Weaverville Mountain Communities 2011

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SATURDAY October 22, 2011

ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES • CITIZEN-TIMES.com

SPECIAL NEIGHBORHOOD SECTION

Cera McGinn serves coconut soup at the Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe in downtown Weaverville. The shop has become "kind of the heart of the town," according to bakery owner Judy Glicken. JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

Weaverville has gracious charm TEXT BY BARBARA BLAKE ♦ BBLAKE@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM PHOTOS BY JOHN FLETCHER ♦ JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

I

f it’s possible for a downtown to wrap its arms around you and give you a big hug, that’s what it feels like in Weaverville.

It begins with a friendly parking lot behind the town clock on Main Street, beautifully landscaped, dotted with benches and sun-dappled green space, a curious cat frolicking on the limbs of a dogwood whose leaves are just beginning to turn.

There are no parking meters demanding nickels, dimes or quarters. No ticket-taker in a kiosk asking for cash in exchange for your car’s release.

Just shaded parking spaces that

seem to say, “Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.”

Steps away both north and south on Main Street is a charming mix of shops, eateries, bedand-breakfasts and service providers that would seem to meet most every human need, from eyeglasses to furniture, from pumpkin cheesecake to prime real estate, from a bouquet of I’m-sorry roses to an ice cold beer.

In between, there are churches, the public library, Town Hall, insurance agencies, law firms and medical practices

ARTIST SHOWCASE

SEE CHARM, Page D7

A clock in downtown Weaverville tells the time — and tells visitors they're in a town that appreciates old-time small-town values. JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Decorative pottery maker Stephen Forbes is among the Weaverville-area artists featured in the upcoming Art Safari.

Page D6

Find a list of many of Weaverville’s locally owned businesses, including the Mangum Potter Studio and Gallery, on Page D7

HOME OF THE WEEK An Asianinspired home off Reems Creek Road, built in part by its owners, incorporates sustainability features.

Page D9

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A S H E V I L L E C I T I Z E N - T I M E S • C I T I Z E N - T I M E S. C O M

HOME SALES STILL IN SLOW LANE

Homes overlooking Weaverville offer terrific views, but those within walking distance of downtown are selling the quickest. PHOTOS BY JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

Weaverville housing market reflects trends in the rest of the mountains

By Mark Barrett mbarrett@citizen-times.com

WEAVERVILLE — Even in a slow housing market, homes that come on the market within walking distance of downtown usually get bought up quickly, local Realtors say.

But the housing market in the Weaverville area in general reflects the problems seen in Western North Carolina and the nation, statistics and local experts suggest.

The number of homes sold in the area rose 10.8 percent from the first nine months of 2009 to the first three quarters of 2010 but dropped by 7.2 percent from that period to the first nine months of this year, according to real estate analysis firm Realsearch.

The average sales price of a home for those periods dropped from $250,264 in 2009 to $238,259 last year, then down to $221,636 so far in 2011.

The figures are for the 28787 ZIP code, which takes in the town of Weaverville plus outlying areas like Flat Creek, Reems Creek and Jupiter.

Those numbers are well below levels seen during the peak of the market, around 2006.

But, the trends are not much different from those seen in regional and national housing markets, which have been buffeted by the poor state of the economy, financing issues and — in WNC — problems prospective buyers have in selling their homes elsewhere.

A house for sale along South Main Street in downtown Weaverville earlier this month.

The town's real estate market is facing many of the same challenges as the national market.

“I don’t think we’re distinct from the greater Asheville market,” said Paul Tierney, owner of Tierney and Co. Real Estate.

“We’re kind of a part of whatever’s happening in the broader market in Asheville and in Western North Carolina.”

Weak demand and the availability of larger numbers of homes that owners must sell or that have already been foreclosed on

have driven prices down and given buyers more ability to look for a cut-rate price, experts say.

That’s helped affordability: “Some people who were priced out of the market most definitely can find a house now,” said Cindy Ward, owner/broker at Weaverville Realty.

Price pressures

When the market was hot, sales “were largely driven by people coming in

from outside and what happened is they drove the prices up so high that local people couldn’t buy,” said Tom Garden, owner/broker at Century 21 Mountain Lifestyles real estate agency.

Now that prices have fallen, buyers “want it all and they want a great price,” Ward said.

That puts pressure on individual home owners who are forced to sell and are competing with bankowned properties, Tierney and Ward said.

“It’s easy enough for somebody who’s sitting behind a desk 2,000 miles away to lower the price to clear it off their books,” Ward said.

But, for an individual, “It can be kind of brutal” to have to drop their price significantly to get a house to sell, she said.

“It’s a very difficult conversation” when it comes time to advise sellers on where to set the asking

price for their home, Tierney said.

“Some of those people who maybe can hang on to their home, I’m thinking maybe you want to see if property values get better next year.”

Figures from Realsearch appear to reflect that trend.

Homes that sold in the first nine months of 2009 went for 4.3 percent less than their asking price.

That discount widened to 5.5 percent for the first nine months of this year.

The decline in sales from 2010 to 2011 is probably due at least in part to the stimulus federal tax credits gave to home sales last year, Garden said.

Even with the drop, “It’s a difficult time to sell, but (homes) are selling,” he said.

There was concern a few years ago that the coming of a Walmart and Lowe’s store might change the character of the town.

Tierney, at least, thinks the new retail outlets actually made Weaverville more attractive to people who are moving from more densely populated areas: “They don’t want to completely abandon the conveniences,” he said.

But there is broad agreement that the town’s hometown feel and proximity to Asheville are the biggest attractions for buyers.

“It’s the small-town charm, and it’s so close,” Tierney said.

That means that homes in downtown or within walking distance are still in demand even in a slow market.

“With its residential zoning and small-town walkable feel, to get a bargain (in or near downtown) can be an incredible challenge,” Ward said.

“Every time a home comes up (for sale) in the downtown Weaverville area, they snap them up,” Garden said.

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A S H E V I L L E C I T I Z E N - T I M E S • C I T I Z E N - T I M E S. C O M

Weaverville: a friendly town W

eaverville isn’t exactly Mayberry, but it is close. We don’t all know each other the way we once did, but we all share our love of a little town that has everything we need and almost everything we want, a town where we wave at the policemen, our neighbors and the walkers who fill the sidewalks.

Even if they don’t know our names, they can call our big dog, Jake, by name.

When I Carole was growCurrie ing up, Weaverville was COLUMNIST pretty much off the radar. All the action was in Asheville. We kept the Mars Hill-Weaverville bus line in business going to Asheville to shop downtown or to visit doctors and dentists.

Now, it seems everyone we speak to would like to live in Weaverville. It makes us ever so grateful for our little piece of real estate that is close enough to walk to everything.

We live next door to my former third-grade teacher, and four of our closest neighbors are named Betty. We still go to Asheville, but the trips are for fun instead of necessity.

For years, longtime residents spoke a mantra of not wanting their little town to change. They rallied against the Walmart, which came anyway, followed by a Lowe’s and an ABC store.

But all of that development is on the other side of (future) Interstate 26 and is out of mind for people who don’t want to go there. But if we need a camping tent or a child’s Halloween cos-

tume, we are grateful for the resources.

In a few months, we’ll have new shopping opportunities on Weaver Boulevard. Weaver Village will feature a Goodwill Store, a Zaxby’s and other businesses not yet confirmed.

The downtown area looks much the same as it once did, but the old drugstore is now the worldclass Well-Bred Bakery, where I almost never see anyone I know when I go to get a New York Times and coffee and gaze at the artisan breads and impressive desserts.

The old fire station has become the new Jack of Hearts restaurant, and across the street from it is Mike’s, a modest spot with world-class burgers.

For families, nothing beats Blue Mountain Pizza’s excellent pies and live music. Some nights when we walk through town, I marvel at the fact that the pizza place, the bakery and Jack of Hearts all have live music.

Miya Gallery and Mangum Pottery are the most visible signs of arts activity downtown, but the town is surrounded with artists who collaborate with the Weaverville Business Association for the twice-ayear Arts Safari, offering a chance for visitors to see artists and their work in their own studios.

Fall full of fun

The business association’s annual September Art in Autumn brings thousands to Main Street for a juried art show that just keeps growing.

Nothing is more smalltown perfect than the parades. Main Street closes one Friday afternoon each fall for the North Buncombe High homecoming parade with cheerleaders

Weaverville residents and visitors lined up along Main Street for the 2010 Weaverville Christmas parade despite temperatures barely above freezing. This year's parade will be Dec. 3. TIMOTHY MEINCH/TMEINCH@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM and football star throwing candy to the crowds.

The annual Christmas parade on the first Saturday in December honors a town stalwart as parade marshal, followed by floats, firetrucks and even cement trucks carrying candy-throwing folks.

Halloween for downtown residents is a stream of hundreds of kids holding out open bags, many of them brought in from areas where trick-or-treating is not so lucrative or safe.

On Sundays, there is a flurry of activity around the town’s three downtown churches, all within a block of each other. At Christmas, the same three churches collaborate for a candlelight stroll with votives lighting the way from church to church for a progressive program of Christmas music, with refreshments served at the last church.

Whenever we’ve been away for a few days, we drive through downtown looking to see if anything has changed since we’ve been gone. We’re grateful when things look comfortingly the same.

This is the opinion of Carole Currie.

Contact her at 658-1914 or CaroleCurrie@charter.net.

WEAVERVILLE FALL EVENTS » Oct. 29-30: Weaverville Art Safari. Find more on page D6 or visit www.weaverville artsafari.com. » Dec. 3: Christmas Parade, downtown.

The 2010 parade began at 1 p.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and Dula Springs Road. Details for 2011 will be posted soon at www.visit weaverville.com. » Dec. 9: Christmas Candelight Stroll, downtown. Typically 6-9 p.m.Luminaries, entertainment, carriage rides, refreshments and Santa. The website at www.visitweaverville.com/ candlelight should be updated soon with 2011 details.

