Mountain Xpress 01.10.24 by Mountain Xpress

OUR 30TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 30 NO. 24 JAN. 10-16, 2024

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JAN. 10-16, 2024

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C ONTENT S

WELLNESS

NEWS

OPINION

FEATURES 6

FIGHTING BACK A Jew in Asheville

PAGE 8 CIVICS 101 Want to make a difference in 2024? One way, say local leaders, government officials and community members, is by volunteering on city and county boards and commissions. There are plenty of options. And we’ve listed all 19 in this week’s issue. COVER PHOTO iStock

14 MAJOR CHANGES Warren Wilson College revamps its academic offerings

22 HEALTH ROUNDUP Dogwood requests independent monitor porposals for HCA

COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick

LETTERS

CARTOON: MOLTON

CARTOON: BRENT BROWN

COMMENTARY

NEWS

A&C

17 BUNCOMBE BEAT 30 WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD Sourhouse bakery launches online shop

18 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 22 WELLNESS 26 ARTS & CULTURE

A&C

34 CLUBLAND 32 AROUND TOWN One-man show finds laughs in the absurdity of people-pleasing

38 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 38 CLASSIFIEDS 39 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

STA F F PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes ASSISTANT PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson

2024

Wellness Issues

MANAGING EDITOR: Thomas Calder EDITORS: Lisa Allen, Jessica Wakeman ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR: Thomas Calder OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose STAFF REPORTERS: Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Chase Davis, Andy Hall, Justin McGuire, Greg Parlier, Brooke Randle, Jessica Wakeman COMMUNITY CALENDAR & CLUBLAND: Andy Hall, Braulio Pescador-Martinez CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Mindi Friedwald, Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Mark Barrett, Eric Brown, Carmela Caruso, Cayla Clark, Storms Reback, Kay West PHOTOGRAPHERS: Cindy Kunst ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson LEAD DESIGNER: Scott Southwick GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Tina Gaafary, Olivia Urban MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Sara Brecht, Vicki Catalano, Jamie Knox, Scott Mermel INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: Hinton Edgerton, Jeff Fobes, Mark Murphy, Scott Southwick WEB: Brandon Tilley

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OPINION

Send your letters to the editor to letters@mountainx.com.

Our positive experience at Mission ER Mission Health doesn’t have the greatest reputation these days, so I wanted to share a positive experience my family and I had there last month. My daughter had an adverse reaction to some medication, which landed us in the emergency room. As if that situation isn’t stressful enough, my husband and I didn’t know if we’d be able to be seen or what quality of care our child would receive. We were lucky to be first in line and were taken back promptly. The doctors and nurses were caring and competent, admitting our child for a long observation. Thankfully, she was fine after the medicine worked its way out of her system. We left in the middle of the night, tired but with a healthy child! We’re grateful to the Mission medical professionals who took such great care of our girl. As is often the case, there are good people working for awful corporations. I appreciate the people giving their best despite being in difficult work environments. They made a difference for us that night. — Cameron Walker Woodfin

How not to alleviate the local housing crisis Three years ago, the Buncombe County commissioners provided a $27 million tax incentive package to recruit a $20 billion company (Pratt & Whitney) to a tract of land owned by Biltmore Farms. This was during a pandemic when our residents were losing their jobs, businesses, even their lives. Now, during an affordable housing crisis, Biltmore Farms requested that adjoining property, zoned for

aisle together. In this era of deep distrust and division, this is what we need. Under her leadership on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, we made great strides in high-speed internet expansion, conserving our natural resources and family farms, and getting funding increases for our public schools, the largest in more than a decade. These are all areas that benefit everyone in Buncombe County, no matter their political affiliation. Terry is a kind, dedicated and warmhearted person. Her primary concern is the improvement of the quality of life for everyone in District 2. That is why I am voting for her. And I hope you will vote for Terri as well. — John Johnson Leicester

Reelect Wells, a proven leader

C A RT O O N B Y R AN DY M O L T O N residential and commercial services use, be rezoned for employment, presumably so more aerospace/tech industries can locate there? We cannot be sure. As with the Pratt & Whitney plant, they are keeping the land’s use under wraps. Let’s hope they tell the public what it will be used for, especially if again, millions of our tax dollars are used to help recruit members of this same industry. And let’s hope that these businesses will pay their employees a living wage so they can afford to live where they work. The Board of Commissioners’ actions raise the question: Is this how they are going to deal with the

affordable housing crisis? Let’s hope not. However, it seems hope is all the county commissioners will give the working people who cannot afford to live here. #NoMoreSecretDeals — Cynthia Heil Asheville

Why this independent is voting for Wells I am an independent; I have voted for both Republicans and Democrats. And this time, I am voting for Terri Wells to be commissioner for District 2. Terri is a consensus builder. She brings voters from all sides of the

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As a native of Weaverville, I am excited that northern Buncombe County has an opportunity to reelect a proven leader in 2024. Terri Wells is running for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in District 2, which now includes Leicester, Candler, Swannanoa and all of north Buncombe, including Weaverville and parts of Woodfin. Like many of us, Terri has deep roots in the area; she is a former teacher and ninth-generation farmer who cares deeply about our home. She advocates for environmental stewardship, public education and rural broadband. Please visit [avl.mx/d98] for more information and join me in voting to reelect Terri! — Ellen J. Perry Weaverville

Enforce noise ordinance for loud vehicles It would be wonderful if the Asheville Police Department could start enforcing the new noise ordinance by stopping loud vehicles in Asheville. I read that only one vehicle has been cited for excessive noise. If you agree, please email the City Council, city manager, APD and the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office and get them to collaborate and end this annoying practice. The speed limit in Asheville’s business district is 20 mph, and there’s no need for excessive vehicle noise. Let’s make Asheville a better place for all. Thanks. — Mark Thompson Asheville

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OPINION

Fighting back

way to avoid another Holocaust. I was the lone representative from Asheville, and I felt so proud. I pulled that little UJA shoulder bag out of my suitcase, slung it on my shoulder and practically shoved it in people’s faces as I walked through our little local airport.

