Capital at Play December 2014

Mary Carol Koester

An Artisan’s Evolution p.38

Andy & Tonya Marthaler Bench Warmer p.58

CA ITAL LAY The Free Spirit Of Enterprise

Cookie APPALACHIA

Company

David Holloman’s business is making people smile p.12

Sweet & Savory 2014

Consuming Fires Sugar & Snow Gelato No Evil Foods Guava Love Foods M&J Dog Essentials Threshold Provisions

p.76

Volume IV - Edition XII complimentary edition

capitalatplay.com

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rying something new can be a challenge. I’m not going to treat that statement as profound or original, but it warrants repeating nonethe-less. The ability to learn something new and to have the courage to tackle the unknown is not something everyone wants to attempt, especially alongside the basic rigors of managing a business. This month, I cordially invite you to take a moment when you read this month’s Featured Capitalists articles to appreciate the various ways that these entrepreneurs have taken a leap of faith in regard to their own potential limitations.

I imagine they’ve all exceeded their own expectations.

The same is true for creativity. You can’t moderate it. Most children know this in their heart, at least until someone tells them otherwise. It’s also a sentiment apparent enough in Western North Carolina that I wrote about in the first edition of Capital At Play. More than three years later, it is more visible than ever. Especially in this year’s “Sweet & Savory,” an annual roundup of burgeoning businesses working their way out of the “cottage industry” scene and into full scale production. If you are looking for a last minute gift, these products will certainly suit almost any holiday occasion, and the best part is that you have a story to give along with the gift.

This year’s selections are exclusively selected from those local entrepreneurs renting time at Blue Ridge Food Ventures’ (BRFV) industrial food kitchens. BRFV itself is a creative venture, growing as a part of Advantage West. All of our selections this year have turned to BRFV to help bring their products to more consumers, but I expect at least some of them will outgrow the rentable kitchen soon as well.

To all capitalists, entrepreneurs, and of course you, the reader, I wish you a happy Festivus and a cheerful end to this year.

Sincerely,

Oby Morgan

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| December 2014

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

5

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p.37

History, culture, and recreation collide in Southwest Virginia

p.66 The Accidental Gardener at a time Debbie Woods, one flowerpot

Volume IV - Edition IX

September 2014

COMPLIMENTARY EDITION

capitalatplay.com

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

Marie Bartlett, Adrianne Gordon, Anthony Harden, John Kerr, Forrest Merithew, Roger McCredie, Anna Raddatz, Toni Sherwood

Sweet & Savory 2014

Consuming Fires Sugar & Snow Gelato No Evil Foods Guava Love Foods M&J Dog Essent ials Threshold Provis ions

p.76

gr aphic designer

Volume IV Edition XII

Hanna Trussler

COMPLI MENTAR Y EDITION

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December 2014

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| December 2014

A selections of Mary Carol Koester’s dingbats, metal plates used for imprinting on book covers. p.38 Photo by Anthony Harden

F E AT U R E S vol. iv

12

DAVID HOLLOMAN

APPALACHIA COOKIE CO.

ed. xii

38

MARY CAROL KOESTER

AN ARTISAN’S EVOLUTION

58

ANDY & TONYA MARTHALER BENCH WARMER

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

9

C ON T EN T S L

d e c e m b e r 2 014

In the Rich Mountain chain, just outside Boone, North Carolina

30

76

The Secrets of Crowdfunding

Sweet & Savory

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

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

Burgeoning businesses share their creative wares for your holiday enjoyment

Tips & tricks from those who have gone where you want to go

colu m ns

briefs

24 O f Beaujolais & Bubbles

26 Carolina in the West

50 E ffective Social Media

54 The Old North State

Written by John Kerr

Written by Adrianne Gordon

68 W hat can go wrong

when business is play?

Written by Forrest Merithew

10

| December 2014

72 National & World News

Consuming Fires Sugar & Snow Gelato No Evil Foods Guava Love Foods M&J Dog Essentials Threshold Provisions

events

90 A buffet of gatherings...

and holiday celebrations for you to choose from this December.

Or if you’re not inclined to leave your warm winter’s nest, just sit back and enjoy your favorite local publication around a crackling fire and warm company.

on the cover : Appalachia Cookie Company’s specialty Christmas cookie: peppermint mocha. Photo by Anthony Harden.

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Appalachia DAVID HOLLOMAN’S

Cookie Company written by anna r addatz

|

photos by anthony harden

A hot, homemade cookie just might be the ultimate comfort food. Each single serving disc of dough feels like a special dessert made for one, tempting grown adults to eschew daily dietary concerns and revert back to carefree childhood pleasures.

12

| December 2014

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

13

Whether the memory is decorating holiday sugar cookies as a child, whipping up a latenight batch of chocolate chip cookies with friends, or a visit to a beloved bakery, the scents and flavors are stuck with us for life. Easier to make than pie and less formal than cake, cookies are the humble, approachable heroes of the dessert world.

14

| December 2014

However, unless you bake them from scratch yourself, it can be difficult to find cookies that live up to their potential. Brandname cookies that come in cardboard boxes or plastic packaging are either dry and dusty, or chemically chewy. Grocery store bakeries are usually a better option, but some of their products sit on display for days, losing their luster. Unless you happen to visit a true bakery at just the right time, it’s hard to get that fresh-from-the-oven, hot cookie yumminess that makes the world feel like a better place.

Appalachia Cookie Company is changing all that.

Located in and serving Boone, North Carolina, the small but quickly-growing business makes delicious cookies from scratch—and answers house calls. What started out as a cookie-baking and late night delivery service targeted towards

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

15

students at Appalachian State University now has expanded hours and delivers a variety of baked-to-order cookies (as well as brownies and, of course, milk) to residents, businesses, schools, and other groups in the area.

Owner David Holloman is only 27 years old and graduated from Appalachian State himself less than a year ago. As a marketing and management double major (with a concentration in entrepreneurship and a minor in supply chain management and sustainable development), Holloman says he has always had what is commonly referred to as “the entrepreneurial spirit,” and he knew he was on a path to start a business. But he wasn’t sure exactly what that business would be until his senior year.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Holloman had a series of jobs and attended other schools before transfer r ing to Appalachian State. After high school (during which he started a clothing company), he got his real estate license and worked in real estate in Virginia Beach from 2006 to 2008. Then, for the following two years, he worked in management at Vector, the marketing arm of Cutco, a cutlery manufacturer. Throughout this time, he bounced around var ious educational institutions—from Tidewater Com mu nit y College, Virginia Beach Campus, to Old Dominion University to George Mason University.

In 2011 he transferred to Appalachian State to complete his degree. He was familiar with Boone, because his parents had moved to the town about a decade earlier (his mother had graduated from Appalachian State in 1984), so he had spent summers and holidays there.

As he went through his business classes and tossed around entrepreneurial ideas, he recalled a business he had stumbled upon during his days with Vector. While he was running a branch office in Virginia, he learned of a late-night cookie delivery service. He thought it was an intriguing business model—and he thought he could do it better.

“I wanted to do something that would make people smile,” says

While he had always enjoyed cooking, Holloman says he was “never really a baker by any stretch of the imagination.”

As a result, the endeavor started with a lot of trial and error. “We made a lot of really bad cookies,” he admits.

16

| December 2014

david holloman

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

17

david & steve holloman

Holloman, “something that would make people feel good.” From a business perspective, he also thought a cookie baking and delivery service was doable with the level of business experience he had—“It wasn’t so far-fetched that I couldn’t learn how to do it,” he says—and it wouldn’t take too much capital to get up and running.

So back in Boone, Holloman started learning how to make cookies.

While he had always enjoyed cooking, Holloman says he was “never really a baker by any stretch of the imagination.” As a result, the endeavor started with a lot of trial and error. “We made a lot of really bad cookies,” he admits.

At the time, Holloman and his brother, Steve, lived in an apartment above a bar in downtown Boone. Their neighbors became cookie recipe guinea pigs, as the brothers knocked on doors, asking for feedback. But after a while, those neighbors came knocking on their door asking for cookies. It was at that point that they realized they may be onto something.

Holloman wrote up a business plan and started looking for space. He befriended Don Cox, owner of Bald Guy Brew, a local 18

| December 2014

coffee roasting business, who had a space right outside the Boone city limits. Cox offered to split the rent with Holloman while he got his business up and running, a gesture that Holloman says was a “huge help that made it an easy startup transition.”

In August of 2013, Holloman began moving into the space, a 1,000-square-foot storefront in a small retail strip on the NC Highway 105 Bypass. The plan was to open that month, but unforeseen hiccups caused delays. First the hot water heater didn’t work, then new wiring had to be installed for the ovens.

After a couple months, Holloman became impatient, concerned that they needed to get the business off the ground before his main target market—students—left for winter break. So in November, he announced to his skeleton crew—comprised of himself, his brother, and a friend, all working without pay—that they would open that month.

“It was a mess,” Holloman says. The business opened two weeks before finals during Holloman’s last semester. His classes at the time included an entrepreneurship class that involved writing a mock business plan (a skill he had already put to use for Appalachia Cookie Company) and an intensive personal selling class that involved working with a sales mentor (causing Holloman to muse whether he could just be his own mentor).

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When not in class, Holloman was working on the business, working late into the night with cookie deliveries offered between 11pm and 2am. How did he get through it? “A lot of coffee,” he says. “Clearly, I’m a glutton for punishment.”

During the soft opening phase, the business was open from mid-November through mid-December. It closed for winter break, and opened up again—more officially, this time—in January of 2014.

Having worked out the kinks at the end of the year, things went more smoothly after that. In fact, they went much better than Holloman ever expected.

“I went back a few months ago and really looked at the projections in my business plan, and they’re laughable,” he says.

Usually when entrepreneurs say their projections were “laughable,” they mean that their business pla n wa s much more optimistic and ambitious than reality could sustain. But in Holloman’s case, it’s just the opposite. He says that the business has over three times as many employees and triple or quadruple the number of sales that he had expected to see within the first year. “I had no idea that we would take off as quickly as we did,” he says.

“The sense of guilt from eating a cookie will be a bit diminished when you know that you’re helping feed someone who can’t afford to eat,” jokes Holloman.

Today the business has 24 employees in addition to Holloman—

ten drivers, ten kitchen staff, and four managers. On average, the business makes 800 to 1,000 cookies per day, all of which are baked to order and delivered right out of the oven.

Holloman estimates that about three-quarters of those cookies are going to students, the business’ original fans. Holloman and his friends worked hard to market to this community via social media (the business’ Facebook page currently has over 5,400 “likes”). And its easy to see why the affordable and convenient service appeals to college students, who stay up late studying or partying.

But through word of mouth and by becoming more involved in the community, the business is being discovered by others as well. Elementary and high schools order hundreds of cookies at a time for events and spirit rallies. Businesses order them for meetings and office parties. Nonprofits, schools, fraternities, and sororities purchase bulk orders at a steep discount and sell

20

| December 2014

steve holloman

STA RT U P A DV ICE

from David Holloman “Don’t wait for the perfect time because it will never, ever come. If we hadn’t one day said, ‘We’re opening tonight,’ who knows where we’d be.”

“Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you. There are always going to be people who think what you’re doing is crazy.”

“Make connections with everybody and don’t be afraid to ask them for help. That’s something that has saved me more times than I can count.”

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

21

the cookies at fundraisers.

However, with an $8 minimum order, anyone with a hankering for sweets can get cookies delivered right to their door. Customers can also stop by the bakery location for a carry-out order. The current business hours of 11am to 2am (with deliveries starting at 2pm) mean that non-night-owls can also get their cookie fix.

Just what kind of cookies are we talking about here?

Holloman says they now have 17 to 18 cookies available at any one time, with rotating seasonal flavors. They vary from the classics (chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, and oatmeal raisin) to the innovative (cheesecake, s’mores) to the elaborate (blueberry white chocolate oatmeal). There are even vegan and gluten-free options.

A stand-out hit is a special cookie Holloman developed called the “Ron Swanson,” affectionately named after the popular character on the Parks and Recreation sitcom and containing a heart-stopping (and appropriately “manly”) combination of bacon and whiskey.

For some, it might be difficult to get excited about a cookie. But to experience these confections in person is a different matter. They are huge, gooey affairs (a box of a dozen has a heft that will make your arm tired) that don’t skimp on sugar, butter, or other flavorful ingredients. One taste confirms the superlatives expressed on Facebook, TripAdvisor, and Yelp, where reviewers repeatedly proclaim that these are the best cookies they’ve ever had—“literally.”

If Holloman has his way, soon people outside of Boone will be able to experience Appalachia Cookie Company as well. While a second location is on the horizon (he has got his eye on Asheville), a major way of scaling the business will involve shipping cookies nationwide, a functionality Holloman and his website consultant are putting the final touches on now.

In addition, in December the business is launching an initiative it calls the 30/30 Project. Using a subscription model, customers will pay $30 per month to receive a dozen cookies in the mail; and for every $30 it receives, Appalachia Cookie Company will donate enough money to Boone’s Hunger and Health Coalition to supply 30 pounds of food to a needy family in Watauga County. “The sense of guilt from eating a cookie will be a bit diminished when you know that you’re helping feed

someone who can’t afford to eat,” jokes Holloman.

But in all seriousness, Holloman is very excited about this program. For him, it completes the picture of a business that makes a good product, delivers a good service, and also does good for the community. Once the 30/30 Project is underway, he hopes to be able to expand it to partnerships with other nonprofits in the area. He’s especially interested in working with small, local nonprofits. “I feel like the grassroots movements need funding more than the larger, national ones,” he explains.

Listening to Holloman talk about the business’ success and its plans for growth, it’s easy to forget that the Appalachia Cookie Company has only been around for less than a year. While there have been plenty of learning experiences and a number of mishaps—for example, the store was robbed this summer before Holloman installed a security system—overall, the results have been better than anyone predicted.

While some people were initially less than supportive—Holloman says, “a lot of folks that weren’t familiar with the concept thought it was a joke and that I was a crazy person”—Holloman, his family, and his friends were optimistic.

“I had great aspirations for it,” he says, “but I didn’t expect it to do as well as we have so far.

To what does Holloman attribute this success?

While his previous business experience and education are certainly factors, Holloman says the support from both the university faculty and the community have been overwhelming. “In all the other kinds of businesses I’ve done and the other places I’ve lived,” he says, “you don’t get the kind of support you get here.” He also says working alongside his brother, Steve, who helped him get the business off the ground and now acts as the store manager, was an essential ingredient.

But on a personal level, Holloman says that his ability to handle adversity has served him well as an entrepreneur. “When something goes wrong, I tend to have a pretty positive attitude and bounce back from things.” Combined with an entrepreneur’s unflappable optimism and a streak of stubborn independence (he says he loves making decisions that don’t have to be run up through a chain of command), Holloman seems well on his way to a long and successful business career—one delicious cookie at a time.

While some people were initially less than supportive— Holloman says “a lot of folks that weren’t familiar with the concept thought it was a joke and that I was a crazy person”—Holloman, his family, and his friends were optimistic.

22

| December 2014

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Of Beaujolais & bubbles

J

john is the co-owner of Metro Wines located on Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville.

by JOHN KERR

M

y favorite time of year is just around the corner. If your December holidays are anything like ours, you’ll soon find your kitchen bursting with friends and family, and a spill over crowd of sports fans planted in the TV room. And the food you serve is just as diverse as the folks who have taken over your home. You’ll soon find your table covered with a jumbled smorgasbord of everyone’s favorite dishes from recipes gathered over generations.

The annual conundrum is which wines to serve with the diversity of tastes and textures present on the holiday table.

To cast the widest culinary net, look for wines with higher acidity, little oak, and alcohol well below 14%. Higher acidity is the classic characteristic of a food wine, refreshing your palate after each sip. However, higher oak imparts bitter tannins that will clash with even the slightest sweetness, ruling out your favorite sweet potato and marshmallow dish. And higher alcohol amplifies the heat in spicy foods, so keep the alcohol low to avoid guests running for the milk after eating a pepperoncini.

Much like fruitcake, cranberry sauce, and other wayward relatives, sparkling wine and Beaujolais pretty much appear only during the holidays. We relegate sparkling wines to aperitif status and serve Beaujolais at one meal a year, if at all. Many sommeliers are a little bewildered that more of us don’t serve these two wines along with our holiday feasts. You can spot this 24

| December 2014

in some fine restaurants, where sommeliers are serving these wines as their secret food pairing.

So, what do they know that we don’t? Let’s start with sparkling wine. Champagne and other sparklers are arguably the most versatile food wines out there. Brut sparkling contains a high level of acidity and a small amount of sugar. These two extremes complement just about any food other than possibly steak and desserts.

Yes, the sparkling is versatile but certain foods match best.

And those are foods with texture and a little extra salt. You’ll find that texture in the combination of traditional holiday dishes on your table, when you take a simultaneous bite of the turkey, stuffing, and green beans. Looking for the easiest holiday party possible? Invite your friends or office mates over for a glass of bubbly accompanied by popcorn and potato chips. Toast the New Year and then watch them swoon when they taste this pairing.

Changes afoot in the Champagne world give you new opportunities for value. The recent grower Champagne movement is producing unique and distinctive Champagnes which reflect the attributes of the land on which they are grown. Rather than sell their grapes to the big wineries, farmers produce their own Champagne or Cremant (another category of sparkling French wine) using grapes from just one village or even a single vineyard. One example worth pursuing is the Cremant Jean-Luc Joillot Cuvée Agnes. The French recently voted this Cremant as their fourth best sparkler. And it’s about half the price of

J

Veuve Cliquot, which came in at (a respectable) ninth place.

Aren’t you safe by simply selecting the big name Champagnes? Many well known champagnes are a victim of their own popularity. Higher global demand spurs the need for more grapes. Since their original vineyards are as big as they’re ever going to be, the wineries must buy grapes from other properties. The addition of grapes from lesser vineyards has caused a slow decline in quality for some big name Champagnes.

And this will continue, as many Champagne houses are now pushing the French government to expand the official borders of the Champagne appellation. Avoid the land mines by selecting the champagne consistently voted by the French as their favorite, Pol Roger.

Another tip for value is to buy from wineries that offer wines at several different levels of quality. Yes, quality is a big factor in higher prices, but so is supply and demand. To keep prices up, many wineries will limit supply by blending some of the premium juice into their entry level bottles. Roderer Estates, a sparkler from Anderson Valley at about $27, is a consistent award winner with ratings often at 90 points or higher. Rumor has it that this success might come from a bit of the French Louis Roderer at $60 added to its California cousin.