Haley Ray, left, and Georgina Ray, of Mars Hill, check out the angora scarves made by fiber artist Marcia Kummerle, of Barnardsville, at a previous Art in Autumn festival in downtown Weaverville. KIM BARTO/STAFF PHOTO

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A small town with a whole lot of live music Joe Eckert has opened Jack of Hearts in the old Weaverville fire hall. The restaurant offers live music four nights each week. JOHN COUTLAKIS/JCOUTLAKIS@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

By Tony Kiss tkiss@citizen-times.com

WEAVERVILLE — Looking for some music in the north end of Buncombe County? Both the long-established Blue Mountain Pizza parlor and the newer Jack of Hearts restaurant can provide some beats with your bites.

There’s also weekend music at the Well Bred Bakery and Cafe. » Blue Mountain Pizza, 55 N. Main St., has long been a destination for both dining and listening.

Through the years, the 19th-century building has housed the old Johnson’s Hardware, a small lowpowered TV station that could only be seen in the Weaverville area, the Raven Moon cafe, Asheville Pizza Café and finally, Blue Mountain.

This spot has a friendly, smalltown community vibe, with almost nighty entertainment. A small staged tucked on one cor-

ner offers a variety of sounds.

Mostly, you will find solo performers here and some bands.

The shows here are early, running 7-9 p.m. There’s never a cover charge, but feel free to leave a tip for the players. There’s an open mic each Wednesday.

Shows coming up are Mark Bumgarner tonight, Coping Stone on Sunday, Patrick Fitzsimmons on Tuesday, Second Breakfast on Thursday, Acoustic Swing on Oct. 28, Barrie Howard on Oct. 29 and Linda Mitchell on Oct. 30.

This is one of those spots to grab a bite to eat while enjoying a show: The menu ranges from from sandwiches to salads to pizza and pasta. To learn more, call 658-8777 or visit www.blue mountainpizza.com. » Jack of Hearts, 10 S. Main St., is the latest project from Jack of the Wood founder Joe Eckert.

It’s in what was once the old Weaverville fire station, which has

been remodeled into a restaurant and listening room.

The venue has a bluegrass jam at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and an oldtime jam at 7 p.m. Thursdays.

Bands perform starting at 8 p.m.

Friday-Saturday. The music ranges from acoustic to country, American rock and pop. There music is free, and the groups perform in the dining area.

The restaurant features a “made-from-scratch” menu and includes beer, wine and cocktails.

It’s open for lunch, dinner and drinks. To learn more, call 6452700 or visit http://jackof heartspub.com. » Well Bred Bakery and Café, 26 Main St., offers live music 7-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays in the café, ranging from singer-songwriters to folk music and bluegrass bands.

To learn more, call 645-9300 or visit www.wellbredbakery.com.

Also see the story on Page D1.

Stacey Webster serves lunch at Blue Mountain Pizza in downtown Weaverville on a recent afternoon. The eatery offers live music 7-9 p.m. several nights a week. JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

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A S H E V I L L E C I T I Z E N - T I M E S • C I T I Z E N - T I M E S. C O M

The community behind a

vibrant

art scene

Events like this month’s Art Safari highlight support of volunteers

By Carol Motsinger cmotsinger@citizen-times.com

The Weaverville art scene actually stands out because of what is unseen.

It’s not just the quality, density and diversity of artists that has made this town a noted cultural destination; it’s the behindthe-scenes passion that fuels arts events and community building, said Rob Mangum, a potter and owner of Mangum Pottery Studio and Gallery on Weaverville’s Main Street.

“I think what has really made it happen for us here in Weaverville is the grassroots volunteerism,” said Mangum, who runs the studio and gallery with his wife and fellow potter, Beth.

“We have scores of volunteers that help make this happen,” he said. “We don’t have a paid position that makes any of this happen.”

“Any of this” includes the upcoming 10th annual Weaverville Art Safari, on Oct. 29-30, a self-guided studio tour of 40 regionally and nationally recognized Weaverville-area artists who produce a range of work. Mediums covered include pottery, handmade glass, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, paintings, drawings and fiber art.

The weekend will feature hands-on demonstrations, intimate exhibits in the artists’ homes and studios, and the opportunity to interact one-on-one with famed artists. Some studios even offer door prizes.

A new art safari option: Visitors can book a guided van tour from ArtistreeNC (www.artistreenc.com).

Available at additional cost, these tours are led by experts.

Drawing artists

The safari started as an idea from a group of bed-and-breakfast owners in the

spring of 2001 to attract visitors to this vibrant art community on the northern outskirts of Asheville, Mangum said. The safari now happens twice a year, in October and May. “They wanted to bring to light all the artists that were here,” he said. “The first safari really exceeded everyone’s expectations ... it started drawing artists to move to Weaverville. I know some artists who moved here for the opportunity of the safari.”

Steven Forbes-deSoule, a raku potter, has participated in every Weaverville Art Safari.

He’s been a professional artist since 1980 and moved from Atlanta to Weaverville in 1992.

“I wanted to get out of the rat race,” he said. “I now live out in the country, and am surrounded by nature all the time. What I see is what I make.”

For Forbes-deSoule, the safari is not only a “cost-efficient way to sell more work” because buyers get straight-fromthe source pricing. It’s rewarding in other ways.

It’s great to get to meet his customers, he said. “I see a lot of repeat faces and get repeat business.”

