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Lamplight AVL Art Recovers Grant

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Artist’s Grant hosted by Lamplight AVL

You are eligible for this grant if:

• You are an artist living, working, or sharing work publicly in the Asheville area: Asheville, Marshall, Black Mountain, Swannanoa

• You share your work publicly in our region
• Your work/practice has been demonstrably impacted by Helene
• You are willing, if selected, to make a brief impact statement either in writing or via video interview. (These impact statements greatly aid our ability to continue raising funds for our community.)

Artists of any discipline can apply, but in line with Lamplight’s Mission, we will prioritize experimental, interdisciplinary, and performance-based artists.

Application deadline: November 8th, 6:00 PM ET

APPLY HERE


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WNC Small Business Grants Available

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From the WNC Small Business Initiative:

Grants up to $25,000 are available to eligible small businesses located in Western North Carolina.

Small businesses can use the grants to cover expenses related to recovery and reopening in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Eligible uses include repair and replacement of physical damage, environmental cleanup, payment of business-related rents or mortgages, employee retention and hiring, and more.

To be eligible for a Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative grant, you must operate a small business that:

  • Is a for-profit business actively registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State (or a sole proprietorship with an active DBA filing)

  • Is physically located in one of the following Western North Carolina counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, or Yancey; or is located in the Qualla Boundary

  • Has been in existence for at least one year

  • Had less than $1,000,000 in 2023 annual gross revenue

  • Has sustained physical or economic damage (not covered by insurance or other funding sources) from Hurricane Helene

  • Is currently operating or plans to reopen

 

Click here to learn more!


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Preventing indoor air pollution after Hurricane Helene: BC public health guidelines

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BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – October 22, 2024 – The air we breathe indoors can become polluted following Hurricane Helene. In a Buncombe County alert on October 22nd, Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore has outlined some very important guidelines to follow as we cleanup after the storm. Many of us lost power for extended periods of time. Burning many fuels indoors or even nearby can pollute the indoor air with deadly carbon monoxide. The air we breathe indoors can also become polluted by mold growth in flood-damaged homes.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause severe illness, passing out and even death. Using portable generators, gas stoves, gas grills, and charcoal grills indoors can pollute indoor air with products of combustion including carbon monoxide. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, vomiting and confusion. Breathing a lot of the gas can make you pass out or die. People who breathe in excessive amounts of carbon monoxide while sleeping can die without demonstrating any symptoms beforehand.

All flood-damaged buildings and contents need to be cleaned up before people can enter them. They must be dry. Dirt and trash need to be removed. Any moldy items (like rugs) must be cleaned, dried, and disinfected or they must be removed. Remove wet drywall and insulation. Wear adequate protective gear against mold during cleanup like goggles, water impermeable gloves and an N95 face mask. Symptoms of mold-related illness can include sinus congestion, itchy eyes, breathing problems, sore throat and headache.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


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Preventing wound infections after Hurricane Helene: BC public health guidelines

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BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – October 22, 2024 – As we clean-up from the destruction from Hurricane Helene, please remember that cuts and abrasions can become infected. In a Buncombe County alert on October 22nd, Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Mullendore has outlined some very important guidelines to keep us healthy. People are more susceptible to skin wounds following accidents from the storm and during cleanup activities. Almost every resident of the city of Asheville finally has running water, although it may be contaminated. This water is different from what we are used to because it is not safe for drinking and cleaning skin wounds.

Tetanus is a rare but serious infection that is caused by a toxin produced by a bacteria found in soil, dust and feces. Contaminated wounds and cuts may develop an infection. Symptoms of tetanus can occur between 3 to 21 days after exposure. The first sign of illness is spasms of the jaw muscles. Other symptoms may include painful muscle stiffness, involuntary muscle spasms and seizures. Ten per cent of persons infected with tetanus die. The best ways to prevent tetanus infection is with vaccination and keeping all wounds clean and protected from contamination.

Good wound care includes cleaning the area with clean water and soap. Asheville water is not for cleaning wounds unless it is boiled vigorously for one minute. Bottled water is good for cleaning wounds too. All dirt and foreign material must be removed from wounds. Cover the area with a clean bandage to prevent contamination. See a medical provider if it becomes red, swollen and with thick drainage.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


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The weekly COVID-19 update: Waiting for the winter surge

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ASHEVILLE, NC – October 30, 2024 – The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 19th shows:  

  • About 1% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 2nd lowest level of 6 groups and unchanged since last week.
  • Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are minimal in North Carolina, less than 1% of all visits and a moderate decrease since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on October 16th was not reported.

Vaccine protection wanes over time and newer variants evolve to evade the body’s defenses. Persons in high-risk groups, ages 65 and older, with chronic health conditions and weakened immune systems, are more likely to develop severe illness. At-risk people can be protected, by staying home when not feeling well and keeping current with vaccination.

Americans can order up to 4 free COVID tests at COVIDtest.gov. I just did.

A new COVID vaccine is available for currently circulating strains. It is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The timing is optimal to protect against getting severely ill during the winter surge of respiratory infections. Check with local pharmacies for availability.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


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Free vaccinations and well water testing in Buncombe County

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BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – October 15, 2024 – The Buncombe County Health and Human Services staff have recommended that certain fees for the Public Health Division should be waived to help people and businesses affected by Tropical Storm Helene. The Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board has waived fees for:

-Vaccinations for flu, COVID, Tdap for tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, and hepatitis A for adults. Respiratory illnesses like the flu, COVID and whooping cough can be spread by person-to-person contact indoors especially in crowded conditions. Cuts and open wounds can become infected with tetanus by being exposed to contaminated water. Hepatitis A can be transmitted by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Vaccination is very effective in reducing the risk of getting severely ill from these diseases.

-Environmental health fees for Food Service Plan reviews for existing facilities greater than 500 square feet, renovations, and additions for facilities less than 500 square feet.

-All well permit fees, all self-collect water samples, and well water samples for a variety of toxic chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, petroleum, volatile organic compounds, nitrate and nitrites.

Fees will be waived from September 27 through December 31.

Vaccinations for residents can be obtained at the Immunization Clinic in the Buncombe County Health & Human Services Building on 40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville. Call 828-250-5096 for an appointment.

Residents who wish to test their well can pick up a test kit from the Buncombe County Permits Department at 30 Valley. Wells must be disinfected prior to testing.

 

Listen to the full report below:

 

 

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]


More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour