Capital at Play August 2014

Horace Adell

20 years, 20 hours & 200 miles a day

Kevin & Lucia Barnes Cool, Sweet, Ultimate

The Free Spirit Of Enterprise

A town

submerged, a sail unfurled.

WATAUGA L A K E NORT H C A ROL INA - T EN N E SSEE

An Abingdon Excursion History, culture, and recreation collide in Southwest Virginia

p.37

The Accidental Gardener

p.66 Debbie Woods, one flowerpot at a time

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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

Emily Ballard, Kemper Brown Jr, Paul Clark, Anthony Harden, William Haywood, Roger McCredie, Jim Murphy gr aphic designer

Hanna Trussler marketing & advertising Kathryn Dillow, David Morgan, Katrina Morgan, Pat Starnes

Information & Inquiries gener al advertising inquiries

e-mail advertising@capitalatplay.com or call 828.274.7305 high country inquiries

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The content found within this publication does not necessar ily ref lec t the views of Univer sal Media , Inc. and its companies. Univer sal Media , Inc. and its employees are not liable for any adver tising or editor ial content found in Capital At Play. The ar ticles, photogr aphy, and illus tr ations found in Capital at Play may not be reproduced or used in any fashion without express wr it ten consent by Univer sal Media , Inc.

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F E AT U R E S vol. iv

12 KEVIN & LUCIA BARNES COOL, SWEET, ULTIMATE

ed. ix

50 HORACE ADELL 20 YEARS, 20 HOURS & 200 MILES A DAY

66 DEBBIE WOOD THE ACCIDENTAL GARDENER

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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

•

s e p t e m b e r 2 014 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

29 Ethnic Food Stores

58 Executive Technology Forum: Once more unto the breach

An adventure in shopping

Kemper Brown, Jr.

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 An Abingdon Excursion

80 Watauga Lake

History, culture, and recreation collide in Southwest Virginia

A town submerged, A sail unfurled

keepin’ it brief

events

24 Carolina in the West

90 Autumn’s harvest approaches, and so do the tourists.

62 The Old North State 76 National & World News

September can be an entire month of Mondays if you had the summer off, so shake things up a bit. Go do something fun.

above

Taster spoons decorated by the staff at Ultimate Ice Cream.

Photo by Anthony Harden on the cover

A black labrador pup, named Townsend, jumping ship to explore another island on Watauga Lake.

Photo by Anthony Harden 10

| September 2014

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C O OL SW EET U LT I M AT E written by jim murphy

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photos by anthony harden

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A

n ice cream shop would seem to be a relatively uncomplicated business. Make a gallon of vanilla, a gallon of chocolate, and sell scoops to a sweet tooth clientele on a hot day.

But if you’ve never been an entrepreneur, if you’ve never thought in terms of doing business, you might make the mistake of buying that ice cream shop in the second row of a minimall, back where it can’t be seen from the road. You might make the second mistake of buying the shop in November, when winter is fast approaching and the ice cream market is going into hibernation until springtime.

Welcome to Ultimate Ice Cream.

Nine years later, Kevin and Lucia Barnes can laugh at those early mistakes. “And we had never made ice cream before we bought it,” Lucia says. “It was truly a leap of faith.” Kevin shakes his head at the memory, adding, “Probably 50 percent faith and 50 percent ignorance.”

Easy for them to say—now. Those nine years since their early mistakes have seen some challenging moments and serious setbacks, but they now preside over a company with two stores, a wholesale clientele that includes many of Asheville’s best restaurants and a headquarters’ building that includes an ice cream factory in West Asheville, where they make more than 4,000 gallons of ice cream a month.

Sitting at a conference table in the office they share, Kevin and Lucia looked back to a time before they ever thought about

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becoming entrepreneurs, back to a time when they were both social workers—yes, social workers. Probably among the least likely professionals to become entrepreneurs, Kevin and Lucia had both pursued careers working with the most vulnerable members of society. “We met when our jobs intersected,” Lucia says. “Kevin was working with folks suffering from traumatic brain injuries, and I worked with people who had mental disabilities.” That was in 1996, and they were married two years later.

Over the next seven years, they had three sons and remained in their social work careers. But they began to feel a pull in a different direction.

“I think it was mostly evolution,” Lucia says, picking her words carefully to explain their career change. “And part of that evolution was working in larger systems that took away from what probably were the missions in our hearts to help people.”

Is that a diplomatic way of saying she was frustrated by too much bureaucracy and too little action? Her answer is quick and direct. “Yes.” Kevin explains his own evolution more simply. “I just got burned out.”

So there they were, with u n f u l f il ling jobs, three young kids, and approaching the perfect age for a mid-life crisis.

They began looking around for other options and noticed a newspaper ad for an ice cream store. “It just clicked for us,” Kevin says. “It just felt right.” Lucia picks up the thought in a recurring pattern. They don’t interrupt each other, but their conversation weaves together as they develop a common thought.

“Every step that we took felt right,” she says. “Learning about the business, meeting the folks that were selling it, every step of the way it felt right.”

Their reality check came quickly. The hidden location (1070 Tunnel Road, Asheville) and the chilly season combined to make it a tough start. “It was scary, and it was hard for a long time,” Lucia says. Again, Kevin weaves into the thought. “Like understanding all this debt that we had and how we were going to make it happen. It was very scary.” Lucia continues, “The other piece of it was Kevin worked every single day, every single shift, and I was working part-time but I was a ‘Mom,’ and I was shuttling little kids around and doing what I could to help Kevin from home, but we had some hard years.” On those last words she leans forward and her voice becomes intense: “HARD YEARS.”

“Butter fat rules supreme in the world of ice cream, HäagenDazs and Ben & Jerry’s are in the 16 percent range. Ours is 18 percent.”

kevin & lucia’s son , sam , having fun 16

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kevin & lucia barnes

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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They soon learned that the way to get through hard years is by hard work. “We had an excellent product,” Kevin says. He decided to reach out to a new market: the hotels and restaurants in the Asheville area. “I would load up a bunch of pints and just get in the van and drive around to restaurants in town with a rate sheet, drop it off in the kitchen and go on to the next one.”

The strategy paid off. Their client roster now reads like the A-list of Asheville restaurants and hotels. The Grove Park Inn, Bouchon, Carmel’s, Chai Pani, Louella’s, and the Biltmore Estate are just a few of their outlets.

“And then we bought a mobile unit so we could do festivals,” Kevin says. “Our confidence was growing rapidly.” Lucia adds, “When we were setting up at a festival people would come by and call, ‘Yaaay, Ultimate.’ We were getting the reputation as the best ice cream in Asheville.”

“So we started thinking about opening a second store,” Kevin says. “And, we found this tiny space up on Charlotte Street. It was perfect. It opened up four years ago.”

With two stores and a strong wholesale clientele, Ultimate had definitely turned the corner from shaky investment to thriving little company. Kevin and Lucia agree that the secret to their success is in their product.

“I still believe that our product is the best product around,” Lucia says, and Kevin launches into an explanation why.

“Butter fat rules supreme in the world of ice cream,” he says. “And, the more butter fat you put in your product means it’s going to be more expensive. So 10 to 12 percent is the most you’ll find in most ice creams.

Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s are in the 16 percent range. Ours is 18 percent. And there’s this thing called overrun in ice cream.” His manner takes on an intensity as he talks. He leans forward and begins to nod for emphasis, his gray ponytail bobbing in silent punctuation. “Overrun is the amount of air you pump into the product. You have to put some air into it, otherwise it would be like a scoop of ice. It just wouldn’t be enjoyable. So you buy a scoop of ice cream, 50 percent of it can be air. We put less air in our ice cream, so a quart of our ice cream weighs more than a September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 19

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half gallon of what you might buy in a grocery store.”

Lucia has been nodding along with his explanation, but she doesn’t let him stop there. “He’s really, really good at what he does all the way around. And he has a special intuition with flavors. He does a dash of this and a dash of that. It’s amazing to watch because he has nailed it now every time.”

Ultimate’s flavor menu runs from the standard vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry to Kevin’s creations, which could fairly be described as everything from eccentric to absurd. They include goat cheese and Bing cherry, honey lavender, blueberry pancake, bacon—yes, bacon—and one of his most popular: blue cheese. (Author’s note: Suspend disbelief and try the blue cheese. I loved it.)

Kevin shrugs off the variety. “We have done over 300 flavors. Some of them were just one shot deals like we did for a restaurant.

Pomegranate hibiscus or something like that.

“I’ve always loved cooking and creating flavors,” he says. “I can read a recipe and know how it will taste, so I was able to transfer that to ice cream. I wanted to do a blue cheese ice cream. Lucia says, ‘No, that would be horrible, don’t make a blue cheese ice cream.’ ” As he talks, she is smiling and nodding her agreement. “And I said, ‘I’ll put a caramel swirl into it because I think the caramel and the sharpness of the blue cheese would work really well together.’ And it did.”

“People love it,” she says, and then adds a finishing flourish to the story. “And I like it.”

At the Tunnel Road store on a recent weekday afternoon, the blue cheese flavor got an impromptu consumer test. A woman at the counter tried a small taste and, with a surprised voice, proclaimed, “Hey! That’s really good.” And then she offered a different testimony to the Ultimate brand, “But I’ll take my regular flavor.” Behind the counter Gena Veseley began scooping. She didn’t have to ask what the customer’s “regular flavor” was.

“We get a lot of regulars,” Gena says, and the store’s co-manager, Brittany Payne, adds, “We even get vacationers who come back every year.”

The weekday traffic would seem to bear them out. The outside benches were occupied with multi-generational groups licking cones or spooning scoops, and it seemed like the adults were enjoying the outing as much as the kids. Meanwhile, more than a dozen people were lined up at the counter, checking out the board listing all the flavors as they waited to make their choice.

“It’s busy every day,” Brittany says. “On a summer Saturday, we’ll have as many as 40 people lined up out the door.”

Brittany and Gena work the counter like old pros, greeting customers and offering a taste of the more exotic flavors. During a lull in the action, they proclaim their satisfaction with their jobs. Both have been at Ultimate about five years, and Brittany says, “This was my first job. I came home from college and started behind the counter here. I got promoted to manager, and, now that I’m married, my husband and I hope to open an Ultimate franchise together some day down the road.”

Kevin is working on a long range plan to create some franchise outlets. Revealing

Brittany says, “This was my first job. I got promoted to manager, and, now that I’m married, my husband and I hope to open an Ultimate franchise together some day down the road.”

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another dimension of their social worker impulses, Kevin and Lucia admit to nurturing a semi-paternal relationship with their young employees.

“We’re the first job for a lot of kids,” he says. “They come to us as rising sophomores, and they’ll stay with us and work with us summers through college.” Lucia picks up his thought.

We feel close to a lot of those kids who open up during their adolescence. They can just come and talk to us.”

Back at the Tunnel Road store, Gena and Brittany validate that history. Gena sums it up simply: “It has been family.”

The store displays another example of their social commitment. A hand chalked announcement on the flavor board proclaims “$27,000” donated to charity in Ultimate’s Flavor of the Month program.

“We came up with that because we were getting contacted by people for donations,” Kevin says, and again they play ping pong with the thought.

Lucia: “We wanted to give to our community.” Kevin: “And we wanted to keep it to Western North Carolina, so we created flavor of the month.” Lucia: “And we came up with 12 organizations that we want to work with, and we assigned them all a month.” Kevin: “This is also our advertising budget. We create the flavor for them, and they drive people who are interested in what they do to our stores to buy that flavor.” Lucia: “And we have a place in the shop to

A couple decides to seize control of their lives, they take a huge risk, run into unforeseen complications, work hard to overcome them, and finally turn the corner to a bright new day.

They live happily ever after. Not in real life.

Not by a long shot.

“When kids are sixteen, it’s natural at that age for them to steer away from their parents a little bit but still gravitate to a comfortable adult. So we’ve been that for so many young people.

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give out information about who they are and what they do, and here’s a signup sheet to volunteer.” Kevin: “At the end of the month we give them the income from that flavor.”

By this point the Ultimate narrative would seem to follow a familiar path. A couple decides to seize control of their lives, they take a huge risk, run into unforeseen complications, work hard to overcome them, and finally turn the corner to a bright new day. They live happily ever after.

Not in real life. Not by a long shot.

Lucia was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

“That was two years ago,” she says. “It was a tough time because I had major surgery and realized I would have to undergo chemo therapy. So that was a big life changing event for our whole entire family. Our kids were very much affected by seeing me go through that process, and we had to have one of those moments when we were seriously wondering should we continue with the business.”

Kevin has been watching her tell the story. “The diagnosis and finding this building were all within weeks of each other.”

His gesture takes in the office where they’re sitting and the production facility in the next room. “So it was like, do we proceed with the growth of the business or is this a time to step back and reevaluate. And, what we came to after lots of

discussion is that we want to have things to work towards, and that’s what we did.”

As he looks back, Kevin begins toying with a small sheet of paper that he had folded into the shape of a bird. Lucia continues the story in the dispassionate voice of a survivor. “I took time.

I didn’t go into the stores. I didn’t go into any events. I didn’t want to be around people. I really didn’t want to be defined as the cancer patient. I wanted to know that this was a stumble, and we were going to pick up and continue going.”

She leans back. He visibly relaxes. They have navigated a terrible experience, and now she can provide that happy ending.

“So we picked up, and I’ve been healthy and well and we’ve really moved beyond it. I’m completely cancer free.”

Now they look to the future. “For a while I didn’t know if we had the ability to do this, and now I don’t see why we don’t. We can do this. We can grow this business. We don’t want to be stinking rich out of all of this; we want to grow a business and create this family of all the people who are with us and we all do this together.”

An Education for an Inspired Life Asheville School prepares high school students for a lifetime of education. Motivated by a challenging academic experience, our students develop critical thinking skills, communicate effectively, and form strong study habits. Students learn life lessons in a nurturing, close-knit community of 285 students from 20 states and 15 countries. The majority of our recent graduates are attending colleges and universities Barron’s rates as “highly selective” and “most selective.”

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CAROLINA in the

WEST [

news briefs

Asheville’s Valet Gourmet Launches in Knoxville asheville, nc

Va l e t G o u r m e t , A s h e v i l l e ’ s multi-restaurant delivery service, is expanding into its first new market through the acquisition of 622-EATS in Knoxville, Tennessee. Valet Gourmet has partnered with many of Asheville’s restaurants in bringing fresh and diverse options to food delivery. Valet Gourmet’s website gives customers the option to place online orders, or staff may take orders over the phone. Established in 2003, Valet Gourmet began by partnering with 13 restaurants, four delivery drivers, and one office employee. Nearly 11 years later, Valet Gourmet partners with over 100 restaurants, more than 60 delivery

]

drivers, and a dozen office employees.

Valet Gourmet’s company purpose is to “Create a Working Environment that Inspires World-Class Customer Service.”

New sculptures installed in downtown Boone boone, nc

The Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) recently announced the installation of three new public art sculptures in downtown Boone, as well as one permanent piece that sits at the sculpture pad in front of the Jones House Community Center. The three new public art pieces will be exhibited through May 2015. The two sculpture pads located at 567 W. King Street adjacent to the Boone Town Hall currently show “On the

Way to the Market,” by Alex Palkovich, and “Inertia,” by Zach Smith Johnson.

“On the Way to the Market” portrays a low-country, Gullah woman in midstride with a traditional sweetgrass basket placed on her head. Palkovich, from Florence, South Carolina, but originally from the Ukraine, has been hired to craft veteran memorials and downtown public art pieces. He exhibits his artwork in galleries throughout the Southeast. “On the Way to the Market” won the People’s Choice Award at the 80th annual NSS Exhibition in 2013. Johnson is a local artist and has shown artwork at the Nth Gallery, which is also located in downtown Boone. People have called his pieces whimsical, emphatic, and honest.

Johnson derives his work from his love of the woods, gardening, and the expressions of life. The Jones House Community Center sculpture pad, located in the front of the Jones House, contains a new, permanent interactive public art piece: “A Place for Cognition,” by Joe Bigley.

This piece consists of two semicircular benches positioned around a table with a checker board painted on top of the table. The town of Boone’s Department of Cultural Resources provides bottle caps to be used as checker pieces for public

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enjoyment. The third public art piece of the 2014-2015 exhibit in downtown Boone is Mary Ruden’s “Monarch Bench.”

This colorful, useable bench sits on the corner of West King and Depot streets.

Ruden lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she teaches art at the University of Tennessee. Her artwork concentrates on natural subjects, such as butterflies, orchards, and musical themes. DBDA will begin considering new public art pieces for downtown the beginning of May 2015. Those who are interested in learning more about the DBDA’s public art program, or are interested in purchasing one of the three 2014-15 public art sculptures, may call 828-268-6280 for information.

Boone recognized for water boone, nc

The town of Boone recently celebrated national and state recognitions of its drinking water quality. The town was one of 38 utilities in the state to receive the N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award from the state N.C. Division of Water Resources’ Public Water Supply section.

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the old north state

national & world

carolina in the west

According to Brenda Hicks, superintendent of the town water treatment plant on Deck Hill Road, the town has received the award for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards five times in the past six years. Awards are given each year to water systems that exhibit outstanding turbidity removal, a key test of drinking water quality.

Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by individual particles that can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Microbes are microscopic particles that occur naturally but can potentially include harmful bacteria and viruses. Specifically, laws require that drinking water measurements do not exceed 0.30 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units), but the systems that are given the optimization awards meet standards of 0.10 NTU.

the No. 1 college for outdoor adventure in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Western Carolina gained the title of “top adventure college” over the second place school, Garrett College in Maryland, following several rounds of voting. WCU also trumped Emory University, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Virginia Tech, and Appalachian State. According to representatives of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, more than 115,000 visitors to its website cast votes during the competition held earlier this summer, and results are listed in the publication’s August issue.

Base Camp Cullowhee has offered dozens of outdoor recreation trips for students and equipment rental for a long time, but in recent years, the staff has enhanced its experiential education services to incorporate outdoor activities with students’ classroom curriculum. The growth in Base Camp’s student participation has followed along with improvements in the university’s recreational facilities, including the indoor climbing wall at the Campus Recreation Center, which sometimes averages up to 800 student cullowhee, nc visits The per month. In addition, WCU’s on Introducing campus trail system that opened in 2013 Based on an online poll, a top outdoors magazine has determined that has seven miles of pathway for mountain Western Carolina University (WCU) is biking, hiking, and running.

WCU named ‘top adventure college’

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Wicked Weed Brewing of Asheville is investing $5 million over the next three years to construct a new production facility in Enka that will be one of the largest in the region. The brewery unveiled plans for its third facility, a production and distribution center where several of Wicked Weed’s popular year round and seasonal beers will be bottled, and eventually canned, and self distributed throughout the state. The 30-barrel brew house will be capable of producing 50,000 barrels of beer annually. The new 40,000-squarefoot plant, located in Enka Commerce Park off Sand Hill Road, will be near New Belgium Brewing Company’s East Coast distribution center. The Wicked Weed facility sits on more than six acres of land, and may eventually incorporate a tasting room and possible music and events venue. Brewing is expected to begin by fall 2015, and the new undertaking will create more than 80 jobs in addition to the 145 workers the company currently employs. Wicked Weed launched in December 2012 when it opened its popular brewpub on Biltmore Avenue, next to the Orange Peel. In December 2013 The Poe House in downtown Hendersonville became Wicked Weed’s only Western North Carolina draft-beer account outside the brewery. The tavern and retail shop also now carries Wicked Weed beers in bottle.

Appalachian’s Energy Center helps Brazil’s catadores boone, nc

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| September 2014

A community based landfill gas project in Brazil piloted in 2009 by the Appalachian Energy Center located at Appalachian State University may soon exist. The Green Methane Committee

in Fortaleza/Maracanaú, Brazil, which the Appalachian Energy Center helped form and train, will receive nearly $750,000 from the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment to construct a system to collect and utilize methane gas from the Maracanaú Landfill. The Appalachian Energy Center also helped design this landfill gas collection and utilization system. The gas will be used at an Energy Park that will be constructed near the landfill where catadores, which are Brazilian waste pickers, will collect plastic and glass recyclables from the waste stream before they end up in the landfill, offering more profit for those workers. In recent years Brazil has been working with these susceptible people.

The state and federal government have helped the “catadores” in establishing and building the capacity of cooperatives to improve their ability to make a living.

The Appalachian Energy Center staff aspires to use this Brazilian project to stimulate projects in other less developed countries where the governments have been less willing or able to support the waste pickers. The Appalachian Energy Center staff has worked with community based landfill gas utilization projects in North Carolina and across the nation, but this is its first international project. Work to capture methane gas produced from the decomposition of materials at the Maracanaú Landfill began in 2009 when the Energy Center received a $120,000 Green Methane Initiative (GMI) grant to examine the potential for community based landfill gas utilization projects in Ceará, Brazil. The Appalachian team investigated seven landfills and the medium sized landfill at Maracanaú surfaced as the most likely prospect, fundamentally due to the strong local support.

The Ministry of the Environment Grant will be managed by Federal University of Ceará at Fortaleza (UFC), one of the Energy Center’s Brazilian partners. UFC will hire the Appalachian Energy Center as a consultant during the construction phase of the project.

Commissioners approve Alcohol Referendum transylvania county

Transylvania County commissioners approved a referendum to be placed on the November ballot allowing citizens to vote on whether to extend the sale of alcohol to the county’s unincorporated areas. Currently, the county only permits the sale of alcoholic beverages in resort areas and satellite annexed areas in the county. The referendum will be the first vote on alcoholic beverage control in unincorporated areas of the county since 1949. Transylvania County commissioners’ approval of a referendum on countywide alcohol sales is broken down into two main categories: malt beverages and unfortified wines. There will be a total of seven subcategories that citizens will vote on in November.

The following definitions are provided to help citizens understand exactly what they will be voting for: Malt beverage: beer, lager, malt liquor, ale, porter, and any other brewed or fermented beverage (except wine) containing at least one-half of one percent and not more than fifteen percent alcohol by volume; Unfortified wine: any wine of sixteen percent or less by volume; On-premise: (malt beverage, unfortified wine, fortified wine), for consumption on the premises of place purchased, and for sale in manufacturer’s original container for consumption off the premises; Types of malt beverage on-premise locations: restaurants, hotels, eating establishments, food businesses, retail businesses, private clubs, convention centers, community theaters and breweries; Types of unfortified wine on-premise locations: restaurants, hotels, eating establishments, private clubs, convention centers, cooking schools, community theaters, wineries, wine producers, and wine shops; Off-premise: (malt beverage, unfortified wine, fortified wine), for sale in manufacturer’s original container for consumption off the premises only; Types of malt beverage

off-premise locations: restaurants, hotels, eating establishments, food businesses, and retail businesses (i.e. convenience stores, grocery stores); Types of unfortified wine off-premise locations: retail businesses, viticulture/enology course for school, wineries, and wine producers.

Voters will have four options under the malt beverage category and three options under the unfortified wine category.

For malt beverages, voters will have the following options, which they will either vote for or against: 1) To permit the “on-premises” and “off-premises” sale of malt beverages; 2) To permit the “on-premises” sale only of malt beverages; 3) To permit the “off-premises” sale only of malt beverages; or 4) To permit the “on-premises” sale of malt beverages by Class A hotels, motels, and restaurants only, and to permit “off-premises” sales by other permittees. For unfortified wine, voters will have the following options, which they will either vote for or against: 1) To permit the “on-premises” sale and “off-premises” sale of unfortified wine; 2) To permit the “on-premises” sale only of unfortified wine; or 3) To permit the “off-premises” sale only of unfortified wine.

Boone receives tree awards boone, nc

Boone has once again been recognized with several awards from Tree City USA, including the Tree City of the Year Award in North Carolina. The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Boone as a Tree City for 21 years. To qualify as a Tree City USA community, cities must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. In addition, Boone received the Tree City Growth Award for the 10th year, qualifying it for recognition as a Sterling Tree City.

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local industry

a s h e v i l l e’s

Ethnic Food Stores an Adventure in Shopping

written by emily ball ard photos by anthony harden

O

n the surface, Asheville may appear as a monopolized land of big name grocery stores and has recently yielded a wave of new chain food stores popping up in various locations. Travelling along the Merrimon Avenue corridor in stop and go traffic, and then fighting for parking spaces in the claustrophobic parking lots will most likely be what you encounter if you hit up the big three on the much anticipated strip just north of Asheville, home to Green Life, Trader Joe’s, and Harris Teeter.

Yet hidden in the crooks and crannies, hiding from the Publix and Fresh Market conglomerates, are a wide range of unique grocery stores that may fly under the radar, yet offer an assortment of ingredients not commonly found in an average market.

This variety is great news for those Ashevillians who wish to seek out diversity in their food options.

Where else can you find horseradish leaves, fried bean curd, shrimp chips, preserved duck eggs, or the biggest bag of dried anchovies, eyeballs intact, you have ever seen? These may not be on your daily grocery list, but in a town littered with foodies, interesting restaurants, and adventurous eaters and chefs, these seemingly bizarre ingredients can be goldmines.

To find these rare gems you may have to venture off the beaten path and look for the unexpected fare in the unexpected places, hidden in strip malls away from the hustle and bustle of the after work mobs and their pre-dinner rush. Those hectic bright lights and crowded aisles are quite the contrast to the small, yet tightly packed shelves of the ethnic food stores dispersed throughout Buncombe County.

These specialty shops provide service to a specific type of customer. The shoppers here are either in the market for a special ingredient that no chain grocery store will carry, or September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 29

local industry

sharon domingo , the owner of Foreign Affairs Oriental Market, displaying an Opo squash

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are looking for inspiration in a desired cultural cuisine. There is a sense of who the frequent patrons are and who the newbies are. One might encounter sideways glances, and sometimes little help is offered spontaneously. This is a place of exploration and a little bit of daring.

The Asheville foodie scene is one to be reckoned with, and as downtown expands and spills over into West Asheville and the outlying communities, so also has the range of tastes. International cuisine is found around every corner. Korean, Jamaican, Brazilian, or Spanish, there is something for every palate.

With such a variety of styles it is not surprising that this international theme reaches beyond restaurant establishments and into grocery stores, but who is it that is shopping here and what exactly are they looking for?

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At the Foreign Affairs Oriental Market in East Asheville two women are found looking over an aisle of ingredients such as Mud Fish Sauce and Green Ai-yu Jelly.

They excitedly pick up ingredients, turning them over in their hands and investigating the details. They ask a worker behind the counter a question, and she immediately points them in a direction of seemingly more exciting items.

At the register another customer inquires if they carry Gunpowder Green Tea, explaining that she has been looking everywhere and can’t find it. Unfortunately this

(top) Orange tumeric, (left) green mango, (right) Indian eggplant, (bottom) Daikon

mal anga coco

k arel a (also known as

Indian bittermelon)

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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local industry

WNC Farmers Market Heirloom Tomatoes, Beans, Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash, Melons, Berries, Peaches, and more.

570 Brevard Road, Asheville www.wncfarmersmarket.org

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market doesn’t have it either, but C.J., the owner’s son, quickly expresses that he will call and order the specialty tea, jots down her name and phone number, promising to call as soon as the order arrives.

This is the type of service one can only get at a family owned establishment. Sure, Ingles has an international food aisle, but you are not likely to find dried Codfish or Lotus Root, and they most likely are not going to order it for you.

Sharon Domingo, the owner of Foreign Affairs Oriental Market, is a lively character. She talks fast and laughs heartily. A self-proclaimed workaholic, she jokes that her son makes her take a day off occasionally. Such is the life of a family business. She dons an apron with rhinestones labeling her ‘Queen of Everything,’ an apt title once you get to know her and her knowledge of the industry. She is certainly the matriarch and the decision maker.

Behind the counter, Sharon proudly displays pictures of her family and pulls them down to show you their faces up close and tell you their story.

Each has played a part in the business and continues to do so. The only picture they have of all of the family together is a marketing picture for the store. Someone is always working behind the counter, which makes it difficult for inclusive family

Whole Foods had directed [customers] to Foreign Affairs for the specialty ingredients they seek, a testament to the unique service they provide.

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FIND MORE FOREIGN FARE ASIAN

HISPANIC

Asheville Asian Mart 5606 Hendersonville Rd, Fletcher, NC 828-651-8989

Azteca Bakery 148 Hendersonville Crossing Plz, Hendersonville, NC 828-698-8676

Kim's Oriental Food and Gifts 5 Regent Park Blvd Ste 110, Asheville, NC 828-254-7235

Dona Juanita Grocery Store 1078 Tunnel Rd Ste D, Asheville, NC 828-298-8893

Lee’s Asian Market 1950 Hendersonville Rd Asheville, NC 828-676-1499

Super Mercado 2111 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 828-697-0329

Foreign Affairs Oriental Market 611 Tunnel Rd Ste A, Asheville, NC 828-299-0333

EUROPEAN

GREE K / ITALIAN

Negozio’s Italian Deli & Grocery 2000 Spartanburg Hwy Ste 100, Hendersonville, NC 828-692-0380

Euromarket 1341 Parkwood Ave Asheville, NC 828-255-8484

European Food Store 1483 Patton Ave # B, Asheville, NC 828-252-9700

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September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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local industry

outings. For years she raised her family in the Philippines, and it has always been important for her that her children learn about different cultures.

Her family has owned the business for fourteen years. She recalls growing up in the country and having the experience of store owners personally knowing each customer and their family. In a sense this is her business model. They offer a hands on experience to grocery shopping. It is common for her to reference a cookbook behind the counter and find a recipe specifically for a customer.

Super Walmart, and they often encounter various cultures and languages, always looking for new and rare items. They believe in practical knowledge and specialize in researching how a product is traditionally used, and then in turn have fun experimenting with it in new ways. Every new item they carry in the store they take home and try first so that they can fully explain to customers how to use it.

C.J. will gladly guide you to one of the coolers and pull out an item such as the Dragonfruit, which he describes as weird in a fun and friendly way. He will ask you to touch the waxy surface as he delves into an in depth description of not just how it tastes remarkably sweet and soft, but how it grows, pollinates, and how the nectar forms the pointy leaves.

You can follow him down the aisles as he points out his childhood favorite, a jar of Halo-Halo, sweet beans mixed with fruit and coconut. His passion is learning and sharing with people. He tells the story of a woman coming in to find out information about Korean culture for a visitor coming to stay with her. He spent hours explaining to her different customs such as what the different handshakes mean.

Oftentimes people enter the store in search of an item that they have been given misinformation about. Many traditional ingredients have medicinal qualities, but only if purchased and used properly. C.J. prides himself on finding out as much information as possible in order to truly inform and educate their patrons. They offer customer service on a much different level.

“Even if we were offered a million dollars, we wouldn’t sell the business because we don’t feel like there is anywhere else around that cares about their customers as much as we do,” C.J. proudly explains.

