Plus, the WNC Fermenting Festival.
 
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58º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:17 p.m.
 

Helping out your home sweet home
asheville skyline with the buncombe county building
Local programs can make homeownership a little easier. | Photo by AVLtoday
Owning a home can come with a lot of unexpected costs — things break out of nowhere, bills skyrocket during certain seasons, and improvements can sometimes seem out of reach.

Luckily, Buncombe County and some local nonprofit partners have set up homeowner assistance programs to help mitigate a few of these challenges. So make yourself at home because we’re going to give you a rundown of some of the programs on offer.

Note: Eligibility for these assistance programs is income-driven, so explore the requirements before you apply.

Septic repair assistance

If your septic system breaks, you’re in hot water. So the County offers grants for septic repair assistance to help with some of the expense. To qualify, you must be a Buncombe County resident who owns (and lives in) their home. You’ll need to apply for a repair permit from the County and get three contractor bids for the repairs, then submit your application either through the mail or email.

Weatherization services

If systems and materials in your home are out of date, the cost to repair or replace them can start adding up. Community Action Opportunities’ weatherization service provides safety and energy-efficiency improvements — everything from ventilation fans and insulation to carbon monoxide and smoke detectors — to qualified homeowners. The Heating/Air Repair and Replacement Program can help with broken or faulty air and heating systems.

Energy-efficient upgrades

Green Built Alliance’s Energy Savers Network offers comprehensive energy assessments and weatherization services to limited-income families in WNC as a way to combat high energy bills. The team can replace furnace filters, install storm window inserts, and even swap out old energy-inefficient light bulbs. Plus, this program is offered to both homeowners and renters.

Minor repairs + accessibility improvements

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County provides minor home repair and accessibility upgrades for eligible households with a person who is 60 years or older. The Council will send along a specialist and can install hand rails, shower wands, and other safety modifications.
 
 
Events
 
Wednesday, Oct. 25
  • Every Black Voice Lunch ‘n’ Learn | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | AmeriHealth Caritas NC Opportunity & Wellness Center, 216 Asheland Ave., Asheville | Free | Join a discussion of reparations and urban renewal — registration is required.
  • Keynote Speechcrafters Open House | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Rd., Asheville | Free | Explore and practice the art of public speaking, no matter your experience.
Thursday, Oct. 26
  • Palimpsest: Season Five Launch Party | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain | $15 | Celebrate the fifth season of this horror podcast with a pre-launch sneak peek + haunted refreshments.
  • The Improv ‘Jam Jam’ | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Mistfit Improv & Acting School, 573 Fairview Rd., Asheville | Free | Anyone can improvise — put your name in a bucket and wait for your turn (or just watch the performance).
Friday, Oct. 27
  • Community Farm Tour | Friday, Oct. 27 | 2-5 p.m. | Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Community Farm, 180 Mag Sluder Rd., Alexander | $0-$10 | Tour the 140-acre educational and working farm to see Southern Highlands Appalachian Conservatory projects — this moderate hike has several steep inclines.
  • Haunted Dog House | Friday, Oct. 27 | 4-6 p.m. | Ruff Life Dog Training Services, 95 Thompson St., Asheville | $7 | You and your pup can wander a haunted dog house filled with obstacles and games then stop by the photo booth and join the raffle.
Saturday, Oct. 28
  • Vampire Ball | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 7-10 p.m. | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain | $15-$20 | Dress to impress, dance, mingle, and indulge at this spooky fundraiser for the arts.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Finance
 

Hedonova outperforming S&P 500 by over 200%

Graph showing that since late-2019, Hedonova has outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 200%.
Since late-2019, Hedonova has outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 200%. | Graphic provided by Hedonova
Investing in alternative assets can be complex and challenging to fund. That’s where Hedonova comes in.

Hedonova makes it easy to invest by serving as a single access point to a diverse portfolio of alternative assets, including media royalties, pre-IPO startups, wine, and fine art. Since late 2019, Hedonova has outperformed the S&P 500 by 200+%.

This SEC-regulated fund has captured the spotlight, securing the best multi-strategy hedge fund award at the 2023 Hedgeweek European Awards.
 
News Notes
 
Announced
  • Chef Katie Button, Curate’s co-founder, is the guest chef for a White House State Dinner today, Wednesday, Oct. 25. After collaborating with White House chefs and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Button created a menu for the official visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. (Delish)
Civic
  • The City of Asheville announced a new policy from the Federal Housing Administration expanding mortgage financing access for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs, which the City has supported as part of affordable housing efforts, are small dwellings sharing a property with a single-family home. Check out the new incentives.
Open
  • Casey Campfield, owner of The Crow & Quill, opened a new West Asheville bar this month. The Low Down, at 723 Haywood Rd., Ste. 1, has a slightly concealed entrance through a door and down a flight of stairs — inside, you’ll find handcrafted cocktails + a cozy atmosphere. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Travel
  • Asheville Regional Airport is inviting the public to hear about its ongoing Master Plan Study and the future development of the airport. Learn more and give your input at the open house this Thursday, Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in room 346 at the Western Carolina University Biltmore Park Campus at 28 Schenck Pkwy.
Opening
  • Chef Jacob Sessoms of Table and All Day Darling has announced that his new ventures in The Radical Hotel, restaurant Golden Hour and rooftop bar The Roof, will be opening this Friday, Oct. 27. Golden Hour is a wood-fired Southern chophouse, and The Roof will offer cocktails, small bites, and live music.
Cause
  • Help kick off the work of the Harlan Serenity Foundation during its first-ever fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. The team will Climb for Recovery at Cultivate Climbing to raise money for wilderness treatment scholarships for youth struggling with substance abuse. The event is free, with donations accepted on site.
Biz
  • The City of Asheville will host an outreach event for minority- and women-owned businesses in construction or construction-related fields on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Black Wall Street AVL. It will be a chance for these businesses to network, collaborate, and make connections with City departments.
Concert
Plan Ahead
  • Looking for an elk-cellent opportunity? Great Smoky Mountains National Park put a call out for its Elk Volunteer-in-Park program. From May to November 2024, volunteers work weekly shifts in Cataloochee helping with wildlife safety and sharing safe elk-viewing info with visitors. Reach out for details.
Older Adults
  • A strong mind and body can decrease fall risk in older adults. YMCA of WNC programs like Moving for Better Balance are gentle on the body and great for maintaining flexibility + balance. Help lower your risk of falling and learn more.*
Pets
  • Nom Nom’s pre-portioned meals for dogs are made with whole-food ingredients you actually recognize — like sweet potato, beef, and pork. Get 50% off your first order (plus, free shipping).*
 
 
Festival
 

Festivals
pickles from alie rae's pimento cheese in asheville nc
Get a taste from fermenters + vendors who use fermented products. | Photo by @aliraefoods
Whether you relish some sauerkraut or savor a good sourdough, the WNC Fermenting Festival is the perfect time to culture a little community. On Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., vendors will gather at the Madison County Fairgrounds in Marshall to celebrate fermentation, preservation, and food resiliency.

The festival will feature wares from local and regional fermenters + food and craft vendors (many of whom use local ferments in their products). Vendors will be ready to share information and resources about their products and processes. You can also enjoy live music and activities and attend free demonstrations exploring the basics of making cider and kombucha, fermenting pet and livestock food, and lots more.

The event is free to attend, but there is a $5 suggested donation to benefit local food pantry Beacon of Hope Services.
 
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The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
After three years, I’ve finally updated my headshot to one that actually looks like my current face. I’m not a huge fan of being in front of the camera, so I’ve got to shout out photographer Brian Konutko, who made the process quite painless during a quick headshot pop-up. Keep an eye on Instagram for these regular mini sessions (the next is coming this Saturday, Oct. 28).
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