Capital at Play November 2014

John Swann’s Katuah Food For Thought p.10

Dave & Sierra Hollister Sun, Wind, & Water p.56

CA ITAL LAY The Free Spirit Of Enterprise

48 Spruce Street The Life & Times of Asheville’s best-known address p.39 julia wolfe ’ s vanit y table

What can you build for 64 million dollars?

Asheville Regional Airport’s past and future p.28

Gunther & Kim Jochl

To the skiers it’s snow p.74

A Digestif: Volume IV - Edition XI

Easy day hikes for the holiday season p.82

complimentary edition

capitalatplay.com

November 2014

y a d i l o H Minor Emergencies.

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| November 2014

down the aisles

at Katuah Market p.10 Photo by Anthony Harden

F E AT U R E S vol. iv

10

JOHN SWANN’S KATUAH FOOD FOR THOUGHT

ed. xi

56

DAVE & SIERRA HOLLISTER SUN, WIND, & WATER

74

GUNTHER & KIM JOCHL

TO THE SKIERS IT’S SNOW

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com

7

C ON T EN T S L

82

n o v e m b e r 2 014

trout l ake in Blowing Rock, North Carolina

28

39

82

AVL: What can you build for $64 million?

Forty-Eight Spruce Street

Digestif: A Easy Day Hikes

colu m ns

briefs

events

lo c a l i n d u s t r y

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

The life & times of Asheville’s best-known address

24 B usiness of Business Gifts 20 Carolina in the West Written by Deborah Halpern

52 F orgive us our Trespasses 48 The Old North State Written by Forrest Merithew 66 National & World News 70 T he Real Secret to Selling While You Sleep Written by Adrianne Gordon

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

for the holiday season

90 T he holiday

season begins…

As usual, Halloween was the only thing keeping holiday season marketing from beginning in July.

Make your holiday plans now to avoid a commercial conundrum.

on the cover : Julia Wolfe’s vanity table (and subsequently desk).

Photo by Anthony Harden

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Food for Thought John Swann Challenges Asheville to Shop Its Values

written by anna r addatz

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| November 2014

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photos by anthony harden

In its “Monthly Trend Briefing” for October 2014, trendwatching.com identified “brand sacrifice” as an upcoming business trend for 2015. The challenge they posed to companies: What are you prepared to sacrifice to reduce negative impacts on consumers, the society, or the environment?

THIS SOUNDS SIMPLE ENOUGH. But the reason they see this as a coming trend doesn’t reflect quite as well on consumers as you might think: “In the pursuit of the nirvana that is guilt-free consumption, consumers are looking for brands to make sacrifices—so they don’t have to.”

In other words, a lot of us know that air travel is a major polluter, but few of us actually fly less frequently because of it. Many of us recognize that retail goods are often produced under abhorrent labor conditions, but we buy them anyway. In short, the values we proclaim aren’t always the ones we act upon.

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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john swann

“Benevolent Overlord� of Katuah Market

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| November 2014

So…what does this have to do with an Asheville grocery store owner?

Quite a bit, actually, if that owner is John Swann.

Swann defines himself as both an entrepreneur and a food activist. He has built a career on adamantly living his values, creating or helping run businesses that he sees as good for both people and the planet. With his latest venture, Katuah Market, an independent natural food grocery store in Biltmore Village, Swann is building a business that not only goes above and beyond in supporting the local food scene, but also challenges people to really look at their habits—everything from where they shop and what they buy, to what they do for a living.

“Everyone that is alive today should take a look in the mirror,” says Swann, “and say, ‘What am I doing to make the world a better place? Why am I doing what I’m doing?’”

Anyone who knows, or has even heard of, Swann knows that he’s not afraid to say what he thinks. A well-known player in the Asheville business scene, Swann has an extensive background in the specialty food industry. He was a key player in Earth Fare’s

Laura Cox, front end supervisor

success and expansion and was a co-founder of the popular Asheville Greenlife store. He has been quoted extensively in local media regarding the controversial sale of Greenlife to Whole Foods. He has mentored local food producers and held leadership roles in local food-focused organizations.

But at the age of 63, with his new venture just under a year old, he still has plenty to say.

From Engineering to Entrepreneur Swann grew up in Tucson, Arizona. He attended the University of Arizona, studying electrical engineering and systems engineering. But before he could finish school, the wandering bug bit him. He left the Tucson area at the age of 23 in order to travel around the country and be, as he puts it, “footloose and fancy free.” Those travels took him through Western North Carolina, where he was immediately “transfixed” by the mountainous landscape. He settled in Boone in 1974.

By this time, he was becoming aware of the natural food movement. “Organic food was just starting to become a topic,” November 2014 | capitalatplay.com

13

Swann recalls. “It resonated with me. I thought it was a smart thing environmentally and nutritionally.”

Back in Tucson, he had joined the Food Conspiracy Co-op (still in existence today), which Swann calls his “first introduction to natural food.”

Upon arriving in Boone, he joined the Mountain Food Cooperative and became involved in its management. As part of that role, he helped develop the Appalantic Federation of Cooperatives, which opened a food distribution warehouse serving cooperatives, operating out of Roanoke, Virginia.

Through the 1980s and ’90s, Swann managed or owned a variety of businesses in the realm of food manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and distribution—from acting as operations manager for Watauga Herb Company, to owning and operating Bean Mountain Natural Foods, a producer of organic tofu and tempeh.

In 1995 Swann got the job that began to put him on the map for most Ashevillians: Earth Fare hired him as a grocery manager. He worked at the company for seven years, playing a pivotal planning role as the brand expanded from one location to three, and putting his systems background to work to develop the infrastructure that facilitated that growth. He went on to become purchasing director as even more locations were added. But as growth ramped up, and the business was sold and resold to different venture capital groups, Swann became uncomfortable and parted ways with the company.

“They got more and more corporate,” he says. “I found that the philosophy that initially drew me into the industry was not shared by the management at the time.”

Swann was interested in moving on to a new venture and wanted to stay in Asheville, but due to a non-compete agreement with Earth Fare, he needed to look elsewhere. It was around this time that he met Chuck Pruett, the man who had opened the original Greenlife store in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Swann says Pruett came to him for his knowledge of natural foods and his technical expertise, and that he drove back and forth from Asheville to Chattanooga to help with the store until his non-compete agreement was over.

At that point, the two partnered up to open a second Greenlife location in Asheville in 2004. The Asheville store performed extremely well; Swann says it was the highest volume independent natural food store in the Southeast.

However, in a move that was thoroughly covered by local media at the time, Swann’s partner decided to sell both stores to Whole Foods in 2010—a sale that Swann strongly disagreed with, but, as minority partner, was unable to stop. “From my point of view, it was a very, very foolish move,” says Swann, “and the way that it went down was very discouraging to me.”

Swann walked away a very disappointed man, feeling betrayed by his business partner and upset that a national, corporate entity would be taking over the small, locally-nurtured store that he had worked hard to bring to fruition.

“I love walking through the aisles and seeing products on the shelf that I helped bring to market,” Swann says.

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Reverse osmosis water filtration system for customer’s water jug fill-ups

Richie Whitson, store manager, & John Swann, CEO

A New Start Approaching the age of 60, Swann could have easily thrown in the towel and called his career complete. And for a bit, he considered doing that.

With his reimbursement from the Greenlife sale, Swann says he had “enough money to eat beans the rest of my life and do nothing”—meaning that he could have conceivably retired if he budgeted very carefully. But after some thought, he realized he didn’t want to do that. “I felt like Asheville was robbed of a community-based store that helped a lot of local producers,” he says. “I felt like my personal mission was unfulfilled.”

In addition, Swann says that after the Greenlife sale, he was approached by “dozens of customers,” as well as some staff, eager to learn what he would do next and how they could help.

The answer quickly became clear to Swann: he would have to start another grocery store. This time, on his own terms.

After three years of planning and raising capital (from both banks and private investors), Swann opened Katuah Market in December of 2013 in Biltmore Village. The opening time itself was not ideal. Construction delays (which Swann partially

blames on city regulations) meant the business missed the Thanksgiving surge. Then a record-setting, snowy winter kept shoppers at home in January and February.

But as people did start checking out Katuah, they discovered something of a gem. At 15,500 square feet, the store is large enough to offer a good selection in each department, but small enough to avoid the overwhelming feeling that is inherent to so many huge grocery stores. The interior is simple and clean, with cement floors and reclaimed wood trim. A hot bar offers healthy meals from breakfast through dinner, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. And a sizable indoor cafe is paired with abundant outdoor seating on the shaded, curved front patio—where customers are often serenaded by a guitarist, flute player, or other musician.

While at first glance it’s clear that Katuah caters to consumers on the “crunchy” end of the spectrum, with lots of organic and natural products, and perhaps specifically those shoppers who don’t need to pinch pennies (prices are generally higher than at bargain groceries), the things that make Katuah different from other stores aren’t always so obvious.

An Obsession with Local Katuah’s quality standards dictate that the store will only sell products that are free of synthetic pesticides, hydrogenated oil, bleached flour, artificial preservatives, animal by-products, and antibiotics, as well as a variety of other chemicals.

In addition, the store’s website says that the selection “emphasizes organic and locally-produced food.” However, this may be something of an understatement. Swann explains that Katuah stocks products from over 300 local vendors, which he says is “far more than any other Asheville store.” (For comparison, the French Broad Food Co-op currently carries 101 local vendors; Whole Foods, Greenlife, Earth Fare, and Ingles could not be November 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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this map illustrates Katuah’s definition ASAP’s Appalachian Grown

VIRGINIA

of “local,” as also defined by the branding program certifies Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture farms within our Project as the “Appalachianlocal Grown 60-county region.

Region.” Covering a grouping of 60 counties within 100 miles of thisGrown region is TheAsheville, Appalachian certification keeps shoppers aware made up ofofAppalachian counties miles of Asheville. what is really meant by thewithin term100 “local.”

Wythe Smyth Carroll

Washington

Scott

Grayson

Sullivan

Alleghany

Ashe

Johnson

Jefferson

Johnson City Carter

Washington

Watauga

Wilkes

Boone

Greene Unicoi

Knox

Jefferson

Wilkesboro

Avery

Mitchell

Caldwell

Knoxville

TENNESSEE

Burnsville

Cocke

Hot Springs

Yancey

Madison

Morganton

Sevier Asheville

Haywood Swain Bryson City

Hendersonville

Jackson

Polk

Forest City

Columbus

Brevard

Cherokee

NORTH CAROLINA

Rutherford

Henderson

Sylva

Transylvania

Franklin

Polk

Burke

McDowell

Waynesville

Graham

Bradley

Marion

Buncombe

Blount

Monroe

Lenoir

Spruce Pine

Macon

Murphy

Greenville

Clay

Spartanburg

Cherokee

Towns

Fannin

Union

Rabun

Greenville

Pickens Oconee

ASAP’sGilmer Appalachian Grown branding program certifies Lumpkin local farms within our Pickens region.

60-county

Wythe Smyth

Stephens

Anderson

Washington

Scott

Carroll

Grayson

The Appalachian Grown region is made up of Appalachian counties within 100 miles of Asheville.

Graphic provided

by ASAP

SOUTH CAROLINA

VIRGINIA

Habersham

White

Franklin Sullivan

GEORGIA

Alleghany

Ashe

Johnson

Jefferson

Johnson City Carter

Washington

Watauga

Boone

Appalachian Grown is a program of ASAP. 306 West Haywood St. | Asheville, N. C. 28801 828-236-1282 | www.asapconnections.org

Wilkes

Greene Unicoi

Knox

Jefferson

Wilkesboro

Avery

Mitchell

Caldwell

Knoxville local organizations can attest to just how important Swann’s reached T E N N Efor S S Ecomment.)

E commitment is.

Katuah’s meat department is an example of this local focus.

Chris Reedy, executive director of Blue Ridge Food Ventures All of the meat available at the butcher counter is 100% local, NORTH CAROLINA (BRFV), a local organization that helps food producers bring from producers like Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Apple Brandy Beef, their products to market, says that Swann’s work in the and Dry Ridge Farm. Swann claims that the national sales manlocal food scene over the years has had an incredible impact. ager for United Natural Foods, the store’s primary distributor, Recently, BRFV shot a promotional video at Katuah, featuring told him that Katuah is the only store he knows of in the United products that were made by its clients and available for sale States whose fresh meat selection is all from local sources. In at Katuah. As they gathered the products in the store, Reedy short, it’s basically unheard of. says there were so many that they “started with a hand basket, In addition, Swann says that Katuah defines “local” as being SOUTH CAROLINA and ended up with a cart.” produced within a well-defined set of 60 nearby counties (as “We’re defined by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’sAppalachian Grown isreally a programlucky of ASAP. to have someone like [Swann] give producers their first retail dance,” says Reedy. He explains that “Appalachian Grown” local certification program), while other 306 West Haywood St. | Asheville, N. C. 28801 828-236-1282 it’s hard| www.asapconnections.org for new vendors to sell their wares to larger grocery food retailers use much definitions. “The other stores G E Olooser RGIA chains, so it’s important to have a small store that will give those are very good at marketing the image that they support local entrepreneurs that initial retail experience. “Katuah represents and organic, but when you actually look at the products, that’s a gateway to a larger food scene,” Reedy says. not the case.” He says one store he spoke to defined local as Swann not only supports BRFV clients by selling their any place that’s within a day’s drive of Asheville, which could products, he also works directly with them. He participates in range from Orlando to New York City, and that another store BRFV’s “How to Start a Food-Based Business” class, mentoring claims to sell “local shrimp.” entrepreneurs and giving presentations about how to run a While Swann’s focus on local may seem to approach fanaticism, Burnsville

Cocke

Hot Springs

Morganton

Sevier

Asheville

Haywood

Swain

Waynesville

Hendersonville

Polk

Transylvania

Franklin

Macon

Murphy

Greenville

Clay

Fannin

Towns

Union

Rabun

Pickens

Oconee

Gilmer

White

Habersham

Lumpkin

Stephens

Pickens

Franklin

16

Forest City

Columbus

Brevard

Cherokee

Rutherford

Henderson

Sylva

Jackson

Polk

Burke

McDowell

Bryson City

Graham

Bradley

Marion

Buncombe

Blount

Monroe

Lenoir

Spruce Pine

Yancey

Madison

| November 2014

Anderson

Greenville

Spartanburg

Cherokee

Joshua Guthrie, butcher

specialty food business, pulling from his extensive background in food manufacturing, distribution, and purchasing. In addition, Reedy says he often asks Swann for advice on BRFV as a whole; if they’re thinking of developing a new program or service, Reedy will ask Swann for his input. “I’ve always considered him to be part of our steering committee,” says Reedy.

Another organization close to Swann’s heart is the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), a nonprofit that links farmers to markets. A long-time board member (and the board’s current vice president), Swann fills Katuah’s produce department with photos of the local farmers whose crops have been certified “Appalachian Grown” by ASAP. ASAP’s executive director, Charlie Jackson, says that Swann probably works with more individual producers than anyone in the community. “He’s an entrepreneur, and there are plenty of those,” says Jackson. “But he’s good at pushing the boundaries.

He’s committed to local at a level that few others can compare to.”

As if to prove this point, this year Katuah was voted “most local centric store” in Mountain Xpress’ “Best of WNC” readers’ poll.

So why is all of this local stuff so important? Swann explains

that as major national brands grow and consolidate, they are dominating the market to such an extent that it’s difficult or impossible for newer or smaller businesses to compete.

Swann says this leads to lower quality, fewer choices, and an uneven playing field.

On an agricultural and economic level, he doesn’t think this is a sustainable model. “American business has always been supported by fuel subsidies,” he says. “The gas cost has been artificially held down to allow the business community to thrive.

But there’s a hidden cost there. It’s vulnerable to economic, environmental, and social changes.” To Swann, and many likeminded folks, decentralizing the food system and developing strong local food economies is the solution.

It also means that consumers have a more direct relationship with their food and the people who make it. For Swann, this personal connection is a driving force, and one of his favorite things about running Katuah.

“I love walking through the aisles and seeing products on the shelf that I helped bring to market,” he says. “I don’t see labels; I see the faces of the people who made the products.”

Small Market, Big Competition Anyone who lives in Asheville these days is well aware of the recent boom in food shopping options. In 2013, in addition to Katuah Market, Trader Joe’s and Harris Teeter opened their first Asheville stores. In 2014 Fresh Market opened their second Asheville store, Whole Foods opened on Tunnel Road, and Publix and Aldi announced new stores. This is in addition to existing groceries like the 15 Ingles locations that are within 10 miles of downtown Asheville, as well as smaller groceries like the French Broad Food Co-op and West Village Market.

For a city with a population of around only 85,000 people, that’s a lot of grocery stores. As Swann says, “We’re at the November 2014 | capitalatplay.com

17

point of saturation.”

Because of this, it could be argued that Swann’s timing with Katuah was less than ideal. But Swann’s take is that each store appeals to slightly different portions of the market, and that Katuah attracts customers who really care about high-quality local and organic foods, and people who are willing to pay a bit more to support a community-based business.

But he also admits that the first year in business has been a bit rough. After a slow winter, the number of transactions have

hot bar, cafe, or deli counter. In addition, Swann says the store experienced a bit of a slump when the Whole Foods opened on Tunnel Road in August.

One thing that Swann has found particularly vexing about his new venture is the effect of location. Any business owner is well familiar with the adage, “Location, location, location.” And by most measures, the Katuah location is a good one; it’s on a major thoroughfare (Hendersonville Road) in a popular retail area (Biltmore Village) only five minutes from downtown. There’s even ample parking. But the invisible wall Swann has discovered is the small geographic orbits of local residents. In short, Ashevillians don’t wander far from their own neighborhoods.

