the all-you-need-to-know 2009
NEWCOMER'S HANdBOOK
heville
BUN C O M B E C O U N TY
Publication of the Asheville Citizen-Times
1
| 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
We’re glad you’re here
W
elcome to Asheville and Western North Carolina, the Land of the Sky. Asheville offers visitors seasonal views and opportunities all year long. From the white snow of winter to the colorful and beautiful leaves of fall, you can find and enjoy recreation, art, music, dining, plays, comedy, extreme sports, hiking trails, historic art deco architecture, friendly people, and so much more from this beautiful area of North Carolina. During your stay, be sure and visit the Blue Ridge Parkway, the North Carolina Arboretum, the Nature Center and the wonderful museums, from the Health Adventure to the Asheville Art Museum. For those who want to be pampered, we recommend the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa. The Grove Park Inn is a historic resort that offers a world-class spa and Donald Ross golf course that is as challenging as it is beautiful.
If you like houses, then we invite you to visit the largest house in America - none other than the Biltmore House built by George Vanderbilt. We’re sure you can find enjoyment, fun, entertainment and a sense of American history and adventure in Asheville and throughout Western North Carolina. We’re glad you’re here. With Regards,
Randy Hammer President & Publisher
The Asheville-Buncombe County Newcomer’s Guide is published by The Asheville Citizen-Times, P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802. All contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.
Contacts: Retail Advertising Manager, Lisa Field 828-252-3907 or 800-800-4204, ext. 3907. Graphic Design, Melissa Sweeterman. Telephone numbers are subject to change.
Contents Get to Know Us................... 6
Colleges............................ 18
Rich History......................... 7
Shopping........................... 20
Statistics............................... 9
Libraries............................. 22
Population......................... 10
Government...................... 24
Economy............................ 10
County Government......... 28
Largest Employers............ 12
State Government............ 29
Real Estate and Housing...................... 14
Taxes.................................. 29
Learning, Living & Liesure............................ 15
Legal Organizations......... 33
Law Enforcement.............. 30
Education.......................... 15
Business Organizations.................... 33
Highschool Enrollment......................... 16
A Healthy Place to Live................................ 34
Private Schools.................. 18
Life of the Arts................... 38
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Museums & Attractions.... 38 Art & Cultural Organizations.................... 39 Other Attractions.............. 40 Houses of Worship........... 41 Denominations............ 41-42 Transportation................... 43 Newspaper & Television....................... 44 Settling In.......................... 45 Enrolling in School............ 47 Employment...................... 50 Tags.................................... 50 Voting................................ 50
Get to Know Us
I
f you’ve chosen to live in Asheville, you’ve picked the right place. Asheville is a city where the quality of life is high, the weather is mild, and the people are friendly. Rated as #1 of the Top 100 Places to Live by RelocateAmerica and #6 of the Best Metro Places for Business & Careers by Forbes, Asheville is regularly in the national spotlight as one of the most highly ranked places to live and work. Surrounded by the majesty and charm of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this vibrant metropolitan area appeals to those seeking the intimacy and enchantment of a small city, as well as those in search of the cultural, educational and economic provisions of a larger one. Also named Best Southern Town by Outside Magazine, #7 of the top US/Canada Cities to Live by Frommer’s, and one of the Best Southern Cities by Southern Living magazine, Asheville has more than lived up to these designations, striving for the best in education, medical care, housing, transportation, artistic and recreational opportunities. Not only is the city’s beauty and charm a magnet for people
| 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
from throughout the country, it regularly brings in visitors from the 23 counties that comprise Western North Carolina. Residents of the region routinely travel to Asheville for specialized health care and shopping, as well as the many shows, plays, sporting events, and recreational opportunities that grace the area’s busy and diverse entertainment calendar. From Baryshnikov and beach music to Itzhak Perlman and Phantom of the Opera, Asheville offers a multitude of entertainment and artistic opportunities. Among the city’s most prestigious artistic events are the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, the fairs of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and Bele Chere, the city’s festive street fair that annually attracts thousands of people to the historic and bustling downtown community. Educational opportunities abound with the University of North Carolina-Asheville, Warren Wilson College, Montreat College, AshevilleBuncombe Technical Community College, Western Carolina University, Brevard College, and Mars Hill College within easy driving distance.
Rich History
N
estled in a valley and surrounded by mountains, Asheville was once a small crossroads town when pioneer planner and real estate broker John Burton founded it in 1793. Known as Morristown during its early years, the city was also called Buncombe Courthouse until 1797, when it was incorporated and officially named Asheville in honor of North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe of New Hanover County. At the time, Battle Square, present site of the Battery Park Hotel, stood more than 100 feet above its present height and was called River Hill. Buncombe attained county status on January 14, 1792, and was named for Revolutionary War hero Col. Edward Buncombe. Asheville soon became a focal point for speculators and adventurers, but its growth was exceedingly slow until the mid-1800s when the railway system was constructed.
made the city of Asheville. During that period, Mission Hospital was opened in a five-room house. Near the turn of the century, George Vanderbilt began construction on his now-famous mansion, the Biltmore House, to the south of the city. Other famous native sons include writers Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry. But the greatest boom period in Asheville history came during the 1920s with the development of residential subdivisions. New buildings were under construction throughout the downtown, including the Jackson Building, City Building, Buncombe County Courthouse, Grove Arcade, Battery Park Hotel, Vanderbilt Hotel, Flat Iron Building and the Bon Marche Building. Today, more art deco architecture built in the late 1920s and early 1930s can be found in downtown Asheville than in any other southeastern city except Miami Beach, Florida.
In 1882, the town of Asheville was expanded and officially
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Statistics
A
t 2,200 feet in elevation, Asheville is located on a plateau divided by the French Broad River. It is surrounded by mountains, many with elevations above 5,000 feet, and is 35 miles in area. Asheville is the county seat of Buncombe County, which covers 656 square miles. As the largest city in Western North Carolina and the 11th largest city in the state, Asheville is a regional center for manufacturing, transportation, health care, banking and professional services, and shopping. Asheville has always been known for its mild year-round
climate, with moderate winter and summer temperatures tempered by the surrounding mountains. The average annual rainfall is 47.07” and the average annual snowfall is 13.3”. According to population statistics in 2008, Asheville’s population was 70,962. The population of Buncombe County, including Asheville, was 226,674. The population of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area (which includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties) was estimated at 405,691. Source: Claritas, 2008
Average Daily Temperature~56° 81°
84°
84°
74°
73°
72° 54°
32°
65°
59° 50°
27°
35°
45°
49°
58°
63°
65°
56°
43°
59°
58°
35°
29°
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Buncombe County~Population by Age Source: Claritas, 2008
Age 0-4 6.3% (6,926)
Age 65+ 13.4% (14,319)
Age 5-14 12.42% (13,540)
Age 45-64 27.31% (29,772)
Age 15-24 13.06% (14,273)
Age 25-44 27.70% (30,187)
Economy Source: Claritas, 2008
M
% of population, Asheville/Buncombe Co.
anufacturing and tourism, as well as health care, service and trade businesses, fuel Asheville and Buncombe County’s economy. As a result of this diversity, the city and county have an economy that has provided
increased opportunities for area residents. According to Census Bureau data, the estimated median household income Buncombe County, adjusted for inflation, is $42,588 for 2008.