A Jew in Asheville

BY JERRY STERNBERG The 1960s were great years for me and my family. In 1961, I decided to go into business for myself, and over the next few years, I established several different companies. One specialized in salvage industrial scrap metal and surplus. Another one was the area’s first containerized garbage hauling enterprise. Initially, I had few resources, but after struggling for a couple of years — and with the help of a great partner and a strong working team — we went on to achieve considerable success. Basically, I was in the business of buying things that nobody wanted. One memorable example of this was when I purchased Seely’s Castle, perched on 7 acres atop Sunset Mountain, for $40,000 — the estimated value of the scrap materials it contained. Besides working and raising a family, however, I was active with the WNC Jewish Federation, which raised funds both for local charities like the Asheville Jewish Community Center and for the United Jewish Appeal, which focused on broader issues. At the end of its annual fundraising drive, the Jewish Federation’s board would decide how to allocate the money. A large part of the funds we raised went to the UJA, a national nonprofit, which was desperately trying to raise funds for Jewish refugees as well as Jews who were no longer safe in their home country and needed to be transported elsewhere. At first, the organization sent professional fundraisers down from New York to help local groups run their solicitations, but it soon became clear that having pushy outsiders show

field guide

Asheville to

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up and ask for money turned a lot of people off. So the UJA started recruiting locals — peers who, as volunteers, were demonstrating a willingness to take time away from their family and their business to support a worthy cause, just as they were asking their contacts to do. And to fill that role in Asheville I was invited, in the mid-’60s, to join the UJA’s National Young Leadership Council, which mostly consisted of successful Jewish businessmen. In that capacity, I traveled to various places in North Carolina as well as Tennessee, South Carolina and even Florida, and together we raised many millions of dollars for the cause. The UJA also supported both summer and yearlong programs for Jewish children. Established in 1961, Camp Judaea in Hendersonville is still going strong, and there were educational programs at the JCC as well. In those years, several kids from Asheville were sent to Israel to work in a kibbutz, tour the country, meet Israeli children and perhaps get interested in moving there, which a number of local families did. Asheville had taken in a lot of Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, and decades later, that awareness was still strong in the community. WAR BREAKS OUT In 1967, the UJA invited Leadership Council members to visit refugee centers in several European cities and then spend a week in Israel so we could see for ourselves how the young country was helping Jewish refugees become good, productive citizens. Along with all the advance information, they sent me a shoulder bag with “United Jewish Appeal” printed on it. I carefully packed the bag in my luggage for use later in the trip, as I was not about to walk through the Asheville airport plainly identifying myself as a Jew. We had long since learned the hard way to keep a low profile. The trip was slated to begin on June 12, but on June 5, the SixDay War broke out between Israel and the surrounding Arab states. The first press releases from the Arab side proclaimed great victories, sparking fear and anguish both in our local Jewish community and

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A WHIRLWIND TOUR

JERRY STERNBERG

“Even people I hardly knew were saying things like ‘I didn’t know Jews would fight.’” across the U.S. In a show of solidarity, the Asheville community (including a few non-Jews) jammed the JCC meeting hall and raised a substantial amount of money. At that moment, it seemed to be the only tangible thing we could do. For the first few days, there was no word from the Israeli side, after which the government announced that Israel was in the process of totally destroying the Arab forces. The news was absolutely stunning. It simply defied belief that this tiny country with a population of 2.5 million Jews could, in a matter of days, be well on the way to annihilating the forces of the far larger Arab alliance. TURNING THE TABLES At that point, I began to get the most amazing phone calls from acquaintances in Asheville. Non-Jewish friends and even people I hardly knew were saying things like “I didn’t know Jews would fight” and “You guys really kicked those guys’ ass.” Even people whom I suspected had antisemitic leanings were vigorously congratulating me, and across the country the press went wild, portraying Israel as almost a miracle state. With the war still in progress, however, there was great hand-wringing over whether to postpone our trip. In the end, the UJA decided that Israel needed our group to bring back a firsthand account of its great triumph to show Americans, and especially the Jewish communities in the U.S., that supporting Israel might be the best

The trip proved to be an odyssey. First, we visited absorption centers in Europe where, at that time, mostly Russian Jews escaping antisemitism were staged for transport to Israel. We met people who were receiving medical aid and other services and, through an interpreter, learned a bit about their horrific experiences. By the time we got to Israel, the war was mostly over, though there were still occasional firefights, and we were constantly warned about the threat of undetected land mines. From the Lebanese border, we traveled all the way south to el-Arish, where we met with Yitzhak Rabin and other military leaders on a battlefield. We took part in briefing sessions with many other prominent Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Levi Eshkol. But the memory of one tragic experience from the trip has stayed with me. In Khan Younis in Gaza, we visited an Arab school, and in one of the classrooms, I saw children’s drawings depicting Jews with Star of David armbands being stabbed, shot and even beheaded. It appeared that hatred of the Jews was just part of the curriculum being taught to these impressionable young minds. SPREADING THE WORD Soon after my return to Asheville, I gave a presentation to the local Jewish community, displaying photos I had taken on the battlefields, Israeli military hats, even small shell casings I’d picked up. My firsthand report was well received, and I was invited to speak at a local civic club and a church. After that, it seemed, Jerry went viral. My invitations snowballed, and I believe I wound up making more than 100 presentations at civic clubs and churches from Morganton to Murphy. Asheville native Jerry Sternberg, a longtime observer of the local scene, can be reached at gospeljerry@aol. com. An anthology of his columns is available from Pisgah Legal Services for a donation of $25 or more. To order your copy, visit pisgahlegal.org/jerry, or send a check labeled “Jerry’s book” to: PLS, P.O. Box 2276, Asheville, NC 28802. All proceeds support the nonprofit’s work. X