“That’s what it is all about. Why not teach you while you are here? I can teach you any meal and have it ready in 20 minutes or less and on the table, whether you are feeding two people or six.”

Sharon says that most of the time she can tell that customers have something in mind that they want even if they haven’t realized it. Her joy comes from talking to people and helping them find what they are looking for, and then seeing them get excited about it.

The family travels to markets in Atlanta and other southern cities to seek out exotic produce and ingredients from around the world. The one they frequent the most is larger than a

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1202 Patton Ave. Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 251-2211 www.fastsigns.com/241

Asheville

Many of their clientele have relocated to Asheville from somewhere in which they previously shopped at a local ethnic grocery store, and they are in search of a similar experience. They may be accustomed to certain items that Foreign Affairs does not currently carry, but Sharon will do their best to accommodate.

They have a list behind the counter of ingredients they are searching for, such as items specifically requested by a Nigerian customer who is doing work at the Biltmore Estate. Whole Foods had directed them to Foreign Affairs for the specialty ingredients they seek, a testament to the unique service they provide.

Many restaurants in the area shop at the food market and they happily offer wholesale prices. It is not unusual to find a food truck owner with a box of ingredients leaving the store.

They also cater to families that are on a limited budget, and because of this have changed their policy to accept food stamps.

They know that there are other specialty food stores in the area and have no problem sending customers to them if they can’t find what they are looking for. Their purpose is not to crush other small businesses. They are not looking to compete, but to offer something different.

“Even if we were offered a million dollars, we wouldn’t sell the business because we don’t feel like there is anywhere else around that cares about their customers as much as we do,” C.J. proudly explains. “If we don’t share our knowledge, it is like it never existed.”

Around the World in a Day The Foreign Affairs Market is just one of many specialty food stores in the area. You can also find Oriental and Asian markets in South Asheville and West Asheville. There are a number of European markets and a handful of Hispanic markets

throughout the region as well.

Most of these grocery stores are family owned and offer ingredients that showcase their culture. They are places where people can gather for a taste of home or for a taste of something unusual and interesting. In one shopping trip, you can stop by the European market and sample from their wall of jars hosting ingredients such as olive leaf powder, rose hips, wild yam, or devil’s claw root. There are coolers of sausage and cheese and Kefir. Specialty candies are sold by the pound.

Next, you can make a quick stop at the Asian market for salted jellyfish, pickled burdock, and shredded squid, and then swing by the Hispanic market for Queso Fresco, whole dried chili peppers, and Crema Mexicana.

The monotony of daily grocery shopping is certainly trumped by the presence of these markets and their explosion to your senses. In larger cities it is not uncommon to find niche markets and entire ethnic sections of communities. Yet in a seemingly small town, Asheville offers a wide array of food possibilities.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Asheville’s population is 79.3% White, with Asian and Hispanic collectively representing 7.9%. So the question remains, is it abnormal for so many ethnic grocery stores to be thriving in this area? Last year an article was published in the New York Times describing how American tastes are branching out. They studied a report by the Mintel Group, a market research firm, showing that sales of ethnic foods in grocery stores will grow more than 20% between 2012 and 2017.

So the fact that the rest of the country is becoming more adventurous in their food purchases seems to coincide with the trend here in Asheville. Even though Asheville is a small town, or maybe despite this fact, it will continue to uphold its claim to diversity and uniqueness, especially when it comes to food.

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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L leisure & libation

An Abingdon Excursion written by jeffrey green

|

photos by jason barnette

virginia

ď‚Ť

History, culture, & recreation collide in Southwest Virginia

north carolina

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 37

leisure & libation

main st, abingdon

It’s mid-morning

at Katbird’s Wine and Gourmet on historic Main Street in Abingdon, Virginia. Along with two other actors, Eugene Wolf is holding court at the small coffee bar at the back of the store. He graciously accepts a compliment for his performance the previous night in one of two plays he’s performing simultaneously at the Barter Theatre, the anchor of this small, picturesque tourist town.

The Barter Theatre (also the Virginia State Theatre) has an annual draw of over 150,000 patrons. That, along with nearby popular biking and hiking activity on the Virginia Creeper Trail, allows this Southwest Virginia town of just more than 8,000 people to offer entertainment, shopping, and dining experiences that could be considered on par with Old Town Alexandria and Williamsburg.

Originally home to the Chisca and Xualae American tribes, the Abingdon area was occupied by the Cherokee in the late 38

| September 2014

17th century. In 1760 the famed frontiersman Daniel Boone named the area Wolf Hills, after his dogs were attacked by a pack of wolves during a hunting expedition. In 1778 it was incorporated as the town of Abingdon, said to be named for the ancestral home of Martha Washington in Oxfordshire, England.

Abingdon used to be a difficult drive from Western North Carolina, but since the construction of I-26 to Johnson City in 2003 it has become an easy two hour drive from Asheville, opening it up to day trips and great weekend stays.

L he art wood

Things to Do  he art wood

music at he art wood

Abingdon sits in the center of the Southwest Virginia tourist area that covers 54 towns, 4 cities, and 19 counties. Heartwood is one exit south of downtown off the interstate. Branding itself as “Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway,” Heartwood is a onestop information, shopping, dining, and entertainment complex.

Interactive displays in the lobby along with their friendly front desk staff can help you plan your activities during your stay.

Heartwood’s four galleries offer jewelry, pottery, quilts, and hand turned creations from local artists. The store also offers local food and wine products. A guide is available to the Artisan Trails of Southwest Virginia featuring 15 different and unique drives to visit artist studios, shops, gardens, and farms across the region.

Another area showcases “The Crooked Road,” a 333-mile route though the area that promotes its music heritage and music venues. An extensive collection of old time, gospel, and bluegrass music is for sale along handmade instruments crafted by master artisans.

Heartwood offers meeting rooms and is a great venue for weddings and other special events. The facility also hosts a full service lunch and brunch restaurant, as well as a coffee and wine bar. Enjoy live music every Thursday night with a BBQ dinner. Heartwood will also feature a Friday night seafood buffet on September 12th.

The latest initiative is the inaugural Southwest Virginia Outdoor Expo featuring exhibitors representing the diverse outdoor recreational opportunities in the region. It will be held at Heartwood from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, September 13th.

Visit: One Heartwood Circle, Exit 14 off I-81, Abingdon More Info: heartwoodvirginia.org September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 39

leisure & libation

midsummer pl ay fountain & the barter the atre

b a r t e r t h e at r e

In 1933 in the midst of the Great Depression, Robert Portfield, an unemployed actor, founded the Barter Theatre. Given the economic hardship of the times, he allowed patrons to either pay 35 cents per ticket or barter their seat for the equivalent in goods, hence the name. Today it is one of the longest running professional theater companies in the country and the only one outside of a major metropolitan area to be a member of LORT (The League of Resident Theatres). And, three days each year they still allow their patrons to barter for seats collecting canned food for Feeding America Southwest Virginia.

Barter’s impressive Main Stage anchors Main Street. Built in 1831, it had been used as a Presbyterian Church, meeting hall for the Sons of Temperance, opera house for touring opera companies, Town Hall, and even a dentist office in part of the upstairs.

Stage II, across the street, was built in 1830 as a Methodist 40

| September 2014

Church. A series of renovations in 1984 and 1995 turned it in to a true public venue, adding a lobby, seating, and air conditioning. A major expansion in 2002 created the café that in 2014 was upgraded to become Bob’s at Barter.

Many well known stars of stage, screen, and television have performed early in their careers at Barter, including Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, Patricia Neal, Ned Beatty, Hume Cronyn, Gary Collins, Frances Fisher, Kevin Spacey, Larry Linville, John Glover, Jim Varney, and Wayne Knight.

Current shows include Ring of Fire: the Music of Johnny Cash, Driving Miss Daisy, and My Fair Lady. The full lineup for the rest of the season can be found at bartertheatre.com.

Visit: Barter Theatre. 127 W Main St., Abingdon More Info: bartertheatre.com

L

Celebrating 31 years in downtown Asheville

top :

Intricate designs on the seats at the Barter Theatre. middle :

The Arts Depot. bottom left :

Abingdon Vineyard and Winery. bottom right :

Wolf Hills Brewing Company.

Gold leaves with diamonds by Simon G FINE JEWELRY & DESIGN STUDIO

www.jewelsthatdance.com

Downtown Asheville 828-254-5088 Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30 - 6 September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 41

leisure & libation

biking on the virginia creeper tr ail

the virginia creeper tr ail

The Virginia Carolina Railroad was constructed in the late 19th and early 20th century running from Abingdon, Virginia to Todd, North Carolina. After an easy run from Abingdon, old steam engines carrying heavy loads of lumber, iron ore, and passengers labored slowly up the grade from Damascus to the eastern terminus on White Top Mountain, hence the name “Virginia Creeper.” With 100 trestles and bridges, sharp curves, and steep grades, it was a typical mountain railroad. Plagued by flooding and economic difficulties the railroad struggled for many years finally closing in March 1977.

Today the 34-mile long old railroad bed is a haven for walkers, runners, horseback riders, and scores of bikers. Damascus, which is also a major provision point for hikers on the Appalachian Trail which runs through the town, is the center of biking activity. For a modest fee, seven different bike rental facilities will shuttle riders to the top of the trail in White Top nearly 2,000 feet and 18 all downhill miles to Damascus…a ride anyone can easily accomplish. More adventurous riders continue the full 34 miles to Abingdon, with extreme riders tackling the Virginia Creeper Trail uphill the other way.

There is also one bike rental shop in Abingdon, and The Martha Washington Inn will shuttle its guests in an air-conditioned Mercedes coach. A full list of bike rental companies can be found at vacreepertrail.us/rentals.

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white ’s mill

Photo by Oby Morgan

L Other Things to Do: Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau Extensive travel and attraction information.

335 Cummings St, Abingdon visitabingdonvirginia.com Abingdon Vineyard & Winery Wine tastings and tours.

Picnic along the South Holston River. Easy access from the Creeper Trail.

20530 Alvardo Rd, Abingdon abingdonwinery.com The Arts Depot Resident artist studios, exhibit galleries, classes, and art sales in the old Abingdon rail road freight station.

314 Depot Sq, Abingdon abingdonartsdepot.org Creeper Trail Zipline See all the mountains you will be traveling down on the bike path. Open daily through October.

1667 Old Park Rd, Whitetop creeperzipline.com Farmers Market Food and crafts at a covered open air market downtown.

Tues 3pm-6pm, Sat 7am-12pm.

100 Remsburg Dr, Abingdon abingdonfarmersmarket.com Fields-Penn 1860 House Museum A glimpse into a prominent family home from the 19th century. Period furniture, art, and pottery. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm.

208 W. Main St, Abingdon fieldspennhouse.com

Historical Society of Washington County The leading center in the region for genealogical and historical research. Headquartered in the old Norfolk&Western Passenger Depot.

306 Depot Sq, Abingdon hswcv.org Muster Grounds of Abingdon The Overmountain Men Militia left here in 1780 for the battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina during the American War of Independence.

Keller Interpretive Center is open daily.

702 Colonial Rd, Abingdon abingdonmustergrounds.com Outdoor adventures There is an abundance of camping, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and mountain climbing in the area. visitabingdonvirginia.com White’s Mill Working grist mill and adjacent Community Store outside of Abingdon. Free.

12291 White’s Mill Rd, Abingdon whitesmill.org William King Museum Exhibit halls, artist studios, and museum store in a renovated 1913 school. Permanent exhibits plus “An American Turning Point: The Civil War in Virginia.”

415 Academy Dr, Abingdon williamkingmuseum.org Wolf Hills Brewing Company Abingdon’s only local craft beer. Open with live music Tues, Thurs-Sat 5pm-8pm.

350 Park St, Abingdon wolfhillsbrewing.com

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1617 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC (828) 274-1531 press 1 www.deerfieldwnc.org September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 43

leisure & libation

martha washington hotel & spa

Where to Stay  the martha: m a r t h a wa s h i n g t o n h ot e l & s pa

Directly across the street from the Barter Theatre you’ll find a historical hotel known locally as “The Martha.” Originally built in 1832 as a private home for General Francis Preston and his large family, The Martha has also been an upscale college for young woman, a military barracks, and a residence for Barter Theatre actors.

In 1935 The Martha Washington Inn opened as a hotel and throughout the years has hosted many illustrious guests. Eleanor Roosevelt, President Harry Truman, Lady Bird Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and Elizabeth Taylor are counted among the many famous guests who have frequented the hotel. Fortunately, much of the inn’s historic charm, antiques, and architectural detail were preserved, even though its future was at times uncertain.

The present owner bought the hotel in 1995. Twelve-year veteran general manager Christopher Lowe has presided over many upgrades to The Martha while maintaining its historic character. While Barter Theatre patrons and packages are still a very important part of the clientele, The Martha has expanded its offerings with a covered pool, workout facilities, and a world class spa. The Creeper Trail Express can provide bikes and equipment and whisk you up to Whitetop Mountain in air conditioned comfort.

The latest renovation has been the transformation of the formal dining room into the comfortable, but still elegant Sister’s American Grille, with an expanded bar area and more relaxed dress code.

Visit: 150 W. Main St, Abingdon More Info: marthawashingtoninn.com

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Crooked Cabin Properties A variety of unique lodging experiences in the Historic District. The properties have been lovingly restored and furnished with the guests’ comforts in mind.

469 Walden Road, Abingdon crookedcabinprop.com The Mary Connally Penn House Main Street one bedroom, one bath cottage in the Historic District with front porch for evening cocktails. Walk across the street to great restaurants or prepare your own in a gourmet kitchen.

227 East Main St, Abingdon vrbo.com/234686 Park Street Guest House In the center of town two blocks from The Barter Theatre. Two suites with queen beds and full baths. Full kitchen, living room, dining room, and guest half bath. Open and screened porch.

134 Park Street, Abingdon parkstreetguesthouse.com Brand name hotels, bed and breakfast inns, historic homes, and quaint cabins round out the lodging options in the area. For a full listing go to visitabingdonvirginia.com/where-to-stay September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 45

leisure & libation

Dining  t h e tav e r n

In a tiny kitchen on the second floor of Abingdon’s oldest historic building, German immigrant, Max Hermann, produces some of the finest food in town. The building was built in 1779 as a tavern and lodgings for stagecoach travelers.

During the past two centuries, The Tavern has served as a tavern, bank, bakery, general store, cabinet shop, barber shop, private residence, post office, antique shop, and restaurant. It even served as a hospital for wounded Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War. Max Hermann was sent to America as a Black and Decker tool and die maker to set up some machinery. He liked the country so much he never left. After a 20 year spell in the U.S. Air Force, he “retired” and purchased The Tavern over 20 years ago in 1994 with no restaurant experience. He has thrived by hiring good people and delivering top notch food and customer service. Diners can choose from three upstairs dining rooms, one downstairs, a balcony, or the patio.

As Max sees it: “Our customers write the menu.” His original six item menu has grown to eighteen items based on specials that his customers liked enough that they became regular items. The menu is Continental and German along with exceptionally fresh tuna flown in regularly from the Honolulu Fish Company in Hawaii.

On September 13th, Max will host his 19th annual Oktoberfest with a special German menu and the band from the Old Heidelberg Restaurant in Gatlinburg.

patio at the tavern

Visit: 22 E. Main St, Abingdon More Info: abingdontavern.com

ta s t e s o f t h e t o w n

If you are looking for an evening of variety and camaraderie you should consider the Abingdon Food Tour. The food tour on the Abingdon Trolley takes you to establishments that get creative with the finest local food from area farmers.

Each tour will feature four to five stops where you get an opportunity to meet the chefs and hear how they are incorporating local food into their menus. It is a truly VIP experience, with a great opportunity to sit down and enjoy the company of interesting people while enjoying fantastic food and drink.

The next scheduled tour, limited to 25 people, is on September 30th from 5:30-8:30pm. They will also arrange private tours for 15 or more people.

More Info: tastesofthetowntours.com

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bone fire smokehouse at the hardware

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Other dining options include: 128 Pecan A small, downtown, casual restaurant offering highly rated simple good food. Open Tues-Sat for lunch and dinner.

128 Pecan St, Abingdon 128pecan.com Bone Fire Smokehouse at The Hardware Extensive BBQ and great selection of Southern side dishes in an old hardware store. Their cornbread fritters are famous.

260 W. Main St, Abingdon bonefiresmokehousebbq.com Damascus Old Mill Inn Grist mill waterfall dining on Laurel Creek at a charming 12-room historic inn. Lunch and dinner Tues-Sat. 215 W. Imboden St, Damascus damascusinn.com Figaredo’s Bistro Homemade Italian cuisine, pasta, fresh salads, brick oven pizza, and calzones. Lunch and dinner Tues-Sat. 190 E. Main St, Abingdon figaredos.com Parks Mill Barbecue The Restaurant and General Store are adjacent to a water powered grist mill built in 1870.

They serve the best BBQ in the region from Fri-Sun only.

21405 Parks Mill Rd, Abingdon Rain Restaurant New American fresh food in a great atmosphere. Lunch and dinner Tues-Sat. 283 E. Main St, Abingdon rainabingdon.com

Sister’s at the Martha Washington Inn An American Grille with a dash of Continental Cuisine.

Right across the street from the Barter Theatre.

Dinner Tues-Sun. 150 W. Main St, Abingdon marthawashingtoninn.com The Peppermill Innovative cuisine in a 100 year old house. Customers must try their curried mushroom with orange marmalade soup. Daily lunch and dinner.

Closed Sunday.

231 W. Main St, Abingdon thepeppermill.com The Tavern German and Continental fare served in Abingdon’s oldest historic building dating back to 1779. Dinner daily.

Closed Sunday.

222 E. Main St, Abingdon abingdontavern.com Wild Flower Bakery Breakfast and lunch daily, Sunday brunch, dinner Wed-Sat. Located just off the Interstate in the Campbell House built in 1896.

24443 Lee Hwy, Abingdon wildflourofabingdon.com Zazzy’Z Coffee House & Bistro Café.

Fresh roasted coffee, baked goods and bagels, soups, sandwiches, Panini’s, wraps, quiche, salads, and the lasagna of the day. Open every day.

380 E. Main St, Abingdon zazzyz.com

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 47

leisure & libation

Shopping  A stroll down the cobblestone sidewalks of Historic Abingdon will reveal a wide selection of antique, apparel, music, art, gift, and specialty shops.

Here are just a few interesting examples. A full list can be found at visitabingdonvirginia.com/shopping.

a b i n g d o n o l i v e o i l c o m pa n y

If you step through the doors of the Abingdon Olive Oil Company, there is a good chance that Penny Arrington will greet you enthusiastically. Her business card refers to herself as a “Culinary Artist,” and she lives up to the part as she guides you through tasting up to 52 varieties of the freshest organic, extra virgin, and naturally fused and infused olive oils from around the world.

She will awaken your taste buds as she helps you pair olive oils with balsamic vinegars, or their 18-year aged balsamic condimento from Modena, Italy. The store also offers mountain crafts by local artists, pottery serving ware, and French linens.

Business has been kind enough to owner K.C. St Louis that she

a

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Main Street 2 bedrooom, 1 bath cottage in the Historic District with front porch for evening cocktails. Walk across the street to great restaurants or prepare your own in a gourmet kitchen.

A variety of unique lodging experiences in the Historic District. All of our properties have been lovingly restored and furnished with only our guests’ comforts in mind. Offering 2-5 bedroom properties.

In the center of town two blocks from The Barter Theatre. Two suites with queen beds and full baths.

Full kitchen, living room, dining room and guest half bath. Open and screened porch.

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5

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L has just opened a second store in Bristol, Virginia.

In addition to the two physical locations, you can also purchase oils and accessories online.

Visit: 152 E. Main St, Abingdon & 511 State St, Bristol More Info: abingdonoliveoilcompany.com

k at b i r d ’ s w i n e a n d g o u r m e t

Katbird's Wine and Gourmet features wines from around the world at every price point. Their beer selection includes over 140 different beers from pilsners to imperial stouts. They offer a great selection of cheeses, salami, and prosciutto sliced to order. Their gourmet food section includes a wide variety of savories and sweets.

Their coffee bar is also a hangout for off duty actors from the Barter Theatre and other Abingdon characters. They also have a good selection of handcrafted Italian pottery, collections of tabletop ceramics, and decorative candles.

Visit: 230 East Main Street, Abingdon More Info: katbirds.com

Make your date

necessities

Regina Mahan Green of Abingdon describes Necessities as: “The most unique collection of food treasures I've ever seen! Gift and treat heaven!” Robin Ferrell, with help from Tavern owner Max Hermann, has greatly expanded the specialty food and gift choices in town with this welcome new addition to Main Street.

Of particular note is an eclectic selection of international foods normally not readily available in a town the size of Abingdon. A selection of local art is also available for sale.

Visit: 266 West Main St, Abingdon More Info: facebook.com/pages/Necessities/741230489229789

v i r g i n i a c r e e p e r f ly s h o p

The lakes and rivers around Abingdon offer some of the best fly fishing opportunities in the Southeast. The Virginia Creeper Fly Shop has an extensive collection of fly fishing equipment, apparel, patterns, and tying supplies. Fly fishing lessons and personally guided trips and excursions are also offered.

Visit: 16501 J.E.B. Stuart Hwy, Abingdon More Info: vcflyshop.com

Sing Now Playing Through September 6

Date night at Barter is love’s kick starter.

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 49

hor ace adell

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20 Years, 20 Hours 200 Miles & a day

written by paul cl ark

|

photos by anthony harden

Horace Adell has some big, expensive floor cleaning machines at his business, Clean Streak Inc. in Mills River. But he doesn’t hesitate to get down on his hands and knees to finish a floor so that the job is done right.

“OLD SCHOOL BEATS NEW SCHOOL EVERY TIME,” Adell said in his office recently, carving precious time out of a busy day for an interview for Capital at Play. Three job offers had come in during the time he’d allotted to talk. And there was much to be done—crews to check on, jobs to price—before his head would hit the pillow that night.

But Adell so believes in honoring his commitments and keeping his appointments that this perpetual motion machine stayed still long enough to talk about the hard work and personal integrity that have made his business a successful, growing enterprise, one that gets stellar results from people that others wouldn’t take a chance on. And it all started 20 years ago, him working alone out of an old Buick, cleaning businesses after his day job was done.

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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ale x harvey,

the warehouse manager & team supervisor 52

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Clean Streak, a green- and biohazard-certified business that cleans offices, banks, clinics, new construction, and rental housing, has employees throughout Western North Carolina.

Most of them head out to jobs around 5pm from company headquarters, located in the heart of Mills River farmland, just up the road from the farm where Horace and his wife, Susan Donoho Adell, live.

“When the rest of the world is closing up, we’re just taking off,” Susan, Clean Streak’s vice president, said. The business has 35 employees and could use more, business is so strong, she said.

The Adells have plans to open a second Clean Streak business in Myrtle Beach, a city to which they hope to retire. “There’s a lot of work on the coast, and many of the banks we do have locations out there,” Susan said. The company gets a lot of job offers there already. As it is, they already have more than enough to do, something Susan attributes to her husband’s work ethic.

“Horace works 20-hour days, six days a week,” she said in the small break room in their business recently. “He’s a hands-on man. It’s his name that’s on the line.”

Horace Adell is a big guy. Six-foot-five, powerfully built, he looks far younger than 52, likely because of the heavy equipment he operates to strip, wax, and varnish floors with his crews. Adell expresses himself with his strong hands, and his large presence makes his office, filled with golf paraphernalia (his only hobby,

his wife said) and photos of family and friends, seem small. Sitting there with him is to experience activity at rest, a force of nature about to unfurl. Energy seems to swirl around him.

“My wife will say, ‘You’re like a Tasmanian devil. You cannot stand a mess.’ I can’t,” he said. “Call it nervous energy. I’ve got to be doing something. If I don’t do it now, I’ll have to do it tomorrow. When I’m cooking, by the time I’m finished, there are no dirty dishes. It’s easier to do them as I go than to wait when it’s over and have a big pile of dishes.”

A lot of that sense of efficiency came from his upbringing.

Adell grew up on a farm in Fairview, the oldest son among his parents’ six children. Every morning before light, he was carrying water from the spring so his sisters could bathe before school. He’d feed the cows, slop the hogs, gather the eggs, and carry the milk back to the house. Before bathing himself and walking to the school bus stop, he’d feed the dogs.

That’s a lot of work for a kid, he thought at the time. “I used to ask my dad, ‘Why me?’ And he’d say, ‘You’re the only one with the giddy-up-and-go to do it and not fuss,’” Adell said. One day you’ll thank me, Horace Sr. told him. “He told me, ‘You’re going to be the worker in this family,’” Horace Jr. said.

He learned a lot about attention to detail from his mother, Mabel Adell. “She used to always say, ‘If you want to catch a woman, you’ve got to be able to take care of yourself.’ That’s September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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| September 2014

sewing a button on your britches, that’s ironing your clothes, keeping your body clean,” he said. “She taught me more than most kids got. When I went to the Army, I could do all of that stuff. The Army enhanced all of that.”

Adell enlisted the day after high school graduation, eschewing a promising basketball career because he believed he needed discipline. He became a paratrooper, jumping out of so many aircraft that his hips still bother him to this day. Six years after he enlisted, he got out and couldn’t believe how hard it was for him to find a job. No one would hire him. They said he’d been out of the workforce too long. That made him mad. He’d served his country. He’d gained a lot of skills. Where was the respect?

He decided his best opportunity was in creating his own. He started a landscaping business, working from dawn to dark, putting in so many hours cutting grass in Biltmore Forest that he was able to build his first house with what he made in one season. He finally landed a job driving a lumber truck, then started cleaning offices at night. For 10 years, he did both, working 16-hour days, driving around in an old Buick until midnight, taking care of 12 branch banks and other calls. He was working so much that he put himself in the hospital five times during those days. The last time was so bad that the doctor told him that his next stay would probably be his last.

So Adell had to rethink his business model. The cleaning business was finally bigger than his ability to do it alone. In 2006 he incorporated Clean Streak and began hiring. Remembering how he felt being shut out of the workforce, he was willing to take a chance on anyone eager to work. He hired people others wouldn’t consider, people who had made a mess of their lives. “Everybody deserves a second chance,” Adell said, tapping his desk with each word. “If it hadn’t been for that one person in our lives along the way that said ‘I’m going to give you another chance,’ where would we be?”

Adell strongly believes in the pay-it-forward principle, that if he helps someone, that person will help someone else. “The Lord is going to look back on that and say, Horace started that ball,” he said, tapping his desk again to emphasize his point. “It’s a circle, and they all have spin-offs. We all have to help each other, because if we don’t, it would be a sad, sad world.”

Faith and business are intertwined for Adell, whose mother made sure he was in church every Sunday growing up. When he started the business, “all I asked the Lord was, let me make $50 a day,” he said. “I said, ‘If you will allow me to make $50 a day, I will help everybody I come across. I’ll be at your beck and call.’ There are so many ways that we can help our fellow man and make life better for them.

“I am so…,” he said, pausing briefly to find the word, “driven to help others. It’s almost sickening. I will put my personal needs aside to help somebody. If you ask me for the shirt off my back—if you ask me for it—I’ll give it to you. Just don’t try to take it from me. We only have two rules here (at Clean Streak)—you don’t lie, you don’t steal. I’ve had those rules ever since this has been in existence. They’ve worked really well.”

He smiles talking about all the people that he has helped through the business, people down on their luck, people who couldn’t get jobs anywhere else. Many worked there for awhile, then moved on to “bigger and better things,” Adell said, leaning back in his chair.

He’s proud of that. He reminds himself of it, especially when he’s down. “I may not be

For 10 years, he did both, working 16-hour days, driving around in an old Buick until midnight, taking care of 12 branch banks and other calls.

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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getting rich, but I sure am able to sleep well,” he said. “When you do right by folks, Lord knows, the payback is tenfold,” he said.

That’s what he teaches his new employees. This isn’t just a job, he tells them. This is an opportunity, a path toward some-

long as you have all of your limbs and you can walk on your own, you can work here,” he said. “I’m big on the underdogs.”

He’s proud of his people, many of whom go above and beyond what he and his clients expect of them. Given the chance, they’ve excelled, possibly because they’ve been inspired by Adell’s example. They may not see him on a given day, but they can rest assured that he’s out hustling work for them. He certainly walks the walk, Susan Adell said. “He doesn’t ask anyone to do anything he won’t do himself,” she said. “He will man a floor machine at midnight if needed.”

When midnight is the end of his day, the beginning isn’t far away. Adell is up every morning around 4am. He reads his Bible, makes some coffee, and checks his day’s schedule on his iPad. He’ll fry up an egg sandwich, tidy the kitchen, vacuum the house, and clean whatever needs to be cleaned before heading out the door to be at work at 7:30am. Waiting for him will be a stack of clipboards for jobs he’ll be quoting that day. He maps his work out so that he moves in a straight line. Toward the end of it, he’ll call the

Adell smiles talking about all the people that he has helped through the business, people down on their luck, people who couldn’t get jobs anywhere else. “When you do right by folks, Lord knows, the payback is tenfold,” he said. thing. Being good employees, helping others, is a way of helping yourself. It’s a way of creating a sense of family. “If you want a home, it’s here,” he said. “If you want something that’s going to mean something to you, it’s here. If it’s just a stepping stone for you to go on somewhere else, we’re here for that too.” He hires veterans and works with vocational rehabilitation centers. “As

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| September 2014

office to find out where he needs to go for any follow-up. He travels about 200 miles a day.

Around 5pm, he heads back to the office to help get the cleaning teams out. By 6pm, he’ll start going around to inspect their work. “They never know when I’m coming. That’s a good thing,” he said, smiling broadly. “If they start scurrying like ants, I’ll say ‘Whoa, hold up guys, are you goofing off on me?’ They hate to see me come, because if I start working, that means they don’t get all their time that day on that job.”

The evening hours, during his inspections, are when he occasionally gets called away to banks or businesses whose alarms have been tripped by his crews. Regardless, each night there are reports to be filed. He’s got to do them then because he won’t remember all the details in the morning. “If it’s something where you’ve got second and third parties involved, information is critical. You’ve got to have good documentation,” he said. By now, it’s often 10pm. If he’s lucky, he can go home. If he gets called out on a job, it can be after midnight before he gets to bed. And before he knows it, it’s 4am once again.

“He has obsessive compulsive disorder or something,” his wife said, noting that his socks are folded and lined up in his sock drawer. “He’s just a very organized man,” she said. They met at Reynolds High School—she was a feature baton twirler and he

was a star basketball player. They both had other lives before they married six years ago. Now they complement each other in several ways. He’s up early and knocks off about 10pm; she hits high gear about 1pm and stays on the job until about 1am, when the last crew is back. Co-founder of the Mills River Business Association (with her husband), she often sends emails out at 3am, helping Horace round up the food and household items for the local church and school pantries he stocks.

