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You’ve probably been hearing a lot about the push to “Defund the Police”. Today we discuss what that means exactly and whether we should pursue it in Asheville. Sources: City Budget Action https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/06/09/amid-calls-defund-police-asheville-freeze-apd-budget/5319849002/ Contact Your Local City Council Reps: Meet City Council

Why is my unemployment claim still “pending”? Will anyone at DES ever pick up the phone? Should I file a new claim for PUA? If you’ve filed for unemployment you may be asking yourself these very questions. Today on the pod, we have some answers. Special thanks to NC State Senator Jeff Jackson for his (as always) very informative Facebook post.

Asheville is in Phase 2 of reopening. We discuss what is allowed, what isn’t and what changes Buncombe made to the local plan. Helpful Links https://governor.nc.gov/news/key-indicators-remain-stable-north-carolina-moves-safer-home-phase-2 https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/05/22/coronavirus-buncombe-phase-2-slightly-more-restrictive-face-covering-mask-mandate/5235195002/ https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/05/21/coronavirus-buncombe-require-face-coverings-phase-2/5235955002/

A quick update on the status of testing in Buncombe County. Plus: New grant program accepting applications for struggling businesses and AVL has 2 James Beard Finalists. Helpful Links: Buncombe County Covid Symptom Self-Checker Buncombe County Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund MountainXpress Best of 2020 Ballots are due soon! https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/05/01/coronavirus-buncombe-rolls-out-covid-19-symptom-self-checker/3002845001/ https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/05/04/asheville-buncombe-5-m-hotel-tax-coronavirus-relief-bill-passes/3077748001/ 2020 James Beard finalists in Asheville, NC

It’s here! We are in Phase 1 of reopening in Asheville. We’re discussing everything that’s changing with this first phase and what we still need to do to stay safe. Plus: It’s Mother’s Day this weekend! Helpful Links: Check out Asheville Citizen Times’ graphics that clarify what is/is not allowed in Phase 1. Mother’s Day Ideas from AVL Today Biltmore Passes are on sale

Today we’re diving into the governor’s plan to reopen NC and what the remainder of the school year looks like for NC students. Good news: quarantine is almost over. Bad news: Only sort of. Helpful News Articles: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know-in-asheville-wnc-on-april-26/ar-BB13e1TJ?ocid=hplocalnews https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/04/28/coronavirus-nc-what-you-need-know-asheville-wnc-april-28/3037413001/?fbclid=IwAR2F17iuMXO2RBdFkLbTIXgWiYR3sdzgIhDsHtPwb9NoRJmLwZ_exF7emUw https://www.buncombeschools.org/departments/communications/news_feeds_and_stories/top_stories/update__16__a_message_regarding_the_remaining_school_year https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/04/23/coronavirus-nc-school-update-soon-new-k-12-grading-policy-announced/3004199001/ In need of school lunch for your child? Text ‘FOODNC’ to 877-877

Today we have answers to questions like, “Who’s getting tested in Asheville?” and “What will it take for us to reopen?” Plus: updates on the local AirBNB policies and the current outlook for the housing market. Mentioned in the episode: Buncombe Resolves to expand covid-19 testing Asheville Watchdog State Senator Jeff Jackson’s FB page Buncombe Country Rules and Regulations for Covid-19 Linda Youngblood with Movement Mortgage Housing Stats for Buncombe County

If you’re like us, you’re stuck at home and thinking of all the fun things you wish you could do around town. Today we’ve got some options of ways to stay connected to the Asheville community, all from the comfort of your living room. Take a Virtual Class at the YMCA WNC Inspired Change Yoga Fight COVID-19 Virtual Race ASHEVILLE (FREE) Virtual Tea Practice with Dobra Tea and Asheville Salt Cave Learn how to grow your own food with Wild Abundance. Front Porch Webinars for LGBTQ Southerners with the Campaign for Southern Equality. Daily Dose of Science from AMOS Wild at Home with WNC Nature Center Biltmore Virtual Tour Biltmore Bloom Report Online dance classes with Terpsicorps Dance Academy. Online concerts by Streamside Music Order a cocktail box from Cultivated Cocktails. Chris Guthrey – Psychologist / Free Handouts Core Power Yoga

If you’re looking for ways to connect with the community outside your home, try picking up some local beer or a some take-out. We’ve got some recommendations on where to pick up the latest seasonal brew and which restaurants are offering something special in addition to their regular take-out menu. Featured in this episode: Breweries Bhramari Sierra NevadaHi-WireAsheville Brewing Highland Brewing Wicked WeedGreen Man BrewingCatawba Burial BeerArchetype Unique Take-Out Options Owl BakeryAll Day DarlingGan Shan WestSunny Point828 Family PizzeriaCucina 24Farm BurgerWhite LabsSurf & Brew Fletcher Easter Basket Resources Dancing BearFrench Broad ChocolatesChocolate FetishRosabees Want to Give Back? Ivory Road Cafe – meals for Mission workersSaniway Vaccum Cleaner Company – help make masks Food Truck for Those in NeedNew Belgium – Relief fund for Restaurant/Bar Workers

The Ashevillian is social distancing this week! As with most of the world, things are not normal here, we won’t have a main story but we will have some Asheville updates. What you can expect from this episode: ways you can help out the Asheville community, or help you can take advantage of yourself, and some good news updates. An interrupting dog and some odd voice overlaps while we learn how to use new software. What you shouldn’t expect: Political news or COVID data updates for our area. Not because these aren’t important (they definitely are) but because we figured everyone might want a bit of a break. Featured in the episode: To learn more about picking up a school lunch, text FOODNC to 877-877 then call the number that comes up on the return response. Ways to Help local Restaurants / Workers Best of WNC 2020 Fill Out the Census Mother Ocean is Open! Earth Fare is returning to Asheville