Whether your ideal Asheville visit takes you gallery hopping on Broadway, antique shopping in Biltmore Village, trekking along the Appalachian Trail, or to a downtown show at a rock club named one of the top five in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine, the Asheville area has something guaranteed to delight every visitor. Don’t just take our word for it…experience it for yourself. 
Ask almost any Chamber member why they are a member and they’ll tell you—in Asheville, it’s the most important way to meet people and grow your business. As North Carolina’s third largest Chamber, the Asheville Chamber includes more than 2,000 businesses, organizations and coalitions. Members know the value a membership provides. Find out how members find value with the Asheville Chamber. 
Look at snapshots from Chamber events and view videos of Chamber programming and events. 
Meet and connect with the leadership team that sets goals and leads the activities of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. 
Do you have questions about the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce? Are you wondering where we are located, what we do, or how to find photos of the Asheville area? We’ve listed answers to our most frequently asked questions here. 
The Asheville region has expertise in several dynamic talent driven industries. Local businesses, educational programs, and community leaders are working in collaboration to nurture and grow these targeted sectors. 
Many businesses are thriving in Asheville and yours could be next. Here are a few of the local businesses making headlines recently. 
Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Find a complete list of staff available to help you plan the next phase of your business. 
Asheville’s economy and industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date on the latest industry announcements and plans here. Contact the EDC staff if your company has exciting news to share with the community. 
News from Asheville Chamber Members
Recent News from Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Members
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FACULTY AND STAFF APPOINTED FOR NEW GRADUATE CENTER
Festiva Hospitality Group donates $50,000 to WNC Nature Center
Edna's of Asheville Grand Opening on May 19th
Asheville Community Theatre Presents: The Secret Garden – Spring Version
YWCA Accepting Tribute to Women of Influence Award Nominations
>Integritive Earns Global Recognition for Innovative, Democratic Workplace
Leadership Asheville 30 Spotlights After-School Leaning at Community Summit on May 17th
INFORMATION SESSIONS SCHEDULED FOR NEW DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE GRAD CENTER
First-ever Wells Fargo Zipping for Autism fund-raiser will benefit local children
TSACHOICE, INC. TO SPONSOR MONTHLY ‘TECH AFTER FIVE’ NETWORKING EVENT IN ASHEVILLE
Labor Department urges workers to prepare for hazards of hot and humid weather
Asheville Community Theatre to Hold Auditions for Good Old Fashioned Variety Show
Saturdays at ACT PresentsThe Ugly Duckling and We Can Do It: American Women in History
Asheville Redefines Transit (ART) launches May 21st, Public information sessions to be held
LOGANGATE TIMBER HOMES RELOCATES TO ASHEVILLE, TEAMS UP WITH DELTEC HOMES
June Events at Asheville Community Theatre
>Open House at Historic Biltmore School Wednesday April 25th
The Teetotallers comes to Diana Wortham Theatre
May Events at Asheville Community Theatre
Visit Italy with The Fine Arts League of the Carolinas
TOP IRISH TRADITIONAL BAND, TÉADA PERFORMS AT DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE
>Mars Hill College Marketing Survey
Brevard Music Center ad sales open for 2012 Overture magazine and program guide
FREE Shredding Day at the Chamber! Service Provided by American Security Shredding Inc.
>2012 Child Watch Tour Friday, May 11th
>FASTSIGNS® Launches New Brand Initiative to be Better Known as ‘More Than’ a Sign Provider
Local Author Book signing at Malaprops
>7th Annual YWCA Black & White Gala
>Reconnect: Electronics Recycling Program
>CarePartners Health Services presents free health and wellness educational series
>Riveting Hospitality Suite Opens in 35below April 5th
>OneWhoServes, Inc. Computer and Business Services Celebrates 12 Years of Service
FACULTY AND STAFF APPOINTED FOR NEW GRADUATE CENTER
The following are faculty and staff appointments at the new Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, an expansion of Lenoir-Rhyne University, where classes will begin in August at its downtown Asheville location:
Molly Duggan, Ph.D., assistant professor for the Master of Arts in Community College Administration program, designed for emerging community college faculty and staff leaders who wish to develop knowledge and skills needed to serve and advance in a variety of roles in the community or technical college system. Dr. Duggan previously was an associate professor in the Community College Leadership Program of Old Dominion University where she taught courses in both the graduate and doctoral programs in the Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership.
Kerrie Fuenfhausen, Ph.D., assistant professor for the Master of Arts in Counseling program, designed to prepare individuals for positions as professional counselors in agencies and/or school settings. Before joining Lenoir-Rhyne in Asheville, Dr. Fuenfhausen was an assistant professor of counselor education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS).
David C. Jones, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Masters in Business Administration program, which will offer concentration options in business and sustainability, tourism and hospitality, health care administration, arts entrepreneurship, and innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. Dr. Jones previously taught marketing and management courses with the Graduate Business School at Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C.He has also conducted research in the area of corporate social responsibility.
These faculty members join the following administration and staff members at the graduate center: Paul Knott, MPH, Ed.D., founding director; Sage Dunston, enrollment management counselor; and Sara Landry, center affairs coordinator.
Lenoir-Rhyne University purchased part of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce building at 36 Montford Ave. in downtown Asheville to house the Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville. In addition to the programs described above, also offered will be M.A. degrees in writing and in teaching; Master of Science degrees in nursing and in sustainability studies; a dietetics internship focusing on obesity in children; and a Master of Public Health.
The school is offering a one-time special 10 percent discount on tuition during the Fall 2012 term for students taking six or more credit hours. To learn more about the Center’s programs and employment opportunities, attend one of the following upcoming free information sessions: May 22, 5:30 – 7 p.m., May 24, 12 – 1:30 p.m., June 7, 12 – 1:30 p.m., or June 12, 5:30 – 7 p.m. More information is also available at http://asheville.lr.edu/.
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Festiva Hospitality Group donates $50,000 to WNC Nature Center
Festiva Hospitality Group has donated $50,000 to the Western North Carolina Nature Center (WNCNC), Asheville’s Wildlife Park. Festiva’s commitment will support the center’s 2020 Vision, a long-term improvement and expansion project already underway at the Nature Center that will help transform this diamond in the rough into one of Asheville’s favorite treasures for locals and visitors alike.
The donation is coordinated by Friends of the WNCNC, a nonprofit committed to supporting the WNC Nature Center’s mission of connecting people with animals & plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountains by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, & advancing conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity.
“We are very excited to be involved with the Nature Center’s improvements and future expansion,” said Butch Patrick, president and co-founder of Festiva Hospitality Group. “We feel that the center is a wonderful attraction for visitors as well as local families here in Asheville, and we are proud to support the expansion and improvement of the center’s education and conservation efforts.”
