Capital at Play July 2014 by Capital at Play Magazine

The Free Spirit Of Enterprise The original safe at Finkelstein’s, repository of more than a hundred years of Asheville’s history and secrets.

The Deschamps

The Cannady Family

Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, NC p.12

Beyond Light Poles & Circuit Breakers p.70

Canoeing on the

French Broad River Paddle Trail p.81

Storehouse of Secrets

YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD PAWN SHOP page 52

Volume IV - Edition VII complimentary edition

capitalatplay.com

July 2014

| July 2014

AN AMERIC AN MAN DESERVES AMERIC AN MADE .

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

Publisher’s Thoughts

his edition of Capital at Play might seem to run the gamot on businesses in the private sector; but in truth, they all have one thing in common: Size. They all started small. Between the B&Bs and the Co-Working spaces, that might seem evident, but MB Haynes Corp. is just the same. They started just as small and have grown organically. Not the kind of organic that your local grocery store touts, though there are some organically grown grocery stores around here too. I mean organically grown in the original sense, i.e., a business that doesn’t reach out for much outside funding. In the past they simply used their earned revenue to grow, rather than shelling out equity to another investor or company, who may compel them to change themselves drastically, or even fire long time employees just to cut costs a little. Recently, MB Haynes offered equity to their own employees in the form of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). That’s another story in itself. What I want to make evident is the success that an organization can have, without deferring to major outside investments, and on complex contracts, and hierarchal structures. By having a little patience and imagination (and reading the article on p. 24), you can opt out of selling your soul to a lending institution in order to have a fancy facade, with modern furniture in your personal office and a dedicated secretary to do your bidding. Rapid growth can create compelling confidence in a new company and is very impressive to witness. Let there be no doubt. Growth can also lead a company into uncharted territory, to its benefit, and to its surprise (and potentially to its demise). So to my peers, or anyone with as short a perspective on life as I have, please help us all recognize that patience is not only something that we get lectured about not possessing enough of; instead, it’s a wonderful chance to relax and look around. Growth seems paramount to capitalism, but the rate at which it actually happens in most of the private sector (96% of which is also called “small business” in the United States), is drastically slower than pop culture indicates. Patience is necessary to see things more clearly. Sometimes when it’s forced on us, it can actually give us the very thing we are constantly wishing we had more of in life and business: Time.

Sincerely,

Oby Morgan

| July 2014

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The Free Spirit Of Enterprise

publisher & editor

Oby Morgan associate publisher

Jeffrey Green contributing editors

Dasha O. Morgan, Alexina O. Morgan, Brenda Murphy contributing writers & photogr aphers

Elizabeth Colton, Paul Clark, Anthony Harden, William Haywood, Ellen Gwin, Roger McCredie, Jim Murphy

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by Universal Media Inc. PO Box 5615, Asheville, NC. 28813

M-B BLACK CMYK 40/30/30/100

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Hurry. Offer ends soon.

e-mail editor@capitalatplay.com

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Capital At Play is protected through Trademark Registration in the United States. The content found within this publication does not necessarily ref lect the views of Universal Media, Inc. and its companies. Universal Media, Inc. and its employees are not liable for any adver tising or editorial content found in Capital At Play. The ar ticles, photography, and illustrations found in Capital at Play may not be reproduced or used in any fashion TT Slug OTF Bold, Regular without express writ ten consent by Universal Media, Inc. Corporate A Condensed T Corporate A Regular

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| capitalatplay.com

| July 2014

welding

Ken Lindsay, Certified Stick, Mig, and Tig Welder for MB Haynes Corp., is welding a 12-inch “slip on” 150 PSI rated Carbon Steel flange onto a section of pipe that will become part of the cooling system for Mission Hospital.

F E AT U R E S vol. iv

12 THE DESCHAMPS THE MAST FARM INN IN VALLE CRUCIS, NC

ed. vii

70 THE CANNADY FAMILY BEYOND LIGHT POLES & CIRCUIT BREAKERS - MB HAYNES CORPORATION -

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

Contents pa g e 4 : p u b l i s h e r ’ s t h o u g h t s

•

j u l y 2 014

pa g e 6 : m a s t h e a d & i n f o r m at i o n

•

s u b s c r i b e o n l i n e at c a p i ta l at p l ay . c o m

lo c a l i n d u s t ry

columns

24 Co-working Space

66 Jury Service: Experiencing the Real in the Midst of a Virtual World

is definitely working

52 Storehouse of Secrets Your friendly local pawn shop

Elizabeth Colton

l e i s u r e & l i b at i o n

c a p i ta l a d v e n t u r i s t

37 A Unique Social Environment

81 Canoeing

Bed & Breakfast Inns in Western NC

on the French Broad River Paddle Trail

keepin’ it brief

events

32 Carolina in the West

90 It’s summertime, do you know where your inner child is?

48 The Old North State 62 National & World News

utdoor activities and summer O festivals galore, feed your soul with a little fun.

above

Waking up in Mills River, on the Western North Carolina Alliance French Broad River Paddle Trail. Photo by Oby Morgan. on the cover

The 111 year old safe at Finkelstein’s in downtown Asheville, NC. 10

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July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

A Blend of the

& Old the New 12

| July 2014

The Deschamps & the Mast Farm Inn in valle crucis, north carolina

written by dasha morgan photos by ellen gwin July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 13

To breathe in the amazing beauty of North Carolina’s High Country, you need to find a comfortable place to rest your head, a place where you can truly unwind, take in the surrounding vistas, smell the wildflowers with the sourwood blossoms. You need to find a place that allows you to relax and give yourself time to explore. The Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis is just such a place. It combines the charm of the 18th century with many luxuries of the present day. Tucked away near the Watauga River this historic farmhouse has been turned into a small inn to have been painstakingly kept up including many repairs and has a fresh up-to-date appearance. Although you are stepping back in 14

| July 2014

time, you find many present day luxuries. Danielle Deschamps, who purchased the inn with her family in 2006, has brought a European touch that brings to mind “a fine boutique hotel. ” She and her chef, Andrew Long, offer their guests a respite from an undoubtedly hectic daily life. They pay close attention to every detail. They want their guests to feel pampered and welcome. After you park your car near the stream filled with buttercups and walk on a path near lilac rhododendrons, you will see plaques on the wraparound porch, which tell you that this inn has received many awards: Historic Hotels of America, a Select Registry Inn, and the National Registry of Historic Places. Off in the distance you see a conglomeration of original log cabins, where guests often stay for more privacy or with their children. The Woodwork Shop has post and beam construction and a loft for a sleeping area. Then, there is the Loom House, which was built in 1812 by David Mast, the cozy Blacksmith Shop, the larger Granary, and other historic cottages, as well as newer additions. The historic cabins look out to the lawn and are near a small pond on the hill, where guests are allowed to fish. All are located close to the main house. On the way to your room, you notice that the Inn’s past lives on today. There are small postcards on the wall of towns in the area (Saluda, Blowing Rock) from earlier days and lovely hand sewn quilts hanging over the bannister. The Inn’s guest rooms are named for those who lived there years ago, when John

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

Mast and his family purchased the land: Cousin Sarah’s Room, Nell’s Room, Joe Mast’s Room, and Miss Allie’s Room. In 2010 Danielle’s sister, Sandra Deschamps Siano, updated the decor and combined the Inn’s past with today’s needs for comfort and a touch of contemporary. She blended the past and present seamlessly in the decor. The farmhouse roof line makes for some interesting spaces with opportunities for window seating and reading nooks. Some rooms have a wood stove or fireplace. The color and room decor is light and airy but is combined with antiques—cherry four poster beds, iron beds, dressers, and elongated soaking claw footed tubs. The comforts of home are there too. You will find a tub of ice with refreshing mountain water to quench your thirst as soon as you arrive, thick down comforters tossed across the bed, a CD player in an old-timey radio on the nightstand, long draping curtains, luxurious cotton robes in the closet, a hair dryer in the bathroom, and plenty of heat or air conditioning. You are here to unwind and relax. Now is the time to take a walk or just sit and relax with a good magazine (How about a Capital at Play?) or your favorite author. The Inn is asking you to “unplug” your electronics for a few days and be their guest.

The Mast Family Farm History There is a long history behind the Mast Farm Inn. According to the Valle Crucis Conference Center website, “In 1750, John Mast, age 10, arrived in Pennsylvania from Switzerland with his father and mother. At age 20 he walked the wagon trail, settling in Randolph County. In 1780, his son, Joseph, and his wife set out with their children for higher ground. They were able to purchase fertile land along the Watauga River where the Mast Farm Inn stands today. By 1795 records show that he owned 490 acres and by 1815 he owned 1,390 acres. The legend exists that the industrious Joseph traded his rifle, his dog, and a pair of ‘leggins’ for over 1,000 acres of rich bottomland along the river.” A round 1810, his son David built the two-room log cabin which now sits facing the main house at the Mast Farm. Three generations of the family resided in this cabin. Like most of Valle Crucis residents, the Masts raised corn, grain,

“The legend exists that the industrious Joseph traded his rifle, his dog, and a pair of ‘leggins’ for over 1,000 acres of rich bottomland along the river.”

| July 2014

a sunny reading nook

old -timey wash basin

t wo - room log cabin built in 1810

now sits facing the main house

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

danielle deschamp greets a guest

as they sign in.

sheep, cattle, and food for the family. Over the years the house has been added onto and expanded. “The Mast family were known far and wide for their hospitality and food.” The family resided on the property until 1968 when Joe Mast died, and there were no heirs. In 1972 the United States Department of Interior evaluated the property at the request of the Mast family. The farm was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. As it was in serious disrepair, the family put the house up for sale. The Paul Lackey family bought the property from Joe’s heirs in 1980. After beginning some renovations, the Lackeys sold it to Francis and Sibyl Pressley in 1984. Francis and Sibyl rescued the old homestead. A year’s worth of meticulous work resulted in the facility you see today and earned them the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit from the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina.

Today as a Boutique Inn The Mast Farm is now being run as a small luxury inn by the Deschamps family and their chef, Andrew Long, and his wife, Megan. According to Danielle Deschamps, to operate an inn successfully it has to be a labor of love. Every day of the week 18

| July 2014

is totally taken up with making sure everything at the Inn is running smoothly and, more importantly, the guests are happy. There are lots of challenges every day and very little “down time.” Something is always needing one’s attention. This was for all intents and purposes Danielle’s first full-time job. She and her sister grew up in Haiti, although she herself was actually born in Florida. Over the years she has spent a lot of time in Europe, Switzerland, and France, and attended University in England. Her father, Henri, was a publisher in Haiti, and her mother, Marie, had a jewelry store there. In 1996 her parents bought a home on 26 acres in Little Switzerland and would use it when visiting Western North Carolina. In 2006 when the opportunity arose to buy the Mast Farm Inn, the whole family decided they would all move to this area, including an aunt and uncle. It is customary apparently for families in Haiti “to stick together.” Everyone pitched in to make this a success. Fortunately the Mast Farm Inn had been well maintained over the years by previous owners and lots of attractive antique furnishings. Nevertheless it was quite a transition to live in the mountains of North Carolina, after a full life in the Caribbean and Europe. Danielle and her Mom prepared the meals—breakfast and dinner; Henri, her father, managed the website, social media,

str aight from the garden to the

dinner plate. Andrew Long & Danielle Deschamp choose some herbs.

and packages; and her sister managed guest services while revamping the inn with a new look. According to Danielle â&#x20AC;&#x153;This has been a steep learning curve for all of us, with lots of sweat and tears over the last nine years. Bit by bit we made necessary changes and improvements. In addition, we have had to make a number of major investments in the inn like new air conditioning, new water heaters, opening a patio area, and putting in raised garden beds across the street to grow fresh organic produce.â&#x20AC;? In 2010 they redecorated seven guest rooms and began to redecorate the neighboring cabins one at a time. Most of their profit is often reinvested in the inn. May through October is the Innâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most active season, when many special events are held. MusicFest in Sugar Grove (a celebration of Appalachian music), The Highland Games on Grandfather Mountain, The Woolly Worm Festival (an arts and

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 19

megan long

works in the garden.

crafts fair in Banner Elk), and The Blood, Sweat and Gears Race (a 100-mile bike ride) all attract visitors to the area. People come to the Inn with many different plans of activity—fishermen, hikers, horseback riders, whitewater rafters, kayakers, mountain climbers, musicians, artists, photographers, writers, gardeners, and sightseers. Many are there trying to get away from the heat and humidity of the lowlands or the big city. They want a change of pace, a place to unwind and relax. There is so much to see and do in Blowing Rock, Boone, Banner Elk, Grandfather Mountain, and Linville. Just driving along the winding mountain roads which follow the rambling streams and rivers, seeing wildflowers in bloom, and the weathered old barns with horses, goats, and pigs in the field nearby is a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of a city. In the fall, of course, the leaves are changing color, which also brings visitors (the leaf people) to the mountains. Thanksgiving is traditionally a festive holiday to celebrate with friends and family. The inn is usually packed to the fullest. Numerous groups of fifteen to seventeen people arrive for a long weekend and a delicious four-course feast, served from noon until seven in the evening. After that the pace of life slows down considerably. During the winter months skiers, who come to the High Country (Sugar and 20

| July 2014

Beech Mountains), do like to be pampered at the Mast Farm Inn after their strenuous day of exercise. Fortunately the state sees that the roads in the area are cleared quickly of ice and snow, which allows people to travel easily. However, compared to the summer, winter can be leaner financial times for the Deschamps. The rates are of course reduced, but if it hasn’t snowed yet people are less inclined to come to the mountains. As Danielle says, “With such an incredible staff of helpers, I am very reluctant to cut back in the slower months. We try just to hunker down and make it through somehow. You can well imagine that it costs a lot to heat this inn all winter.”

Gourmet Dining at the Simplicity Restaurant Meals at the Simplicity Restaurant at the Inn are moments to be savored and will undoubtedly be remembered. Simplicity believes in serving healthy organic ingredients artfully presented on the plate to guests at their individual tables. Even a breakfast waffle is served with a dollop of whipped cream and a few blueberries on top. Over two years ago, Andrew and

megan & andrew long

Megan Long, joined the Inn team as partners—Andrew as the chef and Megan as the groundskeeper. It has been a wonderful fit. Megan can let her husband know what herbs or vegetables she has growing in the Inn’s 98 raised beds across the street. Andrew has the knowledge and expertise to turn these into a gourmet feast. In addition, the New River Organic Growers Co-op helps supply the Inn with local farm produce. The Co-op brings together the produce of 65 farms in the area and bridges the gap between the restaurants and the farmers. The restaurant gives them an order on Tuesday, and the fresh produce from the region is received by Thursday. In the last few years, Andrew changed the daily menu, going from being a four-course set menu to one that also offers a choice of items. The restaurant can be described as sophisticated with a meticulous level of care and personal service. For example à la carte, you may find New York strip from Apple Brandy Farms (corn-fed beef locally raised and processed in North Carolina), crispy duck breast with fig and balsamic, and sea scallops with pine nuts and bacon. It should be mentioned that the often-ordered pan seared sea scallops, being out of season, will soon be replaced with a gourmet frog legs dish—the legs, possibly brought in from Alabama until a local frog legs July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

When's the last

time you spent your vacation

just spot him while you’re hiking through the nearby Great Smokies

supplier can be found. For dessert, the “house flavor” for their homemade ice cream is caramel, although there are many other seasonal dessert choices available. It should be mentioned that "Simplicity at The Mast Farm Inn" was awarded 4th Place for 2010 and 2nd Place for 2011 with "The Best Dish in North Carolina 2010 Award." To better understand his style of cooking, Andrew grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He worked at numerous restaurants and grills throughout high school and college, taking a wide variety of jobs. There were a lot of spicy seafood dishes, like jambalayas and gumbos, served. What he enjoyed most then about his job, however, was the camaraderie and atmosphere of the kitchen—the teamwork, not so much the actual cooking. His passion for food came later after being mentored by some very passionate and talented chefs. He studied hotel, restaurant, and tourism administration at the University of New Orleans. Then later he went to Charleston, South Carolina, to Johnson & Wales University (now in Charlotte). While working with a fitness camp for over 300 teenagers, he met Megan, who was the director. After several moves and a brief detour back in Charleston, South Carolina he eventually took a job in Blowing Rock at the Storie Street Grille. Overall you might say Andrew’s cooking is “rooted” in the French tradition. Now after living in the North Carolina mountains for several years, his perspective has changed. He loves to incorporate historic Appalachian cooking into the menu.

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The Deschamps and Longs have recently invested in a new restaurant, Over Yonder. Lunch, which is not offered at the Inn, is now served just down the street or “Over Yonder,” (indoor and outdoor, weather permitting). The space was once the well known restaurant 1861 Farmhouse and Winery, directly across from the original Mast General Store.

(See Capital at Play, April 2014, or go online at www.capitalatplay.com.) Over Yonder is open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and features Appalachian dishes, such as fresh local mountain trout, Watauga soup beans, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, shrimp and grits, and fried chicken. Chef Long plans to offer a “seriously amazing” cheeseburger. As he says, “Details matter in cooking as they do in all things, and it’s the details that make a great burger. The ‘Valle’ cheeseburger features dry aged pastured beef, local hoop cheese, house made pickles and mayo, and fresh cut ribbon fries tossed in pork fat, rosemary, and sea salt.” A delicious peach cobbler is also being offered for dessert, with buttermilk and sorghum molasses ice cream. The overall setting with both indoor and outdoor seating will be relaxed and more casual than the Simplicity Restaurant at the inn itself.

Special Events Weddings and special events play a big part in the overall inn’s profitability. Anniversaries, graduations, and birthdays are often reasons for booking the whole inn. Some companies will rent all the rooms for a business retreat, or others arrange to have a family reunion in the mountain. In any one season with destination weddings so popular, there may be as many as 30 to 40 weddings to arrange ahead of time. Danielle has to be on the phone constantly and keep an accurate calendar. A wedding party usually occupies the whole inn and many times the eight historic and two new cottages with an under-the-stars heated hot tub. The nostalgic and romantic setting allows for some amazing photography, which will be seen for years to come. For the wedding and bachelor cakes, Marie Deschamps, Danielle’s mom, is a popular choice. After coming to Valle Crucis, she became a pastry chef par excellence. She makes many of the bride’s wedding cakes. In addition, she shares her delicious cookies with the inn’s guests (a small packet is left in each room). Danielle organizes and prepares every aspect of the gathering. It is very time consuming and every little detail must be attended to carefully. Nothing must fall through the cracks. Fortunately, she has top quality people to call upon for many of the various needs. Sometimes she says it gets “a bit insane with everything going on, but I just try to stay focused and turn to my staff for help. Thank goodness for a wonderful staff. Let’s not romanticize this, running an inn is a 24-hour a day job. We have very little free time.”

“Let’s not romanticize this, running an inn is a 24hour a day job. We have very little free time.”

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 23

local industry

Co-Working Space is Definitely Working

writ ten by jim murphy photos by anthony harden

Around the time computers became essential in the wellequipped home, people made a momentous discovery. “Hey, I can work from home.” And why not? Kids are sick, snow is falling, just log on and go to work from the kitchen table. It wasn’t much later that hopeful entrepreneurs took their new freedom a step further. “Hey, I could start my own business.” Turn that spare bedroom into an office and sell widgets online at night and on weekends. Soon some of those home businesses became full-time pursuits and soon after that came the final discovery. “Hey, this working-at-home stuff isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I feel cooped up here in the house all day.” People needed workspace where they could chat with neighbors at the water cooler, where they didn’t have to sign a lease or worry about utilities and the other details of renting an office. They needed something like a co-op office, a business commune, a place to “go to work.” And a new industry was born. It is called co-working, a name that doesn’t really describe the arrangement of several dozen shallow cubicles lined up in an open floor space, each rented to a separate entrepreneur or employee of a separate company. The cubicles may be small enough to accommodate nothing more than a couple of computers and are defined by low partitions. The individual spaces may be small—even cramped—but the electric voltage 24

| July 2014

Mouhsine Adnani, a 3D Game Designer, working on the environment for an upcoming strategy game while Mojo Founder, Craig McAnsh looks on. and the internet service are big enough to meet the demands of high-def worldwide instant communication. Add a comfortable ergonomic chair and the occupant is, quite literally, in business. The co-working sites promote their office services, including printers, copiers, scanners, fax, and mail services. But many of the co-working clients agree the primary benefit is social interaction. “This is just a great environment to work out of. You have a lot of cool people who are doing either similar or completely different things from us, and it just is great energy to kind of get your ideas flowing.” Marisa Falcigno and her partner, Shantanu Suman, huddle over their computers in a tight cubicle across

from the coffee bar at Mojo co-working in Asheville. Together they are the Open Door Design Studio, producing everything from web pages to business logos. They recently completed a design project for the Kohler faucet company. “This space has energy,” Shantanu says. “When you’re working at home you’re not meeting people. Here, everybody’s working. The energies are focused.” They have been working at Mojo since last summer, originally two days a week and now three. “And hopefully we’ll soon be here five days a week,” Marisa says. “We both have our home offices, but we get way more done when we’re here together.” She expands on the social aspect. “I used to be a freelancer working at home. In the beginning, you think, ‘This is great. I don’t have to worry about what I look like, whatever,’ and then you start feeling like you really need to have sound around you, interaction with other people, and so the next step is you go to the local coffee shop where they have Internet access. And then you find yourself sitting there like six hours and drinking six cups of coffee. But a place like this also gives you the focus you need to get the work done because everybody’s working. Everybody’s in the same position of, ‘Yes we want the community aspect, the social aspect, but we’re here to work.’” It’s difficult to pin a starting date on the co-working phenomenon; it evolved over time, rather than springing into life. Most accounts put the beginning in San Francisco, from where it July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 25

local industry

below & top right : 3D Innovation Lab (open to the “trained” public) at Mojo Coworking. bottom : Matthew Rudolf of Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials & Vergil Weatherford of Navigant. facing page : The conference table at Regus.

quickly moved to other major cities, both in the United States and Europe. The concept arrived in Asheville in April, 2011. “There was an event I helped run in 2009, ’10 and ’11 called Hatch. It was a creative conference for film, fashion, design, architecture, journalism.” Mojo cofounder Craig McAnsh reached back to recall his inspiration for his co-working venture. “At the conference, I got to see that there were all these creative people in Asheville. They would all come together for that one weekend, then they’d all go back to their houses to work and no one would ever see them again. And I was so inspired by seeing these people together that I thought, let’s build a clubhouse for creative people.” Craig pours a cup of coffee in the Mojo kitchen overlooking a ping-pong table. One of his tenants stops by for a cup, and they chat for a few minutes about the client’s recent travels to Utah and Honduras. The conversation provides a small insight into that social dimension of the co-working experience. Craig continues his story about the origins of Mojo. “I was visiting Wilmington (North Carolina) in December, 2010, and I 26

| July 2014

saw a place called Buena Space. I said, what is this place. It was closed, so I went to its website and I saw the floor plan. I thought, brilliant! I came back, found a space on Wall Street (downtown Asheville) and we opened four months later on April Fool’s Day.” It was an instant success. “Our space on Wall Street was only 1,600 square feet, a lot smaller than what we have here,” he says, indicating his two-floor spread on North Market Street. “And before we opened the doors all the private desks were rented out. Turns out that within six months it was completely full. So we expanded. We came over here and bought these two floors.” As he tells the story he indicates four private offices that comprise another facet of the co-working phenomenon. The offices are small, with sliding frosted doors, desks and space for a couch or other client seating. They provide a co-working solution for the entrepreneur who spends a lot of time talking on the phone or who must meet clients in his office. One of the offices is a bit larger, designed for two people, and the occupants of that space offer another example of the

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unique nature of the co-working experience. At one desk is Vergil Weatherford, an energy efficiency consultant with a Chicago-based company. Just a few feet away, the other desk is manned by Matt Rudolf, whose primary employer is based in Geneva. They each constitute a remote outpost of a worldwide company, connected to “home” by modern electronics. Matt and Vergil met at the original Mojo space, became friends, and when Mojo moved they decided to share an office. And they agree that the social dimension of the co -work ing arrangement is its biggest asset. “Here you have the amenities of an office, copier, coffee, whatever you need,” Matt says. “And you also have the social interaction. There’s a nice cross pollination.” Mojo’s decorative scheme and ambiance is, in the words of Craig McAnsh, “a combination of creative, artistic looking, industrial but also warm.” That look marks

“Here you have the amenities of an office,” Matt Rudolf says. “And you also have the social interaction. There’s a nice cross pollination.”

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local industry

Regus offices in Biltmore Park.

the contrast with another major player in Asheville, a company called Regus (pronounced Ree-jis). If Mojo is a clubhouse, Regus is the penthouse. The entry at Regus is dominated by a reception desk, where two attractive young people offer a welcoming grin and greeting. Behind them a large framed abstract painting hangs on a bare brick wall. Frosted glass room dividers provide a psychological separation from what looks like a waiting lounge, but is actually a business space with comfortable armchairs and one-person “thinkpods” wired for Internet service. Where Mojo is dominated by co-working space with only a few offices, the layout at Regus is just the opposite. Most of the accommodations are individual offices with desk, file cabinets, client seating, and all the electronics a client could need. Regus occupies an entire floor of a building in Biltmore Park Town Square. The space includes more than 50 private offices, a co-working space that can accommodate three or four people, and workspaces in the business lounge as well as the open coffee and refreshment area. The offices include framed artwork on the walls and generally a piece of pottery standing on the corner of the desk or the file cabinet. And clients are free to add their own touches. “I do have a client who brings two little baskets when she comes in to meet with her clients.” Joy Logan, general manager of Regus’ Asheville facility, tells the story. “She brings her baskets in and she decorates her office, puts up her pictures and 28

| July 2014

A client working at Regus.

certificates, and when she’s done with the meetings she packs up her baskets. It makes it a little more personal.” When Joy explains all the available options in the Regus catalog, she relies on a website tutorial to walk through the maze of possibilities. Regus could become the poster company for the term, “full service.” With 1800 locations worldwide, including 600 cities in 100 countries, Regus claims to be the “Worlds largest provider of office solutions.” Here in the United States, Regus has 733 locations in 342 cities. They’ve been in Asheville since October, 2012. Joy says the worldwide reach of Regus opens the company’s client base from small, local entrepreneurs to “Fortune 500 companies that need satellite space in remote locations.” She says the Asheville clientele includes “many clients in multiple cities. I have a gentleman who moved in today. He has an office here and in Ohio and Florida.” And beyond the worldwide connections, Regus takes “full service” in another direction. “Anything somebody’s business can possibly need we can take care of here.” Joy launches into a list of the services a business “can possibly need.” “Telephones, internet, administrative support. Nicole and July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 29

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McKinley greet visitors. They answer phone calls with the client’s personal greeting. They can do PowerPoint for a client’s meeting. They can make copies, handle the mail, sign for FedEx, and ship packages. We can take care of anything you would have to hire an administrative assistant to do.” Joy’s not finished. She takes a deep breath and goes on. “We offer 24-hour security, Internet maintenance and repair. We clean the offices; we cover the power and water bills. We can also bring catering in for you if you need it. And it all appears on one bill. We take care of everything. When you come in for your meeting all you have to do is sit down and get to work.” Joy says about half the Regus space is occupied by full-time clients. The rest is open to clients who come in one or two days a week and others who “don’t need full-time office space, but they do need to meet somebody every now and then. They want a home base, but they don’t need it full-time.” Joy Logan ran through the exhaustive list of Regus selling points, but a couple of clients cited a different benefit. And their comments were strikingly similar to what we heard from the clients at Mojo. “What I like about this is I bump into a lot of different people.” Joshua Merck works in the open space of the common area, where he’s likely to chat with other clients as they get coffee. An animation artist, he’s working on a Nike commercial to air on the soccer World Cup television broadcast. He has been coming to Regus since March. “I just needed a place to come to when I need to get my head into work—away from my toddler. He’s three years old, and it’s very cute because he’ll pop open the door and say, ‘Daddy, me work.’ He’ll climb up on my lap and play with my mouse, and it becomes a challenge to get anything done.” At the end of a long corridor are the offices of Fast Pivot, described by its president, Matt Ledford, as a digital business consultancy. “We have three offices here and four people. Asheville is really kind of our hub. We also have a person who works at home. She comes in occasionally, so when she’s here we pick up an extra office or work in the conference room. I like that flexibility. Matt leans back at his desk in a low-light office with electronic gadgets glowing around him. “It’s interesting to see the diversity of people who are here. We have everything from attorneys to psychologists to accountants. You can get very focused working from home and the virtual thing is cool, but the serendipity of meeting new people and seeing new ideas keeps you fresh, keeps you thinking. I think it’s a good space.” Between Mojo and Regus, the combined client roster looks like a robust and eclectic business directory. The clients include lawyers, accountants, a financial consultant, a photographer, an architect, a church, the Nature Conservancy, and even a custom cabinet maker. The client companies work in areas such as film production, online marketing and design, producing trade-show displays, business machine sales, and climate and weather analysis. That range of clients as well as the overall success of Mojo and Regus suggest that the relatively young concept of co-working is definitely working.

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There’s a new game in town, one where you are treated with dignity and made to feel like a valued customer again. One where you can sit down with your Loan Officer and discuss your options. Here you can finally deal with that SAME loan officer throughout the entire process. Now you can have peace of mind knowing that your loan will be reviewed by a real, human underwriter and you’ll know within 24 hours if your loan is approved. Here you can finally find a place that loans its ow own money and is not subject to the incomprehensible demands of banks. This place is Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group. When Atlantic Bay decided to move into the Carolina’s, they were determined to move cautiously, while also being extremely selective about the Loan Officer’s they hired to represent them. Lee Ann Lewis is a native to WNC and has earned a tremendous reputation in the Asheville market over the past 20 years. Gleaned from over 23 years of mortgage experience in Atlanta, Melanie Christian also brings a powerful level of expertise to the table. Together, they are an unstoppable force! Shouldn't you enjoy the mortgage experience as much as you enjoy your new home? We like to think that you should too – contact us today, to get your home buying started off on the right foot. July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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include expanding to other Southeastern states in 2015. Brew Hub will produce 10,000 barrels of Green Man beer annually. Green Man has significantly expanded beer production at its Buxton Avenue brewery on the South Slope. It is spending $4 million on expanding its facility to include a 17,000-square-foot building with a packaging facility, a specialty brewery, and a tasting room. With two breweries on Buxton Avenue, Green Man sells its beers on draft and in 12-ounce bottles.

