The Asheville Fire Department is launching a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to strengthen neighborhood preparedness during emergencies. The program equips residents with practical disaster-response skills for situations when first responders may be delayed or overwhelmed. Training follows national CERT standards while addressing Asheville-specific risks such as flooding, severe weather, wildfire, and community support operations. Participants learn basic disaster response, first aid, search and rescue techniques, and team coordination. Learn more and sign up here.
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority is accepting applications for a vacancy on its Legacy Investment from Tourism (LIFT) Fund Committee. The nine-member volunteer committee advises on investments in major tourism-related capital projects that support economic development and lodging demand. The open seat is designated for an owner or operator of a taxable lodging property. Since 2024, the LIFT Fund has committed more than $10 million to community projects, including greenways, parks, cultural facilities, and public art initiatives. Committee members play a key role in guiding responsible tourism investment across Buncombe County. Sign up here.
Montford Park Players will present The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from May 1–30 at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre in Asheville’s Montford District. Performances take place Friday through Sunday evenings and are offered free to the public, with optional lawn chair rentals available. The production features an adaptation by V. Glasgow Koste that offers a fresh interpretation of L. Frank Baum’s classic story. Learn more.
The Outdoor Business Alliance is throwing Get In Gear Fest, its premiere outdoor industry festival and demo event in Western North Carolina. Held Saturday, April 25, from 12–5 p.m. at New Belgium Brewing in Asheville, the event is open to the public and takes place rain or shine. The festival features local and regional outdoor brands offering hands-on gear demonstrations, exclusive sales, and special discounts. Attendees can also enjoy live music, local food and beverages, and activities for all ages and experience levels. Learn more.
UNC Asheville is now accepting registrations for the Great Smokies Writing Program during the Summer 2026 term. These are open to writers from the wider community. Courses are led by professional writers and span poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and visual narrative. Designed for participants at varying skill levels, classes emphasize experimentation, craft development and creative exploration. All courses last five weeks and begin in early June, with options offered both in person and online. Academic credit is awarded through UNC Asheville, and several Cori Gross Scholarships are available to support students with financial need. Learn more and register here.
UNC Asheville is also offering summer intern housing from May 18 through July 31 for undergraduate and graduate students participating in internships, research or seasonal employment in the Asheville area. The program is open to students from any institution who meet age and enrollment requirements. A minimum 30-day stay is required, with nightly rates set at $33 or $37, depending on accommodations. Learn more and sign up here.
The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts presents Seussical the Musical, a stage production inspired by the works of Dr. Seuss. Featuring a cast of nearly 70 performers, the musical brings together beloved characters such as Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, and the residents of Whoville. The production combines vibrant music, energetic choreography, and imaginative storytelling designed for audiences of all ages. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
New & Noteworthy
AdventHealth has expanded its women’s health services with the addition of Eric Hawes, MD, FACOG, to its Multispecialty practice at Turtle Creek. Dr. Hawes is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. He provides care across all life stages, including preventive services, obstetrics, gynecologic care, and treatment of chronic conditions. Dr. Hawes previously practiced at Asheville Women’s Medical Center and has held leadership roles focused on quality improvement and patient safety.
AdventHealth has also named Jasmeet Kataria-Hale, MD, FAAP, as Medical Director and Chief Neonatologist for its Level II NICU at The Baby Place. Dr. Kataria-Hale brings extensive experience in neonatal-perinatal medicine, including leadership in Level III and IV units. She previously served as a consultant on the NICU’s development and now leads specialized care for premature and medically complex newborns. Board certified in neonatology and pediatrics, she emphasizes evidence-based practices, family-centered communication and shared decision-making to support both infants and their families.
Blue Ridge Public Radio has expanded the broadcast signal for BPR Classic, significantly increasing coverage in the Asheville area. With a new transmitter now operating on High Top Mountain, an estimated 200,000 additional listeners can access the station’s classical music and late-night jazz programming. The upgrade restores coverage that was reduced following BPR’s 2022 broadcast changes. Asheville-area listeners can now tune in on 90.5 FM with improved clarity and reliability. Learn more.
Explore Asheville will welcome more than 150 travel industry leaders in Asheville for Tourism Cares’ North American Meaningful Travel Summit. The event positions Asheville as a case study for how tourism can support long-term recovery following natural disasters. Designed as a working lab rather than a traditional conference, the summit blends education, hands-on learning, volunteering and peer exchange. Participants will examine topics such as climate resilience, community-based tourism and destination stewardship. Learn more.
Habitat for Humanity has received a $300,000 donation from Asheville Christian Academy to support disaster home repairs in Swannanoa following Hurricane Helene. The funding will assist low-income homeowners through the Asheville Regional Coalition for Home Repair. Funds are expected to support approximately ten repair projects addressing extensive interior, exterior, and water damage. Several projects are already underway, helping families stabilize housing conditions as long-term recovery efforts continue throughout the area. Learn more.
Jacob Michael Goodman is an Asheville artist who has been invited to exhibit his sculptural wood vessels at the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, DC. Now in its 43rd year, the juried exhibition is considered one of the nation’s premier showcases of contemporary American craft. Goodman’s selection reflects national recognition of his work at an early stage in his career. He describes the opportunity as a meaningful step forward, complementing his recent juried membership in the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Learn more.
Community Input
Buncombe County Government has launched Come Hell or High Water, a community memory project designed to collect and preserve the stories and digital records of those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The initiative documents both the physical damage and the personal experiences that shaped communities during recovery. By gathering photographs, narratives and historical materials, the project aims to support reflection and healing while ensuring the official historical record reflects the full diversity of lived experiences. The long-term goal is to preserve collective memory and honor resilience in the wake of an unprecedented event. Learn more and contribute here.
The City of Asheville is seeking public input on plans for its first dedicated public pickleball complex. Funded through voter-approved 2024 general obligation bonds, the project aims to promote physical activity and social connection. Asheville Parks & Recreation identified Aston Park and Roger Farmer Park as potential sites following professional analyses. Multiple public engagement sessions and open play events are scheduled to gather community feedback before final site selection. Learn more and give feedback here.
Paint NC, a statewide public art initiative led by North Carolina artist Max Dowdle, has the goal of creating 100 murals across all 100 counties. The project emphasizes large-scale, community-informed artwork that highlights local people, landscapes, and often overlooked histories. In Buncombe County, more than 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor mural space will be developed at Pack Memorial Library, with work beginning the week of May 11. The public is invited to vote on three proposed design concepts featuring local plants, animals, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the French Broad River. Learn more and vote here.