Keep it fun while following social (physical) distancing recommendations! Join us in taking the #BackyardChallenge to celebrate #EarthMonth2020 in your own backyard. How have you been enjoying time outdoors? Check out the gallery below to see ways SAHC staff have been getting fresh air while sticking close to home. Share your own and tag us on social media. #BackyardChallenge #EarthMonth2020 #MyAppalachia #SAHC

Across the nation, thousands of people are stepping up to solve the crisis that is afflicting our heroic frontline health workers and first responders. As hospitals struggle to find safe and reliable supplies, companies, organizations, and individuals are joining forces to get health care workers the personal protective equipment and lifesaving medical devices they need. No single organization can do this alone. In fact, the proliferation of organizations in this space has made it incredibly challenging to navigate.

National PPE Coalition’s goal is to aid that process by enabling connections. We’re working to bring crucial partners – state governments, corporations, manufacturers, non profits, and individuals – together in order to build an efficient, unified supply chain.

By coordinating all emergency PPE crisis efforts, we not only minimize the risk of misdirecting critical supplies to places that may need them less urgently, but increase their individual power exponentially. Working together, the PPE Coalition members are working together to ensure that every shipment of PPE sent is a life-saving shipment.

• AFT’s Farmer Relief Fund will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.
• Initially, eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers. These are defined as producers with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products as inputs.
• The application (linked to below in both English and Spanish) is simple and easy to complete but includes sufficient detail to ensure AFT is awarding producers that have the greatest needs. Applicants will be asked to estimate their financial loss.
• AFT envisions an initial application round extending until April 23, with grants beginning to be made by May 1.
• https://farmland.org/farmer-relief-fund/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=637ece80-2dc9-49d1-9afb-6b97c772e470&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Apply%20Here&utm_campaign=March%202020%20Newsletter

Welcome to Art in the Time of COVID– an online artwork exhibition by Pink Dog Creative artists. The work in this exhibition is either related to the COVID-19 pandemic, made during the time of Stay-At-Home orders, or is uplifting or otherwise helpful during this challenging time. Most of the work is for sale. Our artists are hard at work and appreciate your support during this difficult time. Check out our artist pages and please get in touch with artists directly for information on work, online classes, & commissions! Work will continue to be added during the quarantine, so please check back for updates.

Karen Keil Brown, Where Will Our Path Take Us, Oil on canvas, 14 x 11″

We are always looking for ways to better serve Buncombe County. For this reason we are rolling out a new program to protect our residents and their property in the most effective way possible. Community Connect is a free, secure, and easy to use platform that allows you to share critical information about your household that will aid first responders and emergency response personnel when responding to your residence. By providing information about your household that you feel is important for us to know about at the time of an emergency, we can ensure you and everything you care about is protected to the best of our ability.

COVID-19 Relief Funds Available to Farmers starting April 3rd The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is part of the massive economic rescue package passed by Congress last week to address urgent needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Incorporated businesses, sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, self-employed individuals, and nonprofits are all eligible to apply for this relief. Apply Here

Organic Growers School

EPA RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).

EPA’s Coronavirus website provides key EPA resources and links to additional information about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Read the most up-to-date information about EPA actions, disinfectants, drinking water and waste water, and other resources.
https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus

Disinfectants that meet EPA’s criteria for use against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). When purchasing a disinfectant product, check if its EPA registration number is included on this list. If it is, you have a match and the product can be used against SARS-CoV-2.

• List of Disinfectants for use Against Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
• Frequently Asked Questions about Disinfectants for use Against Coronavirus
  https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/frequently-asked-questions-about-list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
• TWEET: EPA’s list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is searchable, sortable, and contains more than 350 products.
  https://twitter.com/EPARegion8/status/1243307367229317120

Information on drinking water and wastewater. The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking-water supplies. Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) and drinking water and wastewater
  https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-drinking-water-and-wastewater
• Flush Only Toilet Paper!  Flushing only toilet paper helps ensure that the toilets, plumbing, sewer systems, and septic systems will continue working properly.
  https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-encourages-americans-only-flush-toilet-paper

Resources related to COVID-19 in other languages:

• Español: https://espanol.epa.gov/espanol/enfermedad-del-coronavirus-2019-covid-19
• Other languages: https://www.epa.gov/lep

Care for Corona is a grassroots support system comprised of psychotherapists and healing practitioners who offer short term free virtual counseling and healing sessions for Buncombe County medical personnel and psychotherapists who are on the front lines of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Care for Corona