Swann says that there are three factors that influence the success of a business: customers that meet the right demographics (income level, etc.), customers that fit the right psychographics (i.e. people who care about what you’re selling), and the right level of population density or proximity.

Dividing the city into compass-based quadrants, Swann explains that the only area that fits all three for high-end natural food stores is North Asheville—which is why Merrimon Avenue

“The business has to make money, but just making money for the sake of making money is not a value I hold particularly high,” Swann says. picked up, now at 900 to 1,000 transactions per day, a number Swann is happy with. However, the average amount spent during those transactions is lower than he’d like. This is due to the fact that less than half of Katuah’s customers do their weekly grocery shopping at the store; the other half are buying only a few items or are grabbing a quick meal from the store’s popular

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is home to many of those establishments. But it dumbfounds him as to why those ideal customers won’t make the slight sacrifice in travel time to support a truly local grocery store.

“My biggest challenge and surprise has been how hard it is to get people to drive four miles out of their way to shop their values versus convenience,” he says.

Fighting Goliath Some of those customers might respond with a question of their own for Swann: What’s so bad about Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s? As corporations go, they’re about as “do-gooder” as it gets. Whole Foods has received awards from the EPA for its green energy policies, and, like Katuah, has strict quality standards that address animal welfare and unacceptable ingredients. Even Swann has to admit that some of the work they do is positive, like their Local Producer Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to local farmers and food producers.

But to Swann, the simple fact that stores like these are run by multi-billion dollar corporations means that they are inherently flawed. First of all, Swann says his theory is that the bigger a business gets, the more it’s driven by internal business needs (say, the need to make a warehouse profitable or to increase profits for investors), often at the expense of product quality,

the support of local community, or customer needs or desires.

In addition, Swann argues that the corporate model of dominating the market and putting others out of business is a dangerous one. “I feel there is room in the capitalist model for different flavors and twists on business,” he says. “But when a company becomes like Walmart, which has employees who depend on food stamps, is that good? Are we better off as a society?”

For his part, Swann says we’re not. And not just because it’s a large corporation that took over his Greenlife store. While there are clearly hurt feelings remaining from that transaction, Swann says that his concern is more about the bigger picture.

“I’m troubled that the dominant paradigm is not good for people and not good for the planet,” he says. “It’s only good for making money. If that’s your goal in life, then that’s what you should do.”

But it’s not what Swann aims to do. He says there are certainly easier ways to make money than by running a small, independent grocery store. Instead, his focus is on using his time, energy, and resources to support the city he calls home.

“The business has to make money, but just making money for the sake of making money is not a value I hold particularly high,” he says. “In terms of how I spend my time every day, I choose to work in this community to try to help make it a better place.

That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.”

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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ashevilleschool.org • 828.254.6345 • Visit ashevilleschool.org/app November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 19

CAROLINA in the

WEST [

news briefs

New assistant general manager for Asheville Tourists baseball team asheville, nc

In preparation for the 2015 season, the Asheville Tourists announced four additions to the front office, as well as Jon Clemmons being promoted to assistant general manager. During this off-season, Asheville will welcome three new sales associates and a new box office manager. Clemmons began working with the Tourists’ organization before the 2011 season began. Jon is originally from Swansboro, North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina State University as a Park Scholar in 2008 and is currently pursuing a master’s of business administration from LenoirRhyne Asheville. Jon launched his career

choice destination for savvy shoppers, hosted the grand opening of its first store in South Carolina. The new Greenville store is more than 50,000 square feet and will open under the name Gabe’s, the long-time moniker coined by loyal shoppers, and officially adopted by the chain in 2013.

]

in baseball by spending four years as the director of ticket operations with the Carolina Mudcats. In Asheville he has worked as the organization’s promotions and merchandise manager for the last four years. Jon will concentrate on sponsorship relations, fan engagement, and continue to be involved in all aspects of the Tourists’ operation. Megan Lachey, Eliot Williams, Samantha Fischer, and Ryan Smith are joining the Tourists’ front office staff.

Gabriel Brothers, Inc. celebrates new Greenville store greenville, sc

On Saturday, October 18, 2014, Gabriel Brothers, Inc., a fashion retailer and first

Highway project forcing relocation of airport entrance asheville, nc

Asheville Regional Airport’s main entrance will remain closed until early 2015 as crews relocate the entrance drive. Until then, traffic will access the airport through the south entrance at the stoplight near Fanning Bridge Road.

The traffic pattern will continue through early 2015 when the new main entrance will open just south of its current location (at the stoplight directly across from J&S Cafeteria and the Fairfield Inn). Signs will be visible to direct traffic. The main entrance’s closure is part of an NCDOT project to upgrade the I-26 interchange.

Give the Gift of sportinG clays this christmas 828 665-7730 | 1103 Brevard Rd. | Asheville NC 28806 | frameittoat.com

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limited memberships now available. visit biltmore.com/bscc or call 828-257-5959

Sylva officials choose firm to conduct downtown traffic study sylva , nc

Sylva chose a Waynesville firm to study traffic patterns in the downtown area, including whether motorists should drive both east and west on Main Street for the first time in nearly six decades.

Town manager Paige (Roberson) Dowling said the study would take Teague Engineering 90 days. The firm’s planners hope to begin work by listening to what merchants, property owners, shoppers, planning board members, and others have to say. The town’s objective is to better manage downtown traffic. Prior to the study, town officials began test-driving different methods of slowing speeders and helping motorists back safely out of parking spaces on Main Street. In late June, the left lane on Main Street switched to left-turn only from Landis Street to the east intersection of Main and Mill streets. Town workers strategically placed orange cones on Main Street to force motorists into the right lane, with permanent barriers designed if the cones succeeded. However, startled motorists ran over the cones and dragged

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the old north state

national & world

them down the road. Around the time people learned to avoid them, the experiment took a downward turn following complications from a downtown fire. The engineers are expected to solve the cone enigma, but not without a price tag. The study will cost $20,000, and a grant from Southwestern Development Commission will cover half the cost. The town is responsible for the remaining $10,000.

However, $5,000 represents in-kind services, not actual cash. The engineers will examine what traffic signals are necessary at different locations, where stop signs should go, and various one-way and two-way options.

carolina in the west

on the 1st of October. The expanded area allows visitors to see a “geological gem,” the Linville Falls Thrust Line. Larkin said, “A new boardwalk and railing tied together with rock-clad columns create the enlarged vista point.” Work on the overlook began in early July. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation funded the project, which involved carrying in cement blocks and four tons of rock to face 21 columns holding the railing, as well as the wood needed for the walkway.

The new overlook also includes informative signage that explains the significance of the geological feature.

New Linville Falls overlook

Appalachian Voices launches ‘Home Energy Makeover Contest’

burke county, nc

high country

Just in time for leaf-looking season, a new overlook opened on the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to Rita Larkin, communications specialist with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, at the Upper Falls Overlook at Linville Falls, located at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Milepost 316.4, an expanded overlook area has been constructed and officially opened

Appalachian Voices launched its “High Country Home Energy Makeover Contest” last month. Residents living in the Blue Ridge Electric Membership Cooperative service area are eligible to enter the contest. The contest is open for entries until November 15th. Three winners will be awarded with thousands of dollars in home-energy improvements

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carolina in the west

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and efficiency retrofits. All three winners will receive energy audits that are estimated to cost between $150 and $300.

The first-place winner will receive at least $3,000 in home-energy improvements, and the second- and third-place winners will receive up to $1,000 in retrofits. The contest is intended to save homeowners money on their monthly electric bills for years down the road, and, more importantly, reduce energy usage that could otherwise be avoided with some simple home improvements. The Home Energy Makeover could include duct sealing and repair, weatherization, air sealing, insulation, HVAC repair or upgrade, and efficient lighting and appliances. Sponsors of this contest include Blue Ridge Energy Works, High Country Energy Solutions, HomEfficient, Sunny Day Homes, Blumenthal Foundation, and ResiSpeak. For more information, eligibility requirements, and to fill out an online application, please visit appalachianvoices.org.

MerleFest 2015 volunteer applications wilkesboro, nc

MerleFest began accepting online applications for its popular volunteer program for the 2015 festival last month.

MerleFest 2015 is scheduled for April 23rd through 26th. According to festival organizers, anyone hoping to volunteer should complete an application early because openings fill up quickly. With more than 800 individuals participating each year, MerleFest volunteers are considered vital to the success of the festival.

While some come from the surrounding community to help out, volunteers for the festival also come from all over the world, many of whom make their work at MerleFest an annual event. An obvious benefit to being a MerleFest volunteer is admittance into the festival: Each volunteer receives free entry for each day a shift is worked (generally three to five hours long); volunteers may work 22

| November 2014

one, two, three, or all four days of the festival. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend, Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. It is considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, and is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans held on the Wilkes Community College campus in Wilkesboro. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of music, based on the traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, blues, rock, and many other styles. The festival welcomes a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. The event has become the principal fundraiser for the Wilkes Community College Endow ment Cor poration, f unding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

Mills River delays vote on affordable housing recommendations mills river, nc

The Mills River Planning Board has been analyzing ways to create affordable housing in the town for roughly two years.

However, during a meeting last month, town council members were not prepared to make a decision on those recommendations. They voted to table a decision on whether to amend the town’s current code to permit the creation of affordable housing. Council did not set a timetable for a vote on the planning board’s proposals. The planning board suggested that the number of allowed units per acre in multi-family developments be increased from four to ten, with a height limit of 40 feet and a minimum tract of 1.5 contiguous acres. Each building could be no longer than 150 feet in length. The code’s modification would also require that multi-family homes comply with adopted design guidelines, regardless of building

size or location. According to the planning board’s proposal, special requirements would be added for new mobile home developments, including that each unit have the minimum of a double-wide footprint, must include sidewalk access along roads in the development, and all utilities be underground. Each unit must also include a permanent brick foundation and landscaping, and residents must form a homeowners’ association.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC western north carolina

For more than 100 years nationally and 30 years locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated according to the belief that within every child is the ability to succeed and prosper in life.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a volunteer-driven organization that makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”). Youth in the program are aged 6 through 18, in nine counties across Western North Carolina.

In 2012-2013, 631 youth benefited from one-on-one time with a caring ‘Big’ and his or her support. The BBBS organization is seeking volunteers over the age of 18 to be a part of their community program by sharing activities twice a month with a young person from a single parent home. BBBS is also looking for volunteers aged 16 and older to mentor one hour a week at an after-school site, and volunteers over the age of 18 to be mentors for one hour a week in an elementary school. The organization seeks both male and female mentors, and all ages of volunteers are welcome and encouraged to apply. The school-based program is well-suited to seniors who would like to participate in reinforcing the importance of academics and provide support and friendship. Activities in the school and after-school programs include homework assistance, reading help, and fun activities that build the

youth’s social skills and confidence.

Activities in the BBBS community-based program are held after school or on weekends and might include sports, cooking, cultural events, volunteering, and arts and crafts. The matches can also attend BBBS-sponsored events together, such as rafting and horseback riding. For more information, contact Jamye Davis at jamyed@bbbs.org.

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Haywood moves forward with landfill remediation haywood county, nc

Work is proceeding on a multi-million-dollar environmental remediation project on the Old Francis Farm landfill near Waynesville. The first load of dirt was dumped in October, the day after Haywood County Commissioners approved a $44,500 contract for McGill Associates Engineering to do construction, landfill permitting, and stockpile design for the fill dirt. The landfill, which was built in the 1970s, was composed under slacker environmental regulations than are in place today. Since closing, the county has dealt with issues of methane seepage and water contamination to adjacent properties. The county is presently working to construct a new cap on top of the old landfill to keep rainwater from leaking through the stored waste into the surrounding ground. In August it purchased a property adjacent to the landfill that had been contaminated and will use that area to keep the 100,000 cubic feet of soil to be used for constructing the cap. Purchasing the soil outright would have cost $1.35 million, but nearby road construction to build a new interchange at N.C. 209 and U.S. 74/23 allowed them to acquire the material for only the price of hauling it, $390,000. If the issue were to go unfixed, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources could fine the county as much as $30,000 per day. The county believes that addressing issues with the landfill will cost at least an additional $5 million before it is fully complete.

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alanspawn.com November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 23

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The Business of Business Gifts

debor ah is the owner of North Carolina Wine Gifts & Wine Club.

by DEBORAH HALPERN

T

O GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE IS NOT THE only question when it comes to business gifts.

As we approach this holiday season you are about to be faced with decisions, if you haven’t already, such as… should we give gifts this year and if so when, how much should we spend, and what should we give?

Yet, the real question is why should you give business gifts?

Gift giving is an opportunity to enhance your business relationships, to communicate with your clients and customers, and to keep the conversation going. What you give is a statement of you and your organization; it is an opportunity to reinforce your brand and strengthen your relationship with your clients.

Okay, so you agree and decide to give business gifts this year.

Here is the problem: Everyone else that services or supplies your client will also be sending a gift. How can you make yours stand out and make a difference to your recipient?

“Timing is everything,” says Sheila Neisler of Catalyst, a marketing company. “If you are going to send a holiday gift, it is best to be the first or the last one your client will receive.” She

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recommends sending a ‘Thank You’ gift before Thanksgiving or a ‘Post-Holiday Cheer’ in January once everything else is over.

“Use your gift to differentiate yourself from everyone else.” And she is right; there is no law that says all holiday gifts should be delivered during the second or third weeks of December.

And for that matter, there are also no regulations requiring that all of your gift giving should happen during the holidays.

Many times the best gifts are those recognizing accomplishments, promotions, moves, thank you’s, anniversaries, and so much more throughout the year.

What to give and how much to spend on that gift is entirely dependent upon your business or organization and your relationship with that client. The bottom line is you must know your clients. When I was speaking to one business person about the possibility of sending wine as a gift, he asked me, “Do you think my clients would appreciate receiving wine?” Really?!

Isn’t that something you should know about your own client?

I was not able to answer that question for him.

Think creatively when it comes to gift giving. Give something that tells a story, is unique, and will be truly appreciated by the

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THE INNOVATORS OF COMFORT™

recipient. I once worked with a graphic designer who was also an excellent photographer. The first year we worked together she sent me an attractive card holder and a set of calendar cards, one card per month with a small calendar and a lovely photograph.

While there was a cover greeting card, the calendar cards did not include any logo identification. I enjoyed having this on my desk, and every year I looked forward to receiving the new set of cards. This was an excellent example of providing a useful gift that reinforced her brand and business.

Not every gift can directly link to your product or service. In that case it is the quality of the product that will speak volumes about your company. Avoid gifts that are essentially advertisements for your organization, such as mugs with your logo on it. How many coffee rooms have cabinets filled with an unmatched set of logo identified coffee mugs?

Consider gifts you have received in the past. Have you ever ‘regifted’ presents that you simply did not have any use for, or worse yet, had no desire to keep? When selecting a gift consider whether it is something you would enjoy receiving.

Here are five helpful hints for selecting gifts that will be remembered and appreciated:

1 Think Local

As welcoming

as the morning itself, the Stresslsess Sunrise is one of our most popular recliners. With contours that are softly rounded, yet surprisingly sophisticated, the Sunrise offers plush seating for any room. Having a full 360° swivel feature coupled with our patented Glide® system, the Sunrise responds to, and works with the motion of your body to provide unparalleled comfort. To ensure that your Sunrise is a perfect fit, it is available in small, medium, and large sizes. And it comes in both fabrics and leathers in every color under the sun. Experience how comfortable a Sunrise can be.

There is a reason why the new “farm-to-table” restaurants are so popular. This is a community that thrives on local everything! “People I work with are really excited about offering local products to their local clients,” said Celia Naranjo, owner of AshevilleGoods.com. “It is a win-win when local businesses support each other.”

Finding those special “local” products could not be easier in Western North Carolina, whether you are looking for unique food items, locally produced beer or wine, hand crafted products, or even a gift card to one of the region’s award winning restaurants.

2 Gifts that can be enjoyed all year long

For those special clients and customers, consider the gift that keeps on giving in the form of a club membership. Some companies, many web based, allow you to send a monthly or quarterly gift to someone in a certain product category. How would you like your clients to be thinking about your company once a month or every quarter when they receive yet another special gift from you? The choices are endless from the Cheese of the Month Club and the Gourmet Cookie Club, to wine clubs and everything in between. There is a reason that Omaha Steaks has been so successful for more than a half a century. Continuity gift programs are proven successful in maintaining excellent awareness and communication with your clients.

Sunrise

3 Fun and Memorable Gifts

The opposite of annual or continuity gift programs would be the Surprise Gift ideas.

Consider a unique idea that would generate smiles and memories with your client, such as setting a date with the client to have a local cupcake truck pull up in front of your office for everyone to enjoy. One executive recalled a gift his office received over 20 years ago. He described receiving a phone call from a supplier, requesting the opportunity to bring a local ice cream shop to his office. He said they came in and served up ice cream sundaes to everyone. Imagine having your company remembered decades later simply as the result of a fun and creative gift idea.

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Celebrating 31 years in downtown Asheville

4 Contributions

There is a growing trend toward giving charitable contributions in the name of your clients as opposed to a specific gift. “We want to give gifts out of sincere gratitude for our clients’ business,” said Scott Browne of Keller Williams. “And over the years we found gifts to feel like tokens of our appreciation and not of lasting value. So now we make contributions to Habitat for Humanity and send acknowledgments of the contributions to our clients. We actually receive thank you notes for our gifts to them.”

Giving contributions, especially to local organizations, can create a very positive and lasting impression for everyone involved.

5 Membership Cards

One way to combine all of the ideas suggested here into a single memorable gift would be a membership to a local institution such as the Asheville Art Museum. A membership card will support local organizations, keeps giving all year long, should be enjoyable and memorable, and is a charitable contribution.

