A-B Tech Community College and Givens Estates have signed the first comprehensive culinary apprenticeship in WNC as part of a revitalized effort to build a more highly skilled workforce through work-based learning. The apprenticeship builds on the retirement community’s recent $8 million investment in a new dining and culinary program, which includes three new restaurants, on the grounds of Givens Estates in South Asheville. “We employ many A-B Tech culinary graduates in our program, and this is the next step to helping our program grow through the combination of work-based training and academics,” said Kenneth Jensen, Givens Estates Dining Services Director. The new apprenticeship is the first to be announced under A-B Tech’s newly formed Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeships department. Learn more here.
A-B Tech has announced that fully vaccinated students will receive $150 gift cards for purchases in its college bookstore. The incentive program was implemented during A-B Tech’s annual New Student Welcome Day on Thursday, August 5. Students who are enrolled in any of the college’s academic, continuing education, or workforce programs are eligible for the vaccine incentive program. They must be registered and present a valid college or government ID and proof of vaccination at the Bailey Student Services Center on A-B Tech’s main campus in Asheville through October 15. Learn more here.
McMillan Pazdan Smith is pursuing the WELL Health-Safety Rating for all of its six offices located across the Southeast. The WELL Health-Safety Rating was created in response to COVID-19 as a way for existing buildings to implement WELL specifications that focus on the health, safety and well-being of occupants. The rating includes a variety of operational policies, maintenance protocols and plans to respond to local and global emergencies.These include detailed assessments of water and indoor air quality with new cleaning protocols, automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and first-aid certification for key staff and human resources initiatives, such as emergency preparedness. Learn more here.
Happenings:
The NC Department of Revenue is offering an Online Sellers Webinar on August 12 from 9-11 a.m. Areas of discussion will include sellers with a physical presence in NC, remote sales to NC, marketplace facilitators and sellers and registration for an NC Sales and Use Account ID. Learn more and register here.
The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is honoring U.S. veterans at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14 in a special performance of “PATRIOT” by Black Box Dance Theatre. “PATRIOT” examines the service and sacrifice of U.S. In 2019, partnering with the N.C. Arts Council and the USO, Black Box Dance Theatre began the creation of “PATRIOT,” premiering the work in 2021 to veteran and military communities across North Carolina and beyond. Tickets are $35, with discounts available to military service members and their families. Learn more and buy tickets here.
In partnership with the Blood Connection, Moonlight Makers is hosting a Blood Drive on August 20 from 1:30 – 6:30 p.m. Located at 43 Rankin Avenue in Asheville, all donors will receive a free gift from Moonlight Makers and a $20 e-Gift Card. To make an appointment at the blood drive, click this link, enter the date August 20 and enter sponsor code 6743.
Mercy Urgent Care is holding their 11th Mercy Golf Classic fundraiser on Thursday, September 2. The event—benefitting Mercy Urgent Care’s Catherine McAuley MERCY Foundation—will take place at Etowah Valley Golf & Resort, 470 Brickyard Road, in Etowah. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Tickets for individual players are $125 each, which includes lunch, drinks and a mulligan. Learn more and register here.
Montford Park Players has announced their upcoming production of the World Premiere of the grand adventure Pericles by William Shakespeare. The play will be performed in repertory with Macbeth and all performances will be at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre at 92 Gay Street in the Montford District. Dates for Pericles are September 3-12 & 25 and October 2 and 8, all on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30pm. For safety, only those with tickets will be allowed at each performance. Tickets are free available at montfordparkplayers.org.
The 17th annual Kenilworth Artists Studio Tour for 2021 will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 9-10 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This year’s brochure with studio locations can be found at multiple locations around town including the Asheville Visitors Center, Malaprops Bookstore, etc., or download here.
Hire:
Dogwood Health Trust has announced that seasoned economic and community development executive, Sarah Thompson, will be joining their Impact Team on September 7. Thompson joins Dogwood’s Impact Team as Vice President of Impact – Economic Opportunity. In this role, Thompson will be responsible for the visioning, development, and implementation of ambitious economic impact strategies that will increase pathways to high-quality and more equitable employment opportunities for Western North Carolinians. She will also lead efforts to increase support for micro and small business opportunities for under-resourced and marginalized communities. Thompson most recently served as the Executive Director for Southwestern Commission in Sylva where she directed operations of the regional council of government which serves the seven most western counties in North Carolina through community and economic development, workforce development, and area agency on aging. Learn more here.
United Federal Credit Union (United) has announced the appointment of Patrick Hunt as Mortgage Advisor at the Hendersonville South Branch at 203 Greenville Highway. Hunt brings more than 20 years of financial and customer service experience to his new role. Most recently, Hunt was Branch Banking Team Lead at Truist Bank. Learn more about United here.
Opportunity:
The team at AVLtoday is currently looking for a Digital Media Intern for the upcoming fall and/or spring semester. The ideal candidate is curious and passionate about all things Asheville, a fan of writing, social media, photography, and local news, detail-oriented, self-starter who enjoys a fun + fast-moving environment and a skilled communicator. The job includes modest compensation, opportunity for school credit, hands-on mentorship and valuable professional connections. The priority deadline is Monday, Aug. 16, but AVLToday will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply here.
Pisgah Legal Services in Asheville, NC is hiring a Controller, who will work to support and expand free legal assistance to help a growing number of very low-income people each year to solve problems related to housing, domestic violence, health care, and insufficient income. This position will prepare bi-monthly financial reports, establish and maintain financial policies and procedures, design and maintain a system of internal controls, lead annual external audit engagement and tax return preparation, lead annual organizational budget process, and supervise and lead the accounting staff. Learn more and apply.
Mars Hill University is providing grants to help eligible students pay their fall 2021 semester billing charges. The grants are part of the third round of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, a part of the American Rescue Plan which was signed into law in March, to help institutions of higher education serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are available to full-time traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate students. All students who meet the eligibility criteria will receive at least $750 toward their fall semester account. Learn more here.