Although the “safari pretty much singlehandedly created the awareness, this image of Weaverville as an arts and crafts town,” Mangum said, other art events have solidified this reputation.

“Five years ago, we started Art in Autumn Festival,” he said. “It’s a juried arts and craft show that runs straight up the middle of Main Street and brings in really good, high quality artists ... it brings in 6,000-7,000 people.”

Like the safari, September’s Art in Autumn is produced by a collection of dedicated artists and volunteers. Weaverville’s success producing attractive arts events has attracted the attention of other small

Stephen Forbes works in his studio, making decorative pottery. He will be one of the artists participating in the Weaverville Art Safari, a self-guided tour of artists’ home studios in the Weaverville area on Oct. 29-30. BILL SANDERS/WSANDERS@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM towns in the area that want to develop an active arts community without losing its small-town charm.

Weaverville calling

That small-town charm is one of the reasons that Mangums settled in Weaverville in 1997. It was a homecoming in a way for Rob Mangum, whose parents are potters who worked out of Allegheny County.

After the couple graduated from N.C. State’s design school, they called multiple cities home, but their path continued to take them to the Weaverville are.

“Everywhere that we lived, we always had wholesale accounts and sales in Western North Carolina,” Mangum said.

The couple are also musicians — Beth is a guitarist and Rob is an old-time fiddler — and they always seemed to find themselves jamming with some fellow players on WNC visits.

Weaverville popped up on their radar when they decided to relocate because some old-time music friends were living there.

“Weaverville always seemed to be calling us,” he said.

Stephen Forbes stands with some of the decorative pottery he makes and sells. BILL SANDERS/WSANDERS@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

IF YOU GO What: Weaverville Art Safari When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 29-30. There’s also a preview party at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.

Where: Weaverville area (download a map at www.weavervilleartsafari.com). The preview party is at Reems Creek Golf Club.

Admission: Tour is free; the preview party is $10 at the door, with a silent auction, door prizes heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a cash bar. Door prize tickets are $5 each.

Learn more: www.weavervilleartsafari.com.

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A painting by Maureen Hoxie. She's a part of this year's Weaverville Art Safari. SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN-TIMES

A piece from Michael Hatch, an artist featured in the Weaverville Art Safari.

SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN-TIMES

GALLERIES IN WEAVERVILLE » Art Accents, 1 S. Main St., 658-9133, www.art-accents.com.

Framing and gallery. » Mangum Pottery Studio and Gallery, 16 N. Main St., 6454929m www.mangumpottery. com. Decorative and functional wares by potters Rob and Beth Mangum. » Miya Gallery, 20 N. Main St., 658-9655, www.miyagallery.com.

Fine art and crafts.

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CHARM: TOWN OPEN TO VISITORS

Weaverville business directory Antiques/Art » Art Accents, 1 S. Main St., 658-9133; www.art-accents.com. » Mangum Pottery Studio and Gallery, 16 N. Main St., 645-4929 or www.mangum pottery.com. » Miya Gallery, 20 N. Main St., 658-9655 or www.miya gallery.com. » Preservation Hall, 115 N. Main St., 645-1047 or www.preservation-hall.com. » Shop Around the Corner, 55 N. Main St., 777-9206 or 775-2499 or http://shoparound thecorner.blogspot.com.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE D1

— all within easy walking distance of the friendly parking lot.

There’s something strangely inviting about almost every storefront downtown, whether it’s an elaborate window dressing, cozy tables for al fresco dining, happy flowers in pots or just an open door that beckons a visitor to see what’s inside.

Rob Mangum brings his well-mannered dog to work at his gallery and studio, leaving his door open so passers-by can glimpse the spectacular artistry of Mangum Pottery or just stop by to chat and pet the pup.

His studio is “the oldest of the new” businesses downtown, opening 14 years ago when Main Street wasn’t nearly as vibrant and eclectic as it is today. The vibe started buzzing a little more when Miya Gallery opened a few years later, followed nine years ago by the Well-Bred Bakery and Café, which acts as one of the hubs of Main Street.

“Honestly, it was really sleepy when we came here,” said bakery owner Judy Glicken, who also is president of the 50-member Weaverville Business Association. “Now, we’re a cohesive downtown neighborhood — and it is a real neighborhood.”

Glicken said she thinks of the bakery as “kind of the heart of the town,” and it seems that way — filled at all hours with other shop-owners grabbing a bite, lawyers doing business over coffee and baklava, town residents relaxing with laptops and lattes.

“And now there’s so much more,” Glicken said.

“Miya Gallery is such a fabulous place, and the fabulous aabani Salon on the corner, and the new Jack of Hearts down the street — it’s kind of like Weaverville is finally coming together.”

Generous neighbors

Dan Ward, owner with his wife, Nancy, of the Inn on Main Street Bed & Breakfast, said what impresses him the most about Weaverville is that it’s “kept its innocence.”

“We describe it as a cosmopolitan Mayberry,” said Ward, who’s operated the B&B for 13 years. “You can go down to the WellBred Bakery and get a latte and a New York Times and be in the middle of Manhattan, but you’re not — you’re in this tiny little town where everybody knows each other, and it’s still got this laid-back, slow pace.”