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news briefs

Biltmore considers new estate hotel asheville, nc

Biltmore is considering adding a 190room hotel to its Antler Hill Village attraction, offering additional lodging to guests opting to stay on the estate. Last month, the Biltmore Company filed an application with Buncombe County for a conditional zoning permit, and will begin bidding out the project. Kathleen Mosher, Biltmore’s communications director, said that they have not made a decision to build, but that it is simply the next step in the process. Throughout the summer, bids from construction companies will be gathered. An ultimate decision could surface in early August. Depending on that decision, construction could launch in mid-August, preparing the hotel to officially open for

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guests in 2015. Although officials lack a dollar estimate for the potential project, designs are for a 145,000-square-foot, four-story building, with double and king-sized guest rooms neighboring the Winery in Antler Hill Village.

WCU wins engineering education grant

Green Man beer heads to Florida

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a grant of more than $625,000 to Western Carolina University (WCU) for a project intended to enhance the number of students pursuing degrees in engineering and technology fields. The four-year grant in the amount of $625,179 is part of an effort to address a growing need for more American scientists and engineers. It will offer academic and financial support to engineering and engineering technology students at WCU through a project called Scholarship

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Beer from Asheville’s Green Man Brewery will soon be produced and sold in Florida. Brew Hub, based in Lakeland Florida agreed to partner-brew Green Man beers including ESP, IPA, Porter, and seasonals. Brewing in Brew Hub’s state-of-the-art brewery will begin in late 2014, and the beer will then be distributed throughout the state. According to the announcement, additional plans

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Program Initiative via Recruitment, Innovation and Transformation, or SPIRIT. According to Chip Ferguson, associate professor of engineering and technology and associate dean of WCU’s Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology, SPIRIT represents a determined approach to the recruitment, retention, education, and placement of engineering and technology students who have shown both academic talent and financial need. Through the effort, 27 new and continuing students will be recruited and retained into cohorts that will be developed based upon the Kimmel School’s focus on project-based learning. Students will not only study theoretical aspects about engineering and technology, but also apply those theories in hands-on projects aimed to help solve real problems faced by industry partners across Western North Carolina. The student cohorts will be integrated both horizontally, with same-year students from different disciplines collaborating in an environment that reflects how engineers work in the real world, and vertically, with different-year students working together on the numerous stages of a project. The NSF funding is the second major grant awarded to WCU’s Kimmel

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School for its engineering program this academic year. A $500,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation that was previously announced will help expand engineering education across Western North Carolina through a partnership with regional community colleges. The recent grant surfaces as work progresses to convert nearly 11,000 square feet of former retail space at Biltmore Park into classrooms and laboratory space to permit WCU to offer undergraduate engineering to students in the AshevilleHendersonville area. The facility, located on the ground floor of the same building that houses WCU’s instructional site at Biltmore Park Town Square, is supposed to open in August.

Sylva exhibit features creative work of local women sylva , nc

A new exhibit featuring the creative work of local women from the late 19th century to the present is open for public viewing in the Jackson County Historical Society’s display area in the Jackson County Public Library Complex in Sylva. The exhibit, “A Lasting Legacy,”

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features the work of Iwi Katalsta, a potter from Cherokee; Rebecca Ashe, a weaver from the community of Love’s Field; and Victoria Casey McDonald, a local author, artist and educator. The exhibit incorporates images of the techniques and tools used by Katalsta to create traditional Cherokee pottery, samples of Ashe’s weaving, and McDonald’s three books that are set in Jackson County. The exhibit also displays a mailbox used by Edna Monteith in Dillsboro. Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center created the exhibit in partnership with the Appalachian Women’s Museum in Dillsboro. It will be on display in the library through July.

Schaefer Boarding Barn opens blowing rock, nc

A new boarding barn has been built to accommodate horses at the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve. Last month, there was a dedication ceremony for the new facility, which was made possible by a donation from Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer, owners of Westglow Resort and Spa. Burr Collier, president of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show

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Foundation, explained how the boarding barn project initiated and developed. He said Bonnie and Jamie invited a few members of their board out to Westglow to discuss their plans and dreams for the Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve. Within an hour and a half, they had made a commitment to the organization, which developed into the wonderful facility. Stephen Carter Price, general manager of Westglow and an architect, designed the new boarding barn. Adam Rice with the Blowing Rock Home Company built the structure. Collier added that Adam went to Lexington, Kentucky, and toured countless horse barns with Jack Clark, consultant on this project. The new facility includes running water and a fan in each stall, high ceilings to fend off the summer heat, kitchen facilities, and other amenities.

Asheville resumes traffic calming projects asheville, nc

Following a revision to the city’s traffic calming policy and approval by Asheville City Council, the City of Asheville Transportation Department has resumed projects designed to ease traffic speed

on neighborhood roads. Speeding and use of speed humps, speed cushions, or unnecessary through-traffic presents other lower-cost strategies. That move dangers that affect the quality of life in will stretch the funding budgeted for residential areas. In order to provide a traffic calming by focusing on installasafer environment, the City of Asheville tion instead of design. “Speed humps seeks to provide traffic calming to are really the most economical kind of neighborhoods that go through the device to slow traffic, and they are easier process of requesting it. A 2000 Traffic on vehicles,” Putnam said. Calming Policy approved by City Council established a protocol for responding to requests from residents for traffic calming installations, but funding for such projects has been unavailable since 2007. With $100,000 funding approved in the 2013/2014 budget, the Transportation boone, nc Department is able to once more address According to “The Princeton Review’s requests on hold since 2007. “We have Guide to 332 Green Colleges: 2014 a backlog of traffic calming projects Edition,” Appalachian State University is requested by residents that stretches among the most environmentally responback seven years or so, and those are sible colleges. The guide was developed going to be our first priority right now,” with the Center for Green Schools at the said transportation director, Ken Putnam. U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “We appreciate the patience of these The 216 pages profiles 330 schools in the folks and are working closely with them United States and two in Canada that practo move projects forward.” The departtice ideal commitments to sustainability ment worked closely with the Public in their campus infrastructure, activities, Safety Committee, the Neighborhood academics, and career preparation. This Advisory Committee, the Bicycle and is the fifth year the guidebook has been Pedestrian Task Force sub-committee, published, and Appalachian State has and the Asheville Police Department to been in each issue. Schools were chosen develop next steps. The new action plan for the list based on sustainability-related and policy revisions shift focus to the HunterBanks_CapitalPlay ad.pdf 1 11/4/11 10:42 AM

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policies, practices, and programs shared in a 2013 survey. Here are some of the complimentary points included in Appalachian’s profile in the guide: A university mission is to protect the environment through conscientious stewardship and assertive leadership in sustainable policies and practices; 17 renewable energy installations on campus, including North Carolina’s largest installed wind turbine; $3.25 million in energy cost savings in 2012-13; free mass transit, plus car sharing and ridesharing; and 275-ton composting capability at a state-of-the-art facility on campus. In addition to Appalachian, other North Carolina schools included in the guide are Catawba College, Davidson College, Duke University, Elon University, Guilford College, N.C. State University, UNC Chapel Hill, Warren Wilson College, and Western Carolina University.

Asheville craft brew tour company launching tours in Nashville asheville, nc

Brews Cruise, a craft brewery tour company based in Asheville, is launching

tours in Nashville, Tennessee. Although negotiations with breweries are still underway, Nashville Brews Cruise, which will take consumers to three breweries during one tour, anticipates launching by mid-July. Tickets will start at $55, which buys admission on three brewery tours, beer samples and transportation between the breweries and the tour’s start/end point. Each tour will last about three to four hours and for now, as the company plans to operate the tours with a mini-school bus, capacity is limited to 15 people. A percentage of the ticket price, anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent, will go to the breweries and the rest will go to Brews Cruise. Nashville will be the seventh Brews Cruise city, following Asheville, Charlotte, Charleston (SC), Denver, Atlanta, and Chicago.

Trails on TRACK banner elk, nc

A grand opening of the Grandfather Mountain TRACK Trail was held last month. With more than 40 TRACK Trails already lining the ridges and hills of North Carolina, the Grandfather TRACK Trail is the 84th to be opened in the entire United States. TRACK Trails are part of

the Kids in Parks program, established to help get children back outdoors. TRACK Trails themselves are educational hikes designed specifically for children in regards to trail difficulty, education, and fun. Sue McBean, Grandfather Mountain State Park superintendent, explained: “We have a lot of trails, but mostly they’re very challenging…Some of them are even technical, with the ladders, cables, and steep sections. So, this one mile of the Profile Trail is probably the easiest trail with a nice destination that we felt was appropriate for a TRACK Trail.” Brochures will be placed at every TRACK trail location and include fun-filled activities to help children learn about things they see on the hike. Jason Urroz, director of Kids in Parks and one of the original founders, said the TRACK Trails help keep both kids and parks healthy. He noted when kids explore and win prizes for visiting different TRACK Trails and keeping journals, visitation to parks increase, and a certain respect for the parks is created amongst the younger generations.

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a Unique

L leisure & libation

Social Environment written by paul cl ark

A glimpse into the vast community of bed and breakfast inns in Western North Carolina

Sure, you could stay at hotels when you’re getting away this summer, but typically they’re not nearly as nice—and personable— as bed and breakfast inns.

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 37

leisure & libation

“P

eople come here, and they’re happy,” said Helene Siegel, who owns 4½ Street Inn in Highlands with her husband. “They’re on vacation. It’s just nice to be around people when they’re happiest. There’s a lot of generosity of spirit when people are in an inn.” i

1900 inn on montford

fryemont inn

INNS ARE OFTEN IN BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED, historic buildings that started out as family homes. Owners and innkeepers take great pride in welcoming guests to stay in rooms that have comforted families for generations. Service tends to be a bit more personal at inns, interactions with other guests a little more intimate and interesting. “When the owner lives on the premises and does the cooking, they usually want to do the best they can to give the inn its own special flair,” said Beverly Lait, owner of the Banner Elk Inn near Beech Mountain. “Motels are fine, but they tend to all be the same.” Not so at bed and breakfast inns, which vary with the tastes of its owners and the preferences of its guests. Meals are often the kind that a very skilled mother might have served to her bed of roses b & b 38

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red house inn

family on special occasions. Recommendations of sites to see and restaurants to try typically come from people who know the area well. “It’s a bit more expensive to stay in a bed and breakfast,” said Billy Sanders, innkeeper and co-owner of Reynolds Mansion Bed and Breakfast Inn in Asheville. “But they have more to offer.”

RED HOUSE INN

266 W. Probart Street, Brevard Close to Brevard Music Center but closer to Brevard College is the Red House Inn, a beautiful bed and breakfast that’s within walking distance of everything that makes Brevard a delightful destination for music, restaurants, and art. An English-style inn, Red House Inn provides an insider’s perspective on all things wonderful about this Transylvania town, largely because its owners live upstairs and know the region well. Tracie Trusler grew up there and married Daniel Trusler, a native of Cornwall, England. It was he who glowingly talked about Brevard’s attributes recently. “I’ve been lucky,” he said. “I grew up in an amazing place in England, and now I live in a beautiful place here.”

The Red House Inn was built by Leander Gash in 1851 as a general store, serving cattle drivers and others. It served as a station when the railroad was built and later became the county courthouse and school, as well as a family home. The house was stuccoed and painted red in the 1880s and has been red ever since. Because the Inn was built to be a commercial building, it has none of the fussiness of the grand homes nearby. Rather, it is simple and elegant in its utility. That suits the Truslers fine, as it does their decorating tastes. The Inn’s aesthetic could be described as classic with a lot of contemporary features. The Truslers undertook extensive renovations a few years ago, gutting the bathrooms to put in custom-built tile showers with glass enclosures (they left an original clawfoot tub in one of the rooms). The Inn has four bedrooms, each named for a historical figure, and one cottage on the grounds. Elsewhere in downtown Brevard, it has three vacation homes, each with three bedrooms and two baths. The Inn and cottage can accommodate up to 12 people. Rooms have private bathrooms, refrigerators, WiFi, cable TV, and controllable heating and cooling. They’re decorated with paintings, photographs, and sculptures produced by July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 39

leisure & libation

4 ½ street inn bed & bre akfast

1900 inn on montford

In the sidebar that begins below, you’ll find a various assortment of the Bed & Breakfasts in Western North Carolina (but certainly not all). Considering that many now employ talented chefs, they serve decadent dinners and lunches, the gray area between inns and B&Bs is widening. We like to think that all of the “establishments” found in this article offer the spirit and intimacy of a true Bed & Breakfast, regardless of their title. While the terms “B&Bs” and “inns” are often used interchangeably, the Professional Association of Innkeepers International differentiates between the two in that the former offers only breakfasts, while the latter may also offer lunch and dinner. The two most important factors of B&Bs are their uniqueness and sense of social environment.

local artists, which may give guests an idea of where to go if they want to include artwork in their stay. People often ask to buy the bed linen, which the Inn can accommodate. But the Turkish towels, they stay with the Inn, Trusler said. “One of our main things is to have really comfortable, high-quality beds and really good bathrooms. And great breakfasts,” Trusler said. Breakfasts are a treat here. Eggs come from local chickens, while English muffins are baked daily at Bracken Mountain Bakery in Brevard. The bacon and sausage for English-style breakfasts come from a farm in Lumberton, North Carolina, that pasture-feeds its livestock. The owners handpick blueberries for fruit salad, and they caramelize locally grown apples for made-from-scratch pancakes. Even the coffee is local, sort of. It’s roasted by The Brown Bean Coffee Roasters, which is located on Main Street in Brevard. Breakfasts (served in the Inn but not in the vacation homes) make an excellent foundation on which to hike the area’s trails and waterfalls. Many guests prefer strolling into downtown Brevard. Excellent options for lunch and supper are just a

1900 INN ON MONTFORD

ABBINGTON GREEN

BENT CREEK LODGE

THE ABERDEEN INN B&B

BED OF ROSES B&B

BILTMORE VILLAGE INN

Asheville, NC www.innonmontford.com

Asheville, NC www.aberdeeninn.com

| July 2014

Asheville, NC www.abbingtongreen.com

Asheville, NC www.abedofroses.com

Arden, NC www.bentcreeknc.com

Biltmore Village, NC www.biltmorevillageinn.com

block away, such as MARCO Trattoria and Hobknob, located in neighboring cottages on Main Street. “We have so many guests who are really amazed that they can walk to downtown. Where they live, they don’t have that,” Trusler said. “They can walk downtown and walk home. That makes their vacation.” Other local attractions include the famed Brevard Music Center, as well as DuPont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest. “Our uniqueness is we’re well-placed to send people to experience different things,” Trusler said. “The town has grown into a year-round tourist destination.” On Saturdays, some guests opt to tour the new Oskar Blues brewery in town, then board the free four o’clock round-trip brewery shuttle to Asheville for supper there. The Inn is pet-friendly upon approval by the innkeepers. “The level of detail is so much higher here than at a hotel, where someone being paid minimum wage is cleaning your room,” Trusler said. “We really enjoy where we live, and we can pass that along.”