Gold leaves with diamonds by Simon G

Consider gifts you have received in the past. Have you ever ‘regifted’ presents that you simply did not have any use for, or worse yet, had no desire to keep?

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One more idea for when you are sending gifts to executives… consider sending the same gift to their executive assistant. In many cases, isn’t that the person you really need to work with on a regular basis and want to thank for their assistance throughout the year?

There are also gift ideas to avoid since the objective of gift giving is to create a positive and lasting impression. Do not send personal items, inexpensive logo identified products, or anything that might be considered in poor taste by the recipient. Remember that what may seem like a funny joke to you could easily be offensive to someone else.

Finally, know that there are times when no gift is the right gift. For example, don’t even think about sending gifts to any government officials—local, state, or federal—unless you want to end up reading about your gift in the newspapers. Others that cannot accept gifts include journalists, anyone in the military, and some medical professionals, to name a few. When in doubt it is best to contact the organization first to ask about their policy for receiving gifts.

And now here is a gift for you. The IRS offers companies a “gifting” deduction.

When giving a “business gift” you are allowed up to a $25 deduction for any gift of $25 or more, regardless of how many gifts you give. This can be important if you have a long gift list.

This holiday season… and throughout the year, do not miss an opportunity to let your clients and customers know that you sincerely appreciate their business.

Giving the right business gifts at the right time will strengthen meaningful business relationships. When it comes to business gifts, it truly is better to give than receive.

| November 2014

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local industry

AVL: What can you build for 64 million dollars?

writ ten by arthur treff

|

photos courtesy of avl

It’s dark. You’re an airmail pilot, circa 1925. Rain stings your face. You’re straining through the mist to see the light beacons below. In good weather following the line they form across the country is easy, but tonight the weather is horrible. Your flight suit and gloves are soaked. air tr avel then ...

photo courtesy of the Antique Airplane Association/Air Power Museum Archives Your tiny biplane is battered by the wind and offers you little protection from the elements. The clouds closed below you, you’re lost, and you will soon be out of fuel. You’re cold, tired, and very scared.

There is no radio on board, or flight instrument to guide your descent through the clouds—they haven’t been invented yet. Your alternatives are few 28

| November 2014

and terrifying.

You can parachute into the dark maelstrom, or intentionally spin your aircraft, into a windmilling, free-fall through the clouds. If you don’t run out of sky, and you’re not disoriented, you’ll stop the spin and fly towards the light beacon.

This was state-of-the-art, professional flying in the 1920s…quite different from

... air

tr avel now

air travel today. It’s important to note that 1925 was the year that Asheville Chamber of Commerce started looking into building an airfield. Really? Eightynine years ago, when the mail was carried in unreliable, underpowered, biplanes, Asheville businesses recognized the potential of air travel.

The result is a story of continual growth in air services and financial stability for the region. Driving South on I-26, just as you crest the hill at the Asheville airport exit, you’ll notice piles of dirt and heavy equipment on the far side of the runway.

Construction has started for Project SOAR: Significant Opportunity for Aviation & the Reg ion. A sheville Regional Airport (AVL) is fifty-three years old, very busy, and it’s in the initial stages of a facelift—a federally funded, 64-Million-Dollar facelift—so we decided to dig into AVL’s story.

To better understand why Asheville dipped its toe into the airstream, we need to go back in time.

Transportation as Financial Fertilizer

History has shown that transportation is the key to any region’s prosperity. The ability to move people and goods into and out of a town can make the difference between a successful colony, or a failed one. A remote area with an abundance of fruit trees, but no way to move the bounty, will be populated by people tired of eating apples.

America’s success has largely been due to our ability to move our goods from where they are produced to the rest of the world. Initially, our network of rivers and lakes allowed farmers and manufacturers to get their products to deepwater port cities, where trade was limited only by shipping capabilities.

Our inland waterways were augmented first by railroads and later with paved roads. Our port cities, as a result of all the freight, grew in size and trading prowess. When sails were replaced by November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 29

local industry

t oday (AVL in FY2014)

714,981

Commercial operations out of the Asheville-Hendersonville Airport.

total passengers

67,631 takeoffs & l andings

357,715

enpl anements

5,594

military enpl anements

steam power, and wood with steel, American entrepreneurs could trade freely with the rest of the world, and vice versa.

Adding Aircraft into the Matrix

When the first factory-built airplanes arrived, most people thought of them as military tools or toys for wealthy daredevils. Forward thinking American businessmen, on the other hand, had a hunch about this newest mode of travel.

They bought fleets of open cockpit, two-seat biplanes and negotiated with the US Postal Service to carry mail across the country. Pilots flew in any weather, day or night, trying to follow light beacons placed 10 miles apart. Piloting the coast-to-coast airmail route was physically demanding, treacherous work. Mail, as well as 30

| November 2014

pilots, were frequently lost, never to return.

When one of these stalwart mail pilots flew a small plane nonstop from New York to Paris, the world was forever changed. Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 flight proved that the airplane could cross continents and oceans alike.

In the early 20th century, the state of the art for trans-Atlantic crossing was the mighty Mauritania, a steamship bearing 3,200 people and cargo. In 1905, she crossed the treacherous North Atlantic in just 4.5 days, a record that stood for 30 years.

By contrast, Lindbergh’s single engine plane, carrying one man, covered the same route in a little over one day—33.5 hours. If the Wright brother’s invention sent the world’s imagination aloft, Lindbergh’s trip across the Atlantic shot it around the world.

***

passengers vs . enpl anements

Used by the FAA and others in the industry for statistical measurement and comparison, enplanements refer to passengers getting on aircraft in AVL, and deplanements refer to passengers exiting aircraft at AVL. The total number of passengers is not equal to the two combined, as a result of passengers with one-way tickets.

The city found 740 acres just three miles west of A&H field, which would be perfect for the new Asheville Regional Airport.

Piedmont Airlines at Asheville Regional Airport in 1963.

In the ‘60s only four airliners could park at the terminal, which today can support up to thirteen.

Asheville Regional Airport’s terminal in 1961.

The earth was changed forever, and investors poured money into building planes and the airports upon which they operated.

Aviation in the Appalachians

The mountains surrounding the city of Asheville are as rugged as they are beautiful, with roads that twist along valley floors, making for long travel times… in good weather. The rivers are not deep, nor wide enough, to support commercial traffic.

In the first quarter of the 20th century, Asheville, along with other United States cities, was prospering. When airplanes attempted to carry mail, local business people envisioned transporting customers and goods over the mountains, and over snow covered roads, accelerating transportation, ergo, business for the area.

In 1925, two years before Lindbergh’s non-stop flight to Paris, the Asheville Chamber of Commerce assigned an aviation committee to look into the feasibility of building an airport.

Land midway between Asheville and Hendersonville was leased and developed as the Asheville-Hendersonville airport (A&H), funded by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and the City of Asheville.

Two runways were built, forming an ‘L’. Airplanes plying their trade at the time needed little more than a flat track of dirt to takeoff and gasoline when they landed. The field was primitive by current standards, but it served.

A&H airport flourished, so much so, that in 1936, the Cities of Hendersonville and Asheville purchased the unpaved runways and 122 acres for land and cash valued at $33,000. Old photographs show: “A&H Flying Service,” over one of the hangars, evidence that commercial aviation was actively moving people and goods over the rugged mountains.

Wartime was a boom for the airport, as the Army Corps of Engineers operated the field to provide air transportation for their communication and weather services based in downtown Asheville. By allowing the Army use of the field, A&H Airport November 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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5% 24% 24%

m a i n s o u rc e s of

11%

r evenue

3%

(AVL in FY2013)

4%

parking

24% airlines

24%

rental c ars

was rewarded with improvements: the two dirt runways were paved, lengthened, and joined by a third. A control tower and fire station were also built, greatly adding to the safety of the field.

With all these new services in place, the airlines beat a path to Asheville. Passenger and freight services operated by Delta, Piedmont, and Capital Airlines out of A&H Airport helped business owners move products and employees far more quickly than roads and rail.

An aircraft ejection seat company, Stencel Aeronautical Research Co. set up a business two miles from the airport, and kept three test aircraft on the field as Stencel worked on military contracts. A&H was generating jobs for the area in addition to supporting business needs.

Asheville Regional Airport

By 1957, the Asheville-Hendersonville Airport’s proximity to mountains and its small runways were limiting the airlines’ ability to operate at night and in bad weather. City leaders, realizing the field’s role in continued growth of the area, passed a bond issue authorizing the City of Asheville to spend $1.2 million to

| November 2014

$200

is spent by these travelers each day in our region

avg.

11% fbo /gener al aviation 3% concessionaires 3% feder al government 5% other

32

of AVL users are out-of-town visitors

nearly

3-5

29%

29%

45% approx.

days that these travelers stay in our area

$43,000 is the economic impact of every 50-seat round-trip flight (employment, income, passenger spending, and taxes). 1,700 jobs exist in Western North Carolina because of Asheville Regional airport.

relocate and grow the airport.

The city found 740 acres just three miles west of A&H field, which would be perfect for the new Asheville Regional Airport.

Locating the runway in a wide mountain valley made takeoffs and landings safer for larger, faster-moving aircraft. They would not have to climb or descend abruptly to avoid mountaintops, a mandatory feature for night and stormy-weather operations.

A paved 6,500-foot runway, running North-South, a control tower, and a 25,000-square-foot terminal building were constructed at a cost of $2.2 million. The new Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) was Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified in 1961 to operate day and night commercial air traffic. A year later, an instrument landing system was installed, which guides pilots all the way down to the runway surface in times of poor visibility.

Looking upon the 53 years that AVL has been operating, aircraft operations and passenger volume have grown steadily, providing the stimulus for continued improvements to the airfield.

The runway was lengthened and improved to the tune of $2.0 million, funds provided during Jimmy Carter’s presidency.

The terminal has been updated numerous times, and the airline

phase 1: Preparing to build

a temporary runway on the Western side of the field.

parking ramp was expanded in 2006, allowing up to 13 aircraft to be parked next to the passenger terminal.

Who Runs the Show?

Prior to 1980, operational management of Asheville Regional Airport was implemented by the City of Asheville. That year, the airport management function was shifted over to the newly created, Asheville Regional Airport Authority, governed by an independent board made up of appointees

by Buncombe County Commission and Asheville City Council.

The authority is in place to assure that the field runs smoothly, and are responsible for just about everything that happens during the day-to-day operations.

Currently, the authority depends on 60 employees to keep things running. In 2013 the team kept an average flow of 71 passengers per hour, moving safely and

smoothly, as well as the aircraft carrying them.

Responsibilities for airport management reach far beyond the daily routine, however. The authority must also keep the airport financially solvent. Are you surprised?

The city owns the airport, and as part of the national network of public airports, the federal government, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, help fund the upkeep of the airport systems such as runways, navigation systems, radar, and air traffic control. But the airport must be self sufficient to keep everyone employed and the light bills paid.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld joked that airlines are a front, the real business is selling $20 tuna fish sandwiches in the terminal. Truth is, concessions were only 3% of the airport’s total revenue in 2013. The airlines and rental car companies each contributed 24%, but the largest revenue chunk came from… wait for it…parking—at 29%.

Years ago, it was said that if you died in Asheville, your soul

Airlines were deregulated in 1978, leaving airlines to pick and choose where they fly.

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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local industry

26

AIRP

EXISTING GENERAL AVIATION

TERMINAL

RD

EXISTING GENERAL AVIATION

17

36

e . taxiway new runway

ORT

280

17

new w. taxiway

PROPOSED AIR CARGO AREA

PROPOSED GENERAL AVIATION PROPOSED GENERAL AVIATION

FRENCH BROAD RIVER

av l a i r p or t e x pa nsion

N

project soar

would have to change planes in Charlotte or Atlanta en route to your destination. Airline service has changed dramatically since then. As of today, there are direct flights from AVL to 11 major United States destinations on four competing airlines.

Better airline service doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not automatic, either. Historically, airline routes, fares, and schedules were regulated by the government via the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). The CAB decided who would fly where in the USA and when. There were very few discounted tickets, as no airline competition was designed into the system.

Airlines were deregulated in 1978, leaving airlines to pick and choose where they fly. Investing in a route is expensive for the dollar-strapped airlines, so the airport and route selection decisions are scrutinized, and airports compete with each other 34

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SIERRA NEVADA BREWING

FRENCH BROAD RIVER

N

commercial & non - commercial multi - use

SIERRA NEVADA BREWING

commercial & non - commercial aeronautical commercial non - aeronautical

for air market share.

Asheville Regional’s Airport Authority has a marketing staff for the purpose of attracting more airline services to the area.

Armed with passenger statistics, population demographics, weather data, safety records, and market analyses, they are in constant contact with airline decision makers. In short, the authority sells Asheville as a city on the upswing, a city with potential, populated with a travelling public and businesses which need air service.

It’s working. With eleven direct flights from AVL, old jokes about connecting to get anywhere no longer apply, and fares keep dropping. Authority engineers have already planned how the runway must be modified to accommodate direct flights that terminate West of the Rockies.

ph a s e

1:

ph a s e

2:

ph a s e

3:

ph a s e

4:

(underway) Site prep for a new, temporary runway on the west side of the current runway.

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Temporary runway will be operational after paving and installation of lighting.

Demolition of current runway begins.

Pave and install lighting for new runway.

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As if that weren’t enough, the authority must also plan far into the future, monitoring airline trends, adhering to FAA imposed safety improvements, and in doing so, assure us all that AVL will be poised to support the area’s projected aviation needs.

Changes to systems that aircraft use are, for good reason, scrutinized by federal agencies, and once ratified, these improvements are very expensive, due to the level of safety required. For this reason, the airport authority designs and executes a 20-year plan.

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AVL currently has a single asphalt runway, oriented NorthSouth, which is 8,001-foot long by 150-foot wide. There is one taxiway on the east side of the runway, running parallel to it.

That’s 1.2-million-square-feet of asphalt just on the runway, and the last time it was resurfaced was 1995. Thirteen years later, in 2008, the airport authority was putting their budget together to once again grind off the top layer of the runway and resurface it.

The cost would be high, in excess of ten million dollars, but other parts of the infrastructure were also nearing end of life, such as the underground wiring, the runway lighting fixtures, as well as the storm drainage system. As the scope and cost of the project began to creep upward, the authority decided to approach the FAA and NCDOT with their plan to ready the airfield for the next 50 years of growth.

SOAR: Significant Opportunity for Aviation and the Region

THE FREE SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE

Project SOAR, a $64M construction program, which will completely redevelop the airport, is the most ambitious upgrade since the airport’s inception 53 years ago. No local funds will be spent; 78% of the funds are coming from the FAA and the NCDOT, the remaining 22% from the airport’s operating budget.

There have been some changes to the FAA’s standards for airport construction since AVL was built 1961, necessitating changes to the alignment and configuration of the runway.

The existing runway, therefore, will be completely demolished.

In order to keep Asheville’s vital hub operating, a temporary parallel runway will be constructed to the west of the current one. Air service will continue uninterrupted on the temporary runway as the old is demolished, repositioned, and paved.

Once the new runway is completed, the temporary runway will become a second, parallel taxiway.

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Potentially, the most exciting prospect for Project SOAR will be the new taxiway on the west side of the runway, which will be a gateway to a large tract of land just west of the airport’s current boundary. Ownership is divided among three owners: AVL, Sierra Nevada Brewing, and Ferncliff Development.

AVL’s holdings are two plots of land that front the eastern edge of the undeveloped tract, one on the south side of the field, and the other on the north. The western taxiway will open this area for development.

A new general aviation area, as well as a designated air cargo area, will be developed on the west side of the new runway.

The remainder of the holdings is available for development as commercial and non-commercial multi-use.

Property adjacent to airports the world over are fertile ground for business development.

Businesses that participate in the aviation market would benefit from a location adjacent to the runway, as would other non-aviation firms with a need to move people or goods through the airport.

Ferncliff and the airport have been working closely to assure a positive outcome for both sides. The airport’s holdings are two plots of land that front the eastern edge of the undeveloped tract, one on the south side of the field, the other on the north. The western taxiway will open this area for development. Additionally, Ferncliff Development has been granted future access to the west side of the airport, which is key for attracting larger aviation-based firms to the area.

AVL contributes nearly half a billion dollars in local economic impact each year, and airport tenants generate $11 million in state and local taxes.

Extending the airport westward could only grow those numbers, as companies who need airport access relocate.

Reworking Asheville Regional Airport now, positions the field to support Western North Carolina for the next 50 years, so that the area can thrive as a competitive and vibrant region with strong air service offerings that support business and tourism alike.

To an airmail pilot from 1925, today’s Asheville Regional airport would be something out of a Jules Verne novel. Air transportation will continue to evolve, by 2064, for instance, airliners might be flying themselves… but they will always need a place to land. The Asheville Regional Airport will continue to evolve, and persevere, as the area’s connection to the world.

Project SOAR is a $64M construction program. No local funds will be spent; 78% of the funds are coming from the FAA and the NCDOT, the remaining 22% from the airport’s operating budget.

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L leisure & libation

Life Times THE

of Asheville’s best-known address written by roger mccredie

|

photos by anthony harden

“It was situated five minutes from the public square, on a pleasant sloping middleclass street of small homes and boarding-houses.

Dixieland was a big cheaply constructed frame house of eighteen or twenty drafty high-ceilinged rooms…”

—Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward, Angel November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 39

48

L

leisure & libation

Forty-eight Spruce Street

is no longer on Spruce Street. Or, more accurately, Spruce Street no longer goes past Number 48. For a block it runs as it used to run, directly south from Asheville’s heart, Pack Square, and is flanked now on one side by stores and offices and on the other by the vast rear parking lot of the Radisson Hotel. Then the paved street and its sidewalk make an abrupt inverted ‘J’ back towards Broadway.