And look to Spain for another source of value sparklers. Few know that the name “cava” cannot appear on a label unless the Spanish sparkler is made using the same methods as Champagne. One of the three renowned Cava houses is Gramona. Their highest quality cava at $120 ranked with Dom Perignon and Bolinger in a recent blind tasting. But you can get the Gramona Imperial cava at $30, about half the price of Champagnes with comparable quality. And if you’re looking for even greater value, try Juma y Camps at $15. The new King of Spain poured Juma y Camps to celebrate his inauguration. And if it’s good enough for a king…

Don’t like Beaujolais? If you’ve quaffed only Beaujolais Nouveau, you are missing one of the greatest pairings of the holidays. Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine made in a few weeks to celebrate the end of the harvest. In the 1980s large producers looking for quick cash unleashed their marketing machines, who made this hastily made Beaujolais the latest wine craze. When the novelty wore off, French producers had to dump over one million cases. Most people who tried these Nouveau never forgot or returned.

This year, pour a cru Beaujolais. Made like a fine wine, those in the biz view a cru like a good red Burgundy at half the price. And like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais can easily take on the cacophony of dishes that appear on your holiday table. To get the most from this wine, it’s best to serve it slightly chilled to about 55 degrees. Just open the bottle to let it air and place it in the refrigerator about 40 minutes before serving. To experience just how complex and elegant a cru Beaujolais can be, consider serving Jean-Paul Brun Brouilly or earl Daniel Bouland Morgan, both at about $30.

In the 1980s large producers looking for quick cash unleashed their marketing machines, who made this hastily made Beaujolais the latest wine craze.

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CAROLINA in the

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news briefs

Tourism awards nearly $5 million to community projects buncombe county

The Buncombe County Tourism D evelopment Aut hor it y (B CTDA) provided a record amount of dollars from its Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) to five community projects. BCTDA voted to award five grants, totaling $4,825,000, to five community projects. The grants are given from TPDF and mark the largest amount awarded since the Fund’s inception in 2001.

Funding will assist with construction of projects that are expected to attract overnight visitors and generate spending at local businesses, jobs, and tax revenue. The projects are also community assets that will be enjoyed by Buncombe

]

County citizens. Recipients of the 2014 funding cycle for the TPDF are The Enka Center Ballfields, Highland Brewing Company, R iver front Destination Development Project, Riverlink, and the Collider. The Enka Center Ballfields project was awarded $2 million (the largest single amount ever awarded to one project in the history of the fund) to construct seven new ball fields and facilities in the Enka-Candler area that will enable the region to host traveling youth baseball and college softball tournaments and provide space for local youth sports. Highland Brewing Company will receive $850,000 for expansion and improvements that will enhance the guest experience, including roof top access, event space, and upgraded tour amenities. The Riverfront Destination Development Project in the City of Asheville was granted $1.8

million for capital improvements along the French Broad River, including a network of visitor amenities such as a Riverfront Arts and Culture Dispensary, pedestrian walkway connections, greenways, boat ramps, and a train-viewing platform. Riverlink will receive $25,000 for establishment of commercial-grade river access at the Pearson Bridge to facilitate usage of river experiences and activities. The Collider, a project of the Asheville-Buncombe Sustainable Community Initiatives, was awarded $150,000 for the creation of a state-ofthe-art business and conference facility in downtown, which will host primarily mid-week corporate events and leverage growing demand for expertise from the nearby National Climatic Data Center.

New Autogas Research & Technology Center asheville , nc

Mid-October, the nation’s first Autogas Research and Technology Center managed by Blossman Services Inc. and the Blossman Gas Asheville-area store moved from its Candler location to 170 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville. The

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renovated more than 11,000-square-foot building housing the two operations was given an art deco, retro re-style with sustainability and carbon reduction a key goal. The world-class Autogas Research & Technology Center will produce all of its power on-site, 40% from solar and 60% from a propane powered micro CHP (Combined Heat and Power) generation system. The building features technology producing 68% emissions reduction versus centralized power generation. The microCHP system is powered by reliable, abundant, American-made propane supplemented with solar panels. This building is constructed and engineered to represent the “building of the future.” The building will also house the Blossman Gas Appliance & Hearth Store, a 5,000-square-foot retail location for Blossman Gas. Sixteen Blossman’s Asheville employees will be relocating to this new facility, where they will conduct customer service operations and provide customer assistance in the new showroom facilities. An all propane-powered mobile Tiny House was also developed and is housed on site. The Tiny House will be traveling to store events throughout the 12-state Blossman market. Ed Hoffman is the new president of Blossman Services.

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carolina in the west

Brewery Awards Grant To Rise & Shine

Flat Rock Playhouse’s New Artistic Director

brevard, nc

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Rise & Shine has been awarded a $10,000 matching grant from the Oskar Blues CAN’d Aid Foundation. The grant will offer leverage for the nonprofit Rise & Shine’s annual appeal and aid in the advancement of the nonprofit’s mission to enrich children, empower parents, and encourage community. The CAN’d Aid Foundation will match all funds raised by Rise & Shine for its annual appeal between now and January 1st.

This opportunity will directly impact more than 50 students enrolled in Rise & Shine’s after-school program, 40 parents and family members of those children, and more than 30 teachers of Transylvania County who benefit from their Racial Equity trainings. The program’s impact reportedly improves the lives of 1,400 low-income, racially diverse people in Transylvania County and the entire community as a whole. The CAN’d Aid Foundation awards grassroots grants for worthy projects across the country.

Oskar Blues Brewery matches all funds raised by the foundation.

The Board of Trustees of Flat Rock Playhouse announced Lisa K. Bryant as the fourth artistic director in the 62-year history of the theater. Bryant has been serving as the Playhouse’s acting artistic director since May and prior to that was the associate artistic director beginning in 2012. Bryant brings a long history of artistic excellence, leadership, and collaboration to her new role. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, My Fair Lady, Cats, Once On This Island, and RENT are just a few of the shows Bryant has directed as Flat Rock Playhouse associate and acting artistic director. Each has received rave reviews from both longtime patrons and critics alike and delivered solid box office results. Bryant began her career with Flat Rock Playhouse as an apprentice in 1994. Since then, she has played a myriad of roles including intern, actor, teacher, writer, apprentice director, associate artistic director, and most recently, acting artistic director. Over the years, Bryant has developed broad experience in a variety of places. She earned her BFA

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in musical theatre from Elon University and her MFA in performance from the University of Central Florida. The majority of her career has been as an actress.

Leading roles at Flat Rock Playhouse include Hairspray, South Pacific, 42nd Street, and And Then There Were None to name just a few. She starred in the short film Miss Julianne, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and earned her numerous acting accolades. Additionally, she starred in the Indie film The Karaoke King.

external revenues through admission charges. He estimates the parkway could be eligible for about $700,000 in funding over the next five years to address muchneeded improvements. The program will be available to undergraduate and graduate students from any major, as well as recent graduates.

Haywood hospital sold to Duke LifePoint haywood county

Appalachian selected for 21st Century Conservation Service Corps program boone , nc

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Appalachian State University’s longtime partnership with the Blue Ridge Parkway and other National Park Service (NPS) units has led to the university’s inclusion in the U.S. Department of the Interior’s 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Program (21CSC). The service corps program is an initiative to engage young people in protecting, restoring, and enhancing National Park Service venues. In addition to Appalachian, partnership members include significant federal, state, local, and nonprofit leaders and stakeholders. Membership in 21CSC permits Appalachian and NPS units to identify joint projects and apply for federal funds for the work that would be conducted by students from Appalachian hired as interns or seasonal employees. Projects could include historic preservation, environmental or historic education activities, and park restoration or work to protect natural spaces. Dr. Mark Spond, Appalachian’s liaison with the Blue Ridge Parkway and a research assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, said the service corps program will provide an important source of support to the parkway, which doesn’t generate

During a public hearing in November, a parade of community leaders, doctors, nurses, and hospital supporters gave overwhelming support for the sale of Haywood Regional Medical Center to Duke LifePoint. The Haywood Regional Medical Center board of directors voted unanimously after the public hearing to proceed with the sale of the hospital to Duke LifePoint Healthcare system.

Haywood Regional has been teetering on the edge of a financial cliff for the past several years. It’s lost money or barely broken even. This year, however, it made nearly $5 million. Yet, given the annual budget of $110 million, such a small profit margin is barely above the “survival threshold” and no cause for celebration, according to Jeff Summer, a strategic hospital analyst with Stroudwater Associates consulting firm. Frank Powers, chairman of the Haywood Regional hospital board of trustees, called the sale to Duke LifePoint a “generational move” for the hospital. The hospital and Duke LifePoint will now enter a due diligence period. A final deal should be established by spring.

Duke LifePoint offered $26.2 million for Haywood Regional Medical Center and pledged a capital investment of $36 million in hospital facilities, equipment, technology, staff training, and physician recruitment over the first eight years.

Duke LifePoint is also buying WestCare, which includes Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva and Swain County Medical Center.

The sale price for WestCare has not been

released. The sale of the hospitals will include all their related assets: urgent care clinics in Canton, Waynesville, and Sylva; medical complexes under the hospitals’ names; doctor’s practices owned by the hospitals; and the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center.

armaments built along France’s border with Germany was meant to slow an invasion by German troops.

Harrah’s $633 million expansion cherokee , nc

Flat Rock woman’s WWII journal published flat rock , nc

Treska Lindsey held a book signing and artwork showing in November at the Highland Lake Cove in Flat Rock.

Lindsey, 90, not only survived the years of German Nazism during World War II, but managed to affectionately record her family’s experiences in a journal she kept by her side as they worked in occupied France after fleeing Belgium.

The journal traveled with her the long miles between her homeland and Flat Rock, where she and her husband came to settle. The English translation of her book, The Brutish and Magical Years: 1940-1944, is illustrated with beautifully detailed sketches of her family at work in the countryside and the people of France they met. When she was 87 years old, her brother successfully urged her to show the journal to a French publisher, and it was eventually printed. Born Therese Gevaert, she was the daughter of artist Edgar Gevaert and the granddaughter, on her mother’s side, of sculptor George Minne. She said her family was one of artists. So it was only natural that, as a 16-year-old girl, uprooted from her comfortable life in the Belgian countryside, she would turn to art to describe their new lives as refugees working as farm laborers and lumberjacks. She was the seventh of 11 children and only 15 when, while still in Belgium, her father took a family vote as to whether they should donate gold coins to the French government. The money, she said, was used to help construct the Maginot Line. This line of concrete barriers, obstacles, and

As Harrah’s Cherokee Casino closes on the final year of a massive $633 million expansion, the construction site will soon give way to a luxury resort positioning the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for unparalleled economic dominance in the region. The project had 1,100 construction workers at its peak and 43 architects and interior designers. The expansion was an enormous attempt to change the face of Cherokee’s casino into a resort destination and draw a new demographic of gamer. As the largest construction project in the Southeast, it was no small feat in recession times.

However, according to Darold Londo, general manager of Harrah’s Cherokee, the tribe simply could not continue to sit on its laurels. The tribe depends on casino money for many of its services, from subsidizing the hospital and the school system to native language programs for children. Families also rely on their individual cut to make car payments, buy medicine, and put their kids through college. When the expansion is finished in 2015, the casino will have completed a five-year construction project while remaining one of the most profitable Harrah’s casino properties in the nation. Stitched in by mountains on a landlocked reservation, Cherokee had little choice but to build up. Harrah’s hotel towers are the only structures west of Asheville in the state equipped with seismograph detectors.

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The Secrets of Crowdfunding written by toni sherwood

You’ve got a great business idea or passion project, now all you need is a little cash to get started.

Funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people, typically via the Internet, is what crowdfunding is all about. There are three basic participants: the person or group looking to start the venture, the many people who donate to it (the crowd), and the platform that brings the parties together (such as Indiegogo or Kickstarter).

So basically, you open an account through one of the many available crowdfunding platforms, and then sit back and watch the money pour in.

Right?

According to the insiders, it’s not that simple.

“There’s no automatic crowd for 99% of campaigns,” Justin Belleme, president of JB Media Group, says. “People aren’t out there just looking for campaigns to fund.”

Get ready

The Billy Jonas Band launched a campaign on Indiegogo on September 4, 2014, with a goal of $30,000 earmarked to record and publicize their new CD. “It took about a year between our initial brainstorming and the launch of our campaign,” musician Billy Jonas says. The band spent this time researching other campaigns and crowdfunding opinions on the rewards they would offer.

“I spent months of research,” filmmaker Paul Schattel says, “I made a media list of relevant online magazine and blogs, then whittled it down to the top 50.” Schattel is seeking $30,000 30

| December 2014

c loc k wi s e from top rig ht :

The Billy Jonas Band— (left to right) Juan Holladay, Ashley Jo Farmer, Sherman Hoover, & Billy Jonas.

Photo by Steve Mann Sarah, Chad, & the Smiling Hara Tempeh team.

Photo by S. Yancey Outrider’s co-owners Daniel Rhyne, Tommy Ausherman, & Jesse Lee. Photo by Eric Hicks of electricbike.com Filmmaker Paul Schattel. Photo by Rob Goerke bulk ingredients as well as pay for marketing costs, design, lab testing, nutritional panels, organic and kosher certifications, production costs, shipping costs, and distributor fees.

Yancey told her story of first tasting homemade tempeh, which ignited her passion. She talked about the decision to partner with the organization Growing Warriors to provide the organic hemp seeds and beans in HEMPEH. Growing Warriors is a working farm in Kentucky that teaches military veterans how to grow their own food. Her passion and vision inspired several conference attendees to promise donations to the HEMPEH campaign.

Choose A Platform

for production of an independent film, American Breakdown.

His campaign launched on November 3, 2014. “It’s basically a full-time job,” Schattel admits, “I set aside the month of November to do this.”

Belleme was among the panel of experts at Blue Ridge Community College’s 2014 Crowdfunding Conference organized

by Gary C. Heisey, director of the College’s Small Business Center. The sold-out event attracted small business owners and entrepreneurs from all over Western North Carolina.

JB Media Group brought their client, Sarah Yancey, co-owner of Smiling Hara Tempeh, LLC, to talk about her experience with crowdfunding so far. Yancey and her business partner, Chad Oliphant, were only ten days into their Kickstarter campaign, seeking $20,000 for their new product HEMPEH, a hemp-based tempeh. The funds were earmarked to purchase

According to Belleme, although there are hundreds of crowdfunding websites now, Kickstarter and Indiegogo remain the biggest.

Musician Jeff Thompson launched a Kickstarter campaign June 2, 2014 to raise $8,000 to produce his first studio recorded album in 14 years. Friends suggested he use GoFundMe because it offered ‘flexible funding,’ meaning even if the campaign did not reach its goal, he would get to keep any funds he did raise. But Thompson says in his research, the most successful campaigns were ‘all or nothing.’ “It’s sort of counter-intuitive,” Thompson admits, “but it lights a fire under fans.”

“I like the all or nothing,” Schattel admits, “the urgency motivates people.” He also feels like Kickstarter is a more visible brand. “You can say to people, I’m doing my ‘Kickstarter.’

That’s a word now.”

Jonas chose Indigogo because he liked the idea of flexible funding. “All or nothing is a great incentive and very brave,” Jonas says, “but I’ve got enough stress in my life already.”

Indiegogo is a good pick for a nonprofit because it is compatible with 501(c) donations, which are not possible on Kickstarter.

Some platforms specialize in certain types of funding, such as DonorsChoose for school supplies, or GiveForward for medical expenses. Each platform charges fees, usually a percentage of the funds raised, as well as processing fees.

These add up, so it’s advisable to plan ahead for them when setting your funding goal.

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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The 30% Rule

“Once a project gets thirty percent funded, there’s a success rate of seventy percent,” Kimberly Daggerhart, director of public relations and crowdfunding manager at JB Media Group, says, “whereas the average success rate on Kickstarter is forty-four percent.”

Knowing this, smart campaigners go to their close circle and ask for pledges long before the campaign begins.

With 30% pledged up front, the odds of success increase exponentially. But what if you can’t get 30% pledged up front? “It’s a great test for an idea,” Daggerhart says. “If you can’t get thirty percent prior to launch, maybe you need to rethink it.”

Belleme believes part of the success formula is to set a realistic goal in the first place, and he often talks clients down. “Lower is better,” Belleme says.

“Anything over $30,000 is challenging.”

“It’s a great test for an idea,” Daggerhart says.“If you can’t get thirty percent prior to launch, maybe you need to rethink it.”

Alex Krug preparing Smiling Hara Tempeh at Blue Ridge Food Ventures.

Photo by Anthony Harden.

An Enticing Campaign

One of the most effective ways to reach audiences these days is video, and every campaign needs a good one. Brooks Norman, president of Top Rank Film Studios, recommends keeping your video between 60 and 90 seconds. “You need a short initial video to hook the audience,” Norman says. “You can then have three or four other videos for those interested in continuing to explore.”

Norman stresses the importance of shooting in high definition video, using a tripod, and capturing pristine sound with an external microphone. “Don’t shoot it on your iPhone,” Norman advises, “and don’t forget: ask for the money in the video.”

Jonas spent about $2,000 creating a professional music video with a song written just for the campaign. They also rolled out updated videos every 10 days with sneak peeks of the CD music.

Thompson made a slick, fun, three-minute professional video for his campaign. But once the campaign launched he sensed it wasn’t resonating with his fans. “My parents commented, ‘If we didn’t know you and saw it, I don’t think we would be compelled to contribute.’” Another friend with a marketing background suggested he include his music. “I panicked,” Thompson admits.

On tour at the time, Thompson spent 24 hours writing out his life story, and then filming and editing a second film on his own.

Although the film runs over eight minutes, he spoke from the heart. “As soon as I put up the new video, donations started flying in,” Thompson says. “There’s a connection between people’s 32

| December 2014

Filmmaker Paul Schattel with Rebecca Morris

hearts and their wallets.”

Most campaigns offer rewards for varying levels of contributions. These can be anything from a handwritten thank-you note, to a t-shirt, to composing a song. The more unique and creative your rewards are, the better. Be sure to factor the expense of rewards, including postage fees, and the time it will take to get the rewards out there, into your overall budget and plan.

Get Help

Jonas hired a consultant, Jaime Morton of Arts Promo, to help him focus and crack the whip. “We hired her two weeks before the launch, but we should have hired her two months before,” Jonas admits.

Thompson also hired Green Inbox (greeninbox.com), a service that sends out an email blast to all your contacts with a link to your campaign. With over 2,500 Facebook friends,

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l e f t & b e l o w : The Outrider 422 Alpha on a dirt road in Pisgah National Forest. Photos by Frank Bott.

and because he was on tour during the campaign, Thompson knew he needed help, but using the service had an unexpected benefit. “If I had done the emails myself, I probably would not have chosen to email a lot of people I barely knew, or that I did not expect to donate,” Thompson says, “but many of them did.”