Festiva’s donation is specifically being used to transform the historic and iconic red barn on the property into the center’s new main entrance. This new entrance will provide a more interactive and integrative first impression for all visitors and will also allow for the current entrance’s transformation into an education center that will increase the center’s indoor offerings for year-round use.
“We’ve already had a record-breaking spring this year in terms of visitor numbers,” said Kimberly Brewster, executive director of Friends of the WNC Nature Center. “The Friends have provided significant support to the Center through marketing and it is showing a great return. This increased attendance along with support from donors and partners like Festiva are critical to the Center’s operations and our goals in the 2020 Vision.”
“Since Festiva will be bringing visitors to Asheville through our recent management contract with Festiva Biltmore Village and with nearly 100 employees in Asheville who can enjoy the center with their families for years to come, our partnership with the Nature Center is a natural fit,” said Patrick.
The Mission of the Friends of the Western North Carolina Nature Center is to create awareness and provide financial resources, through fundraising and events, in support of the Nature Center - Asheville's Wildlife Park. For more information about the nature center and how you can become a member, visit www.wildwnc.org.
Festiva Hospitality Group is one of the most successful privately held hospitality companies in the United States. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Festiva owns, markets and manages 24 hotels and resorts throughout the Southeast, Midwest, Northeast and Caribbean. Festiva also owns a fleet of luxury catamaran yachts. Festiva has nearly 70,000 members and employs approximately 100 people in Asheville and nearly 1000 people overall.
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Edna's of Asheville Grand Opening on May 19th
Edna's of Asheville, located at 870 Merrimon Avenue (previously Mountain Java) will be holding their grand-opening celebration Saturday, May 19th .The day starts out at 10am on the front patio with representatives from the WNC Nature Center along with various four legged friends in tow, as proceeds for the entire day will be in support of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center programming. At 6pm there will be a ribbon-cutting and gala featuring live entertainment by local jazz and blues maven, Kat Williams, as well as complimentary food and drink samples.
Owners Tom Cash, a former Starbucks executive and Mike Zukoski, an engineer with a background at Disney Resorts had planned to visit Asheville, but did so earlier than thought after a flight to Raleigh re-routed them through WNC. Spending some extra time here they loved the energy and friendly feel of area. “We have visited various cities, with the thought of relocation”, says Mike.“But something about Asheville kept calling us, it is a truly unique and wonderful place to live.”
After settling in the area, the opportunity to purchase Mountain Java presented itself, as well as the connected coffee-roasting business. Both with strong backgrounds in retail and specifically coffee and coffee- roasting, Edna’s of Asheville and Bad Puppy Roasting was born. Named after their beloved pet pug, Edna, who will also be making her grand debut at the opening, the new location boasts an updated modern decor, an expanded food menu with a variety of sandwiches and salads, hours into the evening that offer a cafe atmosphere with live entertainment- and with that, soon- a variety of wine and local beer on tap.
“Edna’s is a local business, born with the help of Mountain Bizworks and our strong desire to become a contributor to this already amazing community, says Tom. “We strive to maintain the standards people expect, we roast our coffee several times a week for freshness, all baked goods and pastries are in-house, it’s details like that we hope will encourage people to make Edna’s their neighborhood meeting place and home away from home.”
Edna’s of Asheville is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year from 6am to 10pm. For additional information including event listings, menu offerings and online ordering please visit www.ednasofasheville.com.
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YWCA Accepting Tribute to Women of Influence Award Nominations
The YWCA of Asheville is now accepting nominations for the 16th annual YWCA Tribute to Women of Influence (TWIN) Awards event which will be held on Thursday, September 20 at Pack Place and the Diana Wortham Theatre. The YWCA TWIN award recognizes women who are role models in their professions and the community. Each nominee must fit into one of these three categories: equality, empowerment, and transformation. The deadline to submit nominations is June 1. The YWCA TWIN nomination form is available on the YWCA website, www.ywcaofasheville.org, or can be requested by calling 254-7206 x 206. Proceeds from the TWIN event go to support YWCA programs that bridge gaps in education, earning power, health and child care.
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Asheville Community Theatre Presents: The Secret Garden – Spring Version
The Youth Production Class at Asheville Community Theatre will perform The Secret Garden - Spring Version May 18-20, 2012. Directed by Josh Batenhorst with musical direction by Aaron Price, this adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel is simply spellbinding. Performances are Friday night at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 pm. All tickets are $5.00 and are available at the door only.
This is the story of Mary Lennox, orphaned in India, who returns to Yorkshire to live with a reclusive uncle and his invalid son. On the estate, she discovers a locked garden filled with magic, a boy who talks to birds, and a cousin she brings back to health by putting him to work in the garden. With Lucy Simon’s music, some of the most beautiful ever written for Broadway, and book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman, the Spring Version of The Secret Garden blooms anew onstage.
The Asheville Community Theatre production stars a cast of 30 students between the ages of 7 and 15 who have been rehearsing since January in their Youth Production Class. From choreography to costumes, the Youth Production Classes at ACT provide students the opportunity to participate in a musical from beginning to end.
For more information about the production, or about upcoming classes, please visit www.ashevilletheatre.org or call 828-254-2939 x21 for Education Director Janna Hoekema.
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Integritive Earns Global Recognition for Innovative, Democratic Workplace
WorldBlu grants international certification to Asheville web design firm for second year in a row.
WorldBlu, a company specializing in organizational democracy, announced April 10, 2012 that it had once again certified Integritive, an Asheville web design and eMarketing firm, among 48 organizations as part of the sixth annual WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces™ 2012, published annually on “Democracy in the Workplace Day.”
Integritive earns a spot among such notable organizations as Zappos.com, HCL Technologies, New Belgium Brewery, Great Harvest Bread Companyand the WD-40 Company. Both for-profit and non-profit organizations from across the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Malaysia, Haiti, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Singaporemade the WorldBlu List from a diverse range of industries including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, services and energy.
“People want freedom rather than fear in the workplace,” said WorldBlu Founder and CEO, Traci Fenton. “WorldBlu-certified organizations model how democracy in the workplace unleashes human potential and builds highly successful organizations that change the world for the better.” Companies become eligible for a spot on the WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces™ only after its employees complete the WorldBlu Scorecard™, an assessment evaluating their organization’s practice of the WorldBlu 10 Principles of Organizational Democracy™, with an overall combined score of 3.5/5 or higher. Organizations from the for-profit and non-profit sectors that have been in operation for at least one full year and have five or more employees can apply for WorldBlu certification.