As an example of the kind of folks who live and work in this tiny little town, Ward points to fellow business owners like Matt Danford, owner of Blue Mountain Pizza, who has donated more than $50,000 to local charities since opening more than seven years ago, and throws a free Thanksgiving meal each year for anyone who wants to come by his restaurant and music hall to share the holiday.

Then there’s Rodney Edwards, who runs Rodney’s Auto Service up the street and is constantly sponsoring toy runs and other fundraisers for charities, and keeps the North Buncombe High School football schedule posted on his front window.

“Rodney holds these car shows where these motorheads will come out and talk about where to find an old clutch for $40, and he’s done so much in the way of making Weaverville what it is,” Ward said. “He’s not just a good ole boy.”

Edwards disagrees.

“Ain’t but three of us rednecks left in Weaverville,” he said with twinkling eyes as he worked underneath a Subaru on the rack in his garage.

“But I’m about the biggest thing in town — anything that happens on Main Street, I’ve got a hand in it,” he said.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011 D7

Beth and Rob Mangum at work making pottery at Mangum Potter Studio and Gallery in downtown Weaverville. JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM Edwards left the Subaru and walked to the front of his lot. “Let me show you something,” he said, pointing to his business sign, which carries the words, “God is in control.”

“That’s why I’m doing such good business, that right there,” he said. “I’m just doing honest work.”

‘A really good vibe’

Across the street from Rodney’s is Shope’s Furniture, which has been in the spot on Main Street since 1942 and has been handed down to the third generation, Scott Shope — one of the other two “rednecks” Edwards laughingly referred to.

Shope, an avid golfer, proudly displays on his counter a framed, autographed photograph of Billy Graham in waders, holding a fishing rod and a freshly caught fish.

“My grandfather took him on his first trout-fishing trip, to the South Toe River,” Shope said proudly.

A young mother with two boys came into the furniture store to make a payment by check, and Shope handed her a handwritten, paper receipt. As he conducted the transaction, he asked about the family, and she referred to one of the boys’ academic accomplishments.

“Who’s his teacher?”

Shope asked with interest, and the conversation continued in that direction.

Shope may be part of the old guard on Main Street, but it doesn’t stop him from renting space in his building to an edgy yoga studio. And he has nothing but praise for the “new” downtown.

“Seems like the pulse has really picked up. …

There was a time downtown almost flat-lined, but we’ve got a host of people, like Rob down at Mangum, who’ve brought in new blood and a really good vibe,” he said.

“It’s about as tight as I’ve ever seen it,” Shope said. “We’ve got a real good sense of community.”

Seems like everyone on Main Street is watching out for each other. Merchants put water bowls for dogs outside their front doors. The clerk at the Weaverville Drug Co.’s ice cream counter making a sweet confection for a customer pauses with her spoon in a jar to ask, “Do you like it really peanuty?”

The area around the town clock is beautifully maintained by members of the Weaverville Garden Club who, instead of asking the town government to keep it beautiful, just do it themselves.

Brown’s Floral Design across from the bakery donated miles of pink satin

ribbon to help support three local women who are taking part in today’s Avon Walk breast cancer fundraiser in Charlotte, and 25 Weaverville businesses donated a portion of the day’s sales to the cause on “Pink Day,” Oct. 6.

One of those women, Nan Leininger, moved to Weaverville with her husband after “literally living around the world” as a result of his work with the State Department.

“We were going to spend three years looking for the perfect place to retire,” she said, recalling a visit to the town in 2008.

“Three days later, we bought our lot. And I’ve never regretted it once.”

Glicken ran a multimillion-dollar bakery business with 150 employees in New York City before moving to Weaverville 13 years ago, fully planning to “chill out and relax — I had no intention of getting back in the baking business.”

After a few years, she “got the itch” and opened the Well-Bred, and can’t imagine being happier than she is in her adopted hometown, where she lives two minutes from the bakery.

“I call Weaverville the best of small-town living,” Glicken said. “And for a gal from New York City, that’s saying a lot.”

Accommodations » Dry Ridge Inn, 26 Brown St., 658-3899, 800-839-3899 or www.dryridgeinn.com. » Inn on Main St. B&B, 88 S. Main St., 645-4935 or www.innonmain.com.

Clothing/Sporting Goods/Pet Care » Curtis Wright Outfitters, 24 N. Main St., 645-8700 or www.curtiswrightoutfitters.com. » Sea Scapes Aquariums & Pet Supplies, Retail Outlet at The Weaverville Market, 68 Monticello Road, 658-2389. » Weaverville Pet Pantry, 25/70 & Monticello Road, southwest corner, 484-9247 .

Home & Garden » Brown’s Floral Design, 25 N. Main St., 645-6544 or www.brownsfloraldesign.com and www.browns weddingdesign.com. » Dry Ridge Stone, 34 Hamburg Drive, 645-0823. » Reems Creek Nursery & Landscaping, 70 Monticello Road, 645-3937 or www.reemscreek.com. » Shecology, 713-4031 or www.shecology.com. » Shope's Furniture, 31 N. Main St., 645-3091 .