“What JB Media did for Outrider was nothing short of a miracle,” Eva Clement, attorney and founder of Clement Law Firm, says.

The Outrider Kickstarter campaign launched on March 11, 2014, seeking $100,000 for production costs for the Horizon Trike, an adapted-use, pedal-electric, all-terrain trike for those with or without disabilities.

“The owners were a couple of twenty-something guys living in their workspace, basically homeless,” Clement says. “They spent their last dollars hiring JB Media, and now they’re an international phenomenon.”

But the campaign was no cakewalk. Belleme recommends having one to three staff working full-time on a campaign, beginning 90 days before launch. “It took a tremendous amount of effort on our part,” Belleme admits.

Outrider co-founders Jesse Lee, Tommy Ausherman, and Daniel Rhyne were in the trenches with continual video updates.

During the campaign, Lee even set an electric bike world record pedaling 173 miles in 12 hours. By the April 10th deadline, they had raised $126,231, earning the title of “Most Funded” Kickstarter project in Western North Carolina history and the #2 “Most Funded” electric bike project in Kickstarter history.

Exposure

“Crowd funding requires a lot of work and time, but it gets you a ton of exposure,” Belleme says. “That’s the real value.”

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| December 2014

Rick Smith has spent 26 years working as a Microsoft Solutions provider for huge companies like Pepsi and IBM. But when his wife, a retired Marine Corps Sergeant, police officer, and paramedic, was diagnosed with melanoma lymphoma, his worldview shifted. “I don’t want to leave this earth knowing I didn’t give back,” Smith says.

He hopes his Asheville Consulting Services will impact the community by providing jobs and services for those in need.

His Indiegogo campaign is seeking a modest $500, the minimum a campaign can ask for. “Mostly we’re seeking exposure,” Smith says.

Media coverage is a huge part of the success formula. “You need support from strangers,” Daggerhart says. “Media coverage increases your project’s exposure to potential backers.”

With thousands of campaigns launching weekly, the competition is stiff. The press is looking for a national caliber story angle, universal appeal, and a high likelihood of success. Discover what makes your project unique, write a press release, and don’t hesitate to get it out there.

On the Horizon: Equity crowdfunding

“Equity crowdfunding is the leading edge of creative funding,” Clement says. “It’s a fabulous idea in concept, but the reality is it’s very technical in nature.”

Title III is one of several provisions in the “Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act” (JOBS Act) signed by President Obama in 2012. Title III is the provision that will allow non-accredited investors to participate in equity crowdfunding—that is, the trading of securities for startups and unlisted companies.

The SEC, however, is in the process of reviewing Title III, to finalize the rules and exemptions of equity crowdfunding.

Until they do, equity crowdfunding is basically stalled, except for ‘accredited investors.’ An accredited investor—with a few exceptions for entities—either has over $1 million in net worth (minus

list of secrets:

Contribute: (to other people’s campaigns) Previously, Schattel contributed to a campaign to fund the making of Blue Ruin, a film that eventually premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. By donating to the campaign, Schattel was able to connect with the filmmaker on a personal level.

“Now we email each other as people,” Schattel says. And now his network includes another successful filmmaker.

Prepare: Research other campaigns. Get feedback from trusted friends on incentives and rewards. Leave yourself plenty of time to set everything up: email templates, connect bank accounts, and create engaging and informative content. Don’t forget spell check. Clear your schedule to work the campaign.

Entice: Make a great video to hook your audience.

Prepare video updates to roll out regularly during the campaign. Go for heartfelt videos and content.

Prime the pump: If the 30% rule means once you hit 30% your chances of succeeding are 70%, then why not line up those contributions before the campaign even begins? Also, line up a few names you know you can call in case you’re close and need to borrow enough to meet your goal.

Connect: Go for one-on-one interactions with potential donors and fans. It’s time-consuming, but it can also be a great way to connect with people you know in a different way. Schattel says, “It was nice reaching out to clients and not feel like I’m fishing for work.” In the final weeks, Jonas spent 30 hours composing personal emails to potential donors, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. “I could have doubled what we got if I had time to do more one-on-one emails,” Jonas admits.

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU With winter chill in the air, snow covered treetops and mountains in view, our thoughts turn ever more gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. Along with our sincere gratitude, Asheville Savings Bank wishes you and yours a wonderful holiday season, with special cheers for making it happen in 2015!

Get engaged: Interact with the crowd by updating your campaign regularly. Ask for fan feedback and suggestions during the campaign. Allow the crowd to submit their own perk ideas if they don’t see the reward they’re hoping for.

Vision: Plan beyond your campaign’s financial goal, encouraging donors to keep contributing to meet the future ‘stretch goal.’

Good luck!

AshevilleSavingsBank.com |

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

35

local industry

their home) or has earned over $200,000 for the past two years and expects the same this year ($300,000 if joint with spouse).

“I expect the SEC will get it worked out, but in my opinion it’s unlikely to happen in the next six months,” Clement says.

North Carolina lawmakers decided this past August not to allow an intrastate equity funding exemption, so the state will have to wait until the SEC hammers out the federal regulations of Title III of the JOBS Act. This is frustrating for some of Clement’s clients who don’t qualify as accredited investors but have enough funds and want to invest in local businesses through equity funding. “It’s very awkward as to how to get that done,” Clement says.

She recalls one small business owner in Marshall about to close their doors who contacted her hoping to offer a share of their business to investors through crowdfunding. “At this point all they had left to give was the company itself,” Clement says.

“Unfortunately, equity crowdfunding was not an option in time to save their business.”

in. “Once you start a campaign, you are barraged with emails from consultants who say they can maximize your campaign,” Jonas says.

Navigating who is trustworthy and who is not can even extend to investors themselves. Surprisingly, investors can and do back out at the last minute.

“Initially someone donated $1,500,” Thompson recalls. “He wanted me to write a song and go to D.C. to perform it. A week later he reduced the pledge to $500 with no explanation.”

Because donors are allowed to rescind their pledge during a

Billy Jonas Band mentioned a $45,000 ‘stretch goal’ on their site, knowing they could use more funds for marketing and publicity, but it was more of a strategy to keep donations coming after the goal was met.

The Madness of Crowds

You launch your campaign and boom—your inbox is full.

Unfortunately, not from the contributors you hoped for.

Offers to barter (you boost my campaign, I’ll boost yours), cash with conditions (I’ll put $5 into your campaign now if you do ‘x’ for me), and solicitations for employment come rolling

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campaign, Thompson recommends encouraging contributions beyond your goal and having a few allies to call in case someone backs out at the last minute.

Another issue that can crop up is that some investors may be uncomfortable with contributing through platforms.

“About 10 people emailed me that they wanted to contribute but didn’t trust Kickstarter or Amazon, so I used my Paypal link and some sent checks,” Thompson says. But remember, these contributions do not count toward your goal unless you funnel them into the campaign, which then means they will be reduced by fees.

Mystery

Jonas believes there’s an element that can’t be manufactured: a connection to the universe. “You need a clearly articulated intention that you have firmly embraced,” Jonas advises. “A vision you step into as fully as you can.”

One way to build up good karma is to contribute to other people’s campaigns. It’s also fun and a great way to connect with people. “You need to build up goodwill, your reputation is everything,” Schattel says, “According to Kickstarter, if you’ve never backed another campaign you may not do so well yourself.” On Schattel’s Kickstarter page visitors can see that he has backed nine other campaigns and can even tell which ones.

Given that, it’s hard to predict what the universe may have in store. For Thompson, it was a curve ball he never expected.

“Casey McMurray is an actress I had emailed a while back to say I liked her work. She saw my video during my crowdfunding campaign and contacted me,” Thompson says, “now we’re dating.”

Beyond Crowdfunding

Schattel plans to do more traditional funding once his Kickstarter campaign ends. “The overall goal is $50,000,” Schattel says. “Phase B will be a true investment mode with returns.” He plans to do an LLC with investors and producers splitting profits 50/50.

Billy Jonas Band mentioned a $45,000 ‘stretch goal’ on their site, knowing they could use more funds for marketing and publicity, but it was more of a strategy to keep donations coming after the goal was met. “It’s an energetic invitation to keep the offers pouring in,” Jonas explains.

The HEMPEH campaign publicized a stretch goal of $60,000 to expand across the Southeast and $100,000 for multi-regional

expansion, even though their financial goal was $20,000 during the campaign. “It’s most important to be transparent in how the funding will be used,” Belleme says.

With contributors donating from around the globe, including Norway, Germany, Brazil, and Israel, Jonas sees the biggest post-campaign strategy as leveraging exposure. “People are hyper-aware of us now. The campaign was the catalyst; it stirred up a lot of focus and attention,” Jonas says. “The goal is to leverage that into more opportunities like workshops, press interviews, concerts, and commissions. It’s just the beginning.”

Final Tally

The HEMPEH campaign ended November 6, 2014, earning the Kickstarter staff pick label in their final days, with $25,035 funded, exceeding their goal of $20,000.

Thompson exceeded his goal of $8,000, raising $9,595. He produced his studio album and will have a CD release celebration concert on December 5, 2014 at Isis Music Hall in Asheville.

Schattel’s American Breakdown Kickstarter campaign will end on December 3, 2014.

Rick Smith’s Asheville Consulting Services Indiegogo campaign will end on December 13, 2014.

The Billy Jonas Band’s Indiegogo campaign exceeded its goal of $30,000, raising $34,785. The CD is completed and available through their website billyjonas.com.

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December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 37

mary carol koester in

her North Asheville studio. facing page :

Paring the edges of goatskin hide to prepare it for a book cover.

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| December 2014

Reinvention, Transformation,

Evolution

ONE ARTISA N’S REL ATIONSHIP WITH THE UNFA MILIAR written by marie bartlett

|

photos by anthony harden

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 39

Mary Carol working with her backing press.

When first meeting Mary Carol Koester,

it would appear she has devoted her life to fashion and art, since both are such a huge part of her past and present. One look around her meticulously neat, light-filled studio in north Asheville, reflects a person who appreciates the beauty found in calm order and artistic displays. She has been a member of the distinguished Southern Highland Craft Guild since 2011.

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| December 2014

Beginning work on a book cover starts with a book board and decorative paper.

Then there’s her manner and style.

Tall and soft-spoken, she glides through a room with the elegance of an artist, perhaps a painter or a dancer. Her voice is soothing as explains that she is a book binder, a “fine binder” to be exact, who intricately cuts, glues, and stitches delicate fabrics and soft leathers to create a piece of custom art, a book, a box, a journal, or a keepsake that capture special moments in a person’s life.

She has her own personal keepsakes and inspirational reminders. There are mounted cutouts of delicate patterned designs by her favorite 19th century English designer, William Morris. A social reformer who elevated craft to the status of fine art, Morris’ work was inspired by nature, and he still inspires Mary Carol.

Her favorite quotes—‘Live as Art’ and ‘Creation is Confusion Endurance’—are carefully tacked here and there to remind her that she is on a new, important mission each time she creates something new. There are family photos: her brother, Greg, an architect and artist; her politically active, fun-loving mother, who passed away in 2011; her father, who passed away that same sad-filled year; and her boyfriend, William Henry Price, a painter and fellow artist. Then there’s Jacqueline Kennedy, an icon Mary Carol has loved and admired since childhood, so much so that

she almost called her bookbinding studio “All Things Jackie.”

“Look at this,” she says, flipping the pages of a glossy, colorful book on fashion. “This photo was taken in the early 1960s and as you can see, Jackie set the stage for a big change in international style. Such a trend setter; doesn’t she look exquisite?

She was such a refreshing contrast to the stodgy styles worn by earlier generations of women in the White House.”

She hands over a prized picture of herself taken in the 1970s at a family get-together in Pennsylvania, posing across the hood of a 1970s Imperial. She is dressed in a stylish sheath that accentuates her slim figure, a black, wide-brimmed hat hiding her lovely young face. And there it is—she is pure Jackie—long, lean, and beautiful.

Mary Carol laughs at the comparison. “I had some fun back then.”

When asked what era she would choose for a do-over, she doesn’t hesitate. “Oh, the 1970s because it was a time when art, fashion, and music were stripped down and scaled back. After we blew everything up in the 1960s, we all had a chance to start over.”

Bingo. Starting over is at the heart of what makes Mary Carol tick. She’s done it more than once. You could call it reinvention. She calls it evolution. First, a male-dominated, December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 41

Mary Carol working intricately on a new piece with her book press shown in the foreground.

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| December 2014

decade-long career, followed by a high-powered position in the nation’s capital, then a bump in the road and a major turn that led her to Asheville, lovingly making art from the tools and materials that surround her.

Surprisingly, it all began in the woods.

On the far side of her studio wall are certificates that represent this other side of her life, the time when Mary Carol was a forester, as in working for the U.S. Forest Service. She spent a full decade among the Pennsylvania mixed hardwoods where art, fashion books, and a pristine studio had no suitable place.

Instead, for ten years, she wore a drab forestry uniform, a hard hat and steel-toed boots, man-handling a chain saw while she worked alongside rough-hewn men who, to test her mettle, would smuggle rattlesnakes in their lunch boxes and offer to share a sandwich. She must have passed because it wasn’t long before she was “one of the boys.”

Granted, she had a good education, a bachelor of science from Pennsylvania State University in 1978 and a master’s degree in forest resources in 1988, with a focus on national and international forest policy. Her first job out of college was handling sales at International Paper in New York City, where she gleefully wore Brooks Brother suits with matching ties as a way to express her individuality. Sales gave her an insider’s view of the paper industry along with valuable contacts in the forestry industry; networking for what would come next—a chance to work as a U.S. District Forester in her home territory of Coudersport, Pennsylvania.

Born into a large family, she was the oldest girl among nine children. Her father was an accountant and a talented musician, her mother a teacher who was trained as a classical pianist. Both were from Pittsburgh. The couple encouraged a love for music, books, museums, and art within the boisterous household, virtually dispelling the mythical notion of “right brain” creativity versus “left brain” logic. Nearly all of their children would go on to become either artists or musicians. Some would play sports. All would find a measure of success.

But first, they were taught responsibility.

“I was reared in a time when kids helped raise themselves,” Mary Carol recalls. “I had to pitch in and help. I remember a blue, over-sized easy chair where I often sat feeding a brother or sister. By sixth grade, I was babysitting for a family of four while the mother was in the hospital having another baby. That may have been why I chose a career over getting married and having

my own children. In a sense, I felt I had already done that, so my biological clock wasn’t ticking. It was also a time (the 1970s and 1980s) when women were told we could shoot for the stars.”

But why aim for the Forestry Service when your first love was fabric, color, and style? She can explain.

“I made a trip to Alaska, still considered a frontier, and while there, was taken with the concept of large-scale land management. It had never occurred to me that a place the size of a small country would need a management plan. It changed my way of thinking. So when I returned, I entered Forestry School, assuming I would study environmental science. But all they were teaching at the time was industrial forestry, which required field study. Learning that aspect of it, however, was a good education.”

As a forester, she hit the proverbial trails, cutting high-grade trees, laying out roads, and ensuring loggers had what they needed to transport raw wood from forest to pulp mill for timber sales to domestic and international buyers. In every instance, she was the lone female on the job site.

That would have given pause to many women, but not Mary Carol, who had five brothers. “It went well,” she says. “I always felt comfortable in that environment. I actually liked working with all types of people. Even within your own family, people are different, so I grew up tolerant of others. I also respected the difficult, dangerous work these men did.

They were hard workers, and I loved being outside with them.”

After ten years, however, enough was enough. She had the urge to move on. Hanging up her hard hat, she turned in her boots and her uniform and looked around to see what was next. More driven and goal-oriented than ever, she was told by a friend who knew her well, “you better figure out pretty soon what you want because I know you’re going to get it.”

With field work under her belt and degrees in hand, she was offered a position as national program manager in Washington, D.C. for the USDA Forest Service. It was 1988. The job involved a great deal of travel to all fifty states in order to coordinate efforts for federal funding on statewide forestry projects and to help private forest landowners manage their properties in perpetuity. The goal: to sustain and improve wildlife habitats, air and water quality.

“I loved the job. I was able to visit every ecosystem in the country. It was a great fit for me, as by then I had a combination of writing skills, analytical skills, and field work to bring to the table. I felt that I had finally hit my stride and I was excited about my work. I also had a large number of friends and a very active social life so it was a happy period for me.”

Off duty, she visited the rich blend of museums and galleries in the D.C. area, a throwback to her love of fine arts. She spent

She spent most of her weekends at the Smithsonian and the Renwick Gallery, walking the halls where the best of American crafts and decorative arts were in full, glorious display.

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 43

A handmade funeral urn that Mary Carol designed as a special tribute to her mother.

Hand-marbled paper used for decorative endsheets.

most of her weekends at the Smithsonian and the Renwick Gallery, walking the halls where the best of American crafts and decorative arts were in full, glorious display.

Still, life has a way of bringing us to our knees, even in the midst of an idyllic lifestyle. Mary Carol was hit with a health crisis that changed everything. (She prefers to keep the details private.) Forced to retire from federal government with the U.S. Forest Service, it was time, once again, to look ahead, to try something new.

“This was a perfect example of when one door closes, another one opens.

What it taught me was that each chapter in life tends to mold us. The pleasures are enjoyed and the difficulties accepted. I also learned that one path is not the only path and that we are capable of resilience and the gratitude it can bring.”

A brother in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, invited her to stay with him while she recuperated. But the place didn’t feel like a good fit. Nearly everyone around was settled with a family, she was a long way from a national forest, and her heart was restless. “I had been to Mount Mitchell, near Asheville, as a child. I thought it was a great area and, with my forestry background, a good place to find consulting work since there were national forests and a research station all in one region.”

She moved to Asheville in 2000. Within eight months, she wondered if she had made a mistake. “I was lonely,” she explains, “and hadn’t met many people. I thought about returning to my family roots in Pennsylvania when a friend advised me to give 44

| December 2014

it just a few more months. By Christmas of that year, I found consulting work with the Forest Service, met some new people, learned about the arts and crafts community and felt that things were finally beginning to jell.”

Now, at last, she could explore the multi-levels of her many interests, perhaps even tie them together. A few years earlier, she had her handwriting analyzed and was surprised to learn the result. “I was told, ‘Ignore your creative talent at your peril.’

I thought, wow, I have siblings who are artists, painters, and musicians. I knew that I enjoyed beauty and even had a sense of style, but I never gave myself permission to be an artist. I thought, wrongly, that if I couldn’t do it well, I shouldn’t do it at all. Now I know there are a hundred different ways to enter the world of fine arts without having to know everything in advance and without having to be perfect.”