Integritive CEO and Chief of What’s Next, John Miles, founded his web design and eMarketing firm 11 years ago. “I started Integritive to create a job for myself where I would be happy, and hoped that one day the business would grow enough to where more people would be happy as well,” said Miles. “It wasn’t really a choice or decision to practice democracy in the workplace; I didn’t see that there was any other way to do it.” This approach to business is common among the 48 companies on the 2012 List of Most Democratic Workplaces, but not necessarily the norm for the majority.
What makes Integritive different?
In addition to encouraging flexibility in work schedules, Integritive team members are given tremendous flexibility in their professional reach and ability to grow. Employees are free to choose their work titles and project roles, in order to meet the greater need of the client and the organization. “What happens when our team has that sort of inherent flexibility is that we have positive employee morale and increased innovation. That translates into high levels of internal (team) and external (client) satisfaction,” said Miles.
In a world of tech companies focused on fast growth and venture capital funding, Integritive embraces slow growth. “We’ve never been about fast or accelerated growth,” said Miles. “We want a sustained trek towards growth; one that builds on our employees’ strengths, acknowledges the community around us, and recognizes the impact made with each account pursued and outcome produced.”
Pursuit of accounts is not a task taken lightly by this company. Integritive holds integrity up as one of its core values,using it as a litmus test in determining client suitability. “Typically, companies like ours hope the client will select us. Clearly, that’s part of the equation for us, but what’s more important is that we mindfully select the client based on a match with our core values.”
That approach to client selection landed Miles on an elite list of speakers for the 5th Anniversary of WorldBlu LIVE:Spreading Freedom at Work, happening May 15-16, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. Miles will highlighthis core value of Integrity in business, drawing a correlation to the same WorldBlu principle.
To view the full WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces™ 2012, visit http://worldblu.com/awardee-profiles/2012.php.
To read more about the bottom-line impact of organizational democracy and view unique best practices from the WorldBlu List 2012, visit http://worldblu.com/awardee-profiles/2012.php.
About WorldBlu
WorldBlu has offices throughout the US and UK and specializes in organizational democracy and freedom-centered leadership, with organizational and individual members in over 70 countries worldwide. Founded in 1997, WorldBlu’s vision is to see one billion people working in free and democratic workplaces. For more information visit http://www.worldblu.com.
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Labor Department urges workers to prepare for hazards of hot and humid weather
The Labor Department urges those who work outside or in hot environments during the summer months to be cautious and know the signs of heat-related illnesses.
“North Carolina’s humid conditions coupled with the extreme heat make for a dangerous combination,” Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said. “The department has launched a heat awareness campaign to bring attention to this workplace hazard that last year claimed four lives. Workers who understand the signs and symptoms of heat stress could help prevent serious injury to themselves or to a co-worker.”
The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Division has developed additional materials to help employers and employees recognize and prevent heat-induced illnesses before the condition escalates to the more severe heat stroke. The OSH Division—which comprises Consultative Services; Education, Training and Technical Assistance; Agricultural Safety and Health; and Compliance—will work collectively to reach farmers, factory workers, construction workers and highway crews that are at an increased risk of exposure to heat illnesses.
Prior to last year, North Carolina had not experienced a heat-related fatality since 2006. While the Department of Labor has always stressed the deadly effects of heat-related illnesses, the statewide initiative will put extra emphasis on reaching out to anyone at risk of exposure to hot and humid working conditions.
“We are especially concerned about this year considering the unseasonably warm weather we have had thus far,” Commissioner Berry said. “Summer does not officially start until June 20, but we will face 90 degree weather this week. Please take proper precautions and protect yourself.”
For information on preventing, identifying and treating heat-related illnesses, visit the “Heat Stress Info” Quick Click on its website: www.nclabor.com.
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A-B Tech announces its first online job posting service - Job Board - to help area employers fill vacancies and the College’s curriculum students find jobs. Users create an account with Job Board via the A-B Tech homepage and then apply for, or post, job openings. There is no limit on the number of jobs an employer can post or the number of positions for which curriculum students can apply.
As part of its efforts to boost the area’s economic development, the College hosted a Skills Gap Symposium earlier in March to gather information from area employers on the skills they need in their workplace. The event was co-sponsored by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County and UNC Asheville.
“Job Board is a way for the College to complete the circle of education for our students,” said A-B Tech Career Counselor Peggy Bulla. “It is another installment in our Hire Education series through the Career Center. Students can learn skills for today’s job market and have the support to be competitive in that market.”
Job Board supports employers in Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Henderson, McDowell and Yancey counties by providing free listings that are accessible to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Current and former A-B Tech curriculum students will be able to search and apply for those openings online.
"Helping match employers and students is part of A-B Tech's mission," said A-B Tech President Hank Dunn. "This complements what we're already doing. Our focus continues to be on jobs."
In addition to the new job posting service, A-B Tech customizes training for industries and provides services for small businesses through incubation, workshops and counseling.
Job Board is online https://abtcc.peopleadmin.com/
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ASHEVILLE AND GREENVILLE TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR TSACHOICE, INC. TO SPONSOR MONTHLY ‘TECH AFTER FIVE’ NETWORKING EVENT IN ASHEVILLE BEGINNING MAY 22
Technology integrator TSAChoice, Inc.,with offices in Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC, is proud to announce that it is a launch sponsor of the upcoming Tech After Fivemonthly networking event in Asheville, beginning Tuesday, May 22. Tech After Five, a networking event company for tech professionals and tech entrepreneurs, currently hosts monthly events in Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina; Asheville is the newest and fifth location for the popular series for technology professionals. The inaugural Tech After Five in Asheville is from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. at the Hickory Tavern on Town Square Boulevard in Biltmore Park.
“For some time we discussed bringing Tech After Five to Asheville and we are thrilled to now finally host it with the sponsorship of forward thinking tech companies TSAChoice and Charter Business in one of the most burgeoning tech cities in the Southeast,” says Phil Yanov, Executive Producer of Tech After Five. “It’s a great step forward for Tech After Five and we are excited to connect with the vibrant tech community in Asheville.”
“We are excited to be working with Phil Yanov,” says Jeff Lowdermilk, Executive Vice President of TSAChoice, Inc. “As a technologist, entrepreneur, columnist, public radio commentator and speaker, Phil is committed to linking the technology sector across our region.”
Headquartered in Greenville, SC and now in its fifth year, Tech After Five connects tech professionals, business owners, and tech enthusiasts through a series of connected networking events offered free of charge to attendees. Through targeted invitations and facilitated networking activities, attendees are encouraged to create new professional relationships and strengthen existing relationships. Each event acts as a networking hub for attendees seeking expertise.