Restaurants/Food » Blue Mountain Pizza, 55 N. Main St., 658-8778 or www.bluemountainpizza.com. » Maggie B's Wine Bar and Specialty Shop, 113 N. Main St., 645-1111 or www.maggieb swine.com. » Mike’s Main St. Grill, 5 S. Main St., 645-5500 or www.mikesmainSt.grill.com. » Weaverville Milling Co. Restaurant, 1 Old Mill Lane, 645-4700 or www.weaverville milling.com.

» Well Bred Bakery & Cafe, 26 N. Main St., 645-9300 or www.well-bredbakery.com.

Salons & Spas » aabani Salon & Spa, 12 North Main St., 484-8488 or www.aabani.com. » A Way to Heal Massage, 337-9245. » Dry Ridge Family Medicine, Dr. Nicole Ogg, 104 N Main St. 645-7974. » Massage Therapy and Bodywork, 113 N Main St, Suite B, 545-9763. » Optix Eyewear Art, Kim Walters, O.D., P.A., 49 North Buncombe Middle School Road, 645-0061 or www.optix-eye.com. » Weaverville Drug Company, 3 N. Main St., 645-3087 or www.weavervilledrug.com. » Weaverville Eye Associates, Dr. Douglas C. Hauschild, PLLC, 40 N. Main St., 658-0564.

Services » Allstate: The Tarrants Agency, 52 S. Main St., 6582295. » Carolina First, 150 Weaver Blvd., 645-6610. » Century 21 Mountain Lifestyles, Hwy 25/70, 1 mile west, 658-2264 . » Dry Ridge Appraisal Service, 29 N. Main St., 6451050. » Edward Jones, Bill Boughton, financial advisor, 61 Weaver Blvd., 645-0341. » Home Trust Bank, 76 N. Main St., 645-4277 or www.hometrustbanking.com. » M7 Realty Solutions, 55 N. Main St., 645-5600 . » Mercer Design Group, 205 Flat Creek Village Drive, 6457088 or www.mercer designgroup.com. » Norman Riddle Law Offices, 5 Blueberry Ridge, 658-0077. » North End Computers, 68 Monticello Road, 484-8444 or www.north-endcomputers.com. » RBC Bank, 81 Weaver Blvd., 645-2300 . » Root & Root Law, 22 N. Main St., 645-7080. » State Farm Insurance Agency, Tammy Allison, 41 Monticello Road, 645-5511 or www.statefarm.com. » United Country: Peregrine Properties, 2 S. Main St., Suite 1, 658-8441 . » Wallace Shealy Real Estate, 581-4603 . » Weaverville Realty, Cindy & John Ward, owners/brokers, 658-0700 .

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SATURDAY October 22, 2011

ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES • CITIZEN-TIMES.com

Finding joy in

conservation TEXT BY ADRIENNE BELZ ■ CITIZEN-TIMES CORRESPONDENT ■ PHOTOS BY JOHN FLETCHER ■ JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

L

enore and Joe Baum didn’t just watch the construction from their RV parked near the site of their present-day house. They got their hands dirty, too.

“We saved at least $150,000 by working on our house ourselves,” Joe Baum said, a retired GM engineer and manager.

For more than a year, the Baums built their house in Ox Creek, off Reems Creek Road, with two professional carpenters.

The Baums weren’t just careful in their expenditures on labor, though. From the cooking-class-friendly kitchen to the outdoor shower behind their home used for more than half the year, the couple designed everything to “feed their souls.”

Lenore needed a large, well-situated kitchen to conduct vegan cooking classes as part of her business, Natural Cuisine. The kitchen ended up becoming the centerpiece of their house, featuring a narrow cupboard for long pans, a Bosch dishwasher, a Wolf range and two sinks — one for produce and one for dishwashing, just as Lenore dreamed it.

While the Baums splurged on the kitchen appliances as well as the Japanese soaking tub in their bathroom, they set up countless tools to help them conserve and save money in the long run. They gather rainwater in tanks outside to water their plants. They use a hybrid car. The windows in the house cater to daytime solar heat. Tightly sealed with Icynene insulaton, the house receives ventilation in specific places and gains airflow as well as cooling through fans and shading eaves.

Behind their house, up on the hill, solar heating panels soak in heat from the sun to offer hot water and heat in the Baums’ home.

Aesthetically the house is cozy yet uncluttered with a Japanese-style folk house look. “I’ve always been interested in Asian design,” Lenore said. Architect Chris Larson brought nature inside to dwell with the Baums.

Birch branches, stones and straight lines are just a few of the hints of the Japanese flair in their home. It’s small, yet there’s space for Lenore and Joe to design food, teach, meditate, do yoga and entertain.

More photos on Page D10.

FIND A PHOTO GALLERY AND A LONGER STORY ONLINE AT CITIZEN-TIMES.COM.

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HOME OF THE WEEK

&

A S H E V I L L E C I T I Z E N - T I M E S • C I T I Z E N - T I M E S. C O M

The Baums' large kitchen serves as a classroom for Lenore's culinary instruction. JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

Green cozy in Weaverville

TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE HOUSE, VISIT CITIZEN-TIMES.COM NUTS & BOLTS House stats: 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 2,700 square feet.

