Asheville Newcomer's Handbook 2009

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.

13

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.”

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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.

19

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.

21

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

LET OUR PAST LEAD TO YOUR FUTURE

Through our 112 year tradition we have found that trus relationships and innovation are the strongest attribut commitments have led our company to provide award customer service with a 2-year comprehensive warranty and structural warranty. We build every home as if it were ou build to last.

That’s a difference worth discoveri

Visit biltmorehomevaluescom to view hom worth owning with a company you can tru

Biltmore FarmsSM Homes at Biltmore Lake®, Southcliff® and Holly Springs are marketed excl Farms, LLC. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real esta No offering can be made to residents of New York until an offering plan is filed with the Depar 26 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook

E...

st, quality, tes. These d winning d a 10-year ur own, we

ing.

mes ust.

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

29

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

30 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook

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

39

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

50 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook

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52 | 2009 Newcomer’s Handbook