Not sure what to engage in first, she took a book binding class and loved it. There was something about the precision, the attention to detail, and the tactile pleasure of handling wood, silk, linen, and leather that appealed to her nature. Most of all, she appreciated that design and function could flow so well together to create works to last—literally—a lifetime.

In 2004 she helped create BookWorks Co-op in West Asheville, a place where other artists and writers could attend workshops for bookbinding, printmaking, papermaking, letterpress, and more; tributes to their enduring love of books and book production. But even then, she envisioned having her own small studio, somewhere quiet where she could create customized works to help families capture and keep their stories alive.

Reflecting back, she says her years in forestry now seemed

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 45

above :

Imprinting a metal dingbat plate onto a book cover using a hot stamping press with silver foil. facing page :

A dingbat shown three ways— (top to bottom) the metal plate held in hand in preparation, fastened in the hot stamping press, and the final imprint left behind by the process.

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| December 2014

like a logical starting point for what was to come. “It’s not lost on me that the beautiful papers I use in my books and albums are made from wood fiber. It gives me a sense of pride to know that I’m still closely aligned with the many values and services our national forests provide.”

She found a rental in north Asheville that met her criteria: a creek nearby, one level living, only a few miles from town, and a house on a cul-de-sac. She wanted to buy the place.

“But the deal fell through. Just a few doors down another house came up for sale. This one had all the things I wanted and a larger space for a nice-sized studio. I bought it, had a contractor convert space, install new lighting and a reinforced floor for my heavy equipment, and add storage. In 2006 I opened my studio.” As an extra bonus, her brother John, a multi-talented bluegrass musician, lived just across the street.

This is where Mary Carol performs her magic today,

through her business, Azalea Bindery, with four distinct product lines: wedding albums, book notes, life milestones, and custom bindery for those with their own creative ideas. All are inspired by couture. “My books, folios, albums, and boxes are covered in fine silk, linen, leather, and lace, accessorized with delicately painted paper. Each piece helps tell a story or weave a life event.”

One of only a few dozen craftsmen in Western North Carolina who engage in the centuries old art form of book binding, she refers to herself as a “fine binder” and says she and a colleague have started a Fine Binder’s Group to share their skills and introduce beginners to the advanced techniques artisans now use.

Clients come primarily from word of mouth: young brides wanting special wedding albums, retired men recounting their careers or lifelong hobbies, someone writing their memoirs, gift-seekers hoping to give something special to an anniversary couple. All bring to Mary Carol the power of their stories and their desire to share in what they perceive as the important moments of their lives.

Mary Carol loves the human connection in her work. “These people touch me because most have worked so hard for so many years. There is tenderness about them, and a lot of feeling connected to what they wish to share.”

Briefly, this is how the binding process works: she begins with a book board in various sizes depending upon the project, cuts it, and glues fabric or leather to the board, concealing the spine.

Once the cover is complete, sheets of decorative paper, utilizing ideas originating from architectural, floral, or geometric designs are carefully folded and hand-sewn together before they are joined to the cover. There are a variety of bindings and stitches, numerous fabrics and leathers in varying colors and styles.

It may sound simple, but far from it. Project time can range from two hours for a small journal to a few weeks for

a customized, three-layered wedding album. All pieces are one-of-a-kind using traditional book binding techniques and are environmentally friendly.

Fellow artist Carol Strangler, a nationally renowned bamboo artist, calls Mary Carol “a true craftsman, one of the few people in the book binding industry who is the genuine article in terms of producing high-quality binding.”

Custom book binding originated in India, but it was in Egypt where early Coptic Christians discovered the art of folding sheets of vellum or parchment so they would fit into a book.

Religious codices were first printed on sheepskin vellum and December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 47

bound together in volumes. Just as Mary Carol does today, ancient book binders used wooden boards to hold a book together. It was then slipped into a goatskin bag for protection and transport. Mary Carol uses goat leather for her book covers

“This craft involves a lengthy process of training,” says Mary Carol. “There’s always something new to learn. If I had done this earlier in life, I still would have only scratched the surface.”

A good book binder, she adds, needs precision, a solid sense of design, decent hand-eye coordination, and physical strength to handle the heav y equipment for some of the larger boards. (Two of her equipment pieces date back to the mid19th century and weigh hundreds of pounds).

Once again, her years in the forestry service have paid off.

“In forestry I had to learn to use a chain saw and be around equipment that could be hazardous, so I already had a higher level of comfort than most with that element.”

Her best advice to newcomers is to take business classes for the ins and outs of running a small business. “I would also recommend a mentor they can work with closely, learn from, and gain a full understanding of what book binding entails.”

After nearly 15 years in the business of book binding, she

Now, when she talks to others who may be undergoing their own transformation, her message to them is to “reach out, try something new, change direction, and don’t be afraid of the unfamiliar.” due to its thin suppleness, softness and durability, and calf skin for thicker covers such as Bibles and other special projects.

By the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution made it possible to make paper from wood pulp. Bindery took a big leap forward too, with machines taking over the job of gluing, trimming, and case-making (a binder’s term for hard covers). Perfect binding was invented in 1895, but the rise of paperbacks and automation soon overshadowed the craft involved in binding a book by hand, stitch-by-stitch.

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says she retains a sense of satisfaction getting up each day and looking over what she did the night before. “I love getting started on a new project to see where it goes. And I love it when I present a client with a finished piece and their reaction is ‘Oh, that’s so beautiful.’”

To get away, she gardens, lunches with friends, visits an art gallery, or hikes. Though she tends to study every tree and plant (she was a forester, after all), she says she’s just as likely to sit on a rock and stare at a sunset as anyone.

Sometimes she contemplates the dichotomy that we live in a high-tech age where products are designed to wear out, while she produces work that can last for centuries. She believes that may be why we’re seeing a rejuvenation of the fine arts.

“Technology is great. I use it all the time. But I still think the more we “computerize” ourselves, the more importance we will place on personal connection. To get a letter in the mail or a handmade item in your mother’s handwriting, those are truly precious keepsakes. I also think there will always be people who understand there is value in the quality of a handmade product.”

Her signature piece is a three-piece wedding box custom designed to fit the bride and groom. But market demand is diversifying and her business is expanding rapidly. She estimates that she’s seen a 200 percent increase in the number of clients she has served over the past decade, mostly spreading

through word-of-mouth and repeat business.

She attributes part of her success to a lifelong drive to achieve.

But what might surprise her family and friends, she says, is learning that she’s in a mellower, more present state of mind than ever before. The “moving on” has changed her for the better and she is just as happy in her role as a book binder as she was in her former, high-powered career with the federal government.

“I guess time and circumstances do that to everyone. I still have ambitions. I’ve just softened the way I approach them.

I’m still driven, but now it’s a desire to create and to learn something new, rather than a life-or-death proposition.”

Now, when she talks to others who may be undergoing their own transformation, her message to them is to “reach out, try something new, change direction, and don’t be afraid of the unfamiliar. In all likelihood, you’ll find that you can do more than you ever believed possible. I would have been the last one to say that my work as a forester would lead me to this. But it has.”

Her best friend, she says, was an artist for many years, and revealed she always envied Mary Carol because, as a forester, she was outdoors working with nature.

Mary Carol still smiles at the irony. “But I always envied her.

One day she turned to me and said, ‘I’m done with art. I’m going to nature. And I said, ‘You know what? I’m done with nature.

I’m going to art.’ Now we’re both right where we belong.”

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Effective Social Media

A

adrianne

is Director of Marketing & Operations for JB Media Group.

by ADRIANNE GORDON

A

H, SOCIAL MEDIA. YOUR COMPANY may want to strike up conversations with the cool kids that are hanging out on social media but may not know what to actually say once face-to-face (or face-to-screen). Businesses and nonprofit organizations struggle with how to start the conversation and keep it going on the numerous social platforms. It looks so easy when a post goes viral, yet the tales of social media backfiring keep some from daring to venture into the social sphere. Yet, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter offer your company an effective and authentic way for businesses to engage people. “So, just what should I be saying on social media to achieve this,” you ask? The answer is surprisingly simple: A little about you, a little about others, and a little that is just plain fun.

Think of social media conversations like cocktail party chitchat. Talk only about yourself and watch everyone suddenly need a fresh drink. Talk only about other people and you miss an opportunity to share your story with others. If you can’t make your social sharing intriguing, entertaining, or related to current events, well, you might seem (gasp) boring, or worse yet—disconnected.

“But what exactly should I be posting on Facebook (and Twitter and Pinterest and Google+)?” you may wonder. The 50

| December 2014

truth is the exact content will depend on your organizational culture, industry, brand values, and the platform you’re using.

I’m here to share a great rule of thumb to use in creating and evaluating your social content (so breathe, we’re going to get through this together). Long time teacher, trainer, and internet marketing specialist Sarah Benoit has developed what she calls the 30/30/30 Rule for social media. It serves as a guideline for both the focus areas for content (you, others, fun) and the overall mix of content needed for effective social media engagement.

It looks like this:

f your social media posts 30% oshould be about you

This is the easy part since it’s all about your company, products, or services, and the benefits you provide customers. For many businesses and nonprofits this is all they share, which is a turn-off. Talking only about yourself will not win you friends at the online cocktail party of Facebook. Remember that this is a “soft sell.” There has to be a benefit to your followers.

Suggestions include:

—

Discounts, sales, events, new product offerings, and testimonials are all valuable information to both past and future customers.

A

— Offer tips related to your industry to demonstrate your knowledge and authority in an indirect way. Plumbers who share tips on what to do when a water heater breaks, such as turn off the power to the unit and contain any leaks, demonstrate that they care about their customers and emphasize safety.

— Publish posts that provide a behind-the-scenes look at who your company is and how you do what you do well.

People are intrigued to know more about other people and how they do the work they do, why they’re passionate about it, and where products and ideas come from.

At JB Media we shared pictures of several team members pedaling away on bike desks while writing SEO content and another of a small group of us sitting outside with laptops brainstorming—both received strong engagement and for those very reasons. People want to connect with people, not logos or products on social media. Congratulate employees on work anniversaries, announce new hires (with a photo), upload a short video tour of your facility (under two minutes), and share the true experience of who you are and how you do what you do.

posts should 30% obef your about others

Social media platforms are called networks for a reason. They exist to connect people, businesses, and nonprofits with individuals and groups that share similar interests or ideas. Dedicate 30% of your social media posts to sharing information about, promoting, and celebrating other individuals, organizations, and groups that you support or share common interests with.

Follow and like vendors, customers, partners, nonprofits, civic organizations, and media outlets that are in line with your industry, mission, and brand. Share their content with your followers (and they may do the same for you). Social sharing shows your connections across your industry or community and highlights the work of fellow businesses you feel strongly about. Feel free to expand the scope of content in this section to include local news or events if your business serves a specific geographic area.

As an example of how this might work, a staffing agency would want to be a resource for both applicants and businesses.

Sharing tips for interview success from a business magazine or news related to unemployment rates would indicate that they understand the needs of those target audiences, follow current news in the industry, and want both groups to be successful in their endeavors. This is really the nature of social media

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marketing—connecting with your audience and keeping them interested by offering them valuable, useful, and interesting content. Social media is an opportunity for your company to become a valued online resource for your target audience.

posts should 30% obef your for entertainment

The final segment in the 30/30/30 Rule (and more on why that doesn’t add up to 100% in just a minute) is the fun category. Just like everyone at a cocktail party appreciates an amusing anecdote, social media users also appreciate ima ges and quotes that are fun, entertaining, and inspirational. The staffing agency mentioned before could share quotes about hard work or cartoons about meeting challenges. These could be researched or shared from another social media page (with appropriate credit given, of

course). The idea is to demonstrate the values and culture of the organization. If “funny” isn’t exactly part of your corporate culture, consider what past and future customers should know about the company’s story. If community involvement were a key piece of the story of a financial planning firm, then information about area volunteer opportunities would be appropriate to share via social media. Your “fun” postings should always include images. Be sure to include a picture of Santa to go with the information about area toy drives.

Don’t be shy. Try following these guidelines and you might find that you are one of the cool kids online.

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However, sharing inspirational quotes, cartoons, memes, and other fun elements can be where businesses get into a bit of hot water. Evaluate whether the content could be offensive to any group, off-putting in any way, or isolating. Use extreme

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A caution in posting political and religious content. It’s one thing to share the company’s values or the beliefs of the founders, another to assume that every customer or client shares those views or is interested in having a conversation about these issues with their plumber in a public forum. Keep the conversation light and entertaining to succeed at the online cocktail party that is social media.

should be about The final 10% what’ s going on right now

The 30/30/30 Rule provides flexibility to respond to trends, news, and hot topics. The Rule’s creator, Sarah Benoit, says that most of what goes viral is accidental. She notes that it is important to respond to what’s happening in real time, at least to a degree on social media, in order to offer timely and relevant content. The other 90% of your social media content can be created and scheduled in advance. Surprised? While most major brands do have people monitoring their social media accounts around the clock, most of the content is created, reviewed, and approved two to four weeks in advance. Leaving

‘‘

When you call about your account,

10% unscheduled allows for just-in-time responses to what’s going on. This segment also allows for increased creativity and (dare I say it?) risk taking. Once you are creating and sharing content consistently from the other segments, this will become easier (I promise).

First and foremost, being effective on social media requires knowing your own brand, voice, culture, and audiences.

Investing the time it takes to research, create, and schedule 90% of your content two to three weeks at a time will go far to create a consistent and engaging social media presence. Check in on your social media platforms daily to monitor comments and questions and respond to news or trends (that last 10%).

Don’t be shy. Try following these guidelines and you might find that you are one of the cool kids online.

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.

Kevin Martin & Laura Cummings McCue

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December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

53

THE OLD

NORTH

STATE [

news briefs

2014 N.C. Manufacturer of the Year honors state

Mattress company Kingsdown Inc., based in Mebane, and heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc., which is expanding with 500 jobs in WinstonSalem, have received the 2014 North Carolina Manufacturer of the Year award. The awards were announced by McGladrey LLP and Fifth Third Bank in cooperation with the North Carolina Chamber. Caterpillar won in the large manufacturer category. The company continues to grow its work force in Winston-Salem, with plans to create 392 full-time jobs and more than 100 contract jobs by the end of 2015. “North Carolina’s broad and diverse work force combined with a strong university and technical college system has supported

Video games contribute $102.5M to state’s economy state

]

our people needs,” said Mary Bell, vice president of Caterpillar’s building construction products division. Kingsdown was named the winner in the mid-size manufacturer category. The company has been adding workers and partnering with three marketing agencies, including Greensboro-based Bluezoom, as it aims to generate nearly $300 million in sales within the next two years. Frank Hood, CEO of Kingsdown, which has manufactures and distributes products in more than 20 countries, said, “this award comes in the year that we celebrate our 110th anniversary as a North Carolina based company.” Max Daetwyler Inc. of Huntersville was named the winner in the small manufacturer category.

Founded in 1943 in Switzerland, the company is a supplier of Doctor Blades and other pressroom products for the printing industry.

According to a new study by trade group Entertainment Software Association, North Carolina’s video game industry meant $102.5 million to the state’s economy. The report analyzed data from 2009 to 2012. It places North Carolina as the 12th largest employer of video game industry personnel in the nation.

Michael Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, says the “high-energy, high-tech video game” sector is producing some of North Carolina’s most valuable jobs. “Our industry is one of the nation’s fastest growing economic sectors and represents tens of thousands of lucrative career opportunities for well-educated people in America,” he explained. Here are some numbers: The average compensation for a direct video game employee in 2012 was $87,922. The video game industry added $6.2 billion to the United States’ overall economy in 2012. Video game companies provided $129 million worth of compensation to North Carolina employees in 2012. North Carolina’s

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computer and video game industry grew by 4 percent in real compound annual growth from 2009 to 2012. According to the report, in 2012, there were 18 video game facilities in North Carolina, growing from 14 in 2009.

Jacksonville (No. 53), Goldsboro (66), Fayetteville (No. 85), Winston-Salem (No. 119), and Cary (No. 161).

Chapel Hill at No. 3 among top cities for female executives

state

chapel hill , nc

Chapel Hill ranks No. 3 among the friendliest U.S. cities for female executives. Raleigh and Durham did not make the top 100, and Charlotte is ranked No. 501. Based on an analysis of 800,000 C-level positions, data company Infographic Targeting Solutions determined which cities have the highest percentage of women in executive roles.

The national average is 27 percent; in Chapel Hill, the percentage is 41.5 percent. The highest-ranking city is Dover, Delaware (44.8 percent), followed by No. 2, Palo Alto, California (42.3 percent).

Despite their lower rankings, Durham (32.5 percent) and Raleigh (30.8 percent) are still above the national average. Other North Carolina cities in the top 200 are

N.C. dips on list of top business climates Site Selection magazine ranks North Carolina’s business climate among the best in the nation. However, Georgia has once again taken the top spot, while the Tar Heel State dropped to No. 3 in the magazine’s 2014 feature on the “Top U.S. Business Climates.” The annual ranking put North Carolina at No. 2 last year, as the Peach State grabbed the No. 1 spot. South Carolina, ranked at No. 7 in 2013, climbed to No. 6 on the 2014 list. The rankings are based on a survey of corporate real estate executives and Site Selection data. The database tracks private capital projects involving investments of $1 million or more, 50 or more new jobs, or 20,000 square feet or more of new construction. Here are the top 10 states for Business Climate in 2014, according to Site Selection’s survey, from 1st to 10th: Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, Ohio,

South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Virginia. Observing at the executive survey piece only, North Carolina placed fourth, following Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina, in that order. Those professionals were asked to rank the states based on their own personal experiences as site selectors.

The most important criteria to those making decisions on locations include transportation infrastructure, ease of permitting and regulatory procedures, existing work-force skills, prices and supply of buildings and land, utility infrastructure, state and local taxes, incentives, access to higher education, and legal climate.

Raleigh drone firm PrecisionHawk snags Intel raleigh , nc

Intel Capital, the venture arm of the computer giant, has joined Red Hat co-founder Bob Young in supporting Raleigh drone developer PrecisionHawk.

Intel Capital announced that it had joined a previously announced $10 million Series B round for the unmanned

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aerial vehicle company. Jerry Bautista, vice president and general manager of Intel’s New Business Initiatives, noted, “Drones hold the promise of revolutionizing many industries, some new and some very old, like farming.” He added that PrecisionHawk’s “unique approach of combining versatile remote-sensing devices with powerful data analytics fits well with Intel’s strengths in hardware and software for the internet of things.”