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4½ STREET INN BED & BREAKFAST

55 4½ Street, Highlands An easy bike ride to The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts and nearly neighbors with Highland’s Performing Arts Center is 4½ Street Inn Bed & Breakfast, a former boarding house that now welcomes guests from all over. Here among masterfully manicured grounds, guests stroll in late afternoon while waiting for wine to be poured, signaling an evening ahead sure to include a wonderful meal a short walk away. People have long loved the Highlands-Cashiers area, located on a plateau surrounded by national forest, because of its hiking, touring, and theater. Many stay at 4½ Street Inn while taking in exhibits at The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts or taking classes at the Center for Life Enrichment. The Inn was built in 1910 by Irvin Rice, a butcher who owned a meat market on Main Street. A member of the family that founded Rice and Baylor universities, Rice and his wife, Lily, had an 11-bedroom house but only two sons and a daughter. They

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albemarle inn

fryemont inn

utilized the extra space by renting rooms during summer. Their daughter, Edna, inherited the house and used it as a summer home. She sold it to a member of the Potts clan, an old Highlands family. “They say in Highlands there are more Potts than pans,” said Helene Siegel, who owns 4½ Street Inn with her husband Ricky. The Pottses ran it as a boarding house for people who would come to stay for the summer. The Siegels have owned it for 18 years. The Inn, which can accommodate 22 people, is in a quiet residential neighborhood a half mile from Main Street. Surrounded by hemlock and mountain laurel, it’s hard to believe it’s so close to downtown. Ricky Siegel, a master gardener who has done beautiful things with the 1.3-acre grounds, has kept the landscaping simple. There are no formal gardens here, just a lot of shade beneath century-old oak trees and behind screens of rhododendron. The Inn has four rooms on the first floor, four on the second, and two on the third. All have private bathrooms. Helene Siegel credits the previous owners, who also ran it as an inn, with the superb restoration. They preserved the wainscoting and the original oak floors. The big wraparound porch, also original, has all manner of rocking chairs and tables for cool drinks. Out there, people tend to talk. “It’s kind of what you would imagine it would have been like when the house was built,” Helene Siegel said. “People sit out here and find some peace and tranquility. People like going out there before breakfast. It’s nice when there’s a soft rain. You can be under there and be protected and still hear the birds. And enjoy the fresh air and all the smells that come with that.” The deck on the back is where the Siegels serve wine and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 each afternoon. She often sees people strike up friendships that last for years. The Inn is decorated with whatever catches her fancy. Many of the antiques came with the house when she and her husband bought it. Much of the rest came from forays into Asheville or wherever. The result is colorful, casual. Siegel likes to think of it as a happy place. People tell her that merely walking in makes them feel better. As is true with most inns, each room is different. The Treehouse Room on the third floor is filled with light. The Rhododendron Room, one of three bedrooms with a fireplace, has a bed made of stout rhododendron branches.

INN AT R AGGED GARDENS

THE FRYEMONT INN

ECHO MOUNTAIN INN

HEMLOCK INN

THE CHALET INN

ELIZABETH LEIGH INN

Blowing Rock, NC www.ragged-gardens.com

Bryson City, NC www.hemlockinn.com

| July 2014

Bryson City, NC www.fryemontinn.com

Dillsboro, NC www.chaletinn.com

Hendersonville, NC www.echomountaininn.com

Hendersonville, NC www.elizabethleighinn.com

L Siegel so skillfully runs a meatless kitchen that many guests don’t notice. It’s hard to miss anything when she serves up breakfasts that can include lemon soufflé pancakes with homemade strawberry syrup; asparagus strata with peppers, mushrooms and swiss cheese; and garlic grits soufflé. She made all of those on a recent morning, serving them with biscuits, homemade granola, fresh fruit, and Greek yogurt. T h o u g h p e t s a r e n’t allowed, the Siegels keep guests happy with a basket of fresh-baked cookies in a basket on the stairway newel. Fruit, coffee and tea are always available, as is WiFi and a handicapped-accessible room. Amenities include bicycles, an outdoor hot tub, a morning paper, fresh flowers, and terrycloth robes. The Inn closes after Thanksgiving and reopens April 1st.

“I’m a romantic at heart. I like everything pretty,” she said.

BANNER ELK INN

407 Main Street East, Banner Elk One of the few single-stoplight towns around, Banner Elk has long ambled to a slower beat. That’s what makes it such a great place to get away to. It’s hard to miss the Banner Elk Inn, a large pink farmhouse set amid award-winning gardens across from the town park and a short walk to the village center. People have long come to Banner Elk for the skiing on Sugar and Beech mountains and the hiking in Grandfather Mountain State Park. Many also come for the Inn and its grounds alone, a pleasing respite to their hectic lives at home. The Inn, open year-round, was built in 1912 by the Seventhday Adventist Church. In the 1940s, a local artist bought it and named it Shawneehaw Inn, using the Indian name for the creek nearby. She added a second story and then the third, eventually selling it to a family that raised seven boys there. A Columbia, South Carolina, developer bought it, painted it its signature

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house still looks like the farmhouse the church designed long ago. The house, filled with antiques from around the world, has six bedrooms. There are private bathrooms in all except two bedrooms, which share a bathroom. The Briarwood Cottages, which sleep two or three, and the Bark House Cabin, which sleeps four, have whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. All beds have soft sheets and down comforters (nights can be chilly, even in summer). The cathedral-ceilinged cabin is paneled in pine, clad in poplar bark, and close to a waterfall rolling over natural boulders. The cottages have Palladian windows, high ceilings, antique European stain-glass windows, gas log fireplaces, and wood- or gas-burning stoves, as well as their own entrances. The Inn’s library has classic movies guests may borrow to play on the VCR or DVD player in their rooms. reynolds mansion Full breakfasts are served on fine bed & bre akfast inn china on holidays and weekends. Lait makes delicious cottage cheese pancakes on Saturdays, serving them with fresh blueberries, bacon and sausage, and fresh fruit. On pink color and reopened it as an inn. The Inn is to be repainted Sundays, she often serves up an egg, sausage, and cheese again this summer, owner Beverly Lait said. She’s considering casserole. Other Inn favorites include baked stuffed granola a color “not so pinkish.” cinnamon apples and a parmesan omelet soufflé with cheddar Lait, who speaks Spanish and some German, has added cheese sauce. Simpler fare fills out weekday mornings. Lait can bathrooms, a cabin, and the three cottages. She can accomaccommodate gluten-free diets. She recently planted an herb modate up to 25 people, which makes her Inn a destination for and vegetable garden for the pico de gallo sauce she makes to weddings and family reunions. “I’m a romantic at heart. I like serve with egg dishes. everything pretty,” she said. The house has historic features The Inn can seat 10 people around the big table in the dining such as original oak floors, a stone fireplace in the living room and beadboard paneling in the coffee room and hallway. The room. During the warm months, people often eat on the side

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THE OAKS BED & BREAKFAST

MOUNTAIN LAUREL REST

THE INN ON MILL CREEK

THE ORCHARD INN

1906 PINE CREST INN

Leicester, NC www.wildberrylodge.com

Old Fort, NC www.innonmillcreek.com

| July 2014

Saluda, NC www.theoaksbedandbreakfast.com

Saluda, NC www.orchardinn.com

Scaly Mountain, NC www.mountainlaurelrest.com

Tryon, NC www.pinecrestinn.com

porch, enjoying the fresh, high-elevation air. Some prefer to take their breakfasts back to their rooms. And sometimes “but not always,” Lait said, she’ll serve breakfast in bed. Lait was destined to be an innkeeper, it seems. The wife of a foreign service officer for 17 years, she hosted government functions in Peru, Uruguay, England, and West Berlin. “I had all this furniture and fine china and didn’t know what to do with it,” she said. So she decided to open an inn, something she’d contemplated before. She’s pretty good at it too. She decorated the coffee area, a cozy nook inside the Inn burnished with tongue and groove paneling, with antiques. Several buffets hold the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, biscotti, and other baked goods that guests can help themselves to around the clock. “There’s always something like a lemon cake,” she said. “It’s a big plus. Everyone likes to eat.”

REYNOLDS MANSION BED & BREAKFAST INN

100 Reynolds Heights, Asheville “If you like history, you’re going to like Reynolds Mansion,” said Billy Sanders, innkeeper and co-owner of Reynolds Mansion Bed and Breakfast Inn in Asheville. “We put it back to the way it looked when the Reynolds family lived here. People always mention it’s like stepping back in time.” This immaculately preserved, 18,000-square-foot inn has some 3,000 feet of deep porches. On the ground level, the porches wrap around the house, tying the front to the courtyard in back. On the second floor, the porch has long-range views of Cold Mountain and other peaks. The house was built for Colonel Daniel Reynolds in 1847 by slaves who made bricks on site and stacked them three deep to form the stout walls of this three-story Colonial Revival inn. The walls are so thick that a profound quietness and deep sense of peace pervade the Inn. Sixteen-foot ceilings on the first floor add to the air of expansiveness. Sitting on a knoll that ascends to Reynolds Mountain between Asheville and Weaverville, the Inn has eight guest rooms and

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11 bathrooms. The carriage house has three more guest rooms, and there are two in the cottage. The Inn can accommodate 34 people, making it one of the largest in the Asheville area. Reynolds Mansion Bed & Breakfast Inn is one of the few pre-Civil War era homes still standing in Buncombe County. It has been a home to a large family, a rooming house for local workers and a sanitarium. After several lives, the Inn has been restored to its former glory, with modern conveniences such as WiFi. A “double pile” brick home (meaning that the rooms on either side of the central staircase are mirror images of each other), the house was built in Federalist style. Reynolds and his wife, Susan Adelia Baird, filled the home with five girls and five boys. When the colonel died, the house and 140 acres that remained of the 1,500-acre estate went to a son, William Taswell Reynolds. He and wife Mamie Spears had a son of their own, Robert Rice Reynolds, who would become a United States senator from 1932-1945. Senator Reynolds, an adventurer who was also a professional wrestler and motion picture producer, was married five times. His last, at 57 years, was to 19-year-old Evalyn Walsh McLean. Additions done some 80 years ago now place the Inn in the Colonial Revival style of architecture. Eighty percent of the furnishings are original to the Reynolds family. Family portraits still hang in many rooms. The gateway to the guest rooms is grand—a hand-carved stairway of molded handrails and turned balusters. Each room on the first and second floors has a fireplace. All rooms on the three floors have private bathrooms. There are common bathrooms on each floor for guests’ visitors. The heavy wooden table in the dining room can seat 34 people. Using mostly local ingredients, Sanders and his staff whip up sumptuous breakfasts that start with fruit and biscuits and include dishes like sweet pepper scrambled eggs, apple stuffed french toast with hard sauce, and the Inn’s own “back to basics” Southern breakfast, all served on one of its 16 sets of china. Eggs come from the chickens penned in back, near the

“I can’t tell you how many times late at night people are reading in the library, watching the fire in the fireplace,” Sanders said. “At night, people are on the porch watching the lightning bugs. You just do not get that at a hotel.”

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Inn’s vegetable and flower gardens. What makes this an especially nice inn is that it’s just north of Asheville and yet not part of the busy city. Its address puts guests close to all that attracts people to Asheville. But it’s also near the hiking, biking, and other outdoor opportunities of northern Buncombe County, as well as counties further north. “People like the convenience of being able to get to downtown, but they like to step away from it and not be next to crowds and the noise,” Sanders said. Every afternoon, there’s a wine and cheese social that prompts guests to mingle in the brick-lined courtyard that Sanders has meticulously filled with hollyhocks, coreopsis, roses, and bachelor buttons. On chilly nights, they might gather in the front parlor or the library. The Inn respects its guests’ desire for quiet by referring potential visitors with children to other inns in the area. The pet-friendly carriage house has a Jacuzzi. The cottages have kitchens. The small pool, built in 1925, is thoroughly updated. Coffee, wine and goodies are available to guests around the clock. The Inn is open all year. “I can’t tell you how many times late at night people are reading in the library, watching the fire in the fireplace,” Sanders said. “At night, people are on the porch watching the lightning bugs. You just do not get that at a hotel.”

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news briefs

N.C. Solar Center to train first responders for electric vehicle crashes raleigh, nc

As the clean-tech industry progresses and more electric and alternate-fuel vehicles cruise the streets, emergency responders will need to learn new ways to respond to crashes. The North Carolina Solar Center at N.C. State University’s Centennial Campus claims it has seen “an overwhelming request for training” that would allow emergency responders to know what to do in situations involving electric or alternate-fuel vehicles. According to the solar group, The Carolina Blue Skies & Green Jobs Initiative has deployed more than 500 alternative-fuel vehicles and commissioned more than 140 fueling sites for those throughout the Carolinas.

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The initiative is backed by the U.S. Department of Energy with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. The number of Tesla Model S electric cars, Chevrolet Volts, Nissan Leafs, and Ford C-Max on roads are also increasing throughout the Carolinas. In response to the need of the local EMT knowing how to properly handle an emergency, the solar center has launched educational training programs to be taught by Rich Cregar, an instructor and vehicle technician with more than 25 years of experience with alternative fuels.

NC IDEA awards grants to six startups statewide

Startup support organization NC IDEA has added six companies to its grant

portfolio. Since 2006, NC IDEA’s grant program has awarded more than $3.4 million to 88 companies statewide. More than 130 applications were received, and this time, companies split $270,000 in grants. Andrea Cook, grant program manager at NC IDEA, explained, “Our final decision came down to where our money will make the most impact, certainly for the companies, but ultimately for the state of North Carolina.” The winning companies are: AnyCloud, a Durham-based startup that aims to organize “your online chaos,” the personal and shared content that’s scattered across multiple email, social and cloud accounts; CellBreaker, a Durham startup whose sole purpose is to get you out of your cellphone contracts; CrowdTunes, a Durham-based startup developing a mobile bidding platform that allows you to choose the music at a bar, if you’re willing to pay for the privilege; Eighty Percent Solutions, a Chapel Hill-based software startup that aims to reduce “digital distractions” with technology that has been sold to more than 50,000 customers; and Lea(R)n, a Raleigh startup that aims to crowd-source feedback from educators on learning tools, as well as school purchasing decisions.

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Cisco Systems to add jobs in Research Triangle Park triad area

Cisco Systems intends to expand its campus in Research Triangle Park (RTP) and add 550 new jobs by the end of 2017. The tech giant, which already employs about 5,000 workers and contractors in RTP, will be investing in building a new data center on campus. In return, North Carolina has offered Cisco Systems an economic development incentive package worth $12.9 million that will be payable after job creation and investment goals are met over the next 12 years. For its expansion, Cisco had also been considering locations in Georgia and Texas. The new jobs in RTP will be a combination of finance, operations and advanced network services positions that will pay an average $72,700 a year, plus benefits. According to the governor’s office, Wake County’s average yearly wage is $49,410. Cisco currently has 151 job positions posted on its career job site for its operations in North Carolina. Cisco Systems has been restoring and retrofitting existing office space throughout its RTP campus over the last year to prepare for new laboratories and data

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operations. Wake County records show that in the past 12 months, building permits valued at $30 million have been issued to construction companies working on the renovation projects at Cisco’s RTP campus. The majority of that work has been going to Turner Construction Co., R.N. Rouse & Co. and Balfour Beatty Construction. The agreement with North Carolina also comes less than a year after Cisco announced it would be laying off 4,000 workers, or nearly five percent of its work force, across the company’s global footprint.