TSAChoice is the largest business technology integrator in Western North Carolina and expanded into Upstate South Carolina in 2011. TSAChoice’s more than 60 highly trained technology professionals and support staff deliver turnkey telephone, computer, network, audio-visual, and security solutions from a single source. For more information about TSAChoice, call (828)254-4464 or visit www.tsachoice.com.
To receive notifications about Tech After Five in Asheville, sign up at techafterfive.com/ta5/asheville-nc.
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First-ever Wells Fargo Zipping for Autism fund-raiser will benefit local children
100 percent of proceeds will stay in Western North Carolina and provide services for early interventions to make a difference for local children with autism
Team up on Sunday, June 3, for the exhilarating experience of zipping through the tree tops to support services provided by the Autism Society of North Carolina. Zipping for Autism, to be held at Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures, is the first event of its kind in the country.
Every team of 10 that raises $790 or more will receive a two-hour zipline experience donated by Jeff and Sheena Greiner, owners of the zipline company and parents of a child with autism. Teams will be scheduled for specific time slots throughout the day, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The zipline is located adjacent to Crowne Plaza Resort, about a mile from downtown Asheville.
A full 100 percent of the proceeds raised by teams will go to the Autism Society and remain in Western North Carolina to provide diagnostic services, advocacy and respite care for children with autism. Organizers hope to attract 50 teams and more than $40,000 in donations to provide services in Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties.
Participants will have access to eight ziplines through 150-year-old trees, combining mountain vistas with views of the downtown Asheville cityscape. The zipline tour ends with Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures’ signature quarter-mile-long “Skyline,” a zipline towards the downtown Asheville skyline. Zipline canopy rangers will assist all participants and will supply “ground school” training and safety gear.
Teams are required to register by June 1 and slots are filling up fast. Teams or team captains may register, generate donations, and monitor team progress online at www.zippingforautism.com. Volunteers are welcome and may sign up on the website. There will be prizes for team accomplishments, such as most money raised. Title sponsors are Wells Fargo, Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures, and its associated outdoor adventure company, Wildwater.
"I am very excited about this opportunity to give back to the organizations that have served my son over the years," said Sheena Greiner of Asheville, whose 9-year-old son, O'Reilly, inspired the event. "The funds we raise are important, because with the increasing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder – one in 70 children born in North Carolina has ASD – there is not enough funding or services to meet the needs of children in Western North Carolina."
“Early intervention provides the best results for children with ASD,” said Joe Yurchak, western regional director of the Autism Society of NC. “Funds we raise will allow local children to receive diagnostic services, family respite care, and advocacy to obtain these vital services as early as possible."
"We hope other businesses will step up and join this exciting community event," Yurchak added. "We have traditionally had great support from the local business community and we applaud Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures for coming to us with this unique event.”
A video about the event has been produced and can be viewed here: http://vimeo.com/38854053.
The Autism Society was created by parents to increase and improve services to people with autism and their families. The Centers for Disease Control released new statistics in March indicating that the occurrence of some form of autism in the U.S. has increased from one child in 110 to one in 88. For boys in the U.S., the rate is even higher: one in 54.
Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures is part of the Wildwater family of outdoor adventure centers, established in 1971 as the first outfitter in the Southeast. The company offers four other zipline canopy tours as well as whitewater rafting in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains. For more information, visit www.wildwater.infoor call (877) 247-5535.
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INFORMATION SESSIONS SCHEDULED FOR NEW DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE GRAD CENTER
The new Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville is offering a one-time special 10 percent discount for any student taking six or more credit hours during the Fall 2012 term. Classes begin in August. Free information sessions will be held on the following dates for students interested in applying for the 2012-2013 school year: May 22, 5:30 – 7 p.m.; May 24, 12 – 1:30 p.m.; June 7, 12 – 1:30 p.m.; June 12, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
The Center will offer the following degree programs:
- Health Care/Sciences
**Dietetics Internship (focus on obesity in children)
**Master of Public Health
**Master of Science in Nursing
- Business and Government - Master of Business Administration with the following concentration options:
**Business and Sustainability ("green MBA")
**Tourism and Hospitality
**Health Care Administration
**Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialization
**Arts Entrepreneurship
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
**Master of Arts in Writing
**Master of Science in Sustainability Studies
- Education and Human Services
**Master of Arts in Counseling
**Master of Arts in Community College Administration
**Master of Arts in Teaching
The information sessions will be held in the second floor boardroom at 36 Montford Ave. in downtown Asheville, home of the Center and the location of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center. To learn more about the Center and to register to attend a session, visit http://asheville.lr.edu.
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TWO-DAY WRITING AND SPEECHMAKING WORKSHOP TO TAKE PLACE MAY 19 AND 20 AT NEW GRADUATE CENTER IN DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE
A Zen approach to public speaking? Learn to speak from the heart while relaxing onstage as you’re doing it. Tell Your Better Story: Zen Speechmaking is a two-day workshop, May 19 and 20, designed to provide business professionals, civic and elected leaders, and anyone who wants to gain a deeper sense of their range as a speechwriter, storyteller and public speaker. Participants will take an active part in a powerful combination of experiential exercises that will include Zen meditation, walking, poetry, storytelling, writing and improvisational play.
The event takes place at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, 36 Montford Ave. in downtown Asheville, in the building it shares with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. Registration is $149 per person and includes meals. To register, visit http://asheville.lr.edu/.
The workshop is led by celebrated author and speechwriter Jonathon A. Flaum of JAF Speechwriting, whose specialties include corporate, keynote, and political speechwriting and speaker coaching; and speaking pioneer James Navé, poet, storyteller, presentation coach and teacher of the Artist’s Way Creativity courses at The New York Open Center. A free wine and cheese reception on the evening before, May 18, at 7 p.m., will feature the Flaum and Navé with an introductory talk on how to relax your writing and become more comfortable on stage.
“The ability to be an effective speaker is critically important, whether you’re a CEO or business manager, a politician or activist, a church or club leader, or simply someone who wants to deliver a wedding toast or tell a story at a dinner party,” said Paul Knott, founding director of the Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville. “We’re delighted to launch Lenoir-Rhyne’s Living Room Series with this community and educational event and invite our new Asheville neighbors to join us.”
With classes starting in August, the Center will offer programs that include M.A. degrees in writing, community college administration and counseling.; Master of Science degrees in nursing and in sustainability studies; a dietetics internship focusing on obesity in children; a Master of Public Health; and a Master of Business Administration with concentration options in business and sustainability, tourism and hospitality, health care administration, arts entrepreneurship, and innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.