BUT THAT’S A LATTER-DAY REROUTE. If you disregard the turn and keep walking straight ahead, you come to a flight of steps. At the bottom of the stairs you are standing no longer on concrete, but on paving bricks in the middle of Spruce Street. A century ago.

At that time all of Spruce Street was leafy and residential, lined with two-story houses in varying styles, all set back from the sidewalk by shallow, flower-dotted lawns, the lots divided by pale fences or hedges of privet and hawthorn. Only one such house now remains, sandwiched between the rear of Asheville Community Theatre and the towering bulk of the Radisson.

It’s a rambling “stick style” dwelling in pale mustard yellow. It has gables, a bay window, some gratuitous gingerbread trim and a spacious, inviting ‘L’ of a porch. From the overhang above the steps, like an old fashioned doctor’s shingle, hangs a modest strip sign: “The Old Kentucky Home.”

This is how that came to pass: As a wedding present, in 1883, Asheville banker Erwin Sluder built his daughter and her husband a modest seven-room house on a property he owned on Spruce Street. The young folks eventually moved and Sluder’s 40

| November 2014

widow built a huge addition to the house, increasing it to 18 rooms. She lived there until 1889, when she sold the house to a wealthy widow, Alice Johnston Reynolds. Mrs. Reynolds decided to capitalize on Asheville’s burgeoning tourist business and turn 48 Spruce Street into a boarding house. She called it, logically, “The Reynolds” and she left the actual running of it up to a succession of live-in managers.

Down the hill from Number 48, Spruce Street ‘T’ed’ into Woodfin Street. If you were to turn right and walk a few paces, the next street on your left would be Central Avenue, which runs up another hill and into Chestnut Street. And opposite you, at the corner of Woodfin and Central, would have been the home of W.O. Wolfe.

An incomer from Pennsylvania and a stonecutter by trade, W.O. operated a successful monument business up on the public square. His large, rambling house was adorned with flowering vines, and behind the house the deep backyard was full of fruit trees that helped feed his large family.

W.O.’s wife, Julia, was a member of another old and prominent Asheville family, the Westalls. Julia, as much as any of her male kin, had inherited the

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:

Looking down the main staircase.

Julia Wolfe shoes (and chamber pot).

W. O. Wolfe’s extensive collection of walking sticks. He used them all.

FACING PAGE: Thomas Wolfe with

his mother, Julia, on the front porch of The Old Kentucky Home during his last visit in 1937.

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 41

leisure & libation

Julia Wolfe’s cluttered vanity table-cum-desktop in her tiny bedroom at The Old Kentucky Home.

Westall preoccupation with wealth, as well as their ability to acquire it; indeed, she had an uncanny knack for anticipating business trends, and local businessmen had a reluctant respect for her shrewdness. She had bought and profitably flipped several downtown properties, but she wanted something she could run hands-on. Nearly every day, on her way uptown to shop or run errands, she passed right by Number 48. First, she took note of it in passing. Then she stopped, her feet in their sensible black shoes planted firmly on the brick pavement, and sized up the place, making entries on her spreadsheet of a mind.

She asked around discreetly. Number 48, she was told, was actually on the market. Old Mrs. Reynolds had recently died and the family had sold the place at a loss to Rev. Thomas Myers, a retired Campbellite minister, and his wife. Myers, a native Kentuckian, had renamed the house “The Old Kentucky Home.” Gossip had it that the boarding house was capable of providing a good living if managed properly, but Rev. Myers had a fondness for liquor and was reportedly unstable even when he was sober. Julia weighed all this input, plucking her chin and looking up the hill through her thick round glasses to where Number 48’s gables jutted from the Spruce Street tree line… and she made up her mind: If a drunk, crazy preacher from Kentucky could hang onto that place for even a little while, then Julia, an Asheville Westall (she never thought of herself 42

| November 2014

as a Wolfe), could make it a gold mine.

So, on August 30, 1906, Julia signed the mortgage papers and she took over “Old Kentucky Home” a few days later. At first she walked to work, but she suffered a leg infection and began staying at the boarding house. (There was no question of her recuperating at home; there was work to be done.) As soon as she was well, she went down to Woodfin Street, gathered up her things and moved bag and baggage into her new boarding house.

She never returned to the home where she had borne eight children, including one who had died in infancy and another of typhoid only two years earlier. She left the remaining kids in their father’s care and took with her, almost as a hostage, her youngest—a brooding, sensitive six-year-old boy with dark, contemplative eyes. She had named him Thomas Clayton.

When Julia established herself and Tom at The Old Kentucky Home, the fabric of the Wolfe family was torn as effectively as if there had been a divorce. The next-oldest daughter, Mabel, took charge and became the de facto mistress of 92 Woodfin Street at the age of sixteen. Julia called on her frequently to come up the hill and help out, which Mabel did with undisguised resentment. The other offspring visited from time to time but seldom stayed over, even if they had wanted to. Julia needed all her available space for boarders. W.O. stopped by sometimes, particularly on his way home from work, and would visit with

L Julia was well aware of Tom’s intellect and saw its practical potential… as the family lawyer, for instance. So Tom became a preppie, living on campus among the sons of the Asheville’s rich and powerful.

the guests, who found him charming and entertaining. W.O., was largely self-educated, but he had a fine mind and was well versed in the classics and in Shakespeare, from which he would declaim at length to the delight and awe of the tourists, traveling salesmen, and occasional genteel and discreet prostitutes who made up Julia’s clientele.

But W.O. was also a fatalistic, frustrated alcoholic who felt his status as a businessman and provider had been undermined by Julia’s wheeling and dealing. He went along with her purchase of The Old Kentucky Home, because it would have been futile not to, Julia being Julia. Sometimes his passive-aggressiveness got the better of him, triggering binges of epic proportions. At such times he would leave Woodfin Street literally roaring drunk and stagger up to the boarding house, howling imprecations against Julia, the Westalls, and the boarders, and invoking the wrath of an apparently stone-deaf Almighty God. The boarders, hearing him coming, would scatter like pigeons.

Julia would wring her hands and weep over the damage to business, and from a corner or someplace out of the way of W.O.’s incoming invective, the young Thomas Wolfe would take it all in with his wide, dark, listening eyes.

Tom despised the boarding house. He was a shy, extremely private boy and hated the patronizing attentions of the boarders. He slept in whatever bed was available after the guests had

been given priority. He ate, after the others had been fed, in a closet-like alcove off the kitchen hall where the help took their meals. He filed all his memories of this Dickensian existence away in his capacious memory, and one day he would write of them: “He [Tom’s fictional alter ego, Eugene Gant] hated the indecency of his life, the loss of dignity and seclusion… He felt, rather than understood, the waste, the confusion, the blind cruelty of their lives—his spirit was stretched out on the rack of despair and bafflement as there came to him more and more the conviction that their lives could not be more hopelessly distorted, wrenched, mutilated, and perverted away from all simple comfort, repose, happiness…”

It was Ben Wolfe, Tom’s next-older brother, who provided Tom with his first means of escape from 48 Spruce Street. Ben, as one of Tom’s biographers has put it, was born a gentleman and had a gentleman’s disdain for Julia’s avarice; where Tom despaired of the boarding house, Ben merely scorned it. Ben was Tom’s protector, mentor, and closest friend. At an independent 14, he had gone out to work in the circulation room of the Asheville Citizen and he recruited his little brother as a paperboy. It was Tom’s first time on his own and he came to love the solitude and independence his paper route bought November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 43

leisure & libation

ABOVE: The “shabby room at the front of the house” where Wolfe’s favorite brother, Ben, died of influenza. Wolfe’s recreation of Ben’s death in Look Homeward, Angel has been called one of the great passages in American literature, and a visit to this room is a priority for Wolfe aficionados.

BELOW: Tom as a child. Note his girlish curls; Julia refused to cut his hair until he was nine.

him. (Years later, as a famous writer, he demonstrated to an interviewer how to fold and throw a paper.)

But Tom’s real break from his mother’s domain came when, as a precocious student, he attracted the attention of John and Margaret Roberts, who were founding the North State Fitting School. Unexpectedly, Julia sprang for Tom’s tuition. Some of the other children, particularly Mabel, carped at this special treatment, but Julia saw it as an investment. She was well aware of Tom’s intellect and saw its practical potential… as the family lawyer, for instance. So Tom became a preppie, living on campus among the sons of the Asheville’s rich and powerful (that pleased Julia to no end). He blossomed at school and was particularly doted on and encouraged by the lovely, frail Mrs. Roberts, whom he would later call “the mother of my spirit.”

44

| November 2014

For three years, Tom devoured everything the North State Fitting School could teach him. On the day he walked out of 48 Spruce Street and headed for Chapel Hill—at the age of sixteen—the bubble of life as he had known it burst once and for all. At college he flourished academically and even socially; Chapel Hill embraced his eccentricities.

Julia, meanwhile, soldiered on; in 1916 she tacked several new and hastily-constructed rooms onto The Old Kentucky Home. In 1918 she had to summon Tom home from Chapel Hill. Ben Wolfe, Tom’s mentor and protector, had fallen victim to Spanish influenza and was not expected to live.

Tom reached home just as Ben was breathing his last, and his account of Ben’s death in Look Homeward, Angel is transcendently moving; it has

L The mountains… the city…

The kitchen stove at The Old Kentucky Home, looking pretty much as it would have at any given time between meals.

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leisure & libation

New rocking chairs on Old Kentucky Home’s front porch bear small brass plaques engraved with the names of prominent North Carolina writers.

been called one of the great passages in American literature.

Wolfe aficionados who tour the house seek out “The Room Where Ben Died” like pilgrims visiting a shrine.

The rest is well known and soon told. Tom returned to Chapel Hill, went on to Harvard, returning briefly in 1922, when W.O., who had long since moved into the boarding house, died (an event which also found its way into the Wolfe canon), and taught at City College of New York, all the while writing, writing, writing. To his utter surprise, he sold Look Homeward, Angel to Scribner’s in 1928 and returned home briefly, after signing the deal, to a local-boy-makes-good welcome. But the next year the book was actually published, and on every page enraged Ashevillians found thinly disguised versions of their town and themselves held up to the harsh light of Tom’s mercilessly analytical prose. The names had been changed but the people—to themselves and each other—were readily 46

| November 2014

recognizable. As for The Old Kentucky Home, it was rechristened “Dixieland”… and the boarding house itself was as much a character in the novel as the humans.

Tom was hurt and befuddled by the furor his first book caused. He had, he insisted, only tried to write about the human condition using the material he knew best. Nevertheless, he stayed put in Brooklyn and wrote. He published more novels and numerous short stories and articles. He was hailed in literary circles as a major talent, and his fame became the balm by which old wounds were healed. He returned briefly in 1937; this time he was a celebrity. Tom was gathering material in the western states when he was taken ill. He was taken to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, where he was found to have terminal tuberculosis of the brain. He died in Baltimore on September 15, 1938, eighteen days before his thirty-eighth birthday.

Forty-eight Spruce Street saw him one last time, when he was laid out in the front room before being taken to Riverside Cemetery, where he joined W.O. and Ben in the family plot.

Earth to earth, Asheville to Asheville.

Julia lived out the rest of her days at The Old Kentucky Home, but under sufferance. The Depression had shredded her real estate investment empire, and she was virtually penniless. An Asheville businessman, Harry Blomberg, bought the place, then resold it to the surviving children—Fred, Mabel, Effie, and

L Frank—who bought it with part of their shares of Tom’s estate.

Tom would have appreciated the irony: The house he hated in life, he rescued in death. Julia, in her sensible shoes, strode up to the pearly gates on December 7, 1945.

In 1949, twenty years after Look Homeward, Angel shook Asheville society to its foundations, a newly formed Thomas Wolfe Memorial Association, with backing from the Chamber of Commerce, set about to make The Old Kentucky Home a national landmark.

The house was opened to the public. In 1973 it was awarded its landmark status and ownership passed to the State of North Carolina.

About two o’clock on the morning of July 24, 1998, a hotel guest across the street saw a dark figure throw “a flaming object, like a Molotov cocktail” through a dining room window of The Old Kentucky Home.

The fire department arrived from across the square in less than a minute. Even so, the hungry flames gutted most of the dining room and a bedroom above it, together with about fifteen percent of the house’s artifacts. It took six years to perform a museum-quality restoration so seamless that no trace of the damage is visible.

If you visit “Dixieland” today, let the tour group go on ahead and stand perfectly still for a few moments in the front hall by the foot of the stairs and look around. Real people walked these floors, sat in those chairs, looked out those windows. Put yourself in the place of the gangly boy who also watched and listened—it’s not hard to do—and consider this: the house has noticed you, too.

“And again, again in the old house I feel beneath my tread the creak of the old stair, the worn rail, the white washed walls, the feel of darkness and the house asleep, and think, ‘I was a child here; here the stairs, and here was darkness; this was I, and here is Time.’”

Tom would have appreciated the irony: The house he hated in life, he rescued in death.

Julia, in her sensible shoes, strode up to the pearly gates on December 7, 1945.

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial National Historic Site is open from 9am to 5pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and state holidays.

Capital at Play writer Roger McCredie is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 47

THE OLD

NORTH

STATE [

news briefs

UNC Greensboro given $7.7M grant greensboro, nc

UNC Greensboro’s School of Education has been bestowed a $7.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will improve efforts by the college to highlight technology integration across all teaching fields. The five-year grant will also be used to recruit, train, and support more science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers, according to the school. Christina O’Connor, who will direct the project for UNC Greensboro, explained: “The project is about leveraging emerging technology to enhance teaching and learning…It’s not all about specific cutting-edge technology because that changes. It’s about how we can use technology to better prepare teachers so that students become more HunterBanks_CapitalPlay ad.pdf

1

11/4/11

Publication predicts Wilmington as next ‘hipster’ city wilmington, nc

]

creative and more innovative, and learn by doing.” O’Connor said that could mean integrating technologies, such as educational gaming, 3-D printers, and loading sewing machines with conductive thread. UNC Greensboro collaborated with seven public schools in Guilford and Forsyth counties to launch the technology integration project. This fall, U NC Greensboro will choose four elementary schools in the Guilford County system, and two middle schools and a high school in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County system as partners. UNC Greensboro students will be placed in the partner schools in fall 2015. UNC Greensboro will get nearly $1.6 million per year during the next five years. Including the first portion of $1.6 million, the school has received just less than $2.7 million from a variety of external sponsors since July 1, 2014.

According to CultureMap Austin, a website that reports news and happenings around Austin, Texas, Wilmington will be one of the nation’s next “hipster” cities.

Although it is far from a scientific analysis, it notes, “Wilmington is a sleepy, scenic, near-coastal city of 109,000 people, but scratch below the white picket surface and you’ll find a wonderfully weird creative community.” Other cities predicted to be “hipster” venues are Buffalo, New York, and Birmingham, Alabama. Asheville was a previous CultureMap choice.

Theatre could provide $4.5M economic boost boone, nc

According to an economic impact study, the planned reopening of the Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone as a multipurpose entertainment and event venue would provide an increase of approximately $4.5 million in regional economic activity. Appalachian State University’s

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Center of Economics Research and Policy Analysis conducted the study. It forecasts that the additional economic activity would generate an estimated 53 full-time jobs. The region includes Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties.

Michael McKee, principal author of the study and an economics professor at Appalachian State University, and representatives from the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC), presented the study in September at a Boone Town Council meeting, adding that the center produced the study as a community outreach project at no cost to the theater. Keith Martin, vice chairman of the Appalachian Theatre board, explained: “This is an independent study.

We did not commission the report, and we had no say in its findings…These positive findings do not include the many intangible benefits, such as the positive impact on livability, an extended nightlife, and an enhanced quality of life and positive image for the residents and visitors to the High Country region.”

The theater first opened in 1938 and has been passed around many times since then. In 2011 the town of Boone purchased the theater for $624,000 in a foreclosure sale. In 2013 ATHC, which is a new nonprofit, paid off the loan from

20

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carolina in the west

national & world

the town and took control of the building.

ATHC intends to restore the theatre with Art Deco furnishings and offer live music performances, theatre, film screenings, meetings, and other events at the venue.

McKee said that the center’s study is not a financial viability study. Rather, the research measures the economic impacts generated if the theater operates as it should. According to ATHC chairman John Cooper, the theater is at least two years away from opening.

the old north state

respect of his colleagues, our board of directors, and our shareholders. He will be missed, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.” Muir joined Krispy Kreme in 2004, was promoted to chief accounting officer in 2005, and has also been executive vice president and chief financial officer since 2007.

Durham neighborhood to have organic farm durham, nc

Krispy Kreme CFO to retire in 2015 winston-salem, nc

Douglas Muir, chief financial officer of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc., will retire in 2015. Muir, 60, will stay in the role as Winston-Salem-based Krispy K reme conducts “a comprehensive search” to find a successor. President and CEO Tony Thompson stated that, “We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to Doug for his many years of outstanding service and commitment to K rispy K reme…Doug’s financial stewardship and profound business acumen have earned him the trust and

A group of Durham real estate developers are hoping to capitalize on the growing popularity of farm-to-table dining in the Triangle with the intention to bring the farm to suburban neighborhood living.

