Asheville, NC: 2011

asheville 2011 | imagesasheville.com

What’s Online Sink your teeth into Asheville’s delectable cuisine.

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ELECTRIFYING NEWS Moog Music moves to long-neglected location

HIGHWAY TO HEAVENLY Blue Ridge Parkway stays popular with travelers

Packed With Excitement Pack Square Park opens after massive transformation sponsored by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

asheville

2011 edition | volume 9

North Carolina

co nte nt s F e atu r e s 10 packed with excitement

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Pack Square Park opens after massive transformation.

16 Highway to Heavenly Blue Ridge Parkway stays popular with travelers.

22 Electrifying News Moog Music moves to long-neglected location.

28 Book worms Asheville’s independent bookstores promote lively literary scene.

36 Asheville’s Full Plate The food scene in Asheville continues to grow despite national economy’s recession.

40 unusual, as usual Downtown embodies Asheville’s distinctive energy.

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asheville

What’s Online imagesasheville.com

North Carolina Content Director Susan Chappell Proofreading Manager Raven Petty

Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editors Lisa Battles, Jill Wyatt Contributing writers Carol Cowan, Nancy Mann Jackson, Eric Seeger Media Technology Director Christina Carden Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Jessica Manner, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Candice Sweet, Vikki Williams Media Technology Analysts Chandra Bradshaw, lance Conzett, Michele Niccore, Marcus Snyder Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier Web Content Managers John Hood, Kim Madlom Web Design Director Franco Scaramuzza Web Designer Leigh Guarin Web developer i Yamel Hall Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan I.T. Director Yancey Bond Regional Sales Manager Charles Sweeney Sales Support/Community, Business, Custom Rachael Goldsberry Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman Office Manager/Accounts Receivable Coordinator Shelly Miller Integrated Media Manager Rhonda Graham Sales Support Manager Cindy Hall color imaging technician Alison Hunter Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter, Carla Thurman Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner V.P./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Custom Publishing Kim Newsom V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens V.P./Sales Charles Fitzgibbon, Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky

Photos See more photos in our online photo gallery Get the inside scoop from our photographers’ blog

Facts & Stats Dig deeper with in-depth data on industries, schools and more

What’s Online Sink your teeth into asheville’s delectable cuisine.

ElEctriFYinG nEWS

Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Blue Ridge Parkway stays popular with travelers

Packed With Excitement Pack Square Park opens after massive transformation SPonSorEd bY thE aShEVillE arEa chambEr oF commErcE

Real estate

Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan

hiGhWaY to hEaVEnlY

Easily share articles and photos on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail

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Bill McMeekin Marketing Creative Director Keith Harris

Moog Music moves to long-neglected location

Get a moving glimpse at favorite local places and attractions

Learn about the local housing market and get started finding your place

Content Director/Business Publications

north carolina

Digital edition

Video

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asheville

Controller Chris Dudley

2011 | imaGESaShEVillE.com

Asheville is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

For more information, contact: Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 36 Montford Avenue • Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 258-6101 • Fax: (828) 251-0926 www.ashevillechamber.org Visit Asheville online at imagesasheville.com ©Copyright 2010 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member

The Association of Magazine Media Member

Custom Content Council

Member Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

40 d e pa r tm e nt s 6 Almanac 24 Biz Briefs 27 Economic Profile 32 Arts & Culture 35 Education 44 Image Gallery 48 Local Flavor

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51 Health & Wellness 55 Sports & Recreation 56 Community Profile

on the cover Pack Square Park Photo by Brian McCord

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All or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

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Almanac

Welcome to Asheville An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Happy Trail Art and history lovers, rejoice.

Asheville’s Urban Trail is a 1.7-mile walking tour through the streets of downtown Asheville. There are 30 stops along the way, each with public sculpture. The Urban Trail was started by the city of Asheville to improve the visual quality of the downtown district through the display of public art. Walking tours are free and guided by local Ashevillians.

Call (828) 258-0710, Ext. 108 two weeks in advance of your desired date to coordinate a tour.

On the Waterfront The River Arts District features more than 100 artist studios and galleries along the French Broad River. The dozens of artists who live and work in the district are involved in a variety of mediums, including clay, painting, musical instruments, prints, jewelry, metal and fiber/textiles. Locations include Cotton Mill Studios, CURVE Studios, Odyssey Center, Pink Dog Creative, Riverview Station, Roberts St. Studios, Studio 375 and The Wedge.

Raise Your Glass Here’s a toast to Asheville being named BeerCity USA in 2010. The city tied with Portland, Ore. in 2009, but was sole winner in 2010. Each May, voters participate in a seven-day BeerCity USA Internet poll, and Asheville’s six microbreweries receive great support from the local community. Besides Asheville and Portland, rounding out the Top 10 in 2010 were San Diego, Philadelphia, Missoula (Mont.), St. Louis, Seattle, Denver, Milwaukee and Fort Collins, Colo.

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Fast Facts n Biltmore, America’s largest home, has 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 70-foot ceilings, an indoor bowling alley and priceless antiques. n Asheville’s temperate climate makes year-round living a breeze. Its average annual snowfall is only 13 inches.

To Market We Go Fresh fruits and vegetables are in abundance in Asheville throughout the spring, summer and fall at several farmers and tailgate markets. The sites are ideal ways to support sustainable agriculture, community farmers and the local farm-to-table movement. The city is actually home to 14 markets, with names like Asheville City Market, Big Ivy Tailgate Market, Greenlife Sunday Market, Veteran’s Victory Tailgate Market and The Fresh Quarter.

n Renowned golf course designer Donald Ross designed the Buncombe County Municipal Course, the course at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, the Country Club of Asheville and Biltmore Forest Country Club. n Mount Mitchell is at an elevation of 6,684 feet, making it the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

We Are So Good Asheville is ranked high on several prestigious lists, including being voted No. 1 for Top 25 Small Cities as deemed by American Style. Other lofty recognitions include being ranked among the 10 Best Places for Second Homes

by Barron’s, and on the list for 200 Best Places for Business and Careers by Forbes. Asheville is also one of the 100 Best Places to Retire according to TopRetirements.com, and one of the Top 10 Places to Retire by MarketWatch.

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Pickin’ Banjoes and Guitars An annual event called Shindig on the Green strums into downtown Asheville each summer at Pack Square Park. The free mountain and dance shows take place on seven Saturdays throughout July, August and early September.

