Sales End November 30! Drawing on Tuesday, December 1! Thank you for your ongoing support of Brevard Music Center! Our 2020 Car Raffle is in the final days — sales end on November 30, and our winner will be drawn December 1 — and with sales currently slower than in past years, your chance to win has never been better! Whether you’ve participated in past raffles or never before, will you please consider a purchase to help us in this difficult year and support our student arts education programs?  If you are already participating in our 2020 raffle, please consider an additional ticket purchase to improve your chances! This year’s winner can choose any 2020 Volvo or Subaru from Hunter Automotive Group in Fletcher, North Carolina with an MSRP up to $50,000! Online sales end on Monday, November 30, at 11:59PM (EST)!   Three Easy Ways to Enter: Call (828) 862-2138 Email us at [email protected] Click the “Buy Now” Button Below Buy Now

Consider what it means to shop Amazon Did you know that Amazon’s net sales for Q4 are expected to be $121 Billion and to grow 38% compared with fourth quarter 2019 numbers? Clearly in this pandemic, they are the big winner. Y’all… there has NEVER been a more critical year to SHOP LOCAL! Please show your love and support of our amazing local business community which truly has all you could ever need- a vintage dress, wall tapestry, piece of pottery, growler of beer or endless gift cards to your favorite Asheville restaurants. Get some ideas here:  shops , restaurants , breweries , and more.

It’s not just Small Business Saturday, it’s Small Business Week! This allows shoppers to spread their shopping out over several days so we can stick to social distancing. Some businesses are also offering Small Business Week raffles and the prizes include gift cards to downtown businesses. The more you spend, the better your chances. Check out who’s offering special deals and hosting raffles here.

The Southern Equality Studios special grant round is dedicated to resourcing and celebrating LGBTQ artists and creatives across the LGBTQ South who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or people of color). Grants of up to $500 will support BIPOC LGBTQ Southern artists working on a wide range of creative projects.

These new grant rounds are part of CSE’s Southern Equality Fund, which has been making grassroots grants across the LGBTQ South since 2015. Since its inception, the Southern Equality Fund has prioritized supporting work led by BIPOC, transgender, and rural organizers.

Have you seen an inspiring BIPOC LGBTQ artists in your community, or are you a creative who could use grant support? If so, we want to hear from you!

We are specifically seeking nominations for artists or creatives efforts who are:

• Based in the South.
• Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC).
• LGBTQ people.
• Funds can be used to support a wide range of artistic endeavors.
• Nominees are eligible to receive this grant even if they have received a previous Southern Equality Fund grant; however, priority will be given to nominees who have not yet received a grant.
• Anyone is welcome and encouraged to nominate an artist for a grant and artists may also nominate themselves.
• There are no grant reports, budgets or supplemental materials required in this process. However, if selected, applicants will have to fill out and return a W9 form to receive their funding.

This holiday season we are reimaging traditions for a safer,  socially distant world and our Angel Tree is going virtual. This gift tree provides our broader YWCA community a path to join us as we aim to support our program participants and their families with a holiday season full of love and support.

If you are able to, please select a gift from our Amazon wish list. Gifts from the list will be mailed directly to our building and will be sorted and distributed by our YWCA elves. All items on the list have been selected by the families and are items they are wishing for or are in need of this holiday season.

If you would like to go further and adopt a family this holiday season please email our Director of Women’s Empowerment Kelley Hubbell to get the details of how you can fulfill a family’s holiday wish.

All gifts must be ordered by December 11.

Programs Served by the Angel Tree

MotherLove
YWCA’s MotherLove program supports pregnant and parenting teens throughout Buncombe County. Our goals are to help young parents to stay in school and graduate, access higher education and vocational training, develop the skills and knowledge needed to become strong parents and delay another teen pregnancy.

Getting Ahead In a Just Getting By World
YWCA’s Getting Ahead program aims to provide financial empowerment for low-income women of all ages and backgrounds to make choices that positively impact themselves, their families and their community.

Early Learning Program
YWCA’s Early Learning Program provides 5-star childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Our experienced and compassionate teachers not only provide exceptional care for little ones, but they also prepare young children to succeed cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. We prioritize families using childcare vouchers or caring for children in the foster care system.

Empowerment Childcare
The YWCA provides up to 12 hours of free childcare per week for parents who are in transition, continuing their education, accessing social services, or looking for employment. ECC works closely with the Family Justice Center, Buncombe County Health and Human Services, A-B Tech, Green Opportunities, and Mary Benson House.

This year the Asheville Area Arts Council is offering $500 micro-grants for arts-based projects specifically focused on community hope and healing. These can be projects that bring joy to our local community, and/or projects that actively engage community members in safe activities following state and local health restrictions.

Arts and culture are a fundamental part of our community. They help us connect with one another and better understand history, people, and new ideas. When people become involved in the design, creation, and upkeep of places, they develop a vested interest in using and maintaining these spaces. When neighbors have a true sense of “ownership” or connection to the places they frequent, the community becomes a better place to live, work, and visit. According to Americans for the Arts (AFTA), “86% of participants who took part in community-based art want to be involved in future projects, and people living where these art projects occurred were more than twice as likely to be civically engaged as those whose neighborhoods did not have projects.”