According to developer Rick Bagel, the plan is to build a 230-acre neighborhood subdivision with nearly 140 single family homes on a piece of property that is within a 20-minute drive from downtown Durham. However, instead of including an expensive clubhouse, tennis courts, or golf course for neighbors to use, this neighborhood, called Wetrock Farm, would have its own 15-acre fruit and vegetable farm. “Weekly deliveries of produce would be included in their

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HOA dues,” Bagel explained. He claims he and his partners have already contracted to buy the land, located at 7001 N. Roxboro Road in northern Durham County, and are working through the site plan review with the Durham City and County Planning Department. Stewart, of Raleigh, is assisting with the engineering and land planning. Farm-to-table living, dubbed “agrihoods,” is a new real estate trend that is gaining popularity across the country. Bagel estimates the homes at Wetrock Farm would average in price between $300,000 and $399,000. Since the property is outside the city’s utility service area, all of the homes would be built to connect into a community well water and septic system. Until about 12 years ago, the Durham County property had been a working tobacco farm. Bagel added that Wetrock’s farm would be owned and professionally managed by his company, Wetrock Resources, so homeowners within the community would not be expected to maintain the crops.

Cone Health hopes to revamp Women’s Hospital greensboro, nc

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In October the Cone Health board of directors signed off on a $100 million plan that will allow women’s health services to return to the system’s flagship campus, Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. The return, set for 2019, is to follow a 50,000-square-foot expansion that will establish a new women’s pavilion there. Dr. Kelly Leggett, medical director for the ob/gyn faculty practice at Cone Health, believes the move is positive because it will bring women’s health services closer to other complementary services, such as cardiology, imaging, and vascular ultrasound. Those resources are currently spread across different campuses. Leggett and Cone Health’s president and chief operating officer Terry Akin hopes to establish

the same “neighborhood feeling” and easy access patients and their families currently enjoy at Women’s Hospital once those services relocate. The pavilion will have its own entrance, elevators, and parking. The current building is an aging 204,541-square-foot facility that was built in 1976. Akin added the neonatal intensive care unit lacks adequate space and operating rooms are too small for modern equipment. In addition, the Behavioral Health Hospital will be rebuilt to accommodate changes in how mental health is delivered. Along with the two new hospitals, the $100 million will fund the expansion of operating rooms at Wesley Long Hospital, Cone’s second hospital in Greensboro. Akin said the $100 million is a rough estimate of the overall cost for the three projects, which still need significant planning and design.

Elon Law to reduce cost, length of law school elon, nc

Elon University School of Law will undergo a comprehensive overhaul of its curriculum that aims to give students more experience with the practice of law, while getting them through the program faster and at a lower cost. The changes will come with the start of next year’s class and include a $14,000 reduction in tuition, with a rate that will be sealed in for the extent of a student’s tenure at the law school. Law students will finish the program in two and a half years compared to the traditional three, putting them on a path to pass the bar exam around the same time as their peers are receiving their law degrees. Included in its overhauled curriculum, Elon Law is further integrating experiential education that will place students in law practices and with practicing attorneys during the semester. Beginning with the class that enters Elon Law next fall, students will work with a four-member advising team that includes a faculty adviser, an

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Forgive us our trespasses

F

forrest writes regularly about legal issues affecting outdoor recreation and gear businesses and activities.

A landowner’s guide to outdoor recreation liability

by FORREST MERITHEW

A

BILLIONA IR E LA N DOW N ER I N Northern California recently went to extreme lengths to prevent the public from accessing a private beach via a long time used road that runs through his 89 acre coastal property, located just five miles south of Half Moon Bay. His efforts included constructing a locked gate across the road, putting up multiple signs against trespassing and stating the property was closed, painting over signs along the local highway inviting the public to the beach, and hiring private security to scare, harass, and chase away people attempting to access the beach.

The wealthy landowner, Vinod Khosla, one of the founders of Sun Microsystems, stated that he did all of this because he was concerned about liability exposure to members of the public crossing his land.

In September a California Court Judge told Mr. Khosla that he couldn’t prevent or block the public from accessing the beach.

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The Court’s decision was based on the Coastal Development Act’s liberal definition of “development,” as argued by attorneys for the Surfrider Foundation, wherein physical change to land is not required, but simply a change of intensity of use and access may trigger the Act’s requirement for a permit to take such actions.

Mr. Khosla had failed, or rather not attempted, to secure such a permit and now must do so if he wishes to prevent public access.

That, or appeal the Judgment in the hopes of a different outcome.

What is more relevant to the general public and landowners is Mr. Khosla’s defense allegation—the issue of private landowner liability to members of the public. This is especially true in Western North Carolina because it is a hot spot for recreational activities and sites, such as swimming holes, natural climbing locales, mountain bike trails, and other locations of outdoor adventure and recreation. A good number of these opportunities may only be accessed across or on private property.

F

Property owners may not be familiar that many states, including North Carolina and California, have what are described as “Recreational Use Statutes,” which limit landowner liability when members of the public are allowed free access to or across private lands for recreational or educational opportunities. This limitation of liability is similar to that provided by business entity structures, in that it limits the liability of the property owner for injuries or other damages to individuals crossing or using the land, except for those caused by intentional acts by the landowner or known and extreme dangers on the land.

As more people are moving to Western North Carolina and, in conjunction, new recreational spots are discovered, I’ve experienced an increase in outdoor recreation individuals, businesses, and associations (such as the Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC), Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), and other fishing and hiking groups) interested in accessing natural recreational opportunities on or via private land. If landowners are interested in allowing access on or across their lands, sharing their lands for public recreation, or allowing their lands to be used by the public in general, there are rules and options in place that can limit their related liability.

Once private land is made open to the public, the legal relationship evolves from that of trespasser to invitee/licensee status. This means that a landowner would have a greater responsibility to members of the public on the land and, therein, greater potential liability. Here is where Mr. Khosla’s concerns lay. However, North Carolina General Statute § 38A-4, NC’s Recreational Use Statute, limits private landowners’ potential duties and related liabilities when they make land and water sites available to the public for educational and recreational purposes at no cost. In this situation the landowner has almost no liability to members of the public, who are then legally classified as “trespassers” for liability evaluation purposes, except for intentional acts or known dangerous defects or conditions. However, landowners do not have a duty to periodically inspect their property to determine if other persons are involved in dangerous activities on, or have created dangerous conditions to the property.

It’s important for property owners to note that the Recreational Use Statute does not absolve private landowners of all liability. Besides the trespasser minimum requirements of intentional acts and known dangerous conditions, the attractive nuisance doctrine still applies. This doctrine may hold a landowner liable for injuries to trespassing children when the cause of their injury was a condition that attracted them (or youth in general) onto the property in the first place, such as large construction equipment, a swimming hole well known to be used by local youth, or other enticing condition to juveniles which may also cause injury.

The Recreational Use Statute is not the only North Carolina law that provides limited liability protection for property owners who allow public access on their private lands. The North Carolina Trails System Act, under Article 6 of the North Carolina General Statutes, provides even stronger liability protection for owners of private land dedicated to the State trail system. Unlike the Recreational Use Statute, the Trails System Act does not contain the liability limitation exceptions, so the limited liability applies to all users, including youth and invited guests. Further, this Act and its statutes protect both the landowner who donates the land and any person who “has constructed, maintained, or caused to be constructed or maintained a designated trail or other public trail pursuant to a written agreement with any person who is an owner, lessee, occupant, or otherwise in control of the land.”

An additional option for private landowners looking to limit liability in situations of public access are partial land donations or easement agreements. These also allow the property owner to control the terms of use and maintenance, through the terms of an agreement, while simultaneously transferring potential liability to the easement holder (i.e. nonprofits, municipal entities, or associations). The general rule with easements is that it is not only the right but also the duty of the holder of an easement, not the landowner, to maintain and keep the subject property in repair, unless otherwise specified in the easement itself. In support of this idea, North Carolina Courts have held that ‘it is the control and not the ownership which

As a result, landowners don’t need to hire private security, threaten visitors, or take other actions to prevent such access unless they wish to do so for their own reasons and costs.

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com

53

determines the liability.’” See Green v. Duke Power Co., 305 N.C. 603, 290 S.E.2d 593, 598 (1982).

It is important for owners of property next to greenways or public trail systems to realize they may still have liability

way from dangerous conditions, such as rock slides or falling tree limbs, originating from the private property adjacent to the route. This may be particularly true if the landowner had notice and could have foreseen the dangerous condition, such as dead or overhanging trees or branches.

Finally, a landowner who has allowed their property to be used for public use or donated an easement should take care to remove any identified dangerous condition that may foreseeably injure someone using the public sections of land and, if applicable, to require that the easement holder clearly mark the boundaries of the easement. By granting an access easement the landowner gives up the right to use the section of property covered by the easement for any purpose inconsistent with that outlined in the easement agreement.

Thus, for all purposes the landowner donates “value,” which can potentially provide him or her a tax break or other statutory

Many times the nonprofits, municipalities, or other associations interested in accessing land or trails are willing to put the time and money into creating an agreement or sale of partial property, in order to achieve their organizational goals. to members of the public using the allotted pathways. So Mr. Khosla may have not been entirely incorrect with his assumptions and concerns. The courts may deem a greenway or trail to be a “public way.” Under the public way doctrine, a landowner may be liable for injuries to users of the public

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| November 2014

F financial incentives for making such donations.

Whether a property owner is a billionaire or just a civic minded individual, there are systems and laws in place to limit private landowners’ potential liability when allowing the public access to or across their private lands. As a result, landowners don’t need to hire private security, threaten visitors, or take other actions to prevent such access unless they wish to do so for their own reasons and costs. Many times the nonprofits, municipalities, or other associations interested in accessing land or trails are willing to put the time and money into creating an agreement or sale of partial property, in order to achieve their organizational goals. These agreements can include terms covering maintenance, condition, status, and more depending on each side’s desires and goals. And, as always, it is important for the terms of any agreement to be clear and outline the liability and responsibilities of all parties involved.

practicing out of Asheville, North Carolina. While Forrest does consult with business around the country, this information generally involves the application of North Carolina laws. If you have any questions about the material contained herein, please contact Forrest P. Merithew at FMerithewLaw@gmail.com.

Forrest Merithew is licensed in both California and North Carolina, and is the owner and principal of Forrest P. Merithew, Attorney at Law based out of Asheville. Forrest practices in an array of civil and commercial areas. He also serves on Asheville’s Greenway Committee. Forrest writes regularly about legal issues affecting outdoor recreation and gear businesses and activities.

The information contained above is not be intended to be legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Forrest Merithew is a North Carolina and California licensed attorney,

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Su n, Wi nd, & Wat er: One Company’s Quest to Give You Power written by emily ball ard photos by anthony harden & courtesy of sundance power systems

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| November 2014

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 57

Solar, renewable energy, sustainability,

efficiency, green living & building, are a few buzz words heard often throughout this area.

NEW CONSTRUCTION IS LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE methods to utilize renewable resources, cutting costs and environmental impact both for residential and business properties.

Sundance Power Systems is a family run business steeped in a history of engineering, activism, and hope for the future. These components have mixed together to create a perfect cocktail of business success, offering solar energy solutions to individuals and businesses seeking to integrate these technologies.

Dave and Sierra Hollister opened the doors to Sundance Power Systems in 1995. After travelling around the country for months, they were visiting Dave’s brother in Colorado when one morning, visibly shaken, his brother told him he had a vision, and, according to Dave, he really wasn’t the vision having type.

He told them that they needed to move to Asheville and buy a farm. So the couple took it as a sign and loaded up their camper, made the trek to Western North Carolina, and did exactly what his sibling predicted: bought a farm and started their company.

But their story starts years earlier.

Growing up Activist Dave grew up in Cincinnati. His father was a civil engineer and avid environmentalist. Dave proudly lists his father’s accolades, which include construction of the Lincoln Center and downtown Cincinnati. It is obvious that Dave comes by his engineer minded social activist life honestly. His interest in environmental issues was officially sparked when he started college at Fort Lewis in Colorado. At that time an environmental studies degree really didn’t exist yet, and Dave pursued an ecology degree.

“It was during this time that I recognized that energy was the 58

| November 2014

foundation of life and of our economy, and it is the driving force of our existence,” Dave says.

He also became acutely aware that this energy was a finite resource and felt the pull to Washington D.C. to do something about it. He began by applying to environmental consulting firms, but the more companies he met with, the more he felt that they were corporations that were operating under pretenses he was not fully in line with.

One day he answered an advertisement in the newspaper to canvas for Greenpeace, which would launch his first career in the industry. Within the first year he was hired onto the action team where he set up and organized equipment to be used for non-violent direct action demonstrations and was involved in numerous campaigns, such as the fight against toxins, the anti-nuclear protests, and the save the whales campaign, issues that were prevalent and hot topics in the headlines.

Dave points to two framed pictures on the wall of his office that is also decorated with a Costa Rica tapestry, inspirational quotes, and various memorabilia from his colorful life experiences. One of the pictures shows a 360-square-foot banner hanging from the Sears Tower in Chicago. The banner was

“I recognized that energy was the foundation of life and of our economy, and it is the driving force of our existence,” Dave says.

dave hollister

explaining the inverters, meters, and solar disconnect for Sundance’s 10 kW grid-tied PV system

hung on the 50th anniversary of the Manhattan Project in remembrance and in protest of the atomic bombs created. The significance of this picture that spread around the world, before the existence of viral content, is the man behind getting that banner to its spot flapping in the wind, a good ways up a very tall skyscraper. Dave nonchalantly alludes to his experience in rock climbing.

The other picture is similar in style, only this banner was hung on the Time-Life building in New York City and was inciting a change in the ways paper companies were bleaching their products and polluting the environment. Dave explains his role with Greenpeace as confrontational non-violence, with which he spent ten years as the direct action coordinator with a specialty in training activists.

He recalls many great successes during this time, such as taking the poison out of paper, stopping ocean dumping in New York City, and stopping toxic waste incinerators. He built on his foundation that if you stand for your beliefs, you will be empowered, and this empowerment will spread. It was during this experience that he met his wife, Sierra, and they discovered their mutual passion for energy and the economics of the planet.

sol ar install ation

at All States Medical

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 59

pallets become fuel for Sundance’s heating systems through an outdoor wood boiler

“It’s great to be on the front lines of social change. This is a very important component of evolution, but we got drawn into creating a right livelihood for ourselves that provided a solution.”

This livelihood would lead them down the road to Asheville, and to a project they feel was meant to be, a solar company called Sundance.

The Humble Beginning Dave and Sierra had a path, a project, and vision for the business, but how do you start a business such as this with no real frame of reference? Dave explains that there were no real go to experts in the field at that time and they literally started from scratch in their laundry room, eventually moving into an old tobacco barn.

“Back then it was a passion. You didn’t do solar because of the economics, which is a big component now. Back then it was about a value system that people had. This area was strong in the back to the land movement and living off-grid.”

They got their start repairing a lot of old solar energy systems 60

| November 2014

that were installed in the 1970s when there was a boom in solar technology, but had since been abandoned and yielded a lack of resources for repair. Their real footing came from solar hot water systems which tended to be more affordable, and then the company ventured into more intricate off-grid systems.

“It was all forming right then. We were on the cutting edge of figuring it out. Like the Wild West or New Frontier of solar.”

Soon radiant floor heating systems propelled them into a new realm of diversifying the business and they were now competing in the new home market. But the real break for them would come when Y2K hit, a phenomenon in which suddenly people were installing battery back-up systems and thought processes were changing. Suddenly there was a lot of guerilla solar happening.

Guerilla solar was a means of installing solar systems without the power companies knowing. These systems were hooked right into the local utility system equipment and were affecting the usage. In a 2001 article from Mother Earth News, a publication that covered the changing atmosphere in the area, this movement’s manifesto was quoted: “We, the Solar Guerrillas of this planet, therefore resolve to place energy made

chris mcgr ath soldering copper fittings in custom-made distribution panel for radiant floor heating system

MAKING SENSE OF SOLAR

Photovoltaic technology (PV) = Solar energy systems DC = Direct current / AC = Alternating current Inverter = converts DC to AC for grid and load compatibility

kWh Electricity as we use it in our homes and businesses is measured in units of watts, and we are billed by our electrical utility per kilowatt consumed per hour, or for every kWh.

The amount of electricity produced by the system depends on several factors: efficiency ratings of the solar modules and the inverter and the amount of sunlight the modules receive (shading factors, orientation, and tilt angle of the collectors) all come into consideration.

PV systems are described by their DC rating—the amount of DC current they are capable of producing in ideal conditions. For example, an average residential system is 5 kilowatts, or 5 kW.

In this region, a typical 5 kW system will produce an approximate average of 21 kWh of electricity a day, with an energy value of $62 a month, based on current electrical rates.

PVWatts (pvwatts.nrel.gov) is a widely used tool to estimate the performance of PV systems, and was used for the calculations below.

Each kilowatt of PV generated electricity offsets up to 217,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

The average SHW (Solar Hot Water) system displaces up to 71 tons of carbon dioxide in its lifetime.

According to the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, the price of PV systems continues to decline at a rapid pace. In 1977 the price was at $76.67/watt and dropped down to $0.74/watt by 2013.

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 61

TYPES OF SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS: Grid-tied: System is tied to the utility company and provides backup for power outages. It can be tied through net-metered or sell-all system.

links & resources

Net-metered: The energy your system collects is used by you. If you produce more than you consume, you sell it back to the utility company.

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) – www.cleanenergy.org

Sell-all: All of the energy your system produces is sold to the utility company and you use their services.

Off-grid: No connection between your energy system and the utility company equipment. All energy produced is used by you.

dave hollister

sol ar install ation

at First Congregational United Church of Christ

NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) – www.energync.org

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) – www.dsireusa.org Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) – www.solarelectricpower.org US Department of Energy – www.energy.gov

from sunshine, wind, and falling water on this planet’s utility grids with or without permission from utilities or governments.

We resolve to share this energy with our neighbors without regard for financial compensation. We further resolve that our renewable energy systems will be safe and will not harm utility workers, our neighbors, or our environment.”