Musicians and dancers from across Western North Carolina share the region’s Southern Appalachian mountain culture and traditions, with all concerts and performances beginning at 7 p.m.

Your Friend, The Chamber It has been said that moving day is one of those times that can make or break friendships. A true friend will help. The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is here for you, too. The chamber’s Complete Asheville Area Relocation Kit includes a phone book, relocation magazine, area map, visitor guide and real estate information. Other publications in the kit feature information on banking, storage, insurance and schools. The kits are available for $24.95 online at www.ashevillechamber.org.

Asheville At A Glance Population (2008 Estimate) Asheville: 74,543 Buncombe County: 229,047

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Location Asheville is in Western North Carolina, tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Two major interstates, I-40 and I-26, intersect just outside the city limits.

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Beginnings Asheville was incorporated in 1797 and named in honor of North Carolina Gov. Samuel Ashe.

For More Information Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce 36 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 258-6101 Fax: (828) 251-0926 www.ashevillechamber.org

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Hendersonville

What’s Online Asheville

Take a virtual tour of Asheville, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesasheville.com.

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(Re)built for

Fun Pack Square Park hosts lazy day picnics to lively festivals

Story By Eric Seeger Photography By Brian McCord & Jeffrey S. otto

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sheville thrives on informality. So don’t think of the newly redesigned Pack Square as a park in the traditional take-your-dog-for-awalk sense. Think of it as the quad you used to hang out at during college; the kind of place where you and some friends can relax during the day or maybe catch a free concert or movie at night. It’s meant to be a break from – and within – everything that’s happening in the city around it.

That’s how Pack Square Conservancy Executive Director

Gary Giniat envisions the park fitting into the city’s life. The conservancy is the organization that oversaw the space’s four-year overhaul. Pack Square was designed to give downtown some breathing room; the kind of spot where you can take an afternoon break from shopping, lay down on the grass and just watch the clouds roll past Sunset Mountain.

Festivals and Performances at Pack Square Park Bookended by the Vance Monument and the art deco City Building, the

Clockwise from top: Splashville at Pack Square Park; Architectural details from downtown buildings; Arthur James plays guitar; Shindig on the Green

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park’s amphitheater design can comfortably fit up to 5,000 for a live performance. During the summer, the stage is home to Asheville’s popular Shindig on the Green bluegrass concert series, or you may just catch an impromptu set from a local band. The stage is open to any performer who wants to step up. And on weekend mornings, you can even catch children’s storytellers.

Artwork at Pack Square When the stage goes silent, the other side of the park’s allure comes out. With no crowds around, the main lawn is a perfect picnic spot (in fact, Fiores Ristorante Tuscana near the park has taken to selling take-out lunch baskets and picnic blankets), and the entire park has been adorned with artworks by local sculptors that pay tribute to the Appalachian Mountains. The creativity displayed throughout these 6.5 acres is a keen representation of the region’s vibrant art scene, and it communicates how the area is seen through its creative professionals.

At the top of the hill (near the office Left: Having fun at Pack Square’s amphitheater. Right: Gandalf enjoys a walk in the park with his owner.

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Accommodates up to 300 guests.

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building designed by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei), metal sculptor Hoss Haley created the bowl-shaped fountain.

“If you sit on the bench and look at it, you can see how he captured the way our mountains rise out of the low-lying clouds in the morning,” Giniat points out.

Farther down the hill is Reuter Terrace.

The observation point overlooks the green and features the distinctive metal railing designed by artist Julia Burr of nearby Black Mountain.

Then follow the cascading stream of water down to the main park area. In here, you’ll find the works of local ceramicist Kathy Triplett, who adorned the stage area in tiles that were made with the help of local school children. Her work is a celebration of the community, set in a park that is designed to do just that – celebrate.

Want To Give?

Nearly $16 million has been raised for the construction of the park, which is 90% of the Pack Square Conservancy’s goal for the project. The general public is being asked to donate toward the last 10% in order for the park to be maintained for years to come. For more information, visit the park’s website at www.packsquarepark.org.

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Highway to

Heavenly Blue Ridge Parkway stays popular with travelers

Story By Kevin Litwin

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he Blue Ridge Parkway has been nicknamed America’s Favorite Drive, and 20 million annual visitors make it the most visited attraction within the U.S. National Park System. And in 2011, it enters its 76th year of celebrated grandeur.

All of 2010 was devoted to observing the 75th anniversary of the 469-mile byway that connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The 16

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year-round salute to the parkway was fitting given that the parkway provides an economic impact of $2.3 billion each year to the communities through which it passes.

One of those communities is Asheville, which is near milepost 377.

“The Blue Ridge Parkway’s welcome center is near Asheville and offers visitors an interactive map and beautiful orientation film, exhibits and displays,” says Elizabeth Sims, 18

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spokesperson for the Blue Ridge Parkway Association. “Because access to the parkway is so easy from several points in Asheville, it’s a terrific way for visitors to the area to easily seek out hikes, picnic spots, cycling routes and scenic beauty.”

That scenic beauty includes the most diverse range of flora and fauna in the entire National Park Service system.

There are also high mountain passes, waterfalls and water gaps, deep forests

and upland meadows, and the park has 264 spectacular scenic overlooks along the way.

The speed limit along the parkway maxes out at 45 mph, and no billboards or commercial signs are allowed.

Commercial vehicles are also prohibited except for tour buses.

“Within minutes, area residents and visitors are in a pristine natural setting with panoramic views – and you can be back to Asheville in time

Jeff Adkins

Blue Ridge Parkway Destination & Visitor Center

for dinner,� Sims says.

Nowadays, park officials and conservationists point out that the parkway is filled with biodiversity and also plays a big part in helping to preserve mountain culture and history.

But its recreation spots and scenic assets are the main reasons why those 20 million visitors travel the thoroughfare every year.

So, what are the best times of the year for scenery-seekers to travel the

Staff Photo

Todd Bennett

Grassy Knob Tunnel at milepost 397.1

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Reward yourself!

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parkway through Asheville?

“From April and May through November are truly quality,” Sims says.

“Spring and summer wildflowers are fantastic, and fall foliage is some of the best in the country. Fall also offers a spectacular monarch butterfly migration.”

