Capital at Play June 2016 by Capital at Play Magazine

Daniel Klein

Seriously Amped p.12

Clark Harris & Matthew Simpson All Together Now p.66

The Free Spirit Of Enterprise

fi nancial colu m n

Young Money p.74

video intervie w with e ast for k

capital atpl ay. com

lo c a l i n d u s t ry

A gritourism In Appalachia p.26

Hands on Business

Volume VI - Edition VI complimentary edition

capitalatplay.com

p. 52

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SHOPPING. DINING. ESSENTIALS.

Editor’s Thoughts

All in an Elegant Atmosphere That’s Uniquely Asheville.

hen I’m out and about and I run into someone who learns I’m with the magazine, almost invariably they tell me how much they enjoy our in-depth profiles of Western North Carolina entrepreneurs. I hope, too, that readers find our content to be of practical value beyond simply providing a monthly shot of reading entertainment. What’s that old phrase? Oh yeah—news you can use. It certainly applies to our columns, which typically feature an expert in some field offering advice or commentary on a topic that we feel has immediate relevance for the readership. To that end, for the June Capital at Play, in an effort to create engaging content on financial issues that are relevant to you, we have reached out to several financial experts from the area who know how to explain things in a way that can be understood by the rest of us. In this first article, “Young Money,” we ask a few questions that are of particular interest to our younger audience. If you are just starting out in your professional life or if you might be considering yourself an “adult” in the near future (or even if you are a Lil Wayne fan and wonder what that title is doing in such a sophisticated magazine), then please read it carefully. The intelligent responses we received and printed might come in useful one day soon.

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Speaking of columns, last month we debuted the “Student Column,” in which area university journalism and marketing students profile fellow students (either current or recently graduated) who, as entrepreneurs, developed their fledgling businesses while in school. The response from readers has been uniformly positive, which suggests to us that we’ve latched onto something unique, and we plan to have more such columns in issues to come. As always, we welcome your suggestions for future profiles—in a very real sense, you are often our eyes and ears—along with any comments, pro or con, you wish to share with us about the magazine.

Sincerely,

Downtown Asheville

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| June 2016 5/10/16 2:34 PM

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The Free Spirit Of Enterprise

publisher

Oby Morgan associate publisher

Jeffrey Green managing editor

Fred Mills briefs and events editor

Leslee Kulba copy editors

Dasha O. Morgan, Brenda Murphy

contributing writers & photogr aphers

runson’s runson’s &&

Thomas Calder, Anthony Harden, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Marla Hardee Milling, Jay Sanders, Shawndra Russell, Toni Sherwood

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June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

T h e P e r f e c t G i f t s for Dad! T h e P e r f e c t G i f t s for Dad!

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this page :

A Port City Amp circuit board, photo by Anthony Harden

F E AT U R E S vol. vi

SERIOUSLY AMPED DANIEL KLEIN

ed. vi

HANDS ON BUSINESS

ALEX MATISSE & JOHN VIGELAND

66 ALL TOGETHER NOW CLARK HARRIS & MATTHEW SIMPSON

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

ctivity annually. Are kers?

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Agritourism In Appalachia:

A Friendly Staycation Top of the Line

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

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

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

Get onto the land and out of the restaurant via these area farm tours.

The Capital at Play guide to getting out and getting it on when your out of town buddies come to visit.

When the Bells started their zipline business, they didn’t know all the hurdles they would be facing.

colu m ns

briefs

p e o p l e at p l ay

74 Y oung Money

Capital at Play asks area financial experts to offer advice on investing and future planning.

on the cover :

22 Carolina in the West 36 The Old North State 62 National & World News

Alex Matisse and John Vigeland of East Fork Pottery, opening the doors to the storage section of their workspace. photo by Anthony Harden. 10

| June 2016

88 Boys and Girls Club Gala events

90 Don’t Stop Believing

Never fear—there’s plenty to keep you occupied this month, from a blue jean ball and “La Cage Aux Folles” to pollinator celebrations and percussive festivalizations.

your profits costs employers costs $300 billion in lost productivity employers annually. Are your profits $ melting awaymelting because of disengaged workers? away beca

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Asheville, NC 28803 Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 654-8101(828) 654-8101 (828) 654-8101 1979 Hendersonville 1979 SuiteBB Hendersonville 1979 Hendersonville RdRdSuite Asheville, 28803 Asheville, NC 28803 Asheville, NCNC 28803

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Seriously

Amped Daniel Klein is reshaping the way modern guitar gear is designed. In the process, he may also be changing the way we hear music.

written by jay sanders

aniel Klein has always been driven by great tone. “It’s worth suffering for, and it’s worth exploring in any way, shape, or form to find out who you are,” he says. A young Klein was riding down an Oklahoma highway in the back of a 1977 Pontiac station wagon when “Panama” by Van Halen came on the radio. It was the time of big wheels and lawn darts—when neither seatbelts nor helmets were required. He placed his ear against the speaker and listened to the way the frequencies reverberated. For the first of many times, he thought, “Wow, there’s really something going on here!” Today, that something is Port City Amplification, a boutique amplifier company based in Swannanoa, between Asheville and Black Mountain. While Port City Amplifiers are played by world-class musicians such as country stars Keith Urban and Zac Brown, rockers Jimmy Herring and Dweezil Zappa, jazz virtuosos Tom Guarna and Kurt Rosenwinkel, and many others, Klein takes great pride in keeping his internationally known, locally crafted products affordable for working musicians. His 12

| June 2016

photos by anthony harden

current product line boasts the patented Wave speaker cabinet in several different configurations; amp-head combinations the Pearl, Marino, Twelve, and Orleans; and, more recently, pedals like the Salem Boost and Sahana Drive. Named after the nickname for Wilmington, North Carolina, where the company was originally founded in 2005, Port City Amplification was recently chosen as part of the third cohort for Mountain BizWorks ScaleUp WNC program. “The best thing I ever did was call Mountain BizWorks, because I heard they did business coaching,” says Klein. “I got together with John Bonham, an amazing business coach. He was able to deconstruct my business and ask me questions that I had never thought about.”

Portrait of the Artist Daniel Klein is an artist, one who paints with electrons, capacitors, and resistors. An enthusiastic, efficient, and extremely positive man, he is driven by daily to-do lists, and remains undeterred by the inevitable setbacks that creating and building a small business will deliver. “My ultimate goal,”

the re ar of a Port City Amp Head June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

daniel klein

he says, “is to help a person find the sounds that unlock something inside of their head, heart, or anything. It’s like a combination lock.” Daniel’s father flew jets for the government. His family had “moved 11 times before I was 11 years old. A lot of that was in Oklahoma, but we [also] moved around North Carolina...” Eventually they landed in WinstonSalem. He has now been a resident of North Carolina for 27 years. As a young man, Daniel would often go bowling with his brother. One night when there was a waiting list at the local alley, they wandered over to a guitar shop. Daniel’s affinity for Van Halen soon led him to start taking lessons. “I just wanted to learn how to make that guitar sound like what I heard on the radio and my cheap cassette player,” he recalls. He quickly became obsessed, and by the time he turned 17 was studying music and taking lessons from three instructors, each focused on different techniques and styles. By the age of 18 he was a teacher himself, and not long after, became a touring musician. In the late ‘90s, his band signed a licensing deal with Sony, later releasing an album and even placing their songs on several hit TV shows of the time, including Dawson’s Creek and Party of Five, but after a few years he decided he’d had enough and left the group.

Soundcheck Even after Daniel stopped touring and returned to giving guitar lessons, he remained interested in 14

| June 2016

amplifiers. “When you’re on the road, and the amp goes down, you have to learn how to fix your own stuff,” he explains, adding that he has always been fascinated by musical equipment. “I didn’t really have money to buy a lot, but the gear I had, I meticulously maintained. When you’re 12 or 13, you have that little twin or single bed. I used to put all of my [equipment] on the bed and just look at it and think, ‘I can’t believe I’ve got all this cool gear!’” At the time, though, he was recently married and looking for a more stable source of income. Upon being introduced to the mortgage business by an acquaintance, he dove in out of necessity. Success at the job came easily, but compared to being involved with music and the music industry, satisfaction was elusive. One day, he learned that a friend and craftsman who’d previously worked on his amp had acquired Mojo Musical Supply, an amplifier parts company based in California, and was relocating the entire business to Winston-Salem. After work one day, Daniel stopped by to see the new operation; his friend wound up offering him a job on the spot. Recalls Daniel, “I came aboard with the expectation that I would take a reduction in pay, but [they would] teach me circuit design. So I went and poured over Linear Electronics books, how to design power sections, things like that. Between that and the continued experience of dealing with other reputable builders, that’s how I cut my teeth.” In addition to supplying parts for new and vintage amplifiers, Mojo would contract to ghost-build amplifiers for many reputable brands. Daniel was exposed to the different philosophies of circuit design while talking to the engineers who were building these amps. He apprenticed under one of the Mojo owners, whom Daniel considered to be an electronics genius. This tutelage taught him many of the finer details of custom amplifier design and construction. A few years later, Mojo decided to relocate further east across North Carolina (the operation is currently

based in Burgaw, not far from Wilmington), and as Daniel’s wife’s employer had a branch in Wilmington, the Kleins decided to make the move as well. Eventually he realized that he wanted to go out on his own, and with his electronics skills and the help of two silent partners whom he knew from his time with Mojo, in 2005, Port City Amplification was born.

The Design’s The Thing Port City’s first ground-breaking innovation, the 1x12 Wave Cabinet, was a complete rethinking of how to design a guitar speaker cabinet, with a focus on the best possible tone. “I had always gone back and forth between open back and closed back cabinets,” he notes, detailing some of the challenges a gear maker faces. “Going from venue to venue, and stage to stage, how high the stage is, how far your cabinet is from the wall—[all] play a huge part in the sound of an open back cabinet. Every night sounding different was awful.” By contrast, he liked what he calls the “meaty” sound of a closed back cabinet, but it had several inherent problems: The notes had a low end frequency tail below 180hz and lacked clarity, while the tone tended to have a “woofy” character to it. Realizing there had to be a better way, Daniel set out to come up with a new approach to guitar cabinet design. “What I wanted to do was eliminate the right angles in the cabinet going all the way down,” he explains. “We have 45 degree angles inside the cabinet, plus a port that runs the width of the cabinet. The port itself is angled up, so that it gets those frequencies up off the ground and they blend with the frequencies coming from the front of the speaker.” The result had a lot of players commenting that the Wave cabinet sounded like a PA. For example, after hearing the Wave for the first time, Dave Weiner, longtime guitar player in hard rock virtuoso Steve Vai’s band, remarked, “Going from a traditional, closed back June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

cabinet before the

speaker cones are installed

cabinet, to the Wave cabinet was like going from standard television to high-definition television.” Port City Amplifiers was granted a provisional patent for their pioneering redesign. This patent has proved extremely beneficial in helping Port City fend off IP infringement from some big companies in the music industry. “A lot of times, smaller companies feel like patents are of limited value, because they’ll just get steamrolled in court by companies with deep pockets, but Daniel’s experience is a good example of how they can work for small companies,” says Matt Raker, Director of Community Investments & Impact at Mountain BizWorks.

Overcoming the Obstacles

nathan culberson

assembling circuitry

2007 was a benchmark growth year for Port City Amplifiers. Word was spreading about the amazing tone their gear produced. The popularity of the Wave cabinet, and the addition of the Pearl as their flagship amplifier, continued to push the company’s sales figures upward. Eight months into 2008, Port City was poised to shatter their 2007 sales numbers, when the economic downturn slowed their growth to a near standstill. They lost over half of their business. “Everything went away,” says Daniel. “[We] lost ridiculous amounts of money in sales. After that, we had just single-digit growth. I didn’t know enough at the time about securing financing, writing a business plan, really growing and scaling a company.” Meanwhile, Daniel’s son, Owen, was born in 2010 with a rare skull condition called craniosynostosis. This rare birth defect is caused when the bones in the head fuse prematurely in the womb, before the baby’s brain is fully formed. Daniel’s family made six different trips to Texas to see a specialist, and Owen was required to be in an orthotic helmet device for 23 hours a day and needed constant supervision. “Not only was my work extremely hampered, but what I was able to bring to the table when I was working was so reduced,” he recalls. “Sometimes you’ve just got to take the sail down and let the waves go because you’ve got other things to worry about. It just seems like there was just one legitimate reason after another that Port City really never took off. They could have all been failures of mine, but they also could have been circumstances that just happened.” Care of his son required Daniel to eliminate 45 percent of his work time. His wife also adjusted her schedule so she could work three days a week instead of four. Because he was spending his days caring for Owen, Daniel did the best he could to keep Port City alive by working nights and weekends.

Relocating to Asheville Daniel’s family knew that they needed to get out of Wilmington. The effects of the economic downturn and Owen’s illness had taken a toll. They rented a house in Winston-Salem for about a year in order to enlist some family help with their son, but were still not satisfied with their environment. One of their relatives suggested they take a look at the Asheville area. Daniel went onto Craigslist, and within 24 hours they had signed a lease for a house in Fairview. Daniel and his wife had celebrated an anniversary at the Princess Anne hotel on East Chestnut Street in Asheville. Daniel smiles at the memory. “Just driving around it was great. It was our kind of town. People were 16

| June 2016

genuinely nice, laid back, educated, and it wasn’t terribly overcrowded. Asheville is so unique, it’s a little gem.” By 2015 the Kleins had purchased a home in Swannanoa, and Port City Amplification set up shop in the basement. The current space is small, but extremely well organized. One wall is stacked floor to ceiling with recently constructed Wave cabinets. Across the room, in front of a window overlooking the family’s recently constructed tree house, an electronics workbench is covered with neatly arranged soldering equipment, spare parts, and effects pedals in various states of construction. Daniel can often be found working alongside his friend and full-time employee, Nathan Culberson, whom he considers invaluable to the growth and success of his business. Nathan, a graduate of UNC Asheville’s music technology program, reached out to Daniel after Port City was mentioned during a concert at the Grey Eagle in Asheville. “My favorite part is being a part of something small that has a real industry impact,” says Nathan. In addition to wielding exceptional electronics construction skills, Nathan is responsible for managing the appearance and aesthetic of the entire company, and has brought a unified brand identity to Port City Amplification. His signature style is evident in everything from the design of the newest pedal chassis to the look and feel of the the company’s website. “Nathan has really helped me up my game when it comes to design, from an

aesthetic view rather than just a performance point of view,” says Daniel. In order to maximize future scalable growth and quality control, Nathan systemized the construction process by taking detailed pictures of each step of the technique, cataloging them into PDF documents that future employees can reference for proper assembly technique. The attention to detail in both execution and design is evident in the superior level of quality that is Port City’s hallmark.

“Going from a traditional, closed back cabinet, to the Wave cabinet was like going from standard television to high-definition television.” “No amp goes out of here without my final look-over,” says Daniel. “You talk about care, love, craft, passion, and standards— we do not mess around. We treat every single amplifier as if it is going to be displayed at a museum after I die.” Upon arrival in Asheville, Port City Amplifiers joined the small but intensely growing local community of music gear manufacturers pioneered by Moog Music, and continued by companies like Blackout Effectors (custom effects pedals) and Axis Guitars. “There’s not a whole lot of industry here; June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

however, the industry that is here will bend over backwards to help you out,” Nathan observes. In addition to job creation, Port City is adding to the local economy by ordering as many of its parts and components from local manufacturers as possible. The Wave cabinets are hand crafted by Joey Hankins of Hankins Wood Woodworking in Black Mountain. Daniel excitedly mentions that “our chassis are being made by T-Fab in Asheville’s River Arts District. Snyder makes our boxes and foam inserts for shipping. Asheville T-Shirts will be making all of our shirts… Everything that we outsourced, we’re slowly one-by-one bringing in. We will literally have everything made right here.” Daniel is excited to be a part of Asheville’s music scene, whose deep pool of working musicians provides Port City with the perfect petri dish for tonal exploration. Having this playground provides his research and development with a true sounding board for new products and ideas, and genuine feedback from world-class artists.

ScaleUp Port City Amplification has worked extensively with Mountain BizWorks coach John Bonham through their individualized business coaching program, an opportunity for which Daniel is incredibly grateful. The program has helped Port City tackle issues from financial management to marketing, and was able to help Daniel craft a business plan that secured the initial funding to buy out his original silent partners and restructure the company as a sole proprietorship. “It’s amazing what happens when you formulate a business plan and think about contingencies. I feel like a totally different person than who I was when I started the company,” says Daniel. Also, as noted above, in 2016 Port City Amplification was selected to take part in BizWorks’ ScaleUp WNC program, which provides intensive growth strategy and helps develope the skills required to grow a business beyond the initial startup phase. Each selected company is provided management training, access to capital assistance, and peer networking opportunities. BizWorks’ Raker calls Daniel “a perfect fit. ScaleUp WNC works with entrepreneurs at companies that have demonstrated early market success and are poised for significant growth. He’d impressively founded the company, created their core products, and clearly had a good understanding of the customer from his musician days.” 18

| June 2016

The ScaleUp program has provided Daniel with the framework and tools to refine his growth plan, equipping Port City with knowledge about how to structure inventory, handle purchasing, negotiate contracts, and generally stop problems before they start so they don’t require resolution. It’s had the additional benefit of connecting him with a group of peer entrepreneurs and mentors. As he puts it, “The camaraderie among other small business owners is nice—we’re able to have a discussion in a judgment-free zone.” As a result of the ScaleUp program, Port City is currently in underwriting to secure a loan for research and development, advertising, marketing, hiring new employees, and expanding his production facility and capacity. “When this goes through, Port City will be experiencing a level of growth that it has never seen before and we’re really excited about that. We’re going to be known for our amps as much as we are known for our cabinets. We’ve projected workflow and what we’re going to need. I’ve already got the people in place.” Port City Amplifiers can be purchased through a highly selective network of national and international boutique amplifier dealers, including Area 22 Guitars in nearby Brevard. A customer with discerning taste won’t be able to find a Port City Amplifier in a regular music store. As Daniel put it, “It’s hard to sell a Mercedes in a Kia parking lot. You’ve got to be in the right place.” As part of the company’s growth strategy, Daniel expects the dealer network to f lourish through exposure at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) conference, which takes place in Anaheim, California, during January (there’s also a smaller summer iteration in the summer). “That’s a way to immediately grow that dealer base. Even if, on the low end, we add three dealers a year just through NAAM, we’ll still be able to control our growth.” The pa st t wo years have show n a tremendous increase in the sales of Port City Amplification’s products. Their current sales numbers are far exceeding the pre-2008 levels. The road to recovery has been rocky, but with Daniel’s enthusiasm and the help of Mountain BizWorks, the current growth patterns are healthy and sustainable. “What we’re on par to do in the next three years is really cool. We’re not talking about 300 percent growth or anything wild like that. [But] for a company

packing up a finished

Port City Pearl

Amped for Amps

A number of Port City’s more high-profile clients are listed on on the company’s website. We asked several of them to offer their opinion of the company and its products. jimmy herring Guitarist, Aquarium Rescue Unit/Widespread Panic “I use the Port City Vertical OS 2x12 speaker cabinet. Daniel is extremely enthusiastic and helpful. He brought several cabs for me to try [and] the OS 2x12 knocked me out! His cabs are great!” to m g u a r n a Jazz Guitarist “My Port City Pearl 50-watt combo has been my go-to amp for the past several years. The amp has a beautiful tone across the whole register of my instrument. The Pearl has so much air in the sound and still retains clarity. Dan Klein really took the time to work with me making some modifications to my amp to get it exactly how I need it to be. I can’t imagine using another amp.” k u rt r o s e n w i n k e l Jazz guitarist, Kurt Rosenwinkel Group “Daniel came up to New York City with a couple different Port City amps and cabs to try, and we rented a rehearsal space and tried them out for a day. Daniel was very determined to get it just right for my sound, which he did. I was very impressed by the personal attention he gives to his clients. I recorded my album Star of Jupiter with that amp, and I love the sound—strong, clean, responsive, big lows, silky highs, punchy mids.” mike seal Guitarist, Jeff Sipe Trio “Daniel has a passion for music and an ear for tone that shows in all of his work. I first met him in 2007 while playing with Jeff Sipe in Wilmington. My pedalboard was a disaster and my amp was falling apart. Daniel took me into his shop and completely revamped and repaired all my gear, totally saving my butt. The amp was a deluxe reverb, and when he was done with it, I was blown away by how good it sounded. Daniel [also] hooked me up with a couple versions of his Port City Sahana boost pedal. It’s a simple but great tool for adding some power when you need it, and I’ve been using it for years now.” jamie king Producer/studio owner, The Basement Recording NC “Port City makes some of the most elegant and best sounding stuff on the market, and I’ve tried almost everything at this point. I use the Port City 2x12 OS guitar cab with Warehouse 30 speakers on almost every record now. I had been using an industry standard Mesa 4x12 guitar cab for years. [But] I have found that the Port City cab sounds even better—with more definition and clarity as well as bigness—with most guitar amps. I also often use the Port City Salem Boost pedal, the Port City Bass cabs for bass recording, and the Port City Pearl head for clean and driven guitar tones.” June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 19

our size, given our history, what we’ve got planned are very reasonable numbers. We’ve got the numbers for high growth, but even the medium numbers are looking really good. I was able to hire Nathan. I’ve got another part-time guy, and I’ve got two other guys that are waiting in the wings. I see our work staff in the next two to five years easily getting to be between five and eight. I see us being in double digits somewhere after five years.”