During this same time period, the practice of net metering began. Net metering allows solar energy customers to return energy not used back to the grid, causing the meter to actually run backwards, creating a credit with the power company.

Sundance was instrumental in working with organizations to bring this practice to the region. After negotiating with the local utility companies, Dave and Sierra’s home was the first officially net metered house in North Carolina.

This was a milestone for the company and led to a new era of solar energy systems. Legislation actually requires that a certain amount of renewable energy and net metering is allowed. This gave way to larger scale solar systems and ultimately reduced the cost, really creating a momentum for solar and leading to the tax incentives that we see today.

A Growing Company From experimenting in the laundry room, Sundance has now expanded to almost 33 employees. They now have satellite offices and have just completed a new production building on 62

| November 2014

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site at the home office in Weaverville. While the new building is not 100% sustainable just yet, construction is under way to make it so in the near future.

As Dave leads the way through the newly remodeled offices, pointing to interesting pictures and industry slogans displayed

Today with Sun, Wind and Water.”

Dave’s son, Brian, has just graduated from Appalachian State University, one of many schools in the area that is adapting a sustainability plan and has contracted Sundance to install 42 solar panels, or collectors, for a hot water system.

Mellow Mushroom in downtown Asheville has utilized their services for a six panel collector in order to supply 20% of the hot water that they use. And more recently and on a much larger scale, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company enlisted Sundance in their construction of their new brewery in Mills River. The rooftop panels cover almost two acres on the packing and warehouse facilities, and provide canopies for the parking lot.

Dave speaks fondly when referring to the Sierra Nevada project, a company that holds many of the same ideals on renewable energy. He considers these ideals the core of Sundance.

“We want to serve the broader community, businesses, and individuals, who want to lighten their footprint and recognize that there is an economic and environmental reason for adopting

Dave has developed what he calls an “administration council” that boasts open communication, and some employees have been there close to 14 years, almost from the beginning. throughout the space, he is trailed by the office dog, Mocha, who darts out the opened door to catch a Frisbee thrown by a few employees taking a break on a late Friday afternoon.

Past the driveway there are sheds full of wood used for heating, and looking back at the main building the many solar panels are catching the afternoon light. The trucks parked in the lot show the company logo designed by Sierra, and Dave’s son unlocks the door for a peek inside. Their mantra is “Powering the Future

GA_Cap@Play_Nov2014.qxp_GA 10/9/14 3:19 PM Page 1

November 21, 2014 – January 4, 2015

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An Evolving Business Model As Sundance has grown and evolved, Dave feels that the office structure has as well. He believes that old world business models do not work in his modern day business. He has developed a model of accountability and relationships within the company and strives to shed any form of totalitarianism.

He has developed what he calls an “administration council”

that boasts open communication, and some employees have been there close to 14 years, almost from the beginning. There is certainly an emphasis on shared values and a belief in the importance of interaction with customers and employees alike.

“I don’t want to compromise honesty for profit, even though profit is important. Final value at the end is the deal breaker, and that is the difference between managing and operating a conscious business and one that is just out for blood. That is fundamentally the way that we have developed this company.”

The core values of Sundance are sustainability, honesty, and integrity. Dave is not afraid to throw “the customer is always right” philosophy out of the window if need be. They apply a five step design process with every customer that analyzes their realistic needs, goals, and expectations. Whether for residential or commercial projects, the bottom line is always community enhancement and future consciousness for Dave, his family, and his employees.

“Collective creativity is what makes us a special company,” a few more of those key words that make this a distinguishing business.

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this technology. And it works!”

These large scale projects are certainly a hefty source of revenue for companies such as Sundance, but Dave expresses that the residential projects are incredibly fulfilling to him and he has enjoyed seeing the progress in this area over the years. Where a solar energy system once may have detracted from the value of a house upon selling, new appraisal values have been created to support an increase in the worth of the property. These systems have become more affordable with more financing options, tax incentives, and quicker return on investments.

“Many of the obstacles with solar have been reduced or disappeared over time. They are much more ubiquitous now with a wider band of people who can do solar and our business has thrived because of it,” says Dave.

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news briefs

International workers prefer London over New York City world

A new global survey suggests that workers around the world prefer London over New York as the most desirable place to live and work. Boston Consulting Group and TotalJobs.com conducted the survey, and nearly 200,000 people around the world were polled. The poll concluded that the United States is the most appealing country to foreign workers, with 42 percent of participants claiming they would consider moving here. However, on a city level, 16 percent of respondents said they would consider moving to London, while New York City came in second with 12.2 percent of respondents saying they would consider moving

prescriptions. The retailer is also in the process of overhauling its gift registry system. It has already installed scanners in all of its stores, relaunched its gift registry website, and started replacing registration stations with iPad kiosks. Target is also updating its app for the iPhone.

The update includes a scanning feature, interactive store maps, and enhanced navigation, searching, and list functions.

]

here. The other North American cities in the survey’s top 30 list are Toronto, with 4.2 percent, Los Angeles, with 2.1 percent, Miami, with 2.6 percent, San Francisco, with 2.4 percent, Montreal, with 2.1 percent, and Vancouver, with 2.1 percent. Workers apparently pointed to London’s finance industry, high pay, diverse population, and public health care as particularly attractive attributes.

Target launches health app, updates others nation

Target is introducing two new smartphone apps and updating its existing apps for iPhones and iPads. Target Healthful allows shoppers to order prescription refills, check on orders, and organize

Giants fans support startup for ballpark valet parking san francisco, ca

This year, San Francisco Giants’ fans have a new parking alternative: They can drop their car off with a valet right in front of AT&T Park and have it returned to them, even if they go to another location after the game. The fee is $15, courtesy of Zirx, a San Francisco startup that is using smartphone technology to utilize on-demand valet parking apps that connect motorists with networks of independent parking professionals.

Customers can simply tap the app five to seven minutes in advance of their arrival, and be met by a Zirx agent on the street.

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Founded in March by computer scientists who formerly built a major video ad exchange, Zirx’s staff is comprised of just ten engineers. It recently raised $6.4 million from Norwest Venture Partners and Trinity Ventures. Zirx is one of a several of companies around the nation that are following a vision of on-demand valet parking for the masses.

Georgia Aquarium gets new chairman and CEO atlanta , georgia

The Georgia Aquarium is getting a new CEO. Hospitality executive Mike Leven will become chairman and CEO on January 1st. Atlanta philanthropist Bernie Marcus, the Aquarium’s founder and chairman, will become chairman emeritus. David Kimmel, who served as president since 2010, led all major construction of the facility for the past 12 years and has now stepped down. “Mike returns to us at an exciting time, as we plan the Aquarium’s tenth anniversary in 2015, and as we open a new and entertaining SunTrust Georgia Explorer gallery late in the year,” Marcus said.

“Mike will fulfill all his responsibilities for Las Vegas Sands through the end of

20

48

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this year and then kick off 2015 with us.”

Leven is a hospitality industry veteran who was previously president and CEO of US Franchise Systems Inc., the company he founded in 1995, president and COO of Holiday Inn Worldwide, president of Days Inn of America, and president of Americana Hotels. Marcus said, “I am ready to give full control of the Aquarium to Mike and the senior management team, which will remain in place. It is time for me to move on from active management to my next level of involvement as chairman emeritus. Mike has remained on the Aquarium Board while he was in Las Vegas, so his return should be seamless.”

Ford may bring back small pickup nation

Ford Motor Company is considering bringing back a small pickup truck model three years after closing its Ranger plant.

According to Ford’s truck marketing manager, Dave Scott, the automaker is contemplating a truck that is smaller than the late model Ford Ranger, something that would get six or eight more miles to the gallon than the F-150 and costs $5,000 or $6,000 less. Scott said a

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new model would be built in the United States to escape a 25 percent truck tariff.

The company still makes Rangers abroad, but they are not sold in the United States.

L.A. City Council proposes urban farming plan los angeles , ca

Los Angeles City Council has a plan to turn vacant lots into urban farms.

Councilmen Felipe Fuentes and Curren Price reportedly introduced motions for landowners to receive tax breaks for leasing vacant property for agriculture. Fuentes, who represents the 7th District covering the Northeast Valley, said, “By converting empty parcels into urban farms, we can encourage local economic development, green our communities, and provide produce in neighborhoods that lack access to fresh foods.” The state Legislature approved the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones Act in 2013, offering tax incentives for private property owners who lease land for commercial or noncommercial agriculture use for at least five years. In Los Angeles parcels would be qualified

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for the tax break if they are between 0.10 and 3 acres in size, dedicated to agriculture and animal husbandry, free of dwellings not intended for agriculture or educational purposes, and located within a zone that allows for agricultural use. The Los Angeles Food Policy Council estimates that 8,600 parcels would be eligible in Los Angeles.

Textile Museum sets March 2015 opening date washington, dc

The new George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum expect to open March 21st, 2015, nearly a year and a half after groundbreaking. Major construction was completed this summer, and the university and museum hosted DISCIPLINED, INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL GUIDANCE a sneak peek event in June. But the Textile Museum, which is With a focus on corporate retirement plans and individual retirement planning relocating from its longtime home in two historic Kalorama BIASED, DISCIPLINED FINANCIAL GUIDANCE mansions on S Street NW, is still not ready for its sighting. nancial.com 828.665.4005 • mcquillingfi a focus on corporate retirement plans and individual retirement planning 1200 RIDGEFIELD BLVD., STE. 115, ASHEVILLE, NC 28806 “Beyond construction, the final stage of installing the museum requires extraordinary behind-the-scenes preparations, includSecurities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. ing coordinating loans, mounting exhibitions, setting up the new library and shop, training docents, testing security systems, and much more,” said John Wetenhall, who was named museum director in April 2013. The Textile Museum on S Street closed to the public at the end of 2013. George Washington University and the Textile Museum partnered on the 46,000-square-foot joint museum at 21st and G Street NW. In addition, the school built a 22,000-square-foot facility at its Ashburn campus for storage and study of the 88-year-old Textile Museum’s collections. The Textile Museum’s collection includes more than 19,000 textile artifacts, some dating as far back as 600 A.D.

Singapore condo builders face $19 billion wall of debt singapore

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Singapore’s listed developers and real estate investment trusts are allegedly confronting their heaviest burden of nearterm maturities on record just as home prices fall. Compiled data apparently suggest that the 80 property companies on Singapore’s stock exchange reported a combined 18.5 billion of borrowings that have to be repaid within a year in their latest filings. According to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (UR A), the approaching debt wall comes as the vacancy rate for condominiums climbed to the highest since 2006, steering prices to the lowest in nearly two years. Alan Cheong, a senior director of real estate research at Savills in Singapore, explained that developers of residential homes are suffering not so much from lower selling prices than “collapsed”

sales volumes. Secondary home sales dropped to the lowest since 2003 in the first quarter, according to URA data, and as business slows, builders with less pre-sales money to finish projects have to rely on loans, increasing short-term borrowings.

Despite the weaker demand, the number of new residential dwellings being built remains high. In the second quarter of 2013, a record number of units were under construction.

University awarded $8M for brain cell database california

University of California at Irvine has been given an $8 million grant for the invention of a database of brain cell activity. The university will reportedly house one of six braincell databases around the nation. The grant from the National Institutes of Health will permit researchers to study brain cell activity in motor neuron disorders, such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and create a detailed collection of these diseases’ signatures. The school claims those signatures will be used to identify cell targets for new drug treatments. The five others participating in the project are Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, University of California at San Francisco, Johns Hopkins University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Whole Foods starts rating its produce nation

Whole Foods Market Inc. started a new produce rating system that grades fruits, vegetables, and flowers sold in its stores on a scale of “good,” “better,” or “best.” The ratings are based on how the items are grown, as well as their environmental and human health impacts. The rating system, called Responsibly Grown, is being publicized as a way to increase consumer awareness of the environmental and social costs associated with the production of the food they purchase. The rating system bars pesticides, such as organophosphate insecticides, that company officials link to developmental problems in children but are still permitted to be used on crops grown in the United States. It also prohibits the use of pesticides that contain ingredients that company officials link to falling bee populations. Growers will be graded against scoring criteria that tracks how farms manage pests, how well their workers are protected, water conservation, soil health, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. However, not all of Whole Foods’ produce meets the criteria to be graded on the Responsibly Grown system. Reportedly, nearly half of the produce that Whole Foods sells in its American stores is expected to have Responsibly Grown labels.

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A

adrianne

email marketing:

The Real Secret to Selling While You Sleep

is Director of Marketing & Operations for JB Media Group.

by ADRIANNE GORDON

I

N THE EARLY DAYS OF THE INTERNET, promises that an e-commerce business could sell your products, and therefore make you rich while you slept, were commonplace. “Snooze your way to financial freedom!” seemed to be the theme. As outlandish as it may sound now, the unprecedented access to potential customers around the globe has had many an entrepreneur dreaming of dollar signs and some laughing all the way to the bank.

While it is true that an online business means you can sell your products while you sleep (cha-ching!), in today’s competitive web marketplace the real question might be: Can the Internet market your business—and provide a healthy return on your marketing investment—while your spouse elbows you to stop your snoring? Internet marketing is an ecosystem with many parts, several of which can stand on their own and honestly shout, “Yes!” to that question. Looking behind the scenes illuminates one tool that may just be the unsung hero of online marketing: email.

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I’m not talking about the usual monthly shotgun style email that goes out to a broad distribution list and tries to entice everyone to buy something. We’ve all received these emails.

We’ve all deleted them. And, we’ve all looked for that “unsubscribe” link as well. The real way to conduct email marketing is targeted, logic based email campaigns sent based on how and when a customer interacts with the company. And yes, they can go out while Mr. Sandman is visiting. The industry term is marketing automation, and it refers to email communications that are specifically selected for individual prospective clients or past customers based on their interaction with the company.

Marketing automation works, in fact it works so well that it can—really—sell your product while you sleep.

Whether the term marketing automation is familiar to you or not, if you’ve bought something online from a major retailer you’ve been the recipient (or “target”) of an automation campaign. They can take several forms, but common examples include: order confirmation emails, suggestions of other products you might like, or a re-order reminder for consumable items like beauty products or supplements. These emails were

A

sent specifically to you based on an action you took. Clicking “confirm order” generated the order confirmation email. The “you might also like” message was triggered by the exact items you purchased and a review of the items others have purchased in the same order. The date of your last purchase kicked off the message reminding you to reorder the 60 count bottle of vitamins you bought 53 days ago and may not even realize you will need more of next week. They made your life a little easier as well as a sale for that company, not a bad deal all the way around.

Even seemingly straightforward email marketing campaigns like one from a department store promoting seasonal items, such as flannel sheets and down comforters, are more effective when they are tailored to the audience. This kind of promotion can begin in August for customers in Maine who are likely already thinking about cooler weather, but might not be appropriate for customers with a Georgia shipping address until October. If you think Land’s End has someone scouring customer data to determine who should receive the “cozy winter nights” email promotion, think again. They have a team (likely at an e-commerce giant) create a series of if-then instructions within their automated marketing system: If the customer’s shipping state is Maine, send email “cozy” on August 15th; if shipping state is Georgia, send on October 1st…etc.

The real power of marketing automation comes into play after the email goes out. Not only will a marketing automation platform like Marketo or SharpSpring track who opened the email, when and on what type of device (oh they know where you are browsing!), but also if any links are clicked on, what website pages are visited, the items viewed, if an item was put into the shopping cart, if that item was purchased, and on and on and on. These systems are so sophisticated that they can even track if you visit the site from both your laptop and your smart phone. There might not be a single light on at the company, but their marketing and sales engine is humming.

For a company, marketing automation is, in essence, a highly sophisticated feedback system for your marketing, promotions, and even pricing. Say you receive an email from a company

If the customer’s shipping state is Maine, send email “cozy” on August 15th; if shipping state is Georgia, send on October first…etc. called Cozy Linens. You bought flannel sheets from them last year and they have sent a promotion about their new down comforters. You open it and look at it but don’t do anything else. The company knows you got the email and are interested in their promotions (you opened it after all), but either weren’t

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interested in this particular product or weren’t ready to make the purchase. To entice you further to make a purchase, Cozy Linens could send you another email for the same promotion in a few days with a “sale ends soon” message to see if adding some urgency to the equation gets you to buy. They know customers are increasingly distracted, and it may be that you intend to buy but simply haven’t gotten around to it yet. Inside their automation system, the “sale ends soon” email would be triggered when you opened the email and visited some pages, but didn’t put anything in the shopping cart. If you had, a “did you forget?” email would likely have gone out instead. Perhaps a coupon would have appeared in your inbox a few days later. Whatever the flow of messages and interactions, the bottom line is that the exact communication sent to you was specific to your behavior. In fact, your interaction with the company via their emails and their website prompted the next message which was written specifically for where you are in the buying process.

While communicating with customers, upselling, and encouraging repeat business is a great way to help sales come in while you dream, the power of marketing automation actually lies in the data collected. The tracking available through these systems provides a very valuable feedback loop for the business. If emails are frequently opened but not acted on, then perhaps stronger calls to action are needed.

If customers click through the site from an email but don’t buy, then it may be that the site isn’t user friendly or shipping charges are too high.

Marketing automation isn’t just for retail companies. Business to business (B2B) companies also need to provide customized communication to prospective customers. Customized emails can be sent to follow-up on proposals, to contact previous prospects at beginning of their budget cycle, or to provide news and updates on the specific product or service a prospect has expressed interest in. For B2B users, the detailed data available on how individual prospects interact with the company can be worth thousands of dollars in sales or contracts. Some marketing automation platforms incorporate lead tracking systems or link with other systems like SalesForce.