As for the 75th anniversary celebration, events in Asheville included an Asheville Bikefest and Blue Ridge Run in May, which involved a motorcycle touring rally with events at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. There was also an artwork showcase from October through December entitled Milestones: Visual Arts Celebrate the Blue Ridge Parkway, which took place near milepost 377.

“Driving the parkway is a very nostalgic experience, and that’s a large part of its appeal,” Sims said. “It’s kind of removing you from the modern world. It’s not a road to get from point A to point B. The drive itself is what you experience.”

By the Numbers

469.1 Staff Photo

miles that comprise the Blue Ridge Parkway

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years it took to complete construction of the parkway

Crabtree Falls at milepost 339.5

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tunnels along the parkway

200+ Antony Boshier

parking areas and overlooks

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waterfalls that are accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway

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Electrifyi

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ng News Moog Music moves to long-neglected location Story By Nancy Mann Jackson

M

oog Music, an eclectic and iconic Asheville manufacturing company, is relocating to a longneglected location at the city’s northern gateway, a move that promises to revive, refresh and lead to further private investment in the immediate area.

The company, which has designed, engineered and manufactured electronic musical instruments in Asheville since 1994, has purchased the vacant buildings at 160-170 Broadway Street, and is spending $2.5 million to refurbish and update the facilities as its new corporate headquarters.

Read more about company founder, the late Bob Moog, his legacy and the history of Moog Music, at the Bob Moog Foundation website.

The new location will offer great visibility and space for the manufacturer to grow, but company leaders say they chose it specifically in an effort to help revive the north end of downtown Asheville.

“If it was just about Moog, we wouldn’t have moved to this building,” says Mike Adams, the company’s president. “But we’re always trying to

2.5 million Amount being spent to refurbish the recently purchased building

support the city, and this anchor on the north end will have a huge impact. This once terrible-looking corner will be a bright, shiny gateway to the city.”

Renovating Old Buildings Originally a Buick dealership, over the years the new Moog building has served as a grocery store, a nightclub and a circuit board manufacturer. But it has been vacant for the past five years and had become an eyesore. As Moog cleans up the place and prepares to move in, years of patchy maintenance and disrepair are being peeled away to uncover the buildings’ original charm.

“The ambiance of the old building is exactly what we were looking for,” Adams says. “And thanks to the building’s colorful history, it has some real funky stuff in it. We’re a pretty funky company, so that works for us.”

Other businesses located in the area are “jumping for joy” about Moog’s relocation, and Adams says he and other business and community leaders hope the cleanup will start “a domino effect” for the area, leading to more private investment nearby.

When Moog purchased its new

45 Number of new employees Moog plans to hire when the new headquarters is complete

facilities, four buildings were included.

The company demolished one building to make room for parking. The front building will include the manufacturing floor, a showroom and upstairs offices.

Next door will be the company’s warehouse, and the third building will be available for future expansion. In addition to housing Moog’s daily operations, the new facility will also host bands and concerts for the company’s radio series, Live at Moog.

Creating New Jobs When Moog Music moves into its new headquarters in early 2011, the company will bring about 45 employees. Plans are to add about 10 more employees once the space is available.

While Moog conducts its operations from Asheville, few of the company’s sales are local. Instead, the company ships its goods to 250 dealers across the United States and to additional dealers in 45 countries around the world.

“While we don’t do a lot of business in Asheville, Asheville is our home and we want to contribute to the city as much as we can,” Adams says.

250 Dealers across America who purchase Moog products

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Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define asheville’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$2,069,684 Retail sales ($1000)

$29,279 Retail sales per capita

$391,428 Accommodations and food service sales ($1000)

9,224 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

SHORT STREET CAKES Biz: Customized cakes and desserts Buzz: This local, family-owned cakery on Haywood Road specializes in handcrafted, down-home Southern desserts, with everything being fresh, natural and made from scratch. One of the services is unlimited wedding cake testing, with local and organic ingredients used whenever available. The company also makes cupcake wedding cakes and cake buffets. Short Street Cakes specializes in simple, elegant and traditional Southern products. www.shortstreetcakes.com 24

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SELINA NATURALLY Biz: Healthier life products Buzz: This company is owned by Asheville resident Selina DeLangre, and features a product line that professes optimal well-being. Items are sold in stores such as Earth Fare, Whole Foods and Wild Oats, and specific products include raw organic nuts, organic coconut oil and authentic Hawaiian salt. All products are free of synthetic, artificial or irradiated ingredients. www.selinanaturally.com THE NATURAL HOME Biz: Home décor store Buzz: The Natural Home is located in Biltmore Park and features an interesting collection of bedding and bath products, and home accents. Items include organic mattresses, bamboo bedding and micro-cotton towels, and all products are guaranteed to be chemically free and manufactured with responsible practices. The Natural Home also sells a number of accessories, such as ceramics, terrariums and hemp rugs. www.naturalhomestore.com BELLAGIO Biz: Gallery and clothing Buzz: Bellagio is an upscale store located at Five Biltmore Plaza and offers a wide variety of artistic home décor objects that will suit a variety of tastes. Its product lineup includes items such as lamps, vases, candlesticks, albums and sculpture, in mediums such as glass, wood, metal and stone. The interesting store also sells jewelry, clothing and accessories. www.bellagioarttowear.com BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE & Champagne bar Biz: Used books, wine bar Buzz: Reading and sipping is what Battery Park Book Exchange is all about. Thousands of books can be enjoyed while sipping wine or champagne. Also available are locally brewed beers and non-alcoholic beverages. Books are purchased from customers, so the selection is constantly expanding. The menu includes items such as a cheeseboard, trout dip or a petite cheesecake. www.batteryparkbookexchange.com

Are you looking for the quiet solitude of the mountains, but you don’t want to be isolated? Do you want long-range mountain views and a quick drive to the grocery store? Do you want to be surrounded by friends and activities, and also have opportunities to spend quiet time alone? Is there such a place that is rich in amenities, full of residents and alive with social activities?

Yes, that place is Carriage Park. For 20 years we’ve been building a unique community just five minutes from downtown Hendersonville, NC. With more than 400 families calling Carriage Park home, we are a thriving community full of diverse interests and remarkable residents. Plus pricing and selection for new homesites and homes have never been better. You CAN have it all.

Call (800) 639-8721 and find out more about Carriage Park today.

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Proud to call Asheville home We're proud to call Asheville home and we know you are too. Come join our Facebook Fan Page community to tell us why, and to see what your neighbors have to say.