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NEWS

Civics 101

How to get involved in local government BY CHASE DAVIS cdavis@mountainx.com If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to learn more about local government and how you can help steer the ship, both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County welcome your interest. Local officials suggest first watching or attending public meetings to better understand how sessions work. Individuals should then apply to be a member of a board or commission. Whether you are looking to discuss environmental concerns, oversee new development or address critical community needs, there is a board for that. Along with local officials, Xpress also spoke with current and former board and commission members to learn why they got involved and how their participation has made a difference for themselves and the community.

2024

Wellness Issues

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CITY OF ASHEVILLE The City of Asheville has more than 30 boards and commissions that advise City Council and staff on how the city should function. Residents get to provide input on the policies that shape many aspects of city government. The positions aren’t paid, but members say it’s very rewarding work. “Serving on a commission offers residents the opportunity to have a voice in the city’s future and growth,” says Jerri Goldberg, assistant city clerk. “It provides insight into the workings of local government in a way that may not be understood by many and it provides an opportunity to meet and engage with people. “In addition, there may be a question of whether boards and commissions make a difference,” Goldberg says. “If not for the work of the Urban Forestry Commission, the city may never have brought in an urban forester.” Jeff Santiago, local songwriter and operations manager of The Orange Peel, is a member of the city’s Noise Advisory Board and says his service has been an “eye-opening” experience. “I originally got involved with [the Noise Advisory Board] after a pretty controversial noise ordinance was passed in 2021,” says Santiago. “Serving on the board has given me a ton of insight into how the city functions on a day-to-day basis and has given me the opportunity to stand up for musicians who may or may not make their living off their work.” Santiago says he would encourage anyone who wants to make an impact on the community to apply. “The only way to make change is to be the change we want to see,” says

GET INVOLVED: Both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County have vacancies on several boards and commissions. Photo by Virginia Daffron Santiago. “Volunteering to be on a board is one of the easiest ways to get involved with the city.” There are vacancies on six city panels: the Audit Committee, the Board of Adjustment, the Human Relations Commission, the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, the Noise Advisory Board and the Active Transportation Committee. Goldberg says that the city has challenges filling vacant seats. “Some openings require special skills, certifications or group affiliations. For example, we are looking for a CPA for the Audit Committee and someone representing the restaurant industry for the Noise Advisory Board,” Goldberg says. “In-person meetings are also a barrier for some, whether it be for health reasons, babysitting, transportation or other issues, Goldberg continues. “However, the city has committed

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and begun the process of integrating [options for virtual attendance] to help alleviate these issues.” Board and commission meetings are public, so potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend or watch meetings before applying. If you’re interested, complete an application on the city’s website at avl.mx/a4f Once an application is received, the city holds your file for consideration for one year. If you are not appointed within a year, you will need to resubmit an application for further consideration. All appointments are made by City Council. The application deadline is 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25. Council will make final decisions regarding applicants at its April 9 meeting. City residents are given preference, however Council may appoint a nonresident to some hard-to-fill seats or seats requiring certifications. For those who don’t have the time to serve as a commission or board member, Goldberg encourages people to attend meetings or join a subcommittee. “Time is a commitment that not everyone has the privilege of being able to give,” Goldberg says. “However, people may still get involved with less of a time commitment when there are work groups and subcommittees established. People also can be put on an email list for any board by reaching out to the staff liaison to get updates with meeting schedules and materials.”

BUNCOMBE COUNTY Buncombe County has 48 volunteer-led boards and commissions. Any county resident can apply. “Serving on a board or commission is a great way to make a difference in our community, make sure your voice is heard, experience and engage with governmental processes, grow your professional network and improve leadership skills,” says Stacey Woody, deputy clerk to the board. Martin Moore, a Buncombe County commissioner, says he served on the county’s Board of Adjustment before running for the Board of Commissioners. “I think my time serving on the Board of Adjustment helped me to further understand the dynamics of how the county functions,” Moore says. “If someone is looking for a way to be involved in the county or if they are thinking about running for office sometime in the future, I would highly encourage them to join a board or commission. It’s a great way to get your feet wet.” For some residents, such as Claire Thomas, a Weaverville resident and member of the Historic Resources Commission, serving on a board allows them to stand up for community issues they are passionate about. “I joined the Historic Resources Commission because I have a deep appreciation for history and I wanted to do everything I could to preserve our county,” says Thomas. “The historical look and feel of our area is one of the things that makes us unique and appealing.” Buncombe County has openings on 13 boards and commissions. Except for the Board of Equalization and Review, which has an application deadline of Friday, Feb. 2, all vacancies will remain open until filled. Interested applicants must reside within county limits and fill out an application, which can be found on the Buncombe County website at avl.mx/d9h. Paper applications are available by request. Woody says the county also has had difficulty filling vacant seats. “Some barriers to joining include some state-mandated training, such as for the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee and the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee,” Woody says. “We also hear from many residents that they are busy and it is hard to make the time commitment. There may also be issues with child care, transportation, meeting time and possible language barriers. However, we are committed to increasing representation on boards and commissions.” X

Ways to influence your government 19 boards and commissions with vacancies

City of Asheville Audit Committee: This committee has two openings, including an at-large seat and a seat for a licensed CPA. The committee reviews internal audit reports as well as financial statements. Board of Adjustment: The Board of Adjustment hears zoning variance applications. The board also hears appeals regarding the Floodplain Ordinance, Housing Code Ordinance and Historic District Guidelines. Human Relations Commission: The Human Relations Commission makes recommendations to the City Council to increase equity and community engagement as they relate to human relation programs and policies. Neighborhood Advisory Committee: The Neighborhood Advisory Committee has one opening for a resident in the 28801 zip code. The committee advises the City Council on neighborhood needs related to the City of Asheville’s zoning and planning policies. Noise Advisory Board: The Noise Advisory Board has one opening for a representative of the restaurant industry. The board evaluates the effectiveness of noise ordinances and proposes long-term objectives and plans to reduce sound pollution throughout the city. Active Transportation Committee: The Active Transportation Committee advises the Multimodal Transportation Commission on greenways, bike facilities and sidewalk projects. All ATC members are appointed by the Multimodal Transportation Commission.

