activities. Choose from a 10K, 5K run/walk, or a flat and fast 1-mile un-timed Fun Run – perfect for runners of all ages and abilities. Join us at the Lelia Patterson Center in Fletcher, NC for a day of fitness, fun, and frosty festivities. Register now and gear up for the coolest race of the year!

Gather ● Relate ● Organize ● Work
Join us to stay updated on business in Mills River. With updates from the Town of Mills River and networking with neighboring businesses, let’s work to GROW your business in Mills River

Did you know that just one blood donation can help save up to three lives? The American Red Cross is currently experiencing an emergency blood shortage and reports the nation is facing the lowest number of blood donations in 20 years. If you would like to help, you can donate blood at the upcoming 14th Annual Battle of the Badges, a friendly competition between Buncombe County and Asheville first responders.

Last year, Battle of the Badges was able to collect a total of 160 units of blood that helped change the lives of patients in need. Help us match or exceed that goal during this year’s blood drive.

• Battle of the Badges Blood Drive 2024
• Wednesday, Feb. 21
• 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• First Baptist Church, 5 Oak St., in Asheville

You can schedule an appointment at   RedCrossBlood.org and enter “avlbattleofbadges” or call 800-RED-CROSS

Savvy Post Marketing is a digital marketing agency dedicated to boosting success for food and beverage businesses. Their specialized services include strategic digital campaigns (social media management, targeted ad campaigns Etc.). They also offer custom mobile app development and user-friendly website development. Committed to local business growth, they tailor solutions for enhanced user engagement, and ultimately help businesses gain a substantial return on investment (ROI).

Come celebrate their ribbon cutting as a new member of the Chamber!

Two days of educational programs, trade show featuring over 40 vendors and the annual meeting of the NC Tomato Growers Association

This is the largest commercial vegetable grower event in the region with a high quality educational program put together by vegetable extension specialist/agents at NC State University. We hope that you take advantage of this opportunity to learn about current issues associated with vegetables and take time with the representatives from agricultural companies and other businesses that support our industry during our 2-day trade show.

• New education track for small farms/direct market growers/organic production
• A sponsored lunch and awards program will be included at noon on Thursday.
• Pesticide credits will be available for attendees. (X,O, D, N)
• NC Private Applicator Recertification Class (V)
• Fumigation Recertification Class (Z)
• There will be a trade show again this year with a large number of sponsors and exhibitors setting up their displays for attendees to visit. Interested vendors should register early.
  

  SPONSORS/EXHIBITORS

  We welcome sponsors for our event. Sponsorships give you the opportunity to showcase your business and allow us to make this a special conference for attendees. Sponsorships also support scholarships. Details are included on the sponsorship ticket descriptions in the “get tickets” link above. If you need to be invoiced and send a check, please contact Ellen Moss at [email protected].

  SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS

  This year we will be holding a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction to support our scholarship fund. Raffle prices are $10/each or 12 for $100. During the conference see the Registration Desk to purchase your raffle tickets or for more information. Drawing will occur at the Tomato Growers Association Luncheon on Thursday. You Must Be Present to Win! If you are not interested in purchasing a raffle ticket or bidding on the silent auction, but would still like to support the scholarship fund, donations are greatly appreciated! Your generosity ensures that NCTGA continues to support future generations of farmers with an endowment fund used to offer merit/need-based scholarships. You can make a donation through this Eventbrite page via the donations ticket button. Details are included in the “get tickets” link above. If you need to be invoiced and send a check, or need a receipt for a tax deduction please contact Ellen Moss at [email protected].

Presenter: Mary Alice Ramsey, Extension Master Gardener^SM Volunteer

“As the Garden Sleeps, the Gardener Plans”.  Join Mary Alice Ramsey as she presents Planning Your VegeGarden. Mary Alice has been growing vegetables in her home garden for years. She will highlight the basics of vegetable gardening planning, how to create the right-size garden and how to select which vegetables to grow. She will share information on garden tools and structures, seed and plant sources, getting started and keeping records.

Mary Alice’s Garden has been included in the Gardens of Fairview tours each spring and her garden was featured in Southern Living magazine in August of 2017.

Registration: The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. This will be an indoor program. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522

Presenter: Mary Alice Ramsey, Extension Master Gardener^SM Volunteer

“As the Garden Sleeps, the Gardener Plans”.  Join Mary Alice Ramsey as she presents Planning Your Vegetable Garden. Mary Alice has been growing vegetables in her home garden for years. She will highlight the basics of vegetable gardening planning, how to create the right-size garden and how to select which vegetables to grow. She will share information on garden tools and structures, seed and plant sources, getting started and keeping records.

Mary Alice’s Garden has been included in the Gardens of Fairview tours each spring and her garden was featured in Southern Living magazine in August of 2017.

Registration: The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. This will be an indoor program. Please dress appropriate for the weather.

If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

Pardee Hospital Foundation’s Casino Night will feature casino games with live dealers, musical entertainment, exciting raffle opportunities, delicious food and locally sourced beer and wine. Proceeds from this year’s event will support Pardee’s growing cardiology program. Casino Games will include: Double Roulette Blackjack Full Size Craps Texas Hold’em Don’t miss out on the action, bring your friends, family or office colleagues to enjoy a unique night of fun all for a good cause! By attending or sponsoring this event you are ensuring access to quality and timely Cardiac care here in Western North Carolina.

To celebrate this February full moon, embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and inner healing through our groundbreaking Breathwork Meditation Workshop including 2 Sound Baths! During this immersive experience you will be guided through a powerful Breathwork practice to help you massively release stress, heal past wounds and traumas, access deeper levels of awareness, and connect more profoundly to Source.

Led by two professional highly experienced facilitators with over 60 years experience between them, this workshop will
deepen your connection with your breath and unlock its incredible potential for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

We are delighted to have Kat Houghton again facilitate sound baths to complete each of the Breathwork Meditation Sessions.

Join a group of like-minded individuals on the path to self-discovery in a supportive nurturing environment on the beautiful island in Marshall on one of the oldest rivers in the world.

You may come to the full day (10am-4.30pm, recommended, ) which includes two Breathwork Meditation Sessions with sound baths and a session of Self-discovery. You may also come to the first Breathwork Meditation Session with sound bath only (10am-1pm,) or the second Breathwork Session with sound bath only (1.30pm-4.30pm.).

Set within the magical space of the Dobra Tea East, you’ll be transported into an alchemical world designed to empower and uplift your spirit. Topics covered will be the inner alchemy of a soul’s spiritual awakening and the ancient tools that can assist the process.

Hear what the experts predict for the economy in 2024.