The Museum Store joins the Asheville Downtown Association and local shops during Small Business Week. Receive 10% off all Asheville Art Museum logo items in-store and online, and 10% off any one item in-store (excludes artist consignment items). Shoppers receive one raffle ticket per $25 spent in the Museum Store to enter to win one (or more) of five $20 gift certificates to select local businesses.

Sales End November 30! Drawing on Tuesday, December 1! Thank you for your ongoing support of Brevard Music Center! Our 2020 Car Raffle is in the final days — sales end on November 30, and our winner will be drawn December 1 — and with sales currently slower than in past years, your chance to win has never been better! Whether you’ve participated in past raffles or never before, will you please consider a purchase to help us in this difficult year and support our student arts education programs?  If you are already participating in our 2020 raffle, please consider an additional ticket purchase to improve your chances! This year’s winner can choose any 2020 Volvo or Subaru from Hunter Automotive Group in Fletcher, North Carolina with an MSRP up to $50,000! Online sales end on Monday, November 30, at 11:59PM (EST)!   Three Easy Ways to Enter: Call (828) 862-2138 Email us at [email protected] Click the “Buy Now” Button Below Buy Now

SHOP THE ROCK!

Our online gift shop is now open, and just in time for your holiday shopping. T-shirts are available in a variety of colors with Adult and Youth sizing, and we have additional apparel items like sweatshirts, hats, polos, and totes. We have unique gift options like our 50th-anniversary book with a detailed history of Flat Rock Playhouse and prints designed by some of your favorite Vagabonds.

Thank you for always being such a great friend of The Orange Peel. Your continued support means so much to us!

But, we still need your help!

Thanks to you, the Save Our Stages Act passed in the House of Representatives — but as you may know, it’s not law yet. We’re pushing to get it included in the next COVID-19 Relief package, which is being negotiated now – and we need your voice (again) ASAP.

The situation gets more dire with each passing day. With no emergency relief, hundreds of venues have already shuttered forever, through no fault of their own.

Even if you’ve done it before, can you please take 30 seconds to remind your Congressional representatives that you want them to pass the next COVID-19 Relief Act now and include crucial assistance for independent venues and promoters. Just click here to Save Our Stages.

When legislators hear from you it makes all the difference – and can help us get this across the finish line. On behalf of the nearly 3,000 members of the National Independent Venue Association, thank you for your continued support.

You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone…

You can also donate directly to The Orange Peel to help us get through this difficult time. Just click here!

Consider what it means to shop Amazon Did you know that Amazon’s net sales for Q4 are expected to be $121 Billion and to grow 38% compared with fourth quarter 2019 numbers? Clearly in this pandemic, they are the big winner. Y’all… there has NEVER been a more critical year to SHOP LOCAL! Please show your love and support of our amazing local business community which truly has all you could ever need- a vintage dress, wall tapestry, piece of pottery, growler of beer or endless gift cards to your favorite Asheville restaurants. Get some ideas here:  shops , restaurants , breweries , and more.

It’s not just Small Business Saturday, it’s Small Business Week! This allows shoppers to spread their shopping out over several days so we can stick to social distancing. Some businesses are also offering Small Business Week raffles and the prizes include gift cards to downtown businesses. The more you spend, the better your chances. Check out who’s offering special deals and hosting raffles here.

The Southern Equality Studios special grant round is dedicated to resourcing and celebrating LGBTQ artists and creatives across the LGBTQ South who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or people of color). Grants of up to $500 will support BIPOC LGBTQ Southern artists working on a wide range of creative projects.

These new grant rounds are part of CSE’s Southern Equality Fund, which has been making grassroots grants across the LGBTQ South since 2015. Since its inception, the Southern Equality Fund has prioritized supporting work led by BIPOC, transgender, and rural organizers.

Have you seen an inspiring BIPOC LGBTQ artists in your community, or are you a creative who could use grant support? If so, we want to hear from you!

We are specifically seeking nominations for artists or creatives efforts who are:

• Based in the South.
• Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC).
• LGBTQ people.
• Funds can be used to support a wide range of artistic endeavors.
• Nominees are eligible to receive this grant even if they have received a previous Southern Equality Fund grant; however, priority will be given to nominees who have not yet received a grant.
• Anyone is welcome and encouraged to nominate an artist for a grant and artists may also nominate themselves.
• There are no grant reports, budgets or supplemental materials required in this process. However, if selected, applicants will have to fill out and return a W9 form to receive their funding.

This holiday season we are reimaging traditions for a safer,  socially distant world and our Angel Tree is going virtual. This gift tree provides our broader YWCA community a path to join us as we aim to support our program participants and their families with a holiday season full of love and support.

If you are able to, please select a gift from our Amazon wish list. Gifts from the list will be mailed directly to our building and will be sorted and distributed by our YWCA elves. All items on the list have been selected by the families and are items they are wishing for or are in need of this holiday season.

If you would like to go further and adopt a family this holiday season please email our Director of Women’s Empowerment Kelley Hubbell to get the details of how you can fulfill a family’s holiday wish.

All gifts must be ordered by December 11.

Programs Served by the Angel Tree

MotherLove
YWCA’s MotherLove program supports pregnant and parenting teens throughout Buncombe County. Our goals are to help young parents to stay in school and graduate, access higher education and vocational training, develop the skills and knowledge needed to become strong parents and delay another teen pregnancy.

Getting Ahead In a Just Getting By World
YWCA’s Getting Ahead program aims to provide financial empowerment for low-income women of all ages and backgrounds to make choices that positively impact themselves, their families and their community.

Early Learning Program
YWCA’s Early Learning Program provides 5-star childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Our experienced and compassionate teachers not only provide exceptional care for little ones, but they also prepare young children to succeed cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. We prioritize families using childcare vouchers or caring for children in the foster care system.

Empowerment Childcare
The YWCA provides up to 12 hours of free childcare per week for parents who are in transition, continuing their education, accessing social services, or looking for employment. ECC works closely with the Family Justice Center, Buncombe County Health and Human Services, A-B Tech, Green Opportunities, and Mary Benson House.

This year the Asheville Area Arts Council is offering $500 micro-grants for arts-based projects specifically focused on community hope and healing. These can be projects that bring joy to our local community, and/or projects that actively engage community members in safe activities following state and local health restrictions.

Arts and culture are a fundamental part of our community. They help us connect with one another and better understand history, people, and new ideas. When people become involved in the design, creation, and upkeep of places, they develop a vested interest in using and maintaining these spaces. When neighbors have a true sense of “ownership” or connection to the places they frequent, the community becomes a better place to live, work, and visit. According to Americans for the Arts (AFTA), “86% of participants who took part in community-based art want to be involved in future projects, and people living where these art projects occurred were more than twice as likely to be civically engaged as those whose neighborhoods did not have projects.”

The Museum Store joins the Asheville Downtown Association and local shops during Small Business Week. Receive 10% off all Asheville Art Museum logo items in-store and online, and 10% off any one item in-store (excludes artist consignment items). Shoppers receive one raffle ticket per $25 spent in the Museum Store to enter to win one (or more) of five $20 gift certificates to select local businesses.

Sales End November 30! Drawing on Tuesday, December 1! Thank you for your ongoing support of Brevard Music Center! Our 2020 Car Raffle is in the final days — sales end on November 30, and our winner will be drawn December 1 — and with sales currently slower than in past years, your chance to win has never been better! Whether you’ve participated in past raffles or never before, will you please consider a purchase to help us in this difficult year and support our student arts education programs?  If you are already participating in our 2020 raffle, please consider an additional ticket purchase to improve your chances! This year’s winner can choose any 2020 Volvo or Subaru from Hunter Automotive Group in Fletcher, North Carolina with an MSRP up to $50,000! Online sales end on Monday, November 30, at 11:59PM (EST)!   Three Easy Ways to Enter: Call (828) 862-2138 Email us at [email protected] Click the “Buy Now” Button Below Buy Now

SHOP THE ROCK!

Our online gift shop is now open, and just in time for your holiday shopping. T-shirts are available in a variety of colors with Adult and Youth sizing, and we have additional apparel items like sweatshirts, hats, polos, and totes. We have unique gift options like our 50th-anniversary book with a detailed history of Flat Rock Playhouse and prints designed by some of your favorite Vagabonds.

Thank you for always being such a great friend of The Orange Peel. Your continued support means so much to us!

But, we still need your help!

Thanks to you, the Save Our Stages Act passed in the House of Representatives — but as you may know, it’s not law yet. We’re pushing to get it included in the next COVID-19 Relief package, which is being negotiated now – and we need your voice (again) ASAP.

The situation gets more dire with each passing day. With no emergency relief, hundreds of venues have already shuttered forever, through no fault of their own.

Even if you’ve done it before, can you please take 30 seconds to remind your Congressional representatives that you want them to pass the next COVID-19 Relief Act now and include crucial assistance for independent venues and promoters. Just click here to Save Our Stages.

When legislators hear from you it makes all the difference – and can help us get this across the finish line. On behalf of the nearly 3,000 members of the National Independent Venue Association, thank you for your continued support.

You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone…

You can also donate directly to The Orange Peel to help us get through this difficult time. Just click here!

Consider what it means to shop Amazon Did you know that Amazon’s net sales for Q4 are expected to be $121 Billion and to grow 38% compared with fourth quarter 2019 numbers? Clearly in this pandemic, they are the big winner. Y’all… there has NEVER been a more critical year to SHOP LOCAL! Please show your love and support of our amazing local business community which truly has all you could ever need- a vintage dress, wall tapestry, piece of pottery, growler of beer or endless gift cards to your favorite Asheville restaurants. Get some ideas here:  shops , restaurants , breweries , and more.

It’s not just Small Business Saturday, it’s Small Business Week! This allows shoppers to spread their shopping out over several days so we can stick to social distancing. Some businesses are also offering Small Business Week raffles and the prizes include gift cards to downtown businesses. The more you spend, the better your chances. Check out who’s offering special deals and hosting raffles here.