Go to facebook.com and search for Asheville.

“

I love Asheville for so many reasons... beauty, music, and art. We are so lucky to call this place home.

”

– Mindy O’Neal via Facebook

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We have what you come to the mountains for …

Wildberry Lodge

(866) 863-2525 • innkeepers@wildberrylodge.com • www.wildberrylodge.com

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economic profile BUSINESS CLIMATE Asheville has both low unemployment and strong job growth.

Fueling the area’s sound business climate are stable population growth, a healthy housing market, expanding professional services, robust small business and health care industry growth, and a steady tourism industry.

major employers

income

3,000+ Employees Buncombe County Public Schools

$26,350 Per Capita Income

Mission Health System and Hospital

Taxes

2.5% County Sales Tax

INDUSTRIAL transportation

Buncombe County Government The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

4.5% State Sales Tax

VA Medical Center – Asheville Department of Veterans Affairs

Total Sales Tax

$.945/$100 Residential Property Tax

$1.5/$1,000 Commercial Property Tax

Median Household Income

The Biltmore Company

Ingles Markets, Inc. (Home Office) Buncombe County

7%

$41,598

1,000-2,999 Employees City of Asheville

Asheville Regional Airport 61 Terminal Dr., Ste. 1 Fletcher, NC 28732 (828) 684-2226 ww.flyavl.com Asheville Transit 360 W. Haywood St. (828) 253-5691

750-999 Employees BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems CarePartners

Mountain Mobility 2000 Riverside Dr., Suite 17 (828) 258-0186 www.buncombecounty.org

Eaton Corporation – Electrical Division 500-749 Employees Asheville City Schools Arvato Digital Services Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

A&R Accounting Inc.

Norfolk & Southern Railway (404) 529-1591 www.nscorp.com

Bear Creek Apartments Your new home in west Asheville

915 Haywood Rd. Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 252-1099 (828) 252-1119 Fax E-mail: annette@aracct.com Licensed Tax Planning & Preparation Personal & Corporate

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Book

Worms Asheville’s Independent Bookstores Promote Lively Literary Scene

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Story By Carol Cowan Photography By Brian Mccord

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nexus of creativity of all types, Asheville’s environs have inspired literary works that are read the world over. Famous authors past and present have called Asheville home, from O. Henry and Thomas Wolfe to Wilma Dykeman and Gail Godwin. And bookish types find the city a haven of literary riches that include independent bookstores, a thriving library system, book clubs and events such as poetry readings, writers’ workshops and author appearances.

Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café has been an integral part of Asheville’s literary scene for close to 30 years. The downtown establishment is more like a local cultural force than a typical bookstore.

“We are so much a part of this community,” says owner Emoke B’Racz, recalling Asheville as a sleepy little town when Malaprop’s opened in 1982. The pace suited her just fine. “I figured that an active library, beautiful architecture and the mountains – oh, the mountains – were, and still are, enough for one lifetime.”

In 1986, B’Racz opened a second store just a few blocks from Malaprop’s – Downtown Books and News. It carries used books, magazines and newspapers and has become a cultural hub for a new generation of artists and bankers, she says.

Downtown Books and News

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Both stores embody the unique, independent, diverse, creative vibe that permeates downtown and draws locals and tourists alike. The café is reminiscent of B’Racz’s native Europe and supports the community by serving local bakers’ specialties.

Among the huge selection of reading material at Malaprop’s, book lovers will find sections featuring staff favorites, poetry, green living, current events, fiction, children’s books and more.

“Thomas Wolfe, Gail Godwin, Fred Chappell, Wilma Dykeman and John Ehle are literary treasures in Asheville.

We are also lucky to have many new 30

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writers, poets and playwrights who are currently lighting up the cultural path.

Our Regional Books section presents them to readers,” B’Racz says.

In addition, Malaprop’s calendar features reading-related events almost daily, and renowned authors regularly circulate through the store for book signings and lectures. Tomie dePaola, Barbara Kingsolver, Sara Gruen and Diana Gabaldon were on the calendar recently.

Asheville’s book scene welcomed a charming newcomer in February 2009, with the opening of Battery Park Book Exchange. The store specializes in used books, but what makes it particularly

unique is its champagne and wine bar.

“The champagne and wine bar is a strategy for bookstore survival,” says owner Thomas Wright, only half-joking about the risk of opening a store in the midst of a national recession. Nevertheless, it’s a business model that works in the downtown setting. “In light of the timing, it’s going very well,” he adds.

Battery Park Book Exchange’s impressive inventory features many one-of-a-kind items, and customers can browse to their hearts’ content or discuss their finds with fellow patrons over glasses of local and imported wines.

Wright says he enjoys the green

Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe

aspect of rescuing books headed for a landfill, as well as coming upon undiscovered treasures from prior generations.

“Worn is preferable to me than new,” Wright says. “I like books that have a certain antiquity to them.”

Downtown Asheville currently boasts five independent booksellers; Wright would love to see more.

“I’m the new kid on the block,” he acknowledges, “but I would like to see Asheville become known as much for its book inventories as for its arts and crafts. If there’s a town in the Southeast that can do this, it’s Asheville.”

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locally owned stores in asheville Learn fun and interesting facts about Asheville in the By the Numbers video at

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Arts & Culture

Shhh, It’s About To Start Wortham Theatre houses 20 local arts groups Arlo Guthrie performed there. So did Jeff Daniels and Christine Ebersole. There have also been performances

by David Crosby, Kathy Mattea, the Paul Taylor Dance Company and The Second City.

Diana Wortham Theatre has been an entertainment destination in downtown Asheville since 1992 and is a big reason why nightlife has been so alive in the district since then.

“There was one restaurant in the vicinity in 1992. Then within 10 years after the theater opened, there were 16 restaurants within a block of the building,” says John Ellis, managing director of Diana Wortham Theatre.

The theater today is home to 20 local arts groups that include the Asheville Lyric Opera, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance and the Western

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North Carolina Jazz Society. There is even a puppetry troupe – the Asheville Puppetry Alliance.

“None of these organizations existed before the theater was built because they had nowhere to call home, but now they are flourishing because they have a great place to perform,” Ellis says.

“The Wortham is a beautiful venue for music, theater and dance.”

Pack Place Performing Arts owns and operates the nonprofit venue. Besides supplying the building to the 20 local arts organizations, Pack Place also books its own annual series of

national touring artists.