Adell loves the work he does but recognizes that he’s getting older. Susan has been trying to get him to do more in the office and less in the field. But she doesn’t think he’s too keen on the idea. He loves operating a floor machine. “I kid him about it,” she said. “I tell him he’s married to that machine.”

And if need be, he’s down on the floor, scraping gum or finishing a border by hand. “There are some things that a machine can’t do that good old-fashioned elbow grease can,” Adell said. Machines can’t get close to the walls like a worker can. Equipment fails.

“But when you put that manpower to it, that don’t break down,” he said. “If you want something that’s going to be just great, stick with the old school. What I sell is old school knowledge. And when people see what the results are, they say you’re right, this is the best way to do this.”

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September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 57

K Executive Technology Forum

Once More Unto the Breach

kemper is the vice president of The Electronic Office of Asheville & an associate of (ISC)2.

by KEMPER BROWN, JR.

“I

T’S NOT THE 14 Y EA R OLD IN RUSSI A organizations should be worried about,” Emma Hodson notes. The Van Winkle attorney is speaking to the quarterly meeting of the Asheville Executive Information Technology Forum (AEITF) at Travinia Restaurant in Biltmore Park.

Hodson and/or fellow attorney, Allan Tarleton, are discussing the legal frameworks and ramifications around data security and breach notification, an equally scary and esoteric subject for many business owners.

The conversation begins with a topic familiar to most everyone, the Target data breach that occurred during the peak of holiday shopping late last year. The statistics of the breach are incredible: 40 million credit card numbers and another 70 million individuals’ personal information stolen. To make matters worse, the breach occurred less than six months after Target spent $1.6 million on a security tool to prevent such a breach. Now, more than eight months later Target is still feeling the effects, and the CEO was fired in June as a direct result of the breach. And a breach (if we use a house as an analogy to 58

| September 2014

a network) is just as simple as someone entering your house uninvited. They don’t always have to take anything, but they could and might have…

When a breach occurs and private information is at risk, both federal and state laws apply to the handling of the breach.

Federal laws that govern breach notification include HIPAA/ HITECH and FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act), while North Carolina is governed in part by the NC Identity Theft Protection Act. Under this act, organizations with access to North Carolina residents’ personal information (broadly defined as a name plus social security number) must take reasonable measures to protect against unauthorized access or use.

From a technology perspective, this “reasonable” requirement demands organizations to properly acquire, communicate, and dispose of personal information data using security standards and policies. In other words, the accessibility, integrity, and auditability of the data must be monitored and maintained to help prevent breaches. Additionally, while companies often focus their security efforts on preventing breaches, timely alerting of intrusions is equally important and can help limit

K

a breach’s scope or prevent a breach all together. (This is what a house would call an alarm system. If the alarm goes off immediately, and authorities respond quickly enough, the intruder might not steal anything at all.)

When a breach does occur, many of the same laws also address the notification of the breach—including the who, when, where, and how of that notification. Proper notification may include individuals whose personal information may have been compromised, the Consumer Protection Division of the NC Attorney G enera l s’ O f f ic e, a nd even federa l d a ma ges.

Notification may require organizations to include the nature of the breach, specifics about the breach (timing, content, etc.), the number of individuals affected, and steps taken to investigate the breach, as well as the steps taken to prevent another breach.

Unfortunately, breach notification laws are not cut and dry. Confusion often exists in many facets of a breach. Ms. Hodson discussed two primary case studies of interest.

The first involved a vice president of sales that left his smartphone in a bar, and the phone had no password and could not be wiped remotely. The phone has contact information (names, phone numbers, e -mai l addresses, a nd business addresses) but no other information. While certainly valuable information was lost, because the information lost was not defined as personal, this loss does not qualify as a breach.

A second case study revolved around an accounting firm, specifically a couple of their CPA’s (simply named CPA #1 and #2). CPA #1’s assistant accessed a company’s file for a client of CPA #2. Further, CPA #1 is also involved in an affair

Now, more than eight months later Target is still feeling the effects, and the CEO was fired in June as a direct result of the breach.

And a breach (if we use a house as an analogy to a network) is just as simple as someone entering your house uninvited.

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with one of the owners of that company, and the company file contains the Tax ID number and social security numbers of the owners. In this case a breach has in fact occurred because the assistant was not acting in good faith (or accessing the data for legitimate reasons) when he or she accessed the company file.

Both these cases demonstrate the complexity of breaches and breach notification.

This complexity can often result in confusion in how to appropriately respond to a breach, and responsible companies often find themselves doing more than required to ensure they escape additional penalties and fines for not properly responding.

So how do you to prepare for or prevent this kind of mess?

The best way to prepare for a potential breach, particularly from an information technology perspective, is to develop policies that outline standards for safeguarding data and planning for potential breaches. A Written Information Security Policy (or WISP) is one such document that can be valuable for any organization. A WISP clearly outlines the life cycle of data containing personal information, as well as the legal obligations an organization has regarding the handling of the data and potential breaches. The policy should also cover potential threats and what safeguards will be taken against these threats.

These safeguards can help outline the security needs of an organization both from a technical and non-technical perspective, and can help drive proper implementation.

Lastly, a WISP must have full buy-in from organizational management or ownership and a commitment must be made to train employees on the procedures and policies outlined by the WISP. Oftentimes, the weakest link in security of personal information and data are the individuals trusted with access to that data.

Finally, everyone should understand that liability cannot be outsourced. In organizations that handle personal information, Mr. Tarleton strongly recommends some sort of liability or errors and omissions insurance to help ease the financial burden caused by a breach and the potential legal ramifications. An insurance policy obviously won’t decrease any risk of a breach, but it can help an organization survive what could otherwise be a doomsday scenario.

Data breaches and loss are subjects that no organization wants to become familiar with. There is no silver bullet to prevent breaches or “Idiot’s Guide” to data breach response. However, organizations can and must defend themselves and be prepared for a worst case scenario. A holistic and well-rounded defense is paramount, and the solution is often as unique as your organization.

Data breaches and loss are subjects that no organization wants to become familiar with.

There is no silver bullet to prevent breaches or “Idiot’s Guide” to data breach response.

Asheville Executive Information Technology Forum provides ongoing discussions on key technology issues facing local organizations and fosters the development of relationships essential to their members success. Emma and Allan spoke at the July 2014 meeting of AEITF.

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September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 61

THE OLD

NORTH

STATE [

news briefs

Duke Energy joins effort to develop smart charging for electric cars charlotte, nc

Duke Energy is one of 15 utilities working with eight automakers and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to develop an open technology charging system for electric vehicles. The system would make it easier for customers to charge their vehicles at low rate off-peak times and for utilities to use car batteries as a backup to balance demand fluxes.

The cars could store energy when surplus power is produced and provide electricity to the grid when levels fall. Dan Bowermaster, EPRI manager of Electric Transportation, says such a program will be crucial to integrating plug-in electric

]

vehicles with the grid. It will be designed to work with nearly all plug-ins. Other utilities involved in the program include The Southern Company, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Commonwealth Edison, and Pacific Gas and Electric. The car companies include Ford and General Motors as well as the Chrysler Group, BMW, and American subsidiaries of Toyota and Honda.

Cary ranked in list of ‘Best Midsize Cities to Raise Children’ cary, nc

A recent report from MyLife ranks Cary No. 4 in its list of “The 10 Best Midsize Cities to Raise Children.” MyLife evaluated 189 midsize cities nationwide,

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scoring them on crime rate, public school ranking, public parks per capita, average family salary, and cost of living. Cary is the only town on the East Coast to make the top 10 list. Overland Park, Kansas, and Naperville, Illinois, placed first and second. According to MyLife, Cary has the lowest crime rate of all 189 cities. The FBI has previously said that Cary has the lowest crime rate in the nation. Cary’s population is about 141,000, and it has 24 public schools.

Carolina Alliance Bank Acquires the Operations of Dave McBride Leasing state

Carolina Alliance Bank (CAB) has acquired the commercial leasing operations of Dave McBride Leasing, LLC. Concurrent with the signing of the purchase agreement, Dave McBride signed an agreement to manage CAB’s South Carolina leasing operations. The acquisition is a significant addition to CAB’s existing commercial leasing line of business, which had previously been concentrated geographically in North Carolina. John S. Poole, chief executive officer of CAB, stated: “I have known and

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had business relationships with Dave for many years. His care for and skill at taking care of his customers is admirable, and a great fit philosophically with our community bank strategy. Also, his customer base is very similar to CAB’s commercial and professional banking customers.”

John Kimberly, CAB’s president, noted, “We are very excited about the opportunity to greatly enhance our leasing capabilities in South Carolina. This also adds scale to our leasing operations, allowing for certain operating efficiencies and possible service and revenue enhancements in the future.” The new leasing operation will remain housed at DML’s current office at 125 Venture Boulevard in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Bill Cosby joins High Point University board high point, nc

Bill Cosby is the most recent big name to join High Point University’s National Board of Advisors. The entertainer joins a list of prestigious names that have joined the board, which was announced in June.

Among them are Colin Powell, the former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Steve Wozniak,

24

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carolina in the west

national & world

the co-founder of Apple Inc. There are no specific duties or activities outlined for members of the board. However, having an ongoing relationship with well known public figures could help the school raise its national profile. President Nido Qubein recently said that the school has been planning ways to increase recruiting from a greater geographic area.

wilmington, nc

raleigh, nc

Apple’s co-founder Steve Wozniak will be visiting Raleigh in November. He will headline the Internet Summit. Known for founding what was then known as Apple Computer in the ’70s, along with Steve Jobs, “The Woz” will join other speakers in the lineup. That list includes David Pogue, a tech columnist with Yahoo, and Matt Wallaert, a behavioral scientist with Microsoft. Wozniak, who serves on the board of High Point University with Bill Cosby and Colin Powell, met with Research Triangle Park officials in 2013. According to Research Triangle Foundation CEO Bob Geolas, the meeting was to share “our vision and our redevelopment plans with another

n Nor th Car Weesstteerrn Nor th Caroolliinnaa’s’s W

entity known for vision.” Last year’s event featured Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian and author and entrepreneur Gary Vanyerchuk. The Internet Summit, a digital marketing conference, will be held November 11th through the 13th at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Atwater Brewing considers Wilmington for regional facility

‘The Woz’ is coming to N.C.

B & B Tobacconists

the old north state

The city of Wilmington and Atwater Brewing, based in Detroit, have agreed on conditions that must be met for the brewery to build a plant in Wilmington.

In April Mayor Bill Saffo and Atwater said that the expanding craft brewer was interested in locating a regional facility in the city and that Wilmington would compete with other cities. Atwater owner Mark Rieth indicated in a letter to the city that any agreement is subject to the company getting financing at reasonable terms and the proper zoning. Atwater suggested in the letter, dated May 15th, that if conditions were met, it planned to build a 65,000-square-foot full-service brewery, thereby generating a minimum of 30 full-time positions at or above the

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North Carolina average wage, and making a capital investment of at least $5 million.

For Atwater to locate in Wilmington, the city would have to gain control of a parcel at 900 N. Second Street and combine it with an adjacent property to total more than 84,000 square feet. The city would sell or lease the site to Atwater for fair market value. The city also would need to install underground infrastructure to support the brewery, and deliver the site ready for vertical construction: graded, utilities stubbed, and a public access road built. Patrick Doherty, a broker with Carolina Commercial Investment Properties who handles economic development for Atwater, stressed that the letter is “in no way a formal commitment.”

“Other cities are bidding for this,” he said.

“We are taking a very, very hard look at it.

We are in negotiations with one larger city now.” Atwater is also expanding in other areas. In addition to major expansion in Detroit, it plans to build a production facility in Austin, Texas.

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Due to improvements underway near the Wake/Durham County line and completed near the Rowan/Davidson County line, the Raleigh-Charlotte rail corridor is a little faster and more efficient. The Piedmont Improvement Program, funded through a $520 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project and a $5.2 million capital investment from the North Carolina Railroad Company, covers two projects: The Hobson Road/Nelson Clegg project and the Duke Curve Realignment Project.

The first will include new switches, a new three-mile passing track, and a new railroad bridge over Hopson Road in Wake County. The second allows passenger trains to increase speeds from 45 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour in the Davidson County section. Rail director

Paul Worley noted, “This marks a significant step toward the PIP project’s goals of improving efficiency and travel times of trains along the Raleigh to Charlotte rail corridor.”

IMG College connects Chobani, Jell-O with universities state

IMG College revealed two new marketing deals that will pair both yogurt maker Chobani and Jell-O with colleges and universities that the Winston-Salembased company represents. The new agreements include radio ads, in-stadium signage, and university branded packaging. IMG College, which brokers sports marketing agreements on behalf of schools, did not release the financial terms or length of the new agreements.

Chobani’s new college marketing program is with an initial group of 17 universities, and is projected to expand to more than 27 within three years.

Jell-O, a Kraft brand, originally piloted a marketing program with four schools represented by IMG College in 2013, and will expand that group to ten next school year. According to IMG College, the Jell-O carrying a school’s brand outsold unbranded versions 13 to one. With a national sales team, IMG College has been pursuing more companies to launch a broad array of licensing and marketing deals for roughly 100 different colleges and universities. In recent years IMG has acquired deals with Hyundai, UPS, Lowe’s, and MillerCoors.

Preyer Brewing Co. heading to downtown Greensboro greensboro, nc

Small batch brewery Preyer Brewing Company will open in early 2015 at the former Steele & Vaughn building being

renovated in downtown Greensboro next to the second downtown location for restaurant Crafted. Nicole Preyer, with her husband, Calder, and other family members, is co-owner and proprietor of Preyer Brewing Company. She said that her husband got the idea to launch a brewery after backpacking through the Czech Republic a decade ago. He realized the beer over there was better than what he had grown up with in America, and appreciated its affordability. Nicole Preyer further explained, “It kind of dawned on him that being fresh and being made for the place really made a difference in the taste.” After returning to the States, Calder Preyer began home brewing. Then he decided to enroll in Chicago’s Siebel Institute of Technology, which is home to the country’s oldest brewing technology program. The Preyers knew they wanted to target downtown Greensboro for a brewery. Since they are passionate about the Downtown Greenway, the Steele & Vaughn building’s location at 600 Battleground Avenue near the Greenway made it a natural fit. The brewery will initially start with a 10 barrel system, and production will increase from there.

It will also have a 99 seat taproom.

Preyer Brewing Company will focus on producing six different ales, with various alternating seasonal variations.

According to Andy Zimmerman of AZ Development, who is developing the property, the taproom will just serve beer, but it will offer the option of ordering from the Crafted restaurant located next door or other downtown eateries that deliver.

Zimmerman is aiming for a January 1st deadline to finish development at the Steele & Vaughn building.

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debbie wood ,

mother, former bacteriologist and research chemist, and now professional plant person whose mission is to beautify commercial Asheville one flowerpot at a time.

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THE

Accidental Gardener written by roger mccredie

|

photos by anthony harden

‘profusion orange’ zinnia

‘rocket mix’ snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus)

George Vanderbilt didn’t do anything by halves. In preparation for building his 250-room “summer home,” he established a railhead in the little hamlet of Best, North Carolina, about eight miles from downtown Asheville. Then he bought up the hamlet itself and converted its buildings into mock-Tudor cottages—as well as adding new ones from scratch—to house the project’s senior artisans and give his estate a finished feudal look. (Every château needs a village.)

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 67

T

oday, of course, the neighborhood is Biltmore Village. The half-timbered houses on its leafy streets are pricey, trendy restaurants and pricey, upscale shops. The tourists who flock here year-round (it is, after all across the street from the Biltmore House entrance) are not the van-and-flip-flops variety; instead, they drive BMWs, Mercedes, and the occasional Rolls. The village itself has now expanded; a row (you wouldn’t say “strip” here) of shops in harmonizing architectural style has arisen across Brook Street, and that’s where, on a bright, humid August afternoon, photographer Anthony Harden and I are headed to meet somebody.

The old-brick sidewalks are crowded. A trio of golden-tan young ladies wearing short shorts and lots of bling crosses the street just as a battered pickup full of tools and good ol’ boys turns in behind them. There is an appreciative chorus of whistles and yells from the truck. The debs-in-waiting exchange mortified glances, put their hands to their mouths, turn becomingly pink and then burst into giggles and scurry onward—cultural interaction on a summer’s day in Biltmore Village.

AT FIRST IT’S DIFFICULT to locate our target because of her general resemblance to many of the women around her. She is small, blonde, tanned, wiry, dressed in khaki shorts and a fitted blouse, and sporting a single, attractive silver bracelet.

The giveaway is that she is holding a large watering can and is engaged in sprinkling a spectacular arrangement of plants in a large clay pot.

“Hi,” she says, continuing to water. “Just let me finish this.”

This is Debbie Wood, mother, former bacteriologist and research chemist, and now professional plant person whose mission is to beautify commercial Asheville one flowerpot at a time. photos on facing page , clockwise from top left :

‘tidal wave hot pink’ petunia hybrid, ‘yellow chifon’ hybrid (Calibrachoa), ‘serena white’ ( Angelonia augustifolia), ‘purple heart’ trailing plant (Tradescantia pallida), burgundy trailing variety coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides), and ‘redhead’ coleus (Solenostemon scullariodes) Debbie Wood defining her various plant varieties ‘mosaik burgundy velvet’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) ‘rocket pink’ snap dragon ( Antirrhinum majus) with

lantana ( genus with over 150 species) 68

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September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 69

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‘angel face wedgewood blue’ hybrid ( Angelonia augustifolia)

burgundy trailing variety coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

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“I need to finish watering along here, then come back through and deadhead,” she says. “You’re welcome to come along.”

That’s when we notice that similar tubs of mixed blossoms and greenery are stationed at intervals all along the strip—er, row—of Brook Street shops.

“These are all mine,” she says, “or rather, I created them for the business owners along here. No two are exactly alike.”

She pauses at the next pot. “See, here I’ve used this big coleus”—indicating a tall background shrub with maroonand-green leaves—“for background, then I put a lantana in. Now, these are all from

“What I want to do is get as many of people’s senses engaged as I can when they look at my arrangements—not just sight, but smell and texture as well. little four-inch pots originally. Except this nasturtium. I grew it from seed.”

The next pot: “Lavender. It’s always so pretty,” she says, examining the delicate blue-violet sprigs. “And here,” she says, plucking a piece of something green and familiar-looking and rolling it between her palms. “Smell.”

Something to do with roast pork.

“Rosemary,” she says. “What I want to do is get as many of people’s senses engaged as I can when they look at my arrangements—not just sight, but smell and texture as well. See this dusty miller peeking out next to the zinnias? That’s what I mean. Contrast. People tend to think solely in terms of blossoms, but you can get beautiful effects from

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foreground container :

evergreen cypress with ‘luscious citrus blend’ lantana and marguerite variety sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) background container :

burgundy trailing variety coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) with ‘Supertunia Royal Velvet’ petunia

anything, including veggies. I’ve got some cabbages in a couple of these pots. And kale.”

We reach the cornermost pot and Debbie Wood pauses long enough to be asked: Why do you do what you do?

“Creativity, I guess,” she says. “Creating something out of things that are in the process of creating themselves. Living

Is this what you set out to do in life? Did you go to school for it, or— “Hardly,” she laughs. “I grew up in Charlotte. I’ve got a degree in lab science and chemistry from Chapel Hill. I did graduate work at Emory, and I ended up staying in Atlanta and working with Emory for the CDC [Center for Disease Control].”

We start back down the row of plant creations as Debbie begins the process of deadheading, which for her consists of pinching spent blossoms off their stalks and discarding them. It’s a simple process, which may explain her spicand-span appearance and the fact that she is not wearing or carrying numerous dirt encrusted gardening tools.

She resumes the narrative. “That was in the ’80s. I was at Emory working with the CDC when this spooky new virus showed up. At the time, all we knew for sure was there was a really dramatic increase in people reporting pneumonia-like symptoms. But it didn’t respond to pneumonia treatment protocols.

People were getting sicker. People started to die.

“Eventually, of course, we were able to isolate the virus and put a name to it—HIV—and the condition it brought on as AIDS. It was a scary time because those were early days, and we had so little knowledge about the thing’s behavior, how it was spread and so on.” things. Watching things grow. And,” she grins, “there is kind of a payoff when you notice somebody looking at something you’ve done and sort of going, ‘Wow!’”

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“Eventually we noticed a correlation.

This thing seemed to track through gay communities and for lack of anything else to call it we started just referring to it as ‘gay-related syndrome.’ Well, that thesis was blown when it started showing up among heterosexuals as well. Eventually, of course, we were able to isolate the virus and put a name to it—HIV—and the condition it brought on as AIDS. It was a scary time because those were early days, and we had so little knowledge about the thing’s behavior, how it was spread and so on. But it was also a very challenging, rewarding time because we had a very clear cut mission to focus on, and we were using all our resources and brain power to discover as much as we could.

“After CDC I stayed on in Atlanta.

Worked as a health consultant for a while and did some medical writing. I was raising kids by then. I tell people I

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had to do a whole career before I could get to where I wanted to be—mainly because I didn’t even know where that was,” she laughs.

She pauses to pluck a spent snapdragon blossom. “I love snapdragons,” she says. “You plant them and they come up where you plant them—the first time. Next time, they just pop up wherever.”

She returns to the thread of ‘How Atlanta-based Research Chemist Debbie Wood Became a Plantswoman in Asheville, North Carolina.’

“So I was just being a mother and doing my consulting work when my sister moved to Madison County. I came up to help her

shops, and Debbie pauses long enough to remember. “The farm had three greenhouses. Three. I didn’t know what on earth to do with them.” She loved growing things, she says, but had never progressed beyond the house plant stage. “Yet here the greenhouses were,” she says, “like a challenge. So I bought a few plants and started getting my feet wet.”

The scale of the greenhouse and farm operation proved daunting, however, so it was necessary to devise a Plan B. “My parents retired, and they actually moved up from Charlotte and took over the farm, which had already been named ‘Herbs of Grace’—isn’t that a great name?” With her parents in place, Debbie bought a house in Asheville. She opened a tearoom at Herbs of Grace and commuted to Madison County, running the tearoom successfully until 2008, when another opportunity came along.

“I became friends with Renee Fisher,” she recalls. “Renee had a container gardening business she had named Sprig. So basically I went to work with her at Sprig, and that’s really what I’ve been doing ever since.” When Fisher eventually decided to leave the business, Debbie took it over.

“Renee had built up a good customer base, mostly by word of mouth, and we later added a website, sprigasheville.com. We got the contract for Grove Arcade. That was a biggie. Still is. I haven’t even had time to update the website yet, but at least it’s there. I haven’t even had a chance to order new business cards.”

Debbie produces a wrench key and locks the building faucet she used to draw her last batch of water. “I need to do my stuff across the street,” she says. ”Let me refill my water supply and

What she loves most about her job, she says, “is the freedom. The businesses I contract with give me carte blanche about my choice of plants and the overall look of what I do for them. My hours are my own; I make my own decisions.” move, and of course I just fell in love with the country. I kept telling myself I had no intention of living here, though—I was doing what I was doing and it seemed like moving just wasn’t part of all that.

“But then I came upon a farm for sale in Madison, and the idea came back to me. I couldn’t forget about it. I had four kids who by then were in their teens and they were horrified at the very idea. But in the end I did it.” She laughs again. “I literally bought the farm.”

We have worked out way back to the opposite end of the

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I’ll meet you over there in a minute.”

We help her load her equipment—a short hose, two five-gallon jugs, and her watering can—into her car, and then walk across Brook Street to Kitchin Place. Here, in the block leading towards the Cathedral of All Souls, is another row of large clay pots full of spectacularly arranged flowers and greenery. A couple of these flank the entrance to men’s clothier Jos. A. Bank, half a dozen paces from the entrance to the Capital at Play office.

I write for Capital at Play and, if I’m feeling solvent, occasionally visit Jos. A. Bank. I have never taken notice of these arrangements. I suddenly feel like an utter clod.

My self-chastisement is interrupted by the arrival of Debbie.

We help her unpack her equipment. Out comes the watering can again. “I’ve been worried about some of these guys all day,” she says, indicating the contents of a tub receiving the full force of the afternoon sun. She explains that she chooses plant varieties for overall hardiness, but “if they get too much sun without relief, they’ll get droopy. They won’t be harmed—I wouldn’t let that happen—but they won’t look their best. Then, too, some pots have to go under awnings or roof overhangs where they don’t get wet even if it’s pouring rain all around them. I have to remember them especially.

“Generally, I’ll do two plantings for everybody,” she says, “one in May and the other in October. I don’t have a big staging area or anything like that, so in spring and fall I just go to plant wholesalers, buy up what I think I’ll need and stake everything out in the backyard until I can get on site and start assembling, pot by pot. You see the sorts of plants I use for warm weather.

In winter I’ll plant bulbs for next spring, and some hardy stuff to keep color going through the winter—pansies, mums, even some little evergreens. The whole idea is to keep things looking lively all year round. I’m constantly surprised, in this job, about how things grow, about how plants can work together. I learn

from those surprises.”

What she loves most about her job, she says, “is the freedom.

The businesses I contract with give me carte blanche about my choice of plants and the overall look of what I do for them. My hours are my own; I make my own decisions.”

And of course there’s the same downside to all this that there is to any entrepreneurial situation. “The responsibility is all on me, too. Plus, I freely admit I don’t like bookkeeping, billing, the ‘business’ parts of being in business.” She nods at the pot she’s watering. “It takes me away from this.”

There’s plenty of room in the landscape gardening industry for operations like hers, says Debbie. “Not everything is a huge project that needs a huge team of gardeners,” she says. “Smaller operations and individual businesses want somebody they can interact with—somebody who can help them express their image, only with foliage. It’s like marketing in a way.”

She turns to the two pots flanking the entrance of Jos. A. Bank.

“Look,” she says. “See how the plants soften the lines around the doorway, how nice this looks against the old brick. It’s welcoming.”

When she isn’t working with plants, Debbie Wood spends her time—well—working with plants. And networking with people who do likewise, both professionally and as a hobby. “I want to get in a plug,” she says. “I want to say what a great organization the Master Gardeners [Buncombe County’s Master Gardener Extension Program] is. They’re all volunteers, and they do so much to beautify and educate.” (See sidebar on page 73.)

“Why did you get up this morning?” I ask. I’m hoping for an end-of-interview zinger and am not disappointed.

“To water my plants?” she says . “Of course” hangs in the air as plainly as if she had uttered it.

She waves, hoists her watering can and heads off up Kitchin Place. Shortly, she disappears among the tourists.

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September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 75

UPDATES FOR

NATIONAL WORLD [

& news briefs

Pager to launch in Chicago chicago

Pager is a smartphone app created by a former Uber engineer that permits users to dispatch a doctor to their home or office. The company recently announced its plan to launch in Chicago and four other cities around the country.

The service will also launch its app in Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, and San Francisco. Pager’s co-founder is Oscar Salazar, who was part of the team that assisted in creating Uber, a smartphone app that helps people find taxis or shared rides. The company has apparently raised $3.5 million in seed and angel investment. The consultations reportedly range from $50 for a phone call to $300 for a house call, and Pager receives a

]

portion of that fee. Pager claims its doctors are board certified primary care physicians currently practicing at local hospitals or healthcare facilities. As of early August, the service is available from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York.

Mint features lie-flat beds and semi-private seats with doors. Mint pillows and blankets are initially available on domestic transatlantic flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles. The companies are calling it a “strategic partnership,” but it is more of an extension of their relationship. London Luxury has already been providing items for Mint like the bedding, pillows, and blankets to JetBlue’s Core customers.

Proposal for world’s largest urban park baltimore, maryland

A group in Baltimore has a vision to transform three acres underneath Jones Falls Expressway. The concept is to develop it into a destination urban park for street artists, skateboarders, pedestrians, and performers. The Section 1 Project, a nonprofit organization that hopes to renovate under utilized spaces into lively community centers, wants to build what it is labeling as the world’s largest urban park in an area under the JFX, directly behind the Maryland Institute College of Art and near the Fitzgerald apartment building. Although

Nicer pillows & blankets for JetBlue’s Mint customers world

JetBlue and London Luxury LLC are striving to make transatlantic flights even more luxurious. London Luxury, a provider of home goods, will now supply the New York City based air career with premium pillows and blankets for JetBlue’s Mint offering.

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the project is still in its initial conceptual phase, formal designs should be complete soon. Included in the proposal will be an 18,000-square-foot skate park, 60,000-square-feet of paintable surfaces, multiple live performance spaces, an acre of green space, and shipping container retail spaces. Presently, Graffiti Alley in Station North is the only place street artists can paint without facing legal penalties, but Richard Best, founder of the Section 1 Project, envisions the proposed park as a safe zone for street artists. While some areas would be fair game to any artists, other large walls would have more permanent murals. The Baltimore park would be the Section 1 Project’s first undertaking, clutching inspiration from other urban art destinations like Wynwood Walls in Miami, 5 Pointz in Brooklyn, New York, and Love Park in Philadelphia. The nonprofit aims to take the concept to other cities after developing the park in Baltimore. The Section 1 Project has been talking with with the state, which owns the land, to lease the space. The site under the JFX is only accessible to Maryland Transit Administration and Amtrak personnel.

The nonprofit has already started raising money through grassroots efforts, including selling bricks at Artscape

24

62

carolina in the west

the old north state

for people to paint that will be used in the park’s construction. Although it is unclear how much the project would cost, the organization raised $10,000 from the brick initiative and also intends to seek traditional funding from private individuals and foundations.

Self-assembling origami robot massachusetts

Harvard scientists have built the world’s first working Transformer robot, inspired by the ancient Japanese paper folding art of origami. The scientists’ robot disguises itself as a robot that has been flattened. Footage from the researchers’ laboratory shows a sheet of paper and plastic mounted with batteries and motors that folds itself into a working machine without human involvement and then walks off the screen. The flat-pack robot uses “shape memory polymers” that contract like muscles when they are heated. The robot takes nearly four minutes to fully assemble and can walk at a speed of around 5cm per second.

Built with assistance from researchers at MIT, the robot could pave the way for flatpacked machines for use in space or in

national & world

hazardous environments on Earth where they can be put into confined spaces and left to assemble themselves. The team used computer design tools to construct the robot from a three-ply sheet. The first sheet is paper, the second a flexible electronic circuit, and the third the shape memory polymer. Hinges that permit the robot’s legs to move into position are programmed to fold at certain angles. Each hinge contains tiny circuits that heat up on command to move the robot’s limbs.