Buncombe Co. Annual Income by Household 40 31.1%
29.7%
30
20 14.7%
12.8% 7.8%
10
2.6%
0
up to
14,999
$
15,99924,999
25,00049,999
50,00099,999
100,000- $150,000149,999 $249,000
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
10 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
1.3% 250,000+
$
11
Largest Employers Source: The Employment Security Commision of NC, 2008
Employment Range 1. Mission Hospital
1,000 +
2. Buncumbe Co. Board of Education
1,000 +
3. State of North Carolina
1,000 +
4. Ingles Markets
1,000 +
5. County of Buncombe
1,000 +
6. Veterans Administration Hospital
1,000 +
7. City of Asheville
1,000 +
8. The Biltmore Company
500 - 999
9. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
500 - 999
10. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
500 - 999
O
ne of the fastest growing facets of the economy is retail, and Buncombe County is home to the region’s two largest malls: the Asheville Mall and the Biltmore Square Mall. Pack Place, a 130,000 squarefoot office and retail complex, is part of Asheville’s ongoing downtown revitalization. Among the other downtown retail centers are The Grove Arcade Public Market,
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The Shops on Wall Street, the Haywood Park Hotel and Promenade on Haywood Street, Lexington Avenue, and Biltmore Avenue. Historic Biltmore Village features a variety of retail businesses as do several major shopping corridors throughout greater Asheville. See page 20 for detailed retail locations throughout Asheville.
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Real Estate & Housing For information regarding real estate in the Asheville area contact: Asheville Board of REALTORS® Inc. 37 Montford Avenue | Asheville, NC 28801 828-255-8505 | Toll Free 1-800-392-2775 | Fax 828-255-0649
Buncombe Co. home sale stats Total homes sold
2,462
Average sales price
$277,503
Median selling price
$220,000
Average list price
$290,672
Median list price
$229,900
Average days on the market
113
Source: Asheville Board of REALTORS® Inc, 2008
Financial Institutions
B
uncombe County is served by 18 commercial banks, at least four savings institutions and close to 20 credit unions. These financial institutions offer
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extensive services including 24-hour automatic teller machines at 88 branches in and around Asheville. Source: :fdic.gov and ffiec.gov
Learning, Living & Liesure Education
T
he Asheville area has two school systems, the Buncombe County School system and the Asheville City School system. The Buncombe County School system is the 11th largest in the state and serves 25,739 students in 41 schools. The Asheville City School system serves approximately 3,850 students in ten schools. The city pre-school program serves approximately 235 students ages birth to four. Both the Buncombe County and Asheville City School systems offer advanced placement courses, honors programs, special education, and classes for the academically gifted. The Buncombe County School system also operates the Community High School, Progressive Education Program, Early College/Middle College and the Career Education Center. Community High School is an alternative program for atrisk students. The Progressive Education Program offers an intensive special education curriculum. Early College / Middle College programs, held on the campus of AshevilleBuncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech), enable students to earn college credits while in high school. The Career Education Center offers career and technical courses unavailable at home high schools, such as computer and network engineering, cosmetology, electronics, graphic arts, welding masonry and digital media. The Asheville City School system also operates the Randolph Learning Center, the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences (SILSA), and a preschool/Family Literacy Center.
The Randolph Learning Center is a school for at-risk students in grades 6-9, in which a low pupil/ teacher ratio (10/1) and emphasis on parent involvement encourage students to reach their maximum academic potential. SILSA, on the campus of Asheville High School, integrates a rigorous curriculum through a life-sciences theme. Many schools in each system offer after-school childcare. All elementary schools in the Asheville City School system offer after-school care. The Asheville City School system is directed by a five-member Board of Education appointed by the City Council. The Buncombe County School system is directed by a seven-member Board of Education, with six members elected to represent the districts and the seventh member elected at large. The Asheville City School system elementary program has five schools; each of the schools supports a magnet theme or a specific concentration. Parents can select the magnet school they believe best suits their child, based on available space and racial balance. The schools and their magnet programs are:
Claxton Elementary Arts & Humanities
Dickson Elementary Experiential Learning
Hall-Fletcher Elementary
Science, Math and Technology
Ira B. Jones Elementary Global Scholars
Vance Elementary
Human Diversity & Ecology 15
Highschool Enrollment Source: Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools, 2007-08
2,000
Number of students
1,500
1,000
500
Asheville
Enka
Erwin
N. Buncombe
Owen
Reynolds
Asheville City Schools 85 Mountain St. | Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-350-7000 Superintendent: Allen Johnson | 828-350-6145 Buncombe County Schools 175 Bingham Rd. | Asheville, NC 28806 | 828-255-5921 Superintendent: Dr. Tony Baldwin | 828-232-4160 See page 47 for a complete listing of schools in your area and enrollment information.
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Roberson
17
Private Schools There are many excellent private schools in the Asheville/Buncombe County area, including pre-schools, preparatory schools, and grade schools. For information about private schools, contact:
NC Division of Non-Public Education 1309 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, NC 27699-1309 919-733-4276 | www.ncdnpe.org For information on Pre-Schools and Day Care:
Buncombe County Child Care Services 59 Woodfin Place | Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-250-6700
Colleges and Universities The University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) offers undergraduate liberal arts degrees and a Master of Liberal Arts degree. It is rated one of the top public liberal arts universities in the nation, earning a national reputation for its programs in the fields of humanities, undergraduate research, atmospheric sciences and environmental studies. Additional graduate programs are available in Asheville though the Asheville Graduate Center on the UNCA campus.The school is located one mile north of downtown Asheville at One University Heights. For more information on UNCA, call 828-251-6600 or visit its Web site at www.unca.edu.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College offers career and transfer programs in allied health and public service education, business and hospitality education, engineering and applied technology, and arts and sciences. A variety of noncredit classes also are available through the college’s Economic & Workforce Development/Continuing Education Division. The main campus is located one mile south of downtown Asheville at 340 Victoria Road. A site is also available at the Asheville Mall, offering both credit and non-credit classes. For more information, call 828-254-1921.