Never stop Learning

philosophy is apparent throughout the culture of Port City Amplification. Daniel encourages his employees to maximize their potential by reading at least one book per month. “Anything you want... personal growth, circuit design, whittling, it doesn’t matter. Anything that makes you happy and stimulates you as a person, I’ll buy it.”

“Never say that’s good enough. You have to hold your standards higher than anyone else that you’ve ever met would hold you to.”

When it comes to entrepreneurship, Daniel K lein has learned from his experiences. “Entrepreneurship will kick you in the ass, and you either get up or you go away,” he says. “Business and finance has always been my Achilles heel. Now, I am strengthening [these skills] and getting them on par with my ability to design an amp, handle workflow, and manage a team. I will have a skill set so that I can really say, ‘I can handle that’—or if I can’t handle it, I know how to delegate and who to delegate to.” Daniel holds himself and his company to a higher set of standards. His number one rule? Never stop learning. This

He also maintains his level of quality and production by never allowing for an easy out. “Never say that’s good enough. You’ve got to realize that you don’t know what’s coming tomorrow. That may be the last amp you build, the last paper you write, the last presentation that you give. We have no idea. You have to hold your standards higher than anyone else that you’ve ever met would hold you to.”

Performances as

captivating as the view.

Summer Music Festival June-August 2016 FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 6:00PM

OPENING NIGHT: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

featuring pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet

Keith Lockhart

SATURDAY JUNE 25, 7:30PM

80TH ANNIVERSARY SPECTACULAR

SUNDAY JUNE 26, 3:00PM

SHOSTAKOVICH 5

TUESDAY JUNE 28, 7:30PM

BÉLA FLECK IN CONCERT

Artistic Director

brevardmusic.org | (828) 862-2105 | Tickets start at $15 20

| June 2016

featuring Grammy®-winning artist Amy Grant conducted by Keith Lockhart

in collaboration with Mountain Song Productions

Port City’s history has taught Daniel to brace for the storm and prepare for the unexpected when it comes to his strategy and finances. Regardless of a business plan, the worst can happen, and preparedness is key: “Study the contingencies, have auxiliary plans ready to put in place. Know that when the tough gets going you’ve just gotta decide—you’re either in this, or you’re not. You’ve got to find solutions, and you’ve got to do it quick. Keep your head on, don’t get overwhelmed. Stay focused, realize there’s always a solution, and just brace yourself.”

A Man of Tone & Taste There is a lot of power in something as simple as a paper cone, a magnet, and a box. The kind of potency that can change the world. If it were not for electric instrument amplifiers, would there have been a Woodstock? Would Jimi Hendrix and Jerry Garcia continue to influence audiences long after they’re gone? Would Bob Dylan have rocked the Newport Folk Festival in 1965? Would Eddie Van Halen have perfected the guitar technique that inspired millions of dreaming young musicians to pick up an instrument and rock out? Daniel Klein and Port City Amplification are purveyors of great tone. Their products, manufactured in Western North

Carolina, are used all over the globe to create the kind of art that can inspire world changing events. According to Klein, “[Great tone] lifts you up and everyone else is lifted up. It’s fantastic and you get goose bumps. But if you don’t have that—if you’ve got everything else, but that one key component is lacking, that tone, that musical voice that you want to identify with and you want it to speak for you—then the entire musical process is gonna suffer.” He has achieved this feat with an unmatched intensity and focus on what makes great amplifiers. By remaining true to his intention, and building products that are desired by some of the world’s greatest musicians, Klein has built Port City Amplification into an international brand of distinction that takes great pride in uplifting the local economy. The future is as bright as a glowing tube that gives the Pearl Combo Amp its characteristic sound. Klein: “I wanted to be able to do something ridiculously well. One thing: nail it. We’re very Occam’s Razor. By keeping it as simple as possible, it’s going to yield the best result. If you can’t dial in one of our amps in less than 30 seconds, there’s something wrong with your ears. Period.” Jay Sanders plays bass for veteran rock/folk/bluegrass band Acoustic Syndicate and is an international technology entrepreneur.

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June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

CAROLINA in the

WEST [

news briefs

In Case You Forgot Your Motorcycle buncombe county

Asheville Motorcycle Rentals (AMR), the first store of its kind in the Asheville area, is now open for business. The next closest motorcycle rental is in Waynesville. Proprietor Philip Cann has long had a passion for motorcycles, buying his first Yamaha 50cc at age 16 with money saved from his paper routes. A native of England, he moved to Western North Carolina for two reasons: his bride and the thrill of riding motorcycles in the area’s “majestic” beauty. AMR is thus geared toward tourists who want to cruise around a few days on the scenic byways. It offers four models with prices starting at $119 plus tax and insurance. The Can Am Spyder RT-S SE5 is sleek and comfortable; the Kawasaki KLR 650 has

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been used by many to circumnavigate the globe; the Triumph XC 1200 comes fully loaded; and the Yamaha V-Star 1300 Tourer rides low with plenty of chrome. Bikes can be reserved at any time online, but renters must have a motorcycle certification on their driver’s license and be at least 25 years old. Passengers need only be 14. AMR offers helmets and luggage carrying options for cruisers who decide to rent on a fling. Bikes can be dropped off curbside and for free within 20 miles of Asheville. Like other rentals, returning bikes with a full tank still applies.

Tourists Help Eat Cupcakes swain county

Tourism is increasing in Swain County. There is no more vacancy in retail space

in the heart of Bryson City. An annual study conducted by Western Carolina University has been released showing the state of the county’s economy in 2014. It concluded the average household among Swain’s 8,793 “saved” $1,742 in state and local taxes due to tourism offsets. The per-capita value was the highest in the state. Tourists are credited with directly spending $186.93 million in Swain County last year. Major draws have always been the Nantahala Gorge and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and the relocated Great Smoky Mountains Railroad have boosted tourist revenues from their 1996 level of $39.49 million. The number of Bryson City restaurants and retailers, where median revenues are estimated to come 70% from tourists, continues to be on the rise. Snak Shack and the Great Smoky Mountain Winery are two new businesses soon to come online. Gianna Carson, owner of La Dolce Vita and chairwoman of the Downtown Merchants’ Association, remarked, “The locals here are really good at only buying locally, but there are only so many cupcakes they can eat.” The bottom line: Tourism is Swain’s fastest growing employer. Major non-tourist economic drivers include Con-Met, the new FedEx facility, and other factories.

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No Country for Old Otters henderson county

Asheville is no stranger to canoe and kayaking businesses, but Matt and Leslie Evans have completed the necessary paperwork to become the first in Henderson County. The couple found a nice piece of land just off US 64 near Banner Farm Road in Horse Shoe and wondered why nobody had made it a launch site. After coming up with no viable reasons to talk themselves out of the idea, they purchased the property to form Lazy Otter Outfitters. Both the Henderson County Board of Adjustment and the United States Army Corps of Engineers deemed the project worthy of permitting. Now, Matt and Leslie will build a boat ramp and buy floatables and a shuttle van. They estimate a tube trip would cost $20, and kayak and canoe rentals would run around $40-45. Lazy Otter plans to start small and grow with demand, but never get as big as Asheville outfitters. They are currently evaluating up to four more put-ins for future use. The French Broad River is smooth and gentle in Henderson County, compared to more challenging Western North Carolina stretches sought out by worldclass water enthusiasts. Lazy Otter would work for those seeking tranquility,

the old north state

national & world

as the nearest put-ins to date are two and four hours away. One is just now being constructed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, and Henderson County.

Informatics for Apple People henderson county

Henderson County apple farmers will soon benefit from six new Network for Environment and Weather Applications stations. The county already has two. The stations collect data on temperature, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, relative humidity, rainfall, solar radiation, and leaf moisture, and relay it back to Cornell University. At Cornell, the numbers are crunched to forecast needs for things like watering and pesticide application. NEWA provides hourly and daily weather summaries, degree-day tables, plant disease forecasts, insect models, crop production models, and National Weather Service forecasts. For “apple people” specifically, NEWA forecasts apple scab pore maturity, apple scab infection events, fire blight/Cougarblight, insect degree-day models, and an apple

carolina in the west

pest degree-day calculator. Twenty-five tools are currently available, and data manifests in graphs and alarms. Access is free. North Carolina is one of nine states in the NEWA network. The NEWA units, made by RainWise, Incorporated, are solar-powered and cost about $2000 apiece. The Agriculture Extension Service is making them available thanks to an anonymous donor who is footing half the cost. The new locations will be on Bearwallow Road, Ottanola Road, Pilot Mountain Road, Ranch Vista Drive, Chestnut Gap Road, and Dana Road.

Do You Have a Li-Sahns’? ashe county

The West Jefferson Board of Aldermen unanimously approved an anti-peddling ordinance. The ordinance, which strengthens laws already on the books, was drafted at the instigation of advocates for the Ashe County Farmers Market, which opens mid-April. Street peddlers had taken to setting up shop on the outskirts of the market. They were then able to pass any savings from not paying vending fees on to customers and thus undercut those who paid to perform. They had an even greater advantage over brickand-mortar vendors who have to pay for

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rent, utilities, licensing, inspections, and more. Chapter 97: Peddlers-Itinerant Merchants of the “General Regulations” now forbids the sale of any tangible items on any public rights of way. While the new ordinance turns a blind eye on yard sales that pop up occasionally in parking lots, it also forbids businesses from having sidewalk sales without a permit. As for teeth, those violating the ordinance will simply be asked to cease, desist, and leave.

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Headquartered in Brevard, Pisgah Pest Control (PPC) has totally eliminated the use of neonicotinoids in all its pest control applications. Neonics, for short, are relatively new, having been developed by Shell and Bayer in the 1980s. Though they now represent the most common class of insecticides used in the world, they first came under scrutiny for potentially deleterious environmental impacts in the 1990s. Label readers might recognize names like imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, nithiazine, thiacloprid, or thiamethoxam. These chemicals are similar to nicotine. They attack the central nervous system of insects, causing paralysis and death. The problem is, neonics are believed to contribute to honey-bee colony collapse disorder. Their use is now restricted in some European countries. Since PPC emphasizes pest management that respects the whole environment, the decision was made to begin phasing out neonics two years ago. PPC similarly discontinued the use of organophosphates two years before the EPA banned them in 2000. PPC prides itself on Integrated Pest Management, a commonsense approach that tailors the choice of chemicals specifically to the context of the problem to minimize negative effects on humans and the environment. PPC was founded in 1967 and serves all of Western North Carolina.

Inside Story watauga county

American Indoor Football (AIF), a professional indoor football league, has announced the formation of a new team that will play somewhere in the Boone area. The team will be owned by a small group of investors that includes an unnamed champion college football coach and an All-American football player from Appalachian State University. The majority owner will be Donald Thompson. Thompson is now self-employed as an author, speaker, and advisor, and is also CEO of Creative Allies, an integrated marketing firm based in Asheville. He also serves on a number of corporate, academic, and government boards. Thompson is no stranger to football, having attended Eastern Carolina University on a football scholarship. He says he learned a lot about business watching his father, who was an NCAA Division college football coach. The new team has yet to be named, but it is expected to begin play in the 2017 season. It will compete against teams in Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Atlanta, and Columbus. The AIF was formed in 2006 when cofounder John Morris wanted to create an alternative to the National Indoor Football League (NIFL). Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the AIFL consists of nineteen teams in two divisions. Games are played from March through May.

Ex Post Facto buncombe county

Catherine Hunter now has two years to close down her business. While she complied with every law on the books and worked closely with city staff in setting up Asheville Horse & Carriage Tours, LLC, the city council voted unanimously to ban horses and buggies from operating on city streets. Complaints from a group of concerned citizens known as Asheville Voice for Animals sparked a couple of

investigations by city staff. Both times, no evidence of accidents or substantiated complaints were discovered. But, citing concerns for the horses, passengers, and anyone or anything that might get in the way of a spooked horse, council elected to rewrite city ordinances to include the ban. Hunter was granted a two-year, nontransferable franchise. Hunter is a horse enthusiast who rescues and trains the animals. She has written a book on compassionate equine training and hoped the sale of her business could fund a speaking tour. The book, Connecting with the Divine Equine, is a how-to book on connecting horse and rider chakra.

Casino Work Not for Everyone swain county

Summer is busy season for Harrahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cherokee Casino, and Paula Wojkowski, regional vice president of talent acquisition and development, is working on filling 2,600 positions. Turnover was 38% last year, 8% up from the post-recession average of 30%. This is much higher than that of casinos in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. One reason is that Cherokee is a normal, 9-to-5 town with a casino, whereas those two cities were built around 24/7 casinos. Another reason for attrition could be the coming online of the Valley River Casino in Murphy. Last year, challenges in recruiting and retention made advisable the spinoff of Wojkowskiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responsibilities to a department separate from human resources. Wojkowski says not everybody is cut out to work in a casino. Employees must accommodate a 24/7 schedule and be able to interact spontaneously and positively with 10,000 customers a day. Cashiers have to get used to cash drawers that may contain $1 million, and they must clear their hands in front of a security camera any time they handle cash. That is just one of the many rules with consequences in the highly-regulated casino trade, where temptations for theft and corruption abound.

You want the best for your family. So do we, and it shows. Pardee Hospital was named one of the 100 Best Hospitals in America for Patient Experience.

pardeehospital.org June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 25

local industry

| June 2016

EAST FORK FARM sheep in the pasture, photo provided by East Fork Farm

AGRITOURISM IN APPALACHIA

Get Out of the Restaurant & Onto the Land written by jennifer fitzger ald

Farming is not for the faint at heart. It is a day that begins before the sun rises and ends after dark. It is hard work tending animals and planting and harvesting crops. It is a challenging but, ultimately, a rewarding experience for farmers across Western North Carolina. Many of these farmers open their farms for tours, realizing the public has a growing interest in local and fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. People want to meet the farmers, and ask questions of them. Children love to see the animals up close and personal—a fun outing for all ages. “Farm tours are incredibly popular now because there is this increasing awareness and interest in wanting to know where your food comes from,” says Ariel Dixon, Farmland Preservation Coordinator for Buncombe Soil and Water Conservation. “Creating the opportunity for people to actually step onto the land, meet a farmer, and see where fresh local food is produced is an incredible experience to connect people with the understanding of the importance of local food, local farms, and farmland.”

ASAP Tour 2016

Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, is a perfect time to visit some local farms as Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) hosts its annual farm tour. ASAP is an Asheville-based nonprofit with a mission to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. ASAP has been hosting the tour since 2009, and it typically draws over 2,000 attendees each year. June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 27

local industry

2016 ASAP Farm Tour

photo provided by East Fork Farm

June 25 & 26

participating farms madison

Dry Ridge Farm East Fork Farm Spinning Spider Creamery Zimmerman’s Berry Farm leicester

Sunburst Chef and Farmer at Smith Mill Works Addison Farms Vineyard Farm House Beef Reeves Home Place Farm s a n dy m u s h

Lady Luck Flower Farm Full Sun Farm Long Branch Environmental Education Center east

Hop’n Blueberry Farm Round Mountain Creamery Farm Fresh Ventures Vandele Farms on Cedar Creek

candler

Smoking J’s Fiery Foods Venezia Dream Farm fa i rv i e w

Cane Creek Creamery Flying Cloud Farm Hickory Nut Gap Farm For more information and farm locations, visit Asapconnections.org 28

| June 2016

photos above courtesy ASAP ASAP is currently selling passes for the tour—$30 in advance (at asapconnections.org) or $40 at farms the days of the tour. One pass admits an entire carload at all the featured farms on both days of the tour. Cost to visit an individual farm is $15. “ASAP hosts the farm tour to connect consumers with their local food producers, to raise awareness about farming and local agriculture practices, and to promote local farms and provide them with a valuable marketing opportunity to increase sales and build new customer relationships,” says ASAP’s Development Director Scott Bunn. “Ultimately, ASAP wants people to be engaged with the food system and know where their food is coming from, and the farm tour is a great way to provide people with a truly fun local food experience.” All the farms on the tour are Appalachian Grown certified by ASAP, which means they are family-owned farms producing food in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Participating farms have common goals to provide education on local agricultural practices, build their customer base, generate new revenue options, and connect people to their food, farms, and the agricultural heritage of the region. In addition, the farms on the tour will be selling products, and a number will have meals available for purchase. Farms are grouped together geographically, with clusters in Candler, Fairview, East, Leicester, Sandy Mush, and Madison County. Here is a look at a few of the featured farms. Directions to the farms and more information is available at Asapconnections.org.

East Fork Farm

East Fork Farm, located in Madison County, is home to chickens, turkeys, rabbits, sheep, cows, fish, pigs, ducks, a donkey, and a waterwheel to drive a small gristmill. The farm, owned by Stephen and Dawn Robertson, was the old Buckner farm that

The sights… the seasons… grew predominantly tobacco. The Robertsons own 40 acres of the original 100. They sell their products at the North Asheville Tailgate Market and the YMCA Indoor Winter Tailgate Market. “Stephen and I have been farming for 20 years and have slowly put together our little piece of heaven in Madison County,” Dawn says. “We start our day with feeding at 7AM. All animals are fed, watered, and checked upon. This task usually takes about an hour and half in the morning. After that, we grab breakfast and start barn cleaning. Projects follow. On any particular day this might consist of processing chickens, touring cottage guests, cleaning cottages, fence mending, weed eating—the list goes on and on. Finishing up the day, we check on all of the animals again and close the chicken nesting boxes. After dark, our chicken barn doors are closed, brooder lamps turned on, and the chicken nesting boxes are opened and ready for the chickens in the morning.” The ASAP tour is the only time that East Fork Farm is open to the public. At other times, they reserve farm tours exclusively for their cottage guests. Details: Eastforkfarm.net.

the lifestyle.

photo provided by East Fork Farm

Have it all at Deerfield – extraordinary surroundings, activity-

Zimmerman’s Berry Farm

Zimmerman’s Berry Farm is a 70-acre, pick-your-own berry farm in Madison County—black raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Hay and some vegetables are also grown. Owner Pam Zimmerman has been farming in Madison County all of her life. She grew up on a mountain tobacco farm riding the work horse as her father and grandfather plowed tobacco. “Zimmerman’s Berry Farm is located on my late husband’s family farm that we bought in the early 1990s,” she says. “It was a traditional tobacco farm until we began the berry farm in 1999. Burley tobacco has been the traditional cash crop that was grown for many years in our area. There were a lot of issues that caused tobacco to no longer be profitable: the

filled days and nights, an extensive list of amenities – all in one of America’s most desirable retirement destinations, minutes from historic Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Asheville’s vibrant downtown. You’ll be free to explore new interests and passions, embrace new friendships, and enjoy life at your pace. Call to schedule a visit and learn how you can live the retirement of your dreams.

