Quality Janitorial Group — 35 Years — Family-owned, now ~100 employees and a dozen subcontractors serving ~50 facilities across WNC. Anniversary Open House: Tue., Sept. 16, 4:30–6:30 PM (1276 Hendersonville Rd.). National Housekeepers & Environmental Services Week shout-outs to longtime staff.
Announcements:
City of Asheville + ATG Entertainment MOU — Public-private predevelopment for a new Arts & Entertainment facility downtown. Work now underway on planning, impact analysis, business modeling, workforce and venue studies, with potential EDA disaster recovery grant pursuit.
Mercy Urgent Care → Presenting Sponsor for Leadership Asheville’s Executive Directors Roundtable — Nonprofit leadership cohort runs Oct.–May, meets second Fridays; sliding-scale participation. Info: leadershipasheville.unca.edu
AVL (Asheville Regional Airport) Brand Refresh — New logo suite, typography, color palette, refreshed site, and “adventure takes flight” positioning grounded in mountain-centric iconography and a subtle “wing” in the AVL “A.”
Happenings:
A Tale of Two Cities (Exhibition) — Sept. 13–Nov. 8 | New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts (virtual showcase live now). Asheville/New Orleans artists reflect on resilience after hurricanes; Asheville leg opens Sept. 1, 2026, at the Ferguson Family YMCA. Virtual: ArtsvilleUSA.com • Media: bridget@blueridgeheritage.com
Asheville Symphony: Masterworks 1 — Eroica (with Emanuel Ax) — Sat., Sept. 20, 2:00 & 8:00 PM | First Baptist Church of Asheville. Features Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, Symphony No. 3, and the world premiere of The Things We Say to Death by Amber Ferenz. A portion of proceeds benefits the RADA Foundation. Tickets: ashevillesymphony.org • (828) 254-7046
Blue Ridge Roots Revival: WNC Music & Storytelling — Sun., Sept. 21, 3:00–5:00 PM | Earle Theatre, Mt. Airy. Connie Regan-Blake, Michael Reno Harrell, Sheila Kay Adams, Josh Goforth. Tickets: SurryArts.org
Asheville Oktoberfest (FREE Entry) — Sat., Oct. 4 | Pack Square Park. 20+ breweries/beverage makers, live music (Lagerhosen, The Hillclimbers), games, and food trucks. Elevate with a Prost Pass (souvenir glass + tastes, 21+). Info/Prost Pass: events.humanitix.com/asheville-oktoberfest
Winter in Downtown Asheville (season-long) — Kicks off with the Holiday Parade on Sat., Nov. 22. Includes Winter Lights, Window Display Contest, “Shop Small, Win Big,” and more under the theme “Toyshop Whimsy.” Details & participation: ashevilledowntown.org/winter-in-downtown
McHone Performance Training: Teton Range Expedition Talk — Sat., Sept. 20, 6:30 PM | McHone Performance Training (Asheville). Free presentation with guides Forrest & Dan: Black Ice Couloir, new route on Teepe Pillar, 5 days alpine logistics. RSVP: facebook.com/share/1AX6NAwZLK/
Opportunities:
Asheville Habitat ReStore ReUse Contest — Submissions due Sept. 30 (midnight). Public voting Oct. 1–15 (Art; Furniture & Home Décor; Dwelling). Prizes include $500 Best in Show / $200 category winners. Enter: ashevillehabitat.org/reuse-contest
Year of Revival Auction (Helene recovery) — Sept. 18–25 (closes 5 PM). Signed guitars & memorabilia from major artists; proceeds benefit Marshall Relief Alliance. Preview/bid: YearofRevivalAuction.com
TEDxAsheville: Call for Speakers — “Embrace the Mess” (2026 main event) — Speaker portal open Sept. 8–21; selections announced in December. Apply: tedxasheville.com/speak • Next “Red Rug Roundtable” salon: Tue., Dec. 9, 2025, 5:30–8:30 PM, Hilton Garden Inn.
Friends of the WNC Nature Center — “Welcome Home” Campaign — Goal: $75,000 to rebuild animal quarantine space lost in Helene. Donate: wildwnc.org/welcomehome • (828) 259-8092 • development@wildwnc.org
Hire:
United Federal Credit Union — Holly Wagner appointed Commercial Loan Officer (Asheville branch: 1441 Patton Ave.). 18+ years in commercial lending/finance; joins expanding NC team alongside Nichole Dubs (Hendersonville).