Western Carolina University (WCU), a fast-growing campus of the University of North Carolina, stresses student-led, engaged, intentional learning, and provides its more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities for faculty collaboration, service learning and real-world experience. WCU offers more than 100 academic programs, with classes at its main campus in Cullowhee, NC, in Asheville, and online. Its business, education, entrepreneurship and health programs all recently received national recognition, as has the University’s commitment to community service and undergraduate research. In 2008, U.S. News and World Report named WCU a “great school at a great price.” 18 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Meanwhile, campus construction is in step with WCU’s growing enrollment and a new initiative will double the size of the campus to 600 acres. For more information, go to www.wcu.edu or call WCU at 828-227-7211 or its Asheville programs at 828-251-6642.
Warren Wilson College is a private, liberal arts college that combines a unique “triad” of strong academics, work for the school, and service to the community, for an involving and meaningful education. Students choose from more than 20 undergraduate majors. In addition, the college’s Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing is ranked among the top 20 nationwide by US News & World Report. The campus is located just east of Asheville. For more information on Warren Wilson College call 828-771-2000 or 298-3325, or visit online at www.warren-wilson.edu.
South College has educational programs for students seeking positions in such diverse settings as industry, government, business, law and medicine. The College offers eight associate of science degrees in a wide variety of fields, two bachelor of science degrees in legal studies and radiological sciences and a certificate program in surgical technology, all of which are designed to instill in students a desire for continual learning in a rapidly-changing technological society. Classes are offered in small class settings at 29 Turtle Creek Drive in South Asheville. For more information, call 828-252-2486.
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Shopping
A
sheville offers a wide variety of shopping opportunities, including major malls, in-town and suburban shopping centers, quaint market districts and outlet parks. Asheville’s downtown is an eclectic mix of specialty shops, apparel stores, arts and crafts galleries, bookstores, antiques and restaurants. The Grove Arcade Public Market located on O. Henry Ave. features stores, restaurants, and fresh produce. Historic Biltmore Village in South Asheville offers a variety of arts, crafts, gifts, antiques, and apparel shops, grouped in quaint, turn-of-the-century buildings. The Biltmore Antiques District, located in Biltmore Village and surrounding areas including Swannanoa River Road and Sweeten Creek Road, features at least a dozen antiques shops and malls. Asheville Mall in East Asheville is a major indoor shopping complex anchored by Sears, Belk, Dillard’s, and J.C. Penney. Biltmore Square Mall on Brevard Road, southwest of Asheville, is also enclosed and features Belks, Dillard’s, Davis Furniture and Cinebarre (a cinema/restaurant venue) as its anchor stores. Overlook Village, which features T.J. Maxx, Books-A-Million, and Ross stores, is located across from the Asheville Mall on South Tunnel Road. The East-South Tunnel Road area is anchored by Ashley Furniture, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Best Buy. River Ridge Market Place at I-240 and Fairview Road in East 20 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Asheville features an outlet park. Westgate Mall at 40 Westgate Plaza, just west of downtown Asheville off Patton Avenue (US 19-23), includes specialty shops as well as an Earth Fare grocery store featuring organic and natural foods. Innsbruck Mall on Tunnel Road is anchored by Big Lots!, Office Depot and Anna’s Linens. Riverbend Marketplace on Swannanoa River Road is anchored by Wal-Mart Superstore, Kohls, PetsMART, and Family Christian Store. Asheville has four shopping centers anchored by Kmart stores on Tunnel Rd., Patton Ave. Brevard Rd., and Hendersonville Rd. Biltmore Parkway Center, located on Hendersonville Road at the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance, is anchored by a HarrisTeeter supermarket and includes specialty shops and restaurants. Locally owned Ingle’s supermarkets anchor additional shopping centers throughout the city. River Hills Shopping Center, at the junction of highways 70 and 81, features Dick’s Sporting Goods, Office Max, Carmike Ten Theaters, Michael’s and Target. Southridge Shopping Center on Airport Road in the Arden community of South Asheville, features Target, Lowe’s, Office Max, Best Buy, Marshalls and World Market stores. Northland Shopping Center, on North Merrimon Avenue near Beaver Lake, features The Fresh Market. Stein Mart is also located nearby.
In West Asheville, a number of eclectic shops, boutiques and galleries can be found along Haywood Road. Biltmore Park Town Square, at I-26 and Long Shoals Road in South Asheville, boasts an interesting assortment of national retailers and local shops, as well as restaurants, and entertainment
venues, including an upscale YMCA and a 15-theater stadium seating movie complex. In addition, Weaverville and Black Mountain, communities adjacent to Asheville within Buncombe County, each offer a variety of local shops in quaint downtown areas.
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Libraries
W
hether you want to read the latest bestseller, hang an art print in your living room, watch a Hollywood classic on video, or search the internet, check out Buncombe County Public Libraries. With more than 529,000 books, 15,500 videos, and 875 newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as photographs, telephone books, directories, indexes, electronic resources and audios, Pack Memorial Library and its eleven community branches offer many services free to anyone with a library card. To obtain a card, you must bring valid identification with your correct Buncombe County
address, such as a driver’s license, bank statement or printed check. Students at local colleges and universities get a library card free with a valid student ID. The library also boasts the North Carolina collection, especially helpful for genealogists, and photograph and postcard collections offering a glimpse into Asheville’s past. The Thomas Wolfe collection preserves the works of the city’s most famous son. Want to read yesterday’s headlines? The library keeps back issues of the Asheville Citizen-Times on microfilm dated from 1869, and the New York Times back to 1851.
For information contact: Pack Memorial Library (Main) 67 Haywood St., Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-250-4700 www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/default.asp Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 2-5 p.m. Sundays (Sept.-May)
22 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Bumcombe County Libraries Branch libraries include: Black Mountain Library 105 Dougherty Road | 828-250-4756 East Asheville Library 902 Tunnel Road | 828-250-4738 Enka-Candler Library 1404 Sandhill Road | 828-250-4758 Fairview Library 1 Taylor Road | 828-250-6484 Leicester Library 1561 Alexander Road | 828-250-6480 North Asheville Library 1030 Merrimon Avenue | 828-250-4752 South Asheville Library (Oakley) 749 Fairview Road | 828-250-4754 South Buncombe Library (Skyland) 260 Overlook Road | 828-250-6488 Swannanoa Library 101 Charleston Street | 828-250-6486 Weaverville Library 41 Main Street | 828-250-6482 West Asheville Library 970 Haywood Road | 828-250-4750 Law Library County Courthouse | 60 Court Plaza, 10th floor | 828-250-4734
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Government
T
he City of Asheville is governed by the Asheville City Council, which consists of a mayor and six council members chosen in nonpartisan elections. City Council sets policy, adopts ordinances and sets the tax rate. The council-appointed city manager is the administrative
head of the city, directly responsible for its day-to-day operations and its 1000-plus employees. Formal Council meetings are at 5 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month in City Council Chamber on the second floor of City Hall.