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local industry

ending of government price subsidies, increased need to add chemicals to combat disease in plants, inability to hire field labor. Berries are something that can be done without hiring help; there’s a growing interest in local food; there’s not the tremendous amount of heavy lifting that’s required with tobacco; and berries smell a lot better. “We do pick your own berries beginning mid-June through August. Some are tourists coming to visit the mountains, but most are return customers who bring their families and come back year after year to pick berries.” Zimmerman’s Berry Farm will open for the season in mid-June. Details: Zimmermansberryfarm.com.

photo courtesy Zimmermans Berry Farm

“ We want to educate people about what farmers do and about how important the land and water are to our livelihood. We want people to understand what it takes to get you the food you eat.” photo provided by Reeves Home Place Farm

Reeves Home Place Farm

Robin Reeves is the seventh generation on his 180-acre family farm in Leicester. Visitors to the Reeves Home Place Farm will meet the cows and poultry, learn the history of the farm, and visit the green house and hydroponic operation. “We have a long history of being in the same community farming the same land as our forefathers, which is an honor,” Reeves says. “The house we live in was built before the Civil War. We want to educate people about what farmers do and about how important the land and water are to our livelihood. We want people to understand what it takes to get you the food you eat.” Reeves sells his products at his farm store, the Asheville City Market South, East Asheville Market, and Trust General Store in Spring Creek. “The hardest part of farming has to be losing an animal that you have worked so hard to save,” Reeves says. “The most rewarding thing is to watch things grow and thrive whether it be animals, plants, or people.” At times other than the ASAP farm tour, call 828-231-2390 or email reeveshomeplace@aol.com to make an appointment for tours. 30

| June 2016

photo by Apple Hill Farm

VENEZIA DREAM alpacas, photo by Anthony Harden

Venezia Dream Farm

Venezia Dream Farm is micro— four acres total, only two acres in pasture. Starr Cash’s Candler farm is home to “Happy Healthy Alpacas.” “Alpacas are very easy livestock to take care of, and I’ve planned my farm layout to make my daily care chores as easy as possible,” Cash says. “It’s my pleasure to spend time with them every single day. That’s my way of making sure they are in good health. As long as they have grass or hay to eat and clean water to drink, they don’t need a whole lot of personal care on a daily basis.” Cash has a small store at the farm featuring items she creates from the alpaca fibers. She also sells a few things at Asheville NC Home Crafts in the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. The most rewarding day at Venezia Dream Farm is Shearing Day. The alpaca coats come rolling off like a 2-to-4-inch thick blanket as the shears float over their body. “And they love it when they stand up and they are 10 pounds lighter than they were just 10 minutes before,” Cash says. “It’s my harvest day and it’s a hard work day, but it’s a huge amount of fun, too.” Every private tour includes going into the pasture or barn to spend some quality time with the alpacas. Cash says they are not camera shy and love to pose for pictures. In addition, visitors will tour the fiber studio where they see “Farm to Fashion,” an explanation or demonstration of each step in the process of taking fiber from the alpaca to finished fabric. “It used to be people weren’t all that interested in how clothes are made or where they came from,” Cash says. “Cheap and disposable ‘fast fashion’ was all anyone wanted. Now, I find that more people are looking for fabrics and products that are well-made and will have a long useful life. They want items made of high quality materials and that were made in a way that is ethical for both people and the planet.” Cash opens her farm to visitors to not only sell her products but also to share her passion for life. “I care about our planet and I think I have things to say about how we can do better than we have done,” she says. “I want to inform and entertain people. I want them to purchase something from my store that is going to give them pleasure for a long time. I want them to turn to each other in the car after they leave my farm and say, ‘Wasn’t that amazing?’” At times other than the ASAP farm tour, call 828-667-2785 or email starr@veneziadream.com to schedule a visit. June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

local industry

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2010 JOBS: 49,475 2015 JOBS: 49,062 UNITED STATES

4.1%

a thriving small business Start Create my own financial plan Set up the right retirement plan for my employees and me Invest in sustainable and responsible companies As a small, locally-owned business, we know, first-hand, how that top task can monopolize your time. Let us help you knock out the rest of the list.

If you’d like to work with another small, independent, local business deeply invested in our great community, call us. 440 Montford Avenue, Asheville NC, 28801 | 828-285-8777 | 877-285-7537 | www.starksfinancial.com Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Member FINRA/SIPC.

| June 2016

2010 JOBS: 1,841,815 2015 JOBS: 1,917,223

* Industry Summary for Crop and Animal Production - Settings (2), QCEW, NonQCEW, Self-employed

QCEW: Stands for Quar terly Census of Employment and Wages Non-QCEW Employees: Attempts to cover jobs which fall under an employer-employee relationship but are not covered by QCEW. The major types of employment covered in this set include military jobs, railroad jobs, many nonprofit and religious workers, certain salespersons, miscellaneous Federal Government, and more. Self-Employed:Covers people who, when responding to Census surveys, consider self-employment to be a significant part of their income or time spent working. Most people normally considered “self-employed” would fall into this dataset.

AGER FAMILY of Hickory Nut Gap Farm, photo by Chelsea Lane Photography

Hickory Nut Gap Farm

The history of Hickory Nut Gap Farm began one hundred years ago in 1916, with the arrival of Jim and Elizabeth McClure. Newly married and still on their honeymoon, they fell in love with the old Sherrill’s Inn and the surrounding farm. Elizabeth devoted herself to restoring the old inn and its landscaping. On April 30, 1918, Jim held the first official meeting of the Hickory Nut Gap Farm Company. In 2000, Jamie Ager, a fourth generation descendant of the McClures, and his wife, Amy, took the reins and began their grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork business. In 2007 the land was put into an agricultural conservation easement, which allowed the Agers to continue to use the land and grow their business. “Our farm rests on 90 acres of land here in Fairview, and we also lease another 200 acres in Rutherford County, which we use for winter grazing our cattle,” says Amy Ager. “Visitors will often see our cows roaming out in the pasture, our pigs rooting in the woods, and baby chicks pecking in the brooder house. We have 90 acres of pasture, six acres of organic apples, a hill with U-Pick blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, and several play areas for children. We have an event space for birthday parties and for larger events such as reunions and weddings. “Our farm store is open to the public seven days a week, from 9AM to 6PM, where you can buy cuts of meat and local products. Lunch is served daily, and is both farm and locally sourced. We also sell our meats in local farmers markets: the West Asheville Tailgate Market, the Asheville City Market, and the North Asheville Tailgate Market. You can also find our meat

in the community at local grocery stores and over 50 restaurants in Asheville and regionally.” Over the last 15 years, the Agers have observed an increase in the demand for sustainable, ethical farming and the products that they raise. They say they are thankful to have the opportunity to farm in a time of increased customer awareness and to be able to provide the community with healthy, sustainable meat; they open the farm to the public as a way to share the family farm experience and set an example of healthy land stewardship. Details: Hickorynutgapfarm.com.

The Farm Heritage Trail

Another farm tour option is the Farm Heritage Trail—a scenic driving and cycling route through the rural agricultural communities of Alexander, Leicester, Newfound, and Sandy Mush in northwestern Buncombe County. The trail includes six stops at conserved family farms that are marked with designated signage. The public is welcome to travel the public roads of this trail year-round, a leisurely two-hour drive while enjoying a few stops along the way. Trail riders may choose to follow the specific route or enter and exit at any point, selecting farms they may want to drive by or visit along the way. Stops include Dr. King’s Carolina Bison, Sycamore Valley Farm Store, Addison Farms Vineyards, Sandy Hollar Farm, Long Branch Environmental Education Center, and Sandy Mush Herb Nursery. Buncombe County Soil and Water was awarded a community grant from Buncombe County Recreation Services in October 2015 to create the Farm Heritage Trail. Northwest Buncombe June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

local industry

County was chosen because it has the largest concentration of conserved farms in the county. “The Trail was created to showcase some of the most beautiful rural agricultural areas in the county, as well as inform the community about the importance of farmland preservation,” says Buncombe’s Farmland Preservation Coordinator Dixon. “We hope to share these beautiful areas with tourists and the community to raise awareness for the importance of protecting farmland in conservation easement—so that the land will forever be used for farming and forestry. We hope that by creating this fun opportunity to drive and participate in the trail, we will create an understanding that, without the protection of these lands, we could slowly lose our fertile farmland, the opportunity to have fresh food in the community, and the scenic views and agrarian beauty so imperative to Buncombe County. “We are hoping to create this trail as a pilot project and possibly have other farm heritage trails in other regions of the county in the future, with possibly one in the southeast region of the county.” Details: Farmheritagetrail.org.

Apple Hill Farm

In addition to the ASAP farm tour and the Farm Heritage Trail, there are numerous farms throughout Western North

Carolina that welcome visitors. Apple Hill Farm in Banner Elk is one of these farms. “A place where animals talk and people listen,” as the motto announces, the farm is owned by Lee Rankin and sits on 43 acres, with approximately 15 acres used for farm operations. “The farm was part of an 80-plus acre tract of land that was cleared and planted as an apple orchard in 1960,” Rankin says. “When I acquired the property in 2001, there was only a section of the orchard remaining, as well as a field planted in Frazier Firs. I bought my first alpacas in 2003, and we have slowly added more types of animals over time to meet our different needs as they have arisen. We first opened to the public in 2006, and things have really taken off in the last few years. In 2015 we led 443 guided walking tours of our farm.” A tour of the farm offers mountain views, wooded footpaths, and landscaped gardens that provide the setting for the alpacas, goats, donkeys, chickens, dogs, horses, and other animals calling Apple Hill Farm home. The guided walking tour winds its way around the farm, giving guests a chance to meet all the animals. According to Rankin, the tour also provides a snapshot view of what life can be like on a working alpaca farm. “Each animal at Apple Hill Farm has a job—and many have stories to share as well! We raise alpacas and angora goats for their fiber, which we

Friends Forever!

And now celebrating 13 years in business together We use supply-and-demand technical charting to help us manage risk and determine not only what to buy and sell but when. This is a sensible and disciplined approach to investing that allows us to react unemotionally to rising and falling markets and to the news or media noise of the day. White Oak can design and manage your personal investment and income planning strategies. Please call — we might just be the right ﬁt for you. Priestley Cummings Ford and Laura Cummings McCue

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shear off and sell in our farm store. We raise donkeys and Great Pyrenees dogs to guard and watch over our alpacas and goats. Chickens provide eggs, Mr. Pickles the mini-pig is the ‘boss hog’ of the farm, and the horses and ponies provide companionship

yarn, plus socks, scarves, vests, gloves, and more. Rankin also works with several co-ops of fellow alpaca farm owners and artisans around the world. They have some of these products in Sew Original in Boone, as well as the Great Train Robbery and Bayou Smokehouse & Grill in Banner Elk. From mid-May to mid-October they will be offering a public tour daily at 2PM. The farm store will be open from 10AM to 4PM, Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 4PM on Sundays. Rankin says they have people from all walks of life visiting that are interested in learning more about alpacas, farming, and fiber. “There is much more awareness about the importance of farming and more interest in learning about farming. There is also a movement of people searching for ways to reconnect with things that are tangible, real, and meaningful. Many people are finding this through farming.” Details: Applehillfarmnc.com.

“There is much more awareness about the importance of farming and more interest in learning about farming. There is also a movement of people searching for ways to reconnect with things that are tangible, real, and meaningful.” and love to all who visit. We have a very active chicken coop and a small vegetable garden as well. The garden is primarily for our own use, but we do invite our guests to take a walk through it, and [we] sell some of the produce grown there.” Yarn from the personal animals is available for purchase in the farm store, which is stocked with over 20 types of alpaca

www.skisugar.com • 828-898-4521 Hiking and Biking Trails May 6 - October 16 Fourth of July Sports Shop Sale July 1-4 Fireworks on Top of Sugar Mountain

(Chairlift rides 10:00am - 10:00pm)

July 2

Weekend Scenic Chairlift Rides July 2 - September 4 Oktoberfest October 8-9

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

THE OLD

NORTH than an inch of the material was needed to shatter bullets. NCSU’s metal foam also proves radiation-resistant and fireproof. When one side of a 2.5-inch sample is subjected to 800 oF, it takes eight minutes for the other side to reach that temperature.

menswear first hit the streets in 1896 and never went away. Perhaps under the radar of the average passerby, the new design includes a return to the traditional fit, with side gussets to reinforce seams, a longer tail, and mother-of-pearl buttons. The crowning feature, though, is the perfect-roll collar, emulating the bell curve of angel wings. It was a feature of the 1896 model, based on a look John E. Brooks himself admired in the collars of English polo players. It is achieved by removing the lining, which has been part of the shirt since 1989. The design has also removed the breast pocket. Lisa Birnbach, editor of The Official Preppy Handbook, praised the shirt’s nonchalance.

Does Your Collar Arc with Such Nonchalance?

Few Actually Enjoy Paying Higher Taxes

garland

wilmington

Brooks Brothers, a privately-owned manufacturer and retailer of men’s apparel, has redesigned the classic oxford-cloth button-down shirt. With changes described in the New York Times as both “millimetr ic” and “profound,” sales are already up 15 to 20% over the last designs. The icon in

As local governments expand their scope of activities, things that used to be considered basic city services have been neglected. Hence, Municipal Service Districts have sprung up across the land. The districts collect extra taxes in order to pay for security, cleanliness, and infrastructural upkeep. In Wilmington city

STATE [

news briefs

Earthbreaking raleigh

Researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) have discovered a metal that shatters bullets. Professor Afsaneh Rabiei, the lead scientist, specializes in developing composite metal foams. While normal metal foams have been around for some time, they are not as good at absorbing impact energy because their cell structure is non-uniform. Rabiei’s foams are made by melting aluminum or some other metal around hollow metal spheres. In normal foams, used only in low-impact applications, the larger bubbles break first on impact. But when all bubbles are the same size, the chain, as it were, has no weak links. Rabiei’s foam is 70% lighter than sheet metal and absorbs 80 times as much kinetic energy. In ballistic testing, less

]

BRo iS pRouD To WeLCoMe ouR ThiRD DoCToR! MeeT MeGAN SChuLeR, D.M.D. Dr. Megan G. Schuler has wanted to be an orthodontist since she herself had braces. Growing up she was self-conscious about her teeth and her smile. When she received orthodontic treatment, she became comfortable with her new smile and realized the difference that straight teeth could make in someone’s life. “STRAiGhTeNiNG My TeeTh CoMpLeTeLy ChANGeD My ATTiTuDe AND GAve Me CoNfiDeNCe,” SAyS SChuLeR. After her treatment Dr. Schuler decided that she wanted to help give people the smiles that they always hoped for, so they could face the world proudly. “i’m excited to be a part of the Blue Ridge orthodontics team. i can’t wait for my move to Asheville and to meet my new patients,” she adds. To SCheDuLe AN AppoiNTMeNT WiTh DR. SChuLeR, CALL 828-585-6042 AND SpeAK To ouR fRieNDLy STAff. 36

T. Luke Roberts, D.M.D., M.S.D. Karla Alvarado, D.M.D., M.S. Megan Schuler, D.M.D. 2 Walden Ridge Dr., Suite 50, Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 585-6042 www.brosmile.com | June 2016

leaders have met with resistance. That city’s Municipal Service District’s recommendation, after a year of analysis and public input, was seven cents per each $100 valuation. The tax would be in the works were it not for a petition in circulation. Justin LaNasa, who owns several downtown businesses, explains the tax will be passed on to customers, making downtown more expensive and thus less appealing. LaNasa hopes to force a referendum on the proposal, which he can do if he collects about 1,700 valid signatures. At presstime, he was already at the 1,000 mark. Working against him should the matter be decided by popular opinion, though, is voters outside the district, who won’t have to pay the tax directly, and who will outnumber those subject to it.

Hanes Makes You Feel Good Down Under winston-salem

Hanesbrands shares took off following the announcement of the purchase of Australian underwear retailer Pacific Brands, Limited. The deal, valued at approximately $800 million, should close later this year. In addition to underwear,

carolina in the west

national & world

Pacific sells household linen under a number of brands, including Bonds, and operates a chain of retail stores for underwear and clothing. Hanes intends to sell off Pacific’s pillow business, Tontine, and its carpet business, Dunlop Flooring. Its American brands, including Hanes underwear, Champion sweats, and L’eggs pantyhose, should continue unscathed. The acquisition is Hanes’ sixth in three years, and it would add Australia and New Zealand to the list of about a dozen countries where Hanes is either the first or second largest holder of market share in underwear, intimate apparel, or hosiery retail. In its last ten years of operation, Hanes has strategically tripled profits and expanded from a $4 billion United States company to a $7 billion global operation. Shares rose from $1.96 to $29.75 following the announcement.

Quality Homes with First-Rate Amenities leland

Site preparation for the Bluffs on the Cape Fear is underway. The site is minutes away from the attractions in historic Wilmington, and is naturally appealing with its rolling hills, towering pines and

the old north state

hardwoods, and a mile of water frontage along Cape Fear River. Enhancements will include new roads, landscaping, a riverfront park, and a beach club complex (which includes a pool, a lakeside fishing pier, a fifty-slip marina, and a boat launch). The amenity-rich residential community welcomes the arrival of Legacy Homes by Bill Clark, one of the area’s premier homebuilders. Lots are selling for $40,000 to $200,000, and homes from $300,000 to $600,000. Maximum Design & Advertising, Inc., has been hired for a national marketing campaign. The development team includes Doug Talbot, a civil engineer who holds executive positions with a number of real estate companies and is richly experienced in developing solid, upscale residential communities. Billy Brown leads the team of investors, and Joseph H. Stillwell—a tax consultant who now heads his own firm—manages the financials.

Mayor Challenging Hospital Closing belhaven

Belhaven Mayor Adam O’Neal is suing to reopen Pungo District Hospital. Hospital system Vidant Health and property owner

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 37

the old north state

Since 1977

HANDMADE

RUGS

Pantego Creek, LLC, decided to close the facility July 1, 2014 after operating at a loss of $2.3 million over two years of ownership. Vidant planned to replace the hospital with a nearby clinic set to open in June. The clinic would offer 24/7 care with on-site X-ray, ultrasound, cardiac, prenatal, and physical therapy services. It would even feature a helipad for picking up patients and transporting those needing more extensive medical attention to Vidant Beaufort Hospital, 26 miles away, or Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, 51 miles away. The mayor charges that a $30,000 study commissioned by the town and conducted by Rural Community Hospitals of America concluded Pungo was egregiously overstaffed and overbedded. Working with the NAACP, the mayor says he has already secured a $6 million USDA loan to reopen the hospital and contracts with other organizations to run it. Pantego’s attorney, Arey Grady, III, assures Vidant is the party in the lawsuit most knowledgeable about meeting the area’s needs for medical attention.

Another Inside Story charlotte

Hand knotted one-of-a-kind rugs Turkish, Persian & Caucasian 562 Long Shoals Rd. Arden NC 28704

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| June 2016

Topgolf, a golf-themed entertainment center, is coming to Charlotte. Partner EPR Properties has closed on a $44 million purchase of 14 acres with a 65,000-square-foot facility. Rezoning for the property, formerly owned by American Asset Corporation, was approved last year. Topgolf representatives said they have been considering setting up shop in Charlotte for years. Magnets included the temperate climate, large population, and growing business environment. The selected location is near the airport, hotels, and offices. It will be Topgolf’s first North Carolina location, although it already has 24 operations up and running throughout the world. Topgolf offers driving ranges with chipped balls providing informatics feedback for golfers of all skill levels. Half

the facility’s patrons are expected to self-describe as non-golfers. The building will include 102 climate-controlled bays, each with a capacity for six players at a time, private event space, 230 high-definition TVs, and food service. Tee time is scheduled for early 2017.

