NC Race for the Ring

For a Chance at Love, Asheville Couples Use Mobile Gaming Technology

Locals Search for a Diamond Engagement Ring Using Their Cell Phones

Buying an engagement ring can be a daunting task. But instead of letting the cost of a diamond ring put their engagement on hold, local Asheville couples now have a new way to find a ring to put on her finger.

They’re using location-based, mobile gaming technology.

“We were so pleased with last year’s event, and could not wait to do it again,” said Michael Greene of Wick and Greene Jewelers. “With this event, we’re able to give away a beautiful diamond ring in a way that’s fun for everyone.”

Wick and Greene Jewelers is the first Asheville jeweler to partner with the Google-backed mobile gaming company, SCVNGR. By developing a location-based game accessible via mobile phone, Wick and Greene Jewelers is giving couples the ability to solve challenges from their cell phones at locations all over the city to earn points for the chance to win a Wick & Greene Dream Ring featuring a Lazare diamond set in an A. Jaffe platinum and diamond setting.

To sign up, couples are required to submit their love stories at www.NCRacefortheRing.com. The grand prize diamond ring is currently on display at Wick and Greene Jewelers along with details on how to play. Wick and Greene Jewelers is located at 121 Patton Avenue in downtown Asheville.

On Sunday, September 30th, the 4th Annual North Carolina Race for the Ring participants will meet in downtown Asheville to begin the hunt. Teams of two will use their mobile phones to complete challenges at locations throughout the city in hopes to win the Wick & Greene Dream Ring.

FastMed Urgent Care of NC announces online job fairs

FastMed Urgent Care announced today an online Jobs Fair, where job seekers can learn about dozens of open positions for medical doctors (MD), doctors of osteopathy (DO), physician assistants (PA), family nurse practitioners (FNP), practicing registered nurses (PRN), and patient services staff, which is part of FastMed’s expansion throughout North Carolina. 

 

The online Jobs Fair dates are scheduled for:

·         September 25, 2012 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

·         October 2 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

The online Jobs Fair will provide information about open positions at FastMed, urgent care locations in North Carolina, general information about what it is like to work on the FastMed team, and a unique live chat session where job seekers can ask questions of senior FastMed leaders.  Job seekers should go to www.fastmed.com/jobsfair 10 minutes prior to the start of the event.  Senior executives of FastMed will kick off the jobs fair in a live chat format, describing the company, the open positions, and the types of people who thrive at FastMed, which will be followed by a questions and answers session. 

“FastMed continues to grow and bring our own unique brand of quality, personal healthcare to communities throughout North Carolina,” said Jason Williams, MPAS, Ph.D, founder and CEO of FastMed’s Eastern Region.  “As a result we are searching for top quality health care clinicians and patient services staff who have a passion for patient-centered care, and we are bringing our dozens of open positions directly to the job seekers via our online Jobs Fair.”

Williams explained that FastMed typically seeks qualified individuals who have demonstrated medical expertise and highly developed listening skills.  “We like to carefully listen to our patients, understand their needs, and provide them with exceptional medical care in our state-of-the-art facilities,” Williams added.  “All of our doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and patient services experts are servant leaders, are compassionate, and always feel they have an obligation to lifelong learning from patients as they practice medicine.”

FastMed started its rapid expansion from the original nine clinics in 2010 to 20 clinics in 2011 and will have 29 clinics by the end of 2012. Since 2011, FastMed has created more than 200 jobs by hiring highly experienced and patient centered, board-certified MDs, FNPs, PAs, medical assistants, x-ray technicians and clinic managers.

RiverLink to host river cleanup as part of statewide Big Sweep event

As part of the North Carolina Big Sweep event, RiverLink will host a Sept. 29 clean up on the French Broad River and her tributaries.

North Carolina Big Sweep, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that plans and coordinates the statewide Big Sweep. North Carolina Big Sweep was founded as Beach Sweep in 1987 by Dr. Lundie Spence of the North Carolina Sea Grant College Program. In 1989, the public-private partnership officially became Big Sweep, the nation's first statewide waterway cleanup. Since its founding, North Carolina Big Sweep has had almost 290,000 volunteers and collected over 9.8 million pounds of trash from our environment in North Carolina.

This event is a collaborative effort intended to make a big impact on trash across the French Broad River watershed in one fantastic day. Volunteer groups will meet Saturday morning to improve the aesthetic and recreational value of Western North Carolina. The event participants strive to set the example for all citizens and businesses across the region to strive for clean streets, streams and rivers.

The groups will meet independently along assigned sections of streams, roads, and rivers early that morning.  The teams will tackle trash, tires and debris, in car, on foot, and in boats at many locations, and conquer designated sections in need of cleaning.

Many of RiverLink's Adopt-A-Stream teams will be participating in the cleanup. The Adopt-a-Stream program is a hands-on way for local residents and businesses to get actively involved in improving the water quality of the French Broad River Watershed. This is a flexible program that gives groups the tools and knowledge to make a difference in your watershed by cleaning up your local stream.

Groups interested in forming an Adopt-A-Stream team should contact RiverLink's volunteer coordinator at volunteer@riverlink.org or (828) 252-8474 ext. 11 to request information and find out which sections of a stream are available for adoption.

There will be a post-cleaning shindig at the RiverLink Performance & Sculpture Plaza for all participants in the day's stewardship activities. Data will be compiled on site to reach a grand total of bags of trash and tires collected to measure the full impact of this year's Big Sweep of the French Broad River.

What: 2012 Big Sweep      

When: Saturday, September 29, 1:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m. (post-cleaning gathering)  

Where:  RiverLink Performance & Sculpture Plaza, 144 Riverside Dr. Asheville, NC 28801  

Holiday Inn Biltmore East celebrating 40 years with honors

Commitment to service and high standards has earned Holiday Inn Biltmore East at the Blue Ridge Parkway the prestigious 2012 Quality Excellence award from Intercontinental Hotel Group just as they are celebrating their 40^th anniversary. With 60% of their visitors being repeat customers, and TripAdvisor listing them with 4.5 out of 5 stars, General Manager, Dewaine Smith and his staff know the importance of customer service. 

Smith congratulates his team on this honor. ­“This past year has been especially busy with renovations and room upgrades and the opening of the new Lodge Restaurant and Big Owl’s Bar. The staff and contractors have worked hard and their efforts definitely show.” When asked about his favorite improvement, Smith smiled and replied “great dinners.” The new restaurant features local flavors such as Pecan Crusted Trout and local brews and offers a new and welcome dining choice to the area. 

This conveniently located, pet-friendly hotel is a comfortable and accessible favorite for those visiting The Cove, Warren Wilson, Montreat College as well as those traveling on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in the Asheville area. 

Clearly, business travelers, tourists and event planners all find the personal service and spotless amenities worth revisiting. Locals are now enjoying the patio dining.

Business Incentive Workshop to be held 9/27 at the Chamber

Please join us for the Business Incentive Workshop on September 27, at the Chamber 3:30-4:30pm with networking from 4:30-5pm.  The workshop will concentrate on tax credits that are available to businesses for hiring individuals within the community. The workshop will feature a panel of businesses that have capitalized on these incentives as well as support providers in the community. Please RSVP with Jody Stephenson: jstevenson@goodwillnwnc.org

NC FreeEnterprise Foundation Political Briefing 9/26; half-off registration for Chamber members

The North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation will be traveling to Asheville on Wednesday, Sept. 26 on their 2012 Fall Political Briefing Tour. Mark your calendar today and register to attend this informative political briefing. Asheville Chamber members can register for half off.

Join the NC FreeEnterprise Foundation at the Chamber for an in-depth look at the state's political arena from the business perspective and get the information you'll need for the critical 2012 General Elections. Each attendee will receive the NCFEF's Almanac of North Carolina Politics - 2012 General Election Edition, a 500-page, bound handbook containing the latest information on state politics, the candidates and the re-drawn districts.

Program highlights include an in-depth review of regional and competitive races, an analysis of district demographics, and insight into the candidates and their positions on key business issues. 

Registration can be done by emailing admin@ncfef.org (please include your name, company, Asheville Chamber member, briefing location, and preferred method of receiving the registration invoice).   

3rd Annual Mercy Golf Classic to be held 9/28

The 3rd Annual Mercy Golf Classic, presented by Clean Environments, the Brown-Mores Partnership, and Altamont Advisors Access will be held on Friday, September 28th, from 10 AM to 3 PM, at Etowah Valley Country Club and will include a delicious BBQ lunch. Event proceeds will benefit Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care medical missions locally and in Haiti. Complete the Golf Sponsor Sign Up form (printable PDF) and visit www.somsc.org/mercy for details.