New Asheville Chamber President & CEO Selected

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the selection of its new President & CEO as Kit Cramer, current President of the International Downtown Association (IDA) in Washington, DC. Cramer will bring a wealth of experience to Asheville, as she was employed for 17 years in a variety of management positions with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, served as chief public information officer for two large school systems and is a former elected official. Cramer will assume her new role at the Chamber on November 15, replacing Rick Lutovsky who is retiring after 10 years as Chamber President & CEO.

Join us in welcoming Kit Cramer and thanking Rick Lutovsky.

Full press release below...

ASHEVILLE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT & CEO

Asheville, North Carolina—The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the selection of its new President & CEO as Kit Cramer, current president of the International Downtown Association (IDA) in Washington, DC.

Alice io Oglesby, chair of the Chamber Board and president of io design and illustration, inc., reported that the Chamber’s Board of Directors approved the recommendation of the Search Committee to hire Kit Cramer at its called meeting on October 6. Cramer will begin work on November 15, replacing Rick Lutovsky who is retiring after 10 years at the head of the organization.

“Kit brings an excellent set of skills to the position,” said Mike Willett, Chair of the Search Committee. “During the interview process, we were impressed not only with the variety of professional experience she has to offer, but also her enthusiasm and obvious passion for Chamber work.”

“Asheville is a beautiful, exciting place. The diversity of thought there is one of the things I found most attractive about the community. I’m honored to have been selected for this position and am excited to get to work,” said Cramer. “Rick Lutovsky has built a strong and accomplished team. I look forward to getting to know them as well as the community as I work with the Board to take the organization to the next level.”

Cramer’s current organization, IDA, is a 650-member association with the mission of being a guiding force in creating healthy and dynamic city centers that anchor the well-being of towns, cities and regions throughout the world.

Prior to leading IDA, Cramer worked for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce for 17 years in various management capacities, including as executive director of Member Services where she worked with the Chamber’s seven area chapters. As a Vice President in the Economic Development division, she worked as a recruiter for new business as well as an advocate for existing businesses. As group Vice President for Education, she worked on education public policy and workforce development initiatives.

Prior to her tenure at the Charlotte Chamber, she served as public information officer for two school systems. She also worked as a downtown manager early in her career.

While working in education public policy, Cramer also served as Vice-Chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education for three years.

A graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism & PR, Cramer is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. She has received the Certified Chamber Executive designation from the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives. She has been married to her husband, Mark, for 27 years. They have two grown children, Kathryn and Mac, who live in Charlotte.

The Chamber’s Search Committee was comprised of Oglesby, Immediate Past Chair Mike Willett of BB&T, First Vice Chair LaVoy Spooner of AT&T and former Chair Peter Alberice of Camille-Alberice Architects. Susie Jernigan of Sockwell Partners managed the process.

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Nypro Asheville Announces Expansion and Jobs

Local manufacturing company, Nypro, announced today that it is expanding its business to manufacture a new product, which means jobs for Buncombe County. Over the next three years, the expansion project will add 75,000 square feet of space to the plant in Vista Industrial Center and add 156 new high-wage production and engineering positions to its current workforce. Full press release below and on AshevilleChamber.org.

NYPRO ASHEVILLE ANNOUNCES $83M EXPANSION AND 156 NEW JOBS

Asheville, NC – In conjunction with the NC Department of Commerce, Buncombe County, and the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville - Buncombe County (EDC), precision plastic products manufacturer Nypro proudly announces the expansion of its Asheville plant with an $83 million investment in facilities and equipment. Over the next three years, the expansion project will add 75,000 square feet of space to Nypro’s Buncombe County plant in Vista Industrial Center, and add 156 new high-wage production and engineering positions to its current workforce of 212 persons.

Nypro Asheville, which manufactures devices for the world’s leading healthcare companies, is making the investment in a unique industry alliance with Novo Nordisk to produce a next generation injectable insulin pen. According to Ray Grupinski, Nypro’s Group President, Healthcare, “This combined growth of Nypro with our customer Novo Nordisk is part of Nypro's partnership with our customer and our plan to expand healthcare plastics manufacturing at key sites around the world. Nypro has been part of North Carolina since 1987 and we are proud to be able to further North Carolina’s commitment to manufacturing employment.”

Chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, David Gantt, commented, “We are truly honored by Nypro’s unprecedented commitment to re-invest and grow jobs here in Buncombe County. It is a powerful reminder of the unique and significant impact of manufacturing on our regional economy, and on the quality of life of our citizens and community. We thank Nypro management for their tremendous show of confidence, and pledge the full support of the County for their continued growth and viability in the years to come.”

“Since its arrival in Buncombe County over 20 years ago, Nypro has become known for world-class quality and innovation. Fostering the growth of our regional medical products manufacturers remains a strategic focus of the EDC and we are proud to congratulate Nypro on this milestone announcement. We are grateful for their continued commitment to grow highly skilled, high quality, advanced manufacturing jobs here in Buncombe County,” said EDC Chairman K. Ray Bailey.

Nypro Inc. is a global plastics manufacturer operating in 15 countries and based out of Clinton, Mass. The company makes plastic molded products for the healthcare, consumer, electronics and packaging markets. Nypro’s plastics and molds are used by companies all over the world. Nypro is one of the largest employee-owned companies in the world. For more information on Nypro, please visit www.nypro.com.

Employment inquiries and applications will be taken at the North Carolina Employment Security Commission offices beginning January 2011.

The EDC for Asheville-Buncombe County is a public-private partnership committed to: creating and retaining high quality jobs, community leadership, and being a resource for better business decisions. The EDC accomplishes this mission through its four core services: business retention and expansion, small business and entrepreneurship, research, and marketing and recruitment. The EDC is funded by Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Advantage Asheville Campaign.

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is a 2,000+ member organization representing 86,000 employees. Chamber members collaborate with community organizations and coalitions to support the community and each other with the mission of increasing the region’s livability by advancing its economic vitality. The Asheville Chamber works diligently to ensure that Asheville continues to prosper while also protecting the natural beauty of the area. In 2006, the Chamber moved to a new location and is now home to the 4,000 square foot Visitor Center which welcomes 200,000 visitors per year.

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Montreat College Welcomes New VP for Adult Studies

Montreat College is pleased to welcome Mr. Jonathan Shores to campus as Vice President for Adult Studies. Shores will assume his responsibilities for the administration of the School of Professional and Adult Studies (SPAS) on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. While working closely with the Charlotte and Asheville campuses, Shores will be based at the Black Mountain campus.

A native of Salisbury, N.C., Shores and his family are relocating from Fuquay Varina, N.C. to the Asheville area. Shores is married and has two daughters.

In transferring from the greater Raleigh area, Shores is leaving his current post as the Director of the Research Triangle Park campus of Mount Olive College. In that capacity, Shores oversaw more than 900 non-traditional (adult) students and also worked as an adjunct professor of marketing at Mount Olive College.

A non-commissioned officer in the Air Force National Guard who joined in 2000, Shores has served three deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001, supervising as many as 45 airmen at a time.

After receiving his BS in Trust and Wealth Management from Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C., Shores earned an MBA with a concentration in Marketing Management from Campbell. Currently, he is completing work on a Ph.D. in Marketing through Northcentral University in Prescott Valley, AZ.

Montreat College is a Christ-centered liberal arts institution with its main campus for four-year traditional students in Montreat. The accelerated School of Professional and Adult Studies program has campuses in Asheville, Charlotte, and Black Mountain.

UNC-Chapel Hill pharmacy education expanding to UNC Asheville

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The University of North Carolina Board of Governors on Friday approved UNC-Chapel Hill's plan to expand its pharmacy-education program to UNC Asheville in partnership with Mission Health System.

The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in Chapel Hill will create a satellite pharmacy program that will be based at UNC Asheville. The program at UNC Asheville is an expansion of the successful partnership the UNC-Chapel Hill pharmacy school has had with Elizabeth City State University since 2005. That program will graduate its second class in May.

