i play., Inc. among nation's fastest-growing private companies, published in Inc. magazine

The i play. store at 233 Liberty St. will open its doors in the North Asheville neighborhood shops just off Merrimon and Chestnut on Wednesday, October 3rd. A ribbon cutting ceremony with the Asheville Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2^nd from 4-5 pm and the Grand Opening party is scheduled for Saturday, October 20^th, to feature giveaways, a free gift with purchase, and lots of surprises.  

The i play. store is the first brick and mortar store for Asheville-based natural baby products company, i play. Inc., and will feature their award-winning brands for babies from birth up to 4 years—i play.® swimwear and apparel, and green sprouts® feeding products, toys, and baby care. 

 “We’re excited to open a store in Asheville because that’s where the company started, and where we’ve been for the last three decades. We’re proud to be a local business and to call Asheville home,” says Becky Cannon, i play. Inc. founder and president, “and we look forward to connecting to the families that come in to see us.”

The i play. store will focus on providing excellent customer service and will feature a friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic staff. In addition to showcasing the latest baby products from i play.® and green sprouts®, the store will have an exclusive sales rack with deep discounts that bargain shoppers won’t want to miss. The store will also host a schedule of special events, classes, demos, focus groups, book readings and more, out of an additional room in the back.

As a mother of two, Cannon started i play., Inc. in 1982 as a mail-order catalog for Japanese woolen diaper covers that she operated out of her house. Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, i play., Inc. is a local family-owned baby products company with hundreds of products and over 50 employees working out of the company headquarters in Woodfin. 

Together, Cannon and her daughter, Emi Kubota, who is Vice President of i play., Inc., work with their team to design, manufacture, market, and distribute a range of healthy and safe products for babies. A brand new food line, grow healthy®, essentials for making baby food at home, will launch next Spring, as will Cannon’s first book, grow healthy. grow happy: The Guide to Natural Baby Care. 

For more information on the i play Inc. family of brands and for updates on the book, store specials, and more, visit www.iplaybaby.com.

YWCA of Asheville to hold 21st Annual Tribute to Women of Influence Event

The YWCA of Asheville will hold its 21^st Annual Tribute to Women of Influence (TWIN) awards event on Thursday, September 20, at 7 pm, at Pack Place and the Diana Wortham Theatre. The mission of the YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. The TWIN award is given to women who are role models in their fields, organizations, and community. A total of 20 women/groups of women will be honored at the event (see list below), with featured winners in the categories of equality, empowerment and transformation. The emcee will be Lisa Gatewood-McMillan of Exquisite Events & Consulting. Local filmmaker Katie Damien is producing a series of videos that will be screened at the event. Music will be provided by LYRIC.

“The YWCA is honored to celebrate this impressive group of women,” says YWCA Executive Director Beth Maczka. “The positive impact they make on our community is truly inspiring.”

Tickets to the reception and awards presentation are $60 per person. Proceeds from the TWIN event will go to support YWCA programs that bridge gaps in child care, education, health and earning power. For more information or to reserve tickets, go to www.ywcaofasheville.org or call 254-7206 x 207.

2012 YWCA Tribute to Women of Influence Honorees
Alyson Johnson-Sawyer, CarePartners Health Services 
Anna Mills, Van Winkle Law Firm 
Asheville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. 
Casey Blake, Asheville Citizen-Times 
Catherine Faherty, TEACCH-Asheville 
Dr. Elizabeth Castillo, Mission Health System/Asheville Specialty Hospital 
Evelyn Fozzard, Melvin R. Lane Foundation 
Imke Durre, NOAA's National climatic Data Center 
Irene Jurczyk, Mountain Area Health Education Center 
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Campaign for Southern Equality 
Jennifer Mayer, Charlotte Street Computers 
Joy Michelle Ponder, Asheville Fire Department 
Kappa Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
Leslie Boyd, Life O' Mike 
Marie Jensen, Eliada Homes 
Mary Kate Rikard, HomeTrust Bank 
Schell Alexander, Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association 
Stephanie Hickling Beckman, Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective 
Willie Vincent, Mountain Housing Opportunities 
Yolanda Bopp, Pisgah Legal Services

Wild Labor Day weekend planned at Pack Place

 Birds of prey, wolves, reptiles and all manner of wild life will be the focus of Wild South’s Wild Things Weekend on Saturday, September 1, from 10 am to 4 pm at Pack Place in downtown Asheville. 

Interact with wolf expert Rob Gudger and his pack of wolves, learn the important role that birds of prey play in our environment, and hear moving Cherokee animal stories from renowned historian and storyteller Freeman Owle. The event helps raise funds for Wild South’s educational outreach programs and will feature live animal shows, award winning wildlife films, and interactive exhibits from a wide range of outdoor businesses, environmental educators, and conservation groups.

“Our goal at Wild South is to inspire people to value and protect wild places and wild things.  Our wildlife education and outreach events help accomplish this in a fun-filled atmosphere that everyone can enjoy,” said Ben Prater, Associate Director of Wild South. This year’s International Wildlife Film Festival films include, “Wilderness North Carolina,” “Red Wolves at the Crossroads,” “Where Bears Belong,” and “The Hunt for Wood Turtles.”  Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the offerings from exhibitors such as REI. Inc., Diamond Brand Outdoors, Wild Birds Unlimited, WNC Nature Center, and High Touch High Tech among many others.

            Wild South is a nonprofit partner of You Get We Give (www.yougetwegive.com), a community-focused deal media and marketing company in Asheville. You Get We Give offers valuable deals to local businesses and allows the purchaser to choose one of its nonprofit partners to receive 10% of the purchase. “Wild South is excited to partner with You Get We Give.  Supporting communities is part of what we do and as a You Get We Give partner we can support local business, reach new audiences, and give people the option to support great causes like Wild South while getting a great local deal,” Prater said.

A $5 per person donation gets full access to presentations and films for the whole day. For a complete schedule and to register for the event, visit www.wildsouth.org. For more information on You Get We Give and ways to help your community visit, www.yougetwegive.com.

Bike, Walk, Take ART Transit or Run with Scissors...to the Greenway

Join the City of Asheville Greenway Commission and the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club to celebrate another section opening of our greenway system.

Reed Creek Greenway Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is Saturday, September 8 at 11 am. A guided walking tour and bike ride will follow, starting at the corner of Cauble St. & Broadway (425 Broadway Street, Downtown Asheville).The guided walking tour and interpretative talk of the greenway will be given by Seth Hendler-Voss, City of Asheville Parks, Planning, and Development Manager.

Ride with the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club starting at Carrier Park in West Asheville (meet at 9:30 am) to the Ribbon Cutting. After the ceremony, the ride continues to the greenway along UNCA & back.  For bike ride routes & guidelines visit  www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/.  Experienced riders may select an extended ride after ceremony.

Parking is also available at the Eblen Short Stop at 425 Broadway.

Questions? Contact Barb Mee, City of Asheville Transportation Planner bmee@ashevillenc.gov