Tammi Smorynski, who led the investment round for Intel Capital, will now serve as an advisor to the PrecisionHawk board. Intel joins already-announced funders such as Millennium Technology Value Partners, Young, and Indiana University-affiliated, Innovate Indiana Fund. According to PrecisionHawk execs, the cash will go toward growing the staff from 45 to about 70, but details on the number of jobs this will bring to Raleigh have not been given. PrecisionHawk is already flying in North Carolina. The company received a rare certificate of authority to fly at Butner, research flights that are part of the N.C. State Universitybased North Carolina NextGen Air Transportation network.

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On the eve of its 30th birthday, N.C. State University’s Centennial Campus has received national recognition for what the judges called “its reinvention of the very notion of what a research park should be.” The Association of Public and Landgrant Universities titled four winners in its second annual Innovation and Economic Prosperity University Awards. N.C. State’s Centennial Campus received the “Place” award for “creating a self-sustained city” that includes research facilities, industry offices, residential and retail properties, and the James B. Hunt Jr. Library. The initial gift of state land for Centennial

Campus was announced by then-governor Jim Hunt on December 19, 1984. The other award recipients are Georgia Tech, which won for “Innovation,” University of Massachusetts Boston, which won for “Talent,” and the University of Houston, which won for “Connections.”

Krispy Kreme expanding to Bangladesh winston - salem , nc

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. has signed a development agreement with international franchisee Orion Group to open 20 stores in Bangladesh over the next five years. Dan Beem, president of Winston-Salem-based Krispy Kreme’s international arm, said that Orion Group had positioned itself as a market leader in multiple business sectors in Bangladesh.

“Their proven business aptitude and first-hand knowledge of Bangladesh’s rapidly growing consumer market will be indispensable assets in establishing the Krispy Kreme brand and experience in Bangladesh…We expect Krispy Kreme to become an integral part of Bangladesh’s culture for many years to come,” Beem explained. Krispy Kreme currently has 875 locations in more than 20 countries and is in the midst of an ambitious domestic and international growth plan.

Wilmington named ‘Best American Riverfront’ wilmington , nc

Wilmington won USA Today’s readers’ choice competition for the city with the “Best American Riverfront.” The port city was one of 21 cities vying for the honor, competing with the likes of Denver, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Louisville, Kentucky. According to a news release, this was one of USA Today’s largest contests to date. Wilmington received 33 percent of the total votes, and No.

2 Spokane, Washington, received 28 percent. Kim Hufman, president and CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, explained: “Visitors of Wilmington and its island beaches know that our riverfront is a special place for recreation, dining, shopping, and enjoying natural beauty…

Visitor surveys consistently prove that Wilmington’s historic river district is among our two key ‘attractors’—the other being our island beaches, located just minutes away.” The winners in ranked order for Best American Riverfront are Wilmington, North Carolina; Spokane, Washington; Davenport, Iowa; Dubuque, Iowa; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Louisville, Kentucky; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Savannah, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan; and Richmond, Virginia.

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Duke, UNC, N.C. State among world rankings research triangle

A new best global universities ranking released by U.S. News and World Report ranks Duke University 20th and UNC Chapel Hill 32nd in the world. This is the first year of the organization’s world rankings. The report explains: “As an increasing number of students are planning to enroll in universities outside of their own country, the Best Global Universities rankings—which focus specifically on schools’ academic research and reputation overall and not their separate undergraduate or graduate programs—can help those students accurately compare institutions around the world.”

Four North Carolina universities ranked in the top 300: Duke, 20 overall; UNC Chapel Hill, 32 overall; N.C. State University, 213 overall; Wake Forest, 300 overall.

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How jeweler Andy Marthaler learned his craft in the frozen north, looked for someplace warmer to practice it, thought he was coming to Nashville‌ and ended up in Biltmore Park.

written by roger mccredie photos by anthony harden

58

Bench

| December 2014

pictured :

Jeweler, Mike Burger, bezel-setting a stone into a band.

Warmer December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 59

D

etroit Lakes is the seat of Becker County, Minnesota. It has a base population of just under 9,000, but that can swell to as much as 13,000 when the tourists and the “summer people” arrive.

Tourism is the basis of the town’s economy; folks come from all over to fish, sail, scuba dive, or just kick back and enjoy the scenery.

In winter things are different. It gets cold early in Detroit Lakes and stays that way for a long time. The average daytime high in November is 35; in January it’s 16; by March it thaws to 37. The average annual snowfall is 44 inches.

Every small town has one old, established, go-to jewelry store. In Detroit Lakes it’s Price’s, a family-owned business that opened its doors at the height of World War II. So it came to pass that high school student Andy Marthaler, looking for a part-time job preferably out of the weather, answered an ad for a part-time assistant at Price’s.

“At first I thought it was just a pretty good parttime job,’ Andy says. “It was indoors, and there was no Sunday business. I just worked afternoons after school and an hour and a half on Saturdays.”

He didn’t realize he was entering basic training for his life’s work.

“Price’s is an old-fashioned bench shop,” Andy says, a term referring to a jeweler’s workbench and signifying that besides merely selling jewelry, the establishment also repairs, engraves, and even manufactures it. Young Andy, watching these processes up close and personal, became first interested, then fascinated, then hooked.

“I actually came to realize that I’d made up my mind that what I wanted to do for a living was create and take care of beautiful jewelry—to work with it, hands-on.”

Andy expressed his feelings to his employer, who was only too glad to put him to work “on

andy marthaler 60

| December 2014

a meiji scope ,

which is used for precision stone setting

the bench,” doing fairly simple cleaning and repair jobs. Then one day Andy’s learning curve took a sharp turn upwards: he was told to resize a lady customer’s husband’s ring. “I must have spent six hours on that job,” he recalls. “I felt all this responsibility; this was somebody’s personal property, and I was supposed to alter it and make it look like it had always looked that way. Evidently I did okay because the store started giving me more and different kinds of simple jobs to do. It was the start of a learning curve.”

From sizing rings, making them both smaller (easy, according to Andy) and larger (not as easy), he moved to simple stone settings, such as placing small round diamonds in earrings.

But his high school days were coming to an end and, much as he liked his work, Andy felt he needed to be considering a career. He had actually enrolled in the area’s police academy as a first step to taking up law enforcement when the store owner offered him a full apprenticeship. “I guess deep down I didn’t really want to be a cop, I wanted to work with jewelry. When I got offered the apprenticeship, I took that as a sign.”

the barn door ,

made by Tonya’s father, leads into the diamond room complete with a diamond image on the door and a ring as the handle

After six years’ apprenticeship, Andy had learned all that Price’s could teach him.

He relocated temporarily to California in order to qualify for and become accredited by the Gemologists’ Association of America, and thus credentialed, he returned to his old employer.

He resumed work but, he says, he had started asking himself, December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 61

jeweler , Mike Burger, working at the bench

“How do you become the best?” He committed himself to finding the answer to that question wherever it might lie, which would certainly be outside the familiar, cozy confines of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. “I was looking for a challenge in a milder climate,” he laughs. “My criterion was ‘anywhere south of Iowa.’”

Andy checked out leads in Las Vegas and in Texas before noticing that a bench jeweler in Asheville was looking for experienced help. “I answered right away,” he says. “I was confused; I thought they meant Nashville.”

But it turned out to be a fortuitous mistake. The Asheville jeweler was Wick & Greene, which had a lot in common with Price’s—old, established, family-owned, upscale, with an emphasis on custom work—but situated in a growing small city with winters that were a lot kinder than those of Minnesota. “I came down and Michael [Greene] took me for a motorcycle ride on the Parkway,” he recalls. “That pretty well closed the deal.”

That was in 2004.

A lot has happened in the intervening decade.

As Andy settled in at Wick & Greene, he began to settle into community life in Asheville as well. For him, this included becoming active in his adopted church, Biltmore Baptist, where he joined a singles group. There he met Tonya, an attractive nurse and single mom with a ten-year-old son. In due course, Tonya became Mrs. Marthaler.

Andy put in two years at Wick & Greene before taking a similar job with more responsibility at Bisinar & Co., a century-old crafting jeweler’s in downtown Hickory. He made the long commute daily while Tonya pursued her nursing career and held the fort at home. He had decided years before that he wanted his own store someday, but knew that while he had gained considerable knowledge and skill as a bench jeweler, he lacked the management acumen he knew he

62

| December 2014

inside of

Marthaler Jewelers

andy marthaler

working with a customer December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 63

andy

coming out of the vault, which is a higher grade than some banks even have

64

| December 2014

tonya marthaler

would need to run his own business. So, keeping his dream of ownership always in sight, he entered the management program with the national chain Carlisle and Co. and began training at their outlet in Gerber Village.

a bar of silver that a customer sent to Marthaler Jewelers for refining

and the spirit of teamwork he had known in the family-owned businesses where he had learned his craft. He and Tonya had discussed all this frequently, weighing the pros and cons of security versus independence when the dominoes began to fall.

First, without warning, Carlisle abruptly closed the Gerber Village store where Andy was doing his management training. At first, Andy was not particularly concerned because, determined to take the plunge, he started negotiating to purchase a small store in Biltmore Village. But while he was arranging his financing, that deal simply evaporated.

As people of faith, the Marthalers believed firmly that when one door closes another opens. But two doors had closed and they discovered that waiting in the hall can be stressful. Tonya, of course, had her nursing career. Andy had a skill set and experience. And then it dawned on him: at their Black Mountain home, he and Tonya also had a garage.

So the Marthalers regrouped, trimming their budget and

“So, I sat down and really worked on what I thought was an impressive-looking business plan, and I went and handed it to him. He just set it aside and looked at me and said, ‘You tell me.’”

It was about this time that a series of events began to unfold, which convinced the Mathalers, who both hold strong religious convictions, that there really are such things as divine plans.

The first was a nagging feeling on Andy’s part that he wanted to do more with his acquired skill and talent than manage a retail operation as a cog in the wheel of a national operation.

Andy missed the bench. He missed the satisfaction of creating and repairing beautiful things. He missed the companionship

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 65

relying on Tonya’s income for primary support, Andy got himself a bench, set it up in the garage, and began doing freelance repair and restoration jobs. And then some karma he had set in motion months before came knocking. “Word got around somehow,” Andy says. “People we had never met would actually mail rings and diamonds in to us to be worked on or reset.”

And then a lady customer from his days at Carlisle sought him out.

Andy & Tonya Marthaler with their German shepherd, Carlee

“She had been impressed with Andy’s honesty,” Tonya says.

“She met Andy when she brought a bunch of jewelry— personal, estate pieces—in to be appraised. Andy started by going through it, setting aside everything that he felt didn’t have much appraisal value, and then tracking her through the pieces that were marketable and making suggestions. He told her exactly what she needed to know, and she appreciated that.”

Now the lady was back, this time asking him to do a creative job—to replace a ring had belonged to her father. Andy was able to do so, and the lady was delighted.

So much so, in fact, that she introduced Andy to her husband, an entrepreneur with a nose for up-and-coming businesses. He asked Andy, straight up, what Andy thought would be a realistic start up figure.

“I had been carrying that around in my head for years, of course,” Andy says, “but I had never written it down. So, I sat down and really worked on what I thought was an impressive-looking business plan, and I went and handed it to him. He just set it aside and looked at me and said, ‘You tell me.’”

They ended up, all of them, going to dinner at Frankie Bones.

During the meal, the Marthalers’ prospective backer astonished them by saying he would not only front the money Andy needed,

but required no payback provision. “He said,”—Tonya dabs at an eye in recollection—“he said, ‘If you lose everything, we’re still fine.’”

That was in May of 2010. Marthaler Jewelers opened for business in a small space in Biltmore Park. In its first year of operation, the store doubled the projections Andy had submitted to his backer. The following year the projections doubled again. It became obvious that the store would need to expand, but space was at a premium in Biltmore Park, and that concerned the Marthalers because they didn’t want to leave a location that had been so good for them. Once again, the answer came unbidden.

A space unexpectedly came open on the street level of the Biltmore Park Hilton hotel. “It was exactly the size and layout we had in mind,” Andy says.

They promptly moved in… and, in their first 18 months in the new location, they experienced a growth of eighty percent.

Today Marthaler Jewelry anchors the Hilton’s retail area, its light and airy space furnished with display cases custom designed and built by local craftsman Scott Gillette.

In them are items from such premium crafters as Breitling, John Hardy, William Henry, and Coast Diamond. And Tonya is quick to point out that the store now has the largest bridal gift collection in the state. Much of the store’s success attracting these quality vendors, she says, stems from the fact that Andy had developed business relationships with several suppliers over his years of working for other upscale jewelers.

“We haven’t peaked yet,” Andy says of his store’s success. “We’re fortunate to be in an area that’s growing, and in a place in that area where people appreciate fine jewelry. It’s that simple. And that’s why we’ve tailored our lines so that we can offer people highest quality in all price ranges. We plan to be right here for a long time to come.”

For one thing, the winters are a lot milder than in Minnesota.

Andy missed the companionship and the spirit of teamwork he had known in the familyowned businesses where he had learned his craft.

66

| December 2014

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December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 67

What can go wrong when business is play?

F

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

Liability analysis for developing outdoor recreation & gear companies

T

by FORREST MERITHEW

HERE IS A WHOLE NEW WAVE OF outfitter, rental, resort, and guide businesses hosting a wide range of outdoor experiences and recreation. Similarly, demand and technological advancements are constantly pushing outdoor adventure and gear development. These companies commonly ask what is required to get their businesses up and running, but are rarely aware of all the potential liabilities that exist, and should be addressed from the outset.

It is imperative for entrepreneurs, engineers, resorts, outfitters, and other companies in the outdoor recreation and gear industry to be aware of the many legal challenges and potential sources of liability they may face, and need to address, during the process of developing an idea into a successful full-fledged business. Before business owners decide what levels of liability protection are required, they must first analyze all areas of potential liability their business may face.

Product development, manufacturing, and distribution operations will have different forms of liability than an outfitter, resort, or equipment rental company. Each business is unique and, therefore, so are its respective demands and needs. This column focuses on the potential areas of liability a recreational or product/gear business may face, with a brief conclusion setting forth the types of protections that a business should 68

| December 2014

consider implementing to protect and defend itself.

The first and most common source of potential liability for a recreational company involved in physical activities and challenges is personal injury or wrongful death. Whitewater outfitters, ski resorts, zipline locales, and other guide or trip companies have high exposure in this regard. Personal injury matters generally rely upon negligence standards but may also emanate from strict product liability claims (discussed further below).

In a negligence action, the first element that must be established is that the defendant recreational business had a duty of care to its clients, requiring adherence to a certain standard appropriate to the activity. The standard of care refers to the amount of precaution, prudence, and diligence taken by the individual who has the duty to the plaintiff.

While the general public is held to a “reasonable person standard,” each recreation industry has its own standards.

Those activity specific standards may be established through precedence developed over the years by experienced individuals of the respective industry, such as whitewater rafting rescue and guiding techniques, or set out in state statutes, such as ski resort maintenance and notice requirements for inspection and reporting of conditions and obstacles.

If the particular industry does not have established normalized standards, then the reasonable person test may still be implemented, along with any standards or instructions the

F

business in question shared with its patrons. Therefore, it is just as important to be aware and make the best efforts to follow industry standards as it is to follow one’s own publicized standards. Businesses profiting off of recreational pursuits should be aware that a special standard of care generally applies to minors, who, in a majority of jurisdictions, are held to a standard of behavior that is reasonable for a child of similar age, experience, and intelligence under like circumstances.

To be successful in a personal injury negligence matter, the claimant must be able to show that the duty of care they were owed was at some point breached, resulting in injuries. In one matter out of West Virginia, a whitewater company was sued because one rafter died and a number of others were injured during a whitewater trip on the Shenandoah River. The plaintiffs in that matter claimed that the defendant whitewater company breached the standard of care owed to them because it led the trip on a river that was unusually high due to recent hurricane rainfall in the region and such action was not “reasonable” under the circumstances. Interestingly, the defendant’s counsel attempted to bring the rafting case under maritime law, which was more favorable to its position, the Court held that rafting was simply a recognized and heavily used recreational activity to which normal negligence standards would be applied. Failing to meet industry or self-scripted standards is the first misstep by a recreational company since it foreshadows a breach of duty to the client.

While personal injury is generally the greatest type of liability facing an outfitter, resort, or other guide or rental company, strict product liability matters are the most common type of lawsuits most gear and product development, distribution, or retail businesses face. Exposure for strict product liability can include all parties involved in designing, manufacturing, producing, distributing, and selling the particular product in the “stream of commerce.”

Strict product liability actions will be brought under a state’s strict product liability theories of recovery, if such exist, and almost always include breach of warranty and general negligence causes of action. California has the most consumer friendly strict product liability laws and theories of recovery.

Because California sets the bar for strict product liability claims, when consulting with clients looking to distribute products around the nation, I recommend that California standards are addressed and met so that they are relatively protected in every other state as well.

The basic elements of a strict product liability claim are: the product was used

It was discovered that when the rider had applied the brakes in an abrupt manner, the brake cables caught up on other cables and snagged the front wheel, causing the bike to immediately stop and throw the rider over the handlebars.

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 69

in an intended or reasonably foreseeable manner, the product was in a defective condition when it left defendant's possession, and the defect was the cause of the plaintiff's injuries or damages. There are three avenues of pleading and recovery under California’s strict product liability laws—(1) design defect, (2) manufacturing defect, and/or (3) inadequate warning. Strict product liability may encompass both latent and patent defects.

A product is considered defectively designed when it is built to its intended specifications, but the design itself is inherently defective and renders the product unsafe. Design defect is the most common strict product claim brought by plaintiffs. In one example, an individual had an accident while mountain biking and, as a result, was paralyzed from the neck down. It was discovered that when the rider had applied the brakes in an abrupt manner, the brake cables caught up on other cables and snagged the front wheel, causing the bike to immediately stop and throw the rider over the handlebars. That plaintiff was successful with his claim by showing that the defect was foreseeable and could have been avoided with relative ease by the manufacturer by reworking the cable configuration on the front of the bike.

A product contains a manufacturing defect if the product differs from the manufacturer’s design or specifications, or from other typical units of the same product line. The final potential avenue for recovery under strict products liability laws is the inadequate or failure to warn doctrine. In one lawsuit a New York climbing gym employee attached a weight bearing rope to the wrong loop of a climbing harness and the client sustained serious injuries when she fell and the loop broke. Both the gym

and the company that designed and manufactured the harness were named in the resulting lawsuit. The plaintiff was successful with her allegations against the harness company under strict product liability, for a failure to warn which loops were intended for weight bearing rope and which weren’t.

The next greatest area of liability facing gear developers and manufacturers are intellectual property infringement actions, particularly patents. Patents and patent infringement actions are primarily controlled by federal statutes and laws. Companies

Customers and other individuals in the bike industry spoke out on social media, and the negative public relations blowback caused the bike company to drop its lawsuit. are recommended to perform patent searches to avoid infringing on others’ existing patents and to submit their own innovative designs and products for patent protections.

In outdoor recreation, there are usually several companies developing very similar products for a certain activity. Because of the parallel and, at times, simultaneous product development, proving patent infringement can be tough. This issue comes up most commonly when employees have left one company and, soon thereafter, developed a similar product at another competing company.

While gear and product companies face patent infringement actions, all recreational businesses may face other intellectual property infringement claims for competing trademarks, names, branding, or copyrights. Trademarks are primarily terms, logos,

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F and other readily recognizable branding. Copyrights are generally limited to “works of art” themselves. Companies may apply for both state and federal trademark protections and federal copyright protections.

A large bike company recently pursued a small business owner for trademark infringement, because the small business owner named a bicycle wheel it had developed with the same name as an established bike model of the large bike company. The bike company had registered the particular trademark, which the defendant would have found through a simple registered trademark search, and was simply enforcing its rights as owner of the filed trademark. It makes sense, the bike company was trying to set a precedent and defend its product brand, but the public felt that the bike company was being overzealous with its litigation claim and didn’t appreciate the depth of action taken against the small business owner. Customers and other individuals in the bike industry spoke out on social media, and the negative public relations blowback caused the bike company to drop its lawsuit.

Common law trademark and copyright protections exist and are established through publication and use by the intended parties. However, filing intellectual property works and branding for federal protection assists the plaintiff in the recovery of financial, and potentially punitive, damages to further enforce the already inherent protections.

While this list does not encompass all potential liabilities facing an outdoor recreation or gear company, it does address the most common and highest exposure areas. One benefit of increases in popularity and use of certain recreational activities, such as skiing, whitewater rafting, and equestrian activities, is that states in which they are heavily performed have begun to enact statutes setting out requirements for such businesses, while at the same time providing limited liability

protections. Businesses need to be familiar with industry standards and applicable statutes, as well as regulatory and naming rules or laws, such as “made in the USA” or published ASTM/ANSI industry standards for gear like tents or sleeping bags. A product development company would do well to register its patents, trademarks, and copyrights whenever possible to provide increased protections for the innovative inventions and branding purposes. One of the final steps includes well worded and organized documentation outlining clear terms and waiving liability where allowed under public policy. Each of these layers of protection will be addressed more in depth in future columns.

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, 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 Introducing and commercial areas. He The also serves on Asheville’s Greenway Committee. Forrest writes regularly about legal issues affecting outdoor recreation and gear businesses and activities.

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UPDATES FOR

&

NATIONAL WORLD [

news briefs

Toy Hall of Fame Winners nation

The little green plastic army men have been inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, along with the 1980s stumper Rubik’s Cube, and bubbles. The toys take their places alongside other classics including Barbie, G.I. Joe, Scrabble, and the hula hoop after besting nine other finalists, including Fisher-Price Little People, American Girl dolls, and My Little Pony. The army men were finalists two other years prior to making the cut this time around, offering hope to this year’s other entries that were not selected, which also included Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Slip ’N Slide, the skill game Operation, paper airplanes, pots and pans, and the toy trucks sold

including toy collectors, designers and psychologists vote the winners in to the hall each year. Anyone can nominate a toy, but to pass the preliminary selection process and become a finalist, a toy must have achieved icon status, survived through generations, foster learning, creativity, or discovery, and have greatly changed play or toy design.

]

annually since 1964 by the Hess gas station chain. The Rubik’s Cube was invented

by Hungarian architect Erno Rubik in the 1970s, but took off in the United States in 1980 after being imported by Ideal Toy Corporation. More than 100 million of the colorful cubes were sold between 1980 and 1982. The cubes have inspired organized competitions in more than 50 countries, along with contests to solve it blindfolded, one-handed, and under water.

Mats Valk of the Netherlands holds the speed record for re-aligning the colors in 5.55 seconds. According to the toy hall, children have played with soap bubbles since at least the 17th century, when paintings depicting the play appeared in what is now modern-day Belgium. More than 200 million bottles of bubble liquid are sold annually. A national selection committee made up of 24 experts,

Elon Musk plans satellite network world

Entrepreneur Elon Musk has an ambitious vision in an attempt to bring the internet to the billions who still lack access. Musk is working on an embryonic $1 billion plan to launch 700 satellites that are less than half the size of the smallest communications models currently in use. The owner of electric carmaker Tesla is reportedly working with Greg Wyler, a satellite industry veteran and former Google executive, whose company, WorldVu Satellites, owns a considerable amount of radio spectrum.

Musk’s other venture, SpaceX, could be used to launch the satellites into orbit.

The two are considering constructing a

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factory in Florida or Colorado to manufacture the 110kg satellites. Two people familiar with the matter said WorldVu hoped to make the satellites for under $1 million each, considerably less than they are currently made for. Wyler had been working with the Google-backed startup O3b Networks, and in June it was reported that the search giant intended to spend $1 billion on 180 small, high-capacity satellites. The first four satellites launched by O3b had technical problems, and Wyler quit Google after a year to join forces with Musk. Wyler has left O3b but still remains a significant shareholder.

The venture would confront significant technical and regulatory obstacles, and SpaceX may not be prepared to launch satellites until near end of this decade.

O3b could face losing the rights to its radio spectrum by then.

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citizens, as well as some qualifying non-citizens. Passengers use the kiosks to have their passport scanned and answer a series of questions with the touch screen. The process eliminates the paper Customs Declaration form for international arrivals. Then, the kiosk takes the passenger’s picture and prints a receipt. However, passengers are still required to see a Customs and Border Protection officer, but the airport claims the express process means it is a brief final inspection. In addition to American and Canadian citizens, the express kiosks are also available to non-United States citizens from visa wavier countries who used the Electronic System For Travel Authorization, or ESTA, on their current trip and have previously used their existing passport to visit the United States.

Dulles launches ‘passport express’

National parks may hike entrance fee

dulles , virginia

nation

Dulles International Airport has launched “Dulles Passport Express,” a self-service kiosk system. The airport now has 40 new passport kiosks available to all returning U.S. and Canadian

Taking in the grand views at Grand Canyon National Park soon may be a little bit pricier. The Grand Canyon, along with 114 other national parks, are reportedly seeking public input on entrance fees

national & world

that could rise beginning in 2015. Due to tighter budgets, plus numerous proposed upgrades and projects that are necessary prior to the National Park Service’s centennial celebration, the parks are considering fee hikes. The Grand Canyon, for instance, unveiled a proposal to increase its single-vehicle entrance fee by $5 to $30 for a seven-day pass. National parks keep 80 percent of entrance fees, while the remaining 20 percent goes into a pool that is distributed to other parks that do not charge entrance fees.

World’s first solar cycle lane open in the Netherlands netherlands

The bike path that connects the Amsterdam suburbs of Krommenie and Wormerveer is popular with both school children and commuters, attracting nearly 2,000 cyclists to ride its two lanes on an average day. In November Krommenie’s 70-meter stretch will become the world’s first public road with embedded solar panels. Costing around $3.8 million and funded mostly by the local authority, the road is constructed

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with rows of crystalline silicon solar cells, encased within concrete and covered with a translucent layer of tempered glass. A non-adhesive finish and a slight tilt are meant to help the rain wash off dirt and keep the surface clean, assuring maximum exposure to sunlight. Since the path cannot be adjusted to the position of the sun, the panels produce roughly 30% less energy than those fixed on to roofs. Nonetheless, when the path is extended to nearly 328 feet in 2016, its creators hope that it will produce enough energy to power three households. The Netherlands’ TNO research institute, which established the concept behind the solar bicycle path, thinks the potential of their idea does not stop there. Sten de Wit of the institute said that up to 20% of the Netherlands’ 86,992 miles of road could potentially be altered, helping to power anything from traffic lights to electric cars. Tests have seen the solar panel units successfully carry the weight of heavy vehicles such as tractors.

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According to a letter Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) sent to Hawaii regulators, the utility intends to clear the path for thousands of rooftop solar energy systems on Oahu to connect to its grid by December 2015. The letter is in response to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s request for information on the progress of interconnecting rooftop solar systems on Oahu, which total 4,807 as of late October. Of the 4,807 customers currently “in the queue,” HECO claims it is already in the process of approving 2,058 customers, and of the remaining 2,749 customers, it will approve at least 2,500 of that amount by April. The remaining systems will be approved

by December 2015. HECO added that

it is using inverter technology to help interconnect more systems. It is also exploring additional solutions to confront these interconnection challenges, including instituting such programs as energy storage and community solar in the first half of 2015. As part of its new energy plan, HECO is pursuing or proposing grid-scale storage, smart grid investments, the installation of monitors on circuits, low-cost grid-scale renewable energy projects, and demand response programs. The Hawaiian Electric Companies have approved about 7,500 systems so far this year, bringing the total number of rooftop solar projects approved for interconnection to a total of nearly 48,000 customers, or about 11 percent of all customers. According to the Solar Electric Power Association, this is roughly 20 times greater than the national average of 0.5 percent at the end of 2013. Maui and the Big Island currently have 333 and 336 systems, respectively, pending approval.

ExxonMobil commits $25M to MIT cambridge , massachusetts

ExxonMobil Corporation plans to invest $25 million over the next five years in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) energy science and technology research initiative. According to the company and MIT, the financial commitment by ExxonMobil will support faculty and student research into new energy sources and more efficient use of conventional resources. With the money, the Cambridge, Massachusetts, university will create 10 graduate fellowships annually. For ExxonMobil, the partnership with MIT is part of a greater effort by the oil giant to explore early stage innovation at prominent universities around the world. T. J. Wojnar, president of ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, the company’s global fuels and lubricants research and development arm, explained, “the MIT

Energy Initiative is a great example of university-industry collaboration that is searching for technological solutions to the world’s current and future energy challenges.”

Google signs $1 billion NASA lease san fransisco, california

Google signed a long-term lease for part of a historic Navy air base, where it plans to renovate three massive hangars and use them for projects involving aviation, space exploration, and robotics. The company will pay $1.16 billion in rent over 60 years for the property, which also includes a working airfield, golf course, and other buildings. The 1,000-acre site is part of the former Moffett Field Naval Air Station on the San Francisco Peninsula. Google intends to invest more than $200 million to renovate the hangars and add other improvements, including a museum or educational facility that will exhibit the history of Moffett and Silicon Valley. According to the agency, a Google subsidiary called Planetary Ventures LLC will use the hangars for “research, development, assembly and testing in the areas of space exploration, aviation, rover/robotics, and other emerging technologies.” NASA plans to continue operating its Ames Research Center on the former Navy site. Google will take over operations at the runways and hangars, including a massive structure that was built to house dirigible-style Navy airships in the 1930s. NASA claims the deal will save it $6.3 million in annual maintenance and operation costs.

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December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 75

& sweet

s avo ry 2014

written by dasha morgan

We have featured these burgeoning businesses to share their creative wares with you for your holiday enjoyment.

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L leisure & libation

Starting a new business

is never an easy undertaking, but it can be an exciting adventure that will lead someone in a new direction.

Launching a business is a demanding task, but the rewards of owning and running your own business can be great. It is the American capitalistic way, the essence of our country.

BLUE RIDGE FOOD VENTURES (BRFV) in Candler is an organization that offers support in product development to food and natural product entrepreneurs—from farmers, food truck owners, bakers, caterers, and natural product producers. They provide a shared use industrial kitchen (rented by the hour 24/7), refrigeration and storage space, and bottling, packaging, and labeling equipment to new entrepreneurs. It takes a huge economic burden off the shoulders of the producer when starting.

Western North Carolina is indeed fortunate to have such an incredible facility with so many well informed, helpful staff members. BRFV is a division of AdvantageWest, a nonprofit economic development organization that started approximately twenty years ago to help with the economic development of the 23 counties of Western North Carolina. With a reputation for being an industry leader, AdvantageWest was started by the North Carolina General Assembly, but last year the General Assembly discontinued their connection. The volunteer board of directors is led by W. Thomas Alexander of Burnsville. A large part of their operating funds comes from grants and corporate supporters, both public and private.

All six companies in this Sweet & Savory article have turned to BRFV to bring their product to fruition. All sing their praises. Some travel a considerable distance to use this facility and learn from the staff. They all mention that the atmosphere at the facility is incredibly warm, friendly, and noncompetitive. All there help each other with ideas and suggestions. The staff of BRFV directs the producers on the best route to succeed on their business journey, offering regulatory, branding, and monetary advice. They help turn dreams into reality, whatever the dream might be. They help them succeed in their business venture. see the event on page 95

for last minute gift purchases from these unique startups.

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 77

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How about a smoky peppery flavor?

Consuming Fires Sauces & Seasonings

ALMOST FIVE YEARS AGO, Ron and Teresa Jones realized that their garden was just overflowing with peppers, far more than they could consume. New recipes were tried, new menus that could be enhanced by peppery flavor. Out of this grew sauces that were big hits with friends, who made more and more requests for another mason jar of this delicious sauce, and then adding: “We will even pay for them! Please send us some.”

Thus this year, Consuming Fires Sauces & Seasonings was born, which is a micro business producing small bottles of smoked hot sauce: Smoked Jalapeño, Smoked Habanero, and Smoked Andouille. An almost cult-like following of chile pepper lovers has rapidly developed, with people from Key West, Idaho, Canada, and even South Africa asking for the product. How did they hear about this? Ron and Teresa have no idea. Probably a friend telling a friend or seeing something on the internet.

Perhaps they read Brian Meagher’s hotsaucedaily.com blog who is a big fan and wrote: “Smoked Jalapeño Sauce Gets 4 Stars!!!!

Fans of jalapeño sauces will love this one. A bright and fresh finish tells us this is hand-crafted and bottled fresh. It’s all good stuff here. Delicious.”

So how did all this evolve? Ron’s wife Teresa loves to garden after her busy week showing and managing one of the top producing real estate teams. Ron is a culinary specialist. He was named one of Greenville Business Magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in 2011 for his work in school food reform, bringing healthy, scratch cooked meals to Greenville County’s (South Carolina) 72,000 students. Ron attended Johnson & Wales Culinary school and is a classically trained chef with broad experience in the food industry, including: classical cuisine, building and operating restaurants and culinary schools, as well as directing major school food service programs.

When the family’s crop of peppers came in, his creative juices began to flow. What can I make with this? His opinion was that most hot sauces were just that: hot. He wanted a flavor profile that would complement and enhance the food served. Most hot 78

| December 2014

sauces are peppers, vinegar, and salt. Ron wanted more than that; he wanted to have a prolonged smoky flavor. So he began balancing the jalapeños with fruit juices. Each sauce features a smoked chile along with a smoked salt for a smooth and savory flavor. This smoky profile is then coupled with apple juice, garlic, and a blend of vinegar that really makes them unique. Ron decided he wanted to bottle three degrees of “heat,” from relatively mild to very hot.

Teresa and Ron jumped into growing a new business in their spare time. They decided to make an appeal on Kickstarter Campaign with a pledged $5,000 goal. With restaurants asking to have the sauce be put on tabletops, and many gourmet stores requesting the product for their shelves, they needed to produce in quantity. Growing demand required prompt action to get their products on the market quickly. They had much of the business set up, and all they needed was a good kickstart with the additional funds needed to launch. The project was successfully funded on March 30, 2014, with $6,115.

So production could begin. They needed to purchase produce from local distributors, as their garden couldn’t supply enough.

Some fruit and produce companies now even set aside boxes

L Batches are usually cooked and bottled at the Blue Ridge Food Ventures facility, often filling approximately 1,500 bottles per cooking session.

Jordan Gottschall (left) & Ron Jones (right) bottling their Smoked Andouille Sauce.

for them. Batches are usually cooked and bottled at the Blue Ridge Food Ventures facility, often filling approximately 1,500 bottles per cooking session. Inspectors monitor the production to make sure that all regulations are followed. The labeling is also done there.

An attractive and proper label was a substantial but necessary investment. The label must of course follow all FDA regulations, with the proper bar code and ingredients listed. The design and packaging have been kept simple with a clean graphic of a little chile pepper incorporated. The theme of fire and a jalapeño were artfully incorporated. The idea is to convey that people become “consumed” by the sauce; they are passionate about the flavor.

For such a fledgling business, the reception to these hot sauces has been overwhelming. Teresa said, “I just wish there was a good road map to guide us on what steps to take next.”

With so many positive responses, they have been propelled forward to find new gourmet shops for selling the product and to find the time to produce more product. In fact this November the 2015 Scovie Awards judging panel of top culinary experts honored Consuming Fires with 3rd place for the Best Hot Sauce in the “All Natural” category for their Smoked Andouille Hot

Sauce. This year’s competition was tougher than ever with more entries than in previous years. These awards were named after the Scoville scale, a measurement of the spicy heat of a chile pepper.

Some people come from parts of the world where there is a mindset to add a hot sauce to a dish automatically. They come by that mindset naturally; others perhaps not so much Now if someone says Peach Smoked Habanero Glazed Chicken, that might get you thinking hot sauce. Hot sauces can be added to grits, eggs, hash browns, mac and cheese, pizza, tuna fish, barbecue, vegetables, shrimp, black beans and rice, steak, hamburgers, and hot dogs for extra uumph and pizazz. These Consuming Fires sauces are something to know about, something to try. As hotsaucedaily.com says: “This simple, mild, delicious Jalapeño sauce is a great choice for those that like just a little heat, and that classic Jalapeño flavor with a big touch of smoke.” Don’t expect the same ole, same ole, but something that will lift a delicious dish to another level. You can even try it on popcorn, or set your Bloody Mary on fire—far better than Mr. & Mrs. T mix. Just go to their website, consumingfires.com or look in your favorite gourmet store.

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 79

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All natural and healthy M&J Dog Essentials

WHO DOESN’T LIKE a lovely, fresh smell when they are near their pet? A grooming product called M&J Dog Essentials, made right here in Asheville at the Blue Ridge Food Ventures, makes your dog’s coat soft to touch and noticeably shiny. Mary Louise Shenk and Hannah Koch, a mother/daughter team, are offering products to help a person enjoy their four-footed friend even more. Both ladies became certified estheticians at the Aveda Institute. Not too long ago they decided to change their focus from products for humans to holistic grooming products for their beloved pets. The mother/daughter team began producing all natural shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, and treatments for dogs.

Mary Louise and Hannah returned to Western North Carolina, after living in Chicago for a few years. Hannah (the daughter) has a bachelor of science from Michigan State University, while Mary Louise (the mother) graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Happy memories of the state came to mind when considering relocating the business and their lives to North Carolina. It was time to get away from big city life in the cold north.