Asheville City Hall 70 Court Plaza | Asheville, NC 28801 For general information call 828-251-1122 or 828-259-5955.
Department Heads Mayor’s Office
828-259-5600
City Manager
828-259-5604 or 5602
City Attorney
828-259-5610
City Clerk
828-259-5601
Civic Center
828-259-5736
Budget and Research Director
828-259-5629
Civic Center Director
828-259-5736
Community Development Director
828-259-5723
Economic Development Director
828-259-5433
Engineering & Transportation Director
828-259-5690
Finance Director
828-259-5615
Historic Resources Commission
828-259-5836
Human Resources
828-259-5690
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts
828-259-5800
Planning & Development Director
828-259-5840
Public Works Director
828-259-5935
Water Resources Director
828-259-5959
24 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
25
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TIMELY VALUES: • Financing Incentives • Additional Options • Cash Savings 214208-210
lusively by Beverly Hanks &Associates, Asheville, NC. Biltmore Farms Homes is a trademark of Biltmore ate by residents of CT, HI, ID, IL, NY, NJ, OR, PA and SC or in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law. rtment of Law of the State of New York. This offer is void where prohibited. ©2009 Biltmore Farms, LLC
27
County Government
B
uncombe County is governed by a five-member board of county commissioners, chosen every four years in partisan elections. Commissioners set policy, determine budgets for several agencies and set a property tax rate that applies countywide. The county manager is the chief administrative officer who prepares and recommends the
yearly budget to commissioners and is responsible for program development and personnel management. Board meetings are conducted every first and third Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. in Commission Chambers at 30 Valley Street. Meeting minutes are available for public inspection on the County’s Web page at www.buncombecounty.org.
Buncombe County Commissioners 205 College Street, Suite 200 | Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-250-4001 For general information call 828-250-4000
Other Numbers Include Chairman David Gantt
828-250-4006
Commissioner K. Ray Bailey
828-250-4008
Commissioner Holly Jones
828-250-4004
Commissioner Carol Weir Peterson
828-250-4005
Commissioner Bill Stanley
828-250-4007
County Manager, Wanda Greene
828-250-4100
County Attorney, Joe Connolly
828-254-6315
Board of Elections
828-250-4200
Cooperative Extension Service Director
828-255-5522
County Clerk
828-250-4105
County Planner
828-250-4102
Election Services
828-250-4200
Emergency Services
828-250-6600
Health Center
828-250-5000
Parks, Greenways and Recreation
828-250-4260
Permits & Inspections
828-250-5360
Register of Deeds
828-250-4300
Social Services Department
828-250-5500
Tax Collections Manager
828-250-4910
WNC Regional Air Quality Agency Director
828-250-6777
28 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
State Government
T
he two senators and three representatives from Buncombe County are among 170 members of the North Carolina General Assembly who meet in Raleigh biannually in regular session to adopt a state budget and enact various other laws. The General Assembly is composed of 50 senators and 120 members of the House.
State elections are held every two years on a partisan basis, with Democratic and Republican parties selecting nominees in May primaries to run against each other in November general elections. Other political parties may also nominate candidates, although none have ever won in North Carolina.
Senators and Representatives are:
Sen. Tom Apodaca Rep. Susan Fisher Rep. D. Bruce Goforth
Sen. Martin Nesbitt Rep. Jane Whilden
Taxes
T
he sales tax in Asheville and Buncombe County is 6.75%. There are several exemptions in the areas of industrial, agricultural and consumer purchases such as medicines sold on prescription. Sales of motor vehicles are taxable at three percent.
Asheville residents pay both City and County taxes. Property tax rates as of July 1, 2008, were 42 cents per $100 valuation in the city, and 53 cents per $100 valuation in the county. The City also has a 20-cent supplemental school tax.
For City and County tax information contact: Buncombe County Tax Assessor’s Office 828-250-4920
Residents of North Carolina must pay state income tax. Filing date is April 15. For state income tax information contact: North Carolina Department of Revenue 2800 Heart Drive | Asheville, NC 28806 | 828-667-5087
Automated Tax Refund Hotline 877-252-4052
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Law Enforcement
T
he Asheville Police Department, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department and the North Carolina Highway Patrol all operate within Buncombe County, which has one of the lowest crime rates in North Carolina. Asheville’s Class Three-rated City Fire Department has 11
fire stations, more than 200 firefighters and 15 pieces of motorized equipment operating within the city limits. In addition, Buncombe County has 21 volunteer fire departments as well as Emergency Medical Services and Civil Preparedness units with stations throughout the county.
Asheville Police Department The Asheville Police Department is located at 100 Court Plaza. William Hogan is police chief, 828-259-5880 Emergency: 911 Non-emergency, 24-hour hotline: 828-252-1110 Information: (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) 828-259-5870
Sheriff’s Department The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department is located at 202 Haywood Street. Van Duncan is the Sheriff, 828-250-4474. Emergency: 911 Non-emergency: 828-255-5555 Information: 828-255-5000
Animal Control City: 828-252-1110 County: 828-253-1195
Asheville Fire & Rescue Department The main fire station is located at 100 Court Plaza. Greg Grayson is fire chief, 828-259-5636. Emergency: 911 Non-emergency, Asheville: 828-259-5636 Fire Education & Prevention: 828-251-4011
Station #1 100 Court Plaza
828-259-5527
Station #2 315 Livingston St.
828-259-5460
Station #3 50 Oregon Ave.
828-259-5464
Station #4 9 Miller Rd.
828-259-5770
Station #5 1074 Hendersonville Rd.
828-259-5466
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31
Station #6 970 Haywood Rd.
828-259-5462
Station #7 37 East Larchmont
828-259-5783
Station #8 904 Tunnel Rd.
828-259-5488
Station # 9 749 Fairview Rd.
828-259-5487
Station #10 1903 Old Haywood
828-271-6120
Station #11 7 Rocky Ridge Rd.