Buncombe County Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee:

NEW! 2024

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The HCCBG Advisory Committee has one at-large vacancy. It makes recommendations to improve the county’s aging services. It also reviews grant applications from aging services providers and makes funding recommendations to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Juvenile Crime Prevention Council: The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council identifies needs related to juvenile crime prevention and develops recommendations to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. There are two vacancies, including a seat for a youth member under the age of 21 and a seat for a licensed substance abuse specialist. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee: This committee has multiple vacancies and serves as the liaison between the commissioners and local nursing homes, working to improve the quality of care. Applicants must complete an orientation and 36 hours of field training prior to appointment consideration. County Board of Adjustment: This board interprets zoning maps, grants Conditional Use Permits and Planned Unit Development Permits and approves zoning variances. There are two at-large vacancies. Environmental & Energy Stewardship Subcommittee: This subcommittee has two vacancies and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners related to environmental and energy stewardship. Top priorities are renewable energy transition, water quality, conserved lands, climate resiliency and clean energy financing. Land Conservation Advisory Board: The Land Conservation Advisory Board promotes voluntary land conservation easements to preserve the ecology of Buncombe County. The one vacancy is reserved for a farmer within county limits.

Audit Committee: The Audit Committee oversees the county’s internal and external audit functions. The committee has one at-large vacancy. Historic Resources Commission: The Historic Resources Commission is a joint commission between Buncombe County and the City of Asheville and reviews projects within local historic districts and local landmarks to ensure work is consistent with the applicable design standards. The committee has one at-large vacancy. Planning Board: The Planning Board makes recommendations on land use ordinances to the Board of Commissioners. The committee has one at-large vacancy. Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission: The Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission recommends policies to develop and sustain the regional riverfront. There are two vacant seats, one for a Swannanoa community resident and one reserved for a business or property owner in the Regional Riverfront Corridor. Early Childhood Education and Development Fund Committee: The committee makes policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Education and Development Fund. The committee has one at-large vacancy. Agricultural Advisory Board for Farmland Preservation: Created by the Farmland Preservation Ordinance of 1989, the board reviews and approves zoning applications for qualified farmland and voluntary agricultural districts. There are two vacancies, both for residents of the southwest region of Buncombe County. Board of Equalization and Review: This board has one vacancy. It reviews tax lists and hears taxpayer property appeals. X

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Superintendents reflect on 2023 and the year ahead

BY GREG PARLIER gparlier@mountainx.com From tense school board meetings and teacher protests to uninvited state mandates, public school leaders had their hands full in 2023. As the calendar turns to 2024, a decades-old debate about district consolidation has reemerged, and both school boards are scrambling to implement new policies to comply with a controversial state law regarding parental rights. All this transpired as Buncombe’s two superintendents settle into their relatively new roles. In late 2022, Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Rob Jackson replaced the retiring Tony Baldwin, who had served since 2009. In June, Maggie Fehrman became Asheville City Schools’ fifth leader since 2010, not including four interim superintendents. A top issue for both districts is a persistent opportunity gap between white and Black students. In reading alone, 87% of Black students in ACS and 79% of Black students in BCS scored below grade level in proficiency compared with 25% and 39% of their white peers respectively, during the 2021-22 school year, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. While both superintendents struggle to solve that problem, state laws entice parents to choose private schools over their public counterparts, draining public schools of students and funding. Atop all that, state legislators passed a law in October that orders a feasibility study of merging the county’s two school districts Xpress sat down with both district leaders in December to break down 2023’s challenges and their visions for the year ahead for local public schools.

Challenges abound at ACS Fehrman spent much of her first semester leading Asheville’s urban school district doing what many superintendents say they do when starting in a new place — listening and learning. 10

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Fehrman met with principals and central office administrators over the summer and regularly toured schools to experience “a day in the life” of teachers and students at the district’s nine schools. Those listening sessions led Fehrman to establish three priorities for the district: creating a sense of belonging for all students; ensuring the curriculum is challenging and relevant; and helping teachers and staff make every second count toward student success. After repeating those goals at various meetings, Fehrman says she’s starting to hear conversations framed in those terms at the school level, starting with establishing a sense of belonging for every student. Not everyone feels as if they belong, it turns out. “After listening to the staff, students [and] community members, there isn’t an equal sense of belonging for every stakeholder. Our community members and students and staff of color felt like they hadn’t been included as much or didn’t feel as much of a sense of belonging in our school system. Staff felt that they hadn’t been as involved in decision-making as much. So I really wanted to start this whole idea of creating a sense of belonging for every stakeholder,” Fehrman says. If they don’t feel that they belong, there’s no chance of achieving success, she adds. OPPORTUNITY GAP But solving the issue that has haunted many superintendents before her remains a work in progress. Fehrman says despite partnerships with many after-school organizations, small class sizes and other efforts, the district still struggles with achievement for Black students. “I’m not saying that our teachers are not experts, but they’re being asked to do so much that they’re not able to, I think, really focus on their expertise and their professionalism as teachers,” Fehrman says. “Something’s happening. … Have we not given them enough instructional time? Are they being asked to do all these other duties that aren’t allowing them to really focus on what