Getting Cozier at Glaxo research triangle park

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced its intentions to sell its real estate holdings in Research Triangle Park (RTP) and lease back three buildings. GSK assures this is not a strategic component of any corporate back-scaling. No cuts in personnel are planned for the RTP, which remains GSK’s busiest location in the United States. President of United States Pharmaceuticals Jack Bailey said Glaxo’s North Carolina heritage ran with its work and not its buildings. GSK used to be the largest landowner in RTP, owning at one time 690 acres. Now, it only occupies 600,000-sq.-ft of the 1.8 million it owns. Staffing is down from 5,000 to 2,600 following a 2010 real estate consolidation. At that time, the company vacated 1.1 million-sq.-ft. and moved 1,000 employees out of the area. Last year, a Philadelphia consolidation cost 1,000 RTP Glaxo workers their positions. GSK’s RTP presence is now less involved in research and development but more in marketing pharmaceuticals manufactured in Zebulon, North Carolina, for managing respiratory issues and HIV.

Green Energy winston-salem

It doesn’t purport to be the cure for everything that ails you. The entrepreneurs behind Vios Nutrition merely take nutrition seriously, and good food is hard to work into today’s on-the-go culture. In April they therefore introduced PHYTE, a phytonutrition supplement in convenient,

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After being in business ten years, Bill Parent moved his family business from Rutherfordton to Wilmington. He had been considering closing shop when two employees, his sister and one of his brothers, relocated. At their suggestion, Bill decided to move and take the store with him. Parent’s store is called Quilting-N-Crafts-N-Things. In addition to selling quilting and crafting supplies, it has a longarm sewing machine for finishing quilts. The store also sells Handi Quilter longarm machines and has a Handi Quilter rep on-location. Enthusiasts can check out a number of professional designs and services. The store even sells handmade clothing that fits American Girl dolls. Soon it will offer a variety of quilting classes. While Quilting-N-Crafts-N-Things is building its website, it continues to collect customer input on inventory to fill the new 3,000-sq.-ft. of retail space and types of classes they would like to take. Quilting is big in the Cape Fear area, where there are a number of guilds.

Enjoy today, plan for tomorrow, and build a legacy for the people and causes you love most with the advisors at Webb Investment Services.

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BALANCE IS EVERYTHING.

Taking the Business with You

in life, as in nature,

single-serve packages. PHYTE is a wholefood greens product whose ingredients include cereal grasses, spirulina, and chlorella. All ingredients are certified organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO. Vios is a plant-based nutrition company founded by Winston-Salem natives Brock Agee and Joseph Land. Agee is the former president of a direct-sales nutritional company who now owns and operates the Le Bleu bottled water distributorship for 33 eastern North Carolina counties. Land’s expertise is in direct sales. He founded the Joseph Land Group, Inc., which at its peak operated over 1,500 trucks and employed 2,000 in 23 offices across the country. Nutritionist Gordon Tessler develops the products. He is the author of The Genesis Diet.

828.252.5132 | laurawebb.com 82 Patton Ave., Suite 610 | Asheville, NC 28801

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 39

| June 2016

A Friendly STAYCATION

L leisure & libation

written by marl a hardee milling

VIEW FROM 5506’ Skybar, photo courtesy Beech Mountain

Friends just called and they are headed into town: Better think fast and be creative. As you brainstorm ways to entertain them, keep in mind that there’s a golden opportunity to pinpoint places and activities you might not try on your own, but know it will be a blast to participate. Things like jumping on a Pubcycle and pedaling through the downtown area, taking in some live bluegrass in a family-friendly environment, or wandering around in the caverns of an ancient mountain. We’ve steered away from getting too detailed about the abundance of outdoor activities in Western North Carolina: whitewater rafting, ziplining, rock climbing, hiking, camping, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, visiting waterfalls, and slipping down Sliding Rock. We know you’re going to enjoy outdoor adventures even when guests aren’t in town. We’re sticking to places you might never try without your out-of-towners by your side. June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 41

leisure & libation

BILTMORE roof top tour, photo courtesy Biltmore Estate

Take a Tour > >l a zoom

bus tour

Hopping on LaZoom’s big purple bus is a frequent thought for many when visitors come to Asheville. Co-owner Jim Lauzon says a lot of people will call and say, “Yay! My friends are coming. Now I finally get to go.” Lauzon elaborates, saying, “The first thing I ask is, ‘What is it you want to do with them?’ I have a city tour that parades you and your out-of-town guests through parts of Asheville you may not have been in before. We add in some history. It’s informative, but really fun. Some people ride and say, ‘Oh look, I never get to be shuttled around my town with a beer in my hand.’ If you hop on the bus first, you get the full overview and it helps make choices of different places to eat or visit for the rest of the weekend.” LaZoom also offers a nighttime haunted tour for those over age 17, a Band and 42

| June 2016

Beer three-hour tour that takes riders to three different breweries, and a brand new kids’ Saturday morning tour that launched in May for ages 3 to 12. Lazoom.com

> >the

urban tr ail

Getting your feet on the street is another option. The Urban Trail offers a self-guided tour that highlights incredible architecture, significant people, and events through bronze sculptures and plaques. There are 30 stations in all. Download a map or follow a guide around town as you hear more about the history and culture. Asheville By Foot tours run at 10AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, as well as by appointment. Ashevillebyfoottours.com

> >biltmore

estate

Before you say no to Biltmore Estate, thinking you’ll just be doing another tour of the massive house, there are chances

here to think outside of the box and entertain yourself as well as friends. Have you ever surveyed the grounds from the roof of Vanderbilt’s mansion? Sign up for a rooftop tour and you can have a bird’s eye view of the surroundings. Stay closer to the ground by signing up for an off-road Segway tour or a horseback riding tour around the estate. Other fun options: Enjoy a red wine and chocolate seminar at Antler Hill Village, or Afternoon Tea at the Inn at Biltmore. The seminar features four Biltmore red wines paired with four chocolate truffles from Chocolate Gems in Asheville. The Afternoon Tea includes the delights of a proper English tea—finger sandwiches, scones, breads, cheese tray, and pastries; it’s offered daily between 2:30PM and 4:30PM. All of these activities require additional fees to the regular price of admission. Biltmore.com

L Hit The Trail Even though we aren’t mentioning the best hiking trails in this article, there are some other trails you need to take notice of, and you don’t even need to lace up your hiking boots. These trails create a cohesive community of like-minded businesses, from beer and wine to music to art to cheese. The best part? You’re likely to discover something new as you lead your visitors around.

> >cheers!

trail

One of the newest is the Cheers! Trail in Henderson County that points people in the direction of nine businesses (two wineries, five breweries, and two cideries) in the county. “People like trails,” said Beth Carden, Executive Director of the Henderson County TDA. “It’s all put together for them in one document.” Download the Cheers! Trail map and take a self-guided tour, beginning with Sierra Nevada in Mills River. There are also plans in the works for several other trails in Henderson County, including a farm market trail, art gallery trail, and quilt block trail. Historichendersonville.org/cheers-trail.pdf

> >quilt

trail of wnc

Mitchell and Yancey Counties offer a chance to discover more than 200 quilt blocks on the sides of barns and other buildings. It’s not a random undertaking. Each quilt block has a connection through its pattern name to the history of the land, the building, or the family. Quilttrailswnc.org

> >boone

area wine trail

Featuring Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Foscoe, Linville Falls Winery in Linville Falls, and Banner Elk Winery in Banner Elk. Exploreboone.com/things-to-do/travel-itineraries/ wine-trail/

> >blue

ridge music trails

> >wnc

cheese trail

Explores the traditional music of the North Carolina mountains and foothills. Blueridgemusicnc.com Allows participants to meet area cheese makers, see where the cheese is crafted, and sample different varieties. WNCCheesetrail.org

CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT Grandfather Vineyard Boone, photo courtesy Boone Wine Trail Bold Rock Cidery, photo courtesy Cheers Trail Henderson County Heritage Museum, photo courtesy Cheers Trail Looking Glass Creamery on the WNC cheese trail, photo by Sonya Stone Flat Rock Ciderworks, photo courtesy Chris Schenk June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 43

leisure & libation

LINVILLE CAVERNS, photo by Anthony Harden

828 665-7730 | 1103 Brevard Rd. | Asheville NC 28806 | frameittoat.com

Go Off The Beaten Path The Western North Carolina area is ripe for exploration; and yet, you may not have seen or experienced some of its greatest treasures. Make a checklist and see if you can arrange time to enjoy with your guests.

> >grandfather

mountain

Walk across the mile-high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain. Grandfather.com

> >linville

caverns

Go INSIDE a mountain at Linville Caverns (take a sweatshirt – temperature is 52 degrees year round). Linvillecaverns.com

> >richland

LET’S PLAN YOUR

POOL!

NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR SUMMER 2016 PROJECTS!

1200-C Hendersonville Rd. Asheville, NC • 828-277-8041 • waterworkswnc.com

| June 2016

balsam mountain

Drive to the highest point on the Blue R idge Parkway—R ichland Balsam Mountain, which rises to 6,410 feet, in Jackson County.

> >jump

off rock

View four states from Jump Off Rock in Hendersonville, where legend says a

DARK RIDE HEARSE, photo courtesy Dark Ride Tours Cherokee maiden jumped to her death after finding out her lover died in battle. Visitnc.com/listing/jump-off-rock

> >cradle

of forestry

Learn about America’s first school of forestry as you wind among the buildings and paths at the Cradle of Forestry near Brevard. Cradleofforestry.com

> >judaculla

rock

Examine the mysterious ancient drawings on the Judaculla Rock, located near Sylva. Judacullarock.com

Play Games > >harrah’s

casino

With friends in town, now’s your chance to risk a few bucks at Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee. A wise plan is to set a firm limit on how much you’re willing to lose, but who knows? Someone might wind up cashing in on a big win. Harrah’s offers live table games like Blackjack,

Craps, and Roulette, as well as slot machines and video poker. The 3,000 seat Event Center also hosts big-name concerts—check the calendar to see if there are any happening the weekend your friends visit. Caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee/casino

smart phone and other personal items while you’re in the room. A-escape.com

> >pinball

> >dark

museum

It’s only $13 for unlimited play on more than 30 pinball machines at the Asheville Pinball Museum. They also have a collection of video games, rifle gallery games, and a baseball pitch and bat. Note: Waiting lists are common on the weekends. Ashevillepinball.com

> >escape

room

If you like your friends enough, you might consider being locked in a room with them for a set amount of time. It’s all part of the fun at the Asheville Escape Room where participants hunt for clues, solve puzzles, and look for a solution to getting out safely. There are different scenarios, some creepier than others, but you might find the scariest thing to be the fact that you have to give up your

Explore The Unexplained ride tours

We know you don’t want to venture into the graveyard alone, so having guests in town is the perfect excuse to seek out a paranormal experience. Dark Ride Tours will lead you into Asheville’s Riverside Cemetery, but it won’t be in the dead of night. Instead, they book tours at 6:30PM because the city closes the gates on the Cemetery at 8PM (6PM in the winter months). David Voyles and his son started Dark Ride Tours in October 2015. “I’m the undertaker host named Virgil Nightshade and my son is named Charon. That’s the Greek ferryman of the dead who takes spirits across the river Styx,” says Voyles. Dark Ride Tours can take six guests at a time in the 1972 Cadillac Hearse they bought in Virginia and restored as a tour business, complete with flat screen TV June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 45

leisure & libation

RIVER ARTS DISTRICT, photo by Linda D. Cluxton inside. “I ride in back as the seventh person, and the spooky driver is my son. He never speaks,” said Voyles. “I tell people there are different kinds of ghost tours in Asheville. There’s a walking tour that’s very serious. There’s LaZoom’s haunted tour that’s comedy, and we’re somewhere in between with our storytelling. In the words of Mark Twain, we ‘never let the truth get in the way of a good story.’” In addition to the Riverside Cemetery Tour, they offer a Spirits on the River Tour, which begins at 8:30PM. Their regular schedule includes tours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but if there are 3 or 4 people who want to go, he’ll arrange a special tour time. Dark Ride Tours also has 20 minute short rides in the hearse. Darkridetours.com

> >haunted

asheville ghost tours

Asheville native Joshua Warren is world renowned as a paranormal investigator and expert. He owns Haunted Asheville Ghost Tours. Experienced guides lead brave souls through some of Asheville’s scariest history as they walk around town, beginning and ending at the Masonic Temple on Broadway, where Warren operates Asheville Mystery Museum in the basement. A visit to the museum is included with the tour. Hauntedasheville.com

> >the

brown mountain lights

An unexplained event in Burke County might prove memorable if you and your guests get a glimpse. The Brown Mountain Lights are random and unexplained—“predictably unpredictable,” according to Ed Phillips, Burke County’s Director of Tourism. “Lights appear as soft yellow or soft orange or red, and move across Brown Mountain, usually below the ridge top. I think the most believed theory is some sort of plasma gas, but created by what, no one knows.” Brownmountainlights.com To try and spot the lights, head up Highway 181 about 20 miles north of Morganton. They’re usually spotted between dusk and midnight. “If anyone does see them, send us a picture,” says Phillips. He adds that it’s good to start at the Visitor’s Center at 110 East Meeting Street in Morganton, where people can pick up a free guide to the Brown Mountain Lights and see the best picture of the lights ever taken, which is on display. Discoverburkecounty.com

> >hotel

ghosts

If you want to risk a ghostly encounter during sleep, book a night in Room 545 at the Omni Grove Park Inn. It’s this room that seems to have paranormal activity from the so-called Pink Lady. Omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park The Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock is also noted by ghost hunters. Greenparkinn.com 46

| June 2016

L Get Inspired > >river

arts district

Watching artists at work in the River Arts District (RAD) may inspire your own creative juices, but there seems to be a misconception among some people who live here that the bi-annual studio strolls are the only times you can walk through the studios and meet the artists. Truth is, everyone is welcome and encouraged to visit throughout the year. “There are some people who have lived here all their lives and tell me they’ve heard of the River Arts District, but don’t know where it is,” says artist Jeff Pittman, who shares a studio/gallery with five other artists at 352 Depot Street. “But now that New Belgium is here, more people will find the studios.” Pittman says he advises getting a guide and map of the RAD before heading down; that way you can pick and choose what you want to see. It also provides hours for specific studios—Pittman’s studio is open Tuesday – Saturday, but he will often go in Monday morning to work as well. It varies from artist to artist so plan ahead. Download a map and find other info online. Riverartsdistrict.com

> >asheville

These tours run from three to five hours and each one is different. Ashevillefoodtours.com

> >artisanal

Asheville is known as a foodie town, but surprisingly, there’s another town in Western North Carolina that’s becoming a culinary hot spot. For a town of only 1,100 residents, Banner Elk has an amazing array of dining options, covering everything from sushi to Italian to Vietnamese to new American to the traditional steakhouse. One of the restaurants, Artisanal, is ranked in the 100 Top Restaurants in America by OpenTable. Artisanalnc.com

glass center

If you want to try your hand at creating something beautiful, there are studios in the RAD that offer classes and workshops. The Asheville Glass Center, located in the Roberts Street Studios, provides instruction and equipment for off-hand glassblowing, flame working, and cold working; it schedules short classes as well as weekend workshops. Ashevilleglass.com

> >village

potters

Village Potters, in the Riverview Station on Lyman Street, is another place to get a hands-on experience. Some of the quick offerings: one and two-day demonstration workshops, and Raku Saturdays (four-hour workshop). Thevillagepotters.com

Eat > >food

photo courtesy The Hop Creamery

tour

We know enjoying amazing food and drink will definitely be on your agenda when friends come to town, so be a bit adventurous and book an Asheville Food Tour. A guide will lead the group of six or seven handpicked restaurants where you can savor gourmet dishes, as well as talk with the chefs and restaurant owners.

> >pisgah

inn

A meal at the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway will give you and your guests a chance to relax and soak in the stunning scenery. The menu features such items as fresh mountain trout, boneless North Carolina pork chops, southern corn fritters, and fried green tomatoes. Pisgahinn.com

> >the

hop creamery

If your guests are in town on a Friday night, you can take them to Flight Night at The Hop Creamery, on Haywood Road in West Asheville. “It’s always exciting and fun,” says co-owner Greg Garrison. “We’re creating new flavors every week, and it’s the kind of thing I would love for people to think about when they have guests from out of town.” June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 47

leisure & libation

5506’ SKYBAR photos courtesy Beech Mountain

The flight consists of four small cups of ice cream on a board. Customers generally have eight flavors to choose from. “Of the eight, five are dairy and three are vegan,” said Garrison. “We also have a vegan flight night on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 9PM” Sometimes the flight night will be the only time a certain flavor will appear. Other times, it becomes part of the regular line-up at The Hop locations in West Asheville and North Asheville. Popular offerings have included Earl Grey with Lavender, Thai Coffee, Chocolate Toasted Quinoa, Peach Amaretto Sour, and Smoked Chocolate. Garrison lists the Friday Night flavors on social media. There are often themes, as well as the insanely popular doughnut sandwich night. The Hop gets doughnuts from Hole, located across the street, and 48

| June 2016

fills them with fresh ice cream. These delicious treats always sell out. Thehopicecreamcafe.com

Drink > >oskar

blues

Oskar Blues Brewery makes it easy to drink while leaving the driving to someone else. On Saturdays, a trolley picks up riders at the Aloft Hotel in Asheville at 5PM and takes them to the brewery in Brevard, and then returns them to Aloft. It’s free to ride, but Rainbow Sipe, Oskar Blues office manager, says it’s required to sign up on Event Brite so they can contact people in case of delays. “We also just got a new Yakima bike rack for the trolley. It can hold four bikes outside and there’s usually room for a few inside,” Sipe said.

“People just need to secure bikes on themselves.” http://bit.ly/23HJId4]

> >amazing

pubcycle

The Aloft Hotel is also a starting point for the A mazing Pubcycle, which has an additional pickup point at the Renaissance Hotel. There’s room for three pedalers and three non-pedalers on the bench seat. The tours run 1 1/2 hours and make a couple of stops at local breweries. It’s BYOB, and masks, costumes, and decorations are encouraged. Amazingpubcycle.com

> >5506’

skybar

You might not think of taking a chairlift to a bar, but that’s exactly the plan at Beech Mountain. Skiers and snowboarders are familiar with the 5506’ Skybar at

L the top of the mountain (Capital at Play also featured it in our February 2016 ski feature), but it’s open year-round. In warmer months, you can ride the chairlift for $10, have a drink, and enjoy great views, cooler temperatures—it doesn’t get above 80 degrees in the summer— and laughs with friends. Beechmountainresort.com

Listen > >drum

circle

It’s a no-brainer to lead your crew to the Drum Circle on Friday nights in downtown Asheville’s Pritchard Park, or Shindig on the Green (now in its 50th season; Folkheritage.org) at Pack Square Park on most summer Saturday nights. Both are free and family friendly, and visitors can even participate in the Drum Circle or in the impromptu bluegrass pickin’ sessions that spring up at Shindig. But there are also some other opportunities to hear great music in the mountains.

> >songwriters

in the round

Balsam Mountain Inn hosts a monthly dinner with live entertainment featuring some of Nashville’s best songwriters. Balsammountaininn.net

> >feed &

seed music

It’s common for folks to gather at the Feed & Seed in Fletcher, but they aren’t thinking about gardening. They visit on Friday and Saturday nights to hear some great live bluegrass and old-time music, and there’s no cover charge. The Feed & Seed is also part of the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina. Feedandseednc.com

> >brevard

music center

Celebrating its 80th anniversary this season, the Brevard Music Center hosts its opening weekend June 24 – 26, featuring pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet on the 24th and special guest artist Amy Grant on the 25th. Brevardmusic.org

Mountain Paint & Decorating, Inc. mountainpaintasheville.com

Charlotte Street 180 Charlotte Street Asheville, NC 28801 828.785.1940

Sweeten Creek 76 Sweeten Creek Rd. Asheville, NC 28803 828.258.5385

West Main Street 120 West Main Street Brevard, NC 28712 828.884.2285

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 49

leisure & libation

Watch

photo courtesy Flat Rock Playhouse

There are several long-running outdoor dramas in the mountain region, but many residents have never seen them. Consider this another great opportunity to experience something new while entertaining guests.