Lenoir-Rhyne University purchased part of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce building to house the Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville. The school is offering a one-time special discount rate for students entering in the fall 2012 semester. Any student taking six or more credit hours will receive a 10 percent discount on tuition during the fall term.
To learn more about the Center’s programs and employment opportunities, visit http://asheville.lr.edu/.
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Leadership Asheville 30 Spotlights After-School Leaning at Community Summit
Leadership Asheville Class of 2012 is sponsoring a community event on May 17, 2012 to explore learning opportunities for children after the traditional school day in Asheville and Buncombe County. “Seeds of Tomorrow” will host leaders from education, social services, government, recreation, the arts, literacy, other children’s advocacy groups, parents and community volunteers to examine ways to enrich children’s lives after school. The event is free of charge and will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Highsmith University Union on the UNC Asheville campus.
“Seeds of Tomorrow” will welcome Keynote Speaker Candy Markman, planning director of the Mayor’s After School Initiatives in Nashville, Tenn. Ms. Markman launched the city’s After Zone Alliance, a city-wide network of afterschool zones for Metro Schools’ high-risk middle school students. This private-public partnership serves 450 high-need middle school students across 19 programs.
After the keynote address, agency leaders are invited to select from among six morning breakout sessions to explore topics of interest. Sessions include business engagement, fundraising models and challenges, volunteerism, finding and filling gaps in after-school learning, agency issues and more. Afternoon sessions for the entire community will focus on mentoring, the value of bookmobiles, community involvement and the impact of out-of-school learning. The day will conclude with an agency showcase in Alumni Hall, featuring student performances in dance, music, readings and more. At 4 p.m., participants can enjoy a social hour with live music, snacks and networking.
Registration is free and open to the public. A complimentary lunch will be available to all those who register by May 10. For more information and to register for “Seeds of Tomorrow,” please call Leadership Asheville at (828) 348-0673 or by email at programs@leadershipasheville.org.
Leadership Asheville is dedicated to enhancing community leadership by developing, connecting, and mobilizing citizens throughout the region. Leadership Asheville is made possible through the generous support of its Contributing Partners: The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The University of North Carolina at Asheville, Volvo Construction Equipment North America, The Van Winkle Law Firm, Mission Health System, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wells Fargo, Morosani & Associates, Blueprints for Business, TD Bank, WCQS, and Asheville Radio Group.
For more information on the organization, visit the Leadership Asheville website at www.leadershipasheville.org.
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Asheville Ad Legend Charlie Price Honored May 21, 2012 with Advertising Federation's SILVER MEDAL Award for Lifetime Achievement
AAF Asheville, the Western North Carolina affiliate of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), will honor Asheville native Charles R. (Charlie) Price, Jr, founder of the advertising and public relations agency Price/McNabb, with the 2012 Silver Medal Award for outstanding achievement in advertising at a special ceremony on Monday, May 21, from 11:30 to 1:00, at the Doubletree Hotel in Asheville.
One of the first graduates of the advertising sequence at UNC's school of journalism, Price partnered with colleague Gerry McNabb in 1967 to launch the agency in the basement of McNabb's Asheville home. From these humble beginnings, Price/McNabb quickly grew to become a super-regional advertising and PR agency with offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, Columbia and Asheville and with billings of more than $50 million. For nearly 40 years, Price/McNabb made its mark with such national brands as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Honda, Milliken, Marriott, Broyhill Furniture, Square D, General Electric, Starbucks, Biltmore Estate, and Weyerhauser, and won numerous awards for creative excellence, including national, regional and local ADDYs from the American Advertising Federation (AAF), Silver Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Gold Lion at the Cannes International Film Festival, and McDonald's Agency of the Year.
Price was a long-time member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As) and served as chair of 4A's Carolinas Council. He helped found and served as president of the Western North Carolina Ad Club, and served as a visiting instructor at Western Carolina University. He has been active in community organizations, serving on boards for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, United Way, Wachovia Bank and Trust, and the UNC Board of Visitors. In 1988 Price was inducted into the North Carolina Advertising Hall of Fame.
The Silver Medal Award was established by AAF in 1959 to honor men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the field of advertising, especially those who have been active in furthering the industry's standards, have demonstrated creative excellence in their field, and shown responsibility in areas of social concern. Annually, AAF member clubs around the country bestow this honor upon outstanding members of the local advertising community. It is the highest AAF honor at the local level.
The May 21 Silver Award luncheon is open to the public. Tickets are $15 for AAF members and non-members; pre-registration is required. RSVP by May 17 at www.aafasheville.org or by email to programs@aafasheville.org. For more information, contact Jeff Howell at 828-277-8250 or jhowell@danielsgraphics.com.
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Asheville Community Theatre to Hold Auditions for Good Old Fashioned Variety Show
Calling all singers, dancers, musicians, comedians – and performers of all types! Asheville Community Theatre is producing a variety show and is looking for acts. The Good Old Fashioned Variety Show will be performed on Saturday, July 14 as the final event of DramaRama, a week-long fundraising party for the theatre. A Junior version of the Variety Show (for performers ages 6-17) will be performed on Friday, July 13.
Auditions will be held on Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm for acts or individuals ages 6-17. For those 18 and up, auditions will be Tuesday, May 15 and Wednesday, May 16 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Auditions are at Asheville Community Theatre in downtown Asheville. More details and official rules can be found on the theatre’s website, www.ashevilletheatre.org.
“We want to produce the most unique variety shows we can,” said Jenny Bunn, Marketing Director at Asheville Community Theatre. “We envision these shows as a reflection of all of Asheville’s talented performers, so we hope to showcase sketch comedy next to tap dancing next to singer/songwriters. And we’re giving cash prizes to the winners!”
Each performance (regular and Junior version) will have three winners who will receive cash prizes. First place will receive $500, second place is $300, and third place is $200. Additionally, the first place winner in the Junior version will be perform again in The Good Old Fashioned Variety Show on Saturday night, July 14.
For more information or for a full schedule of auditions, please visit www.ashevilletheatre.org.
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Saturdays at ACT PresentsThe Ugly Duckling and We Can Do It: American Women in History
Asheville Community Theatre will present two performances by Bright Star Touring Theatre, a professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, NC, as a part of their Saturdays at ACT Family Series. On Saturday, May 5, The Ugly Duckling (best for ages 3-10) will take the stage at 10:00 am followed by We Can Do It: American Women in History (best for ages 8 and up) at 11:30 am. Tickets are $5.00 for each show and are available for purchase at the door only. The Box Office will open an hour prior to each show.
Immediately following the performance of The Ugly Duckling, audience members are invited to meet the actors in the ACT lobby. Light snacks will be provided free of charge.