The start-up costs for the program will be covered by a $2.5 million fund-raising initiative spearheaded by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has pledged $600,000 toward that goal, and the City of Asheville has pledged $100,000. By the fourth year of the program, its cost is projected to be fully covered by tuition and by Mission Health System funding half the clinical faculty's salaries. The partnership program should not require any state funding.

Asheville was considered the natural choice for locating a satellite program because of the close working partnership between UNC Asheville, Mission Health System, and UNC-Chapel Hill. UNC Asheville, a nationally ranked public liberal arts college, is noted for its strong science and mathematics programs.

"The arrival of the Pharmacy School to UNC Asheville is a prescription for a healthier population and a healthier local economy. Today’s decision by the UNC Board of Governors builds on the work of Mission Health System, the Mountain Area Health Education Center and the Western North Carolina Health Network, a consortium of 16 regional hospitals," said Rick Lutovsky, President and CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.  "These organizations, along with physician practices and the many local businesses that support the hospitals and physicians, comprise a significant economic engine for our region. The Pharmacy School will only strengthen that engine, which is why the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is committing time and resources to raising the $2.5 million needed to fund the program. It’s an investment in Asheville’s future and the UNC School of Pharmacy that will pay dividends for years to come."

Like its counterpart at ECSU, the satellite program at UNC Asheville will educate more pharmacists in an area of North Carolina that doesn't have enough health-care providers in general. The UNC Eshleman School of Pharmacy recognized the need for more health-care practitioners in Western North Carolina and made expansion into the area part of its strategic plan five years ago. The satellite program could enroll up to 40 Doctor of Pharmacy students a year. (The Doctor of Pharmacy, or Pharm.D., is the professional degree required to practice as a pharmacist.)

The Asheville community is well known in pharmacy circles for the very successful Asheville Project, which began as a collaboration between the highly ranked UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Mission Health System, the City of Asheville and community pharmacists. It is a multidisciplinary program of care for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It has been widely recognized and copied all across the country.

The project provides intensive education to people with these conditions through their employer's health plan. Patients are also teamed up with community pharmacists who help them understand how to use their medications correctly. The project has resulted in a system in which community pharmacists have developed thriving practices that have improved their patients' health while saving money.

Governor Perdue to Host Press Confernce in Asheville on Friday

The Director of the Governor’s Western Office contacted the Chamber today to let us know that Governor Perdue will host a press conference this Friday, April 9 at 10 a.m. on Wall Street. (exact location not definite, but probably on Wall Street at the staircase which connects to Battery Park Avenue). Governor Perdue will discuss a small business assistance initiative.

If you have questions, please contact Juleigh Sitton at 828-430-0054.

WNC Green Building Council Presents the Many Shades of Green Bike Tour

Take a bike ride through Asheville and learn more about green building during the Many Shades of Green Bike Tour on Saturday, April 10, 2010. The WNC Green Building Council is offering a cycling option to coincide with the guided bus tour. The bike tour will include a variety of green properties while also providing participants information on bicycle routes and alternative transportation options in Asheville.

Avid cyclist Justin Mitchell, with Ecohouse/Dwell Realty, will lead a tour of seven properties ranging from a commercial green rehab to the first passive hempcrete home in the country. Green building professionals will be available to answer questions and provide information about green features and construction methods.

The tour will originate at Biowheels Bike Shop and visit properties in the Downtown and West Asheville areas. The ride will be approximately ten miles in total distance; and due to the hilly nature of the Asheville landscape, a moderate fitness level is suggested. Helmets are required.

Time: 12 pm-5 pm
Cost: Free (Pre-registration is required)
Start: Biowheels: 81 Coxe Ave.
Presentation at 12:00. Ride begins at 12:30.
Finish: Biowheels at 5:00

Biowheels is hosting a post-tour Reception with refreshments and light appetizers.

For general information and to register for the tour, visit www.wncgbc.org, email office@wncgbc.org, or call 828-254-1995.