> >horn

in the west

> >unto

these hills

Touted as the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War drama, this outdoor play in Boone opened in 1952. Since then, more than 1.4 million people have witnessed the lives of settlers who came to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the struggles they faced. Horninthewest.com The story of the Cherokee people is told nightly from May 31 to August 16, at the 2,800-seat Mountainside Theatre in Cherokee. It began in 1950 and has entertained more than six million people. Cherokeesmokies.com/unto_these_hills.html

> >montford

park players

Live Shakespeare is presented on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings at 7:30PM in Asheville’s Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. Montfordparkplayers.org

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L There are also opportunities to see unique stage plays indoors:

> >flat

rock playhouse

Designated as The State Theatre of North Carolina, Flat Rock Playhouse began in 1940 with a few weeks of summer performances. This year’s lineup features The Music Man, Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, The Diary of Anne Frank, Beehive, and A Christmas Carol. Flatrockplayhouse.org

> >parkway

> >haywood

arts regional

theatre

The HART Theatre was founded in 1984 and continues to delight audiences by showcasing the talents of the region. The current lineup of plays includes Legally Blonde, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Jesus Christ Superstar, All My Sons, One Slight Hitch, Into the Woods, and The Mystery of Irma Vep. Harttheatre.org

Relax

playhouse

Opened in 1947 as The Burnsville Playhou se, the na me cha nged to Parkway Playhouse in 1979. The 2016 Mainstage Season features The Ballad of Frankie Silver, Little Shop of Horrors, You Can’t Take it With You, and The Great Gatsby. Parkwayplayhouse.com

After a flurry of activities to entertain your friends, there will come a point where you will crave some quiet time, so there are places to go that will give you (and them) a well-deserved break.

> >asheville

salt cave

Asheville, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at 12 Eagle Street. This is the only Spa Therapy center in the United States crafted from all natural materials—salt, wood, and water. There are many health benefits to sitting in a salt cave, but it’s also a chance to just close your eyes a bit and forget your worries. Ashevillesaltcave.com

> >stillpoint

wellness

If you really want to sink into peace and quiet, climb into a sensory deprivation tank. The Float Lab tank at Stillpoint Wellness in Asheville allows you to float effortlessly (thanks to 1500 pounds of Epsom Salt) without any distractions at all—no light, no noise, nothing. Just you and your thoughts. It’s said to bring states of deep relaxation. Stillpointwell.com.

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Hands ON Business

written by thomas calder

photos by anthony harden

For Alex Matisse and John Vigeland, honoring the age-old traditions of pottery doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily mean living in the pastâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in order to grow their business, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also willing to innovate.

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ast Fork Pottery sits in the valley of Bailey Ridge, just south of the Grooms Branch Stream in Marshall, North Carolina. To get there involves a winding, scenic drive, with cows and horses lining the mountain sides, in addition to forgotten barns—some of which are boarded-up, while others tilt on the verge of collapse. The road itself ends before you reach the property. A gravel road, laid by Alex Matisse, the property’s owner and founder of East Fork Pottery, takes you the rest of the way. An old white paneled tobacco farmhouse is the first building you pass on your drive up. Two large handmade urns sit on its front porch, positioned on either side of the front door, as if columns. Further up the drive, an old 1950s Airstream sits parked. Next to it lounges Zuma, a black lab with an aging face of white fur. He greets visitors with a bark that echoes throughout the valley. In this way, Zuma plays the kind guard dog, eager to be petted. From the Airstream, the gravel road curves left, leading to the three main wood framed buildings—two workshops and a kiln shed. Within the shed are stacks of pallets, scrap wood, and lumber, and beside these stacks is the shop’s wood burning kiln, a massive construct of concrete, insulation, and brick, designed and built by Matisse in 2010. The kiln itself has not been fired in over a year. Matisse and John Vigeland—the company’s CFO, fellow potter, and recent co-owner of East Fork Pottery—are in the midst of a shift in their business model. “It’s taken us three years to get to this point,” Matisse says. When he first began the shop in 2010, Matisse dealt exclusively in signature wood-fired pieces, ranging from large glazed urchins and hourglass vases to tumblers and cups. Most were made on spec and sold at shows, as well as during kiln openings held on the property. The clientele base was primarily regional folk pottery enthusiasts. Since Vigeland’s arrival in 2013, however, the two have worked on broadening their market. This has led to the creation of two separate entities within East Fork Pottery: East Fork Line and East Fork Guild. The latter is made up of both Matisse and Vigeland’s larger, more decorative works. The former is a new

venture dealing in a simpler, unadorned, more standardized product, which has introduced the potters to several previously unexplored roles.

All Paths lead to the Mountains Matisse and Vigeland have been business partners now for nearly three years. While some aspects of their individual histories overlap—both men, for example, were taught in the ceramic tradition of apprenticeship—their individual journeys toward working with North Carolina clay begin in different parts of the country. Matisse was born in Concord, Massachusetts. Both his parents are practicing artists, and his great-grandfather was the renowned French painter and sculptor, Henri Matisse. By the seventh grade, Matisse discovered his own interest in clay through an afterschool program. While most of the other boys enrolled in basketball, Matisse enlisted in a class that allowed him to make clay masks. Once he finished high school, however, Matisse’s interests changed. Whereas some might view an artistic family heritage June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

as an advantage for an emerging artist, Matisse himself grew to see it as something far more overshadowing. “I remember not wanting to do anything arts related,” he says. For a year, he worked construction and manual labor jobs, before finding his way to Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Initially he set out to study sociology. His early love for ceramics, however, had him enroll in a class led by ceramic artist Charlie Tefft. Ironically, his studies with Tefft would eventually lead to Matisse’s early departure from Guilford: “I dropped out to apprentice.” For the next two years he worked with Matt Jones—chopping wood, mixing glazes, and refining his craft. By 2008, Matisse moved on to an apprenticeship with Mark Hewitt in Pittsboro, North Carolina. A year later he found his way to Marshall, where he purchased thirty acres of a former tobacco farm. At the time of the purchase, the old farmhouse made up the property’s lone building. M a ny ha nd s help e d constr uct what wou ld become East Fork Pottery’s workspace. “The kiln shed was built by my dear friend Raivo Vihman,” Matisse says. “Many of the [other] buildings were built by my friend Scott Crockett. My neighbors are electricians and they wired most everything out here, much of it on barter.” This very community is what kept Matisse in the mountains. “I debated moving home for a long time,” he says. “In the end, though, it was clear that staying in North Carolina was the best choice. Here I had a strong community of friends and peers, as well as a built-in collector base [that] is incredibly supportive.” U n l i k e A l e x M a t i s s e ’s e a r l y fascination with clay, John Vigeland’s initial experience came later in life.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Vigeland attended Carleton College in southern Minnesota. “I was studying painting and drawing without an idea of how to turn it into a career,” he says. It wasn’t until his senior year that he “begrudgingly took a pottery class.” The class proved life-altering, as the very form itself seemed “more digestible” to Vigeland than his previous dealings in abstract painting. “Art history is a chronology of the celebrity narrative,” Vigeland says. “You read about Picasso and feel like you have to do that, too.” With pottery, it felt different. Vigeland saw in it something more practical.

“It was clear that staying in North Carolina was the best choice. Here I had a strong community of friends and peers, as well as a builtin collector base [that] is incredibly supportive.”

| June 2016

Up on h i s g ra du at ion, t he a r t department at Carleton hired Vigeland for a par t-time, post-g raduation position. Throughout that year Vigeland worked on his pottery, read up on the craft, and figured out his next step: a three-year apprenticeship with pottery artist Daniel Johnston in Seagrove, North Carolina. The partnership between Matisse and Vigeland came gradually. As Matisse explains, they worked within the “same family of potters.” They’d see each other at shows. Vigeland followed Matisse’s online pottery blog. Eventually, this led Vigeland to approach Matisse about the possibility of working together. Of course, the very idea of a partnership is something countercultural within the pottery world. The usual trajectory

involves a two-year apprenticeship. Afterwards, the former apprentice goes off to work within his own shop, in relative isolation. From the start, however, Matisse sensed he didn’t want to follow this model. He didn’t know the exact workspace he was looking to create, but the simple act of naming his shop East Fork Pottery, rather than “Matisse Pottery,” helped to further define this vague idea. Teaming up with Vigeland further pushed Matisse away from the more traditional route. Their partnership, however, wouldn’t break the model altogether. They continued to approach the work in the manner in which they’d learned it. Over time, though, a natural shift occurred, bringing them to what Vigeland calls their new “hybrid space.”

Days and Nights at the Wood Burning Kiln “We spent the first year and a half floundering,” Matisse says, regarding the outset of his and Vigeland’s partnership. “We knew we had to do something different.” At t he ti me t hey were focu sed exclusively on signature pieces, fired in the wood burning kiln. “It’s a 6,000-yearold technology,” Matisse says. The process itself is time-consuming. Two months are dedicated to making 1,500 objects. Once the inventory is ready, four days are spent loading the kiln. The next seventy-two hours require around the clock attention, feeding the fire and managing the flame. Throughout this period, wood is fed through the side ports of the kiln. This requires heavy lifting while enduring temperatures of 2,300 degrees. Once the firing is complete, another four days are spent in the cooling process. Once cooled, there is another week’s worth of cleaning and sanding the finished products. Not to mention cleaning out the kiln. “It’s why we fell in love with [pottery] in the first place,” Vigeland says. “It’s real work. There’s something wonderful about the physicality of it.”

l- r Alex Matisse, and John Vigeland June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 57

At the same time, however, the physicality involved in the wood burning kiln limits production. A threemonth process permits only four firings per year. And while the totality of these firings could amount to nearly 6,000 items made, the outcome is unpredictable. There’s an element of chance involved with the wood burning kiln, as far as how the items will turn out. There’s also a high loss rate during the process itself. In 2014 East Fork Pottery teamed with Calvin Klein Home on a new series of ceramic vessels. It was then that the process proved excruciating. “Because the fire kiln creates huge variations, we had to take a picture of every single piece,” Matisse says. This involved a lot of stop and go. Samples would be sent, with three months in between before a new set could be fired. The experience also would become crucial in the evolution of East Fork Pottery’s business model. “We wanted to be able to communicate to a larger audience,” Matisse says. At the time, though, this communication was limited by the very process they’d built their business on.

The Blaauw In late September of 2015, the Blaauw arrived. A gas burning kiln manufactured in the Netherlands, its arrival marked the official beginning of their new line: East Fork Line. “It’s more contemporary,” Matisse says of their latest products. “But it still has the values we brought to our previous work.” He hesitates for a moment, before turning to Vigeland. “What am I trying to say?” Vigeland considers. “It’s a standardized product—” “That has an intangible quality,” Matisse finishes. The way Matisse and Vigeland interact suggests a bond far greater than a mere three years. They don’t interrupt each other so much as finish one another’s sentences. In this way they come across more as brothers than business partners. (Albeit brothers with distinct physical features—Matisse stands around 5’9”, with a short black crew cut, whereas Vigeland is a towering 6’7”, with a wave of blonde hair.) Or perhaps a better analogy would be the old married couple. The two laugh at the suggestion. “We are getting married,” Matisse jokes. He is referencing a new operating agreement the two are scheduled to sign later that day, which will formally recognize Vigeland as an official part owner of the business. “Neither of us could have gone into this alone,” Matisse says. Vigeland agrees with a nod. “I wouldn’t have had the guts.” Their purchase of the Blaauw kiln involved a substantial loan. The loan, along with the decision to 58

| June 2016

go gas, marked the transformation of the two potters from makers of signature pieces to business owners with a product. “The loan forced us to say, ‘This is what we’re doing. This is the business plan,’” says Vigeland. While the number of items that the Blaauw can hold is far less than the wood burning kiln, its turnaround allows East Fork Pottery to load in the afternoon and unload by the next morning. The gas kiln is also computerized, which means around the clock attendance will no longer be required. When asked about the transition from potter to businessman, Vigeland acknowledges it’s a back-andforth combination of “fear and excitement.” Between designing their wholesale line sheet, processing orders, tracking shipments, responding to emails, developing and meeting yearly fiscal goals, responding to more emails, creating marketing strategies, and hiring a sales representative, it can at times seem like a whole new world. Many of the skill sets required to fulfill these duties are discovered at the very arrival of such tasks. For example, spreadsheets. “John’s parents are both accountants. So he’s absorbed some of that [skill] by osmosis. I can’t do financials,” Matisse says. Vigeland nods with an amused grin. “I get a perverse satisfaction from spreadsheets.” While much of their education comes from firsthand experience, part of it has also come by way of Mountain Bizworks’ ScaleUp WNC. Earlier this year, East Fork Pottery was selected as a part of the third cohort of businesses to participate in this selective and competitive program. It involves six class-based sessions that meet once a week. “They take small businesses with one or two employees and help them grow in scale,” says Vigeland. “Last class we learned about the managerial role in a small business. The focus was on looking at what tasks are essential, versus those that can be delegated. It gets easy to feel like you have to do everything. It’s about learning how to appropriately set someone up for a task.” The two owners are still in the process of applying these newly learned skills in their day-to-day operations of the business. Both acknowledge that the process itself can be incredibly stressful. “You have to stay informed and up-to-date on North Carolina state tax laws,” Vigeland says. “And you’ve got to network,” Matisse adds. “And there’s graphic designs and updates to the website,” Vigeland continues. “And then there’s making really good pottery,” Matisse concludes.

keeping the cl ay

wet is important for the shaping of the piece

the wood burning kiln

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 59

The New Model and its Future Most recently, Matisse and Vigeland were in the midst of an inventory build-up in preparation for the online sales debut of East Fork Line, which launched on April 30th. The products themselves are still handmade, which means the workshop is lined with plates in all different stages of production. “We aren’t against bringing in machinery,” Matisse says. “Handmade is a strength, though,” Vigeland says. “You can bring a chef out and work on the design right here.” The two work at their individual wheels, weighing out the three and half pounds of Seagrove clay that then gets thrown and formed on the wheel head. The workshop itself is made of pine wood walls and dirt floor. It isn’t a large space, by any means, but Matisse intends to keep it as the central hub for what he hopes to be an ever-expanding business. Expansion, of course, is the name of the game. While walking the property, Matisse mentions the fact that they’re actively looking for a retail shop closer to Asheville. He also points out the limitations of their current location, noting that an eighteen-wheeler isn’t ever going to be making it out this way for deliveries. Matisse then pauses for a moment, looking over the space, before sharing his dream of one day owning a forklift.

Tradition, however, still matters. By no means is the old wood burning kiln done. Its fire will burn again—a kiln opening is a traditional North Carolina event, which includes handmade pottery along with homemade food. Tradition, however, is not restricting their growth as individuals, business partners, and craftsmen. It is their embrace of both challenge and change that seems among the defining qualities of East Fork Pottery. “I can envision a day where I’m not making, but instead designing and teaching,” Matisse says. “That’s exciting to me. That’s the opposite of maker culture, but I don’t feel tied to that anymore.” Fearless still is Matisse’s acknowledgment concerning the company’s own struggle with its value system. Because, yes, they are looking to grow their brand and expand beyond the region in order to create a larger footprint within the business world. But at their core, they are still craftsmen; they are still makers; they are still potters steeped in tradition. So even after all their talk of spreadsheets, market strategies, and fiscal goals, there remains at times, a longing for the old: “We still have romantic visions of twenty wheels and twenty potters working by hand,” Matisse says. The very comment seems to trigger Vigeland’s own nostalgia. It’s as if he and Matisse are both suddenly reminded of who

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they are and where they come from and what they stand for. And so for a brief moment there seems to be pushback. A desire to return to the old methods—methods they haven’t yet left behind. But perhaps Matisse’s romantic vision reminds them that these methods might very well one day be left behind: That this is in fact a component of growth they have to embrace if they want to reach the scale they seek. Never t hele s s, du r i n g this moment they drop the business-talk and ref lect on the qualities they intend to maintain. Words like autonomy and pride get thrown around, just like the clay itself. The business side, however, still makes its way back into the conversation. As it should. Because they are now businessmen, just as much as they are potters. Two entities forever entangled. They talk about the apprenticeship model and their intention to continue it, even

as the business grows. (East Fork Pottery currently has two apprentices: Amanda Hollomon-Cook and Kyle Crowder.) This, of course, is the traditional side that neither one can fully shake. But then they speak about changing the model itself. This is the business side which excites them both. Their idea is simple, but drastically different from what they were brought up in. Rather than have an apprenticeship that ends after two years, Matisse and Vigeland imagine a new model, wherein the former apprentice stays on with the company, in a full-time position, with the chance for upward mobility. “A lot of this stu f f is idealistic,” Matisse admits. Vigeland considers Mattisse’s words before adding the fact that, while idealistic, these ideas are nevertheless “grounded in practicality.”

A desire to return to the old methods—methods they haven’t yet left behind. But perhaps Matisse’s romantic vision reminds them that these methods might very well one day be left behind.

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Can You Type This for Me, Sweetheart? san francisco, ca

Secretaries have traditionally been the solution for handling bureaucratic paperwork day in and day out. But that’s such a waste of human potential. Enter the chatbot. While chatbots bombed with consumers, they are on the rise in office environments. They are essentially apps that handle menial tasks with interactive conversation. Platforms like HipChat offer different personalities, including Sassy and Karma. They can be dispatched to find files or manage calendars. They don’t do anything that isn’t already being done, but they can free employees for more creative work. They can also help acclimate new employees, sparing them the humiliation of asking things

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like, “Where’s the meeting?” Another selling point is that they’re always nice. But make no mistake about it. As talk of mandatory living wages continues, employers are on the lookout to replace humans wherever possible.

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Nestle is the world’s largest food company with 335,000 employees producing over 2,000 brands in 436 factories in 85 countries. Its products, most notably sweets and beverage mixes, are sold in all but six countries. But lately, sugar has been targeted by governments, some claiming it to be as addictive and unhealthy as tobacco and alcohol. A 2013

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French review of published research even concluded it was worse than cocaine. Nestle’s sweets have thus taken a hit, with sales falling every year since 2012. So, to weather the storm, Nestle is going into the pharmaceutical business. It will harness its knack for enticement by wrapping bitter pills with yummy – but healthy – coating and pop-culture packaging. Nestle aims to reinvent itself as the “nutrition, health, and wellness company.” Analysts laugh: Nestle could stay in business by selling both the poison and the antidote.

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Dr. Martin Makary of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with student Michael Daniel, published a study in the British Medical Journal estimating 250,000 hospital patients die each year in the United States from medical error. Medical error, however, never appears on death certificates in the United States and 116 other countries, because it has no International Classification of Disease code. Medical error could run the gamut from a slip of the hand to misdiagnosis to communication breakdown. At 250,000,

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medical error would be the nation’s third leading cause of death. The researchers admit the number is underestimated, as it only counts people dying of medical error while in hospital beds. Furthermore, it is human nature to cover up mistakes. Makary says medical error is a silent epidemic, with the victims dead and survivors often gagged in settlements. In light of their findings, Makary and three of his students petitioned Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the Center for Disease Control, to change the coding system, since statistics on causes of death inform public health policy priorities and guide research.

the marketing success. Views was only available through Apple’s iTunes download store and its subscription streaming service. Larry Jackson, who supervises content for Apple Music, explains Drake took advantage of the company’s streaming for exclusive marketing. Drake hosts a radio show, OVO Sound, on Apple Music’s free Beats 1 radio station, where he plugged the album, and Apple provided additional advertising on the iTunes home page and on TV during the National Basketball Association’s playoffs. Drake’s sales challenge the paradigm claiming paid streaming services would exert downward pressure on music sales.

a stronger financial position. Samsung’s Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were game changers for the company’s malaise in sales. Samsung is projected to maintain its lead in months ahead. A new product, Galaxy Note 6, should be released in the fall, while Apple’s only new contender will be iPhone 7. iPhone 7 is described as a limited update to the iPhone 6S family noted more for what is left out than anything new. iPhone 6 fell short of market expectations, in spite of solid success.