Nearly four minutes after assembly, the robot’s hinges cool down enough to stabilize and the robot’s microcontroller sends signals to the limbs to make it walk.

Felton said that the equipment to make the 13cm-long robot would cost about $3,000 at commercial rates with each robot costing around $100.

Amazon adds same-day delivery service to more cities nation

Amazon.com Inc. claims it is bringing its same-day delivery service to six more United States cities. Amazon said it’s adding Baltimore, Dallas, Indianapolis, New

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national & world news

City Beach NYC project, which is currently raising funds on the crowd funding site IndieGoGo, will modify a reclaimed barge to form an artificial beach along with shops, a food court, changing rooms, and all the amenities required for a sunny beach day. Envisioned by real estate developer Blayne Ross, along with design teams at Workshop/apd and Craft Engineering Studio, the idea surfaced from the “need and convenience” for New Yorkers to have a new communal space in the summer time. The project is currently raising money to fund the first stage of the development, including developing an operational plan, as well as approaching the local municipalities. If all goes as planned, and the total $24 million funding is reached for construction, including a potential bill of $1.4 million for the barge itself, the City Beach could be open to the public in summer 2016.

York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. to its current list of cities where customers can order some products as late as noon and get it delivered that same day. The cost for the same-day delivery service is $5.99 per order for Amazon’s Prime subscribers, who pay $99 a year.

Non-prime members pay a $9.98 fee for the first item and 99 cents for each additional item. Amazon currently offers same-day delivery service in the Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle metro areas.

Plans for an urban beach in Manhattan new york city

An inspired entrepreneur from New York City has proposed plans to develop a floating beach on the Hudson River. The

Boeing jet designer wins Oregon bike competition oregon & seattle, washington

Teague is the Seattle-based company that designed the interior of the Boeing jetliners. It also recently designed a really neat bicycle. “The Denny” won first place among five candidates in a competition sponsored by the Oregon Bike Design Project. More than 136,000 people voted for the bikes over seven days in an online competition. Now, Fuji is planning to build the Denny bicycle, so fans can purchase one. The Denny was designed with Seattle urban traveling in mind. Features include an electric assist with a removable battery to make it easier to climb the steep Seattle hills, a quiet belt drive, and automatic transmission. The handlebars of the Denny

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swiftly convert into a locking bar to make the bike more difficult to steal.

Instead of rain fenders, the Denny bike has brushes to condense the amount of water that is carried on the tire.

Anheuser-Busch InBev opening ‘high-end’ unit in Chicago chicago

Anheuser-Busch InBev plans to develop a Chicago office to oversee premium craft and imported beers. The establishment of a unit there “places us in closer touch with urban consumers, their way of thinking, lifestyle, and the accounts they visit,” Luiz Edmond, president of the brewer’s North American division, said. Felipe Szpigel, who most recently was vice president of trade marketing and based in New York,

will supervise the division. AnheuserBusch’s high-end marketing team will “transition to Chicago over time.” In 2011 Anheuser-Busch purchased Goose Island, a craft brewer that operates west of downtown Chicago. New York craft brewer Blue Point Brewing Co., which A-B bought earlier this year, will also be included in the division.

the Chattahoochee River to the City’s water treatment plants and storage facilities. Stantec said a tunnel, rawwater-filled quarry, and related facilities will provide operational flexibility to the city’s existing transmission mains.

According to Stantec, “This project will be one of the largest design build tunnels ever designed in North America.”

Canadian company wins big Atlanta water project atlanta , georgia

Stantec Inc., a Canadian planning, engineering, architecture, and design firm, has won a big job from Atlanta Stantec and has been hired to work on the City of Atlanta’s Raw Water Delivery System, which will move raw water from

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capital adventurist

Watauga Lake: A town submerged, a sail unfurled.

written by william hay wood photos by anthony harden

alternating bet ween basking in the sun and swimming in cool water , sipping through the afternoon of sport, leisure , and good company with the sole aim of not thinking about any thing but the present. sail unfurls , with boats across the l ake following the wind in simil ar pursuit. dr agging my hand through the water as the boat heels slightly, casting wake like the path of the sun through the afternoon sky. this is freedom .

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com

81

capital adventurist

the l ake itself...

The majority of Lake Watauga’s 6,340-acre coverage falls within Cherokee National Park, leaving it largely undeveloped and, as a result, noticeably clean. The Tennessee Valley Authority oversees much of the Lake Watauga development and usage. This lake has served as a reservoir and hydroelectric power source since its completion in 1948 following a construction hiatus during World War II. The confluence of the Roan Creek, Watauga River, and Elk River being dammed has provided recreation and utility for decades. By most accounts it is one of the cleanest lakes in the United States, devoid of the high selenium concentrations and other toxins which render the fish of many lakes unsafe to eat in any quantity. Many conservation groups take issue with the damming of rivers, as it impedes the spawning of anadromous* fish, and can cause some other environmental problems. That said, hydroelectric dams provide a relatively clean form of energy production and secure water for the many uses of surrounding municipalities, as well as agriculture. There are tough decisions to be made in the way of conservation, with valid arguments coming from many parties, and Watauga Lake is perhaps a good example of a compromise of values and pragmatism.

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| September 2014

wata u g a lake

67

321

*Anadromous- Fish that hatch in freshwater and then migrate to sea, living most of their lives in saltwater, then returning to their native rivers to spawn.

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September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 83

the town bene ath the l ake …

The town of Butler was settled by John Honeycutt in 1768. It was an area rich in natural resources including ample rivers to power the various mills that were essential to the economy of the region.

The town’s name was finalized as Butler, after various iterations since the founding of Jackson County, in honor of Roderick R. Butler of the 13th Cavalry regiment of the Union Army following the Civil War. Throughout its existence, the town has been subject to flooding as a result of The Watauga and Elk Rivers proximity. Some of the most useful aspects of nature can also cause the most destruction, and in 1940 a “killer flood” ripped through the town causing immeasurable destruction. In light of this, the Tennessee Valley Authority decided that the area was unsafe for habitation and planned a dam that would submerge the town of such great history. In 1948 the dam gates were closed, and the town of Butler is now a mountain bound Atlantis still remembered well by the citizens of the area.

The Butler Museum serves to memorialize the town and its people. An “all volunteer museum keeping the town of Butler alive” as described by Trula Haley, an integral member of the staff. Open during the spring and summer, it serves as a reminder that even small town history bears importance in the greater annals of Americana.

an over -turned house

after the “killer flood” of 1940

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| September 2014

POSITIONING YOU FOR THE JOURNEY

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capital adventurist

recre ation by lure

Striped bass and sturgeon are examples of the anadromous fish often disrupted by damming. In some cases it has been proven that at least striped bass have the potential to breed successfully in closed freshwater habitats. Otherwise they are stocked from hatcheries and still very tasty. The deep flooded valleys and remnant tree structures provide essential habitat for striped bass, as well as trout stocked by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Striped bass hang out at greater depths than their smaller counterparts requiring downriggers* to have much success catching them.

Trout tend more towards the peripheral shadows and structures and are a blast to catch with light tackle or fly rod. Fried whole or poached in beer, light in both color and flavor, trout is an excellent eat for even those who “don’t like to eat fish.”

There is ample recreation to be had to supplement the sportfisherman, such as sailing, watersports, and bobbing.* This last activity bridges the gap between meditation and sheer laziness.

A noble pursuit that rewards one’s recreational efforts of the day with the ability to imbibe, recline, and watch the sunset simultaneously. It will ease the pleasant aches that follow skiing and tubing, giving the “bobber” an underwater cloak of cool from which to enjoy the outdoors and beat the heat. *DownriggersA secondary angled & weighted line to draw the primary baited or lured line to a greater depth.

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BLACK MOUNTAIN’S FLU SHOT HEADQUARTERS

by sail

The wind is collected and distributed throughout the taut sailcloth, DaggerBoard dropped as the craft planes up, arcing through a valley-turned-lake, amid mountains that continue deep beneath the surface.

Sailing small craft is relaxing and relatively inexpensive.

Older, yet well maintained, sailboats of both the single hull and catamaran varieties can be acquired within the manageable range of $2,000-10,000; including trailers to tow them around to the many water resources of the southeast. Sailing provides the additional benefit while sailing of right of way given to boats can provide under sail, prompting jet-skis and motorboats to give a cona soothing siderate birth to those guided getaway there by a more natural power is also a strong source. Sailing a smaller tr adition of craft doesn’t require a lot of training. Contacting a sailing communit y club nearby is a simple start competition to a very rewarding pursuit. and ample While sailing can provide hand waving a soothing getaway, there is also a strong tradition of bet ween boats community, competition, and ample hand waving between boats. The Watauga Lake Sailing Club organizes regattas and competitions amidst different classes of boats. One such event is the Leukemia Cup Regatta, a union of sport and samaritanism.

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capital adventurist

by motor

Don’t want to be at the mercy of the wind? Pontoon Boats are available for rent from several marinas around the lake. Any time you are renting a boat it is advisable to do a quick test run in a nearby cove. Cut the motor and crank it again. It can spare a lot of midlake heartache. While there are quite a few options, we had a great experience with Thomas at Fish Springs Marina. His boats are more or less new, clean, and pretty luxurious. He has a pretty sweet gig, hanging out at the lake and watching his customers come back in with smiles on their faces.

Suitable for both family and more debaucherous pursuits, a pontoon boat is a ‘Jackof-all-Trades’ with roomy seating, spacious decks, and a collapsible awning to escape the sun or the occasional shower. Watauga Lake has many small coves and inlets to enjoy the cool water and mountain sun, some of which have small beaches for sunbathing and the occasional pebbly sandcastle.

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Cherokee National Forest provides public access and camping to many parts of the lake. Established campsites and hiking options are plentiful. The Appalachian Trail skirts Watauga Lake for section hikes and some through hikers take a “zero” (zero mile day) in the area to cool off and collect themselves.

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reflection

Watauga Lake serves many pursuits and utilities. The regional recreation mecca benefits both visitors and locals with low cost yet high quality experiences. The income generated helps support a way of life that otherwise would be lost with the reduction in mining and other industries, in a manner conducive to preserving the majesty of an ancient mountain range and relatively new lake. In a world where water security and energy independence are rapidly becoming more essential, it is a pleasure to adventure in a place that serves small communities and the greater region in such diverse ways.

A couple days out on the water blows away the stresses of day-to-day life. Food cooked over fires seldom disappoints, and even if it does you eat it anyways. Having fun makes you hungry.

You feel a little more rugged, a bit sunburned, and most likely sore from splashing and dashing. The world will still be there when you get home, and yet tackling it seems easier with the infusion of clarity and calm from a good adventure. There is a sense of fulfillment that comes with even a brief return to nature, and heading home that satisfaction lingers with a feeling that even a well needed shower won’t wash off.

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 89

events

Sept august 29 -september 1 NC Apple Festival 10 am -10 pm

downtown hendersonville, nc

This street festival features more than 150 vendors lining eight blocks of the main event area with continuous entertainment. The King Apple Parade, always held on Labor Day, culminates the Main Street activities.

admission: free

september 2 & 6

Bend & Brew Yoga at Highland Brewery & Wicked Weed Brewing sept 2 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm highland brewery, 12 old charlotte highway, asheville, nc sept 6 11am -12pm wicked weed brewing , 91 biltmore avenue, asheville, nc On September 2nd, come for an hour of yoga followed by a tasting of Highland’s very best brews, such as the year-round Gaelic Ale, a Black Mocha Stout, or a seasonal brew such as the Little Hump Spring Ale. On September 6th, the beginner friendly yoga will be followed by a tasting of select Wicked Weed ales, such as Freak of Nature Double IPA or Hop Burglar Blood Orange IPA, or a seasonally rotating selection of open fermented Belgian saisons. These events are weather permitting. Travelling Yogini Yoga Tours is a local Asheville yoga business. In an effort not only to promote the GO LOCAL philosophy, but to bring yoga to beer lovers as well, Travelling Yogini will be holding weekly beginner friendly yoga at local breweries followed by a beer tasting. All tasters are four ounces. No reservations are necessary for the Bend and Brew Series, but participants are asked to bring their own mats.

admission: $15 | 828 - 545 -1954

90

| September 2014

september 4

A Day on Lake Julia, DuPont State Forest with White Squirrel Paddle Boards 1pm - 4 pm 4469 hendersonville hwy, pisgah forest, nc Join White Squirrel Paddle Boards for a beautiful day on Lake Julia in the Dupont State Forest. You will be shuttled directly to the lake that is normally only accessible by hiking. Enjoy a stand up paddleboard lesson followed by a scenic paddle. Perhaps you will see great blue herring, beaver, or even a playful otter, all while enjoying the solitude of this picturesque 99-acre lake. Bring a picnic and carve a bit of magnificence into your week. The tour is limited to eight participants by special permit, and includes the lesson, board, PFD, and shuttle service.

admission: $45 828 - 553 -7329

september 5 -26

Fall Outdoor Concert Series fridays 7pm - 8 :30 pm

transylvania county library amphitheater The Fall Outdoor Concert Series at the Transylvania County Library is back.

Come every Friday in September for a lively mix of Blue Grass, Folk Rock, and Americana music. The performers include a collection of favorite musicians from past years, as requested by audience members. The season will end on September 26th, with a special grand finale event, the first ever community Contra Dance at the Library. In the event of rain, concerts will be moved to the Library’s Rogow Room. The finale concert and dance will be held in the Rogow Room.

admission: free

september 5 -14 Mountain State Fair

wnc agricultural center , fletcher , nc The NC Mountain State Fair is the third largest fair in North Carolina. It celebrates the heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including agriculture, music, crafts, art, food, entertainment, display of livestock, competitions, and midway amusement rides.

admission: ranges from $2- $8 , children 5 years & under free www. mountainfair .org september 5 - 6

Carolina Mountain Literary Festival “Let’s Remember” burnsville, nc Join others while meandering through the past and explore the role of memory in story, oral traditions, and poetry. In 2014 the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival features writers and presenters who take listeners down the quirky path of memory.

admission: $25 - $30 per presentation www.cmlitfest.org september 7

Inaugural Gran Fondo 8 am pack square park , asheville, nc Take a Sunday drive on two wheels and see the Smoky Mountains from a whole new perspective. Gran Fondo National Championship Series (GFNCS) is adding a seventh event to the series to take place in Asheville and the surrounding mountains and benefit Friends of the Smokies.