828-271-6122
Other Important Numbers ARC of Buncombe County: (advocacy/support for the intellectually & developmentally disabled)
828-253-1255 Buncombe County Criminal Magistrate’s Office: 828-250-4690 Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center: (non-emergency assistance)
828-250-6650
Carolinas Poison Center: (Charlotte, NC) 800-848-6946 or 800-222-1222
Civil Air Patrol: 828-687-2875
Crimestoppers: 828-255-5050
Forest Service: 828-257-4832
Helpmate: (for victims of family violence) 828-254-0516
Pisgah Legal Services: 828-253-0406
Rape Crisis Center: (“Our Voice”) 828-252-0562
State Highway Patrol: 828-298-4252 Emergency 828-298-4256 Non-Emergency
Suicide Prevention: 800-273-8255
Quick Access to Community Services, Volunteer Opportunities & Crisis Line: (United Way) Dial 211 or 828-252-HELP (4357)
32 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Legal Organizations American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina Legal Assistance: 1-919-834-3390
North Carolina State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 800-662-7660, www.ncbar.org or www.ncfindalawyer.com
North Carolina Bar Association, Buncombe County Chapter Complaints against attorneys in Buncombe County 828-252-5733
Pisgah Legal Services 828-253-0406 or 800-489-6144
Business Organizations Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 828-258-6101
Asheville Board of REALTORS速 828-255-8505
Asheville Downtown Association 828-251-9973
Asheville Home Builders Association 828-299-7001
Asheville SCORE 828-271-4786
Better Business Bureau of Asheville-Western NC 828-253-2392
North Carolina Department of Insurance Western office: 828-251-6483
Mountain BizWorks 828-253-2834
33
A Healthy Place to Live
A
variety of hospitals and physicians in nearly every specialty make Asheville and Buncombe County the medical referral center for the state’s western counties. There are close to 1,000 or more physicians and 200+ dentists in the Buncombe
County area. Virtually all specialties and subspecialties are represented in our community, from neonatology to gerontology. Newcomers to Western North Carolina appreciate the sophistication of the region’s medical community.
Mission Hospital is the regional referral center for Western North Carolina. It is the founding hospital in the not-for-profit Mission Health System, Inc., which also includes McDowell Hospital in Marion, NC, and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, NC. Mission Hospital in Asheville is located on two adjoining campuses – St. Joseph at 428 Biltmore Ave. and Memorial at 509 Biltmore Ave., 828-213-1111, www.missionhospitals.org.
Mission Hospital’s specialized services include: Heart Center: Named a national Thomson Reuters Top 100 Heart Hospital seven times since 2000 for surgery and cardiology care.
Mission Children’s Hospital: Subspecialty services for newborns through adolescents with complex medical conditions, offering pediatric surgery, oncology, pulmonology, gastroenterology and endocrinology.
Fullerton Genetics Center: Advanced testing, including chromosomal microarray analysis, with personal genetic counseling.
Stroke Center: The second hospital in the Carolinas and Virginia to earn the gold-level “Get with the Guidelines” designation.
Cancer Care: Comprehensive adult and childhood programs for diagnosis and treatment, with new cancer center in planning.
Vascular Center: Advanced, often minimally invasive, surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms and other serious vascular disorders.
WNC Region’s Designated Trauma Center: Trauma surgeons and orthopedic traumatologists available 24/7 for treatment of serious trauma. Two “MAMA” medical helicopters provide fast transport.
The Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, 828-258-3888, www.redcrosswnc.org. Houses a blood donor collection and distribution center which serves the needs of 20 34 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
hospitals in the region. Disaster services and military assistance are also available and health and safety classes are taught on a weekly basis.
CarePartners Rehabilitation Hospital & Outpatient Services, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, 828-274-2400, www.carepartners.org. Provides a licensed 80-bed hospital offering services to individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental impairments, including brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, amputation, industrial injury, chronic pain, and orthopedic disabilities. Both the rehabilitation hospital and outpatient center are located on the main campus. There are four additional outpatient therapy clinics throughout Buncombe County. CarePartners also provides hospice and palliative care, home health services, adult day services and private duty services.
Charles George VA Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, 828-298-7911. Provides health care services for veterans throughout Western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina and northern Georgia. The Center consists of a 116-bed acute care hospital facility and a separate 120-bed Community Living Center, or nursing home. It also operates a Home-Based Primary Care Program, a Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Treatment Program, and a Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Franklin, NC and Rutherford County, NC. As a tertiary care facility, the Center provides services in all areas except hemodialysis, neurosurgery and radiation therapy and is classified as a Clinical Referral Level II facility. It is also a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology
35
and programs in education and research. Comprehensive health care is provided through the spectrum of primary care, tertiary care and long-term care in the areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics and extended care.
Park Ridge Hospital, on Naples Road in North Hendersonville, is off US 25, just south of Highway I-26, 828-684-8501. Since 1910, Park Ridge Hospital has provided the community with superior medical care in a compassionate, Christian environment. An acute care facility located in North Henderson County, the hospital offers state-of-the-art care as one of the 37 hospitals in the U.S. belonging to the renowned Adventist Health System. Park Ridge Hospital is the third largest employer in Henderson County with more than 1,000 associates and over 200 physicians on staff. Conveniently located between Hendersonville and Asheville, the hospital is known for bringing some of the most advanced medical technology and procedures available to the area and is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO.) Specialized services include cancer services, women’s health, sports medicine and rehabilitation, wound care and sleep disorders, among others. Full-range OB/GYN care includes traditional and alternative birthing and midwifery services. An expansion includes an 18,000-square-foot Women’s Center with Henderson County’s only dedicated C-section room. The Baby Place (obstetrics) encourages women to create an empowering birthing experience. For more information about The Baby Place, please visit www.parkridgebabies.com. Park Ridge Hospital’s HOPE Behavioral Health Services offers three distinct psychiatric units: The Women’s Unit is for women 18 and older. The two Geriatric Psychiatry Units (Medical Psychiatry and Geropsychiatry) specialize in addressing the mental health needs of persons 65 and older and also sponsors a free monthly support group for caregivers. For additional information about Park Ridge Hospital or to request an updated medical staff directory, call 828-687-3947 or visit online at www.parkridgehospital.org.
Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care Centers are neighborhood medical centers designed for people who need immediate medical attention but whose illness or injury is not life threatening. Healthcare services are also provided for area businesses and industries.
South Asheville
Weaverville
1812 Hendersonville Rd. 828-274-1462
155 Weaverville Blvd. 828-645-5088
West Asheville
Arden
1201 Patton Avenue 828-252-4878
77 Airport Road 828-651-0098
36 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Bayada Nurses, 200 Ridgefield St, #214, Asheville, 828-681-5100. Since 1975, Bayada Nurses have been helping people have a safe home life with comfort, independence and dignity, despite illness or disability. The Asheville office offers both personal care and skilled nursing services to people of all ages, servicing the counties of Buncombe, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, and Yancey. Its field staff is comprised of experienced CNAs, LPNs and RNs who have been screened, bonded and insured. An experienced RN provides clinical supervision. Bayada Nurses is CHAP-accredited and offers free insurance processing.