For specific questions pertaining to the bike tour, contact Justin Mitchell at Justin@justinasheville.com or 828-713-9400.

Chamber Member, The Littlest Golfer, Launches Children’s Book Series

Chamber Member, The Littlest Golfer, has announced that it has begun shipping the first in its series of children’s golf books.

How Putter Learned His ABC’s is a large-format board book that introduces children to common golf terms and their alphabet while playing 18 holes with Putter and Sandy. This new children’s golf book has received a warm welcome from “inside the ropes.”

• As much as adults like to make putts, kids will love Putter and Sandy even more. This book is sure to help them start out “under par” with both their A-B-Cs and their love of this great game. Watch out for your Littlest Golfer to become your biggest reader! - Dr. Morris Pickens, Sports Psychologist, Sea Island Golf Learning Center and author of the Learn To Win book series
• A charming, fun and accessible way to introduce your kids to the game of golf. - Josh Karp, author of Straight Down the Middle
• This new book is absolutely fantastic… a great idea. Its colorful drawings reach out to a child’s imagination. It’s easy to understand and is the perfect introduction to young children learning about golf. A real credit to the TLG team, my congratulations! - Roger Shutt, UK Golf Pro & Junior Coach Specialist, author of All You Need To Know Before You Play Golf, endorsed by Lee Westwood

Although The Littlest Golfer is best known for its playful collection of children’s golf apparel, an educational series of children’s books has always been part of the company’s original vision.

“That’s what makes The Littlest Golfer unique in the industry,” company founder Kris Wilson explains. “We are the only children’s lifestyle brand that offers a complete line of golf apparel, accessories, books, clubs and toys just for kids.”

“All of our products are designed to make golf fun and exciting for the youngest of golfers,” Wilson explains. “Our core mission is to grow the game. Our children’s book series will help us do just that!”

Golf professionals and parents think so too.

• How Putter Learned His ABC's is an adorable children's book! My two children love reading about their favorite golfers Putter and Sandy. This is a terrific gift for the littlest golfer in your life. Now it is more fun than ever to learn your ABC's!  - Leta Lindley, LPGA Tour Winner
• Putter and Sandy make both learning and the game of golf fun again! And, all I can say is: It was the best A-Z 18 holes of my life! -Ashley Crain, Golfweek Style Editor
• As an avid golfer and mother of two young children, I love How Putter Learned His ABC's! The illustrations are wonderful, the lesson fantastic, and it has a bit of humor. Well done! - Donna Bonn, president, Donna Bonn Designs golf fashions

For more information about The Littlest Golfer’s children’s book, apparel and accessories visit thelittlestgolfer.com or contact info@thelittlestgolfer.com.

Asheville Area Habitat Raises the First Wall on Its Fifth Women Build House – March 19

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity will kick off it’s 2010 Women Build program with a Wall Raising on Friday, March 19 at 12noon. The event will be held in the Woodland Court subdivision in West Asheville.

The event program will include words from Habitat staff, Women Build leadership, homeowner-to-be Felicia Searles and Felicia’s supervisor (at Head Start), and a song from local blues singer Peggy Ratusz. The program will conclude when volunteers, sponsors and the Searles family join together to raise the first wall of the 2010 Women Build house.

Women Build encourages women to build homes, enabling them to impact the lives of children by making homeownership a reality for families in need. The 2010 Women Build house is sponsored by The Stiver Family Foundation, “The Three Marthas (a local family), and AdLib; and it receives additional support from the community at large. Lowe’s is the national sponsor of Habitat for Humanity International’s Women Build program. Nationwide, over 1,500 homes have been constructed through the Women Build program. This is the fifth Women Build House built by Asheville Area Habitat.

Since 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has welcomed nearly 200 Buncombe County families to safe, decent and affordable houses. Habitat homes, which are HealthyBuilt certified, are sold at no-profit to partner families, who pay back a no-interest loan.

Howl - O - Ween at the WNC Nature Center

More and more family friendly activities for the fall and Halloween keep rolling in.  The event at the nature center sounds like fun.