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

Bryson City, NC – Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR) has continued to
follow the rapidly developing concerns and threats due to the impact of COVID19. As it continues to spread, it is important that we follow the current guidance
and recommendations from our state and national officials. Our top priority
remains the safeguard of our visitors, employees, and community.
GSMR will extend the current suspension of passenger train operations until May
1, 2020 or until further notice. This also includes our model train museum and
retail store.
We will continue in providing clear options to offer the best customer service and
booking flexibility. Guests who currently hold reservations will be notified with
the option of rescheduling or cancellation. For all reservations effected by this
suspension we will continue waiving all fees.
Guests may also call our reservations line at 1-800-872-4681 between the hours of
9AM to 5:00PM EST or email us at [email protected]. Calls and emails
will be answered in the order they are received. Please remain patient with us as
our call and email volume will increase.
At this time, we are not announcing any cancellation of service beyond May 1,
2020 as we remain hopeful to see the return of our busy 2020 railroad season very
soon. However, as the situation changes and new information becomes available
our timeline may be altered and we will continue communicating as quickly as
possible.

Last night, over 350 people joined our volunteer call “Activism in a Disrupted World”. That’s one of the biggest volunteer calls we have seen in a long time — showing how many of us need community and action right now.  We spoke about the challenge, opportunity, and choice we’re facing right now and what’s next for the Greenpeace volunteer community.  I know for me, between the sense of community I felt and the opportunity to take action — that was something I really needed last night.

These are unprecedented times. The legislation being passed right now and the effects COVID-19 will have on our communities will permanently change our world. It feels like there is so much happening that we can’t control — but we can still create change and protect so much of what’s important. In fact, it’s often in times of disruption that what was once impossible becomes possible. Now more than ever, we need to be coming together (virtually) and taking action.

That is why we are launching a series of Greenpeace Action Calls. We want to make sure you have what you need to continue your activism — even from home. So we’ll be holding volunteer calls, trainings, and actions every week for you to join. We’re starting with Take Action Tuesday — a place to come together, learn together, and take action together.

Sign up today and get updates on calls like Take Action Tuesday!

WHAT: Get updates on Greenpeace’s Volunteer Action Calls
WHEN: The first call is on Tuesday, March 31 — then other calls throughout the month of April
WHERE: Join from home — from your computer or phone!
HOW: Sign up for alerts and to see the call calendar!

Take Action Tuesdays is a virtual volunteer call where we will take action collectively (and remotely) while also connecting and supporting one another during this time. It is critical that we support one another and continue the fight for a more just and livable future. Next week we will hear from campaigners about where we are with Congress and the unprecedented legislation that is on the table. We’ll learn how to make an effective call to congress and then try it out together — and debrief how it went. If you are looking for ways to take action right now — or just to see a few more faces in your day — this is the call for you.

By signing up for these calls, you will be connected with a community committed to building each other up and taking action during this time. We’ll update you on when calls are happening and ways to continue to take action. RSVP for next week’s calls today.

Henderson County Launches Live Streaming Updates for Residents Henderson County will host a live-streaming update for residents each Tuesday beginning April 7th for updates and information regarding COVID-19. The live stream will be featured on the County’s webpage (www.hendersoncountync.gov) and the video will be posted to the County’s FaceBook page and YouTube Channel for replay. Emailed questions will be addressed during the update as time allows. Questions can be submitted to [email protected] by Noon each Monday prior to the udates.

Many farms across North and South Carolina have added on-farm pickups, home delivery & online pre-orders to accommodate for social distancing in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please see the listings below for more information, and check out our interactive Google Map for farm locations near you!

Are you a farmer interested in being listed? Email [email protected]

Please:

• DO NOT show up at farms without prior permission.
• Follow specific instructions provided by each farm.
• Stay home if you are feeling ill.

WNC for the Planet is a proud supporter of Earth Day Network’s effort to build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and planet. WNC for the Planet will  feature virtual opportunities for environmental education, advocacy and community events for people of all ages. Engagement opportunities will be offered across Western North Carolina well beyond the City of Asheville by Conserving Carolina, MountainTrue, Asheville GreenWorks and other organizations.

Join WNC for the Planet partners to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Those interested in learning more about virtual Earth Month opportunities can visit www.WNCforthePlanet.org.

Those involved include:

Asheville GreenWorks

Conserving Carolina

Friends of the Smokies

MountainTrue

RiverLink

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10myGYMeN0yovKmwoZgam91TgNDc37huzkqOHOxrg_y0/edit#gid=0

Updated list of restaurants offering takeout and delivery services created by The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR)

Thank you so much for your support! To care for you and our staff, Malaprop’s is closed to the public and we have ceased curbside pick up. We have also suspended in-store events and bookclubs until May 15th.  Meanwhile, we are exploring new subscription services, delivery options, and more digital content. Please see the ways we are still serving you below. Stay home and stay safe!