Buncombe County Health Center 35 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC 28801
Important Numbers Main Line
828-250-5000
Administration
828-250-5203
Breast & Cervical Cancer Control
828-250-6119
Community Health
828-250-5055
Dental Services
828-285-0622
Disease Control
828-250-5109
Environmental Health
828- 250-5016
Health Education
828-250-5040
Immunization
828-250-5096
Nutrition/WIC
828-250-5168 or 828-250-5170
Personnel Office
828-250-5206
Pharmacy
828-250-5233
Primary Care
828-250-5246
Restaurant/Lodging/Day Care Inspection
828-250-5016
Septic Permits
828-250-5016
Social Work
828-250-5299
Water Testing
828-250-5016
37
Life of the Arts
I
t’s no wonder that Asheville was ranked #2 as one of the nation’s Top 25 Arts Destinations by AmericanStyle Magazine in 2008 and 2009. The city’s cultural opportunities are abundant and varied, ranging from the Asheville Symphony, Asheville Lyric Opera, traditional mountain music and dancing, arts and crafts, professional theater productions, first-run feature films, foreign film series, several locations for live music, and more. The Asheville Art Museum, Folk Art Center, Pack Place,
and others provide a showcase for native and contemporary folk and artistic talent. The Health Adventure and WNC Nature Center provide educational opportunities, and the world-famous Brevard Music Center offers a full summer program. Community celebrations throughout the year, such as Bele Chere, Light Up Your Holidays, Goombay, Rockin’ Riverfest, Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, and Shindig on the Green, are popular among residents and visitors alike.
Museums and Attractions Biltmore Estate – The renowned 250-room French Renaissance chateau built by George Vanderbilt in 1895, is the largest private residence in America. It contains Vanderbilt’s original collection of 70,000 pieces of art, antiques and furnishings. Visitors may tour the world-famous house, gardens, farm and winery. Recreational activities include horseback riding, mountain biking, float trips, carriage rides, fly-fishing, and Segway tours, among others. The estate is located on US 25, just north of Exit 50 or 50B on I-40 in Asheville. Call 828-225-1333 or 1-800-624-1575 or go to www.biltmore.com.
Pack Place – The place for everyone! The vibrant centerpiece of downtown Asheville, this bustling complex includes the Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Earth Science Museum, Diana Wortham Theatre, and The Health Adventure museum. In addition, tickets for other area attractions may be purchased here, including the Biltmore Estate, the YMI Cultural Center and city trolley tours, among others. An Asheville landmark, Pack Place also offers meeting rooms and creative spaces for hosting special events. “Here is the Square” traces the history of downtown Asheville’s Pack Square, and is the starting point for numerous walking tours. Pack Place offers unique museum shops and is located in the midst of the galleries and restaurants of downtown Asheville. Call 828-257-4500 or visit the web site at www.packplace.org. 38 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Smith-McDowell House Museum – Step back in time at Asheville’s oldest house now restored as a museum. Included in the National Register of Historic Places, this house was built in the 1840s by the wealthiest man in Buncombe County and was later home to other important citizens, including a mayor and Civil War major. The museum, with its Olmstead-designed grounds, is located at 283 Victoria Road on the campus of A-B Technical Community College. Call 828-253-9231.
Arts, Cultural, Event and Entertainment Organizations Asheville Area Arts Council
828-258-0710
Asheville Art Museum
828-253-3227
Asheville Bravo Concerts
828-225-5887
Asheville Civic Center
828-259-5736
Asheville Community Theater
828-253-4931 or 828-254-1320
Asheville Downtown Association
828-251-9973
Asheville Lyric Opera
828-236-0670
Asheville Symphony
828-254-7046
Brevard Music Center
828-884-2011
Colburn Earth Science Museum
828-254-7162
Diana Wortham Theatre
828-257-4530
Fine Arts League of Asheville
828-252-5050
Fine Arts Theatre
828-232-1536
Flat Rock Playhouse
828-693-0731
Folk Art Center/Southern Highland Craft Guild 828-298-7928 Folkmoot USA, International Folk music and Dance Festival
828-452-2997
HandMade in America
828-252-0121
Haywood Arts Repertory Theater (HART) Waynesville
828-456-6322
Haywood County Arts Council
828-452-0593
Hendersonville County Arts Council
828-693-8504
The Health Adventure
828-254-6373
Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)
828-686-8742
Montford Park Players
828-254-5146
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and Shindig on the Green
828-258-6101, ext. 345
Pack Place Education, Arts and Science Center
828-257-4500
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater
828-689-1384
Toe River Arts Council, Burnsville
828-682-7215
Transylvania Community Arts Council, Brevard
828-884-2787
Walker Arts Center, Asheville School
828-254-6345
YMI Cultural Center
828-252-4614
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North Carolina Arboretum Just south of Asheville, this 434-acre property is positioned in one of North America’s most interesting and diverse botanical regions. Cultivated gardens reflect the unique culture, craft, and beauty of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Miles of nature trails offer leisurely walking as well as challenging hiking and biking. Located at mile marker 393 off the Blue Ridge Parkway and two miles south of I-26/Exit 33, the gardens and grounds are open to the public 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., seven days a week except Christmas (8 a.m.-7 p.m., November to March.) The Baker Exhibit Center, Education Center and Bonsai Center are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Exhibit Center houses an arts and crafts gallery featuring works for sale by local and regional artists, and the Education Center has a café (call for hours) and gift shop. The greenhouse is open 8 a.m.–2 p.m. weekdays. Call 828-665-2492 for information or go to www.ncarboretum.org for a listing of educational programs and special events.
Western North Carolina Nature Center – A leading environmental educational resource, the Nature Center offers regional animal and plant life in a natural environment. The Center also features a nature trail, indoor and outdoor exhibits and a gift shop. Located on Gashes Creek Road just off Swannanoa River Road and adjacent to Recreation Park, the Nature Center is open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. year-round, except winter holidays. Call 828-298-5600 or visit the web site at www.wildwnc.org for more information or to find out about educational programs and special events.
Other Attractions Antique Car Museum/Grovewood Gallery
828-253-7651
Asheville Tourists Baseball
828-258-0428
Blue Ridge Parkway
828-298-0398
Botanical Gardens
828-252-5190
Farmers Market
828-253-1691
Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
828-252-2711
Lake Julian Park
828-684-0376
Riverside Cemetery
828-350-2066
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
828-253-8304
Vance Birthplace
828-645-6706
WNC Agricultural Center
828-687-1414
40 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Houses of Worship
N
ewcomers searching for a place of worship will find a welcome sign on the doors of hundreds of religious institutions of diverse beliefs in Asheville. The Baptist church heads a long list of Christian denominations with more than a hundred churches under the Buncombe Baptist Association, and many more independent Baptist churches in the area.