“This is a small, intimate venue with 500 seats, and the interior is sophisticated and comfortable with great acoustics and sight lines,” Marketing Director Elly Wells says. “As the saying goes, there’s not a bad seat in the house. In fact, many performers refer to the theater as a room because the setting is so cozy.”

The theater audiences are made up of about 85 percent Asheville and Buncombe County residents, and 15 percent tourists.

“This quality entertainment destination is a fine amenity for Asheville, and is ordinarily only found in larger cities throughout the United States,” Ellis says. “I’ve talked to a lot of New Yorkers now living in Asheville who say they don’t need to travel back to New

Left to right: The audience being seated for the musical Almost Heaven – Songs of John Denver; Bua performs at the theater.

York City anymore to see a top show, because they can see good performances at the Wortham.”

By the way, who is Diana Wortham?

“Diana comes from a family in Houston who greatly supports the arts, and she now lives in Asheville and was a benefactor and big reason why this theater opened,” Ellis says. “She’s a great person and frequently attends performances.

It’s always a special treat whenever she is in attendance.”

– Kevin Litwin

What’s Online Discover more about the creative climate of Asheville, including arts, events and cultural attractions, in the culture section at imagesasheville.com.

Get the story

behind the

photo Now that you've experienced Asheville through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers.

Visit imagesasheville.com to view our exclusive photographers' blog documenting what all went into capturing those perfect moments.

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Education

Phoenix Rising University Opens Asheville Learning Center The University of Phoenix was established in Arizona 30 years ago, and the nationwide university began opening campuses in North Carolina in 2005.

Now there is a campus in Asheville.

The University of PhoenixAsheville Learning Center opened in 2010 in downtown Asheville at the Biltmore Park Town Square, across from the Regal Biltmore Grand Stadium 15 movie theater.

The Asheville Learning Center offers college credit classes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

“Adult students in Western North Carolina can now lead their normal family lives and work lives, plus have convenient access to a rigorous university degree program,” says Shannon Eckard, director of the University of Phoenix at Charlotte campus that oversees the Asheville Learning Center. “Our students are primarily

business professionals who take University of Phoenix classes at night as well as online. The Asheville facility is allowing people to pursue degrees or even re-career, which is occurring a lot nowadays in this volatile economy.”

Eckard says that although University of Phoenix students can range in age from 18 to 88, the average age nationwide at their campuses is 36. Associate’s degrees as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees are all available at the Asheville site, and courses of study include criminal justice and security, education, human services, nursing and health care, psychology, technology and business and management.

“The most popular courses

during our young history in Asheville have been in the fields of business and management, by a wide margin,” Eckard says. “That includes several students who are pursuing their MBAs with us.

Technology programs are also getting more popular and should continue to grow in popularity as time goes by, and the interest in nursing and healthcare classes is also starting to increase. But for now, business and management courses are way out in front.”

Eckard says not only does the Asheville Learning Center serve residents from Asheville and Buncombe County, but students also travel to the center from surrounding communities such as Azalea, Emma, Oteen and Woodfin.

“The Asheville site accommodates students from within about a 30-mile radius, and our University of Phoenix facility is getting more and more utilized as the word continues to get out,” Eckard says. “We offer competitive tuition costs, convenient access and a curriculum that is ideal and in demand for today’s world. That is what our university is all about.”

– Kevin Litwin

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Asheville’s

Full

Plate the Food scene in asheville continues to grow despite national economy’s recession

Story By Eric Seeger Photography By Brian Mccord

A

city doesn’t call itself “Foodtopia” without having a vibrant dining scene, and Asheville restaurants helped the town live up to its nickname even in the worst economy. When things turned bad in 2009, it would have been understandable if many locally owned eateries simply turned off the ovens and closed their doors. Oddly enough, the exact opposite has happened. Asheville’s top independent restaurateurs have actually reinvigorated the city with an impressive selection of new spots to grab a meal.

Owners like Bouchon’s Michel Baudouin – the jovial face representing French cuisine to

downtown diners – have opened smaller, simpler restaurants aimed at making fine food more accessible to guests on a budget. Baudouin opened a crepery in the courtyard next to his flagship restaurant. Nothing but a small stand and a few tables, Bouchon Street Food lives up to its name by serving takeaway dishes that you could pick up from a vending cart in Paris: savory lunch crêpes like the Toulouse, featuring duck confit, carmelized onion, goat cheese and fresh mushrooms for just $7.

Joe Scully and Kevin Westmoreland of the Corner Kitchen in historic Biltmore Village have opened up a nearby sandwich shop named Gianni Panini. The small breakfast and lunch

Foodtopia Asheville is home to the world’s first – and only – Foodtopian Society, where the farm-to-table movement is a way of life. Asheville boasts 17 farmers markets, nearly 250 independent restaurants and 10 amazing microbreweries, all of which serve only fresh, local food.

Brown Butter Pecan Pie with Vanilla and Caramel Sauce at the Tupelo Honey Cafe

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staff photo

eatery is making a good living from foot traffic in the upscale shopping district while also supplying fresh sandwiches to restaurants and shops in neighboring towns.

For folks whose palates lean more toward stateside fare, Tupelo Honey Cafe opened its second location in booming South Asheville. For years, you had to navigate the crowds of downtown Asheville to enjoy Tupelo’s signature New Southern cooking, but owner Steve Frabritore and chef Brian Sonoskus have answered the suburb’s pleas for easy, family-friendly access to their food. There’s even a new, healthier kids menu. Best of all, diners now can get a quick fix of nutty fried chicken or Low Country tuna without having to fight for a parking spot.

Reza Setayesh, the owner/chef of Rezaz Meditterrean Restaurant and Enoteca – a staple of upscale comfortable dining located just outside of Biltmore – has opened Piazza, a can’t-miss pizza joint near Fairview.

Hand-tossed, wood-fired pies get served up with bubbly crusts, great meats, vegetables, seafoods and freshmade sauces. In addition, the eatery offers a tasty assortment of appetizers, Italian subs, spaghetti bowls and entrees such as Chicken Saltimbocca and plank-roasted salmon.

It’s just one of the many great tastes to be savored in a town that knows how to eat well.