Contractor: Douglas Clark/Greenbrier Builders.

Architect: Chris Larson.

Landscapers: Lenore and Joe Baum.

The Asian value of simplicity is clear in the Baums' bedroom decor. JOHN

Ornate geometric woodwork characterize the staircase and the mezzanine overlooking the kitchen.

FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

A study offers light and air as well as high ceilings. JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

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HOME & GARDEN

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011 D11

A starting point for numerous outdoor activities

By Karen Chávez KChavez@CITIZEN-TIMES.com

WEAVERVILLE — The best things about living in Weaverville for Bonnie and Chris Allen are the general outdoors beauty and the quick access to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Allens are hiking enthusiasts who lead hikes for the Carolina Mountain Club, often along the parkway just north of Asheville.

One of the best-known and bestloved hikes is Rattlesnake Lodge, Bonnie Allen said, and the fall is probably the best time to hike the trail.

“It’s not a good place in the summer because of poison ivy, but it’s a great trail to hike now,” she said. “It has switchbacks to the top, and then you get the reward, if you’re a history buff, of seeing the remains of the lodge.”

Rattlesnake Lodge, which sits off the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, is easily accessed off Ox Creek Road, which connects Weaverville to the parkway.

The trail climbs about 600 feet in elevation over switchbacks that lead to the stone ruins of a summer lodge built in the early 1900s by Asheville physician Dr. Chase Ambler. Interpretive signs at the site installed by the National Park Service point out the remains of the swimming pool and other buildings.

“Since it is on the Mountainsto-Sea Trail, you can go as far as you want to or hook into it from the parkway,” said Allen, who will be leading a CMC hike in the area on Nov. 27.

The hike in from Ox Creek Road is close to 3 miles round trip, or you can also take a shorter, steeper climb up through the woods starting at the Tanbark

The Vance Birthplace is one of the leading tourist sites in Weaverville, and it’s not far from a Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. The Catawba Militia, seen here, visits occasionally to demonstrate 18th- and 19th-century military drills and camps. PHOTOS BY JOHN FLETCHER/JFLETCHER@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM Tunnel, at Milepost 374, and head back down.

Another hike off Ox Creek Road of recent increased interest is the MST at Bull Gap, Allen said.

On a visit to Asheville in April 2010, President Barck and first lady Michelle Obama took a short stroll on this trail.

“It’s narrow, rocky and rooty,” Allen said of the MST, which leads south from Bull Gap about a mile to Craven Gap, where the first couple took a brief hike. “I probably would have taken them someplace with a better view.”

But while there are no spectacular views or historic buildings along this section, she said it is a great place for beginning hikers to get a taste of mountain trails and a sprinkling of fall mountain colors.

Near downtown

If sticking closer to town, some other Weaverville spots to get a breath of fresh outdoor air are the Vance Birthplace, Lake Louise and the Main Street Nature Park.

The historic Vance Birthplace on Reems Creek Road features the birthplace of North Carolina’s

Civil War governor, Zebulon Baird Vance. The site, which is free and open year-round, includes a five-room log house, reconstructed around original chimneys, and outbuildings furnished in the 1795-1840 era.

In the heart of town, just off Main Street behind Town Hall, is the Main Street Nature Park, which has a 1/3-mile walking path, where you can walk your dog on leash.

And just south of Main Street, at the intersection of Merrimon Avenue and Lakeshore Drive, is Lake Louise.

“Lake Louise is the centerpiece of the town’s recreational offerings,” Town Manager Michael Boaz said of the small, scenic lake fed by Reems Creek.

The park has a 0.7-mile walking path, picnic shelters and barbecue grills, a playground and fishing from shoreline available with a special town permit.

“Lake Louise is very widely used,” Boaz said. “There are almost always people walking or running around the lake, and in the evening families are out with children playing in the playground.”

The Rattlesnake Lodge Trail off the Blue Ridge parkway just south of Weaverville is a popular hiking spot.

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BAND

Excelling at music, North Buncombe band showcased at Blackhawk Classic

By Julie Ball jball@citizen-times.com

WEAVERVILLE — Asked why so many students want to be a part of the North Buncombe High School band, director Sandy Boone answers simply “’cause we’re good.”

At 126 students strong, Boone said this marching band is now the largest in Western North Carolina.

“It’s a great group of kids. They all care about what they are doing. They love music, and they love their band director,” said Tony Elkins, co-president of the North Buncombe Blackhawk Band Boosters.

Elkins’ daughter is also a member of the band.

On Oct. 29, North Buncombe is hosting its annual Blackhawk Classic, a marching band competition where students are judged on their music as well as their movements.

North Buncombe students won’t be competing, but they will put on an exhibition for those who haven’t had a chance to see them.

The competition continues to grow, and this

year, 15 bands will be taking part, Boone said.

“I think we started with seven bands, and it’s been a growing process,” he said.

Around 880 students are expected to participate, and another 1,700 are expected to come out and watch, according to Marsha Eller, co-president of the Blackhawk Band Boosters.

“That’s the biggest group that we’ve had to date for event,” Eller said.

The money raised benefits the North Buncombe band.