Triangle can order beer from Facebook triad area

By August, folks in the Triangle will be able to go onto Facebook, access a brewery’s page, and order a beer that will be ready upon arrival. Clouds Brewing (previously Storm Clouds Brewing) will soon be joining the Raleigh scene. Its concept will focus on a Millennialfriendly cyber-connected theme. Adam Hoffman, the company’s president, said customers would be able to pay when entering the building, receive a bracelet and pour their own beer from 40 different

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taps. One could also purchase a membership and access online resources such as ordering. Plus, an interactive beer list will be displayed on screens around the brewpub. American food with a German twist will be offered from a tablet. One will also be able to purchase his or her friend a beer from the company’s website without being present at the brewpub. Hoffman said he and Matt MacNeil, the company principal, discovered this concept in Florida and Chicago. Clouds Brewing will primarily serve German beer, brewed in Morrisville through a five-barrell system. The goal is to supply beer to the brewpub and ultimately launch a similar brewpub in Durham by 2015. Hoffman’s dream is to eventually open a 50-barrell beer-brewing system in Asheville to supply beer for numerous Cloud Brewing chain-style restaurants, and possibly even expand into Southeast Texas and beyond.

Duke University best in South for international students durham, nc

Duke University ranked first in the South on a list of 50 best-rated and most

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 49

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affordable colleges for international students produced by Great Value Colleges. The list’s makers found the schools with the highest numbers of international students from the US News and World Report, and then selected the ones among those with the lowest adjusted tuition levels. Adjusted tuition accounts for the average amount of aid students receive in university grant and scholarship packages, but not any federal or state aid. Internationals are not eligible for much of the federal and state aid accessible to American students. According to the list, Duke’s adjusted average tuition is about $9,000 though it carries an initial price tag of more than $45,000. The list says nearly eight percent of its students are international. In the university’s financial statements for the year ended June 30th, 2013, Duke reported that it could have collected $642 million in tuition if all students paid full price, but the amount

of tuition the school actually collected was $392 million after accounting for student aid. Duke was the only North Carolina school to make the list.

Triad to pay for Chickfil-A with smartphones traid area

Customers at the Triad’s Chick-fil-A locations are the first in the nation to test a mobile payment system for the fast-food chain. The system now in place at the 20 Chick-fil-A locations in Winston-Salem, High Point, and Greensboro permit customers to pay for meals via a smartphone app and special scanner. The mobile payment process requires customers to download a free app, register for an account and load funds onto that account using their credit card information.

Customers then tap the “pay” button on their phone and scan their account’s distinctive quick-response code at the register or in the drive-thru lane. Each of the Triad’s restaurants has been equipped with the new scanner, which Chick-fil-A says should allow for faster and easier transactions. The cost of the customer’s meal is then deducted from the account balance. Chick-fil-A Inc. is considering expanding the mobile app payment to other markets later this year.

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on details such as stone columns, pavers, and decorative lighting fixtures. Some retailers have started building out their space. The outlet mall is a 50-50 joint venture between Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. and Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc., which is headquartered in Greensboro.

Burlington Industries awarded $2.2M military contract greensboro, nc

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touches on the property. There’s a high-level of activity at the 400,000-square-foot outlet center as crews continue working, and Sharon Campbell, general manager for Charlotte Premium Outlets, says it will have 100 retailers when finished. Construction began in September, and nearly 70 retailers have been named to date. Efforts are ongoing to secure additional tenants. There also may be an opportunity for local merchants to locate at the outlet, Campbell adds. Charlotte Premium Outlets is being built on a 40-acre parcel on the west side of Interstate 485, between Shopton and Steele Creek roads. Construction at the site is now focused on finishing common areas, which includes pouring concrete, laying brick for pedestrian walkways, installing fountains, and landscaping. She said that the center’s design focuses

local industry

written by roger mccredie

photos by anthony harden

STOREHOUSE OF

SECRETS YOUR FR IENDLY LOCA L PAW N SHOP

| July 2014

y father died suddenly and unexpectedly. In going through his personal effects the next day, my brother and I found tucked in his wallet a sheaf of yellow NCR receipts, each listing an item of personal property (mostly power tools), a dollar amount, and a date…

…Pawn tickets.

Pawning and (usually) redeeming stuff was a part of the rhythm of my father’s life. He earned a comfortable salary, most of which he remanded to my mother for household administration. But he kept a fraction of it as a sort of personal allowance with which he fed his personal demon, compulsive gambling. Like most compulsives, he gambled with more hope than skill, and if he had a hot tip or a flash of warped intuition and needed extra cash, he simply hocked something. Abe Smith’s Pawn Shop in Spartanburg underwrote his enterprise for years. So when death rudely interrupted this cycle in the middle of football-wagering season, my brother quietly redeemed the Old Man’s power tools, accepted Abe’s condolences (“A great guy, a gentleman, and a good customer,” Abe said), and replaced them in his workshop. No big deal.

Across millennia—they were known in China as early as 3,000 bc —pawnbrokers have been serving as financers of the feckless, temporary rescuers of the desperate and windfall generators for those who want to unburden themselves of personal junk. Dealing with them is quick, simple, straightforward, and confidential. No credit checks (pawn transactions are not reported to credit bureaus), no waiting period, and, except in certain circumstances, no questions asked. In fact, the pawnbrokerage business model has changed

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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William the Conquerer brought pawnbrokering to England, along with a whole raft of spendthrift Norman knights who served as a ready-made customer base. The practice caught on so well that Edward III hocked the crown jewels to finance a war—against the French.

hardly at all over the centuries. For reasons we shall explore, it has always—or almost always—been highly regulated. Much of the law that presently governs the pawn business can be traced to rules that were laid down in ancient Greece and Rome. William the Conquerer brought pawnbrokering to England, along with a whole raft of spendthrift Norman knights who served as a ready-made customer base. The practice caught on so well that Edward III hocked the crown jewels to finance a war—against the French. (What goes around comes around.) And less than a century later Henry V did likewise, needing to pay off Falstaff and the rest of the band of brothers who helped him out at Agincourt. In Spain, Queen Isabella hocked the royal rocks to finance Columbus’ first voyage to the New World. According to noted historian Stan Freberg, she did this against the advice of King Ferdinand, who wanted her to use the cash infusion to set Columbus up with a nice, safe little Fiat agency over in West Barcelona. But the framework for modern pawnbrokerage came out of the Italian province of Lombardy in the high middle ages. The practice there became so entrenched that it was referred to as “Lombard banking” and pawnbrokers themselves as “Lombardies.” It was the Medicis who became the foremost practitioners of this form of collateral loaning, and when heraldry became fashionable their family’s coat-of-arms contained three gold roundels (called “bezants” or “plates” in heraldic language). As “Lombardy banking” became the—ahem—gold standard of moneylending, pawnbrokers adopted the Medicis’ three bezants as their logo, hanging them in solid form outside their shops. Hence the pawnshop’s universally recognized three gold balls. These are usually arranged in an inverted triangle which, as the old joke runs, is code for “Two to one you’ll never get your stuff back.” Such a successful business model began to attract lenders who were less than ethical and who operated under the radar of the regulations of the time. A whole subculture arose of back door or even mobile Lombards who charged exorbitant interest, often in hopes of building an inventory since failure to pay off a pawn results in forfeiture of the collateral. Lombards thus added another dimension to their operation: they became dealers in second-hand merchandise, purchasing items from people in need of quick cash, usually for a small fraction of an article’s worth. From there it was a short step to receiving stolen goods. The backstreet Lombard had become a fence—a buyer and seller of hot property. Law enforcement tried to keep up; in London, which became riddled with less-than-scrupulous pawnshops, the Lord Mayor of London in 1603 enacted “An Act Against Brokers,” which stayed on the books until 1872; London was pockmarked with poverty and the Lombards supplied an ongoing demand. Eventually commercial banks and savings associations started making signature loans available to folks who met a rudimentary standard of credit worthiness, often no more July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

Its 111-year tenure in Asheville has also made it the oldest pawnshop still operating in North Carolina and the second oldest in the United States. 56

| July 2014

than proof of adequate income. This, of course, gave rise to the great paradox of commercial lending: them that has, gets. There were still plenty of people around who needed fast cash but could not meet the banks’ requirements: the working poor, the nonworking poor, the suddenly or unexpectedly destitute, or simply those without an established banking record. (In short, things were very much then as they are now.) There were those just seeking some mad money with which to party or gamble and who weren’t much concerned about whether they would be able to redeem their collateral when came the day of reckoning, as witness the chorus of “Sailors’ Hornpipe”: We’ll have another drink before the boat comes back, We’ll have another drink before the boat comes back. We’ll go down to Mother Racketts’ And we’ll pawn our monkey jackets And we’ll have another drink before the boat comes back. Equally, there were those like the fellow in another song who was nine hundred miles from home and, whether due to a family tragedy or acute homesickness, just needs to buy a train ticket: I will pawn you my watch, I will pawn you my chain, I will pawn you my gold diamond ring… Pawnshops had made it into folklore. And since they had by now become a fixture in every town of any size at all, they inevitably came to contribute to local history. In Asheville, North Carolina, the afternoon of Monday, November 12, 1906, was prematurely and bitterly cold. Few

people were out and about, and it’s doubtful that anybody took particular notice of a gaunt figure that stepped off the afternoon train from Spartanburg and headed up the hill to town, hunched against the wind. Well, his name was Will Harris, and he was a baaaaad man. He had escaped from Raleigh’s Central Prison and the governor of North Carolina had personally issued a reward of $200—more than $5,000 in today’s money—for Harris, dead or alive. Harris had come to Asheville looking for aid and comfort from an old girlfriend who knew him by another name. By suppertime he had found out where she was staying. The next morning Harris bought fresh clothes, then went directly to Finkelstein’s Pawn Shop where he purchased a Savage .303 rifle and ammunition. Carrying his purchases, he then walked into a saloon and bought a quart of whiskey. He guzzled half of it and set off for his ex-girlfriend’s basement apartment on the corner of Eagle and Valley Streets. The woman wasn’t there but her sister was, and Harris promptly took her hostage. The sister’s boyfriend appeared, sized up the situation and pelted straight to the police station. Two officers were dispatched to investigate. Harris killed one cop and wounded the other, then fled up Valley Street, pausing long enough to kill a man who had opened his door to see what the disturbance was. Heading west, he killed two more men—one a pedestrian, one July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 57

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an onlooker—before he reached South Main Street (now Biltmore Avenue). Then he turned right, heading uphill towards Pack Square. It was nearly midnight. On the square itself, policeman James Bailey fired at Harris from behind a telephone pole. Harris fired two shots in reply. One went completely through the pole, knocked Bailey down and ricocheted off the Vance Monument. The second struck Bailey in the head, killing him, then traveled into a store across the square where it went through a box of cigars, broke a jug, and lodged in the wall. From the lower end of the square, the fire bell, Asheville’s emergency signal, started ringing. Harris fled southwards towards the woods near the bottom of the hill as a hundred Ashevillians, in various stages of day and night dress, converged on the square. Police Chief Silas Bernard was trying to organize them into a posse when it was called to his attention that the volunteers were unarmed. At that critical point, according to historian Mark Jones, a voice shouted, “I have guns!” It was Harry Finkelstein, owner of the very pawnshop where Harris had bought his own weapon twelve hours earlier. “You can have every gun in my shop,” Finkelstein said, and in the next few minutes he handed out more than fifty rifles, shotguns, and pistols. There was no paperwork, no keeping track of who got what. Finkelstein simply assumed that his merchandise would be returned. Long story short: Harris evaded police and a huge posse for two days before he was spotted and killed in a final firefight in a snow-covered thicket near Skyland. His bullet-riddled body was displayed, oldWest style, on a board at a local mortuary. And Harry Finkelstein got every one of his loaned-out guns back. Finkelstein’s, founded by Harry in 1903, reckons itself the second-oldest continuously operating business in Asheville. (The oldest, since the demise of T.S. Morrison Hardware, is J. M. Hearn, locksmiths-turned-bicycling equipment dealers.) Finkelstein’s has changed locations three times along the same

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two-block stretch from South Main Street (Biltmore Avenue), where it was at the time of the Harris shootout, to Pack Square proper, where it remained for 55 years, to its present site a few doors north on Broadway. Its 111-year tenure in Asheville has also made it the oldest pawnshop still operating in North

She was tickled to death. “That’s an advantage we still have over the Internet,” Parker says. “There’s a big difference between seeing a picture of something and being able to hold it in your hand. As for pricing, we keep track of trends in the industry, we monitor eBay and the other Internet outlets, and we stay pretty competitive with them.” What’s the most unusual thing Finkelstein’s has loaned money on? “It would take some doing to name the ‘most’ unusual,” Parker says. “I do know there was a preacher that used to bring his Bible in and pawn it pretty regularly. And there was a fellow that used to pawn his dentures once in a while. The preacher came in a lot, though.” Electronics, big and small, come in and go out the door often, bought and sold as well as taken in pawn. The same goes for musical instruments. “Asheville has a big music scene,” Parker says, “and a lot of struggling musicians need money quick. But they nearly always redeem their instruments; they have to have them. And [buyers] are always hoping to find something you couldn’t find new in a music store, so that’s always a steady

Two officers were dispatched to investigate. Harris killed one cop and wounded the other, then fled up Valley Street, pausing long enough to kill a man who had opened his door to see what the disturbance was. Carolina and the second oldest in the United States. And it is thriving. “We’ve always done a steady business, retail sales as well as pawn,” says longtime corporate manager, Joel Parker, “but the revitalization of downtown has really been good for us. We get a lot of bargain hunters and collectors from out of town. Not long ago a lady from Michigan found a set of silver spoons she had been looking all over for, even on the Internet.

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market. Then there’s the seasonal merchandise—fishing and camping gear this time of year, guns and hunting equipment in the fall.” If Finkelstein’s is the Tiffany’s of Asheville pawnbrokers, Alan’s Jewelry and Pawn is its Neiman-Marcus. Its home store, on one of the busiest corners of Patton Avenue in West Asheville, is surrounded by a spacious parking lot. Inside, everything is brilliant track lighting and enormous open space, sparkling glass showcases displaying artfully arranged merchandise. Only the three-register pawn counter, placed discreetly off to one side, belies the impression that this is an upscale department store. (Well, that and the uniformed security guard who also serves as greeter.) There’s even a separate entrance for the jewelry department, which occupies half of the store unto itself. In all, the store comprises 15,000 square feet, a far cry from the 900-square-foot cubbyhole Alan Sheppard and his wife, Tonia, opened further down Patton in 1988. And that’s just the beginning. Alan’s now has a branch store across town on Tunnel Road and a third in Cherokee, conveniently located near the casino and open 24 hours a day. The stores also offer such amenities as check cashing and jewelry repair. Alan’s markets itself aggressively. It maintains a sophisticated website which bills it as “Asheville’s Stars,” a GA_Cap@Play_July2014.pdf_GA 6/5/14 3:16Original PM Page Pawn 1

reference to the History Channel reality show which follows a family of Las Vegas pawnbrokers, and includes a photo of Alan and Tonia with “Pawn Stars” star, Rick Harrison. The website also features a real-time update of the price of gold. The company maintains a hefty multimedia advertising program, from broadcast to billboards to print, and is a conspicuously generous donor to several local and national charities—it recently contributed $10,000 to the Make-a-Wish foundation, participates actively in Toys for Tots, and supports local charities from the Eblen Foundation to Manna Food Bank. When the leaves are off the trees, you can almost see Alan’s main store from Riverside Cemetery, where rests Will Porter, better known as O. Henry, the author of the classic short story “The Gift of the Magi.” In that familiar tale a financially strapped young couple part with their most prized possessions in order to buy each other a Christmas present. She sells her long and beautiful hair; he sells his grandfather’s gold watch, almost certainly to a pawnbroker. They then discover that he has used his money to buy her a set of combs and she has bought him a chain for his watch. Which seems only fitting somehow: the patron saint of pawnbrokers is St. Nicholas.