Clockwise from top left: Tupelo Honey Cafe; A panini at Gianni Panini; Bouchon; Pizza from Piazza; The wood-fired oven at Piazza

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UNUsUaL, as UsUaL Downtown Embodies City’s Distinctive Energy Story By Kevin Litwin

B

yron Greiner says that one of the most popular local bumper stickers in this city states: Keep Asheville Weird.

The president of the Asheville Downtown Association points out that the entire community – especially its downtown district – is known for artistry and eccentricities throughout its retail stores and restaurants.

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“Downtown Asheville is not chaindriven. Instead, it has a variety of businesses that are independent and unusual in their own separate ways,” Greiner says. “The district is lively every day, which is interesting for a mountain community. There is real energy here.”

Greiner says that 20 years ago, downtown Asheville would roll up its

streets at 5 o’clock each afternoon. And as recently as five years ago, the city was pretty much a seasonal destination only.

“It’s not that way anymore. We are a 12-month attraction,” he says. “We now have tourists in January, February and March when we traditionally haven’t had that before. A big reason is eclectic Asheville businesses.”

One of those businesses is Jewels

The Prize by Lisa Clague at Blue Spiral 1 art gallery downtown Brian M c Cord

That Dance, a store that has been downtown on Haywood Street since 1983.

“I am a custom-design goldsmith who sells fine jewelry of diamonds, platinum and precious stones,” says owner Paula Dawkins. “I make the jewelry with an interesting twist, and have my studio right on the premises.”

Dawkins’ product line includes

wedding rings, engagement rings, birthstones, necklaces and silver.

“I enjoy doing business in downtown Asheville because it’s kind of a little community in itself,” she says. “There are store owners who have moved here from Minnesota, New Mexico, California and all over, and they all understand what downtown Asheville is all about. It’s a great atmosphere.”

Blue Spiral 1 on Biltmore Avenue downtown is a light-filled gallery with an assortment of objects by Southern artists.

Since 1991, the gallery has promoted American craft and fine art and is one of many galleries in the downtown area.

One of the most visited downtown thoroughfares is Lexington Avenue.

One popular dining hotspot is Mela Indian Restaurant, which features A s h e vi lle

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Jeff Adkins Jeffrey S. OTTO

mouthwatering dishes like palak pakoras (a spicy spinach dish) and entrees such as gosht roghan josh (a lamb dish).

Another interesting downtown destination is Grove Arcade, a public marketplace that opened in 1929 and is widely admired for its architectural design. One of the stores at Grove Arcade is The Jazzy Giraffe, a women’s boutique with designer and couture clothing.

“My target audience is women who are 40 and older, because I am over 40,” says owner Donna Wright. “My husband, Thomas, and I are preservationists from eastern North Carolina, so when we stumbled upon Grove Arcade to locate my business, I just had to become a tenant.”

In fact, the Wrights like the district so much that Thomas has opened his own business – Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar – situated right behind Grove Arcade.

“We both love the architectural diversity of downtown Asheville and appreciate that urban flight hasn’t occurred here like it has in other downtowns throughout the United States,” Donna Wright says. “Downtown Asheville is vibrant and fresh, and I can’t see it ever changing.”

Jeff Adkins

Clockwise from above: A sales associate waits to assist customers at Jewels That Dance; Haywood Street; Grove Arcade

For More Information Jewels That Dance 63 Haywood St. (828) 254-5088 www.jewelsthatdance.com Blue Spiral 1 38 Biltmore Ave. (828) 251-0202 (800) 291-2513 info@bluespiral1.com www.bluespiral1.com

Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar 1 Battle Square (828) 252-0020 www.batteryparkbook exchange.com Grove Arcade One Page Ave. (828) 252-7799 www.grovearcade.com

Mela Indian Restaurant 70 N. Lexington Ave. (828) 225-8880 www.melaasheville.com The Jazzy Giraffe Grove Arcade One Page Ave., Ste. 136 (828) 251-1616 jazzygiraffe1@bellsouth.net www.thejazzygiraffe.com A s h e vi lle

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Image Gallery

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Asheville skyline Photo by Jeffrey S. Otto

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Image Gallery

Downtown Asheville Photo by Brian McCord

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Art at Blue Spiral 1 Photo by Brian McCord

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Local Flavor

Green, Healthy & Delicious Posana Café becomes first certified green restaurant in nc Before even opening its doors in May 2009, downtown Asheville’s Posana Café was committed to sustainability. Owners Peter and Martha Pollay chose local, sustainable vendors to renovate the restaurant in an eco-friendly way, and they have always served foods made from fresh ingredients that were locally and sustainably grown.

This year, Posana Café has taken its commitment to sustainability even further: It has become the first Two Star Certified Green Restaurant in North Carolina and has been awarded GlutenFree Food Service Accreditation.

These two certifications represent meticulous attention to established guidelines and an uncommon dedication to serving foods in a way that will benefit the health of diners and leave no negative impact on the environment.

“We’re proud of what we have accomplished, and we will continue to look for new ways to evolve,” Peter Pollay, executive chef and co-owner of Posana Café says. “We want the quality of our role as conscientious members of the Asheville community to match the quality of our food.”

Certified Green Restaurant To become a certified green restaurant, Posana Café was required to meet stringent standards put in place by the Green Restaurant Association. The restaurant was measured in seven environmental categories, including water efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable furnishings and building materials, sustainable food, energy, disposables, and chemical and pollution reduction.

“We believed that we had to go beyond just saying that we were committed to the environment and really put ourselves to the test,” Martha Pollay, the restaurant’s co-owner says.

Brian M c Cord

Gluten-Free Accreditation

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While becoming the only greencertified restaurant in North Carolina was quite an accomplishment, it wasn’t enough for Posana Café. The Pollays were

Creating exquisite dentistry for busy families aware of the marked increase in the number of people with celiac disease and other conditions who are unable to eat foods containing gluten, and the difficulty that condition represents when it comes to dining out. In response, they wanted to create a restaurant where even people with serious food limitations could enjoy a delicious meal and an array of choices. To do so, they underwent strenuous accreditation process through the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIG).

Today, Posana is one of only seven food service establishments in the United States to hold glutenfree food service accreditation from GIG. And diners who are normally limited to only two or three choices on a restaurant menu can visit Posana Café and confidently order any item they see, Pollay says, including cakes, cookies, scones, tempura and fried green tomatoes.

