Monday, March 15
Black Business Alliance

From 6 to 8 p.m. Existing businesses and individuals thinking of starting a business are invited to come network and learn about resources available to help grow a successful business in WNC. This meeting is free. Light refreshments will be provided. Parking provided in the city employee parking lot on Marjorie Street. RSVP by March 12 to (828) 253-2834 ext. 11, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market Street in Asheville.
We are an alliance of black business owners and professionals dedicated to strengthening each other with resources, tools, and networking opportunities in order to make our businesses prosper and to build an even stronger Asheville economic environment.

March 16 & April 6
Buncombe County Commissioners Meeting

The Commissioners meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 30 Valley Street in downtown Asheville. The Board will hear general public comment at the end of the meeting during the designated public comment period. For more information, contact the Clerk at (828) 250-4105 or e-mail her at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 23 & April 13
Asheville City Council Meeting

Asheville City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5 p.m. in the Council Chamber located on the second floor of City Hall. The meeting agenda is posted at 3 p.m. the Friday before the meeting date.

Saturday, March 20
Auditions for Representing

Auditions for the upcoming play “REPRESENTING” will be held at the W.C. Reid Center at 133 Livingston St. on March 20, 2010 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The production is written and directed by Anthony E. Alexander, Executive Artistic Director of the Cultural Artistic Ensemble of Asheville. This production will explore the untold stories of those we look at as thugs, gang-bangers, dealers, and other such labels associated with our youth today. For more information please call (828) 231-4273.

Saturday, March 20
11th Annual Science Olympiad Tournament of Young Scientists

Twelve middle schools and eight high schools in Western North Carolina will test their talents in the Science Olympiad at UNC Asheville. The competition will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at various locations across campus. Among the day’s highlights will be the “Mission Possible” event, which tests students on their Rube Goldberg-inspired inventions. The winners of the regional tournament will move on to the statewide tournament later this year.
For more information, contact Cathy Whitlock, UNC Asheville mathematics lecturer and event coordinator, at (828) 232-2269 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sunday, March 21
Women in Ethical Culture

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Joy McConnell will discuss “Women in Ethical Culture” at the March 21 meeting of the Ethical Society of Asheville. The meeting is from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the Botanical Gardens Visitor Center, 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd. Mrs. McConnell, Consulting Leader to the Ethical Society of Asheville, will share information about women in the movement who were prominent during Ethical Culture’s early years. Despite the general attitude that women’s place was in the home, the values of liberal religion spurred a number of 19th-century women to make significant contributions to societal betterment. A discussion period and informal conversation will follow the presentation. All are welcome. For more information contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.aeu.org or (828) 687-7759.   

Sunday, March 21
Billy Jonas Benefit Concert

A family event full of singalongs, bangalongs, whisperalongs, as well as improvised songs by Billy Jonas. At the Orange Peel. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and concert begins at 3 p.m. Proceeds will support Children First/CIS, RiverLink, and Appalachian Sustainable Agricultural Project. Tickets are $10 for children ages 2-12 and $15 for ages 12+. To purchase tickets contact Maccabi Academy at (828) 254-5660 or the Orange Peel at (828) 225-5851. For more information visit www.handsofhope-asheville.org

Monday, March 22
Women’s History Month Celebration

At the N.C. Museum of History, 5 East Edenton Street in Raleigh. The N. C. Council for Women, N. C. Museum of History, and Wake County Commission for Women invite you to an evening featuring a performance by the all-female singing group, Stella. Speakers include Dr. Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College, Governor Bev. Perdue, and Prof. Sally McMillen, author of Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women’s Rights Movement. A reception and book signing will follow. The event is free and open to the public and begins at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 27
Community Easter Event

Jennifer Mayer, CEO of Charlotte Street Computers, is pleased to announce their annual Easter event promoting community outreach for Asheville’s public housing community residents. Ms. Mayer hopes that this event will serve as both a fun and educational experience for both parents and children and promote community outreach to the families of Asheville’s public housing communities. Children will participate in a traditional Easter egg hunt and have their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny.

The event will take place at McCormick field. Charlotte Street Computers is asking for community donations of Easter baskets, candy, Easter eggs, and volunteers. Please contact Nelson Parets at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more donation information or to sign up as a volunteer.

The explore/Hatch Award presented by explore.org will be given in Asheville this April to a filmmaker whose short film shows a group or individual hero striving for a better world.

Explore.org is a multimedia organization that documents leaders around the world who have devoted their lives to extraordinary causes. HATCH inspires others and makes a positive impact on people and the planet in a creative way through film, music, photography, journalism, fashion, architecture, design, technology, and other creative endeavors.

The winner of the first explore/Hatch Award will be presented with a prize from explore.org founder and documentary filmmaker, Charles Annenberg Weingarten, on April 15-18.

HATCHfest Asheville will take place April 15-19. It brings together luminaries in multiple fields internationally to serve as mentors to groundbreaking new creative talent. It includes panels, workshops, keynotes, exhibits, creative networking and mentoring sessions.

Submission Guidelines:
Submit a documentary of 20 minutes or less that has been completed in the last two years. The film will showcase an individual or organization that champions the selfless acts of others, creates a portal into the soul of humanity, or inspires lifelong learning.

DVD submissions and any accompanying paperwork must be labeled “explore/Hatch Award.” The deadline is March 25, 2010. No exceptions will be made.The final five nominees will be posted on explore.org for audience consideration. The winner will be announced April 7, 2010. For more information please visit www.hatchasheville.org