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UPDATES FOR

NATIONAL WORLD [

& news briefs

Apple planning to nix headphone jack in future devices world

Apple Inc. is reportedly preparing to rid standard headphone jacks of its future devices and instead require customers to use special headphones with the company’s proprietary Lightning connector. According to Forbes, the maker of iPads and iPhones released a specification update to its “Made for Apple” licensing program for headphones that connect with its proprietary Lightning port, which is also used to charge the devices. The Lightning connector will reportedly allow higher-level sound quality. Like most Apple developments, the news emerged from a leak. Apparently, Apple submitted

]

need to pay for an adapter, which would likely be expensive and perhaps bulky enough to convince them to buy dedicated Lightning headphones long term.

United Airlines changes frequent-flier program to dollar-based awards

a specification to its MFi (Made For) world licensing program for headphones that United Airlines announced changes connect using the company’s proprietary to its frequent-flier program that mirror Lightning port instead of the standard those made by Delta Air Lines earlier 3.5mm jack. Moreover, all it will take this year, basing miles earned on the for the Lightning port to start accepting amount spent instead of miles flown. these new headphones is a firmware United’s new MileagePlus program’s update. It seems there are some disswitch to frequent-flier awards based tinguished upsides to this innovation, on fares, rather than miles flown, will including functionality. Headphones reportedly take effect on March 1st, with a Lightning connector would be 2015, and will apply to flights on United, able to do more than lower/increase volUnited Express, and most United-issued ume, end calls, and skip tracks. There tickets for the airline’s partners. Some could be specific app control or even the anticipate American Airlines, which is ability to set a specific app to start when the only major carrier that still uses they are connected. Since the Lightning miles flown as a basis for rewards, to jack can also receive power, not just alsoThe switch to a dollar-based system. give it, one could still charge a device Introducing However, if that happens, it would probby connecting it to headphones while ably follow the completion of American’s listening to music. Users who wish to merger with US Airways. continue using their headphones would

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Boeing expands the 777X wings world

Boeing’s evolving 777X has adopted two new features: slightly longer wings and less-distinctive engines. Adding one foot to the outboard end of the folding wing tips, the wing-span has increased to 235.5 feet. The tips have grown by one foot, now totaling 12 feet. When folded, the plane will still be capable of fitting in the 213-foot “Code E” gates currently used by the 777 300ER models.

Coca-Cola boosting ‘Share a Coke’ campaign nation

This summer, Coca-Cola Company plans to replace some of its logos on 20-ounce bottles for 250 of the nation’s most popular names among teens and Millennials as part of its United States “Share a Coke” campaign. In addition to first names featured on 20-ounce bottles, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Coke Zero logos will give way to group names like “Family” and “Friends” on 1.25- and 2-liter bottles, and 12-ounce cans will

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feature colloquial nicknames like “BFF,” “Star,” “Bestie,” “Legend,” “Grillmaster,” “Buddy,” and “Wingman.” In addition, Coca-Cola Freestyle fountain dispensers will offer an option for sharing a little happiness this summer. Fans who have the Coca-Cola Freestyle app on their mobile phone can scan a QR code on the dispenser’s home screen, follow the directions, and send a friend a coupon for a free 20-ounce Coke. The ‘Share a Coke’ campaign will be supported through a national advertising and marketing campaign including new television commercials, cinema ads, social and digital engagement, interactive/digital billboards, and experiential activations.

Fashionable, wearable tech nation

For women especially, it can be challenging to recognize vibrating mobile alerts, as phones are typically finding their ways to the bottom of purses. Christina Mercando, a first-time New York tech entrepreneur, may have solved that problem: a small Bluetooth-enabled ring that vibrates and flashes a light whenever your phone gets a notification. Her startup

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company, Ringly, recently released its first batch of rings for sale. They hope to raise $60,000 to fund the initial batch of production. Rings sold now will ship this fall. Mercando is a veteran technologist who worked at the startup Hunch and then eBay. Ringly launched in early 2013 as Mercando became increasingly frustrated with missing texts, calls, and app notifications. As she discovered how common her dilemma was, she quickly gathered a team, including co-founder Logan Munro and CTO Tim Mason. After six versions, a ring that spans less than an inch wide, contains a small light, tiny motor, and a Bluetooth connection to the mobile phone, is finally on the market. It is paired with a free iOS and Android app that allows the user to control notifications and can be customized by color of the flashing light and number of vibrations, by user and app. Ringly connects to texts, calls, calendar alerts, and can also connect to notifications in Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Vine, LinkedIn, Uber, Poshmark, and even Tinder. The ring will also ping when the wearer strays too far from their phone, insurance against a leave-behind. It charges inside its storage box. Ringly’s $1 million in venture capital is on pace to last 18 months, Mercando says, giving her a runway until early 2015.

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Heinz and Ford explore using tomatoes to build cars nation

Researchers at H.J. Heinz Company and Ford Motor Company are exploring the use of tomato fibers in developing sustainable, composite materials for use in vehicle manufacturing. Specifically, the companies claim that dried tomato skins could become the wiring brackets in a Ford vehicle or the storage bin a Ford customer uses to hold other small objects. Ford has been working with Heinz and other companies, including

the Coca-Cola Company, Nike Inc., and Procter & Gamble, for nearly two years to quicken the development of a 100 percent plant-based plastic. At Heinz, the company said its researchers are looking for innovative ways to recycle and repurpose peels, stems, and seeds from the more than two million tons of tomatoes it uses each year. According to a statement, Heinz spokesman Michael Mullen said, “In our mutual search for ways to develop 100 percent plant-based plastics for everything from packaging to fabrics, scientists at Heinz and Ford Motor Company are exploring the use of tomato skins to make more sustainable automotive components…The technology looks promising. At Heinz, we know tomatoes are good for people; now Ford will see if tomatoes can make its vehicles even more environmentally friendly.”

Google helps open new home for startups in Berlin berlin, germany

Internet entrepreneurs have received a new home in the German capital with the opening of the “Factory,” a workspace created in partnership with Google Inc. that allows startups to innovate and collaborate under one roof. “Factory” founder Simon Schaefer said last month’s opening of the 172,224-square-foot building was facilitated with a $1.4 million investment from Google. He said new businesses will benefit “from the internationalism of our partners and will get attention from investors and potential customers from around the world.” The workspace is designed for nearly 500 people. The first occupants will include established firms like Twitter, Soundcloud, and Mozilla.

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More details surface on Disney Springs design florida

Walt Disney World’s plans for turning Downtown Disney into Disney Springs are surfacing. Disney Springs will have re-purposed elevated platforms, and new renderings will include a tall glass tower leading to the platform that has umbrella tables for guests. In addition, the area will offer new international restaurant and retail options that do not have a presence anywhere else in the country. The story behind the Disney Springs development centers around a small Florida city’s multi-era transformation from a small town dependent on a river, to years after railroad transportation is no longer the primary means of travel. The city discovers new ways to reuse the old railway tracks and stations. The

renovation was described as filled with old warehouses, brick buildings, and re-purposed boathouses as the city evolved with the times. Disney Springs is scheduled to be complete in 2016.

A robot with emotions world

SoftBank Corp. CEO Masayoshi Son announced that his company plans to offer a consumer robot that learns, evolves, and loves. Son, also chairman of Sprint Corp., introduced “Pepper,” the “humanoid” robot on wheels, saying SoftBank’s move was the first time a company has worked to input emotions into a robot. The offering achieves SoftBank’s 2010 plan to enter the robotics industry to improve users’ quality of life. Created in partnership with Aldebaran Robotics

SAS, SoftBank’s Pepper will market at just under $2,000 and will become available in February 2015. At least two SoftBank consumer stores are currently hosting Pepper as it interacts with customers. The robot tracks the number of visitors in the store and counts customers’ smiles while shopping. Pepper “estimates” emotions based on one’s expressions and voice tones. The droid also obeys voice commands and uses a variety of sensors to autonomously act in a variety of situations. Weighing nearly 60 pounds at about four feet tall, Pepper features a 10-inch display and 12-hour battery life. With the objective to become an “affectionate” domestic companion, the robot uses four microphones, two cameras, and a WiFi connection to interact with its owners. Because of its cloud database, the robot gradually adapts to its owners and “learns” from its mistakes.

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Jury Service:

Experiencing the Real in the Midst of a Virtual World

eliz abeth is currently CEO of the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations.

by ELIZABETH COLTON

The summons came. Report for “Jury Duty” on a particular day in April at the Buncombe County judiciary complex in downtown Asheville. Was that how I or any of us so summoned thought we wanted to spend our time? My subsequently found answer is that jury service is truly a privilege of our society and definitely something to which we should give our time if we are called. I’d always heard and been taught to believe that the right to trial by jury is one of the fundamental privileges our Constitution gives us as citizens. Now I know from experience. But I have to admit that my first reaction was probably similar to that of many others receiving the same notice. Reports indicate that increasingly the majority of American citizens first groan on receiving a jury summons and try to avoid this duty of a citizen in a democracy, including us in the United States of America. Yet that should not be our response to this call for civic duty. We should welcome serving on a jury as a contribution to preserving the right. My first reaction, admittedly but also ashamedly, was to think of figuring out how it might be possible to avoid doing jury duty. Once before I’d been summoned, but then I was working as a diplomat overseas and, thus, hadn’t had to show up. So, my second thought this year on receiving the summons was that I would just accept this as a duty of citizenship, arrange my calendar to be in town, show up on the set day at the courthouse, and see what might happen. Another thought also followed my initial idea of jury avoidance. What about approaching it as a special experience of serving on a jury, regardless of how long it might last? Wouldn’t it be worth having that experience then always to know what it’s like? Get the real experience if possible, to feel and know it as it actually is and not as one sees juries in movies or on television. 66

| July 2014

In so many ways I’ve lived my life to get behind the scenes to know how things work, what people are thinking, why they behave in certain ways in different situations. But I could not say I had any real idea of what it was like to serve on a jury. So, the jury challenge was there. The whole process of jury selection was the first thing that surprised me in spite of my having followed many trials over a lifetime. Remarkably, it was like a “survivor game.” First, there were the numbers and range of citizens, all legal residents of Buncombe County in Western North Carolina, all brought together on one day to await instructions and begin the process. Everything about the rules, how it would work, seemed mysterious and vague to the first-timer. All of us, nearly 100 of all ages from 18 up, sitting in a big waiting room, slyly and shyly eyed each other with interest, wondering whether we might end up being together on a jury for days or months, trying to get hints of who each person was sharing this experience that could be life changing. No one could predict the outcome. No one could plan the rest of their day or week until they got through this process. We were all on hold for that period of time. The first division of those summoned to appear that day was according to the type of trial. Then the names were called, none in alphabetical order. We were assigned, apparently by random computer selection, whether we would be going for a civil case or a criminal case, both starting that same day. We separated and never saw the other group again. Into our courtroom we marched in a line to take seats and await the next unknown stage. Everyone seemed nervous. Our actual jury selection lasted into the second day. Each of us had to tell many personal details about ourselves to the

whole public courtroom, and then each was questioned more about possible prejudices or knowledge that could be prejudicial. Finally, we were the chosen, or the survivors, somehow selected while others had been de-selected sometimes for reasons not at all evident in the weeding out process that seemed to be searching for any inherent bias pro or con either side in the case. Even though during the selection questioning there had been hints of what the trial concerned, the trial was now to begin with the lawyers formally laying out their cases. “Seriously focused” was the apt description of all the players involved in the courtroom drama. The jurors, who were probably the only un-coached participants, were clearly all determined to be as serious as humanly possible during the courtroom proceedings. It was evident that all of us jurors were very serious about fulfilling our duties, about listening carefully, staying focused, trying to stay fully awake, and seeking to be fair to all sides. Only once was there an inadvertent gasp from one juror when one part of some testimony seemed at odds with all presented earlier. Some jurors took notes throughout the proceedings, as allowed, while others of us simply focused without writing, trying to soak in all the evidence presented. The courtroom provided so much to observe that one was often tempted to shift one’s focus—the lawyers, the plaintiff and the defendant, the judge, the bailiffs, the court recorder, the unknown public sometimes walking in and out, the other jurors, and the whole scene. A different scene was the jury room where we were sent for various breaks over the course of the four days. There we were not allowed to speak of the trial until the time for deliberations. So, there we began to get to know some of the other jurors and their personalities and talents, like singing. And there the bailiff, who herded us in and out of the

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courtroom and the little jury room, became our friend and offered some light relief from the seriousness of the trial. Over the four days in that courtroom, each of us learned a lot from our observations of the different players’ habits. But not all impressions of courtroom demeanor held forever. At the end of the trial, when the judge graciously came to speak with and thank the jury in the small sideroom, he surprised some of the jurors by showing his casual, light side that contrasted dramatically with his most serious courtroom face. With a sense of relief that the trial was over finally, jurors bantered with the judge about their discovery of his smiling face and humanity. Finally, all the evidence had been presented, and it was time for the jury’s deliberations and the effort to reach a verdict. That was when the beauty and the fairness of the trial by jury seemed to shine, in spite of all the arguments and weaknesses of the system. Twelve citizens, not the lawyers, not the judge, not the motley array of witnesses, talked and weighed, and reached a verdict. Jurors had their disagreements as to what they had heard and seen in the testimony. But all adhered to the judge’s instructions to keep only to the laws pertinent to the case. The verdict finally reached seemed as fair as possible for all in the end. And I don’t think that verdict could have been reached so fairly by any of the other players in the case. What an experience it was—this jury service—full of new insights, feelings, and mostly the understanding of what it is to be a member of a jury in an American courtroom, in such contrast to my previous perceptions from decades of reading about and watching videos of trials by jury. Regardless of all the shortcomings of the system, this real-life experience made me appreciate and value more than ever this special right we have and why we should not shirk it if we’re summoned and should not dismiss it as an institution of our free democracy. What I learned serving as a juror was fascinating to me as one who loves understanding and learning from experiencing. I recommend it for all citizens. Thinking back to a case I once had, I wished then and even more so now that my lawyers had been able to prevail in our original effort to have my case against the government tried by jury and not by all the politically appointed judges with their possibly innate trust in the actions of government. Should any of us ever have to be involved in litigation, we should all have the right to trial by jury. And we should all honor a summons to serve on a jury if and when we are called. I will gladly agree to serve if ever summoned again. I recommend jury service as a real experience of value to any citizen in the midst of a virtual world.

This real-life experience made me appreciate why we should not shirk it if we’re summoned and should not dismiss it as an institution of our free democracy.

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BEYOND

Light Poles

Circuit Breakers A History of the Cannadys at mb haynes corp

wrtiten by jim murphy

photos by anthony harden

With annual sales of more than $90 million… With more than 500 employees… With a fleet of more than 400 vehicles… With clients that range from the North Carolina DOT to Mission Hospital, Duke Energy and the Biltmore Estate… MB Haynes Corporation ranks as one of the top companies in Western North Carolina. July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

buzz y cannady

eople who work at Haynes see the company a bit differently. “It’s like a big Mom and Pop,” says Eddie Shuford, an electrician who has worked there for 25 years. “They keep us busy, and they treat us decent,” he says. Decent enough that his son, Brian, decided to follow in Eddie’s footsteps. Brian has been at Haynes for 15 years, and he’s now a foreman in the service department. The company lists 40 employees with at least one relative also working there. In early June, Eddie was installing conduit, plugs, and lights for a communications company in West Asheville. He said two great uncles had worked at Haynes and one of his uncles is still with the company. He explained the attraction. “One thing I like about them is family comes first. If I’ve got issues with my family, I take my family first and they understand that.” “I can’t imagine working anywhere else.”