“This tour has traveled from Asheville across the country and back,” reported Education Director Janna Hoekema. “These two actors began their tour here in Asheville in February and have driven to San Francisco and back, performing along the way in schools, libraries, and theatres. Saturday, May 5 will be their final performance and we’re excited to have them back in Western North Carolina!”
In The Ugly Duckling, young Zoe is outcast for her unusual appearance and is picked on until she undergoes a miraculous transformation into the most beautiful swan in the land. We Can Do It: American Women in History brings to life the courageous, confident women who have helped shape our country. From Amelia Earhart and Laura Ingalls Wilder to Helen Keller and Susan B. Anthony, this play includes themes of perseverance, integrity, and patriotism.
For more information about Asheville Community Theatre, please call 828-254-1320 or visit www.ashevilletheatre.org. Information about Bright Star Touring Theatre, including production videos, photos, study guides and more is available online at www.brightstartheatre.com.
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Asheville Redefines Transit (ART) launches May 21st, Public information sessions to be held
Beginning Monday, May 21, the city’s bus system, currently operating as Asheville Transit, will begin operating as ART (Asheville Redefines Transit). In addition to introducing a new look, new routes and new rides, the launch will celebrate the first phase of transit master plan implementation. The new ART transit network will demonstrate the City of Asheville’s commitment to multi-modal transportation, affordability and sustainability.
In advance of the May 21 launch, the City of Asheville will host six informational drop-in sessions. Seeking to encourage citizen engagement, the sessions will use interactive tools to share information about the upcoming changes. New schedules and maps will be available to take home and opportunities to get hands on experience learning to navigate GoogleTransit, a new online tool riders can use to plan bus trips, will be available. Staff and transit commission members will be onsite to answer questions.
The April 30 session at the U.S. Cellular Center will have a new hybrid bus on display for family friendly activities and a "load your bicycle on the bus" competition.
The public can drop-in between 4-7 p.m. on any of the following dates:
Monday, April 30, U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood St.
Tuesday, May 1, West Asheville Community Center, 970 Haywood Rd.
Thursday, May 3, Reid Memorial Recreation Center, 133 Livingston St.
Monday, May 7, Linwood Crump - Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd.
Monday, May 14, East Asheville Community Center, 906 Tunnel Rd.
Tuesday, May 15, Grace Episcopal Church - Parish Hall, 871 Merrimon Ave.
For more information about Asheville Transit, contact 253-5691, e-mail iride@ashevillenc.gov or visit www.ridetheart.com
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LOGANGATE TIMBER HOMES RELOCATES TO ASHEVILLE, TEAMS UP WITH DELTEC HOMES
(Asheville, NC) April 23, 2012—Logangate Timber Homes, maker of affordable panelized post and beam style homes for over forty years, has officially moved their company headquarters to Asheville, NC, teaming up with Asheville 'native' Deltec Homes. This unique partnership with Deltec will allow Logangate to better offer clients a competitively priced solution for all of their homes.
“Relocating our facilities to the Blue Ridge Mountains made perfect sense,” says Rob Cole, President of Logangate Timber Homes. “Partnering with Deltec Homes, one of the leading panelizers in the nation, can only benefit our customers as we expand our services from working principally with builders and developers to working directly with home buyers, offering them a Timber-style home with turn-key construction, all for the price of a traditional home.
At first glance, this new partnership might seem odd. “Not so,” says Cole. “Both Deltec and Logangate have been building high quality panelized homes since 1968. Deltec and Logangate have worked together now for over five years, and this move further strengthens our ties. It allows us to enhance the Logangate product through Deltec's sustainable manufacturing process.”
“While the name Deltec will always be synonymous with round homes, we are able to apply our innovative, sustainable building process to almost any home design,” says Steve Linton, President of Deltec Homes. “Our partnership with Logangate Timber Homes is exciting because it ties in perfectly with our goal of providing new jobs and more home options for Western North Carolina.”
Linton points out that the new partnership expands the Deltec family of products to three: Deltec Homes, the circular collection; Logangate Timber Homes, the timber collection; and the newest addition in terms of affordable green homes, The Appalachian Collection.
The move also reflects the worldwide industry trend of assembling more housing components in a controlled environment as a more viable process for creating high-value housing with better quality control. “The company move to Asheville, and the subsequent collaboration with Deltec, give us the opportunity to benefit from Deltec's impeccable production facility,” states Cole. “This is a win-win-win situation: for Logangate, for Deltec, and most importantly, for our customers.”
For more information on Logangate Timber Homes visit www.logangate.com or call 800-551-1918
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Andy McPherson of Charlotte Street Computers employee designated an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC)
Andy McPherson becomes the third Charlotte Street Computers employee to be designated an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC). After extensive study Andy was able to pass both tests required to be certified. The Apple Training and Certification program is designed to keep us at the forefront of Apple technology. Certification creates a benchmark to demonstrate proficiency in specific Apple technologies and provides us skills to better serve our customers.
Charlotte Street Computers is a multi-location computer repair company founded in 2002. Today the company has grown to a staff of twenty four team members, including twelve of the top service technicians in the area. Greg and Jennifer Mayer operate the company with a continued focus on customer satisfaction.
Charlotte Street Computers provides upgrades, networking, troubleshooting, and repairs for home computers and small business systems for both Macs and PCs. The company also provides one-on-one tutoring and rental computers for customers who are having their systems repaired. Charlotte Street Computers is a one-stop shop for exceptional repair and retail, and sells the full line of Apple computers at both of its locations.
Charlotte Street Computers is located at 252 Charlotte Street in Asheville, with a second location at 300 Airport Road in Arden. Both stores are open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday. The Charlotte Street location is open on Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. For more information, visit www.charlottestreetcomputers.com or call 828-225-6600. To find out about contests, giveaways, and the latest computer trends and products, become their fan on Facebook.
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June Events at Asheville Community Theatre
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens June 1 and runs through June 17, 2012
- Designers Sought for ACT's Costume Drama: A Fashion Show through June 1, 2012
- Bi-monthly meeting of The Autumn Playerson June 2, 2012
- Auditions for Readers Theatre Production of The Price on June 5, 2012
- Auditions for The Odd Couple on June 12-13, 2012
- Saturdays at ACT: Bright Star Touring Theatre presentsAmerican Dreams and Sleepy Hollow on June 16, 2012
- The Priceruns June 22-24, 2012
- Listen to This: Stories in Performanceon June 28, 2012
- Tanglewood Advanced Camp Public Performanceon June 29, 2012
- Volunteer Orientation Sessionon June 12, 2012
For more information on any of the listed events, please visit the Asheville Community Theatre Web site at www.ashevilletheatre.org.