The second-largest Christian denomination in the Asheville area is the United Methodist Church. Below is a sampling of area religious institutions in the Buncombe County area. Check the Asheville phone directory for a complete listing of denominations with their respective churches or synagogues.
Denominations in the Asheville Area African Methodist Episcopal
828-253-5191
Anglican
828-686-8505
Assembly of God
828-254-5519
Baha’i Center
828-251-1051
Baptist (First Baptist Church)
828-252-4781
Baptist (Independent)
828-254-2187
Baptist (Free Will)
828-253-5487
Baptist (General)
828 254-2187
Baptist (Southern)
828-667-9818
Catholic
828-252-6042
Catholic St. Barnabas Roman Catholic
828-684-6098
Christian & Missionary Alliance
828 253-2784
Christian Church – Disciples of Christ
828-252-1503
Christian Science
828-252-1787
Church of Christ
828-274-2829
Church of God
828 254-2222
Church of God in Christ
828 254-4951
Church of God of Prophecy
828-252-3303
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
828-687-2756
Church of the Nazarene
828-253-2095
Eckankar, Religion of the Light & Sound of God
828-254-6775 41
Episcopal Church
828-274-2681
Full Gospel
828-254-2059
Greek Orthodox
828-254-7424
Jehovah’s Witnesses
828-254-8401
Jubilee Community
828-252-5335
Lutheran, ELCA
828-253-0043
Lutheran, LCMS
828-252-1795
Mennonite
828-298-4487
Methodist
828-298-3211
Methodist-United
828-253-3316
Non-denominational Christian
828-281-3777
Pentecostal Holiness
828-684-2158
Presbyterian
828-252-8872, 828-298-4745
Presbyterian Church, PCA
828-253-6578
Presbyterian Church, USA
828-253-1431
Quakers (Religious Society of Friends)
828-258-0974
Seventh-Day Adventist
828-274-2014
Unitarian Universalist Church
828-254-6001
United Church of Christ
828-252-8729
Unity Center of Christianity
828-684-3798
Unity Church of Asheville
828-252-5010
Wesleyan
828-253-3980
Word of Faith
828-254-2059
Jewish Synagogues: Beth HaTephila Congregation (Reform)
828-253-4911
Beth Israel Congregation (Conservative)
828-252-8431
Chabad Lubavitch
828-505-0746
42 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Transportation/Communications
A
sheville is located at the junction of Interstates 26 and 40, with an I-240 connector that passes through downtown. Ten US and state highways also serve the Asheville area. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway has four access points within the Asheville area, with an additional entrance in nearby Weaverville. Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), located just 10 miles south of Asheville off I-26, offers connecting flights to any destination in the world and non-stop service to seven hub cities on commercial airlines AirTran, Continental, Delta and US Airways. AVL features a business center, wireless Internet access, Guest Services
Airlines Asheville Regional Airport Authority 828-684-2226
Center, full-service restaurant and bar, kids’ play area, art gallery and rocking chairs in waiting areas. AVL is served by six car-rental agencies, and ground transportation is available. Short- and long-term parking is located directly across from the terminal. Call the Asheville Regional Airport Authority at 828-684-2226 or visit www.flyavl.com for more information. The Asheville Transit System operates bus routes throughout greater Asheville. Private bus carriers serve limited rural and suburban areas. In addition, dozens of freight carriers, many with terminals in Asheville, provide transport service to the area.
Buses Asheville Transit System 828-253-5691
Greyhound Asheville
1-800-523-3273
at 2 Tunnel Rd., provides passenger service and package express, 828-253-5353 or 1-800-231-2222 (schedules/fare info.)
Delta
Young Transportation
AirTran 1-800-247-8726
Continental
1-800-221-1212
US Airways 1-800-428-4322
at 943 Riverside Dr., provides passenger service, charters, service for conventions and tour services, 828-258-0084
43
Limousines/Shuttle Service
Taxi Service
Airport Ground Transportation
A-Red Cab Company
828-681-0051
All American Limousine 828-667-9935
Blue Ridge Limousine 828-232-4046
Carolina Limousine & Transport 828-665-2055
828-232-1112
Beaver Lake Cab 828-252-1913
New Blue Bird Taxi 828-258-8331
Yellow Cab Company 828-253-3311
Your Cab II 828-259-9904
Newspaper & Television Asheville Citizen Times 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 828-252-5611 or 1-800-800-4204 | www.CITIZEN-TIMES.com Asheville and Western North Carolina are served by the Asheville Citizen-Times, which publishes daily and on Sunday. Founded in 1870 as a weekly newspaper, the Asheville Citizen became a daily in 1885. Association with writers like Thomas Wolfe and the poet O. Henry, both buried in Asheville, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, a familiar visitor, made for colorful newsroom stories in the earliest days. The Citizen-Times serves an area that is rural and mountainous from its headquarters in Buncombe County, the region’s only urban county. The newspaper’s independent carriers travel more than 3 million miles annually, sometimes on treacherous terrain, to deliver news and advertising messages throughout the 18-county region. In April 1997, the Citizen-Times launched its Web site, becoming the first daily newspaper in Western North Carolina to have a presence on the Internet. CITIZEN-TIMES.com is the region’s most-visited Web site. Both the Web site and the newspaper have expanded the Asheville Citizen-Times audience footprint. In 2008, newspaper readership grew 10.1%, well ahead of the 1.2% population growth the area logged during the same period.
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive, Asheville, NC 28803 828-684-1340, 800-288-8813 | www.WLOS.com WLOS serves Western North Carolina as well as upstate South Carolina. Located in Asheville, WLOS is an affiliate station of ABC and offers six daily news broadcasts.
44 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Settling In
G
etting settled in a new community can be confusing. This handy guide will help you get connected and on your way to enjoying your new home.
Department, 70 Court Plaza,
Utilities Progress Energy provides
For sewer connections, contact the Metropolitan Sewerage District, 2028 Riverside Dr., Asheville, 828-254-9646.
electric service to the AshevilleBuncombe County area. A deposit is required unless the customer has a positive credit history or a guaranteed contract signed by a current Progress Energy customer in good standing. 1-800-452-2777
PSNC Energy provides gas service. 1-877-776-2427 The local water supplier is the
Asheville Water Resources
828-251-1122. A $25 nonrefundable service fee plus a $100 deposit is required. The water authority offers next-working day installation.