Howl–O–Ween at the WNC Nature Center
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 1:00 – 8:00 pm
Admission: $6.00 per person
Members of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center receive $1.00 off
Special pricing begins at 1:00 p.m.

Come visit the Western North Carolina Nature Center on Gashes Creek Road in East Asheville for Howl O’Ween! Creatures of the darkness will be on display in the Creepy Crawler Cabin along with a fabulously large 8 ft. Burmese python, a 5 ft. Red Tailed boa, legless lizards, a mass of squirming baby turtles and Halloween colored corn snakes galore brought by members of the Southern Appalachian Herpetological Society! Every hour starting at 2 p.m., learn about skulls, bats, snakes and other creepy creatures through nature programs and enrichment presentations. With arts & crafts, hot dogs, hot cider and chocolate, baked goods, and treats for the kids, a costume contest at 6:30 p.m., as well as two performances by the Mountain Marionettes at 7:00 and 7:40pm, it’s a great beginning to the ghoul season! Come dressed for the occasion!  For more information about Howl O’Ween, please contact Keith Mastin, Education Curator, at (828) 298-5600 ext. 305.

First Buncombe County H1N1 Vaccine Clinic Scheduled

This press release from the Buncombe County Health Center just arrived in my inbox. The first H1N1 shots take place tomorrow!


Buncombe County Health Center has scheduled its first H1N1 flu vaccine clinic for some individuals who are at highest risk of complications from flu.  These include:

• Pregnant women
• Children 6 months through 4 years
• Individuals 5 – 24 years of age who are at high risk of complications from flu (such as chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems)
• Healthy people 49 years and under who care for infants under 6 months of age

These are the only groups that will be vaccinated at this first clinic.


The Health Center has narrowed the priority list for this clinic because of a limited supply of vaccine.  “Pregnant women and children have shown the highest rate of hospitalization and death overall so we’re beginning with them”, said Gibbie Harris, Health Center Director.  More shipments of the H1N1 vaccine are expected and the priority groups eligible for it will expand as more vaccine arrives.  “We hope the community will support this effort and let those most at risk get the vaccine first,” said Harris. This vaccine comes from a variety of sources, and the Health Center has no control over what is received but will provide what is available now in this clinic. 


This first H1N1 flu vaccine clinic will take place Saturday, October 17 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm, or earlier if this vaccine shipment is depleted. Other important points:

• The shot in the arm will be available as well as flu mist for those who meet certain medical qualifications.
• Anyone who has had seasonal flu mist must wait at least 28 days before having H1N1 flu mist.  These people may have the H1N1 shot at any time after the flu mist.
• There is no cost to individuals for this vaccine.
• Those who attend the clinic on Saturday should park in the County parking deck and enter the Health Center from the courthouse side rather than the front parking lot.  Entrance to the deck is on College Street across from the Courthouse.  The public may also enter the deck from Woodfin Street this Saturday.  There will be no charge to park in the deck during the H1N1 vaccine clinic.

As additional vaccine arrives in the county, some area physicians will receive allotments for their pregnant patients as well as for their patients who are young or who fall into a high risk group.  Those who are unable to attend the clinic on Saturday should check with their physician to see if they will receive vaccine.


This supply of the H1N1 shot has a trace amount of preservative.  Children who are under 10 years of age will need to have a second dose of the H1N1 vaccine in order to have full immunity from this novel flu.  The second vaccine should be received at least 4 weeks after the first.


The Health Center will notify the media anytime we plan an H1N1 vaccination clinic.  The Flu Vaccine Hotline (250-6400) will also be revised when additional clinics are scheduled

YMCA Receives Grant to Open Middle School Learning Centers

I have heard some rumors about some big news coming from the YMCA of Western North Carolina.  This is the first of a few announcements that I expect to hear from them this fall.  

YMCA of WNC Receives Its Largest Program Grant Ever to Open
Two 21st Century Community Learning Centers in Buncombe County Middle Schools

Asheville, NC, Oct. 14, 2009 The YMCA of WNC today announced it received a $663,000 grant from the Department of Education to open two 21st Century Community Learning Centers in Buncombe County Middle Schools.