Carolyn Adkins also can’t remember working anywhere else. Carolyn has worked at Haynes for 42 years, and now she’s facing retirement “if I don’t chicken out.” When she retires, she says, “I’m going to be losing my family. Because these people are my family.” That word comes up again and again in conversations with Haynes employees, from executive row to crews in the field. Family. 72

| July 2014

brett cannady

In some cases, the word can sound like a verbal crutch, a handy way to describe a company that offers benefits and pleasant working conditions. But here it sounds like more than just a word. These people mean it. They feel their company is special because the company treats the people special. Carolyn laughs at the notion of working elsewhere. “They would fire me the first week if I went anywhere else because I’m so spoiled.” She leans forward on a desk cluttered with stacks of paperwork and a small bowl of Life Savers as she tries to explain how she is spoiled. “They give you a job to do, and they don’t stand over you. They let you do the job, so you’re free.”

HIS “BIG MOM AND POP” IS ACTUALLY A VERY big Dad and Two Sons. Ellis Cannady came to the company back in 1951 when it was a small electric contractor with 25 employees and an office on Woodfin Street in downtown Asheville. At the time, much of the rural region still had no electricity, and Haynes was busy wiring mountain communities to turn on the lights. “We stumbled along and tried to find the right way to get there,” the elder Cannady says, sitting at his big desk in the corner office at Haynes headquarters in West Asheville. The desk shows several decades of use and fits in quite well with the

ellis cannady

July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 73

paneled walls and the bulletin board that displays a rich array of newspaper cartoons. Cannady’s sons, Nathaniel III, (known as Buzzy) and Brett relax into a pair of couches across the room. The brothers began their Haynes careers in the mid-’70s, and each moved through the various departments of the company, which was still primarily an electrical contractor. Eventually Buzzy became CEO and Brett executive vice-president—and the company began to expand into areas far beyond light poles and circuit breakers. It now has nine divisions serving clients in residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional settings. A statue of a golfer sits on a table in a corner of Ellis’ office, and Buzzy, explains, “He was a good golfer. Still gets out for nine holes a couple of times a week.” At the age of 94. The elder Cannady’s recollection and focus are as strong as his golf game, and he continues with a short history of the company. When Marion Haynes’ son died in 1965, “I bought the company. By that time I had about $40,000 worth of (stock) bonuses in my name. I bought what I could, financed the rest and paid that off in three years.” During that time, Haynes bought another utility company, Skyline Electric. “We had a little piece of the business installing lines for Carolina Power and Light, but Skyline did most of the work, much more than we did. We bought their equipment, and we bought the company and paid it off in a couple of years.” The t h re e C a n nadys agree that their growth was not the result of any longrange master plan. “A lot of the decisions were just an opportunity presenting itself, and we would decide to go after it,” Buzzy says. “I think one thing we really do a good job of is we listen to other people’s ideas. We bought into a lot of new things that worked well.” But not all of those opportunities turned out to be golden and some evolved into other businesses. In the ’70s they closed a motor shop that had struggled for years. In the ’80s a residential burglar and fire alarm business was sold, and in the early 2000s, an underground water and sewer utility business was closed. MB Haynes cut their losses, and those units are no longer a part of the company today. In 1982, “Bill Arledge walked in

“I really am proud of what this company has become,” Buzzy says. “I think it has not been Brett and Dad and me alone, but we had a lot of good people around us.”

| July 2014

Dakota King, of HAYNES Electric, runs electrical conduit inside a building construction.

NINE DI V ISIONS

MB Haynes has expanded its business from the original electric contractor to nine divisions covering a variety of building and infrastructure categories.

Haynes Electric Construction Company installs wiring and electrical equipment for buildings ranging from single-family homes to Mission Hospital.

Haynes Electric Utility Corp. installs and repairs overhead and underground power lines, traffic signals, and lighting for sports stadiums.

Haynes Energy Solutions installs solar systems, wind turbines, and other â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? power alternatives.

Haynes Plumbing Systems installs and repairs plumbing pipes in residential and commercial buildings.

Haynes Heating and Cooling installs and

services heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (hvac) equipment in commercial buildings.

H&M Constructors builds churches, schools, office, and apartment buildings in both traditional and metal building categories.

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July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 75

the front door and said do you want to start doing interconnect telephone systems,” Buzzy says. “He sold us the idea of going into the telephone business,” under the name: Telephone Systems of Asheville. His father picks up the story. “We bought into the telephone systems and every time you turned around you had to buy something more.” They sold the company to Arledge about ten years later, which operates successfully in Western North Carolina today under the name TSA Choice (editors note: read more about this separation and TSA Choice at capitalatplay.com). The Cannadys, father and sons, sit in Dad’s office to recount the growth of the company from a small-town electrical contractor to this regional conglomerate in the building and infrastructure industry. They speak with a quiet, almost subdued, pride in the growth of the company, quick to share the credit with their employees. “I really am proud of what this company has become,” Buzzy says. “I think it has not been Brett and Dad and me alone, but we had a lot of good people around us.” One of those good people is Tony Gentry, who has worked at Haynes for 30 years. Tony is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in industrial relations, but he began his career at Haynes as an apprentice electrician. “I actually took a cut in wages to come here. We were newly married and expecting a child, and that was a hard thing to do. But when I had an opportunity to come work for the largest and what I considered the best electrical contractor in Western North Carolina, I took it.” From apprentice, Tony moved on to junior project manager, director of marketing, senior project manager, service department manager, and finally to his current position, president of Haynes Electric Utility Corp. Tony’s career validates his statement: “I’ll tell you what, there’s opportunity here if you want it. There’s lots of opportunity here. Lots.” He leans forward, intent on making his point. “I’ve never gotten up in the morning and wanted another job. I’ve been

welding

| July 2014

pat kling ,

Superintendent for the construction, looks over the Park Ridge Medical Office Building on Long Shoals Road. July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 77

offered other jobs but I’ve never entertained it. I’ve just felt content here.” Tony’s office features several miniature NASCAR models and a display of family photos on the shelves and walls. He has two grown sons and proclaims that he has been married 34 years.

The Haynes layout covers more than 20 acres and the company has acquired more property just up Deaverview Road to build a new headquarters building. The current building has become something of a maze as expansion of the company has required additions to headquarters. “This building is old and dilapidated,” Brett says. “Hopefully in the next two or three years we’ll have an updated office.” The age and condition of state of the main building offers a hint into the Cannadys’ business philosophy. “Dad’s always been real, real conservative with money,” Buzzy says. “The only things you bought were the things you really needed. I think a new headquarters building is overdue.” Ellis says his frugality is the key to the success of the company. “I had always been frugal. If we made a little money, I put it aside. I didn’t have to take money out of the company. I accumulated everything I could, because if something went wrong I had something to fall back on.” Inevitably, something went wrong. The recession of 2008 hit

Tony shows a visitor around the company headquarters, pointing out various specialized vehicles in the fleet. “We have bucket trucks, digger-derricks, trenchers, bulldozers, backhoes, and a bunch of pickups.” To service all those vehicles a maintenance garage and a paint and body shop operate full-time. At a far corner of the property, a cavernous building contains stacks of building supplies and brawny pieces of industrial equipment. A welder is working on a piece of iron pipe that will become part of the cooling system for Mission Hospital.

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They had 616 employees in 2008, but the economy forced them to cut the workforce below 400. Now, with the economy rebounding, the Haynes workforce has again passed the 500 mark.

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Haynes just as it hit all the companies in the building and infrastructure industry. They had 616 employees in 2008, but the economy forced them to cut the workforce below 400. The electrician Eddie Shuford says the company tried to keep the cuts to a minimum. “I’ve only been laid off one time,” Eddie says. “And that was because we rotated layoffs so they wouldn’t have to get rid of anyone. That was back when work slowed down. We all worked together to save each other.” Now, with the economy rebounding, the Haynes workforce has again passed the 500 mark. “I think we’re in a position to do well if the economy gives us more opportunities,” Buzzy says, turning the focus of the conversation to the future. The three Cannadys speak of moving the company to another level, and Brett picks up that theme. “I think if we go to another level there’s going to be a whole lot more work away from here. Right now most of our work is really close by, and if we go to another level we’ll have to open satellite offices in other regions and all that sort of thing. But we’re getting into bigger work, and all the tough years from ’08 to ’12 have weeded out a lot of our competitors.” As the company, which was founded in 1921, edges toward the century mark, a third generation of the Cannady family has joined the corporate family. Brett’s son, Phillip, worked at the company during his college summers, and then came on

full time four-and-a-half years ago. He is a project manager in the heating and cooling division. And Buzzy’s daughter Melissa began working at Haynes this June. To protect against any unforeseen developments, the older Cannadys instituted an employee stock ownership (ESPO) plan two years ago. “The company is rewarding its employees,” says Tony Gentry. “It’s basically an exit strategy for the owners. They don’t want someone to buy the company, come in and fire people, and change the corporate culture.” The Cannadys accept the term, exit strategy, but they stress that they are not preparing for any imminent exit. They agree that it would be more accurate to call the plan a “long-term” exit strategy. “We’re not trying to get out,” Buzzy says. “Twenty years will go by just like that, and if we haven’t made some preparation of getting it to the next generation, it’s going to be a problem. “The idea of a company “family” means having compassion for our people. But I’ll tell you, these guys that have been here 20 or 30 years, we’ve grown up together, so they really are family. If we ever sold to someone else, their fate is in the hands of a new owner. So this is really a good way to take care of a lot of people.”

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capital adventurist

CANOEING THE

French Broad River Paddle Trail

take a day or a week to access and explore a new perspective on one of the oldest rivers in the world by william hay wood July 2014 | capitalatplay.com

capital adventurist

h e c u t t i n g co u r s e of a river me anders over time. Patiently wearing boulders to pebbles, adding depth to valleys, and slaking the thirst of both civilizations and the wild. Such ancient things dwarf us in lifespan and continually evolve and recede to the whim of nature. Sometimes flooding angrily over its banks and alternately dwindling to a trickle. They linger and survive providing an example in fortitude and endurance.

pick the path you paddle

The French Broad River is a phenomenal place to experience the outdoors without stepping too far outside the comforts which make a micro vacation so pleasant. Even the purists among ultralight backpackers will enjoy a good Cadillac camping trip. For those of you experienced in the wilderness, perhaps this can help you share a trip with a friend who has been tempted but not convinced to join you. Big breakfasts of sausage, eggs, and hashbrowns. Light lunches of finger food and gourmet delicacies. Dinners of grand proportions. The canoe and river team up to carry the weight, and with the days set aside already, plenty of time can be focused on good times and great food.

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Industrialism and agricultural runoff had, for decades, taken a severe toll on the water quality of many rivers in the region, some of this has been mitigated by the Clean Water Act and the efforts of conservation groups such as the Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA), an organization solely dedicated to conservation and protection of the region. In large part to these efforts, the French Broad is once again a beautiful place to explore close to home. Since 1982 this advocacy group has made strong progress improving the environmental quality of the region and ensuring public access for recreation. The WNCA French Broad River Paddle Trail is a major investment in that effort.

| July 2014

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capital adventurist

Spanning 140 miles from Rosman, North Carolina, to Douglas Lake, Tennessee, the trail is composed of paddle-in only campsites on leased and granted property. You will not be elbow to elbow with RVs cramping your style. The sites are well maintained and have ample space for multiple tents, established fire pits, and cooking areas. Some have picnic tables and even well kept privies. The view from the Roads Ranch outhouse is lovely should one be so bold as to prop the door during the morning respite. Probably best to warn your comrades should you choose to go this route. The WNCA website has reservation information and details about each site. Picking the section of the Paddle Trail and site that suits the needs and experience level of your group is a simple task with the tools provided by WNCA. The majority of trip options fall into easy floats for multi-day excursions. These sections are rated as easy but still have a sense of adventure, navigating through the sun bleached trees, downed trees, and boulder structures that dot certain sections. Pull off on one of the smaller unnamed islands of granite for a swim and lunch upon the stones to warm you after the cool water refreshment. As the French Broad winds towards Tennessee the pace speeds up and the difficulty escalates, in some cases up to Class IV rapids. Starting with a simple 2-4 day run in one of the milder sections will give you a feel for the requirements and pleasantries of paddle travel. The WNCA Paddle Trail Sites (now six but always expanding) provide the best access to this introductory experience.

preparing to de - stress , without stress

Breaking into the outdoors can be intimidating. Without knowing what you need or where to start, the prospect of venturing into even the mildest of trips can be a little nerve racking. Have no fear, this trip is near civilization, and your cell will work just fine if you need some moral support or want to send pictures of the awesome time you are having to your friends. Have a question about camping that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t covered here? Google it from your campsite (or follow one

| July 2014

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Keeping a canoe well balanced is easier than you might think. Check out the illustration for even keel instructions. A balanced boat will track better through the ripply and forgiving little rapids of the French Broad.

gear Shelter (Tent or Tarp & Line) Sleeping Bag & Pad Life Jacket for each person (keep accessible) Dry Bags- Only get wet when you want to. Keep the essentials and electronics dry. Trash Bags- Essential for packing trash out and useful for an impromptu semi dry bag.

cooler of awesomeness

Sunscreen, First Aid Kit, Bug Spray Flashlights & a lantern Entertainment (besides the naturally occuring)

clothing

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Bathing suit Hat and Light Long Sleeve Shirt to keep the sun off of you Water Shoes/Sandals/Flip Flops Comfortable clothes for camping, cooking, & hanging by the fire

food Morning Afternoon

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Evening Water (a gallon each day for each person) Pick your poison Supplemental delectables Cooler of awesomeness to pack it all in

stern

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capital adventurist

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For more details on the French Broad River Trail see: wnca.org/paddle Check out the safety section at: www.americancanoe.org Tip: Having fresh water is an easy and essential choice. A gallon each day for each person. The gallons should start evenly distributed on each side of the boat but if the boat feels a bit off center, swap one over to adjust accordingly.

| July 2014

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wnca campsites

of the links listed on the facing page). This may not be the advice column for purists, but there is no shame in staying safe, well fed, and comfortable. Every trip is a learning experience. Make it your own. Any canoe over 14 feet can hold two people and ample provisions for a two (plus) night trip with all the necessities and plenty of fun add ons. The weather is warm late spring through early fall. This alleviates the need for most heavy clothing. Having a few changes of dry clothes, a rain jacket, and fleece of some variety will do just fine. Scope out the checklists on Page (85-86) for the necessities, luxuries, and some tips on how to pack it all in for a safe and leisurely float. As you read through fill in the blanks in order to every trip is tailor this trip to the wants of your a learning weekend warrior heart. experience Sleeping arrangements shouldn’t be an afterthought. How well you make it sleep at night can alter, for better your own or worse, the following day’s experience. If someone in your party snores like a banshee, prudence might dictate a second tent. There will be the sounds of the river and surrounding woodlands to keep you company, and after a day of light paddling sleep will come easy. A basic tent will give you comfort should you encounter any storms and keep bugs at bay. During the warm seasons a light sleeping bag will go a long way keeping out chills and keeping you cozy. No need for a zero degree Everest bag, any summer weight or multiseason bag will do. A rolled up sweater or fleece makes a lovely pillow and putting it inside the stuff sack of your sleeping bag or a t-shirt will prevent it from running astray. Last but not least, a sleeping pad isn’t essential for masochists but for the rest of us… Leave MRE’s and freeze dried food for those that need them (God bless them). Unless you want to eat something, don’t bring it. This isn’t a survival exercise. Steaks, cornish game hens, caviar; the only limiting factor is the size of cooler and span of your creativity. If grilling is your game, be sure to bring a grate. A mini bag of charcoal is a solid backup plan in case you want to speed up dinner or dry wood is scarce. You can stoke a fire, even out of damp wood, over the remaining coals after cooking in the fire pit. A hearty breakfast will start the day strong. A paddle trip is a great time to set any newfangled diet you might be on to the side. Paddling, swimming, and lounging are all excellent forms of exercise and will more than compensate for a few awe inspiring calories. Mediterranean spreads are always a great choice for snacks and light meals to enjoy through the day. Hummus, olives, cured meats, smoked salmon, and your cheese of choice. Crackers, pitas, or some hearty bread will provide a good surface to eat from.