After arriving in Asheville, they discovered that Blue Ridge Food Ventures had a facility, which would help them produce their product without a great deal of investment and overhead.

All the ingredients in M&J Dog Essential products are natural, sustainably sourced. It is important that the pH balance be correct for a canine, which is not the same as for a human.

Mary Louise (the mother) has studied and learned about herbs, having gathered her knowledge of herbs over the past 20 years from countless other well respected herbalists and her world travels. From the start, both mother and daughter agreed they should make their own extracts. For example, the Calendula Flower Extract with antiseptic and soothing properties helps calm skin sensitivities that sometimes cause itching and helps soothe inflammatory dermatitis. The Red Clover Extract is full of vitamins and nutrients. Using locally sourced raw materials,

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other extracts are made in-house. Some of the herbs are grown by them or local farmers, but others are obtained from the Appalachian Botanical Alliance. Ingredients can include mango and cupuacu butter, nettle extract, camellia oil, or honeysuckle extract, all to help condition the coat and skin.

The graphic design on the bottles and the catalog are obviously done by a professional and catch your eye immediately.

The initials M&J in the name stand for Moe and Joe, two beloved Boston Terriers, who hold the logo on both sides. Warm wonderful photographs and sketches are scattered throughout the

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Mary Louise Shenk & Hannah Koch

Mary Louise (the mother) has studied and learned about herbs, having gathered her knowledge of herbs over the past 20 years from countless other well respected herbalists and her world travels.

catalog, the website, and marketing material. Moreover the company is committed to green business practices; the bottles are made with eco-friendly PCR materials. Product development is a passion of the team. The packaging was improved for a more visual point-of-sale presentation and changes in bottle caps and pumps for easier consumer use. The company recently introduced a gallon size Green Tea Clarifying Grooming Shampoo, which they are now selling to professional dog groomers.

Hannah and Mary Louise enlisted the aid of their friend Diana Eberhart, who has a bachelor of science from Hillsdale College in business and finance, to help promote these holistic products.

After only a short time she has reached out to many retailers, who now purchase a variety of items, such as a 3-Step Holistic Dog Grooming Systems as an Ultimate Spa Day. The M&J Dog Essentials improve the health of all skin types and promote the optimal moisture balance for healthy skin with no dandruff and a beautiful coat.

The company does participate in local dog shows and charitable events. Recently they were a sponsor for the Brother Wolf Drag Queen Bingo event. All proceeds from their sales there were donated to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, and any unsold product was donated to the Brother Wolf shelter’s Re-Tail store.

A number of retailers carry the product here in North Carolina and other states: Katuah Market, Woof Gang Bakery, and Waggers Dog Depot in Asheville, and Wag! A Unique Pet Boutique in Hendersonville. Other retailers can be found throughout the country. To find a retailer near you, or order online, just go to mjdog.com. Since you are undoubtedly living a healthy all natural lifestyle yourself, why not give the same care and attention to your canine companions, who are undoubtedly near and dear to your heart? They will appreciate it.

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com

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Enjoy a taste of the tropics Guava Love Foods

GUAVA IS A TROPICAL FRUIT that is not that well known in North Carolina. The plants are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Yet, Caroline Starnes, who lives in Charlotte, has had success in finding a guava spread that is fast becoming a favorite. It is made with two-thirds guava, one-third butter, and various seasonings. There are no artificial flavors, ingredients, or high fructose corn syrup. As her husband, Mark, (an IT man) attests, and she says, the spreads are “just yummy.” It was on their honeymoon in Puerto Rico four years ago, when Caroline noticed that her husband, normally a selective eater, had fallen in love with guava. She sat up and took notice. Then when a local person commented that “guava is the taste that most people are missing,” the idea of producing her spreads for market was born.

Guava Love Foods currently has four distinctive flavors of spreads—almond, cinnamon, coconut lime, and lemon ginger.

These are delicious on bread and toast, as an additive to various meats (pork, chicken, lamb), with cream cheese, farmer’s cheese, or perhaps as a spread between layers of a cake. Each flavor is unique and recognizable. All four flavors seem to sell equally year round, but perhaps the cinnamon less in the summer and more in the winter. Caroline is currently working on a recipe for guava dijon vinaigrette, and perhaps a flavorful (guava chipotle) marinade. This year, she was even recognized

by Martha Stewart as a 2014 American Made Nominee.

So where did Caroline learn to cook? Basically at her mother’s “home cooking school.” She and her sister, who is a sommelier, both seem to have a discriminating food palate. She has traveled a lot, lived abroad twice (Paris and Nicaragua), thus tasting all kinds of different flavors and even taking a cooking course for fun in Thailand. She traveled alone in East Asia for three months. Earlier, she lived in New Mexico and worked with a jewelry company as the human resource manager.

Now she produces the guava spreads in large quantities, maybe once every two or three months in the industrial kitchens at 82

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photos below : (top) Caroline Starnes, owner of Guava Love Foods. ( bottom) Guava Love Foods products on display.

Photos by Stacey Rubenstein of SLR Images

( left)

photos on facing page :

Puerto Rico, where Caroline fell in love with guava. (right) Production at Blue Ridge Food Ventures.

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Blue Ridge Food Ventures in Candler. Although Charlotte does have some commercial kitchens, Caroline decided to drive up to this area to work in the Blue Ridge Food Ventures facility. Here she has access to an incredible and extensive variety of equipment, as well as a talented and helpful staff. Their knowledge and experience makes opening a new business so much easier; she finds the drive worthwhile. The Blue Ridge Food Ventures is truly a “food incubator facility,” which enables small entrepreneurs to produce a marketable product. It allows them to keep their overhead to a minimum as they find their way to success.

It took a bit of learning to go from a small batch for friends and family to producing 100 jars at a time for the public. “You don’t just multiply out the quantities, but must adjust the recipe for flavor,” she said. With Michele Rogers helping in the kitchen, Caroline was made aware of all the North Carolina state rules and regulations that needed to be met. All workers must wear a hairnet when cooking, and of course, no glass of wine nearby to sip on, like she might have in her home kitchen.

The packaging and labeling requirements must meet required

regulations and be approved before it is allowed to be sold. Then making the product attractive for presentation on the store shelf is important too.

There are very specific rules for producing a jam, jelly, or butter that must be followed. “The NCSU Dept of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences tested my product, made the nutrition labels, and told me how to package the food to sell to the public (what they call a ‘Process Letter’). The Department of Agriculture watched me produce the food to be sure I followed the required sanitation, production, process, and packaging procedures. Happily I passed, however they do require yearly approval. Blue Ridge Food Ventures helped with this process.”

Apparently there are many types of guava. They are now cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics (like Hawaii).

Nutritionally guavas are rich in dietary fiber and vitamin C, with moderate levels of folic acid and few calories. The fruit is said to have four times the amount of vitamin C as an orange.

In simple terms, guavas with a pink interior are considered sweeter than the white ones; they may have the sweetness of a strawberry. Caroline uses a pink Brazilian guava for her spreads.

The guava apparently bruises easily and has many hard, but edible, seeds. She gets her product from a Cuban company that came to the United States and is based in Miami.

Currently, there are a number of stores in Charlotte, which carry her product: the Bodega, Atherton Mill & Market, the 7th Street Public Market, the Healthy Home Market, the Common Market, and the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. Guava Love Foods will be at the Blue Ridge Food Ventures’ annual Holiday Marketplace event in December. The 10-ounce jar sells for $7.95 and a 4-pack sampler for $10.95. The LLC was only formed a year ago, so for those in other parts of the state you must go to the website at guavalovefoods.com until she gets the product in a store near you. Asheville is the next market Caroline plans to expand to, now that she has gotten her system down in her immediate area of Charlotte. She has found that her small sample size makes a wonderful gift to be offered at weddings: jars of “Guava Love” for family and guests.

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 83

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Sadrah Schadel & Mike Woliansky working at Blue Ridge Food Ventures.

Photo by Anthony Harden

Out of the Box No Evil Foods

SOMETIMES IT IS TIME to try something new—not be set in our ways and habits, perhaps think outside the box. With this is mind, there is a new locally-made product worth trying, liking, and then adding to your daily diet. Sadrah Schadel and Mike Woliansky have brought a full-flavored plant meat to market and are selling it all over the Asheville area. It is a healthy alternative to meat and tastes great. Just look for No Evil Foods on the wrapper in a deli case. There are a variety of products and ways to use them: the Italian sausage with old world flavors, a Mexican chorizo with a fiery taste, and “The Prepper,” a savory roast.

The sausages are called “The Stallion” with Italian flavors and “El Zapatista” with Mexican spices. The roast is quite versatile and can be a part of beef stew, shepherd’s pie, or shredded in a barbecue or in a salad. The product is primarily made with organic items. It has been cooked, therefore is not raw, but certainly benefits from being reheated. When cooking, you just add some oil to the pan, or you can even grill them.

No Evil Foods uses a high protein wheat flour to create a very meaty texture and a product that has a protein content comparable to animal meat. You’ll get 18 to 25 grams of protein per serving in all their products A number of herbs and spices have been added for flavor. This is essentially Seitan (pronounced ‘say-tan’ with the emphasis on the last syllable), which dates back to the 7th century and is said to have been developed by Buddhist monks. So it is not a new food. With delicious spices, herbs, and flavors added, No Evil Foods updates it, so that it will fit into a modern lifestyle. Your doctor would undoubtedly approve of this flavorful vegan dish to help with your cholesterol levels. Plant protein is high in protein, has no fat, and is considered better than animal protein. The products include nutritional yeast, which is fortified with essential B vitamins and amino acids. It is a real food—a plant food, not a fake synthetic meat.

Sadrah grew up on a 13-acre farm in upstate New York, and Mike in New Jersey. They both became aware of where their

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food came from early on and how it affects everyday life. Sadrah in particular farmed, canned, and even made maple syrup as a youngster. After meeting each other in Pennsylvania, they traveled extensively throughout Asia. Both have worked in the service industry. Sadrah and Mike knew they loved the Western North Carolina area, its people, the mountains, the tradition of craftsmanship, and the beer! Once the idea came to them of having their own vegan business, they wanted to come to Asheville. Many people suggested the area would be receptive to this kind of food. They started by taking a course at Mountain BizWorks. And indeed, the community has been very supportive of their small business—with people helping them to jump hurdles and to understand all the rules and regulations of the business world.

Having only really begun in 2014, their business is just starting, but it is growing rapidly. Sadrah and Mike create their products in quantity once a week by renting time at Blue Ridge Food Ventures in Candler. They produce organic and non-GMO plant meats from scratch in the kitchens there. Once packaged with a well designed label, the prepared products go out in a cooler the next day to places like Wicked Weed Brewing, French Broad Co-Op, Trout Lily, and Food Matters Market in Brevard. Because the product is cooked ahead, it is very shelf stable—four weeks in the refrigerator case of local grocery stores and may be easily frozen at home to extend the product’s life.

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Pulled pork BBQ, at 12 Bones, made with The Prepper.

Photo by Sadrah Schadel

Celebrating 31 years in downtown Asheville

The bratwurst, at Wicked Weed, made vegan with The Stallion.

Photo by Sadrah Schadel

18 k white and yellow gold pendant with diamonds

So far they have had a wonderful reception to their product. Katuah Market often serves it at their hot bar for customers and in their deli cases, and many restaurants are adding No Evil Foods ingredients to their dishes. Mellow Mushroom, for instance, is using the sausage on their pizzas, and Avery’s Hot Dogs uses “The Stallion” as their veggie option. As this product is organic and non-GMO, they are hoping to get non-GMO certified. As Sadrah says, “we basically do it all ourselves. The hard part is keeping the books. Mike does the financial side with Quickbooks. Frankly, we have been blown away about how well it has taken off. Both of us have other jobs, which means we work a lot every day and weekends. We want to grow incrementally and be balanced. We must make sure to take time for the other side of our life, the nonbusiness side.” Mike happily added, “since April, I can tell you we’ve done over $30K in sales—which feels pretty successful to us!” In addition, they have been chosen as a Martha Stewart American Made Agriculture and Sustainability Wildcard Finalist, which is quite an accomplishment.

So now is the time to think out of the box and try No Evil Foods for your next meal. Both Sadrah and Mike at the Food and Wine Festival recently found it really enjoyable to surprise many attendants with the incredible flavor of their healthy plant meat. It is certainly selling well, and they will be releasing the first in the Meats of Strength seasonal series for Thanksgiving this fall. This holiday roast will feed four to six people for a feast. It will feature all local products from Asheville area farms and local balsamic vinegar from Highland Gourmet. They also plan to donate a portion of the proceeds from this holiday roast to charity.

Visit a store near you or check out their website, noevilfoods.com. The texture and flavor will be a happy surprise. It will add a lot to your meal. This is real food, not a fake or synthetic, it is good for you, and it tastes good too.

winter delights

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Downtown Asheville 828-254-5088 Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30 - 6 December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 85

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From Italy to Asheville

Amy Pickett serving her gelato to a young girl at the West Asheville Tailgate Market

Sugar & Snow Gelato

WHAT COMES TO MIND when you hear the word “gelato?”

Could it be a special ice cream with a slightly different texture?

Most people associate “gelato” with Italy, and they would be right. Italians love their gelato and regularly go out for one, much like we do for coffee, meeting friends at the gelato shop, a place to congregate and find out what’s going on with your friends. Here in the United States you see gelato creeping into the ice cream aisles at the grocery store, with Breyers, Talenti, and Häagen-Dazs offering flavors. Gelato is similar to ice cream but has less fat in the base and less air churned into it during the freezing process. Thus it is easy to scoop and just not as hard as most ice creams. So the difference is quite subtle; one should remember that in Italian the word “gelato” really means just ice cream.

In Asheville you can now find a colorful gelato cart at many tailgate markets and at parties or events. Sugar and Snow sells freshly made gelato in scrumptious flavors like peach, pistachio, lemon, or salted caramel. Amy Pickett is the adventuresome entrepreneur who has brought this special treat to our area.

She discovered gelato in Gaeta, Italy, as a young teenager living the good life as a military brat. Later, at Wake Forest in 2000 she wrote a business plan for her entrepreneurship class that articulated her idea for bringing the gelato experience to the United States. Ultimately, in 2013 she would use that plan as the basis to start her own business. So far she has been working very hard to keep the carts rolling and remain in the black. She truly enjoys being her own boss and being in charge of her own life. It is a daily adventure.

Amy’s attractive Sugar and Snow carts sell four ounce cups and pints, filled with only the freshest ingredients—found locally if at all possible. She buys her milk and cream from Farm to Home Milk, an Asheville company that brings dairy products from places like Maple View Farms (see the June 2014 edition of Capital at Play or go to capitalatplay.com). When ingredients must be sourced outside the region, she buys the

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photo by Lynne Harty Photography

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photo by Lynne Harty Photography

best, such as 100% pure ground pistachio butter from Italy. If a fruit is in season, she may feature it—like peach, raspberry, or blueberry. In the fall she offers pumpkin and chai spice; and at Christmas time, gingerbread or peppermint.

Amy makes her gelato a few times a week. Producing out of Blue Ridge Food Ventures has made it possible. “They offer equipment, advice, and solutions. Basically they bill the company by the hour, and I can use their freezer and store items there.” The product is inspected and licensed by the N.C. Department of Agriculture. To maintain its ideal texture, the gelato must include a stabilizer. Because the store bought commercial mix includes gelatin, which is animal based, Amy makes her own stabilizer, using Xanthan gum and locust bean gum, which are derived from plants.

“The users at Blue Ridge are so helpful as are the staff; they share their information and offer advice,” Amy says. “In addition, my amazing friends have come to my aid, when I get

overwhelmed and need help working multiple events on the same day. In fact even my brother has come up from Charleston to pitch in and help.”

The Sugar and Snow cart is easily noticeable, as it is decorated with inviting graphics and cheerful colors. Amy goes to many tailgate markets in Asheville. Her website is the best way to find out where she will be on a particular day. A friend in Nashville, who owns a retail shop called “Legato Gelato,” led her to the graphic design firm, Anderson Design Group. They walked her through the many options for graphics, fonts, and design possibilities until they landed on an attractive logo and the design for the cart. Amy has a portable table top freezer as well, which she takes to catered events. These are used for an “employee appreciation event” or birthday parties with kids clamoring for another scoop of delicious gelato. In July the Sugar & Snow cart could be found at the Ramble, offering gelato to 750 guests for their annual neighborhood event. And Amy will be doing Bridal Show and Wedding conventions in Asheville and Greenville as well.

So what has Amy enjoyed the most about this venture? She finds that being in control of her own schedule means a great deal. It does mean that she has to work hard, in fact very hard, to keep the operation running smoothly. She is in charge of sales, ordering ingredients, hiring, acquiring needed licenses, taking care of the financial paperwork, developing new ideas— just about everything. It is important to have everything run smoothly and to monitor expenses as the business grows. New products in the works include a hazelnut meringue cookie gelato sandwich and gelato push pops. In addition, she is pursuing ways to wholesale her gelato and sorbet to allow people to buy pints at a convenient location. There are many opportunities to expand her product, if only she can get the time to do it. This is a one woman show. Many pieces of the business have just fallen into place. “After all, I just started in 2013,” Amy said.

December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 87

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Fuel the Moment Threshold Provisions

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA HAS BECOME known for a wide variety of outdoor activities. People here love the outdoors with its majestic mountains. Fishing, kayaking, gliding, hunting, shooting, mountain climbing, skiing, or biking are only a few of the hundreds of activities that pull one into the wilderness.

These activities are all exhilarating. Some are strenuous, but all can keep you fit and healthy. With any outdoor activity you need to bring along something light, something tasty to snack on, in a pocket or backpack, along with perhaps some water or other liquid. When your energy level is low and personal battery needs to be recharged, you may seek a burst of energy. A new product has recently come on the market that stands out for its quality and exceptional taste: a package with a tagline “Fuel the Moment.” These Threshold Bars are certainly something worth trying. They are delicious.

Josh Mitchell and Diane Hutt, the owners of Threshold Provisions, are producing these bars, which are filled with exotic nutritional ingredients that will sustain you through your exercise. Nourishing the body with a wholesome food seemed a natural outgrowth of their lifestyle. Diane comes from a family of bakers. Her Dutch grandmothers loved to bake but without recipes. It was always “a pinch of this; or a pinch of that.” Both she and Josh did a lot of research, in fact hours and hours to see what would taste and achieve the desired results. At the 2009 Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure Race, Diane made the Greek pastry, baklava, and learned that the dates and honey were very sustaining. From talking with friends, they knew they wanted to get rid of dairy products, gluten, soy, GMOs, and sugars. Both knew they had production requirements and wanted to be as healthy and sustainable as possible.