• As always, you can order online 24/7 at malaprops.com. You can also call us at 828-254-6734 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily to order by phone. Yes, we can make suggestions! All orders will require prepayment. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Paypal.

• We are now offering home delivery throughout all of Buncombe County! The only requirement is a two-book minimum purchase. Deliveries will be made on Tuesdays and Fridays, with any order placed before 5 pm the previous day.  Orders will safely be left on your doorstep.

• FREE shipping via media mail is available for orders over $50.00 (before tax) sent to addresses in the continental United States. Other orders ship via Priority Mail or other services with prices listed at checkout.

We want to thank you again for your continued support at this time. If you’re looking for other ways to support our staff, you can donate to Malaprop’s via the icon to your right, contribute the Cafe Barista’s virtual tip jar, or to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC), which provides grants to booksellers in times of need. To support other local businesses, visit ashevillestrong.com.

Please take care of yourselves!

COVID-19 RAPID RECOVERY LOANS AVAILABLE

Mountain BizWorks and its partners are taking steps to ensure business owners and entrepreneurs have the resources they need to get through the coronavirus crisis.

 North Carolina’s emergency management director Mike Sprayberry has renewed the call for medical volunteers.

They’re looking for volunteers with experience in the below categories who are willing to be deployed to affected areas or facilities to provide patient care:

Clinical volunteers

• Physicians
• Advanced care providers
• Nurses
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Clinical support

• Pharmacy
• Imaging
• Respiratory care

Non-clinical support

• Facility maintenance
• Safety
• Administration

Here are five awesome library resources you can use from anywhere.

For any service that asks for a User ID or PIN, your User ID is your library card number (with no spaces) and your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number. If you have a Buncombe County or Asheville City school ID card, your ID is your card number and your PIN is the last four digits of your ID number.

Ebooks and Audio Books:

We have thousands of ebooks and audio books on the North Carolina Digital Library you can download to any device. Get the free Libby app from your app store and you are ready to go. Digital materials automatically return themselves at the end of the loan period, so there are never any overdue fines.

• Adult ebooks and audio books you can download right now
• Teen books you can download right now
• Children’s books you can download right now

Magazines:

We have a large collection of recent popular magazines on the NCDL. Your User ID and PIN stay the same.

• Magazines you can download right now

Online Streaming Video:

For streaming video, you can use the North Carolina Digital Library, or Films on Demand on NC Live.

• NCDL Streaming Videos
• Films on Demand

Tutorials and Courses:

Get unlimited access to an online library of high-quality instructional videos taught by industry experts on the latest software tools and skills with LinkedIn Learning. Learn a whole course or just the section you need. Topics include Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Web design, Social Media, Business and Career Skills and much more.

• Log into LinkedIn Learning

Want to learn another language? Mango Languages is an online language-learning system teaching actual conversation skills for a wide variety of languages. Mango uses real-life situations and actual conversations to more effectively teach a new language.

• Log into Mango

Local History Buffs:

If you love local history, our North Carolina Room at Pack Library has an extensive collection of materials available online that bring the past to life. The photograph collection documents over 200 years of Buncombe County history.

• Check out the NC Collection

You can email the library for help with any of these resources at [email protected].

Want to access our online resources but don’t have a library card? While library branches are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we’re issuing and renewing library cards by email.

1. Email [email protected] and ask for a library card. You need to be a Buncombe County resident to get a card.
2. We’ll respond with instructions on how to email a copy or photo of your local ID.
3. We’ll send you back a library card number and PIN that you can use for all digital resources. The physical card will be mailed to you at a later date.

We’ll issue new cards by email as long as library branches are closed to the public. We can also renew cards by email.

COVID-19 has disrupted the way we give, provide, and receive care, and left many of us stressed and strained. Though three main relief packages have passed Congress, the #CARINGMAJORITY has largely been left out, with aid for caregivers, comprehensive paid leave, and increased access to supports and services for child care, older adults, and people with disabilities sorely lacking.

While we continue to demand policy solutions to address our needs, in a true show of community care, our partners are pulling together tips for those most at-risk, and compile resources to those most affected by COVID-19. Together, we continue to demonstrate that care is a collective issue, and we all have a role to play in supporting and uplifting one another during this difficult time.