TEA TIME: Rob Jackson, superintendent of Buncombe County Schools, pauses for tea with students at Weaverville Primary School during his “listening and learning” tour of all district schools during his first year on the job in 2023. Photo courtesy of BCS they’re there for, which is the core teaching for our students?” Mental health issues also have been a greater challenge for students than in the past, based on Fehrman’s observations, and she says managing that could be eating into teachers’ instructional time. Regardless of the multitude of challenges, there are examples of schools getting it right, Fehrman acknowledges. On a tour of PEAK Academy, a Black-majority elementary level public charter school established to combat the city’s racial opportunity gap, Fehrman says she saw teachers teaching and students engaged. “You saw a sense of belonging, you saw every student feel like they are a part of a classroom and a valued part of the school, you saw the teachers not giving up one second in their classrooms [that wasn’t focused] on instruction,” she explains. Fehrman also was impressed with how PEAK staff handles discipline. She says there is both accountability and forgiveness with a minimum amount of lost instructional time for students. “I think one of the key things we have to do is respond to students that are in challenging situations with empathy, not sympathy. And that means we empathize with someone, we recognize the challenge that they have, but we still are holding them to

high expectations, and giving them the resources and strategies to overcome that,” she says. Conversely, a sympathetic approach would be allowing a student to sleep on his desk because he didn’t get enough sleep at home, she explains. An empathetic approach acknowledges students’ struggles but insists they still strive to learn. It all comes back to fostering a feeling of belonging in all students, and one way to do that is by recruiting Black teachers, she says. Fehrman hopes to address that by promoting administrators of color from within, showing potential hires that ACS is a place where advancement is possible. “I think diverse teachers are so important for our students,” she says. “[I want] every single student to see staff of color in a leadership role, and particularly teacher leaders.” TEACHER BURNOUT And it isn’t just teachers of color who need encouragement. As Fehrman has heard repeatedly over the last seven months, a top complaint is that teachers’ pay has not kept up with Asheville’s high cost of living. The state sets teachers’ base rate of pay, and the county adds supplemental pay, giving district lead-

ership no say in the matter. Instead, Fehrman focuses on workload. “They’re exhausted. There’s a lot coming at teachers, a lot of expectations. … What do we do as a central

CHALLENGING START: Maggie Fehrman, in her first year as superintendent of Asheville City Schools, has been faced with what she has called a “confluence of challenges” — from declining enrollment to a state mandate requiring the district to study consolidation with neighboring Buncombe County Schools. Photo courtesy of ACS

office to take things off of our teachers’ plates? Because they’ve been piled on, piled on, piled on without this conscious effort and reflection to say, what’s working, what’s not working? If it’s not working, let’s stop doing it. Why are we wasting time and energy?” Fehrman says. Fehrman believes she can reduce inefficiencies with a recently announced reorganization of the district’s central office, which exists solely to support schools and principals, she says. “Our goal should be: What can we take off of our schools’ plates? How do we make sure they get the resources they need in a timely manner? How do we break down barriers so that they don’t have to work on those barriers themselves?” Over time, she says, the central office has lost cohesiveness, leaving schools guessing which department can help address a specific problem. “That’s confusing for the school,” she explains. “They will call four people. We’ve got to stop that.” Once a logical framework is created, Fehrman envisions moving most district staff back to the school level. “We’re a small enough district where we shouldn’t have much centralized [staff],” she notes. THE YEAR AHEAD With declining enrollment for the last seven years, ACS is serving its fewest number of students since at least 2011-12, according to district data. That means less money from the state, and more empty space in schools. Fehrman had these trends top of mind when she asked the Asheville City Board of Education to approve an internal capacity and enrollment projection study in November. Most of the district’s schools are well under capacity. Fehrman launched a study of its two middle schools — Asheville Middle and Montford North Star Academy — to consider consolidating them into one building. She hopes the enrollment projection study will help inform the district on why it’s losing students faster than neighboring BCS and where they’re going. She sees these studies, as well as fostering a greater sense of belonging in students, teachers and other stakeholders as her biggest challenge in the year ahead. But she has grander dreams, as well. Once a foundation is set and strong, Fehrman wants to go beyond the public education model to add more hands-on learning opportunities.

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MOUNTAINX.COM

JAN. 10-16, 2024

N EWS “Is there an opportunity within our current structure to think differently about education? Instead of let’s learn about this, you know, through notes or through a lecture, I really want to see an opportunity for our students to learn through experiences,” she says, like a bike and coffee shop where kids can learn about the physics of repairing bikes and the business of running a shop. Schools could be open later, so students can spend the day at an apprenticeship. Schools should look more like community centers, she suggests. But before any of those dreams can be realized, Fehrman knows there are pressing issues at hand for the shrinking district. “We live in a city that has a lot of big-city issues for a small town. And that’s been surprising to me coming from Atlanta. Atlanta’s got lots of problems, [but] it stays out of the schools more than it does here. I think there’s an opportunity to partner more with the city and the county government on how we create schools as that place of refuge for our students,” she says.

