If summer was the season for getting together, fall is for turning over new leaves.

I’ve had the privilege of talking recently with savvy colleagues who will be helping VERVE do great things. In the coming months, we’ll roll out a new website. We’re also planning a handful of ambitious events and community projects that we’ve long had in the works. Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page (VERVE Asheville) for details. First up in October: a VERVE Night at the CarePartners Design House in Biltmore Forest that includes wine, food and design.

When you have ideas about how we can improve, please send them my way. It’s been a year since we started publishing the magazine in our larger format and on a monthly schedule. Time to kick things up a notch.

Personally, I’m turning over a few new leaves as well. I put an old pickup, a 1979 Ford that I loved. up for sale. She simply didn’t fit in my life anymore. And while I’m sad to see her go, I’ve been relieved to have one less old machine to maintain. Besides, now I’ll be freer to go out and look for new (to me, anyway) vintage stuff.

These past few weeks, I’ve helped some friends through difficult times and, in one case, with a bit of a makeover. This fall, when you get a chance, encourage someone to go after a new project or try a new look. I’m finding it’s just as fulfilling to see another person’s transformation as it is to tackle my own.

Happy reading,

Jess McCuan

jess@vervemag.com