Interactions with your emails and your website are all tracked by lead. This can provide incredible insight into the decision making process of the consumer. It allows businesses to go back and see what email communications and even pages on the company website led to the sale. Marketing automation can tell you if most buyers viewed the “Our Clients” page on your website before requesting a proposal. The overall traffic to that page might be relatively small and so seem insignificant, but if nearly everyone who ends up buying from you views this page, suddenly this page and the information it contains is a very valuable marketing tool. An email to prospects highlighting past clients with a link to that page would likely be a very effective marketing strategy. The tracking and data available from marketing automation is valuable from a feedback perspective but also allows for clear evaluation of results and return on investment.

So yes, Sleepyhead, you can sell and get shut eye at the same time. Marketing that works round the clock to bring the right message to the right audience can go a long way to make those dream a reality. Targeted, behavior based email marketing might just help you get the richest sleep you’ve ever had. Pun intended.

264 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, NC Adrianne Gordon counseled and trained business owners for over 10 years before joining JB Media Group as director of marketing and operations. She doesn’t speak code but does have an MBA from Western Carolina University.

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HIGH COUNTRY WINTER

To the Skiers It’s Snow,

To the Owners It’s Sugar written by jim murphy photos by oby morgan & courtesy of sugar mountain 74

| November 2014

photos shown courtesy of www.bushphoto.com

Back in the 1960s skiing became sexy.

Television followed the sport to competitions around the world, giving American audiences close-up looks at an international roster of fine-tuned athletes— both male and female—looking cool in their sleek racing outfits and flying down a mountain at impossible speeds on shiny skis emblazoned with colorful logos.

And lurking just below all that athletic accomplishment was the unstated fantasy: Ski all day, party all night. It didn’t take long for a young generation to head for the mountains.

Against this backdrop, a 20-year-old Austrian engineering student, who also happened to be a competitive ski racer, decided to come to the United States to work on his English language skills. “In engineering you needed to be fluent in English. It was very important,” Gunther Jochl says, looking back more than 40 years. He came here from Sachrang, a little Alpine village near the German border, where “I grew up skiing every day. We had snow from November to April.” While he was still a student, Gunther found work at resorts in Pennsylvania and Virginia. “And when I graduated from school I said I want to go back to America.”

With his engineering degree in hand, Gunther returned to America and to the ski slopes. He got a job managing the Blue Knob resort in Pennsylvania, where “one day a guy walks in. His name is Dale Stancill. He says to me, ‘I just bought the place.’

We’ve been friends and partners ever since.” Stancill was always on the lookout for an investment opportunity, and “I was a facilities guy,” Gunther says. “I was interested in the engineering November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 75

Kim Jochl

Gunther Jochl

photo courtesy of www.bushphoto.com

part, the building and construction and design.” Their different interests meshed into what became a long-term partnership.

Timing was on their side. The ski industry was booming. A 1980 study by the University of Colorado concluded that by the mid-’70s, more than 14 million Americans had caught the skiing bug, that they spent more than $404 million on ski equipment—and that the sport was growing at nearly 10 percent a year. It was a perfect “right place, right time” scenario for an Austrian ski instructor with an engineering degree and a sharp business sense.

Adding to the opportunity was the fact that, while skiing was booming, the rest of the economy was in a colossal bust. The recession of the mid-1970s buried the dreams of real estate developers nationwide—and caused an avalanche of debt for the developers of a ski resort in Avery County, North Carolina. The Sugar Mountain resort, a community of single-family homes, condos, a golf course, and a tall, steep mountain, went into bankruptcy in 1976. The bankruptcy court leased the place to Gunther and Dale Stancill for a year, and they went to work.

“It was a disaster,” he says. “The original developers didn’t 76

| November 2014

Big snowmaking air compressor

know how to run it. They had three chair lifts, and they would just stop. Mystery stops. No one knew why. They’d have people sitting in the chair half-way up the mountain and the lift would stop. Once we took over there were no more mystery stops.”

The engineer grins. “When I came here there was very little of anything. They didn’t know how to groom the slopes. They didn’t know how to operate the lifts. It was a disaster.”

He points up the slope from the main lodge as he continues the story. “A lot of these buildings up there were already here. There was a motel up there with 32 rooms that we had to get rid of. Asbestos. Right now it’s a parking lot.”

Dominating the view as he looks up to the ridge is a massive 10-story rectangular condo complex called Sugartop. In 1983, the plans for Sugartop were expanded from five to ten stories,

igniting fierce and widespread opposition in the town of Banner Elk and eventually throughout Avery County and statewide. The fight became so intense that the state legislature passed the

In 2011 he approached Dale Stancill with a proposition. “It’s time I bought you out,” he says.

“We’re still great friends, but he had other business interests and I was ready to take full control of this.”

Mountain Ridge Protection Act, which prevents high-rise developments along North Carolina’s ridgelines. The development was completed shortly after and today it remains a controversial addition to the mountain ridge.

“I was a bystander,” in the fight over Sugartop, Gunther says.

“I don’t own it and I didn’t get involved.”

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 77

Long before Sugartop, Gunther had his hands full managing much more than a ski slope. “First year we were here I did security for the whole mountain, all the road maintenance, and the ski resort. We worked hard. Before we got here, their best year was 80 thousand skiers. In my first year, we did 160 thousand. And we were also renting 300 living units on the mountain. At that point we didn’t own it, we were just leasing. So in springtime, we just locked the doors and we left.”

But not for long. The next season they were back, and they made a deal with the bankruptcy court to lease the resort for another season and then purchase it.

What they bought was a mountain with four lifts, eleven slopes, and some snow-making equipment. “When I first came to this country I heard of snow making but I thought this is crazy,” Gunther says, but soon he is praising the capabilities of the latest computerized snow making guns that stud the slopes of his mountain.

He explains the temperature sensors that activate the guns when the weather is

photo courtesy of www.bushphoto.com

cold enough to turn the water into snow. “We just bought 10 more of these,” he says. “We now have 25 of them,” plus another 30 of the non-automated snow guns.

He shows off his new 2,500 horsepower compressor that drives four pumps capable of pumping 4,000 gallons a minute. He quickly runs through the math.

“That’s forty thousand gallons in 10 minutes,” he smiles. “It’s 240,000 gallons an hour. At 20 degrees outside temperature we can cover the entire mountain with more than a foot of snow in just 36 hours.”

The air compressors and water pumps are housed in a pump house which is larger than an average single-family home. “If we don’t have a pump house, we don’t have snow. If we don’t have snow, we might as well not be here,” he says. His reliance on man-made snow is so complete that he now says, “Natural snowfall gets in our way.

People are afraid to drive in it, so they stay home.”

Gunther shows off his pump house with pride in his voice as he explains in an 78

| November 2014

November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 79

engineer’s detail the technical mechanics of it all. The new compressor is merely the latest in a string of improvements that date back to those bankruptcy days. His other big project this past summer was to build a new run, which will increase the original 11 runs to 21. Sugar Mountain ski areas now cover 129 acres. The longest trail is a mile-and-a-half with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet. The trails include one designated as a Double Diamond, the most difficult category of skiing terrain. It is recommended only for expert skiers.

“We’re approved to host both national and international races,” Gunther says. “We don’t have a trail long enough to do downhill or super G races, but we can host slalom and grand slaloms.” He

with now. We use the golf course in the winter to tube on it.”

While he was busy making additions to the resort, he found time to become an American citizen in 1986.

Meanwhile, his business was becoming as big as his mountain.

Thanks to his snow-making equipment, Sugar Mountain is open for skiing from mid-November to March, about 130 to 140 days a year. Gunther shies away from revealing how many people visit his resort, putting the number “above 200 thousand a year.”

They come from as far as Florida and Louisiana, making North Carolina skiing a significant contributor to the state’s tourism industry. The North Carolina Ski Areas Association commissions a periodic economic impact report. The most recent concluded: “The overall economic value of the ski resort industry to the State of North Carolina was $146 million for the…

2009-10 season.” An updated report is scheduled for release next year.

The ski areas association includes six resorts statewide, and Gunther says Sugar Mountain is the biggest of them all, “by far.”

His big business requires a big commitment. During skiing season, Gunther estimates he works about 13 hours a day, seven days a week. He skis early every morning and admits that by the time he gets to the bottom he’s compiled a list of chores for his staff to do.

“We ski day and night,” he says. “And there’s always something.

In peak season we have more than 400 employees working the ski area and another 100 in food service.” He has a permanent full-time staff Introducing of 40.

The In 2011 he approached Dale Stancill with a proposition. “It’s time I bought you out,” he says. “We’re still great friends, but he had other business interests, and I was ready to take full

“I traveled the world with the US Ski Team.

In 1989 I was junior world champion in giant slalom. It was fantastic but there’s a lot under the surface that goes along with that, and I retired at 23—who retires at 23?” pauses to emphasize the competitive quality of his mountain, and then slides into a description of its creature comforts. The mountain now has four double chair lifts, one triple chair, two magic carpets, and a handle tow. Getting to the top is not a problem. And he’s expanded the scope of his attractions to include snowboarding, tubing, snow-shoeing, and ice-skating.

“We own all the ski facilities with probably around 400 acres total,” he says. “We own the tennis facilities, which we freeze for ice-skating. And some other land that we don’t do anything

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| November 2014

control of this.” He waves his arm in a broad arc. “Now Sugar Mountain for the first time ever belongs to one person.”

But Gunther still has a partner. In 1997 Kim Schmidinger became Mrs. Jochl. (The name is pronounced Yokel, and, yes, they’ve heard all the jokes.)

Gunther and Kim met in 1990 when, in addition to nurturing his mountain resort, he took on the American distributorship of Volkl skis. Kim was a member of the US Ski Team, and she skied on Volkl. Their professional relationship developed into a friendship, and when she went down with a knee injury she came to Sugar Mountain to do her rehabilitation.

“I had a lot of injuries,” she says, launching into a story complete with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. “I think I had five knee surgeries and one reconstruction. My whole life from the age of two was skiing and competing and I loved it. I traveled the world with the US Ski Team. In 1989 I was junior world champion in giant slalom. It was fantastic but there’s a lot under the surface that goes along with that, and I retired at 23—who retires at 23? But that’s what skiers do. We retire and move onto a new life.”

Kim was moving on from a life that began in Lee, Massachucetts, where she and her twin sister, Kristen, both established themselves as world-class skiers. Their talents took them to the international circuit, and—in Kim’s case—to those five knee surgeries and the realization that it was time to move on.

“I was ready to retire,” she says. “I was physically, mentally, psychologically drained. I was used up. And then when I quit it was like, ‘Freedom! Wow!’ I could go to college; I had my whole life ahead of me.

“After I quit I came right here. My sister and I had a house here, Gunther gave me a job, and I went to Appalachian State.

I could have made a lot of different choices, but everything was set up for me here, and I needed to earn money so I took the logical route, which was to come here and finish school.”

Kim’s says her biggest surprise in North Carolina was “the mountains. Initially, when I heard about skiing in the South I was like every other New Englander: ‘You have mountains down there? You have snow down there?’ And when I finally got here, I realized this is beautiful. The mountains are steep.

They’re challenging. And higher than the mountains in New England. Sugar Mountain is higher than most ski areas in Vermont and Maine. It took a while for all that to sink in. I was a New England snob.”

Kim soon got over her misconception about southern skiing, and five years later she and Gunther were married. Now they go to junior races to watch—and coach—their 14-year-old daughter, Olivia.

Kim is listed as vice president of Sugar Mountain, and Gunther says her main contribution is that “she’s got my six,” using the pilot’s term for his back. Both of them are pilots, and they each fly their own planes.

And they each have no trouble listing a busy roster of future improvements for the resort. “We want a high speed quad,” she says, describing a four-person chair that detaches from its cable for easier passenger access. “Then I’d also like to see a play area for kids up on our beginner area in the woods. It will have little houses they can ski through and little mountains they can go up and down. It’s part of the learning process. The kids are out there having fun and learning how to ski in the process.”

Gunther is nodding his agreement as Kim goes on with her wish list. “We’d love to have a restaurant at the top of the mountain.

On a clear day you can see all the way to Charlotte from up there.

We’ll feature excellent food, and we’ll call it the Summit House.”

Skiing now dominates winter tourism in the High Country.

Perhaps the advances in snow-making technology would have made it inevitable, but when Gunther looks back over his years at Sugar Mountain, he sees a genuine accomplishment. “We took skiing seriously, and we took it to a different level.”

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A DIGESTIF:

Easy Day Hikes for the Holiday Season written by william hay wood

north carolina

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64 PL E A SE NO T E that these maps are not to be used for navigation, but rather to show the general location of trailheads. In the interest of personal safety, please always use proper maps and navigation to reach your intended destinations, such as the map provided by scanning this QR Code or visiting capitalatplay.com/easy-day-hikes

HENDERSONVILLE

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hanksgiving is about food and family. A house is chosen, sometimes in a rotation, and everyone who doesn’t live there hops on the road and starts driving. Around this home’s table the family convenes for gluttony and reminiscing with most likely some football to follow.

Some families get along better than others, but hopefully on this day even the most contentious differences can be set aside in lieu of turkey (or, heaven forbid, tofurkey), cauldrons of gravy, and cranberry sauce, canned or otherwise.

The harrowing nature of attempting to juggle catching up the family with the last year of events, all the while eating through an eight layer plate. This can result in a serious need for some outside time. A digestif with a view. Look at the couch. There is an uncle or cousin laying in the fetal position. He went down hard after the third helping of chess pie. Most likely he will not be joining in any after meal activities, so leave him to his blissful misery and, rest assured, he will recover in due time.

Whether by luck or purposeful genius, you are in Western North Carolina, and somewhere nearby there is a hike that will get you out for a jaunt, a view, and a more intimate conversation with your favorite relative (be honest, we all have one). If the four pounds of food consumed between noon and two didn’t kill you, a little fresh air and natural beauty certainly won’t.

Here are a few trail options that provide good routes for a family day trip. Some are easier than others but all are manageable, beautiful, and seasonally appropriate. Locations are in areas that are well established with signage. Ranger stations and visitors centers can provide handy on site help to get you started. The bugs are long gone but a bit of sunscreen never hurts. Neither will these treks. On a day of giving thanks it is better to be gasping at the majesty of a mountain range than buckled over for want of air. Bring layers to keep out the chill (the warmth of family may not suffice). Leftover sandwiches and a sleeping uncle will be waiting by the fire when you return.

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shulls mill road

photo by Oby Morgan

c r aggy g a r d e n s

1. 5 m i l e s n.e. of asheville, nc

Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 264, depending on where you access “America’s Favorite Drive,” head North or South till you get there.

This is a really cool spot. You won’t catch the rhododendron blooms this time of year but the views are impressive year-round.

Options, including the Craggy Pinnacle Trail, are varied in difficulty between easy and easy.

At 1.5 miles round-trip the Pinnacle is a lot of view for very little effort. A section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through this neck of the woods and, for a day when you aren’t warped with tryptophan, this is a great way to scout the access point to Douglas Falls, for a must see hike at a later date. asheville b l ack mtn

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trout l ake

photo by Oby Morgan

chimney rock

photo courtesy of Chimney Rock State Park

trout l ake

trout lake

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Tucked into Moses Cone Memorial Park is a petite lake that lends itself to bird watching, trout fishing, and Thanksgiving recovery walks. Moses and Bertha Cone, some folks I would have liked to meet, left a benevolent footprint everywhere they stepped. This park is a fine example of conservation estate planning and has well placed walking paths spanning the property.

The Manor House is certainly worth a look for the historically minded and the Craftsman Trail is a quick, half-hour (factoring in the full stomach) walk.

Just outside the town of Blowing Rock, Trout Lake is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as Highway 221. You can also find Shulls Mill Road anywhere from Foscoe, North Carolina, to Blowing Rock as well as follow the signs to Trout Lake as you exit the Blue Ridge Parkway around mile marker 294.

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ch i m n e y rock at c h i m n e y r o c k s tat e pa r k

photo courtesy of Chimney Rock State Park

by Chuck Hill Photography

under 2 miles • l ake lure , nc

The entrance to the park is located off Highway 64 on the west side of Lake Lure, right where the Broad River enters the lake.

This grand park is closed on the day of Thanksgiving but provides ample entertainment for a day trip and picnic with the whole family. This will give you a bit more time to explore the area and work up an appetite (as well as recruit folks to join you). There is something here for everyone to enjoy. 5 hikes, each under 2 miles round trip, and most under a mile.

Easy pickings, I would recommend the Skyline for a starter. The hike is a bit steep and a whopping 0.7 miles round-trip. Yes, 0.7, you can handle it. If you get done with that and need a bit more ooomph, try the Four Seasons Trail for another mile and a half.

Start slow on a day like this. Bring a lot of water to prevent cramps from excessive food intake. If you have a two-year-old with you the “Great Woodland Adventure,” while probably the least adventurous trail I have ever seen, is a little over a half mile and may give the little one a chance to get his or her hiking legs a try.

looking gl ass falls

photo by Eric Crews

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u n d e r 0. 5 m i l e • p i s g a h f o r e s t , n c

Along with many other notable activities, this scenic attraction is accessed through the intersection of Highway 64 and Highway 276 in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Just stay on Highway 276, past the Davidson River campground and Pisgah Ranger station, the falls are located about a half-mile past the left turn to the “Hatchery.” The parking lot for access will be on your right. Less of a hike and more of an outing. Sections of the falls are visible from wheel chair accessible points and the paths are very well maintained. Located close to Sliding Rock on the way into Pisgah near Brevard, there are various sights to take in, and access made easy for those who shouldn’t be excluded (and wouldn’t want to be). Mark Inglis, a double amputee, climbed Everest. Old or young, fit or not, here is a chance to get rolling on that New Year’s resolution that hasn’t happened yet.

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The curtain rises on another day

in historic Abingdon.