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Hip-hop star Drake streamed or sold 750,000 units of his new album, Views, in two days. That’s more than the number-one album at the time, Beyonce’s Lemonade, sold in its entire first week. After that, Billboard magazine was revising its predictions for Views to sell 800,000 in its premier week. In five days, Drake had topped the million mark. Apple Music claims at least partial credit for

After taking a back seat to Apple for eleven months, Samsung is again on top of the smartphone game. In this year’s first quarter, Samsung captured 28.8% of market share, compared to Apple’s 23%. Other contenders and shares, respectively, were LG with 17.1%, ZTE with 6.6%, and Alcatel with 45%. Apple still, however, garners considerably more profit per phone sales, and the company is in

Staying Profitable by Inputting Cheap Outputs The petrochemical industry used to be a “footnote” in gas and oil giants’ operations. Now, it is sustaining the world’s largest oil producers through protracted depression in energy prices. While most major oil companies’ production and exploration units are now losing money, petrochemical divisions have become the greatest source of income for the industrial giants. For example, in this year’s first quarter, Exxon Mobil Corporation’s petrochemicals division earned 75% of the company’s $1.8 billion in profits, while

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oil and gas interests lost $76 million. Two years ago, when oil traded for more than $100/barrel, Exxon’s petrochemical division was providing only 13% of corporate profits. Similarly, Royal Dutch Shell, LLC made a $377 million profit off its petrochemical division during its first quarter. The reason? The petrochemical industry uses low-priced oil and gas as inputs rather than outputs. Petrochemicals are expected to remain big as fuel costs normalize because demand should be static, and products are now being made with ethane, a cheap byproduct of United States shale, instead of products like naphtha.

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It’s not unusual for people to grab the wrong size of tool 15 times trying to fix something. E-Z Gauge, though, is different from other instruments on the market because it measures the outside of a nut or bolt instead of the inside and eliminates the guesswork. E-Z Gauge’s creator, 48-year-old David Rodriguez, has already secured a patent pending, and in May attended the National Hardware Trade Show in Las Vegas to try to get bigbox retailers interested in his invention. Originally from Chicago, Rodriguez says he didn’t learn how to use a ruler until he was 18. So, in bringing his idea to light, he had to teach himself a lot, including how to make blueprints, engrave, and generate barcodes. The idea for his E-Z Gauge came to him while working in oil refineries. Rodriguez’ attorney, Jason McKenney, estimates it will be another six months before the patenting process is complete. Rodriguez can pay for McKenney’s services thanks to a $5000 grant from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. Auto dealership owner Kirk Clark is one of Rodriguez’ biggest cheerleaders. He describes the simplicity of Rodriguez’ solution to a vexing problem as a true mark of entrepreneurship.

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April 20 is the biggest day for pot sales. ‘420’ is code for the drug, the name derived from the time of day school kids would gather to toke. According to MJ Freeway, pot sales rose 30% year-overyear to $37.5 million on a day marked by special events in the cannabis tourism industry. Traffic is up 30%, but the average customer spent less, $20 per transaction. Data and Marketing Director Jeannette Ward says traffic reflects “toughening competition and a maturing market.” With legalization in many places throughout the world, MJ Freeway is now in the pot informatics business. It serves clients in Canada, Europe, Australia, 23 states, and the District of Columbia, providing advice for streamlining workflow and optimizing pricing. A press release explained, “As the leading provider of cannabis software solutions, MJ Freeway has the largest and most representative retail data in the cannabis industry.” Other big pot days are New Year’s Day and July 4.

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Aeropostale, once a mall standard for teen fashion apparel, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. CEO Julian Geiger blamed Sycamore Partners, a leading shareholder and the company’s second largest supplier, for interfering with turnaround plans. Aeropostale will now pursue a leaner path, closing 20% of its United States stores and all of its Canadian stores. Going out of business sales will begin the first week in May. Other measures the company will take to cut expenses by almost 50% (to hit a $40 million goal) include renegotiating contracts and cutting corporate positions by 13% to 100. Aeropostale was once worth $226 million, but is now only worth $2 million. Shares traded

for $30 six years ago, but Aeropostale was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange when shares failed to trade for more than $1 for an entire year. Before the announcement, they were trading for less than 3 cents. With $160 million in financing from Crystal Financial, LLC, Aeropostale hopes to continue to pay employees, honor gift cards, pay suppliers, and emerge from bankruptcy in six months.

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Boomf is the sound a marshmallow makes when it falls in the printing process, so it was a great name for the company offering a different kind of selfie stick. Yes, Boomf prints Instagram images, designs, and text messages on marshmallows and sells them nine at a time in boxes like chocolates or on “mallowpop” sticks. They come in classic double vanilla or strawberry, and prices run around $30 per set plus postage to the United States. The company, founded in 2013 by James Middleton (Kate’s brother) and techie Andy Bell, just celebrated its physical debut in Hong Kong during the inaugural Food Truck Festival at Centrals PMQ. The entrepreneurs selected Hong Kong for the open-mindedness and fun-loving nature of the people. “Everything we do is about bringing people together and helping parties get started,” explained Middleton.

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Together Now

Clark Harris and Matthew Simpson bring independent businesses together to create a community loyalty program. written by shawndr a russell photos by anthony harden

eople who prefer to support their neighborhood pub, local furniture makers, and farmer’s markets generally have the same approach when they go on vacation. They seek out locally-owned, community-minded businesses wherever they are, because that’s what is in line with their values and interests; and, ultimately, where they also want to spend their money. To serve locavores’ appetites and mindsets, 34-year-old Clark Harris and 40-year-old Matthew Simpson founded LoLo, a smartphone app uniting local businesses that honor the LoLo (aka “Loyal Local”) qualifications: A majority—more than 50%—of the business must be locally owned, and it must have a unique concept, with five or fewer locations (i.e., it can’t be a franchise or part of a national chain). Lolo allows the businesses to participate in a local customer loyalty program without having to manage their own programs. Even businesses that already have individual loyalty programs in place can benefit by reaching an audience that doesn’t want to be part of 20, 30, or 100 different individual loyalty programs. “We’re trying to create a brand for a specific type of consumer, the Loyal Local,” explains Simpson. “They care enough to choose a locally-owned business and they want to experience the local vibe of a city.”

| June 2016

WILL THAT BE cash, credit, or LoDough?

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 67

Specifically, this type of consumer cares more about experience than price point, and existing debit or credit card rewards programs don’t allow for consumers to be rewarded at local businesses. “We saw rewards were limited to chain gift cards, like Best Buy or Walmart, through traditional bank or credit card programs,” says Harris. “Our consumer doesn’t necessarily want those types of rewards for using their credit card.” The company’s ideal user also wants to be part of something, and developing a LoLo community is part of the mission, too.

Inspiration

“Consumers are set in their own ways and don’t want to jump through hoops, so the right solution needed to be really passive. We spotted this card-link technology and knew we’d found our frictionless solution.”

Although they were at Winston-Salem’s Wake Forest University at different times, that common denominator brought the co-founders together: Simpson knew Harris’ older brother while he was in college. When Harris had an idea for a tech startup, Simpson immediately came recommended as a potential partner from their mutual contacts. He focuses on the tech side of LoLo while Harris works more with the local entrepreneurs who participate in the program. The idea is to strike a balance between providing a useful, fun, quality product for consumers—one which also benefits the small businesses that serve them—and being able to maintain the modest salaries that Harris and Simpson draw for themselves. “We’ve been through about four different iterations by now,” Harris says. “When we first started, we were more focused on 68

| June 2016

consumers, but then it became more about the businesses.” Simpson adds that from the outset, LoLo aimed to be the antiGroupon. “We looked at the model, and we’re like, ‘How is this sustainable? How is this going to work?’” Groupon certainly had its heyday. The daily deals site launched in 2008, and by 2010 it was doing so well it turned

down a $6 billion acquisition offer from Google. Fast-forward to 2016: It’s now only valued at under $2 billion, due in part because its business model failed to factor in long-term customer satisfaction. Businesses eventually realized that they were giving a significant amount of profit to Groupon, yet due to the high demand after an offer went live, their customers were sometimes unhappy with a rushed experience, whether at a packed restaurant or a stressed-out massage therapist’s office. Harris and Simpson saw that as their cue to develop

a consumer- and business-friendly program that could be maintained long-term, for the life of the business and not just brief flashes.

Moving Forward Originally, the missing piece in Harris and Simpson’s idea was the right technology. “Consumers are set in their own ways and don’t want to jump through hoops, so the right solution needed to be really passive,” says Harris. “We spotted this card-link technology and knew we’d found our frictionless solution. The technology is seamless with their normal behavior of paying with their credit card.” By linking almost any credit card with a LoLo account, consumers start earning rewards at LoLocations— numbering nearly 50 so far in Asheville and growing. After tweaking their idea for about a year, they secured a seed investor whom Harris knew through work. “That investor allowed us to build and launch the initial product.” Jointly, the pair’s stake in the Member-Managed LLC totals about 50%, with Harris’ share at 30% and Simpson’s 20%. Simpson says he was also motivated by years of working with small businesses when he owned his own marketing company in the ‘90s: “These local businesses owners don’t have the time or resources to create or execute loyalty programs or do their own advertising, so they turned to something like Groupon.” Simpson knew they could provide something better, which is one reason he’s been patient with their growth. “At first, we were trying to merge Yelp and Facebook,” Harris says. However, finding something that improved the lives of both consumers and business owners drove them toward creating LoLo. Now, their focus is getting things right for all parties involved. Harris likes to call these entrepreneurs by another name— artists—and considers this a descriptor for anyone who executes an idea, including restaurants, bars, and makers of all types. “It’s not simply people saying, ‘This would be a successful business’; it’s people saying, ‘I’m going to go out on a limb, start my own thing from scratch.’ That’s the type of business owner who makes up the local vibe.” Unlike Groupon, they feel LoLo has better long-term potential since consumers who sign up will likely continue to use it, because it’s rewarding them for a behavior they already do—pay with a credit card—and merchants also don’t have to change their processes. “Business owners don’t have to train their staff if they decide to become a LoLocation,” says Simpson. “The staff swipe cards like normal, consumers receive a digital receipt, and their bank of LoDough goes up—there’s no extra work for anyone as our technology tracks it all.”

CLARK HARRIS

More than Cash Back, Discounts, or Free Stuff Being about more than just cash back has been an important differentiator from the start, notes Simpson. “We don’t ever want to use the word ‘discount’ and we never want to use the word ‘deal.’ As soon as you do that, you devalue the location

MATTHEW SIMPSON June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 69

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and experience.” This sentiment comes up again and again throughout the conversation. It’s one of the reasons Harris considers their vendors to be artists because “business owner” feels incomplete for the experiential, unique businesses they seek out to partner with. Plus, LoLo aims to encourage true loyalty and community-mindedness for rewarding all purchases in one place, allowing consumer rewards accounts to grow more quickly and encouraging consumers to see these independent businesses as one connected ecosystem. Since LoLo rewards can be redeemed at any LoLocation, the consumer has maximum flexibility and choice, which according to industry experts is a crucial component of satisfying peoples’ ever-growing preference for personalized marketing. Pardot, a B2B marketing automation solution by Salesforce, emphasizes that “businesses that personalize web experiences see an average of 19% increase in sales, while personalized marketing emails receive 29% higher open rates and 41% higher clickthrough rates.” To help satisfy this preference for personalization, LoLo and its partner businesses have also curated special rewards featuring a specific unique product, tickets to events, or even customized experiences specific to the business. Harris highlights one example: “The Wedge doesn’t do tours, so we offered LoLos the chance to redeem their rewards points for a tour with the owner. I was on that tour, and when we were asked how many of us had been there before, nearly everyone raised their hands. So it was truly a customized experience that took their loyalty and rewarded it in a special, VIP way, and the owner got to interact directly with some of his biggest fans. Total win-win.” Other LoLocations offer a chef’s tasting, fishing excursion, or exercise class. Of course, focusing on a particular niche of the population is another differentiator. Whereas discount providers aim to serve the masses, LoLo supports the local advocate who hasn’t been to an Applebee’s since high school—or maybe ever. “The businesses we work with have to be unique to their location. Chains that try to adopt the vibe of their location and customize the location don’t count,” says Harris. An independent vision chosen to be executed in a specific location is what makes a LoLocation. They’ve also launched ThankLocal, a way for anyone to gift items and experiences from the LoLo Market. One advantage this has over physical gift cards sold in stores: If the recipient doesn’t redeem the gift, the giver doesn’t pay a thing. “We see it as a way for people to stay in touch with their local networks better, too, and for organizations to reward their employees or volunteers while keeping the money in the local economy,” says Simpson.

Entrepreneurial Lessons There’s a we-are-all-in-this-together philosophy that applies to LoLo’s concept of uniting independent businesses of all types. Harris recalls a conversation he had one time with the 70

| June 2016

PURCHASING Vortex doughnuts with LoLo owner of Mother Earth Brewing, saying that there’s a lot to be learned from his attitude. “I asked him if they were intimidated by Sierra Nevada and these other big breweries coming in, and he said, ‘No! It’s a great thing because these guys have the money to invest in people transitioning from domestic beer drinkers to craft beer drinkers, and we can’t do that on our own. Anytime someone is drinking a craft beer, that’s a win for us because they are eventually going to try more craft beers, and then if they discover us and like our beers, they are going to stick with us.’” In similar fashion, Harris notes, if someone is spending money at a LoLocation, that means they are not spending money at a big chain. So, small businesses have to continually seek out ways to support one another, not view each other as competition. “We look to partner with businesses that have a ‘we’ mentality, not a ‘me’ mentality,” he quips. Harris singles out Westville Pub owner Drew Smith as living proof that this mindset works. His West Asheville business started in 2002 as one of only two places that

offered food in that area of town, and now the number is more than 20. “His business has gone up every year for the past 10 years because now West Asheville is a destination, and there’s a lot more going on,” says Harris. The location selection for a new business is also key, whether it’s a local pub or a digital loyalty program. “We always knew we were going to be bigger than just Asheville, but it’s the ideal location for us to launch in because it already stands for what we’re trying to spread,” he offers. Asheville’s Buy Local habits serve as a beacon of sorts for encouraging the same loyalty to locally-owned businesses that exist in other such “creative class” cities. However, even here they saw room for improvement. “Go to East or South Asheville and stop at a chain restaurant. They’re packed! So they represent a group of people that need to be introduced to local businesses and converted into LoLos,” says Simpson. Being more interested in seeking mentors over more investors has also been a winning strategy for these founders. Recently the startup won a spot in Venture Asheville’s June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

professional mentorship program, Elevate, and in 2014 LoLo was second-place winner in the WNC SEED Challenge Pitch Competition. “We could have grown faster, bigger, but we wanted to be strategic,” explains Harris. They did, however, launch in a second city, Andersonville, Illinois, outside of Chicago, after connecting with its Chamber of Commerce at a BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) conference in 2014. “They were enthusiastic about bringing LoLo there, and it’s a great cultural fit,” says Harris, suggesting that it was gratifying to get that second city under their belt.

Forward Focused Both Harris and Simpson were determined to work for themselves from an early age. “I knew very young I was going to be an entrepreneur,” recalls Harris. “So when I got to college, I decided to major in art because it’s what I knew the least about, and I saw it as a study of bringing a vision into reality, which is what entrepreneurs do.” Harris and Simpson both acknowledge that growing up in economically stable families came with many opportunities—Harris traveled the world after college—and feel this security allowed them to have a longer view of what they could build the business to be.

“The flashy thing to do right now is rapidly grow and secure a high-as-possible evaluation,” says Harris. “We’ve been content with building a product that is as flawless and mutually beneficial as possible, at a controlled pace.” Money does not rule their decision making, which has allowed them to focus on that controlled growth. As part of their five-year plan, they see LoLo adding features that will allow for a better recommendation experience for travelers. Since terms like “best” and “highest rated” don’t really guarantee a business is going to be the right fit for a consumer, Lolo wants recommendations to be tailored towards peoples’ interests, and, ideally, delivered by their own friends. As Harris observes, “We’d like to revisit our Facebook plus Yelp concept at some point in terms of making it easier to get your friends’ and locals’ recommendations.” Perhaps locations will eventually be categorized by their vibe and type of clientele and not just a star rating. They also want to continue to brainstorm ways that people can publicly demonstrate their “Shop Local” values through their LoLo membership, while also connecting with fellow members of the LoLo community—such as by adding the aforementioned social layer to their platform. Another goal? Allowing people to curate their own wish lists as another way to tap into real-time marketing capabilities. “If people have a specific burger on their wish list, and they are

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walking by that restaurant, they’ll receive a notification that they have enough LoDough to go in and get that item they wanted,” says Harris, noting how such a scenario represents maximum relevance for the consumer and is a value-add for

creative, locally-focused cities—they’ve been in communication with businesses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Bozeman, Montana—round out their wish list. Ultimately, says Harris, they hope “to build one million loyal locals nationwide with thousands of businesses who are all benefiting from it. We’re rewarding people who are loyal to the local movement, not just Asheville or whatever city they’re from.” For entrepreneurs seeking to build a lifestyle business as opposed to a hot startup, LoLo is instructive. It’s not the creation of workaholics in business solely to cash in quickly. Instead, Simpson and Harris might be out on a hike in the middle of the week, or spending time at home in the garden. As the pair sees it, they have not only designed a way for businesses to be part of a sustainable loyalty program and thus help future-proof these LoLocations, they’ve also carved out a sustainable business for themselves.

the business members. Adds Simpson, “The small businesses we work with are too busy to manage something like this, yet greatly benefit from the technology.” Long-term, launching in other Southern cities—they anticipate launching in Spartanburg, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and the Research Triangle area—and then expanding nationwide in

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They hope “to build one million loyal locals nationwide with thousands of businesses who are all benefiting from it. We’re rewarding people who are loyal to the local movement, not just Asheville or whatever city they’re from.”

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• Homelegance • Fairfield Chair • Flexsteel • Lea • Legacy Classics • Robin Bruce • June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 73

financial column

Young Money

$ I

a s yo u m a k e i t ,

ashley gr agtmans

Financial Advisor - Parsec Financial www.parsecfinancial.com chad foster

Portfolio Manager - Parsec Financial www.parsecfinancial.com daniel johnson

Portfolio Manager - Parsec Financial www.parsecfinancial.com dawn starks

CFP - President, Starks Financial Group, Inc. www.starksfinancial.com harli palme

COO, CCO - Parsec Financial www.parsecfinancial.com l aur a webb

CFP - Webb Investment Services, Inc. www.laurawebb.com tr avis boyer

Financial Advisor - Parsec Financial www.parsecfinancial.com rick manske

CEO - Parsec Financial www.parsecfinancial.com If you have any questions you’d like to hear answered in such a column, please email us at editor@capitalatplay.com.

| June 2016

what do you do with it?

N A N EFF ORT T O CR E AT E ENGAGING content on financial issues that are relevant to you, our engaged reader, we have reached out to some experts. The kind of experts who live in Western North Carolina, and understand the people in their communities. Especially the kind of experts who know how to explain things in a way that can be understood by the rest of us. In this first article (of hopefully many), we ask a few questions that are of particular interest to our younger audience. If you are just starting out in your professional life, if you might be considering yourself an “adult” in the near future, if you are a Lil Wayne fan and wonder what the title of this article was doing in such a sophisticated magazine, then read on. The intelligent responses we received and printed below might come in useful one day soon.