– Nancy Mann Jackson

A Sampling From the Dinner Menu Vegan Pasta with fettuccine, ratatouille, sweet basil and extra virgin olive oil Grilled Yellowfin Tuna with aromatic black rice, eggplant and coconut curry sauce Herb-Roasted Chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes, balsamic cippolini onions and herb jus East Fork Farms Lamb Rack with warm radicchio-pear salad, pistachios, gorgonzola and a cabernet reduction www.posanacafe.com

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192 E. Chestnut St., Ste. B Asheville, NC 28801 Please visit our website at:

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Biltmore The AAA Three Diamond Quality Inn & Suites Biltmore East is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Asheville and Biltmore – America’s largest home.

Free, Full, Hot Breakfast Buffet • Free Wireless Internet Access Free Business Center • Free Local Calls • Free Newspaper Free Cookies at Check In • Free Coffee and Tea Fitness Center • Seasonal Outdoor Pool and Gazebo 1430 Tunnel Rd. • I-40, Exit 55 • Asheville, NC 28805 (828) 298-5519 • Toll-free: (877) 299-5519 QualityInnBiltmore.com

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Health & Wellness

Care Close to Home Much-needed cancer center to open in 2012

Mission Health System, which oversees Mission Hospital in Asheville, is currently constructing a $60 million cancer center on the Mission Hospital campus. The five-story medical facility is a partnership between MHS and the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“This cancer facility is being constructed to ultimately serve the entire region of Western North Carolina,” says Janet S. Moore, director of marketing and Web services for Mission Health System. “This part of the state has needed such a cancer care center for a long time, and now will have one.”

At 120,000 square feet, patients at the cancer center will be privy to a large number of services available all under one roof.

“The building is currently under construction and has already created a lot of construction jobs, and many health-care jobs will be created once the building is

Brian M c Cord

Right now, cancer patients in Asheville and surrounding communities must drive two to four hours to receive treatment at one of the handful of major cancer centers in North Carolina. In early 2012, that won’t be necessary anymore.

Mission Hospital

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STAMP OUT BREAST CANCER WITH YOUR FEET.

Every step you take in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® helps raise vital funds for the fight against breast cancer. But don’t let your journey stop there. Take a step toward improving your own health by educating yourself about the disease and getting regular screenings. Step by step, this Race will be won.

Learn more about the Komen Race for the Cure by visiting www.komen.org or calling 1-877 GO KOMEN. This space is provided as a public service. ©2008 Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

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completed in 2012,” Moore says.

“Health care is already one of the major economic drivers in Western North Carolina, and the center will simply add to that driving force.”

Moore says attention to detail is a big priority during the construction phase, with the entire center being built for easy patient access.

“For example, the building’s first level will offer vast radiation therapy that will be just steps from the parking deck,” she says.

“Then on the second floor, pediatric and adolescent care will be featured with separate waiting and treatment areas for teens and younger children.”

The region cancer center is also important because of the growing retirement community in Asheville and Buncombe County.

“The quality of the air and water, beautiful mountains and the four seasons are attracting more and more retiring baby boomers and older Americans to the area, so the need for quality health care to this region is obviously important,” Moore says.

She adds that besides the fivestory building, a brand-new road is being constructed to service the cancer center.

“The road will be called Hospital Drive and will connect US Highway 25 and McDowell Street, thereby providing good access to the center as well as to Mission Hospital itself,” she says.

“Everything about this entire project is being done first-class, and everything is being done with quality patient care in mind.”

– Kevin Litwin

What’s Online For more insight on Asheville’s health and wellness offerings, head to the health care section at imagesasheville.com.

Brian M c Cord

Health & Wellness

Long Term Acute Care Asheville Specialty Hospital (ASH) offers a new option in care. Patients who have suffered a catastrophic illness and are anticipating a lengthy hospitalization are appropriate referrals.

Patients with complex medical needs benefit from ASH. Asheville Specialty Hospital is NOT a nursing home. Otherwise known as a long-term acute care hospital, patients are given the extended time and highly specialized level of care and services to help them obtain their maximum level of recovery. For most patients, the average length of stay is usually between three to four weeks or about

21-28 days. As the only accredited specialty hospital in the region; an experienced staff of physicians, nurses, therapists and case managers work closely together by approaching care from a physical, emotional and spiritual standpoint; ASH’s team maintains a goal of achieving the highest level of wellness possible.

Asheville Specialty Hospital 428 Biltmore Ave., 4th Floor Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 213-5400 tel (828) 213-5443 fax www.ashevillespecialtyhospital.org

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visit our

advertisers A&R Accounting Inc. www.aracct.com Asheville City Schools www.asheville.k12.nc.us Asheville Dental Associates www.ashevilledentalassociates.com Asheville School www.ashevilleschool.org Asheville Specialty Hospital www.ashevillespecialtyhospital.org Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College www.abtech.edu Bear Creek Apartments www.bearcreek-apts.com Carolina Day School www.cdschool.org Carriage Park www.carriagepark.com Christ School www.christschool.org Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community www.deerfieldwnc.org Dr. Wendy Willoughby DDS www.drwilloughby.com Four Seasons www.fourseasonsclf.org Givens Estates www.givensestates.org GPI Ventures LLC www.thefitzgerald.info Grovewood Gallery www.grovewood.com Hampton Inn & Suites/ Homewood Suites www.ashevillehamptoninns.com Lake Pointe Landing www.lakepointeretirement.com MAHEC Dental Health Center www.mahec.net MAHEC Regional OB/GYN Specialists www.mahec.net Mission Hospital www.missionhospitals.org Quality Inn & Suites www.qualityinnbiltmore.com Sensibilities Day Spa www.sensibilities-spa.com T.L.C. For You Inc. www.tlcforyouinc.com The Cliffs Communities The Farm www.thefarmpartybarn.com Wildberry Lodge www.wildberrylodge.com

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Photo Courtesy of Michael Traister

Sports & Recreation

Fight Like a Girl Get up to speed with the Blue Ridge Roller Girls Asheville may be far enough north for snow, but it does not have a hockey team. And those who want to see live football should be prepared to visit a high school on a Friday night. Yes, the town was almost completely devoid of any full-contact spectator sport until a few tough ladies laced up their roller skates and decided it was time to dish out a little pain. Actually, it looks like a lot.

Blue Ridge Roller Girls is Western North Carolina’s only all-female, flat-track roller derby league. The roller girls compete against similar leagues from cities across the region in these highimpact bouts, where both teams try to get their points-earning skater through as many laps as possible during a set time period.