How will you spend iT? Catch a performance at

bArter theAtre. pedal along the scenic

VirginiA creeper trAil. sample the cuisine including

locAl beer And wine.

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3 miles • asheville, nc One of the longer selections on this list at three miles. The Explorer Loop Trail is still reasonably flat and pleasant. There are some Rhododendron thickets and intermingling Laurel that diffuse the wind and add texture to the scenery. Located off of I-26 and Brevard Road, getting in is easy and worth going a bit off the beaten path. Less mountainous and more like a naturally occurring garden nestled into middle ground.

This is a hike I originally found in a list of hikes compiled by Ruthie Gibson in Out Under The Sky. My grandmother, Betty Haywood, knew her and reflected that even Park Rangers asked Ruthie for directions. Mrs. Gibson has since passed, but leaves the legacy of a hiker and adventurer worthy of remembrance and admiration. I was not fortunate enough to meet her, but I intend to hike every hike on that list.

Perhaps then I will know her a little better.

FRENC

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e xplore r loop tr ail

asheville

AR K W ID E R GE P AY

ALL DAY. EVERYDAY. A RESORT

One All Souls Crescent • Historic Biltmore Village Asheville, NC • 828.505.8140 • www.shoppalmvillage.com www.facebook.com/Palm.Village.Asheville November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 89

Nov events

october 30

- november 2

“Sylvia” thurs , fri & sat 7:30 pm sun 2pm

hendersonville little theatre, hendersonville, nc

“Sylvia” is a romantic-comedy. When Greg brings home a stray dog named Sylvia, his wife Kate, beginning to feel their long-time marriage is being neglected, resents her. What is to become of man’s best friend and the bone thrown between both of her masters’ relationships? This is a fun, touching, romantic-comedy that searches for a balance of compromise.

admission: adult $20 , student $15 , youth (17 years & under) $10

info: 828 - 692-1082 hendersonvillelittletheatre.org november 1

Ooh La La’s Holiday Bazaar 10 am - 4 pm pritchard park ,

november 1

Ghost Train & Halloween Festival 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm tweetsie railroad, blowing rock , nc Admission includes all the nighttime events in the park including the ride on the Ghost Train, Trick-or-Treating for the kids, Haunted House, Tweetsie Palace Spooktacular, the rides in the Creepy Carnival, and the attractions in “The Boneyard” section, featuring the Black Hole, 3-D maze, and the “Freaky Forest.”

admission: $31 per person (children 2 & under free ) info: tweetsie.com november 1-2

Weaverville Art Safari 10 am - 5 pm

weaverville & barnardsville, nc

Ooh La La’s Holiday Bazaar is happy to announce its third season this fall.

A continuation of the Curiosity Market that took place this Summer in Pritchard Park, located in the center of beautiful downtown Asheville, the Holiday Bazaar will showcase the work of more than a dozen local artists. Ooh La La’s Holiday Bazaar will feature works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters, up-cycled crafters, tarot-card readers, temporary tattoos, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. In addition to the artists, the market will also feature live local music.

You are invited to visit studios and galleries in the towns of Weaverville and Barnardsville, along with the surrounding rural areas. Participants are able to drive to and visit as many of the studios as desired, as it is a self-guide event. Many of the artists and craftspeople of the Safari who call Western North Carolina home choose to live and work here because they are inspired by the beauty of the world renowned landscape. This is an opportunity to interact with artists and see the process behind the development of their critically acclaimed works of art.

Many artists will have special prices on seconds or older works. Works of art showcased during the event include pottery, handmade glass, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, paintings, drawings, and fiber art. Select studios offer public demonstrations and door prizes.

info: 828 - 669 -7467

info: weavervilleartsafari.com

downtown asheville, nc

admission: free

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admission: free

november 1-22

Fishy Turkey Hunt team ecco ocean center & aquarium , 511 n main st, hendersonville, nc Join the holiday fun by taking part in the Fishy Turkey Scavenger Hunt.

Participants will locate all five of the fish dressed up for Thanksgiving and submit entries into the drawing for prizes. Please visit the website below for additional details regarding times and dates.

admission: free with regular paid admission , $3 ages 4 to 84 years , free for visitors under 4 & over 84 years info: teamecco.org

- february 3 Beyond Textures november 1

10 am to 6 pm daily

blue ridge pkwy milepost 382 , asheville, nc

Featuring work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild: Joan Berner (fiber), Chery Cratty (paper), Robin Ford (fiber), Terry Gess (clay), Carmen Grier (fiber), and Jon Arsenault (clay).

admission: free

info: 828 -298 -7928 southernhighlandguild.org november 4, 11, 18 & 25

Fly Tying 101 Class with Davidson River Outfitters 6 pm - 8 :30 pm 95 pisgah highway, pisgah forest, nc Fly Tying 101 class is designed to get you started off correctly. The first class will focus on hook nomenclature, tools

and how to use them, and vises. During the following sessions, students will learn to tie the San Juan Worm, Woolly Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis, and similar patterns. Participants will also learn proportions and how to scale material to the hook they are using. All of the tools you need for the class will be provided, along with all the materials to tie the flies. All class participants will receive a copy of the fly tying book, which will have tying directions for all of the flies you tie in class, along with suggested modifications and other helpful hints and instructions. The class is limited to six people.

admission: $25 per person

info: 888 - 861- 0111 info @ davidsonflyfishing .com davidsonflyfishing .com

- 11 Veteran’s Day Admission Special 431 main st, chimney rock , nc november 7

Veterans, reservists, and retired and active military personnel are our American heroes, so Chimney Rock would like to honor their service with a free visit to Chimney Rock State Park during November 7-11th. Guests must present military ID or proof of service. Free admission is only for military members with ID, not for entire party.

admission: free for military members with id info: 828 - 625 - 9611 | 800 -277- 9611 chimneyrockpark .com

- january 3 Candlelight Evenings at Biltmore 5pm - 9pm biltmore, one lodge st, asheville, nc november 7

YOU HAVE A PLAN. WE HAVE A SOLUTION. LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN. At Asheville Savings Bank, we make business happen. Whether it’s with our business checking accounts that are designed to help you with cash flow or our business loans that can help you achieve your short or long term goals, we are all about providing solutions. One thing’s for sure, achieving your goals is easier with someone at your side. At Asheville Savings Bank, we offer the personal commitment you want and the products and services you need to get down to business.

So whatever your plan calls for—let’s make it happen.

As daylight fades into dusk, candlelight and firelight accent Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor, further accented by live entertainment and outside illuminations. Biltmore House glows with holiday spirit, appearing much as it would have at the turn of the 19th century. Carols from choirs and ensembles fill the halls with festive sounds. Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets are available by reservation only, and include a selfguided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village, and Biltmore Winery. Advance reservations are required.

admission: prices vary info: 828 -225 -1333 | biltmore.com

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EILEEN FISHER

events

november 8

Climbin’ the Chimney chimney rock at chimney rock state park , chimney rock , nc

2onCrescent

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

ch nd brun e k e e w ving Now ser ch run d b ken nch e u e r b w d g n in e servving week nch rru Now b n d unncchh ekee b Now serrving we u d r b n e d se ngg week n ow N w sseerrvviin NNoow

Experience Chimney Rock from a rope with the Southeast’s leader in rock climbing education, Fox Mountain Guides. For beginners, try climbing Vista Rock and rappelling, or for experienced climbers, test your skills on two difficult routes up the Chimney. For a big thrill, try rappelling 200 feet down the Chimney like Santa does every December (costs extra, expert rappellers only). Profits benefit a local nonprofit and all equipment is provided. Up to four climbs or rappels are being offered. You can book a climbing lesson with Fox at (888) 284-8433.

admission: $20 plus park fee ($15 adults , $7 for youth , free ages 4 & under) info: chimneyrockpark .com november 8 & 9

River Arts District Studio Stroll 10 : 00 am - 6: 00 pm river arts district, clingman ave at lyman st, asheville, nc At the Studio Stroll in Asheville’s River Arts District, all of the gifts are locally handmade and one-of-a-kind. Visit the artists’ studios and find special gifts for family, friends, and yourself. The River Arts District Studio Stroll takes place in 19 historic buildings along the French Broad R iver. There will be artists’ demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the weekend.

admission: free

info: riverartsdistrict.com

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november 8 & 22

Ultimate Foodie Tour 2- 5pm black mountain , nc This walking tour is for the food and drink connoisseur who wants the ultimate experience. Discover incredible sights, tastes, and history. Taste food and sip drinks at an eclectic representation of at least five Black Mountain’s eateries. Top chefs and owners share what inspired them to call this mountain town their home. Advanced reservations are required.

admission: $40 per ticket

info: creativemountainfoodtours.com november 12

La Santa Cecilia 7: 00 pm lipinsky auditorium , unc asheville campus , asheville, nc 2014 Grammy winners and Los Angeles natives, La Santa Cecilia, exemplify the modern-day creative hybrid of Latin culture, rock, and world music. The group draws inspiration from all over the world, utilizing Pan-American rhythms like cumbia, bossa nova, rumba, bolero, tango, jazz, rock, and klezmer music.

Their unique sound and colorful, passionate performances leave fans and new listeners mesmerized.

admission: general $22 , unc asheville students $6 , area students $8 , campus community $13 info: lasantacecilia .com

november 19

Taste of Asheville the venue, 21 n market st, asheville, nc Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) will celebrate a big evening of what makes Asheville a culinary destination in downtown Asheville with “Taste of Asheville.”

This fundraising event features food from 40 restaurants, as well as wine tasting and beer tasting from local breweries.

These same restaurants are participating in the 2015 AIR Passport, which will be kicked off that same evening and offers discounts at many of Asheville’s top restaurants. Ticket entry to the event includes small plate tastings of 40 local, independent restaurants, as well as beer and wine samplings. A portion of the proceeds from the evening ticket sales every year benefit various programming and outreach efforts.

admission: $70 single ticket, $125 for a pair

info & tickets: airasheville.org november 19

- january 1 Gingerbread House Competition

We Re-Build Dreams.

ADVENTURES NOT INCLUDED.

the omni grove park inn , asheville, nc For a sweet treat, tour the amazing display at the 22nd Annual National Gingerbread House Competition at The Omni Grove Park Inn. Except for the base, the entries are constructed entirely of edible materials. While guests with hotel, spa, or restaurant reservations may view the display at any time, others can stop by to view entries on Sunday-Thursday, 9am until 9pm (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day). While there is no admission charge to view the gingerbread creations, there is a $10 per car parking fee. Half of this fee goes to local nonprofits and the other half covers the extra expenses to accommodate the

Roadtrek motorhome

REFINISHING DETAILING CUSTOM PAINT FIBERGLASS REPAIR

828-693-8246

www.bealandco.net 5522 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC November 2014 | capitalatplay.com 93

events

All Natural & All Local

big crowds. Most entries are on the main lobby floor in both wings. Visitors can pick up maps at the information desk in the lobby. The grand prize winning entry and selected other winners will be removed from the display during the third week of December as the resort transports them to New York City for its 14th straight appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Groups traveling by any vehicle that seats 15 or more passengers in size must make parking reservations prior to arrival.

admission: free (parking $10)

info: 1- 800 - 438 - 0050 , ext. 1281 november 22

DRY AGED, PASTURE-RAISED

Asheville’s Only Whole Animal Butchery

artisan Smoked Meats, Sauces, Rubs, Charcuterie

B eef - l amB - p ork - C hiCken

Holiday Parade & Jinglefest 11am

downtown asheville, asheville, nc (starting on biltmore ave heading north) The holiday season in Asheville officially kicks off the week before Thanksgiving with the 68th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade on November 22nd. Of course, downtown Asheville will be a great destination to experience the beautiful decorations and festivities of the holiday season through the end of the year.

admission: free

828-505-3777

| November 2014

The Charles Dickens’ perennial classic, A Christmas Carol comes to life in a spectacular new production featuring all the classic elements with a few new twists.

The industrial setting of 19th century England gives way to a story filled with hope and joy as the entire cast and audience join hearts and voices to a chorus of familiar Christmas carols. A holiday tradition appropriate for all ages, meant to be shared with your entire family and circle of friends.

admission: $30 - $40

info: 828 - 693 - 0731 or 866 -732- 8008 flatrockplayhouse.org november 28

Holiday Tree Lighting 5:30 pm historic courthouse on main st, hendersonville, nc Enjoy entertainment while Santa turns on the Christmas lights in historic downtown.

november 22

november 28 -january 25

Tchaikovsky’s 4th

Asheville Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks 3 - Tchaikovsky’s 4th.

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flat rock playhouse, flat rock , nc

info: 828 -251- 9973

thomas wolfe auditorium , asheville, nc

100 CharloTTe STreeT, aSheville

no showings thanksgiving day

info: 828 -233 -3216 downtownhendersonville.org

8 pm

The Chop Shop BuTChery

- december 21 A Christmas Carol wed, thurs , & sat : 2pm & 8 pm fri & sun: 8 pm november 20

ino: 828 -254 -7046 ashevillesymphony.org

Festival of Lights 5:30 pm - 9: 00 pm chetola resort, blowing rock , nc

A holiday tradition in Blowing Rock, Chetola’s Festival of Lights features a dazzling display of illuminations attracting thousands of visitors each year. A drive around Chetola Lake lets visitors see

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glittering ice skaters, a nativity scene, Rudolph catching a “big fish” in Chetola Lake, and much more. As visitors enter the resort, they are given a guide that details displays and activities taking place throughout the holiday season.

admission: free

info: 828-295-5500 | chetola.com november 28 & 29

Christmas in the Park & Lighting of the Town memorial park , blowing rock , nc Live music, caroling, hot chocolate, cider, hayrides, and visits with Santa from 2pm8pm. The lighting of the Town Tree is at 5:30pm. On Saturday, the Christmas Parade starts at 2pm on Main Street.

info: blowingrock .com november 28 & 29

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol friday 7pm , saturday 2pm & 7pm

diana wortham theatre, 2 south pack square, asheville, nc Creator and remarkably versatile actor Jeremy Webb has re-envisioned this classic by creating a 25 character, family-friendly, one-man play with puppets for ghosts.

admission: regular $30 , children 12 & under $15 , student $25 (day- of $10) info: 828 -257- 4530 dwtheatre.com

november 29

december 6 & 13

traditionally based originals, includes a special focus on unaccompanied ballads.

Mark Weems and Julee Glaub Weems tour together nationally and abroad with a focus on the art of the pure voice with tight harmonies in traditional songs.

Instrumentation includes guitar, fiddle, banjo, flute, dulcimer, piano, and bodhrn.

In addition to performing concerts, they also teach workshops and music camps around the country. Mark has been steeped in the Old Time Tradition for years, while Julee has done the same in the Traditional Irish realm. Together, they bring a beautiful blend of both traditions with a unique harmonic sound that is rare and often beckons the response from audience members.

For many people this Greens Market both defines and inspires the spirit of Christmas. With its fresh-cut trees, handmade wreaths, and homemade baked goods, it has the unmistakable sights and scents of this joyous holiday season.

In addition to decorative garlands and greenery laced with red ribbon, gift possibilities, including handsome, individually designed nutcrackers, hand-turned wood bowls, local pottery and ironwork will be available. New to the market this year will be locally made honey and balsamic vinegars. For 87 years this event, held on the first two Saturdays in December, has provided area shoppers with unique offerings created by Western North Carolina craftsmen and women.

The Greens Market is held at the Club’s headquarters and gardens which is well known as “Clem’s Cabin,” the property is located across the highway from Browntown Road. This event is sponsored by the French Broad River Garden Club Foundation whose mission is “to support environmental and horticultural education and practices, and promote conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.” All proceeds from the sale will go towards local scholarships.

A Celtic Christmas 7:30 pm -10 : 00 pm

Merry Christmas Greens Market 9am - 2pm st elizabeth catholic church , boone, nc clem’s cabin, 1000 hendersonville road, Little Windows, a duo that mixes asheville, nc Appalachian and Irish music, along with

admission: $20 advance, $22 at the door , $11 students , children 12 & under free

mountainhomemusic .com

november 29

Annual Thanksgiving Kiln Opening 10 : 00 am - 10 :30 am bolick pottery, blowing rock , nc Be present for the best selection of wood fired items such as Santa Clauses, face jugs, swirl vases, pitchers, candlesticks, and more, just in time for Christmas.

Food will be served. No coolers, pets, or alcohol permitted.

admission: free

info: traditionspottery.com

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info: fbrgcf.org

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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Our dream team is your child’s reality.

Smart kids need smart teachers.

www.carolinaday.org

828.274.0757

Dr. Patrick Williams

CDS Math & Science Doctorate of Philosophy, Aerospace Enjineering, The Pennsylvannia State University Rocket Scientist, fly fisherman

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Carolina Day School’s faculty fully engages your smart, curious child.

Steeped in a passion for learning & teaching, nationally trained in top developmental research and brain-based instruction, our exceptional faculty radiates an inspirational blend of compassion & high standards.

It’s simple: bright, bold, curious, well-trained teachers lead by example and help bring out the best in your child.

Schedule a tour today to see the difference.

Andy Lammers

CDS Math & Science Master of Science, University of Michigan Coach, blogger, Arctic explorer, National Science Teacher Asssociation presenter | November 2014

Beth Heinberg

CDS Performing Arts BA, Philosophy, St. John’s College Conductor of Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Harvard; jazz performer; Hendrix fan

Mark Driscoll

CDS Multi-Sensory Math B.A. Interactive Digital Design; Master of Teaching, Quinnipiac University Academic All-American Team; track coach; 116th place Boston Marathon 2014

Paige Burton

CDS Fourth Grade B.A. University of SC Design-based learning innovator; catapult model engineer

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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Ingles change

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| November 2014