Capital at Play: How do I know if I need a financial advisor, how do I find the right type of advisor to match my income, and what pre-existing conditions would make hiring a financial advisor essential? l aur a : A financial advisor may not necessarily be “essential” for some people, but financial advisors can definitely help you plan for a more secure financial future or specific financial goals you might have. The more complex your life/financial situation, the more the need for an advisor increases. Receiving an inheritance, sale or control change of a business, or even a 401(k) rollover could also increase your need.

dawn : Check online for questions to ask when hiring a financial advisor, and ask your friends and family for references. Read about the advisors’ areas of focus and expertise. Next, call them and get a feel for how their practices work and whether your situation would be a good fit for their methodology. Finally, interview a few in person to find the best match. A good financial advisor will be like part of your family for potentially many years to come, so you want one that you actually enjoy being around and feel comfortable talking to. harli : Everyone needs financial planning, and anyone with long-term investments needs an investment manager. A financial advisor will often serve in both these roles. You

$ know you need to hire a financial advisor if you lack one of the three major requirements to do it yourself: 1) Have the knowledge necessary to do your own financial planning and investment management; 2) Have the time necessary to commit to doing it well; and 3) Have the desire to do it. Many wealth management firms will bundle financial planning and investment management together for one fee. These firms will often have minimum asset requirements. Each firm is different - a visit to their website or a call to the company should tell you what their minimums are.

What can my tax return teach me about my spending habits, and in which areas do people typically overspend? l aur a : Unfortunately for most Americans, tax returns tell little about spending habits. However, tax returns can show us opportunities to reduce our current taxes through tax deferred contributions to 401(k) and deductible IRA accounts. daw n : I would instead suggest you engage in a spending study. Start keeping merciless track of all the money you spend. Whether with an online program, a spreadsheet, or just a notepad and pencil, you can tally up and discover where you are spending your money each month. Pay especially close attention to cash spending, as it is easy to find money “leaks” when it comes to cash. In most cases, we find that people overspend on food and entertainment.

What are the best ways to be saving at the age of 30? 40? 50? tr avis : Statistically, a worker will need to save 15% of their

pre-tax income for over 35 years in order to be able to fully replace their salary in retirement without running the risk of spending their accounts down. In your 30s, generally most younger investors are dealing with debt from school or from starting out in a new career. While it would be ideal to save 15% of your earnings into a retirement account, many times this is too difficult and must be made up for with higher savings levels later. By fully taking advantage of potential matching contributions at work, you could earn an immediate 100% rate of return by deferring some of your salary into a retirement plan. This would be much more strategic than paying down student debt that may be at 6% or 7% interest rate. You can also set a savings goal in this timeframe to eliminate credit card debt that may be at higher interest rates of up to 19%. Once you enter your 40s and are ideally past some of your debt reduction, it would be ideal to further increase your retirement savings. 401k plans for 2016 allow for a $18,000 annual contribution, and depending on your income you could

be eligible for a post-tax Roth IRA contributions outside of work for $5,500 per year. Once you approach your 50s, it is normally time to play catch up on your retirement savings. The IRS allows for higher retirement contributions for persons above age 50, allowing $18,000 plus a $6,000 “catch up” contribution to employer 401k accounts. IRA contributions are also increased to $6,500 from $5,500.

What percentage of my annual income should I divert to savings or investments?

dawn : I don’t find there to be a perfect set percentage that is appropriate for everyone. The flip answer I would give would be, “As much as possible.” If saving is difficult for your budget, then start small. Set aside 1% regularly and automatically. As soon as that becomes painless, ratchet it up to 2%. And so on. Aiming for 5-10% would be an excellent initial goal.

STATISTICALLY, A WORKER WILL NEED TO SAVE 15% OF THEIR PRE-TAX INCOME FOR OVER 35 YEARS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FULLY REPLACE THEIR SALARY IN RETIREMENT WITHOUT RUNNING THE RISK OF SPENDING THEIR ACCOUNTS DOWN. ashley : This isn’t necessarily a “one size fits all” approach. If you are younger, you have more time to accumulate, and can likely save a lower percentage of your income. If you are just beginning to save at 45 or 50, you will need to divert a much larger percentage of your income to retire at a reasonable age. Most people recommend that you save 20% of your income each year. This could be hard for a 25-year-old, in their first job, making very little money. My recommendation would be to start with 10% and then increase that by 1% each year. A good rule of thumb is that you can spend approximately 4% of your investable assets in retirement. Simple math: If you believe you will spend $40,000 in retirement (including taxes) then you would need $1,000,000 saved at retirement. You’d then calculate how much you’d need to save each year to reach that goal. l aur a : An exact percentage is difficult to pin down because every individual is different. If you save too little or not at all, you might have to work longer than planned or cut back on your June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 75

spending during retirement. Obviously, the more you save and the sooner you start saving, the better off you’ll be approaching retirement. The power of compounding (earnings you gain on previous earnings received) is a powerful tool that you should be taking advantage of with your savings. Don’t think that you are too old to contribute to an IRA. You may be able to take advantage of tax savings in traditional IRAs until you’re 70 ½ years old.

We plan to have a baby next year. What are some ways to prepare now?

chad : If you are working, the first thing you should do is

to qualifying for financial aid. So take care of building your own nest egg before saving for college. Remember that you can borrow to put your child through college, but you can’t borrow to put yourself through retirement. daniel : Time value of money is an incredible savings tool. Let’s say that you decide to wait until age 10 to begin a college fund. Did you realize that at a 7% annualized return, you will need to contribute twice as much to the college fund in order to be in the same place? For this reason, contributing early and often will keep your overall out of pocket contribution as small as possible. l aur a : The two tax-friendly strategies for college funding are Coverdell accounts and Section 529 Plans. Without going into too much detail, both plans allow for after-tax contributions and, if used on qualified educational expenses, the funds come out tax free. The earlier you start saving, the less stress you will have as your child approaches college age.

review your maternity/paternity leave policy. If you have not already set up an emergency reserve fund, this should move up high on the priority list, especially if maternity/paternity leave is without pay. With the rising cost of child care, does it make sense for one parent to stay at home? Parents-to-be should review all their insurance documents (i.e. health, life, disability). Also, the last thing new parents want to think about is who would become the IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU HAVE baby’s guardian if something were to happen to them. BEEN PARTNERS FOR 30 YEARS— dawn : Preparing for a baby

IF YOU DON’T HAVE GOOD LEGAL DOCUMENTS, YOUR FAMILY, NOT YOUR PARTNER, WILL MAKE DECISIONS FOR YOU IF YOU ARE INCAPACITATED, AND THE FAMILY WILL INHERIT THE ASSETS, NOT YOUR PARTNER.

can be exciting and stressful. From a financial perspective, I would suggest doing lots of homework on the gear and supplies you might need. Speaking from experience, it is super easy to overspend on your baby-to-be, and partly this is because it is just so much fun to buy things for baby! Many items you will need can be easily found second-hand. Remember, “less is more.” l aur a : One of the best ways to mentally prepare to be parents is to realize that children are not cheap. Once you get over the initial shock of how much raising a child costs (close to $245,000 to age 18), there are ways to save money for you and your new bundle of joy. 1) Do your research—you don’t need every baby product; 2) Buy in bulk; and 3) Shop for value.

What are my best current strategies, including a realistic age, for establishing a college fund for my child?

dawn : Maximize your retirement saving opportunities first. Retirement accounts are invisible, in a sense, when it comes

| June 2016

What should samesex couples know about investing together, insurance beneficiary naming, and state/federal tax filings?

dawn : This depends entirely on whether or not the couple is legally married. Things are generally harder to screw up in your planning if you are married, whereas if you are domestic partners, more thoughtful planning is required. For partners, I would suggest getting legal counsel and the help of a knowledgeable financial planner to avoid possible catastrophes. State laws are not going to be friendly in the event you are not married. It doesn’t matter if you have been partners for 30 years—if you don’t have good legal documents, your family, not your partner, will make decisions for you if you are incapacitated, and the family will inherit the assets, not your partner.

l aur a : It would be wise for the couple (any couple, really) to consider the titling of their accounts. Titling and beneficiary naming are decisions that need to be made by each couple that will help decide what will happen to each individual’s assets or share of account if they were to pass away. Now that same-sex marriage is legal, same-sex couples that are married can file a joint return. This is usually the preferred filing status of most married couples as it tends to be the most tax favorable.

The

Most Important thing in your

r i c k : Same sex partnerships have many of the same types of legal issues as opposite sex partnerships. For example, the beneficiary form that is used on most wills and retirement accounts (401(k), 403(b), Roth, Regular IRA, annuities) is the same and can be used outside of probate to convey assets to those that we love. Most of the gray area is in health, disability, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance. These plans are typically governed with state-bystate differences. Also, each state and/ or insurance company uses different definitions for same sex relationships. Thus, an independent review of the policy language is required.

Are there any recent changes in regulations that a young person (<45) should note or think about?

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Providing experienced legal representation for over 30 years One North Pack Square | Ste 421 Asheville, NC 28801 828.281.1940 | jchlawfirm.com

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laura : With regards to the Affordable Care Act, you might owe money to the government if you received financial subsidy for healthcare insurance bought through the marketplace. Financial aid is based on your estimated annual income, and if your actual earnings were higher than anticipated, the government could require a refund.

T:10.5”

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2015 ML 350 BlueTEC® shown in Diamond White metallic paint with optional equipment, 2015 C 300 Sedan shown in Lunar Blue metallic paint with optional equipment and 2015 E 550 Sport Sedan shown in Steel Grey metallic paint with optional equipment. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for details. *See dealer for complete details on warranty and Roadside Assistance. Certified Pre-Owned limited warranty coverage for one year from expiration date of the original 4-year/50,000-mile Mercedes-Benz new vehicle limited warranty. If the new vehicle limited warranty has expired, Certified Pre-Owned limited warranty coverage is for one year from the date of purchase. **SiriusXM satellite service available only to those at least 18 and older in the contiguous U.S. and D.C. Three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio included on vehicles already equipped. Qualified customers only. ©SiriusXM Radio Inc. ©2016 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

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Top

Line

OF THE

When Sara and Tim Bell started their zipline business, they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know all the hurdles they would be facing. They just knew that ziplining would be awesome. written by toni sherwood

| June 2016

photos courtesy of the gorge

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 79

capital adventurist

ith an eye for detail and a flair for design, Sara and Tim Bell have managed the improbable. Not only have they created a cutting-edge adventure destination, they’ve designed an enchanting outpost at the edge of a pristine Southern Appalachian forest dating back to the Ice Age. 80

| June 2016

The Green River Gorge is a rugged landscape of deep ravines, huge boulders, and old growth forest, located just off I-26 a few miles southeast of Hendersonville, near Saluda. Eighteen thousand acres of state-owned land intended for wildlife conservation and management sits across the river from The Gorge zipline outpost, which is poised on a bluff at a 2150-foot elevation. The canyon plunges 1100 feet to the piedmont below, which averages five degrees warmer. “The Green River Gorge is like a time lapse through the seasons from the top to the bottom,” Tim says. “The green creeps upward.” Sixteen miles of hiking trails traverse the Green River Game Lands of the Green River Gorge area. But the difficult terrain and seasonal hunting deter hikers, who are advised not to go it alone. Meanwhile, the Green River flows through the canyon, but only highly skilled kayakers attempt it. The river makes a stunning 400-foot drop within a 1 ½-mile distance, which includes a six-foot crevice known as The Narrows, a highly sought after destination offering class IV and V rapids. The Bells’ Gorge zipline offers one of the easiest and safest ways to access this area, but “easy” is a relative term, because it’s still challenging.

ZIPLINING GEAR awaiting use

Descending over a mile into the canyon via a network of 11 ziplines at up to 35 MPH is an adrenaline rush like no other. With the wind whizzing through your hair and trees flying past, be prepared to push your comfort zone. By the end of the threehour tour, even the most ravenous adventurer should be satisfied.

Risky Business Sara and Tim met at Brevard College, where they both earned degrees in wilderness leadership and experiential education. The idea for The Gorge originated during their travels together. “We were running adventure travel trips to Costa Rica,” Sara says. “We did the zipline there and the kids loved it. We joked it would be so cool if this sport took off in the States.” The couple now own two companies together. Green River Adventures opened in 2006 and offers kayaking trips and instruction, while The Gorge opened in 2013. “I manage the day-to-day of Green River,” Tim explains. “And Sara manages the day-to-day of The Gorge.” But getting The Gorge up and running was one of the most challenging projects they’ve ever attempted. Michelle Tennant Nicholson of Wasabi Publicity was handling public relations for

Green River Adventures, so Nicholson witnessed the “birthing” of The Gorge. “Sara called it a second baby,” Nicholson recalls. “You’ve forgotten the pain of the first one.”

Birth of a Business In 2011 the owners of a nearby golf course approached the Bells about a partnership. They wanted to include activities to attract the whole family. It seemed like a good fit, and the Bells began working on a business plan for a zipline canopy in the Green River Gorge. But with their kayaking season already in full swing at Green River Adventures, they waited to make a final decision. Surprisingly, the owners that approached them ended up leaving the golf community, practically disappearing overnight. As much as the Bells dodged a bullet, they gained something from the experience. “The exercise of writing the business plan, exploring potential funding sources, and interviewing builders definitely planted the seed that this was something we could do on our own,” Sara says. “So in hindsight, I’m really happy they approached us in the first place.” June 2016 | capitalatplay.com

A SUSPENDED bridge leads to the zipline platform

capital adventurist

The Gorge One key component for success in the zipline business is a good plot of land. “This was not the only piece of land we looked at,” Tim says, of their selection. “But it was by far the best.” The 125-acre lot they were eyeing was left over when a huge parcel was subdivided. It was steep and unbuildable. “It couldn’t be logged,” Sara adds. “That’s a big reason why we have an old growth forest a quarter-mile from the interstate.” The steepness wasn’t an issue for the Bells’ project, but the lot was landlocked, meaning there was no access except at the very bottom where a road meets the property line. To build the course with an outpost at the bottom meant they would have to transport zippers to the top, maybe using some sort of ski resort-type conveyance that would have been very expensive to construct.

“It was such an emotional rollercoaster,” Sara recalls. “At one point, the course was going to be completely in the trees.” “We knew this was the place,” Tim says, but he admits they didn’t know how to make it work. Their break came when the 1 ½-acre parcel adjacent to the top of the land became available in the summer of 2012. “[By then] Tim and I were in the middle of our busy season with Green River Adventures, so the thought of jumping was certainly intimidating,” Sara recalls. “When you are so swamped with operations, it’s challenging to make big decisions with long term consequences—positive or negative.” But they already had a solid business plan, and knew it was a risk they wanted to take, so they started the due diligence process on the property. “We got the [smaller] property on Honey Bee under contract with, I believe, a 90-day due diligence period,” Sara says. “Then we started negotiations with the owners of the larger tract of land, and faced what felt like some impossible hoops to jump through.” The smaller lot was zoned in Henderson County for Highway Commercial, and the larger tract was zoned for Multiple Use, but the county zoning was rooted in the past. No one had envisioned this type of land usage when the ordinances were drafted decades ago. Yet these county ordinances would have to be amended for the business to move forward. “In the 82

| June 2016

end, the county adopted a new use that is ‘Nature Oriented Non-Motorized Outdoor Recreation’,” Sara says. With this huge impediment finally having been overcome, they faced another hurdle: Their access from one parcel to another via zipline needed official approval—not a standard request. Sara credits the county leadership for their forward thinking, which allowed the Bells’ fledgling business to take root. “That’s why we named it The Gorge,” Tim says. “The location is everything.” Buoyed by the community support, the Bells applied for a Community Development Block Grant in 2012 through the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The basis of this

THE GORGE’S store and gear-up area

grant is job creation. The Gorge promised to create ten fulltime positions; each one was worth $25,000 in grant money, for a total of $250,000. The grant application was due in September 2012, with decisions slated to be announced in late October. But the complications of an election year tied up the funds, and everything was on hold. The Bells weighed their options. Wait to see if they get the grant money? Or move forward without it? They decided to move forward without it.

Detailed Design The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) regulates the zipline industry. There are only 40 certified builders in the world. ACCT also performs annual inspections of certified courses. “We interviewed three different builders and chose one out of Boone,” Sara says. George Howard of Challenge Innovations builds zipline courses all over the country. But The Gorge had June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 83

capital adventurist

the potential to be one of the fastest he had ever created due to the ten-percent grade, compared to an industry standard of four to six percent. The team went through eleven different designs of the course, mainly due to the Bells’ careful selection of which trees to fit with platforms. “Most zip courses hire a forester or arborist to certify the overall health of the area,” Sara says. “But we decided to check each tree we were considering.” The process was an exercise in patience. They hired three arborists from Arbor Source in Greenville, North Carolina, to coordinate with Howard. They would flag a handful of trees based on the design. Then each tree was tested for fitness with the ArborSonic 3D Acoustic Tomograph, which takes a sonogram of the tree. Using what looks like a tape measure with tiny copper nails that links to a computer, each tree was tested in five-foot increments up to 20 feet above where the platform would be located. If a tree had more than seven percent decay, it failed. “Sometimes all the trees in an area failed, and then it’s a domino affect all the way down,” Sara explains. The course would have to be altered from that point and every destination point along the way to the bottom. “It was such an emotional rollercoaster,” Sara recalls. “At one point, the course was going to be completely in the trees.” But in the end, they chose to have a short walk within the course to preserve more trees. They also chose to outfit trees near the ziplines with guidelines rather than remove them. The platforms were built to surround the trees without damaging them. By the end, the course included three repel stations (exit points) and a sky bridge. As Howard completed construction, the Bells still held out hope for the Community Development Block Grant. Amidst the state delay, the grant money risked being returned to the federal government. (Sara: “This was an equally nail-biting process.”) Finally, the state took action and awarded The Gorge a $220,000 grant. Some of the funds went to pay Isothermal Planning and Development Commission for writing the grant; $5,000 was also earmarked to benefit the community that applied, which was Saluda. Sara wanted to do

AND AWWAYYY we go... 84

| June 2016

it’s about the journey ™

THE ALL NATURAL ANTIDEPRESSANT

Modern safety The only potential drawback to flying suspended on a zipline through a twelve-foot tunnel of trees at 35 MPH is, well, stopping. Imagine reaching a gloved hand up to grab the quickly receding zip wire to slow yourself down. This is called “active braking” and has been the industry standard until recently (many places still use it). Active braking poses many hazards, however, from getting fingers tangled in gear, to extreme situations where adventurers have fainted from the adrenaline rush, leaving them unable to brake for themselves. The invention of zipSTOP made zipping safer and opened up the sport to more entry-level enthusiasts who were wary of the risk factors. “ZipSTOP expanded the possibilities of the industry,” Tim explains. “It’s a big reason our course is accessible.”

B LUE R IDGE R IDERS . COM

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You’ve felt the rush and that longing in the pit of your stomach when you hear a tight shifting pattern tearing into the sunset. So, cruise by, you’ll see that no other dealer compares to our quality, value and warranties. With all the money you’ll save purchasing one of our preowned bikes, you can fund an adventure to remember. 828 505 7575 something significant for the community with those funds. “We were able to fund free Wi-Fi to all of downtown Saluda,” Sara says. “Pretty cool for a rural mountain town.”

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 85

capital adventurist

Described as “a self-regulated magnetic braking system,” zipSTOP allows a rider to go from 35 MPH to zero without touching the zipline. The impact is also weighted so that a person who is 250 pounds experiences the same impact as

The zipSTOP automatically resets itself for the next rider, but as an extra precaution, guides at The Gorge use a verbal checking system to be sure they have reset. All guides at The Gorge are trained according to ACCT standards. Like the Bells, Smith and fellow guide Karin Strickland have degrees in wilderness leadership and experiential education from Brevard College. The guides work hard to make the experience safe and fun by challenging riders to scream all the way between platforms, or try the starfish pose as they repel. Strickland has a second degree in photography, which comes in handy as the guides also photograph and videotape riders. They download it all onto a nifty little USB to take home.