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Open House at Historic Biltmore School Wednesday April 25th
Biltmore Property Group invites you to the open house of its newest project, the restoration of the Historic Biltmore Building on Wednesday, April 25 from 5-7pm.
Built in 1927 on land donated by the Vanderbilt family, the project will feature 58,000 square feet of professional office space while maintaining the building’s historic integrity. The Historic Biltmore School is located at 4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, off Hendersonville Road just south of the I-40 interchange. For questions or further details, please contact Meghan Rogers at meghan@biltmorepropertygroup.com or 828-777-1183.
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The Teetotallers comes to Diana Wortham Theatre
Marvel at the sound of three world-class musicians when The Teetotallers Featuring John Doyle, Martin Hayes andKevin Crawford delight Asheville with a rare triple threat evening of their combined talents. Mainstage Celtic Series, Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place. Thursday, May 24, 2012, 8:00 p.m. Regular $30; Student $25; Children 12 and under $12; Student Rush day-of-the-show (with valid I.D.) $10. Tickets/Info: (828) 257-4530 or online at www.dwtheatre.com
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May Events at Asheville Community Theatre
- To Kill a Mockingbird runs through May 6, 2012
- Saturdays at ACT: Bright Star Touring Theatre presentsThe Ugly Duckling and We Can Do It: American Women in History on May 5, 2012
- Auditions for Good Old Fashioned Variety Show Junior on May 12, 2012
- Auditions for Good Old Fashioned Variety Show on May 15-16, 2012
- Youth Production Class Performance: The Secret Garden – Spring Version on May 18-20, 2012
- Listen to This: Stories in Performanceon May 31, 2012
- Volunteer Orientation Sessionon May 15, 2012
- Designers Sought for Fashion Show through June 1, 2012
For more information on any of the listed events, please visit the Asheville Community Theatre Web site at www.ashevilletheatre.org.
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Visit Italy with The Fine Arts League of the Carolinas
The Fine Arts League of the Carolinas will host a trip to Lucignano, Italy May 19-27. Participants will experience the Chianti region with day excursions a cooking class and more. The trip coincides with La Maggiolata Festa - The Celebration of flowers in Lucignano. Sightseeing opportunities interspersed with drawing and painting opportunities. Visit http://www.fineartsleague.org/Italy/Paint&Play_Frameset.html for information. 30 day study abroad programs are also available in June to Lucignano and in July to Pietrasanta.
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TOP IRISH TRADITIONAL BAND, TÉADA PERFORMS AT DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE
With lush orchestration, Téada revels in the vibrant, traditional music of Ireland. Joining Téada in Asheville is accordion player and quintessential Irish musician, Séamus Begley. Mainstage Celtic Series, Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place. Friday, May 11, 2012, 8:00 p.m. Regular $30; Student $25; Children 12 and under $12; Student Rush day-of-the-show (with valid I.D.) $10. Tickets/Info: (828) 257-4530 or online at www.dwtheatre.com.
"One of the most exciting traditional groups to emerge in recent years."
-Irish World
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Mars Hill College Marketing Survey
In order to develop a new marketing plan for Mars Hill College, the Marketing Committee is collecting data. Your responses to a VERY quick, three-question survey will be key in identifying perceptions of our strengths and weaknesses. If you have any questions, please contact Joy Kish at (828) 689-1140 or jkish@mhc.edu Please complete the survey by May 14, 2012.
The survey can be found at:
http://www.forms.mhc.edu/SelectSurveyASPAdvanced/TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=5LIll34M7nmMG
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Brevard Music Center ad sales open for 2012 Overture magazine and program guide
The Brevard Music Center has opened ad sales for the 2012 Overture magazine and program guide. These beautiful, magazine-style programs will be distributed to over 30,000 patrons who will attend the orchestra and opera programs between June 22 and August 5, 2012. As full-color ads range in price from $300 - $2,500, there is opportunity for every size business to promote their products or services to a highly-affluent audience. It is important to take advantage of this opportunity quickly, as ad spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and ad sales will close by the end of April. For more information, please contact Virginia Carter at vcarter@brevardmusic.org or at 862-2131.
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FREE Shredding Day at the Chamber! Service Provided by American Security Shredding Inc.
Date: April 27
Time: 10:00-1:00
Where: Chamber Parking Lot
American Security Shredding Inc. will be here in the Chamber parking lot April 27 from 10:00 until 1:00. Bring your paper documents that need to be shredded! No need to remove the staples or paper clips! No cardboard please, we do ask you take your boxes back.
(We ask that you not bring more than 250 pounds. A standard full file box weighs 20 to 25 lbs. )
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2012 Child Watch Tour Friday, May 11th
There are about 2000 days between birth and kindergarten for a North Carolina child. The investments we make in those 2000 days yield a lifetime of results. How can you and your business be an advocate for early investments in our future workforce?
Join Children First/CIS and the Junior League of Asheville for the 2012 Child Watch Tour on Friday, May 11 from 8:30 AM -1:30 PM, to explore issues of quality and access in our local early childhood education and development programs. This annual “field trip” for adults will begin with a coffee presentation at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce; visit local child development programs including Head Start; and conclude with a luncheon discussion with local legislators at Mountain Area Child and Family Center.
Registration is free and transportation is provided to all tour sites. Seating is limited, so register for the tour by contacting Greg Borom at GregB@Childrenfirstbc.org , call 828-423-0698 or go to http://statevoices.salsalabs.com/o/512/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=222. Can’t join us for the ½ day? Consider registering for just the morning coffee session from 8:30-9:15.
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FASTSIGNS® Launches New Brand Initiative to be Better Known as ‘More Than’ a Sign Provider
(ASHEVILLE, N.C.) April 4, 2012—FASTSIGNS® of Asheville, the local visual communications/sign and graphics solutions provider, has unveiled a new branding platform with updated messaging: “More than fast. More than signs.™”
“We want people to know that while we are fast, more importantly, we provide a wide variety of products, services and comprehensive visual communications solutions to help companies meet their business objectives,” said Ric Davenport, owner of the AshevilleFASTSIGNS. “We have always known that we are more than fast and more than signs, and this new brand platform is a way of better communicating what FASTSIGNS offers. We have capabilities and service offers beyond what many realize.”
FASTSIGNS of Asheville first opened in 1996. Originally known as the “the next day sign and lettering experts”, FASTSIGNS’ business concept has grown from just offering banners and vinyl to providing complete visual communications solutions for way-finding, creating business visibility, helping launch new products – everything to meet the needs of businesses who are trying to have a consistent visual message. Some of the wide range of solutions provided by FASTSIGNS includes illuminated signs, architectural signs, interior décor, channel letters, vehicle graphics, digital signage, exhibits and displays, and mobile web sites.
