Hey y'all,

This week we're sharing news about Blue Ridge Community College's new anagama kiln. In Japanese, "anagama" means "cave kiln" and describes single-chamber kilns built in a sloping, tunnel shape and fueled by firewood. It's a complex, technical, and ancient design, and therefore a pretty rare one.

But what struck me most about the construction of the kiln was the effort it required: Artists from across the Southeast worked 'round the clock for five days, burning two cords of wood, to season the kiln (hence that photo above). 🔥 And when future ceramics students are ready to fire their pots, they'll have to work together to get the anagama going, too. 

It's too ripe a metaphor for me to pass up, a brazen lesson in the merits of collaboration that proves that, even in the midst of a pandemic, we still need each other.    

Till next week,

• Realty Interesting 🏘 According to the Beverly-Hanks Q3 2020 Real Estate Market Report, since this time last year, WNC's supply of homes for sale has dropped 50%. Compared to 2011, when local inventory peaked, we are down 76%. But affluent consumers are choosing to establish residency in smaller metro areas like WNC, so compared to the same period last year, luxury home sales rose from 38 to 109. Learn more.
• Five Years of Blyss  🏃🏼‍♀️  Blyss Running, an Asheville-based maker of women’s athletic apparel, is celebrating 5 years. Founder Alyson Neel is an alumna of 2 Mountain BizWorks programs and the Waypoint Accelerator (application info below 👇🏼). Blyss Running is also a member of Outdoor Gear Builders. To celebrate, Blyss is hosting an anniversary sale (Oct. 23-25), a giveaway of $50 gift cards, and a new design: the Relay Skirted Tight. 
• Just Keep Growing 🏔 According to the Visit North Carolina Visitor Impact Study for 2019, visitors to NC set a record for spending in 2019—$26.7 billion—representing an increase of 5.6% from 2018. The Western region was among the top three regions experiencing the strongest growth at 5.9%. Visitors to Transylvania Co. spent $115 million in 2019, an increase of 8.1% from 2018 and ranking the county in the top 10 for growth statewide. Transylvania Co. tourism employed over 900 people in 2019 with payroll over $22 million. Learn more. 

JOBS

• Genova Diagnostics is looking for a Software Developer.  👨🏿‍💻
• The City of Asheville is looking for a Controller. 
• Earth Fare is looking for a Wellness Category Manager.  🧼

• The Grove Park Inn is looking for a ⛳️  Groundskeeper. 

• Sovereign Remedies 🍸 is looking for Waitstaff. 
• The YMCA is looking for an Afterschool Youth Mentor.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• It's (almost) turkey time—reserve your local Appalachian Grown turkey through ASAP (the site includes prices, sizes, and pickup locations). 🦃

• Applications are now open for Mountain BizWorks' Waypoint Accelerator program for early-stage outdoor-focused companies and accepts 8 ventures per year.  🚣🏻‍♀️  Apply here. 

• Nationally recognized and former NC tourism exec Victoria “Vic” Isley will be the new president and CEO of the Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau starting Dec. 1. Learn more.
• On that note: The Board of Directors for Dogwood Health Trust has named Susan Mims, MD, MPH, the Interim CEO. 🩺  Learn more.
• Heart of Brevard and the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce announced a new joint initiative and brand intended to support local small businesses, Think Local Transylvania. Small biz that join gain access to a toolkit with marketing and promotional materials. Learn more or register for next week's info sessions. 

• The annual William A.V. Cecil Tourism Leadership Award, which honors those who have made a significant contribution to the tourism sector in Asheville and Buncombe Co., was recently awarded to the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR).  👩🏾‍🍳

• Nov. 1–Dec. 15, Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) and its Enrollment Partners of WNC will offer free assistance helping people in WNC review their options and sign up for ACA health insurance for 2021. Make a free appointment here.
• A new, rare anagama kiln was recently built by local kiln designer Preston Tolbert at Blue Ridge Community College. Numerous artists from across the Southeast took part in prepping the kiln for its initial firing. 🏺 Learn more. 
• Applications are now open for the 2021 Stand Up Initiative, which will provide pro-bono PR and digital marketing work to qualifying nonprofits. 🌲 Previously geared toward nonprofits fighting to protect public lands, it will now include those promoting diversity in the outdoors. 

🏡  Parade of Homes | The Asheville Home Builders Association's Virtual Parade of Homes features 30 newly constructed around Asheville and starts today.

🍪  Gingerbread's Back | With the Grove Park Inn's Baking Spirits Bright: Gingerbread Making Class Series, learn how to make gingerbread houses at home via a 3-part series featuring all-star chefs and competition judges.

🎤  Pitch Party | Venture Asheville's monthly (virtual) Pitch Party takes place today at 5 p.m. if you want to pitch or watch. 

🎃 Fall Facial | Zen Skincare & Waxing Studio is celebrating its 8th anniversary with a Pumpkin Peptide Polish Facial special offer ($80 for 60 min.).

👟  Run for Fun | In UNCA's inaugural Turning of the Maples Virtual 5K, complete your 3.1 mile run/walk Oct. 23–25 and take in the colorful fall leaves wherever you are.

🎫  Drive-In | Arms Around ASD is shifting its annual fundraiser to a drive-in movie and online auction, Hop to the Drive-In, Sat. Oct., 25 7–9:30 p.m.