“This award represents the largest program grant the YMCA of Western North Carolina has ever received. It is a wonderful vote of confidence in the YMCA, our relationship with Buncombe County Schools and the amazing work of our staff,” said Paul Vest, president of the YMCA of WNC.

The grant was given as part of the No Child Left Behind Act by the Department of Education through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

The purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant funds are to assist schools, local educational activities (LEAs), and faith or community-based organizations to provide before school, afterschool and summer services through the establishment of the 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs (21st CCLCs).

The learning centers will be located in Erwin and Enka middle schools and will open Oct. 26, 2009. The centers will serve students Mon. through Thurs. with after school programs focusing on academic enrichment to improve student performance through tutoring and direct assistance. The centers will also work to increase parental involvement and support by offering evening classes focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED education throughout the year.

The centers will provide an arena for programs to improve math and literacy levels of students, support student learning and development through enrichment opportunities, building character and increasing graduation awareness and developmental assets.

“The middle school years are a crucial transition time for our students,” said Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Tony Baldwin. “These learning centers will provide important support for our students not only academically, but emotionally and socially as well, strengthening our Graduation Initiative and ultimately reducing our dropout rate. We are extremely fortunate to have a strong partnership with the YMCA as we work to keep kids in school and prepare them for 21st Century careers.”

The YMCA, in partnership with Buncombe County Schools, is working collaboratively with the Literacy Council of Buncombe County, LEAF in Schools and Streets, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, POETIX and the Buncombe County Sheriff Office to make this program a success.

“Throughout our 120 year history of serving, the YMCA has looked for opportunities to address the needs of our communities. We are ecstatic that the state is giving us, with Buncombe County Schools, the resources to positively impact and enrich the lives of these middle school students and families,” said Vest.

Each 21st Century Learning Center will serve 75 students and their families, and will choose students based on their math and reading scores. State testing actually identified more than 400 students eligible. The funding will be spread out over four years, decreasing in amount throughout the cycle and is contingent on successful completion of grant requirements and evidence of growth and progress.

Media Contact:
Jenn Murphy, YMCA of WNC, Community Development Director
(828) 210-9604, (828) 210-9014, jmurphy@ymcawnc.org

The WriteMind Institute Hosts Leading from the Heart

I have been reading a few leadership books lately and this program sounds great.  The WriteMind Institute always pulls together great programs, check it out! 
Leading from the Heart: An evening with Dave Olsen, Senior Vice President, Culture and Leadership Development for STARBUCKS

Date: Monday, October 19, 2009

Time: 7 pm

Location: WriteMind Institute for Corporate Contemplation, 84 North Lexington Avenue

Cost: $15 (FREE to WriteMind Institute members)
Beverages and desserts will be served

Reserve a seat by calling 828.253.1733 or send an email to info@writemindinstitute.com 

Dave Olsen will speak about his experience as well as interact with the audience in a discussion about authentic leadership in large and small organizations.

Dave’s relationship with Starbucks began while he owned and operated one of Seattle’s original coffee bars; he was an important account for Starbucks in the early years. Later, sourcing coffee and developing blends for Starbucks allowed Dave to cultivate relationships with small communities all over the world. In addition to working at Starbucks, Dave has served on multiple non-profit boards with national and international influence. Dave Olsen and Jonathon Flaum, director of WriteMind Institute, have found common ground in discussing the principles of servant leadership as well as the merit of having corporate executives in kayaks.

WriteMind welcomes the community to post questions for Dave Olsen prior to the event on twitter @writemindinst

Meditating with Horses from Horsesense

Horsesense is one of those Chamber members that always has something new going on that I am really intrigued by.  Some of the Chamber staff are venturing out of the office soon for a tour and visit with the Horsesense.  Look for some photos and a blog post about that soon.

Here is their latest program: Meditating with Horses
Horse Sense of the Carolinas will be holding a series, Meditating With Horses, on Thursdays this fall. Session will be held October 22 and 29, and November 5 and 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The hour will consist of a series of meditations and horse interactions, while enjoying the fall sunset at the beautiful mountain setting of the Horse Sense farm in Marshall.

No prior experience with horses is necessary. Please contact Horse Sense to register at 828-683-7304 or visit the website: www.horsesenseotc.com. Each session will cost $20.

“Horse Sense of the Carolinas (HSOTC) has been involved with the community for several years as a mental health facility and we are excitted to open our gates for the public to enjoy the healing powers of interacting with horses,” said Shannon Knapp, president of HSOTC,

“By utilizing the curious, instinctive nature of horses, participants will have the opportunity to discover and examine their relaxation patterns,” said Knapp. “The masters of clear, honest, and unbiased feedback, the horses allow those that take part to practice a whole new way of meditating and self-awareness.”

Horse Sense has been creating positive change for people and horses in Western North Carolina since 2003 and is an EAGALA-approved Provider of Continuing Education, with the first EAGALA Advanced Certified staff in the United States.

Local Developments Plan Fall Festivals

Two local community / developments are planning fall festivals for the weekend, one in North Asheville at Reynolds Mountain and one in South Asheville at Biltmore Park.  Have a fun and safe fall weekend, looks like a wet one.

Biltmore Park Town Square Fall Festival
On Saturday, October 17th, you're going to want to check out the Fall Fest 2009 in Biltmore Park Town Square. There you'll meet face painters and music makers, pumpkin painters and balloon fairies; a magacian, storytellers adn even the gang from Sesame Street! You'll find something to see on every block. So bring a friend, bring the kids - and be there too! Shop, eat and enjoy a day outside. The fun starts at 11 and lasts all afternoon. Then once the sun goes down, dance and sway under the stars as The Caribean Cowboys take the stage for a free outdoor concert.

Contact: 828-210.7525

Oktoberfest at the Reynolds Mountain Pavilion.
Join us for food, beverages, and a tour of our available properties.
Saturday, October 17th from 11am to 4pm
Sunday, October 18th from 1pm to 4pm
Come and enjoy the beautiful fall colors!

Directions to the Pavilion:
Travel North on Merrimon Ave from Downtown for 3.5 miles.
Turn right into the second entrance of Reynolds Mountain which is Senator Reynolds Road. Go past the new YMCA through the gates and straight up the mountain until you see The Pavilion at the corner of Summit Tower Circle and Senator Reynolds Road.

Express Clydesdales at the 2009 Asheville Holiday Parade

This sounds like fun! Express Employment Professionals are bringing the Express Clydesdales to lead the 2009 Asheville Holiday Parade

What Kind of "Horse Cents" Do You Have When It Comes To Showing Your Company's Community Commitment.

Express Employment Professionals invites you to show your company's Horse Cents and help children this holiday season. We are bringing the Express Clydesdales to town to lead the Asheville Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 21. Knowing how much these gentle giants delight and excite big and little kids alike, we are offering your employees and their children a chance to ride on the Express Clydesdales Wagon and meet one of the Clydesdales for a photo session. All you have to do is show your Horse Cents for Mission Children's Hospital. Visit us at expresspros.com/Horsecents to learn how your company can help.

Beauty Through Cancer Day in Asheville, October 1st

Every now and again I am incredibly moved by the efforts of our membership.  This is one of those examples.  Local business women, Earleen Bennett, has founded a new organization named Beauty Through Cancer.  The group provides therapy and social opportunities for cancer patients and survivors.  Earleen also provides, what I would call, self esteem assistance in the form of permanent makeup and wigs.

They are celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Oct 1st.  Here are the details.

What better way to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month than to introduce Beauty Through Cancer to the City of Asheville.

Join members of our organization, Board of Directors and volunteers as well as Mayor Terry Bellamy and other City Officials as we celebrate "Beauty Through Cancer" day in Asheville. 