Jackson seeks to continue BCS’ growth At the conclusion of his first year at the helm of BCS in November, Jackson was ready to celebrate some early signs that the district was headed in the right direction. Of the district’s 45 schools, 20 exceeded learning expectations in the 2022-23 school year, eight more than last year. The graduation rate is the highest in the district’s history, according to Jackson, and tracks 5 percentage points higher than the state average. ACT scores are also at their highest in seven years across the district, according to district data. Even overall enrollment was up slightly last semester for the district

LEARNING TOUR: Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools Rob Jackson works on a project with students at Woodfin Elementary School during his tour of all district schools last school year. Photo courtesy of BCS after several down years surrounding the pandemic, Jackson says. “That’s not the case in many public school systems. And so we’re really excited that we’re growing as a school system, particularly in an area where parents have many choices [such as] charter schools, private schools, home schools, etc. [It’s] a huge compliment that they’re entrusting us with that which is most precious to them.” One of Jackson’s main goals for 2024 is to make sure that trend continues even while a state opportunity scholarship program incentivizes parents to consider nonpublic options for their children. Jackson says he is not bothered by the growing opportunities in charter and private schools. “Competition certainly makes us all better. And so if we become better at serving our students and families and communities because we recognize that other opportunities exist, well, that’s better for students any-

way, and so I’m fine with that. But I do believe that our public schools are the best choice for students and families,” he maintains. In the classroom, challenges for teachers in the state’s 13th-largest district include mental health support for students, which he says he continues to prioritize at the district level. The opportunity gap, while not as dire as at ACS, still shows a discrepancy between learning outcomes for Black and white students in BCS, which Jackson argues closes with a different approach. He says the focus needs to be on individual students rather than all students collectively. “When we talk about very specifically, each and every student, we are recognizing that every single student individually is important and worthy of our very best efforts. And ultimately, the way that we narrow and close and get rid of achievement gaps is simply by making sure that we’re serving each and every student.”

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He says the district is able to share resources across teachers and schools to better reach each student’s unique situation, strength and opportunity. For Jackson, the biggest challenge facing BCS in the coming year is the quickly growing number of students whose first language is not English. To address this, Jackson plans to reopen a newcomer center in Buncombe County in 2024-25 modeled after those he toured in Guilford County — home of Greensboro — last year. Parents could opt in to a newcomer program, where their children would be given a year in an atmosphere curated to those who are just arriving in the United States to acclimate to the culture and processes that may be different than their home countries. After a year, those students would transfer back to the school they are zoned for, Jackson says. THE YEAR AHEAD

With a full year under his belt, Jackson is in the process of completing the district’s first strategic plan since the pandemic. He plans to take a draft plan to various school advisory councils — made up of students, parents and teachers — and community town halls in the spring to get feedback on what the district’s priorities should be. “It’s a continual cycle of listening, learning, leading … and that’ll continue. I mean, that’s who we are as educators and who we are as a school system, [we have a] true commitment to continuous learning, continuous improvement,” he says. He hopes to improve the district’s relationship with parents, some of whom were vocal at school board meetings throughout the year, criticizing the district for everything from student safety to not including parents enough in its policymaking. “Our parents feel like not only do they have the right to be involved, but they’re enthusiastically invited to be involved. We know that when a child has the involvement of their parents and guardians with the school system, they’re more likely to be successful,” Jackson says. Jackson remains overwhelmingly optimistic about the district’s future. “I have said since the year started August 1st • August 24ththis will be our finest that I believe year ever. And as we finish our first semester, I believe that we are well on our way to making that happen. As I walk in our buildings, our buildings feel positive. I see students who are engaged in incredible instructional activities, I see teachers who are working so hard, and who seem to be enjoying the work.” X

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JAN. 10-16, 2024

NEWS

Major changes

Warren Wilson College revamps its academic offerings

BY JESSICA WAKEMAN jwakeman@mountainx.com Last spring, Warren Wilson College philosophy professor Todd May taught a class on anarchism, followed that fall by a course on ethics. This semester, he’s teaching environmental ethics. These classes will be some of the last at the Swannanoa liberal arts college to be populated by philosophy majors. Students can still enroll in philosophy classes taught by May and other professors. But philosophy, along with chemistry, math, global studies, and history and political science majors will be unavailable to students who enroll at Warren Wilson beginning in fall 2024. At the same time, the college is introducing new majors in data science, communications, outdoor business and a combined philosophy and history major, as well as a new Master of Science program in applied climate science at its graduate school, which is slated to launch in fall 2025. Warren Wilson Provost Jay Roberts calls the college’s substantial shuffle of academic offerings, announced in October, a “rebalancing.” Alongside layoffs, frozen positions and increased fundraising, he says, the changes will address financial woes wrought by flattening tuition revenue and increased expenses. The school is facing a $5.5 million budget deficit, according to Mary Bates, director of communications. A committee composed of faculty members from each of the college’s divisions conducted a review for all enrolled majors, which led to the changes, Roberts says. Criteria included class enrollment and total number of declared majors over three- to five-year increments, admis-

Belt-tightening Warren Wilson College philosophy professor Todd May, who is semiretired and teaches one class per semester at Warren Wilson, acknowledges that his acceptance of the new philosophy and history program could be due to the retention of his job. Other adjuncts have not been so fortunate. Fourteen faculty positions have been eliminated from the college’s 2024 budget due to layoffs, retirements

JAN. 10-16, 2024

SHAKEUP: Warren Wilson College recently announced several changes to its academic offerings, eliminating five majors. Some professors say it reflects a shift in the perception and role of the humanities and social sciences in higher education. Photo courtesy of Mary Bates