Garbage Collection & Recycling The City of Asheville collects trash once per week and contracts with Curbside Management 828-252-2532 for recycling collection service every other week. All garbage must be placed in a maximum of six bags, cans, or roll-out containers. Bags or cans must
45
be at the curb between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. on your collection day. Call 828-251-1122 to learn more about trash collection, recycling or to arrange for pickup of large items or leaves/ brush. Commercial dumpster service is available through private contractors. Those living outside city limits can contract with Garbage Disposal Service, a private hauler, for trash collection, 828-253-3929.
Buncombe County’s Solid Waste Department operates the area’s landfill, transfer station and recycling centers for drop-off of trash, recyclables and hazardous waste, 828-250-5460.
Adopt-A-Street Help to reduce litter in the City of Asheville by participating in the Adopt-A-Street program. Participants agree to pick up litter from their adopted street at least six times a year. Trash bags, gloves, safety vests and other supplies are provided. For more information about adopting a street or other litter clean-ups, call Asheville GreenWorks (formerly called Quality Forward), 828-254-1776.
46 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
Telephone Most Asheville-Buncombe area telephone service is operated by AT&T, 1-888-757-6500 or 1-866-620-6000. Applications may be handled by telephone. A credit check may be required. Parts of Weaverville and other areas are served by Verizon, 1-800-483-4000 (for residential customers) and 1-800-483-5300 (for businesses). Barnardsville and some Weaverville area residents should check with TDS Telecom, 1599 Barnardsville Hwy., 828-626-2981.
Cable Television Charter Communications serves the Asheville area, offering 223 channels including 78 analog/digital video channels, 34 premium channels, 7 high-definition channels, 52 digital music express channels, 52 pay-per-view channels, and cable Internet service. The number of basic cable channels varies from location to location, as do installation fees and monthly cable rates, 1-800-955-7766 or 1-888-438-2427.
Enrolling In School
T
o enroll children in Asheville City or Buncombe County public schools, parents must first call or visit the neighborhood school. To register a student entering school for the first time, parents need the birth certificate, immunization record, social security number, previous report card (if applicable), and medical release from the Buncombe County Health Center or a personal physician.
To confirm which system (city or county) manages the nearest neighborhood school, call 828-232-4240. Transfers within and between the systems may be allowed for special circumstances, but processing and transfer fees are usually required. Both systems are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the State of North Carolina.
Asheville City Schools Claxton Elementary
Buncombe County SchoolsNorth Buncombe District Weaverville Primary
828-350-6500
828-645-4275
Hall Fletcher Elementary 828-350-6400
Weaverville Elementary 828-645-3127
Ira B. Jones Elementary 828-350-6700
North Buncombe Elementary
Isaac Dickson Elementary
828-645-6054
828-350-6800
Barnardsville Elementary Vance Elementary
828-626-2290
828-350-6600
North Windy Ridge Asheville Middle School 828-350-6200
(5th/6th grades) 828-658-1892
Asheville High School
North Buncombe Middle
828-350-2500
828-645-7944
Specialized Programs Asheville City Schools Preschool & Family Literacy Program
North Buncombe High
828-255-5423
828-645-4221
Erwin District Emma Elementary 828-232-4272
Randolph Learning Center grades 6–9 828-350-6900
Johnston Elementary
The School of Inquiry and Life Sciences (SILSA)
Leicester Elementary
828-232-4291
828-683-2341
(on the campus of Asheville High School)
828-350-2700
47
West Buncombe Elementary
Cane Creek Middle School
828-232-4282
828-628-0824
Woodfin Elementary
Valley Springs Middle
828-232-4287
828-654-1785
Clyde A. Erwin Middle School
TC Roberson High School 828-654-1765
828-232-4264
Clyde A. Erwin High School
Reynolds District Charles C. Bell Elementary
828-232-4251
828-298-3789
Enka District Hominy Valley Elementary School
Haw Creek Elementary
828-665-0619
Oakley Elementary
828-298-4022
828-274-7515
Sand Hill-Venable Elementary
Fairview Elementary
828-670-5028
828-628-2732
Candler Elementary
AC Reynolds Middle School
828-670-5018
828-298-7484
Pisgah Elementary
Cane Creek Middle School
828-670-5023
(shared with Roberson District) 828-628-0824
Enka Middle School 828-670-5010
AC Reynolds High School 828-298-2500
Enka High School 828-670-5000
Owen District Black Mountain Primary
Roberson District William W. Estes Elementary
828-669-2645
828-654-1795
Black Mountain Elementary 828-669-5217
Glen Arden Elementary 828-654-1800
Avery’s Creek Elementary 828-654-1810
48 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook
WD Williams Elementary
William W. Estes Elementary
828-686-3856
828-654-1794
Charles D. Owen Middle
Charter Schools Asheville Artspace Charter School
828-686-7739
Charles D. Owen High School
828-298-2787
828-686-3852
Evergreen Community Charter School
Specialized Programs Career Education Center
828-298-2173
828-251-0499
Francine Delaney New School for Children
Community High School
828-236-9441
828-686-7734
Early College/ Middle College
Others nearby Brevard Academy 828-885-2665
828-232-4123
Progressive Education Program T.C. Roberson High
The Mountain Community School (Hendersonville) 828-696-8480
828-654-1780
Valley Springs Middle 828-654-1792
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Employment For information about employment in the Asheville area contact:
NC Employment Security Commission Job Service Division 48 Grove St., Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-251-6200 | www.ncesc.com There are a number of private employment services in the Asheville area. For information, check the Asheville telephone directory or the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce membership directory.
Driver’s Licenses & Tags New residents must apply for a North Carolina driver’s license within 60 days of relocating in the state. Vision and knowledge tests are required, and road tests are given at the discretion of the examiner. Several documents are also necessary and are listed online at www.ncdot.org/dmv. You can also call or visit one of the two offices below for this information.
North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Patrol Building 600 Tunnel Road (US 70 East), Asheville | 828-298-4544 or 1624 Patton Avenue, Asheville | 828-251-6065) A North Carolina license plate must be purchased within 30 days of residency. An automobile title, driver’s license, and proof of insurance must be presented to the
License Tag Agency in Innsbruck Mall 85 Tunnel Road | 828-252-8526 or 153 Smokey Park Highway, Suite #8 | 828-667-2104 Automobiles must be inspected within 10 days of receiving a North Carolina license plate. Call or go to www.ncdot.org/dmv for registration requirements and fees.
Voting You may register to vote in Asheville and Buncombe County 30 days after establishing residency, but you must register more than 25 days prior to the election. You may register online, by mail or in person at the Board of Elections office (189 College St., Asheville) or any Buncombe County library. For information contact:
Board of Elections, Courthouse Annex PO Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802 | 828-250-4200
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