Roller Derby in general The scoring and positions – jammers, blockers and pivots – are a little difficult to understand at first, but the action translates with ease. Each event is a human demolition derby punctuated with moments of breakaway speed and grace. By the end of the night, the teams will have turned hundreds

of laps around a course that’s approximately the size of a basketball court.

Athletes with names like Rigor Morticia, Mazel Tov Cocktail and Distressa exemplify the spirit of showmanship, but this isn’t the staged pro-wrestlingesque roller derby your parents grew up watching. The competition is respectful, but the wrecks are far from staged. There are no padded guardrails, and the track is nothing but concrete. Every shot that’s delivered registers with the athletes and the crowd.

Roller Derby Bouts Each Month Every month, these ladies pack the crowds into Asheville’s Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. And

if you’re the type of person who likes to get close to the action, there’s even floor space (literally, you’re sitting on the cement) next to the track. Just be ready in case one of the competitors accidentally uses you as a speed bump.

But for all the mayhem that surrounds a roller girls competition, it’s family fun where you otherwise might not expect to find it. The competitors are good-natured (okay, so they might start with a team chant of “We will win as a family! We kill as a family!”), they are accessible to fans and the biggest prize at stake is bragging rights.

In fact, unlike most sports franchises, Blue Ridge Roller Girls is a nonprofit organization that uses its home matches to raise funds for charity. It’s almost enough goodwill to make you forgive the occasional dirty elbow the roller girls and their competitors are laying on each other. Almost.

For more information, visit www.blueridgerollergirls.com.

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community profile SNAPSHOT As a resort and therapeutic health center since the late 1880s, Asheville has long been a destination for people searching for a mountain escape, its population climbing to nearly 30,000 seasonal residents in 1890. More art deco architecture built in the late 1920s and early 1930s can be found in downtown Asheville than in any other southeastern city outside of Miami.

education Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College 340 Victoria Rd. Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-1921 abtech.edu

CLIMATE

25.8 F January Low Temperature

46.1 F January High Temperature

62.7 F July Low Temperature

Warren Wilson College P.O. Box 9000 Asheville, NC 28815 (828) 298-3325 www.warren-wilson.edu

83.3 F

numbers to know

July High Temperature

Driver Services NCDOT Division of Motor Vehicles 600 Tunnel Rd. Asheville, NC 28805 (828) 298-4544 www.ncdot.org

37.32" Annual Precipitation

transportation Median Travel Time to Work 15.76 minutes Closest Major Airport Asheville Regional Airport 61 Terminal Dr., Ste. 1 Fletcher, NC 28732 (828) 684-2226 www.flyavl.com Interstate Highways I-26, I-40 and I-240 U.S. Highways

U.S. 19/23, 25, 25A, 70, 74

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University of North Carolina at Asheville One University Heights Asheville, NC 28804 (828) 232-5000 www.unca.edu

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Curbside Recycling Curbside Management 116 N. Woodfin Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 252-2532 www.curbie.com

household information

33,532 Total Households

17,138 Households With a Family

16,394 Non-Family Households

8,151 Households With Children

25,380 Households Without Children

2 Average Household Size

3 Median Years in Residence

cost of living

$41,598 Median Household Income

$177,000 Median Home Price

Voter Registration

Board of Elections 35 Woodfin St. Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 250-4200 www.buncombecounty.org

What’s Online For more about the people, places and events that define Asheville, visit imagesasheville.com.

Ad Index

27 A&R Accounting Inc.

33 Christ School

31 Asheville City Schools

54 Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community

20 Asheville Dental Associates

49 Dr. Wendy Willoughby DDS

C4 Asheville School

52 Four Seasons

53 Asheville Specialty Hospital

26 Givens Estates

8 Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

27 Bear Creek Apartments

34 Carolina Day School

25 Carriage Park

2 GPI Ventures LLC 14 Grovewood Gallery 8 Hampton Inn & Suites/ Homewood Suites

20 Lake Pointe Landing

50 MAHEC Dental Health Center

Ad Index (cont.)

50 MAHEC Regional OB/GYN Specialists

50 Mission Hospital

49 Quality Inn & Suites

52 Sensibilities Day Spa

C3 T.L.C. For You Inc.

C2 The Cliffs Communities

14 The Farm

26 Wildberry Lodge

Thank you for all the support and kindness that you provided, both professionally and personally, this past year. In the end, it was T.L.C. that came through in the most difficult situations – at no small sacrifice by you and your staff. I wish you the best of luck and continued success with all of your projects.“ ~ Mickey

T.L.C. For You, Inc. is a full-service home health-care and personal services company founded by Susie Tarantino in Asheville, North Carolina. Making day-to-day life more fulfilling is their goal.

Susie and her staff are fiercely loyal and protective of their clients. Once you’re a client of T.L.C, you’re like family! Call today to discuss your customized service needs with a complimentary in-home interview and assessment.

T.L.C. For You, Inc. will make your life easier!

• RN Home Health Care Consultant on staff with CNAs available

• Catering/bartending, setting up parties for any occasion

• Scheduling and transportation offering full travel service: Doctor appointments, theater, restaurants, airport, parties, funerals, church, etc.

• Meal pick-up and delivery from your choice of restaurants or light meals prepared in your home – your recipe or ours

• General errands: Grocery or clothes shopping, sewing, prescriptions, dry-cleaning, auto services, etc.

• Housecleaning, house sitting, plant care and pet sitting • Estate managing, packing and moving, unpacking and set up • Clean sweep: Organizing your home, office, closet, garage, etc.

• Purchasing, wrapping, mailing, delivering gifts for all occasions, writing cards, letters, etc.

• Yard work and home repairs of all kinds • Help transport your children to and from activities/babysitting

“You have been the greatest help to me, and I greatly thank you. Thanks to you, everything is taken care of.

You are a wonderment! With much love and many thanks.” ~ Barbara “Thank you for your great services for me and my mom. Over and above what you expect. My dad’s birthday dinner was divine – one none of us will ever forget. You are a princess.

I hope to see you again soon.” ~ Andre and Peggy

T.L.C.

For You, Inc. Susie Tarantino 2903 Sagamore Lane Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 670-1379 or (828) 777-0340 susietarantino@bellsouth.net www.tlcforyouincasheville.com Located in Asheville, North Carolina Bonded, Licensed and Insured

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