Andy Paul, an adjunct humanities professor at A-B Tech who has previously taught at UNC Asheville, says institutions where he has taught

have kept faculty informed about enrollment in their departments, and there is a “constant conversation” about raising those numbers. It’s a reminder that ultimately colleges — whether public like A-B Tech and UNCA or private like Warren Wilson College — are enterprises that need to supply a demand. One of the many factors that can influence enrollment is the belief that a main goal of higher education should be to foster higher incomes for graduates. That is especially influential in students’ choices of a major during times of economic hardship, Paul explains, citing research that students

and people who left on their own initiative, says director of communications Mary Bates. The college forecasts savings of $1.5 million for the 2024 fiscal year and $2.5 million for 2025 due to faculty and staff eliminations. (Some faculty members are teaching out their positions through the end of the 2024 school year. Others are teaching until the end of the program, i.e., when the last students in the major graduate.) Twelve administrative staff slots have also been eliminated or frozen, meaning the individual has left and the

position won’t be refilled. Twenty-two employees will have a reduction in hours, says Bates, adding that many of them are 12-month contracts becoming 11 or 10 months long. On Oct. 3, Warren Wilson President Damián Fernández emailed alumni informing them of the school’s need to trim its budget and redirect its resources. “Our finances are unbalanced,” he wrote, adding that in an era when “small liberal arts colleges are a threatened species,” Warren Wilson “is not immune to existential threats.” X

sions data and what Roberts called “market demand,” meaning whether prospective students showed interest in the programs. The remaining criteria were the college’s mission and vision alignment under its new president, Damián Fernández, who joined the college in June. Taken altogether, “the data was fairly clear” on which majors to change, Roberts says. EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS

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increasingly major in engineering and business as unemployment rises. “People say when the economy is bad, that’s when you see students trying to be shrewd and saying, ‘Hey, I need money — I’m going to do computer science or engineering,’” he says. But he also notes that students don’t necessarily enter careers, or remain in careers, tied to their majors. (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides in-depth information about occupations in degree fields at avl.mx/d6l.) May, the philosophy professor, points out that students nationwide are taking on more debt than they did in the past. According to a recent report from the College Board, 51% of bachelor’s degree recipients from four-year institutions in 2021-22 had debt, and the average debt among borrowers was $29,400. May thinks the pressure of paying off student loan debt “reinforces the idea of college simply as job training.” Still, he is realistic about labor prospects in his chosen field. “Getting a Ph.D. in philosophy, the unemployment rate is like 50% or higher,” May says. “So, I tell people that an undergraduate degree in philosophy is one of the best degrees you can get. But don’t go to grad school [for philosophy] unless you can’t see yourself

or to give us an opportunity to grow in new areas,” Roberts adds. Citing the new communications major, he noted one faculty member who is “an accomplished podcaster” and the recent hire of media studies scholar Beck Banks as assistant professor.

doing anything else. Because the job market is so bad.” WHAT’S THE POINT OF COLLEGE? Professors who spoke with Xpress say discussions about the value of higher education, and the particular scrutiny that falls on the humanities, can take worrisome directions. “Increasingly, there’s this understanding that college is no longer about finding yourself — it’s no longer about civic education, how to become a good citizen,” says Paul. “It’s really sad to see that become diminished.” Humanities and social sciences — which include sociology, anthropology, gender and sexuality studies, cultural studies, religious studies and art history — can be framed as too political. “Oftentimes, the subtext to the attack on philosophy is that it engages in critical reflection,” May explains. “So, people who are doing the funding — generally state governments — are not always keen on critical reflection.” Warren Wilson will still teach classes in all the subjects affected by the changes, Roberts emphasizes, but he says it’s not economically viable for the college to offer them as majors. Majors require upper-level courses to support that track. The majors affected by the revamp are “from a financial point of view, underenrolled,” Roberts explains. “They may only have six students or eight students in the class at an upper level, when for us to maintain financial efficiency, they should be enrolled at 10 or 12 or 16.” The logic of focusing on the most populous majors makes sense to Paul. Colleges are “making money off of their general education courses,” he notes. “They’re not making money off of their majors.” Paul says he recognizes that academic reshuffling like the one happening at Warren Wilson isn’t due to “some malicious board or some malicious president. … It’s just where we’re at and where we’ve gone in the last few decades.” He points to West Virginia University, which recently eliminated 32 undergraduate and graduate programs, including all its foreign language programs, according to The New Republic. The university is anticipating a $45 million budget shortfall. Roberts notes that the college tracks academic interests from prospective students and continues to follow their “funnel” through to acceptance, enrollment and graduation. “It’s one proxy for giving a sense of value,” he explains. But he admits, “It’s never a perfect science, by any stretch.”

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FUNDRAISING

RIGHTING THE SHIP: The majors affected by Warren Wilson College’s rebalancing are “from a financial point of view, underenrolled,” explains Provost Jay Roberts. Photo courtesy of Mary Bates Warren Wilson’s “areas of strength” are environmental science, psychology, art, business, creative writing and biology, Roberts says. High school students who consider applying to the college think highly of those programs, and enrollment reflects that. Yet there is a chicken-and-egg conundrum here as well, he says. “It’s become a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy in terms of students wanting to attend because they know that we have a strong art program, or we have a strong creative writing program [and therefore they apply].” Nevertheless, the academic rebalancing is “trying to be strategic about how we invest and where we invest, to either shore up areas of strength

EDUCATIONAL GOALS: “Increasingly, there’s this understanding that college is no longer about finding yourself — it’s no longer about civic education, how to become a good citizen,” says UNCA humanities professor Andy Paul. “It’s really sad to see that become diminished.” Photo courtesy of Paul