A gran fondo is a European-style cycling challenge that takes bicycle racing to the next level through a hybrid of competitive road racing and casual century rides, designed for cyclists of every skill

SLEEPWORLD level. The GFNCS 2014 circuit will stop in Asheville with courses covering 20-, 60-, and 100-mile journeys. The Gran Fondo Asheville will start and finish in conjunction with the annual Organicfest held in the heart of Asheville, at Pack Square Park. Organicfest celebrates everything organic, green, healthy, and sustainable, and offers food, music, vendors, family fun, and more. The Gran Fondo Asheville features four timed sections, fully stocked aid stations along the route, food and beverage at the finish, and prizes for overall and age group winners. There is a 500 person field limit to ensure safe riding conditions for all participants. Registration details can be found on the website below.

admission: $50 - $120 www.gfncs .com september 12

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Pianist Bradley Martin & Violinist Justin Bruns 8 pm unitarian universalist congregation , 1 edwin pl , asheville, nc This event is the opening of the 20142015 season of the Asheville Chamber Music Series (ACMS). It will feature Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 7, Op.30 No.2, Ravel’s Sonata for Violin & Piano, and Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 1, Op. 12 No.1. Pianist Bradley Martin has appeared in recitals in the United States, Russia, Europe, Australia, and Asia. He has appeared with the Pacific Music Festival in Japan, the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, and the Kusciuzko Foundation in New York. As first violinist of the Atlanta Chamber Players, Justin Bruns has appeared at the San Miguel de Allende Chamber Music Festival and made his chamber music debut at Weill Recital Hall at New York’s Carnegie Hall. He has performed throughout the United States and England, appearing

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Forrest Jarrett Soaring The Penland’s Ric Scalzo Chappie Adventures of the Earl of LeicesterPLIGennett A Unique Glider Operation Modern Remedies Moogfest ’14

Growing A Passion Ancient Wisdom

Fun,aFun On The Range Pick Card, Any Card

Gaia Herbs An In-depth Look

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The Free SpiritOf OfEnterprise Enterprise The Spirit Of Enterprise The Free Free Spirit

Food & Flora

Capital Adventurist

A Few Summertime Selections To Peruse

Rising To The Occasion In A Hot Air Balloon

Frank Smith

Hops

Remedies For The Body & Soul

Events Section More Relevant Than Ever

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Yarn Julie Jensen Experiments in Sustainability at EchoView Farm & Fiber Mill p.14

From the Ground Up

Nicole Barbour

How to Put On a Festival

Insight from those who know how

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UNEARTHING THE HISTORY OF

Real Estate Analysis

events

with ensembles such as the Kocapelli String Quartet, Brave New Works, and Michigan Chamber Players.

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NG AL RI NU TU N ANFACTIO U DI AN E M

August12014 2014 January May/June 2012 January 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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september 12

Rivermusic Concert Series 5pm -10 pm

riverlink sculpture & performance plaza , clingman ave at lyman st, asheville, nc

RiverLink has teamed up with Heira Productions to assemble a top-notch mix of quality national acts and local favorites. There will be beer from local craft brewers, food trucks, live music from local and national acts, and the waters of the beautiful French Broad flowing right by the stage.

admission: free 828 -252- 8474

september 13

EILEEN FISHER

‘Barn Day’ Celebrates Mountain Heritage madison county, nc

2onCrescent

828.274.1276 • 2oncrescent.com Mon-Sat 10-5:30; Sunday 10-4 4 All Souls Crescent, Biltmore Village

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From barns to barbecue, from Appalachian arts to country dance, Madison County Barn Day will celebrate mountain culture and good times. The big event begins with a narrated tour of several historically significant barns of Madison County, led by Taylor Barnhill, who has been researching the historic barns of Madison County for the Alliance. The tour will be followed by a barbecue dinner, country auction, and performance by the world champion Bailey Mountain Cloggers of Mars Hill University. Following their performance, energetic guests can take to the

dance floor for an old-fashioned barn dance. During cocktail hour, guests will have an opportunity to chat with the acclaimed watercolor artist, Polly Gott, as she puts the finishing touches on a landscape of the sweeping vista. Her painting will be the centerpiece of an auction later in the evening. The accent is on entertainment, but the theme of the event is local history and culture.

The fundraising event is sponsored by the Appalachian Barn Alliance.

admission: reservations $30 per person 828 -380 - 9146

september 13

The Blessed Place: A Celebration of Thomas Wolfe & NC Mountain Music 1pm - 5pm

thomas wolfe memorial , 52 north market street, asheville, nc The Old Kentucky Home, the model for the boarding house Dixieland in Thomas Wolfe’s classic novel Look Homeward, Angel, will resound with Wolfe’s words and Appalachian string band music when fiddler Bobby Hicks, recipient of the 2014 North Carolina Heritage Award, will be joined by some of the finest pickers in the business. Joining Hicks will be another former Bluegrass Boy, Madison County native Ralph Lewis, and regional favorites the Sons of Ralph, featuring Marty and Don Lewis. Brooke and George Buckner will play selections from their CD So Far from Forgetting, the title of which is taken from a letter written by Wolfe expressing his love for “the blessed place” that is Western North Carolina. The event will also feature master fiddler Roger Howell, vocalist Doc Cudd, guitarist Chris Sharp, and bass player Kevin Kehrberg.

admission: free 828 -253 - 8304

september 13

44th Annual Girl Scout Day grandfather mountain , us 221 & blue ridge parkway at milepost 305 , linville, nc

All Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free to Grandfather Mountain for nature programs throughout the day.

Learn about the birds, trees, and habitat animals while enjoying guided hikes.

800 - 468 -7325 grandfather .com /events

september 13

Waterfalls ’n Wine 1pm - 5pm 190 east main street, brevard, nc With over 250 waterfalls within Transylvania County, it can be challenging to know where to start. You can be guided to up to six of the most sought after and accessible of the bunch, leaving room for some education on the unique history of Pisgah National Forest, the flora and fauna of the area, and the geology and formation of the waterfalls themselves.

The trip ends in beautiful downtown Brevard with a private wine tasting at Broad Street Wines. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

admission: adult $40 , 12 & under $20 contact : adam dewitte 828 - 884 - 5713 (x 224) september 14

Du the Asheville Du & 10k Trail Run 9am biltmore estate, one lodge street, asheville, nc Endurance athletes of all abilities will step up to compete in the 2nd annual duathlon or inaugural trail run events held at Biltmore. The Duathlon is a 5k

road run, off-road 10 mile bike, and then another 5k run through packed dirt and single track, designed to challenge both mind and body. The newly added 10k Trail Run will meander through the beautiful grounds of the Biltmore Estate.

For the French aristocrat in all of us, this rough-cut, crown-emerald of a race sweeps participants through a mystical journey, back to a time when the estate might have resembled an 15th century countryside plantation, complete with a game stocked forest, working vineyards, and a cold mountain river rushing by.

admission: $40 - $60 828 - 684 - 0812

september 15 -16

Blue to Black Art Stroll & Studio Tour 10 am - 6 pm e. asheville & black mountain More than 40 artists, studios, and art venues from the Blue Ridge Parkway at US Highway 70 heading east to Black Mountain and beyond will be open to the public for the Blue To Black Art Weekend Art Stroll & Studio Tour. This is a chance to visit working artist studios and downtown Black Mountain art venues, and to take part in demonstrations, workshops, studio tours, children’s crafts, and live entertainment throughout the weekend. Weekend activities include an antique spinning wheel, a glass blowing studio in Fairview, a 3D found-object art sculptor’s studio, a photographer’s studio with demonstrations, and tours of acrylic and pastel painters’ studios, as well as a Blacksmith’s workshop. Spinning wheel demonstrations, handspun yarns, art quilts, earthy ceramics, and Arts and Crafts handmade chairs can be discovered during the two-day event.

Event destinations include east Asheville, Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Fairview, Ridgecrest, and Old Fort.

admission: free

September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 93

events

september 19

Plate Expectations Charity Auction 6 -10 pm the venue, 21 n . market street, downtown asheville

The dress is casual, but the night will be extraordinary! Bid on vacation packages, local artwork, handmade jewelry, children’s toys, and a variety of gift certificates and services generously donated to support a great cause. Complimentary beer, wine, and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening and a cash bar will be available. 100 percent of net proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels of Asheville & Buncombe County in its mission to care for the homebound elderly of our community.

admission: $50 mowabc .org | 828 -253 - 5286

september 20

Stick Boy Bread Company Mayview Madness 5K Run/Walk & Blue Ridge Pediatric Kids 1-Mile Fun Run registration at 7am blowing rock american legion post 256 , 333 This event is held on some of the most beautiful roads in the High Country, so participants will be sure to enjoy the breathtaking views. After the race, folks can relax at Bistro Roca Restaurant for post race snacks and awards. Blue Ridge Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (BRPAM) is once again sponsoring the Kids 1-Mile Fun Run. The event benefits Blue Ridge Conservancy’s work with willing landowners and local communities

39th

LEAF FESTIVAL

to permanently protect land and water resources with agricultural, ecological, cultural, recreational, and scenic value in Northwest North Carolina.

admission: 5 k run / walk $20 - $30 , 1 mile kids race $10 - $15 828 -264 -2511 blueridgeconservancy.org september 20

Black Light tour 8 pm 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.

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OCTOBER 16th-19th

Celebrate�Unity,� Inspire�Every�Voice!

�#1 Music Festival •� #1 Festival for Kids • �#1 Festival for Camping At Beautiful Lake Eden close to Asheville & Black Mtn NC FESTIVAL SCHOOLS & STREETS INTERNATIONAL 94

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ON

Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn Robert Randolph & The Family Band E STAG

Nahko & Medicine for the People | Rising Appalachia Delhi 2 Dublin | MarchFourth Marching Band & MANY MORE!

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 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.

admission: adults $15 , students $10 , pre-school free

unsuspecting lovers and bumbling actors are transformed beyond their wildest dreams. With a magic potion that grants love at first sight, anything can, and does, happen.

admission: $10 - $20

september 20 -28

A Midsummer Night’s Dream sept 20th , 26th , & 27 th 7:30 pm september 21st & 28th 3 pm parkway playhouse, 202 green mountain drive, burnsville, nc

Fall under the spell of Shakespeare’s most joyful and popular comedy. Filled with magic, humor, music, and spectacle, the merriment unfolds in an enchanted forest where fairies play tricks on

september 20 -21 Flock to the Rock saturday 8 :30 am -2pm sunday simon’s early bird walk 7:30 am 431 main st, chimney rock , nc The region’s premier fall migration birding event is held at Chimney Rock, an official site on the NC Birding Trail.

Features live Birds of Prey programs (a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl), bird walks led by local experts, workshops like bird photography and

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September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 95

events

hummingbirds, plus family nature walks.

The event coincides with the annual hawk migration. Chimney Rock is home to 130+ species year-round, including warblers, vireos, tanagers, woodpeckers, thrushes, owls, and birds of prey, like the Peregrine Falcon.

admission: included with park admission , “early bird” walk has additional price chimneyrockpark .com september 26 -28

Asheville Quilt Show friday-saturday 9am - 5pm sunday 10 am - 4:30 pm

wnc agricultural center , 1301 fanning bridge road, fletcher , nc This year’s 32nd Annual Asheville Quilt Show has a “Quilts: From Inspiration to Creation” theme. The show features over 250 quilts in styles that include Classic, Modern, Art, Junior Quilter, and many more. Find quilts for sale, a hand-made item gift shop, Opportunity Quilt, demonstrations, vendors, and product raffles.

admission: $6

september 27

Old Timey Fall Festival

10 am burnsville’s town square The Yancey History Association will host this event, which used to invite heritage crafters to come out and demonstrate the old timey methods of producing their crafts so that the younger generations can see how their ancestors made these wonderful items. In the past there have been basket makers, yarn spinners, corn grinders, beekeepers, candle makers, quilters, rug makers, and many others demonstrating how they produce their heritage craft.

admission: free oldtimeyfallfestival .com

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september 27

Blossman BBQ & Country Fest 12pm - 5pm

blossman propane gas , appliance & service asheville store, 170 sweeten creek road, asheville, nc

Come to the grand reopening of the Asheville Blossman Propane Gas store at the retro-style Sweeten Creek location.

Doc Brown’s BBQ food truck will be available, with 15 percent of proceeds to benefit Meals on Wheels. There will be live music and fun activities for the kids, including prizes and gifts for all.

Blossman’s All Propane Green Home is featured on-site.

admission: free 828 - 667- 0437

september 29

A Midsummer Night’s Feast 5:30 pm the hub , 278 haywood road, asheville, nc The dream team of local food organizations, including the French Broad Food Coop, Organic Growers School, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Green Sage Café, RAD, and West Asheville Tailgate Markets, are partnering to announce the benefit to fund a project bringing bulk organic animal feed to Western North Carolina.

The Midsummer Night’s Feast is an organic, locally grown, farm-to-table extravaganza, including a sit-down meal, film screening of the movie “GMO OMG,” and a panel discussion featuring leaders of the local food community. Doors open at 5:30pm, with mocktails and h’ors d’oeuvres, followed by the 6:30pm showing of the film, and at 8pm by a three-course seated dinner and panel discussion. Prepared by a collaborative team of local chefs, the meal will feature fresh, local, organically grown produce,

grass-fed meat, and artisanal breads.

Every element of the evening is donated, including the food, the cooks, and the panelists’ time.

admission: $40 brownpapertickets .com october 2

Autumn in Asheville from 6 - 8 :30 pm

brumit center for culinary arts & hospitality, a- b tech asheville campus

A special culinary evening, outdoors, under the glow of the moon and the stars.

There will be live music, exquisite food, and a live auction. Come enjoy a variety of interactive food stations located on the grounds of the A-B Tech Culinary Arts and Hospitality Departments’ facility. This annual event supports the scholarship programs of the A-B Tech Foundation and the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Departments.

tickets online at abtech . edu/autumninasheville or by calling 828 -398 -7567

If your organization has any local press releases for our briefs section or events that you would like to see here feel free to email us at events@capitalatplay.com Please submit your event by the first day of the month preceding your event.

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September 2014 | capitalatplay.com 97

‘Good enough’ is not in our vocabulary.

Excellence is.

www.carolinaday.org

828.274.0757

Our creative, smart educators engineer a cohesive, inquiry-based curriculum in an inviting, stimulating learning environment. Building and giving meaning to foundational skills is essential, but these skills are just the starting point. Our methodologies break from outdated approaches to value real-world problem solving, project-based learning, service learning, and design thinking.

Schedule a tour today to see the difference.

“CDS is a community of innovative, talented, and professional teachers working with supportive parents to help kids learn, grow, and get ready for a future none of us can predict.”

— Andy Lammers

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CDS Academic & Athletic Faculty Master of Science, University of Michigan Coach, blogger, Arctic explorer, National Science Teacher Asssociation presenter | September 2014

We’re a community bank right down to our core.

Community banking is in our very nature. Carolina Alliance Bank started as a community bank and we’re proud to say we always will be. So naturally, here in Western North Carolina, you’ll find all the virtues we’re known for.

Decisions made locally, for local benefit. Bankers you’ll run into in church, civic organizations, street festivals, and grocery checkout lines.

Good friends and neighbors. Professionals with the savvy, clout, and capital to meet your banking needs, along with the time and interest to really get to know you.

Clearly, this apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Come see for yourself. Visit us at carolinaalliancebank.com.

You’ll like our flavor of banking!

1127 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 • 828-255-5711 218 North Main St., Hendersonville. NC 28792 • 828-233-0900 122 Cherokee Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207 • 980-321-5946 (Loan Production Office)

Also in Spartanburg, Anderson and Seneca

carolinaalliancebank.com

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Recipes • Shopping Lists • Cooking Videos •

Our Featured Bloggers JULIE MAY

JOSH MICHAEL

KIMBERLY KELLY

DEREK ST. ROMAIN

LINDSAY MOORE

MEATBALL STROGANOFF

CROSTINI AND ITALIAN LADY BUGS

GRILLED BANANA SPLIT

BLACK AND BLUE BURGER

SALMON OLIVE BROCCOLINI

Our easy to follow full length videos with our featured bloggers take you step by step from shopping to plating. They will make you feel like they’re right there with you and you will be the hero at your family’s table.

FAMILY FOOD & FUN Are you looking for quick, satisfying meals that you can cook for your family?

Well, Ingles is all about bringing you easy, family friendly recipes and tips from some of the best food bloggers in the region. All of us at Ingles believe that the best things in life start with food, and the more we can learn, the farther we will go... so let's start cooking!

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See all the recipes at ingles-markets.com. | September 2014