Slowly they developed recipes to formulate the bars. They found suitable sources to buy the ingredients. Bit by bit, they tried out the new bars on friends, who might suggest: “Sorry, too sweet, or too sticky.” Finally in December of 2012, Josh took a prototype to Argentina, where he was invited to Patagonia by a friend who designs gear for Arc’teryx. Josh stayed at the 88

| December 2014

base camp where he tested his nutritional foods, including their other provision, wild salmon jerky. Happily, the jerky and bars were well liked and considered nourishing, sustaining, and delicious—the best. This resulted in a big boost of confidence and the incentive to continue the quest to produce a marketable energy product for extreme athletes.

There are currently four delicious bars offered: Blueberry Ginger, Cherry Coconut, Mango Mate, and Pistachio Chai. Just pick your favorite flavor. These provide high octane fuel to get through a low moment and help to sustain your energy to get you through a needed task. The wild salmon jerky comes from the cold waters of the Pacific and provides a quality source of protein, amino acids, and omega-3s. Josh was working on the back deck of a fishing boat in Alaska, and noted, “with all this

photos clockwise from top left :

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Josh Mitchell & Diane Hutt.

Diane Hutt in the Antarctic.

Josh on a commercial fishing boat in Alaska.

All Natural & All Local DRY AGED, amazing salmon, why am I not eating salmon jerky?”

Both the bars and the jerky are perfect for the athlete who wants to improve their performance.

Diane and Josh have travelled extensively, worked in remote parts of the world, and understand the need for an occasional energy boost. Both have fished in Alaska, trekked in New Zealand and Patagonia, worked on fishing boats in windy, rolling seas in Alaska, and love high endurance sports. Josh has been a commercial fisherman since 1999.

In addition, he is an avid bike racer and mountain climber. Diane, a former Mars Hill University professor of art and humanities, works part of the year on a research boat as a lab technician in the Antarctic. Over the years she has been involved in many study projects for the U.S. Antarctic program.

Packaging and design is important in selling a product for it to be seen and noticed on the shelf. The graphic design on the Threshold Provisions label is simple and clear with interesting graphics and lettering. The Blueberry Ginger bar, for instance, lists organic pumpkin seeds, organic dates, almonds, organic blueberries, honey, chia seeds, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Certainly all the ingredients are easily recognizable—nothing artificial or unpronounceable.

Diane and Josh source as many ingredients as possible locally. Their headquarters are the Blue Ridge Food Ventures in Candler, North Carolina. Diane says, “I can’t tell you how wonderful they have been. People in other towns are jealous of Asheville for having such a great place to produce our product.” The salmon jerky, however, is dehydrated in Seattle, Washington, and shipped east. It would be too expensive to ship the frozen salmon all the way across the United States and process it here.

A number of stores in this area and neighboring states now carry these healthy provisions. In addition, Diane and Josh sell the products at many festivals and events, such as Cycle to Farm, Beer-City Beatdown (a cross-fit competition), and in many tailgate markets all around Asheville. You can also find the provisions at Earth Fare, West Village Market and Deli, or the French Broad Food Co-op in Asheville, The Hub and Backcountry Outdoors in Brevard, or at many bike stores in Asheville, Boone, Winston-Salem, or Greenville. Of course the products can be ordered online at thresholdpro.com. These provisions, the salmon jerkies and nutritional bars, are easily digestible, healthy, and delicious. They are not just for a threshold athlete, but are for anyone seeking a healthy lifestyle on the go.

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December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 89

Dec events

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

As daylight fades into dusk, candlelight and firelight accent Biltmore House’s extravagant holiday décor, 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 self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village, and Biltmore Winery. Advance reservations are required.

admission: adult $34 . 50 - $84 (child 9 & under free with adult admission) info: 828 -225 -1333 or biltmore.com

- january 4 Polar Express Train november 7

the great smoky mountains railroad, bryson city, nc A favorite area holiday tradition for people all ages is the Polar Express Train excursion at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The popular book by Chris Van Allsburg is a story of a magical train ride on Christmas Eve. The 1.25-hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the “North Pole” to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express, greeting each child 90

| December 2014

and presenting a silver sleigh bell to each, just as in the story. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot. They do not run on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. In December, the train will run on from the 3rd-7th, 10th-24th, and the 26th-29th. Smoky Mountain Trains Museum admission is included with all train excursion tickets.

admission: $40+ adults , $26+ children , free for children under 2 info: gsmr .com

- january 11 Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration 9am - 4:30 pm biltmore, asheville, nc november 7

See the famous home decorated with dozens of Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, bows, and poinsettias, miles of evergreen garland, and thousands of ornaments.

info: 828 -225 -1333 or biltmore.com

november 19 -january 1

National Gingerbread House Competition & Display sun -thurs , 9am - 9pm (for non - resort guests) the omni grove park inn , 290 macon ave, asheville, nc After the judging and the awards ceremony are over, the display will be set up throughout the hotel and will be open for viewing from November 19th through January 1st, 2015. As a means to preserve the overall guest experience, The Omni Grove Park Inn will open its doors to the public to view the Gingerbread display and holiday splendor from Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays.

Half of each parking charge collected this holiday season will be returned to the community in support of one of six local nonprofits.

admission: free ($10 parking) info: 828 -252-2711

- december 21 A Christmas Carol wed -sat 8 pm thurs , sat, & sun 2pm flat rock playhouse, flat rock , nc november 20

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: flatrockplayhouse.org november 22-january 4

Winter Lights 6 pm -10 pm

north carolina arboretum , asheville, nc

Walk through a winter wonderland and experience the gardens in a whole new way. Designed with an artistic aesthetic, Winter Lights will enhance the natural beauty of the gardens and landscape. The Arboretum has collaborated with Jerry Stripling, former designer and manager of holiday decorations, special projects and events for Walt Disney World®, to create a truly magical experience. Winter Lights will also feature music, gifts, and food and beverages. Tickets will be available to purchase exclusively through

eTix.com. Tickets are date-specific and sold in limited quantities. All tickets must be purchased in advance; no tickets will be sold at the gate.

admission: $18 adults , $16 child (ages 5 to 11) , free for children 4 & under info: ncarboretum .org november 21-january 4

Winter Wonderland grove arcade, 1 page ave, asheville, nc Grove Arcade makes the most out of this festive time of year and fully embraces the spirit of holiday décor while welcoming Santa Claus to Asheville. Warm and snug inside the Arcade’s Winter Wonderland, Santa invites Arcade visitors to check in with him for consultations on their GA_Cap@Play_Dec2014.qxp_GA 11/2/14 2:48 PM

holiday shopping lists. Santa will visit the Arcade Saturday, November 29th, and Sunday, November 30th, from 1pm to 5pm, and Sunday, December 7th, 14th, and 21st, from 1pm to 5pm. The Arcade shops offer gifts ranging from folksy to contemporary. Its restaurants provide dining experiences from “on the corner” to “across the globe.”

admission: free

info: 828 -252-7799 or grovearcade.com november 28 -january 21

Festival of Lights chetola resort, 500 n . main st, blowing rock , nc Chetola’s Festival of Lights features a dazzling display of illuminations attracting thousands of visitors each year. A drive Page 1

around Chetola Lake lets visitors see 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: chetola .com

november 26 -december 31 Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland dusk-10 pm

wnc agricultural center , 1301 fanning bridge rd, fletcher , nc There are over sixteen hundred individual and unique channels simultaneously directing this orchestra of lights. Using

Through January 4, 2015

EVENTS THROUGH JANUARY 4 VISIT SANTA FOR PHOTOS & STORY TIME Sundays 1 - 5 pm December 7, 14 & 21

SHOP & DINE LOCAL

with locally owned businesses

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DISPLAY In Partnership with

THE HISTORIC

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828.252.7799

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December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 91

events

the most technologically advanced equipment in the industry, Christmas Wonderland magically expresses a true Christmas spirit.

admission: starts at $20 november 27-january 6

Christmas at Connemara carl sandburg home, flat rock , nc The home is decorated in the simple style of the Sandburgs with poinsettias and a traditionally decorated Christmas tree. There will be music/storytelling from 10:30am-12:30pm in the garage adjacent to the Sandburg Home. You can also enjoy refreshments and holiday craft-making from 10am-1pm.

info: 828 - 693 - 4178

december 4 -31

Deck the Trees

with Santa, and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. Local groups will also perform.

monte vista hotel , 308 w. state st, black mountain , nc

admission: free

See 24 beautiful Christmas Trees on display as the result of the decorating contest that was held to raise funds for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries.

december 5

admission: free

info: 828 - 669 - 8870

december 5

Fletcher Community Tree Lighting 6 pm

fletcher community park , fletcher , nc

Ye Olde Christmas Gathering 5pm -7pm henderson county heritage museum in the historic courthouse, hendersonville Enjoy Christmas stories and crafts for the children, as well as music and refreshments.

admission: free

info: 828 - 694 -1619 or hendersoncountymuseum.com

See the annual lighting of the community Christmas tree, as well as visit

Need service or an installation? Mention this ad and we’ll donate 10%, up to $100, to a local WNC charity. to request service.

Call or go to (Offer good throughout December 2014 - Cannot be used in combination with any other offer.)

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Quality Commitment Character

december 5

provides anglers a forum to sharpen their skills and learn about the latest innovations in their sport. It’s become the Southeast’s largest event for fly-fishers, averaging more than 1,000 visitors over the course of the weekend.

Olde Fashioned Hendersonville Christmas 5 - 8 pm

admission: $15

downtown hendersonville Merchants will host an open house with refreshments, entertainment, and late night shopping.

admission: free

info: wncflyfishingexpo.com

december 5

Sweet Tooth Dessert Tour 2pm - 4:30 pm black mountain , nc

info: 828 -233 -3216

december 5 - 6

WNC Fly-Fishing Expo fri noon -7pm | sat 9am - 4 pm wnc agricultural center , fletcher , nc This two-day fly-fishing extravaganza

The two-and-a-half to three hour tour will include samples of treats from at least six eateries including Kilwin’s Chocolates, Spice It Up, HeyHey Cupcake, Black Mountain Bakery, Red Rocker Inn, and Dobra Tea. Regardless of whether you are a diehard chocoholic or just

enjoy something light, this walk is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. Book a tour at creativemountaintours.com.

admission: $30 per ticket december 5 -7

Biltmore Village Dickens Festival fri 5pm -7pm sat 11am -7pm | sun 1pm - 5pm historic biltmore village, asheville, nc Enjoy a weekend of merriment, music, and memories, all on the streets and in the shops, restaurants, and galleries of Historic Biltmore Village. There’s entertainment for every age and interest. The main stage will be filled continuously with musicians, choral groups, singers, dancers, and Montford Park Players. This

The curtain rises on another day

IN HISTORIC ABINGDON.

HOW WILL YOU SPEND IT? Share a candlelit

DINNER FOR TWO. Enjoy live music and

FINE LOCAL WINE. Rekindle the romance

AT A COZY B&B.

888.489.4144 · visitabingdonvirginia.com December 2014 | capitalatplay.com 93

events

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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.

year, the Festival will feature more than 300 performers, who, after their stage segments, will rove throughout the Village entertaining on the streets and in the shops and restaurants. Friday and Saturday evenings will feature main stage concerts for the entire family. Plus, when dusk turns into evening, the more than 250,000 white lights outlining the historic Village buildings will combine with the streetlights to enhance the ambiance.

Shops will stay open both evenings until 7pm, with many of the shopkeepers dressed in Victorian-era garb. In addition, there will be horse-drawn rides through the tree-lined Village streets all day Saturday and Sunday. Chestnuts roasted on an open fire by chestnut roaster Sakshi Gentenbein will be available next to the main stage.

admission: free december 5 -21

A Charlie Brown Christmas fri & sat 7:30 pm | sun 2:30 pm

asheville community theatre, asheville, nc

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is based on the beloved annual television special with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Sally, Linus, Lucy, and the entire Peanuts’ gang. The musical includes the classic songs “Christmas Time is Here,” “Skating,” “Linus and Lucy,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” with arrangements by Vince Guaraldi. A perfect treat for the entire family.

Sunrise

admission: $22 adults , $19 seniors (65+) & students , $12 child under 17 info: ashevilletheatre.org

109 BROADWAY

BLACK MOUNTAIN

(828) 669-5000 Mon. - Sat. 9am - 5:30pm TysonFurniture.com 94

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december 6

Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk 10 am montford recreation center , 34 pearson dr , asheville, nc Celebrate the holiday season with the Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk and help raise money for arthritis research, the nation’s leading cause of disability.

With over 300 runners and walkers participating each year, it’s a fun, festive event for the entire family.

admission: $25 5 k | $20 walk

info: 828 - 400 - 5868 or greg@ gloryhoundevents.com december 6 & 13

Santa on the Chimney 11am -2pm chimney rock at chimney rock state park How is Santa able to climb down millions of chimneys around the world in a single night? He practices, of course. Witness Santa’s daring stunt as he practices on one of the world’s largest chimneys at 315 feet tall. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live holiday music, complimentary hot cocoa, cookies and kids’ activities and see live critters.

admission: included with park admission info: 800 -277- 9611

december 10

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker 7pm

thomas wolfe auditorium , us cellular ctr , asheville, nc Moscow Ballet performs the Great Russian Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet,

Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and more classic Russian ballets in over 70 cities annually across North America.

From San Juan in the Caribbean to Calgary in Canada and from New York City to Los Angeles, audiences and press rave about the high quality of the company of 40 dancers, the extravagant costumes designed by Shakespearean expert Arthur Oliver, and the nine stunning and fanciful backdrops designed by Valentin Federov.

admission: $28 - $68

info: 1- 800 -745 -3000 or nutcracker .com

december 10

Holiday Marketplace at Blue Ridge Food Ventures 9 -7pm blue ridge food ventures (located on the a- b tech enka campus) , 1461 sand hill rd, candler , nc A perfect chance to meet and make purchases from those entrepreneurs featured in this year’s Sweet & Savory section, starting on page 76 of this magazine, as well as many others.

Held annually at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, this event has plenty of free and convenient parking. Meet local food artisans and sample their handcrafted goodies—gourmet jams, hot sauces, organic chocolates, and spicy herb blends. Enjoy a taste of some of the newest products made at Blue Ridge Food Ventures. They make great stocking stuffers and a thoughtful something special for your Secret Santa.

admission: free

info: advantagewest.com

december 13

Warren Haynes presents Christmas Jam

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7pm

us cellular ctr , 87 haywood st, asheville, nc

For the past 26 years, Warren Haynes has coordinated his annual Christmas Jam. Like a family reunion, the annual, oneof-a-kind, semi-structured marathon of music brings together old friends on stage and in the audience at the US Cellular Center Arena in Asheville for one of the countries greatest live events. The London Times has rated it: “One of the top ten concerts in the USA.”

admission: $58+

info: xmasjam .com

$250 credit will only apply for the purchase of Beretta Clothing and Accessories made during same transaction as the eligible firearm product (ON THE SAME RECEIPT). Clothing and Accessories must be in-stock at the dealer location to be eligible for the instant store credit. Only Beretta branded clothing and accessories merchandise is eligible for purchase and credit. Eligible guns for the $250 Beretta Bucks include NEW A400 Xtreme Shotgun Models only. Offer limited to one (1) credit per Beretta Eligible Xtreme shotgun model purchased. No substitutions or exchanges permitted. Groups, organizations, businesses or government agencies are excluded from and are not eligible for this offer. Eligible models must be purchased NEW at retail, in the United States, between the dates of August 1, 2014 and December 10, 2014. Offer does not include used, close-out, or discontinued models. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Free goods while supplies last. Beretta USA reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel or modify this promotion at any time and without notice. Void where prohibited. While supplies last.

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events

december 12-14

Cool Craft Market fri 5 - 8 pm sat 10 am - 6 pm | sun 12- 4 pm handmade in america , 125 s . lexington ave, suite 101, asheville, nc HandMade in America is partnering with Blue Ridge Food Ventures by bringing together a diverse group of artists, artisan food makers, and natural products.

HandMade in America’s Cool Craft Holiday Market offers shoppers a onestop shop for purchasing locally made items for the holidays. Not only will gift givers have the opportunity to purchase quality handmade goods, they will also be putting their money back into our local economy.

admission: free

info: 828 -252- 0121 or handmadeinamerica .org december 13

Montford Holiday Tour of Homes 1pm - 5pm montford historic district, 36 montford ave, asheville, nc Explore eclectic architecture that has been restored or carefully constructed to reflect the neighborhood’s historic past. Enjoy homes both old and new, and experience all the Holiday warmth and hospitality that Montford has to offer. Festive treats and entertainment will be offered throughout the tour. This is a self-guided tour. With your ticket you will receive a map to all tour locations & information about the individual properties. Proceeds benefit the Montford Neighborhood Association for neighborhood improvement projects and programs for youth at the Montford Recreation Center.

admission: $20

Chanukah Live 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

crowne plaza expo center , 1 resort dr , asheville, nc Performances by Billy Jonas Band, Asheville Acrobat Performance, as well as a magic show, adult wine bar, and grand Chanukah buffet. There will also be the lighting of a 8-foot giving menorah, constructed of hundreds of children’s toys, books, and games, that will be donated to Mission Hospital Children’s Center and to Jewish children in need in the community.

admission: free, tickets for food & children’s activities available at the door info: chabadasheville.org

december 18

JCC: Hanukkah Community Candle Lighting, Performance, & Potluck 5pm – 7pm jcc gym , 236 charlotte st, asheville, nc Everyone is welcome for this all-ages event. JCC staff and children will put on a Hanukkah show featuring classic songs. The JCC will supply latkes and beverages—you bring a vegetarian or dairy dish to share.

admission: free

info: jcc-asheville.org

december 21

A Swannanoa Solstice 2pm & 7pm diana wortham theatre at pack place, asheville, nc Award-winning recording artists, Al Petteway, Amy White, and Robin Bullock, are joined by the talents and voices of special guest musicians, storytellers, dancers, and host, Doug Orr, for a joyous and contemplative performance.

admission: $16 - $43

info: 828 -257- 4530 or dwtheatre.com

december 31

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Furball 9pm -1am céline and company, 49 broadway ave, asheville, nc Ring in the new year with style in downtown Asheville. This fabulous evening of heavy appetizers, open bar, music and dancing, entertainment, silent auction, and door prizes will be one you don’t want to miss. Attire is semi-formal: suit or jacket and tie; cocktail dress or gown.

Guests are requested to wear a mask.

Tickets are available on website or at the BWAR Adoption Center.

admission: $75 each or $140 per couple info: bwar .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.

info: 828 -280 -1576

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approaches to value real-world problem solving, project-

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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