The Gorge has come a long way from its complicated beginnings. And the Bells have learned a lot about themselves in the process. someone who is 70 pounds. The rider lowers his or her hands from the handlebars onto the ropes below just before impact with the zipSTOP to avoid what Gorge guide James Smith calls “the worst high five of your life.” Smith assists riders by waving his arms from the platform when it’s time to change hand positions. After hitting the zipSTOP, riders use their gloved hands to pull themselves a few feet toward the platform, and Smith helps hoist them up.

Secrets of Success The Gorge has a lot of admirers, but some of them are unwelcome. The morning of the Capital at Play visit a competitor expected Sara to reveal all her hard-earned secrets—for free. “This is the fourth or fifth time other zipline course owners

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in the Southeast have come by to get information,” Sara says. “One came out, tried the zipline, then bought one of everything in the store.” But designing this outpost involved far more than which items to stock in the retail store. As Michelle Nicholson observes, “Most outposts are shacks with hooks. A lot of people [looking to get into the business] aren’t taking the overall experience into consideration.” “The whole concept of the building is that you’re going through a portal,” Tim adds. “It’s designed like walking through a gateway.” The huge entryway is inviting, with a tasteful outdoor lounging area and mountain vistas stretching for miles. Glass-enclosed offices flank one side, with retail space and gear-up areas on the other. The Bells went the extra mile, applying for an ABC license in order to offer adventurers a post-zip cold beer. Of course, when starting a business, it can sometimes seem like everything is a hurdle. Getting the ABC license involved the usual red tape, but the Bells had an added hump: Saluda is in both Henderson County and Polk County, and the latter is a dry county. So in order to sell beer, you have to be within the city limits.

“This required the City of Saluda to approve a ‘Voluntary Annexation’ of our property on Honey Bee Drive, where the outpost is located,” Sara explains. In the end, though, the city benefited from an increase in property taxes, and The Gorge visitors can get those cold beers.

View From The Top Voted the 2016 Best of the Blue Ridge Zipline by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, a ten state contest, The Gorge has come a long way from its complicated beginnings. And the Bells have learned a lot about themselves in the process. “It’s taken several years to get to the point we are now,” Sara says, of her partnership with her husband. “If we get an email, we instinctively know who needs to pick it up.” Their advice for other entrepreneurs? Don’t take on a business you’re not interested in. “I sold white water retail for a while and I hated it,” she admits. “When we try something and think it’s awesome, we know we’re on the right track.”

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 87

People Play at

1. Mathes Mennell and Kim Winters 2. Brooke Tyler 3. Chase and Clary Pickering, Will (facing the camera), and Caroline McClean.

| June 2016

4. Dr. Aaron Vaughan 5. Ashley Segrave and Chris Smith 6. Rutherford Willis

7. Haley Shealy, Tyler Shealy, and Joanne Badr 8.Marilyn Cortes and Jared Kay (Michael Cortezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back is to the camera)

Annual Boys and Girls Club Gala at S&W Event Space

April 29th, 2016 | photos by Anthony Harden, Alt Media Pros

9. Cameron Grant Smith 10. Mary Tepper 11. Gezil Andrews and Michael Reed

12. Sonya Leonard hugs Haley Shealy 13. Patrick Doran and Jennie Ramsay 14. Duane Hinshaw

15. O.E. Starnes and Chase Pickering 16. Dr. Chris Chay 17. Sonia Kay

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 89

events

announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative politician. Because Georges and Albin run a drag nightclub, a complicated situation unfolds. In Facebook speak—“It’s indeed complicated.”

june 2

Noah Guthrie

june

EVENTS june 2

Morgan Geer’s Drunken Prayer

8PM Grey Eagle 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC

A true regional treasure, Morgan Geer has been called “the bastard child of Tom Waits and Merle Haggard.” His earlier band, Unholy Trio, notched a degree of fame, but Drunken Prayer has elevated his status to “infamous”—in a good way. Opening will be The Good Old Boyz featuring another local fave, Woody Wood. This evening will be an Americana fan’s dream date, for sure.

>Tickets: $7 advance, $10 day of

7PM

Tryon Fine Arts Center 34 Melrose Avenue, Tryon, NC With a name like Guthrie… Noah’s only 21 years old, but he’s back by popular demand, now touring with his debut album, Among the Wildest Things. The Greer, South Carolina, singer-songwriter is not part of Woody and Arlo’s clan, instead rising to stardom with his singing and guitar talents via YouTube and as a recurring guest on Glee.

> Suggested Donation: $10 > 828-859-8322 > Tryonarts.com

june 4

35th Annual New River Canoe Race 9AM-4PM

Zaloo’s Canoes Wagoner Access Road and Highway 16, Jefferson, NC

june 3-26

La Cage Aux Folles 7:30PM (Sat-Sun), 2:30PM (Sun) Asheville Community Theatre 35 E Walnut St, Asheville, NC A timely addition to the ACT roster, this marks the first time that ACT has presented the Tony-award winning musical. Georges and Albin, two men partnered for betteror-worse, are shocked when Georges’ son

show > 828-232-5800 > Thegreyeagle.com

>Tickets: $15-$25 > 828-254-1320 > Ashevilletheatre.org

This is a family-friendly race, calm, with no whitewater. Canoes and kayaks are welcome. Bring your own or rent at a special discount. And don’t worry about paddling upstream. Zaloo will provide free shuttles. Competitions are available for different skill levels. Music, eating, tubing, swimming, and hiking can go down, too. Awards will be presented at 3PM.

> Free > 336-902-8611 > Friendsofhcsp.weebly.com

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Saturdays on Stage

10AM Magnetic 375 375 Depot Street, Asheville, NC A number of family-friendly shows suitable for children ages 4 and up will run on Saturdays through the end of the year. Themes often involve folktales, but some are more modern or favor a scientific bent. All shows are intended to impress upon children that they, too, are capable of mastering any and all phases of theater production themselves.

>Tickets: $5 > 828-708-7469 > Atticsalt.org june 4

Blue Jean Ball: Fire & Ice

7-11PM MANNA FoodBank (outside) 27 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC

The seventeenth annual Blue Jean Ball is an opportunity to celebrate with friends while donating to MANNA FoodBank’s drive for fighting hunger. The ball will

feature music from North Carolina-based American Idol finalist Jesse Barry and the Heat, with dancing from Christine Garvin Dance. Twenty-five local restaurants are contributing offerings for a small-plate graze.

>Tickets: $75 > 828-290-3663 > Mannafoodbank.org

> Suggested Donation: $15 > 828-254-5146 > Montfordparkplayers.org june 5

Spinterview: Drum Strokes

june 4

Second Annual Montford Midsummer Faire

12-6PM Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre 92 Gay Street, Asheville, NC

Brought to you by the Montford Park Players, this family-friendly get-together precedes the kickoff performance of Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing. The local chapter for the Society for Creative Anachronism will be about their business tilting, blacksmithing, woodworking, etc. Kids can learn how to make shields, and grownups can see how good they are at throwing sharp, medieval objects at targets. Food vendors will abound. The play itself runs June 3 – July 2, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7:30PM.

4PM The Loft at Asheville Music School 126 College Street, Asheville, NC

The last in the current series of Spinterview Masterclasses, offered at AMS, anticipates the Asheville Percussion Festival. It features the work of Don Alias, Poncho Sanchez, the immortal Ginger Baker, Louie Bellson, Max Roach, Tony Williams, and Adam Deitch. Tribute will be paid to Raul Rekow and Armando Peraza of Santana.

> Admission: Adult $5, Student $2 > 828-252-6244 > Ashevillemusicschool.org june 8

Haim

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events

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The three sisters of Haim quickly became critics’ darlings and eventually went on to low-level celebrity status thanks to hanging out with the likes of Taylor Swift. Call them: indie rock with a distaff attitude. Good luck finding tickets; the show sold out quickly.

>Tickets: $29.50 advance, $30 day of show

> 828-398-1837 > Theorangepeel.net

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june 10 -11 Art in Bloom Cottage Garden Tour 10AM-4PM Black Mountain Arts Center 225 West State Street, Black Mountain, NC Doesn’t it conjure images of a simpler place in time, like “The Secret Garden” or at the very least a lovely Kinkade? Participants will get to check out freshly-installed floral arrangements and then embark on a ten-garden tour spanning two days and featuring restaurant discounts and plein air painters. The work of the artists will be on display at the Upper Gallery from June 14 through July 8. A kickoff reception will be held June 8 at the center starting at 6PM. Admission to that is $40.

> Admission: $20 > 828-669-0930 > Blackmountainarts.org

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> Registration: $15-30 > 828-387-3003 > Acool5race.com june 11

Art in the Park 10AM—until Park Avenue near Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC This is a monthly arts and crafts show in its fifth season. Art in all media is game, but only 100 survive the jurying process. Prices range from $5 to $5,000. Added features include wine tasting, free food, and yoga classes. Tom Shirley and John Henninger will be this month’s featured performing artists.

> Free > 877-295-7851 > Blowingrock.com june 11

The Broadcast 9PM

june 10 -11

Grey Eagle 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC

10AM-6PM

All-ages album release show. Described as “Grace Slick meets Led Zeppelin,” this Asheville band celebrates its new Jim Scott-produced From the Horizon. An advance listen suggests that the record’s sinewy soul/blues/rock vibe will ensure the group—fronted by the charismatic Caitlin Krisko—turns out

Cool 5 Weekend 109 BROADWAY

to the top of Beech Mountain, a Popsicle Relay, and a Walk and Wag for anyone who can actually get their dogs to behave. The advantage in opting for the first is it will get cooler the higher you go, and once you’re at the top, you can play king of the mountain with 360 degrees of panorama. On a good day, it really does look like the Emerald City. If you’re feeling charitable, you might raise $1 per lap in the Buck-A-Thon. Proceeds benefit Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation.

Town Hall 403 Beech Mountain Parkway, Banner Elk, NC You, the kids, and the dog can run all weekend if you want. Run like your hair’s on fire. Five races include a five-mile run

to be no local flash in the pan. Opening will be Major and the Monbacks.

>Tickets: $10 advance, $12 day of show > 828-232-5800 > Thegreyeagle.com

june 11

Lure of the Dragons Race & Festival 9AM-6PM Rocky Broad River 2992 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC Up to 34 corporate and community teams will get into these boats looking like some kind of mini Greek triremes and paddle 250 meters down the enchanting Rocky Broad River. Why? To raise money for children’s charities. Spectating is free.

> Registration: $650 per team > 828-279-1725 > Lureofthedragons.org june 11 & 25

Todd Free Summer Concert

Your source for Hearth & Patio needs 264 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, NC | 828.252.2789

We Restore Memories. CUSTOM CARS & RESTORATIONS

6-8PM Cook Memorial Park 3899 Todd Railroad Grade Road, Todd, NC Not Todd-free as in “gluten-free”—free concerts in the little known hamlet of Todd. The 11th features Joseph Houck; his sound is beyond folk and highly recommended. The 25th will be Strictly Strings, four young’uns (and maybe their pappy) pickin’ ‘n’ grinnin’ out the bluegrass.

> 336-877-5401 > Toddnc.org june 15

Animal Birthday Party 8AM-6PM

He bought it brand new, Dated his wife in it, Went on their honeymoon in it, Drove all across the country in it, & Yes he will pass it down it’s a Family Heirloom

1968 Camaro

828-693-8246

www.bealandco.net 5522 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 93

events

Grandfather Mountain 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC This is weird. Like all the animals in the park were all born on the same day, June 15. And so the rangers are hosting a big birthday party.

> Admission: Senior $18, Adult

(13-59) $20, Child $9, Toddler (0-3) Free > 828-733-2013 > Grandfather.com

june 16 - 25

National Pollinator Week in Asheville Asheville, NC You can add an “r” to the Bee City designation if you want, but the bottom line is Asheville continues to be abuzz about bees. Across 10 days there will be honey tastings, outdoor excursions, lectures, workshops, book signings, kids’ activities, and even bee-themed dinners at local restaurants. A roundup of all the individual events can be viewed at our online Events Calendar.

>Tickets: some events are free, some are ticketed > 828-545-4282 > Beecityusa.org/2016

– july 9 The Music Man june 16

Flat Rock Playhouse 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC This classic is the story of a pathetic, smooth-talking snake oil salesman who comes to town saying he can start a marching band. It—snake oil salesmen and their promises—is truly a staple of American culture, eh?

>Tickets: $15-$40 > 828-693-0731 94

| June 2016

> Flatrockplayhouse.org june 17-19 Fifth Annual Asheville Percussion Festival Odyssey Community School 90 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC This year’s teaching artists will include: Allison Miller, who has drummed for Natalie Merchant and Ani DeFranco; Kabecao, the World Music Hand Pan artist from Portugal; Vicki Genfan named Guitar Superstar by Guitar magazine; Barakissa Coulibaly, a West African dancer and choreographer; and more. Music therapy will be explored in a number of wellness workshops as well.

>Tickets: $20-$120 > 828-225-3232 > Ashevillerhythm.org june 17

Tony Joe White 8PM Grey Eagle 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC The Swamp Fox is touring behind his excellent new album Rain Crow and is a must-see in concert thanks to that timeless baritone and low, primal groove. And guys, he brings the ladies out wherever he plays. Opening is Americana king Al Scorch.

>Tickets: $17 advance, $20 day of show > 828-232-5800 > Thegreyeagle.com

june 18

Gran Fondo Asheville 8AM Pack Square Park 1 Pack Square, Asheville, NC

The third annual bike race has room for beginner to advanced cyclists. Courses are 30-, 60-, and 100-miles. The courses begin in the funky, deco-art destination we call home and travels through trails so green they will knock your eyes out if it’s sunny. You’ll pedal across mountain vistas, but as all good things must come to an end, you’ll wind up where you started, surrounded by beer, massage therapists, and buskers. The race is part of the Giordan Gran Fondo National Championship Series and benefits Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

> Registration: Gran $130, Medio

$110, Piccolo $70, Spectator Free > 765-247-BIKE > Gfncs.com

june 18 - 25

National Pollinator Week in Hendersonville Hendersonville, NC So as not to be the last to think we’re clever with “bee” idioms, let’s just say Hendersonville will be hopping with all kinds of, again, to be different, um, turtlewax. Activities range from some serious removal of invasive species and nature hikes, to lectures and workshops on beekeeping and bee-friendly practices. There will even be a honey-tasting open house.

>Tickets: Most events free > 828-697-3000 > Hendersonvillenc.gov/bee-city june 24

Wham Bam Bowie Band! 8PM Orange Peel 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC Ground control to Major Mark: With the passing of David Bowie last year,

June 2016 | capitalatplay.com 95

EILEEN FISHER

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

events

this local tribute group (an outgrowth of power pop band The Cheeksters) has experienced a huge surge of interest from within and without the region. Frontman Mark Casson knows his Bowie moves and inflections, and not just because he’s originally from England.

>Tickets: $10 advance, $12 day of show > 828-398-1837 > Theorangepeel.net

june 25

Bug Day

2onCrescent

828.274.1276 • 2oncrescent.com Open Everyday 11am - 5pm 4 All Souls Crescent, Biltmore Village

9AM-5PM Cradle of Forestry 11250 Pisgah Highway, Brevard, NC This close-up exploration into the lives of creepy things is held in celebration of National Pollinator Week. Fun things to do include bug hunts, pond explorations, buggy games and crafts, and a hike in search of plant galls.

> Admission: Adult $5, Child Free > 828-877-3265 > Cradleofforestry.com

Feather Your Nest

CONSIGNMENT SHOP

Specializing in upscale one-of-a-kind furnishings, housewares, home decorative items and vintage & ﬁne jewelry.

New items arriving daily!

Come see for yourself! Tuesday through Saturday | 10am to 4pm 1215A Greenville Hwy. Hendersonville, NC

828.693.3535 Accepting Quality Consignments

| June 2016

june 25

Charlie Daniels Band 6-11PM McNair Stadium 214 McNair Drive, Forest City, NC Charlie Daniels needs no introduction, and since you probably ran to the phone to get your tickets before you finished reading this…

>Tickets: $20-$50 > 954-594-3939 > Foundationshows.org june 26

92nd Annual Singing on the Mountain

8:30AM-3:30PM Grandfather Mountain 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC Chill out in God’s country by enjoying His handiwork. All day long, visitors will get to hear gospel songs by about a dozen groups. The singing will take a break midday for a sermon. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

> Free > 828-733-2013 > Grandfather.com june 30

Listen to This 7:30PM Asheville Community Theatre/35 Below 35 E Walnut St, Asheville, NC Storytelling series Listen to This: “Great, There Goes My Ride: Stories of Being Stranded” is hosted by Tom Chalmers and features live stories told onstage along with stand-up comedy and original songs, all by local writers, actors and performers, and other interesting folks.

>Tickets: $15 > 828-254-1320 > Ashevilletheatre.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 six weeks in advance.

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andcrafted in Asheville, mattresses by Colton Mattress Factory at 848 Hendersonville Road offer unmatched durability, uncompromising comfort and orthopedic support. Artisan craftsmanship that incorporates the latest in mattress technology with age-old handcrafting techniques makes for the most comfortable night’s sleep you’ve had in years. Business owner Mike Emerson has been in the mattress business for 35 years. At 13, he started working for a small mattress company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sweeping floors and helping with deliveries. At the age of 20, the owner retired and Emerson bought the company. Over the next 10 years, Emerson expanded the business to 20 stores in 5 midwestern states with over a hundred employees, Emerson still owns half the company and it is still in operation today. Emerson was semi-retired and living in Asheville, feeling bored, and decided to start another mattress factory and named it after his son, Colton. People here in Asheville really like buying high quality products that are locally made. Emerson says, “Business has been strong and we can hardly keep up with demand.” He said, “A lot of customers that come into our store are frustrated with the quality of nonflip brand-name mattresses that they have purchased recently that didn’t last as long as they expected. So many products today are made to wear out fairly quickly so you have to replace them. Colton makes mattresses the old-fashioned way so they last longer.” Asheville’s headquarters for adjustable beds, Colton Mattress can build the bed that is perfect for you. It makes beds with infinite mattress positions that include head and foot massage. Create your own adjustments to relieve back pain, improve circulation, and sleep deeply. Any mattress

Colton Mattress builds can be turned into an adjustable bed. Want a super-firm mattress, a super-soft mattress or something in between? Colton Mattress can create the precise firmness you desire. It sells a lot of beds made with latex, a natural material that naturally inhibits dust mites, mold and mildew. Derived from the tropical rubber tree, latex instantaneously conforms to the shape of your body, relieving pressure points for an uninterrupted sleep. Talalay latex used by Colton reduces high-pressure areas that shut off capillary blood flow and cause you to toss and turn all night. Mattresses made from Cooling Gel Memory Foam conform to the body, relieve pressure points and aid circulation. Choices range from pillowy soft to body-contouring firm. The Cooling Gel Memory Foam provides additional support and a cooler sleeping surface. Memory foam mattresses virtually eliminate motion transfer. (you won’t feel your sleep partner move). Emerson stated, “We offer a 30-day comfort guarantee because we want you to love your new mattress.” When you purchase a new mattress from Colton they will donate your old mattress to people in need if it is still sleepable. There are 25 different models to choose from at the showroom. Visit with Mike Emerson or Rick Reed and they will help you select the perfect mattress for you. Colton sells directly to the consumer, eliminating distributors and retail stores, to keep prices competitive with national brands. Colton has mattresses for every budget, prices range from $110- $5000. Colton is committed to manufacturing and selling the highest-quality mattresses and when you buy direct from the factory you save 10-50% every day. Colton builds and stocks a wide selection of mattress types and sizes.

COLTON MATTRESS SPECIALIZES IN 4 TYPES OF MATTRESSES • 2-sided mattresses that can be flipped over

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848 HENDERSONVILLE ROAD | ASHEVILLE (BILTMORE FOREST), NC 28803 | 828-299-4445 | WWW.COLTONMATTRESS.COM STORE HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY 10AM-6PM, SATURDAY 10AM-5PM, CLOSED SUNDAY —

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