“It is one of the larger fundraisers that we do for the band,” Eller said.

The marching band rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday, but members play every day.

At the Land-of-Sky marching band festival held at Enka High, Boone said the group took fourth place, behind two bands from South Carolina and one band from Tennessee.

The group is headed to Maryland in November for the United States Scholastic Band Association national championships.

“People will be proud of

HOME & GARDEN CALENDAR Send items to Bruce Steele at BSteele@Citizen-Times.com two weeks before the event. Or mail to Bruce Steele, Asheville Citizen-Times, P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802.

THIS WEEKEND LEICESTER GARDEN CLUB: Monthly meeting 1 p.m. today, Leicester Library, Alexander Road. Master Gardener Ralph Coffey on “Designing a Garden Based on Winter Gardening.”

Light refreshments. 683-7159.

FEAST LOCAL EVENT: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Creperie Bouchon’s courtyard, 62 N. Lexington Ave., hosted by ASAP and Asheville Grown Business Alliance. For $10, enjoy music and local seasonal hors d’oeuvres with area farmers and learn about the importance of the local food economy. Contact Maggie Cramer at 236-1282, ext. 113, or maggie@asapconnections.org.

WORKSHOPS & EVENTS MEN’S GARDEN CLUB OF ASHEVILLE: Garden writer Cinthia Milner will speak on “Yard Art” at the monthly luncheon at noon Nov. 1 at First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street, Asheville. Gather at 11:30 a.m.

Meal is $12. Reservation deadline Oct. 27. 645-2714.

CHRISTMAS GREENS MARKET: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 at Clems Cabin, 1000 Hendersonville Road, Asheville.

Sponsored by the French Broad River Garden Club Foundation.

Fresh-cut trees, handmade wreaths, roping, table decor, ornaments and gifts, homemade jams, jellies, baked goods and

gingerbread houses. Contact Tish Wilde at tishwilde@charter.net or 202-8406.

ONGOING RAIN BARREL SALE: The NC Cooperative Extension, Buncombe County Center, 94 Coxe Ave., has rain barrels available for $110, plus tax. The 80-gallon barrels come complete with fittings and installation instructions. Call 255-5522.

PLANT A ROW: Demonstration garden. Volunteers present 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Thursdays, MANNA Food Bank.

Open daily.

COMPOSTING DEMONSTRATION: Learn how to compost from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at the WNC Farmers Market.

BUNCOMBE TAILGATE MARKETS Asheville City Market When: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where: Parking lot of the Public Works Building at 161 S. Charlotte St.

Asheville City Market South When: Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.

Where: Town Square Boulevard in the center of Biltmore Park Town Square, Interstate 26-Long Shoals Road exit in South Asheville.

Big Ivy Tailgate Market When: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon

A band participates in the annual Blackhawk Classic marching band competition at North Buncombe High School in 2009.

This year’s event will take place Oct. 29. ERIN BRETHAUER/EBRETHAU@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM

IF YOU GO Fifteen high school bands will take part in the annual Blackhawk Classic starting at 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at North Buncombe High School. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-11 and free for children 5 and younger. For more information, visit www.blackhawkband.com.

their marching. Some people will be proud of their concert band. We are proud of both,” said North Buncombe Principal Jack Evans.

Evans said the school

Where: Parking lot of the old Barnardsville fire station, across from the post office on N.C. 197.

Black Mountain Tailgate Market When: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon Where: Behind the First Baptist Church in Black Mountain at 130 Montreat Road.

Mission Hospital Tailgate Market When: Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: At the back entrance

has a state-ranked jazz band, “and we don’t even have jazz band class.”

Instead, students in the North Buncombe jazz band meet at 7 a.m. a couple of times a week.

For the full home and garden calendar, visit CITIZENTIMES.com/homegarden. to the Mission Hospital Heart Center on the Memorial Campus.

Montford Tailgate Market When: Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m.

Where: Parking lot of the Asheville Visitors Center off Montford Avenue.

In 2010, North Buncombe students earned four of 17 slots on the AllState Jazz Band. That was more than any other school in the state.

Last year, North Buncombe band students earned spots on the AllState Honor Band, the AllDistrict Honor Band as well as the All-State Jazz Band.

“We like to give our students an opportunity to really be challenged,” Ev-

ans said. “It’s easy to compete in a small pond, but when you get into the ocean, you really see what you are made of.”

Ann Franklin, Buncombe school board member who represents the North Buncombe district, said the school historically has had “a very strong drama, music program.”

“We are a strong academic school,” said Franklin, who is also a North Buncombe graduate.

North Asheville Tailgate Market

Wednesday Co-op Market

When: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon Where: UNC Asheville Campus Commuter Lot #C. Take Weaver Blvd. and follow signs.

When: Wednesdays, 2-6:30 p.m.

Where: 76 Biltmore Ave., in the parking lot next to the French Broad Food Co-op.

Weaverville Tailgate Market

West Asheville Tailgate Market

When: Wednesdays, 2:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: On the hill overlooking Lake Louise behind the yellow Community Center on Weaverville Hwy.

When: Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: 718 Haywood Road, in the parking area between the Grace Baptist Church and Sun Trust Bank.

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