Trained to be consultative and knowledgeable about the full range of visual communications options, the FASTSIGNS of Asheville team works with businesses, organizations and events to better understand their needs, and then put together the right mix of innovative graphic solutions to achieve the business or organization’s objectives. Meeting the needs of companies large and small, FASTSIGNS offers design, production, project management, delivery and installation.
“Our experienced team knows how to help move businesses forward—we’re not selling a commodity, but helping businesses solve their unique visual communications challenges so that they can reach more customers and accomplish more than they ever thought possible,” said Davenport
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS® is a signage, graphics and visual communications partner that provides comprehensive solutions to help customers of all sizes – across all industries – meet their business objectives and increase their business visibility through the use of all types of signs and graphics including illuminated signs, architectural and interior décor, floor and vehicle graphics, point of purchase and digital signs, labels and decals, signs, printing, mobile marketing and other related marketing services. To learn more, call FASTSIGNS of Asheville at 828-251-2211, visit them online at www.fastsigns.com/241, or use a smartphone to visit m.fastsigns.com/241
Local Author Book signing at Malaprops
Sunday, April 22nd - Earth Day at 3:00pm at Malaprops Book Store in downtown Asheville, NC. Local author, Mark Small, will present on Chinese internal martial arts and sign his new book: Taiji, Xingyi, Baguaquan Throwing By Way of Our Modern Masters. He will lead a short practice for health, sport, and self-defense before his book signing. Books can be ordered by way of RSVP: www.malaprops.com.
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7th Annual YWCA Black & White Gala
The YWCA of Asheville’s 7th annual Black & White Gala will be held on Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 pm at the Crowne Plaza Expo Center.
The event will feature high energy dance music by Westsound, a silent auction, and delicious food from local restaurants. Festive black and white attire is encouraged.
The mission of the YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. Tickets are $50 each. All event proceeds will go to support the YWCA's programs which bridge gaps in child care, education, health care, and earning power. The YWCA serves approximately 6,000 people a year.
The Black & White Gala is also the kick off of the agency’s annual Stand Against Racism community-wide awareness campaign.
Lead sponsors are Crowne Plaza Tennis & Golf Resort, Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa and WNC Parent.
To reserve tickets, call 254-7206 x 207 or go to www.ywcaofasheville.org.
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Reconnect: Electronics Recycling Program
Dell and Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina partner to provide an electronics recycling program for businesses in northwest North Carolina. Called Reconnect, the program is a comprehensive electronics recovery, reuse and environmentally responsible recycling opportunity for consumers. Reconnect provides computer recycling that is both good for the environment and an easy and free way for businesses to dispose of unwanted computers, monitors, printers, and peripherals.
On July 1, 2011, a new law went into effect in North Carolina prohibiting the disposal of electronics into landfills. With e-waste disposal now being an added expense to businesses, we want to remind everyone that we accept donations of unwanted electronics at no cost. This program offers businesses the opportunity to support a nonprofit organization in their community while receiving a tax deduction. Goodwill provides free bulk pickup for businesses with large quantities of equipment to donate. Alternatively, equipment can be donated at any Goodwill store or donation center. All brands and conditions of equipment are accepted.
All systems donated to Goodwill are cleaned of stored information according to US Department of Defense specifications. Newer systems or component parts are sold at select Goodwill stores. Systems not sold in stores are recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
Goodwill's RECONNECT program received a Special Environmental Award for significantly reducing adverse environmental impacts, providing a no-cost responsible way to recycle unwanted electronics and supporting job training and placement services in the community. Since this national program was started in 2004, Goodwill has diverted 170 million pounds of e-waste from our landfills.
Information can also be found on our website at http://www.goodwillpc.org <http://www.goodwillpc.org/> .
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CarePartners Health Services presents free health and wellness educational series
CarePartners Health Services presents a free health and wellness educational series, open to the public, beginning April 10. Classes start at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays for eight weeks. Come to one class or all. Topics range from balance/fall prevention classes and free screenings, to nutrition and Tai Chi, to the ethics of hospice and healthcare reform. Reservations required, space is limited and free lunch provided. Contact: Laura Chase, 828.274.9567, x8379 orlchase@carepartners.org A copy of the brochure is online at www.carepartners.org/thewayback
April 10 Overview and Tour of CarePartners
April 17 Balance / Fall Prevention (classes, free screenings)
April 24 Wellness (nutrition, Tai Chi)
May 1 Geriatric Care Management
May 8 Memory Impairment & Practical Tools
May 15 Wills, Trusts, & Advance Directives
May 22 Hospice & Palliative Medicine
May 29 Healthcare Reform Panel
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Riveting Hospitality Suite Opens in 35below April 5th
Hospitality Suite, an award-winning play by American playwright Roger Rueff, will open in 35below, the black box theatre at Asheville Community Theatre on Thursday, April 5 at 7:30 pm. Hospitality Suite will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through April 28, 2012. Tickets are $15 and are available for all performances online, by phone, or at the Asheville Community Theatre Box Office.
Hospitality Suiteis truly a thought-provoking piece of theatre, where there are no right or wrong answers, no good guys or bad guys. The play takes place in a small hotel room in Wichita, Kansas. Phil and Larry are two salesmen attending a conference awaiting a visit from the CEO of the largest manufacturing firm in the area – who also is potentially the savior of their failing company. Also in the room is Bob, a young hire who has been brought along for his technical expertise. While the three men prepare the room for the party later that night, their discussion veers into non-business topics, and when it turns to religion, the discussion turns into a debate.
Though the play focuses quite a bit on religion – specifically Christianity – and the place for faith in the workplace, Hospitality Suite directs this debate into a real dialogue instead of a bashing of one side or the other, something that seems to be sorely lacking in today’s culture.
Hospitality Suiteis directed by Anthony Abraira and stars veteran Asheville actors Dan Clancy as Larry, Mike Vaniman as Phil, and Desmond Zampella as Bob. For more information, please visit www.ashevilletheatre.org.
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OneWhoServes, Inc. Computer and Business Services Celebrates 12 Years of Service
On April 1st one of Asheville’s top B2B technology service providers, OneWhoServes, Inc., will proudly celebrate 12 years of serving the needs of commercial and nonprofit clients in WNC. “The key to our success is that we are a relationship-oriented company. Our highly qualified and very personable Systems Engineers bring their skills, training and knowledge to our clients and become integrated members of their team, fully invested in their business success” says Gordon Walton, President. OneWhoServes, Inc. is the complete out-sourced IT department for hundreds of large and small organizations, and provides supplemental services to corporate in-house IT departments as well. For more information visit www.onewhoserves.com.