Stepping up fundraising efforts is one strategy Warren Wilson is pursuing to address its budget deficit. Here, it faces some unique challenges. Warren Wilson became a four-year college in 1966 — a comparatively “young” school, the provost explains. Its eldest graduates are reaching their 80s only now, and therefore the college has yet to benefit from generations of large donations from alumni bequests. What’s more, the college’s enrollment is under 1,000 students per year, so it doesn’t have a huge alumni base to begin with. Roberts calls the college’s endowment “modest — $55 million.” Therefore, Warren Wilson is also looking for support from other “friends” of the college, Roberts says. And he notes that those friends can come from unlikely places. The band Pearl Jam, for example, financed agrovoltaics research at Warren Wilson — solar power installation alongside agriculture — in 2022 as part of a campaign to offset carbon emissions generated by their touring. Roberts says that, nationwide, higher education revenue has been flat regarding tuition, so schools are increasingly pursuing nontuition revenue. Warren Wilson has now joined that wave. For example, the college is considering more summer programs, which could include summer camps and adult education classes, that would utilize the dorms and classroom spaces. Amid the shifting academic landscape and difficult, if arguably necessary, choices, Warren Wilson is still sketching out such initiatives. The process will be propelled, Roberts notes, by the college’s recent hiring of ’00 alum Amy Frey Ager, the entrepreneur behind Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, as executive director of strategic ventures, partnerships and programs. She will “think creatively about new business ventures for the college,” he says. “Her job is to build out more partnerships for Warren Wilson in the regional community — this nontuition revenue — and opportunities for Warren Wilson to partner with other organizations where we can be mutually beneficial,” Roberts explains. “How do you think creatively about new business ventures for the college?” X

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BUNCOMBE BEAT

Buncombe considers a pay raise for elections director The Buncombe County Board of Elections thinks Director of Elections Corinne Duncan deserves a pay raise, but county staff isn’t so sure. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners said it needs more time to consider the request for a less than $6,000 raise — about 5% — and put it off until its Jan. 16 meeting. In a presentation to commissioners Jan. 2, county Human Resources Director Sharon Burke argued that Duncan’s salary falls within a range of similarly situated counties based on population and amount of registered voters, and therefore the county complies with state law. Duncan makes about $109,222 annually. The Board of Elections is requesting she make $115,000, retroactive to July 1, 2023. The Elections Board passed a resolution asking for the director’s raise in June. A staff survey of comparative counties wasn’t completed until November, leading to the resolution coming before commissioners now, said Buncombe spokesperson Lillian Govus. Unlike all other county department directors, whose salary is set by the county manager, the election director’s salary is recommended by the county board of elections and approved by the county commission, per state statute. The director’s salary “shall be commensurate with the salary paid to directors in counties similarly situated and similar in population and number of registered voters,” according to state law. “Our director, who has been in the job now for four years, has stepped up to every single challenge that has come before her and has dealt with it in a highly effective fashion. She has a very smooth running operation,” said Board of Elections Chair Jake Quinn. The county does not have a pay-for-performance program, meaning no bonus or salary increase is given to any employee based on superior performance, Burke said. Quinn argued that when compared to the four North Carolina counties within 25% of Buncombe in both population and number of registered voters, Duncan’s salary falls below the average, which is roughly $125,000. Quinn used New Hanover, Cumberland, Union and Durham counties in his comparison. Burke also included Johnston County, which is within 25% of Buncombe in

lation and number of registered voters — such as number of ballot styles and voter turnout data — to help them decide at the Jan. 16 meeting. Commissioner Martin Moore also requested a summary of the Guilford County case to review before making a decision.

In other news

PAY RAISE: Buncombe County Board of Elections Chair Jake Quinn petitioned the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Jan. 2 to give Director of Elections Corinne Duncan a raise after the Elections Board approved one for her last June. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County population and just outside in number of registered voters, according to data collected from each county. Burke said that when outliers are removed from the compared group, Buncombe is right at the average. Pulling up the average is Durham’s director, who makes more than $182,000 annually. Quinn said that when considering what counties constitute “similarly situated,” other factors such as number of ballot styles — determined by the complexity of overlapping districts within a county for a given election — or percentage of the population registered to vote also should be considered. Quinn cited a lawsuit against Guilford County in 2014 in which a court ruled that its former elections director, George Gilbert, was not fairly compensated according to the law. In that case, an appeals court defined “similarly situated” to include factors beyond population and registered voters, including “the percentage of population registered, the unusual degree of transience of population, the relative strength of political parties and the level of [dissension] between or among them and the complexity of the electoral

districts for state, county and municipal offices.” The court also said that the “comparable sophistication, politically and otherwise, of population and the degree of experience, effectiveness of work, and level of dedication exhibited” by the director should factor into their salary. Quinn said Buncombe would qualify as sophisticated and complex for several reasons. “I would speculate that Buncombe is going to have a more challenging environment than most because we seem to get targeted fairly regularly with changes in districts or changes in the way we are supposed to elect officials.” County Attorney Michael Frue advised that the board stay within the confines of what constitutes similarly situated when setting salary, for which there is little guidance from the Court of Appeals. “I am in no way prepared this evening to make a decision on this because we’ve raised even more questions than I think we have coming into this evening,” said Commissioner Amanda Edwards. That sentiment was echoed by other commissioners, who requested that staff provide data beyond popu-

WastePro is increasing its rates for residential trash and recycling pickup in Buncombe County. Due to a $4.25 hike in Buncombe County’s landfill tipping fees and a 3.1% consumer price index increase for solid waste collection, each residential customer will pay $1.11 — 4.9% — more per month to have trash and recycling picked up this year. Customers’ bill will be $23.66 a month starting Jan. 1, according to Chip Gingles, regional vice president of WastePro. According to its current contract with the county, tipping fees and consumer price index increases are the only justifications for a price increase year to year. In November, WastePro proposed an 11% increase for its next contract, which would begin in 2025. The increase prompted the county to seek bids on the open market rather than renewing WastePro’s contract. The proposed increase amounted to a $3 monthly increase on each customer’s bill through 2028 to make up for labor costs and supply chain shortages, Gingles said at the time. Commissioners also voted 6-0 to join a North Carolina investment pool that provides daily compounding interest for the county’s idle funds with no minimum investment and no transaction fees. