Donating Furniture To Save Lives In Asheville North Carolina

By: about

Asheville Furniture Drive

When we first heard about Homeward Bound of Asheville & Western North Carolina, we knew that they helped some people that were homeless in the community, but we did not realize what a big difference they were making in so many lives. I guess you can say that we knew of the organization, but we did not really know about it. After talking to them recently, we learned a lot more.

Here are some things that you should know about Homeward Bound:

  1. They house 5-7 people on average per week.
  2. They have an 89% success ratio. With their support and rehabilitation program, it is hard not to succeed.
  3. Their overhead is only 8%. That means 92% or 92 cents out of every dollar goes to the program.

The line between having someplace to live and being homeless is many times very thin. Folks can become homeless for several reasons including job loss, divorce or separation, health issues; and sometimes it is because they do not have a support system of family and friends that they can lean on.

Homeward Bound of WNC is doing a wonderful work in our community, rescuing people from homelessness, but they have several needs that folks like us can fulfill. When someone is housed, many times they barely have anything left to their name, so furniture is one of the greatest needs to get them established in their home and to help with rebuilding their lives. This is where you can help.

Divine Living Furniture in south Asheville has just launched the Asheville Furniture Drive to benefit Homeward Bound and furnish these residences. From August 16, 2016 to September 30, 2016; you can either drop gently used furniture off at Divine Living, or contact them to arrange pick-up. They also have a program where local businesses can become an Ambassador of this campaign by gathering several pieces of furniture from their employees and staff.

For more information:

See the Event Page on AskAsheville

Read the Divine Living Event Blog Post

Learn more about the August 16th Launch Party at Divine Living

See the Facebook Event Page for the Asheville Furniture Drive 2016

 

Miss North Carolina Visits Asheville, Hendersonville & WNC

By: about

Miss North Carolina in Asheville

Miss North Carolina, who represents North Carolina at the Miss America Competition is making her way around the mountains of Asheville, Hendersonville and Western North Carolina. We were following her on Twitter, which led us to her Instagram, where we borrowed these photos to show you some of her travels in the area, including a stop at the Biltmore Estate and also the VA Hospital.

Miss North Carolina and the crew are in the area for the next few days, so you may catch her around town. Be sure to say hello and get a photo!

Survivor Contestant Jeff Varner Moving To Asheville, Launching Project Xplore

By: about

Jeff Varner Survivor TV Show
I’m Jeff Varner, former television news anchor and two-time contestant on the CBS reality show Survivor. I’m on a midlife quest. My goal is to make sure the next half of my life is more exciting than the first half has been. I’m a UNC Chapel Hill graduate and North Carolina native.
Jeff Varner Lazoom Asheville
I am launching an experience travel company called Project Xplore. It will be North Carolina’s first and only dedicated adventure travel group that’ll specialize in local adventures branching out to international trips in 2017.  We kick off our first experiences this spring/summer.
Jeff Varner Asheville Waterfalls
I grew up playing in the NC mountains. My best friends all live here. I’m an avid camper and hiker and try to hit Asheville as often as possible. I knew this town before the world fell in love with it. I show it off as often as I can.
Jeff Varner on an Asheville Food Tour
On this trip, I tested our upcoming Asheville/Blue Ridge experience itinerary. I tried to do as much as I possibly could. I introduced friends to downtown with the Eat Asheville and Lazoom tours. We spent a day on waterfall hunts finding some amazing spots. We hit every inch of the Biltmore estate and spent time soaking in the mineral tubs of Hot Springs. We spent time on the parkway. And we did it all while staying in a cabin not far from downtown. I feel like we barely touched all there is to do here. My guest is from Colorado and loved it.  A couple months ago I brought a fellow Survivor cast member here from San Francisco.  She insists I make entertaining guests in Asheville a priority.  She’s traveled the world, so that means a lot in terms of Asheville as a destination.
Jeff Varner Touring Asheville
The plan is to be here by summer.  I’ve launched my travel team from the triad but always with the goal of headquartering it in Asheville.  When I’m here, I feel uplifted, creative and free. It’s an amazing place I hope to share with the world. I love how Asheville and its people make me feel. I can’t wait to find myself waking every day as a resident of Asheville. The people, places and things to do here show me me what it means to be alive. I hope people will follow me on Twitter: @jeffvarner as well as our company @pxadventure. You can learn more at ProjectXplore.com. The site will be ready soon. We will be looking for tour guides and exciting things to offer our guests. Feel free to pass any and all our way.

Asheville Named #1 Hippie Hideout in America

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Asheville Hippie Hideout

Sure enough, in Asheville we are known for our hippies. Some have labeled us Hippie City USA, and others call Asheville… One Big Hippie Fest. I recently read on Twitter where someone said they finally found out where all of the hippies have gone, referring to Asheville North Carolina. Either way, if you have even a little “hippie” in you; you will surely like this place.

On the alot website, in the travel section, they have named Asheville #1 in a recent article titled “10 of America’s Hippie Hideouts“. Here is the full list:

  1. Asheville North Carolina
  2. Eugene, Oregon
  3. Boulder, Colorado
  4. Berea, Kentucky
  5. Burlington, Vermont
  6. Ithaca, New York
  7. Arcata, California
  8. Bisbee, Arizona
  9. Missoula, Montana
  10. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Pepsitown… Lovetown… Love Asheville!

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pepsitown lovetown love asheville

After the Pepsi billboard in Asheville was vandalized, they had to strike back. They saw this as a marketing opportunity and made the folks grin for a minute when the new billboard went up. It simply says Love Asheville, which most of us cannot argue with. Believe me, Ashevillians will put up a fight when it comes to soda pop. RC is the hipster cola of choice here in these mountains, and locally made soda is making some dents in the game; but Pepsi is putting their name back on the map with social moves like this.