The day will begin with businesses from all over the Western North Carolina Area donating a pledged amount of at least $1 for every customer, client, or patient they serve on October 1st to Beauty Through Cancer. You can see a list of businesses on our website that are generously supporting Beauty Through Cancer on this important day. "You could be one" !!!!!!

The day will culminate in our Grand Opening - Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and party from 5 - 7 p.m. at our office located at 131 McDowell St Suite 202 Asheville, NC

Enjoy food by Chef in Motion, Wine by WineStyles, beer, door prizes, raffle prizes, music and fun as you mingle with elected officials, community leaders, business professionals and the community at large. Meet our volunteers, board of directors and hear inspiring stories of cancer battles and survivorship! We look forward to meeting you and getting to know you.

*If your business would like to make a pledge to join our celebration of giving please call our office at 828-252-8558 for a pledge form! or email info@beautythroughcancer.org

Susan Stone of Stone Digital Media created this slideshow to help with promotion

Asheville's Habitat for Humanity to start work on 200th home

The Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity staff and board should be commended for their excellent work in our community. This is a great accomplishment that all organizations and companies in our community that have participated or donated should feel pride in. Here is the press release:

On Monday, October 5 at 12noon, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity will raise the wall of another Habitat house being built in the Enka Hills neighborhood. This time though, the house sponsor isn’t a faith community, civic group or local business – it’s the board of directors and staff of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity!

Executive Director Lew Kraus had been saying for the past twelve months that “The economy may be in a recession, but Habitat’s mission is not.” Board Vice-President Fred Barbour decided that it was time to show the community that the need for affordable housing is greater than ever and he called upon Habitat’s strongest proponents – its board and staff, to make that point. To that end, the funds and labor for this house will be coming from its internal team.

The media and public are invited to attend this special event – which happens to also be World Habitat Day 2009. And, this house will be the 200th Habitat house built in this community. After a short speaking program, Habitat board and staff members will join with the Noteboom family to raise the first wall of this 4-bedroom HealthyBuilt home.

In the past 25 years, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has welcomed 192 Buncombe County families to safe, decent and affordable houses. Habitat homes, which are HealthyBuilt certified, are sold at no profit to partner families, who pay back a no-interest loan.

The North Carolina Diamond Ring Race

Wow, I would like to sit back and watch this go down, a bunch of couples racing for a $20k ring!

A $20,000 Lazare Diamond ring has been hidden somewhere in downtown Asheville and it’s up to you to find (and keep!) it! The 1st Annual North Carolina Diamond Ring Race is a city-wide treasure hunt brought to you by Wick and Greene Jewelers! In this high-tech treasure hunt, all of the clues and riddles will be delivered via text message right to your cell phone! Any cell phone, any model, on any carrier can play! And playing is totally FREE! However, spots are limited and you must win a spot to participate. Visit northcarolinadiamondringrace.com and submit your story why you deserve to win the ring!

The race takes place on September 27 from 1 - 6 p.m.

Make sure you register so you can participate!

Weaverville Business Association Presents Art in Autumn

Weaverville's third Annual Art in Autumn outdoor arts and crafts festival takes place September 19, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rain or shine, for one full day Main Street in Weaverville, NC will be transformed into a marketplace for over a hundred juried artists and craftspeople. The music stage will feature old-time and bluegrass music. In addition to festival food vendors, area restaurants such as Blue Mountain Pizza, Well-Bred Bakery, Mike's Main Street Grill, and Sunnyside Cafe will be open during the festival. Parking is available in designated parking lots off north and south Main Street. There are designated areas for handicapped parking as well. All are welcome. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, visit artinautumn.com

2009 Bosses Day Golf Tournament

I know everyone out there is already struggling to come up with a great gift for everyone's favorite holiday, Bosses Day! The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association has answered your prayers by hosting the 2nd Annual Bosses Day Golf Tournament.

I volunteered at last year's golf tournament and it was a blast. The day starts with mimosas and blood mary's along with a continental breakfast and ends with a culinary reception following the round of golf at the Broadmoor.

Check out all the details for the day by downloading this form here!