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capital adventurist

A lot of keeping cool falls to beverage selection. To save weight and keep glass out of the river, canned or boxed beverages are environmentally responsible and lightweight (once you empty them.) Mini-kegs are available in many varieties. A great option for beer on a hot day: just refill your camp cup and spare yourself the hassle of having to carry much trash out. The river provides plenty of natural waterborne entertainment. Swimming, fishing, and lounging will keep your group smiling for hours. For my fellow nature nerds binoculars and a camera wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a bad idea. Wildlife, especially birds, abound. Herons, hawks, ducks, and owls provide plenty of material for the amateur shutterbug. Depending on conditions and recent rainfall, the turbidity (amount of sediment clouding the water) of the river will vary. Fishing can be hit or miss, as always, but getting a line in the water is rewarding and you never know what luck will bring. Bring some games along to mix it up in between swimming and sunbathing sessions. I have gone so far as to pack collapsible cornhole boards into a canoe for afternoon and even lantern lit tourneys at camp. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to weigh the boat down too much but, within reason, bring what it takes to spice up the trip.

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c lo s e yo u r e y e s for a moment and dip your toes in the water. Listen to the birds and the sound of beers being cracked open. Feel the sun and breeze. Water laps off of the banks and breaks clear of boulders in effervescent ripples. Your paddle cuts the water as your yacht (canoe) tracks effortlessly across the currents. The sun is slung low and the soft light will remain for the next few hours while dinner is cooked and the fire is built. The day will gradually burn away and the embers will replace it. Some of the best conversations come by campfire, punctuated with the snap of a cone or seed, and the clutter of the outside world fades as dancing light captures all attention. The pauses of contemplation are comfortable, allowing the conversation to travel as easily as the river upon which you have arrived.

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events

July now-september 1

The Great Outdoors Exhibit 300 college street, greenville, sc The Children’s Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) presents an exciting new summer exhibit. The Great Outdoors celebrates the wildlife and natural resources indigenous to the upstate of South Carolina. Visitors can set up “Camp TCMU”, test a real kayak, count tree rings, learn survival skills, and even track animals. There will be fun programs, activities, and special guests throughout the summer such as the popular PBS Naturalist Rudy Manke, who will make an appearance on Saturday, July 12th.

admission: members free children (age 2-15) $9 adult $10 under age 2 free 864 . 233 .7755 www.tcmupstate.org july 5

51st Annual Coon Dog Day Festival 8 am -11pm saluda , nc This is a celebration of dogs and their people. It includes live music, parade, crafts, street dance, and more. What began as a chicken supper fund-raiser for the local Coon Club has grown into an event that attracts over 10,000 people each year. Jump start your morning with the Coon Dog Day 5K run through historic downtown and the surrounding tree-lined streets we all know and love. Then, the parade is a favorite every year and consists of mostly homemade floats, tractors, fire trucks, horses, motorcycles, dogs, and the reigning Coon Dog Royalty Court. The parade starts at 11 am and marches down Main Street for over an hour. You will find many food and craft vendors, plus live entertainment on the main stage all day. Parking for Coon 90

| July 2014

Dog Day will be at the Party Place & Event Center (formerly Saluda Mountain Jamboree) for $10 per vehicle.

www.saluda .com july 6 & 20

Erick’s Tasting Room 5:30 pm erick’s cheese and wine shop, grandfather center , banner elk , nc The second wine class series features wines from Italy. Always one of Erick’s Tasting Room’s most popular classes, discussion will include pour wines from small, artisanal producers who caught the eye of the Small Vineyards importer that seeks out the best of the small volume producers. This summer the Tasting Room will explore the various faces of two popular grapes from around the world. First up is Cabernet. Most of us are familiar with Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, but are you familiar with Cabernet Sauvignon from Italy, South Africa, South America, Australia, or Spain? And are you familiar with the genetic cousins, Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Pfeiffer? Join a global exploration of perhaps the globe’s most famous grape.

admission: $25 828 - 898 - 9424 july 5 & 19

Black Light tour 9:15pm emerald village,

331 mckinney mine rd, little switzerland, nc Emerald Village offers nighttime underground mine tours that unlock vibrant hidden colors available only under ultraviolet light, commonly called black light. The brilliant coatings in the Bon Ami Mine are largely deposits of Hyalite Opal, a true form of opal found in this area. Under shortwave ultraviolet light, these coatings fluoresce or glow a vivid lime

fire wor k s

       brevard ’s july 4 th celebr ation 9:30pm | Admission: Free Downtown Brevard, NC brevardnc.org

downtown asheville independence day celebr ation

Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville, NC 9:30pm | Admission: Free www.ashevilledowntown.org

tourist baseball game

McCormick Field, Downtown Asheville, NC Follow baseball game starting at 7:05pm Admission: $11.50 for game ticket www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t573

south asheville

Lake Julian, Arden, NC Begin at sundown | Admission: Free www.buncombecounty.org

bl ack mountain

Downtown Black Mountain, NC 7pm | Admission: Free www.blackmountain.org

fire on the l ake music festival Lake Louise, Weaverville, NC Fireworks at dusk | Admission: Free www.weavervillenc.org

hendersonville fireworks

Downtown Hendersonville, NC Starts at sundown | Admission: Free www.historichendersonville.org

      

July 4th

       l ake lure fireworks

Lake Lure, NC Begin at sundown | Admission: Free www.townoflakelure.com

red white & boom

Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, Maggie Valley, NC 10pm | Admission: Free maggievalley.org

fireworks on the green The Village Green Commons, Crossroads of HWY 64 & HWY 107, Cashiers, NC 6:30 p.m. | Admission: Free www.villagegreencashiersnc.com

fireworks extr avaganz a

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, NC 9:30pm Admission: Parking for fireworks show $5, Free for season pass holders www.tweetsie.com

47 th annual roasting of the hog & fireworks displ ay

Beech Tree Inn, Beech Mountain, NC Fireworks at dark | Admission: Free www.beechmountainchamber.com

 Daytime festivities are also included in some of the events. Please visit their websites for more information.

      

green. The effect, underground at night, is stunning. There are other fluorescent minerals there, too, including feldspar that glows pink to red, mangan-apatite that glows cream to orange, and a rare phosphorescent blue mineral which, so far, has not been identified. This location is home to some of the world’s largest deposits of Hyalite Opal, and the only known underground Hyalite Opal deposits open to the public. Reservations are recommended, and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour is a 30-40 minute guided tour, led by one of Emerald Village’s professional staff. The special lights, flashlights, and safety glasses are provided. Since it is necessary to have complete darkness for the tour, the beginning time varies with the season.

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july 10 -13 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

2050 blowing rock highway, linville, nc Modeled after the Braemar Highland Games in Scotland, this event is considered to be the grandfather of Scottish Games in the United States. The opening ceremonies begin at dusk with a torchlight ceremony where representatives of each of the 100 clans and 16 societies announce their family’s participation in the gathering. This “raising of the clans” proclaims that they have once again come together to celebrate their heritage. Prior to the torchlight ceremony, 800 people run a 5-mile footrace called “The Bear” that climbs 1,568 feet in elevation from the town of Linville to the summit of Grandfather Mountain. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are filled with competition in heavy-weight Scottish athletic events, highland dancing competition, bagpipe band parades, piping, drumming and harp competitions, sheep herding

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events

demonstrations by Scottish border collies, and concerts featuring a wide variety of Celtic music.

admission: prices vary www.gmhg .org july 12

Elvis Impersonators Strive for World Record 6:30 pm harrah’s cherokee casino resort, 777 casino dr , cherokee, nc Harrah’s Cherokee will attempt to assemble the largest gathering of Elvis impersonators in the world. The first 1,400 ticket holders for the finale of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition will receive a complimentary full Elvis costume, or guests are also invited to bring their own (to include hair or wig, sunglasses, top and pants, or jumpsuit). The current record of 645 impersonators was set in 2010.

Now

weekend serving

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brunch

ch run d b ken nch u r b wee d n h weeke d brunc n unncchh r ekee b e u d w r b n e d week n

admission: $20 - $45 ticketmaster .com 1- 800 -745 -3000 july 11-13

Carolina Mountain Ribfest friday 4 pm -11pm saturday 11am -11pm sunday 11am - 7pm

wnc agricultural center fairgrounds , asheville, nc

This food festival features mouth watering BBQ ribs, chicken, and pulled pork prepared by world class, award winning barbecue rib vendors from around the country. Savor all the traditional side dishes, beverages, desserts, and comfort foods as well. You can vote for your favorite, and the Best Ribs and Best Sauce will win the Golden Pig Award. You can also browse and shop the expanded commercial exhibits and 92

| July 2014

arts and crafts area. There will be a full carnival with adult and children’s rides and games. On Saturday, there will be a bike show. On Sunday, there will be a custom and classic car show. There is food and fun for the whole family. You may even wish to bring your lawn chairs and beach blankets and enjoy the day. No coolers, backpacks, outside food or beverages or pets are allowed. A full line up of top name entertainment will perform each day.

admission: adults $7 children under 12 free active military free (cash only ) july 12-13

Bamboo Festival saturday 9am - 5pm sunday 10 am - 4 pm nc arboretum’s education center ,

100 frederick law olmsted way, asheville, nc Learn about bamboo’s artistic value and functionality throughout the festival at the NC Arboretum, which features hands-on workshops, lectures, and demonstrations. Bamboo plants, crafts, and products will also be for sale by festival vendors.

admission: free for members or with standard parking ($12 per vehicle ) july 12-13

Maggie Valley Summer Arts & Crafts Festival saturday 9: 00 am - 6: 00 pm sunday 9: 00 am - 4: 00 pm maggie valley festival grounds

Join more than 100 artisans and craftsmen for this long-running event that boosts unique and exclusive hand-made items from all across the Southeast.

Chainsaw demonstrations and a variety of foods are also onsite.

admission: free contact teresa smith at 800 - 624 - 4431 www. maggievalley.org july 16 -19

Cullowhee Native Plant Conference

western carolina university, cullowhee, nc Registration continues until July 11th for this year’s Cullowhee Native Plant Conference at Western Carolina University. The conference will offer numerous on-campus workshops and field trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Workshops will cover topics such as native plant propagation, garden and nature photography, and design tips for creating a native plant garden. The field trips will include visits to areas where new plant life is emerging, botanizing canoe trips, and hikes to high-mountain plant communities and waterfall plant communities. The conference agenda also includes talks about growing and caring for native plants; the connections between birds, insects and native plants; managing pests; creating sustainable landscapes with native plants; replacing grass with meadows and native plants; and engaging children in native plants. Other features include a native plant vendor section and an impersonation of the legendary 16th-century botanist William Bartram by J.D. Sutton, an actor from Orlando, Florida. Conference participants are encouraged to dress comfortably. On-campus housing in Balsam Hall is available as part of the registration package.

registration open till july 11 admission: $0 - $279 nativeplantconference.wcu.edu hensley@wcu. edu

july 17-20

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands thursday-saturday 10 am - 6 pm sunday 10 am - 5pm us cellular center , 87 haywood st, asheville, nc The Craft Fair showcases work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with over 900 members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Over 200 craftspeople fill the two levels of the former Civic Center selling their works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood, and jewelry. As members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the exhibiting artists have passed a rigorous jury process to become a part of the organization. Membership is open to artists who live in the mountain counties of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and the Virginias.

admission: adults $8 children under 12 free group discounts available july 19

Asheville Kid’s Splash N’ Dash

asheville recreation park , 43 watauga st, asheville, nc The Asheville Kid’s Splash N’ Dash is designed to promote an active, healthy lifestyle for the youth in the Carolinas and to introduce them to multi-sport events. These events will consist of various distances in the sport of aquathlon designed for multiple age/experience groups to allow kids to compete with athletic peers. The groups are: beginners ages nine and under; intermediate ages 10-12; novice ages 12-15; advanced ages 12-15 and experienced younger. The series focuses on participation and having fun rather than competition, and many of the events are not timed. Each July 2014 | capitalatplay.com 93

Whet your appetite for an elevated culinary experience!

events

athlete will receive a t-shirt, a finisher’s medal, goodies, and food at the event. USA Triathalon Splash and Dash tees will also be offered. Athletes must complete four out of six of the Carolina Kid’s MultiSport Series events to qualify for series awards.

admission: $30 per entry for kids (includes a one- day usa triathalon youth membership for kids at the race ) july 18 -27

Folkmoot USA various locations in western north carolina North Carolina’s Official International Festival is a two-week celebration of the world’s cultural heritage through folk music and dance. The festival is headquartered at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville, North Carolina, but performances can be seen in 12 cities, including Asheville, Hendersonville, Franklin, Burnsville, Maggie Valley, and Waynesville. There will be some 250 colorfully costumed traditional dancers and musicians traveling to America from Chinese Taipei, Trinidad, Colombia, Russia, Turkey, Romania, and Hawaii, along with groups representing Appalachian and Cherokee cultures. You can take a look at the schedule on the festival website.

admission: $0 - $30 www. folkmootusa .org july 22-25

Saddle Seat World Cup wnc agricultural center , 1301 fanning bridge rd, fletcher , nc

Elixir

Sweet

Grand Tasting

Thursday, August 21 A craft cocktail experience

Friday, August 22 An evening of decadent desserts & sips Grove Arcade

Saturday, August 23 A celebration of Asheville’s food & libations U.S. Cellular Center

AUGUST 21-23

FOR TICKETS AND HOTEL PACKAGES

www.ashevillewineandfood.com

| July 2014

The International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup is a bi-annual competition that originated in the early 1980s with an informal exchange of saddle seat athletes in the United States and South Africa. The event features amateur athletes 14 years of age and older who compete for individual scores, which ultimately accumulate toward a total team score. The athletes compete on horses that are supplied by the host competition and horses they are not familiar with, truly testing their riding skills. The competition consists of four segments, to be completed in two phases held on different days: rail work where the athletes compete as a group, and then in individual workouts.

admission: free www.usef.org

a new kind of

competition at the Asheville Wine & Food Festival

table trials CA ITALat LAY brought to you by

Come to the Asheville Wine & Food Festival in August and watch these professional servers, hosts, and bussers show whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest with fare and providing sophisticated sustenance.

August 23rd

beginning at 1:30pm,

Whet your appetite for an elevated culinary experience!

with events occuring throughout the day, leading up to the Chefs Challenge at the U.S. Cellular Center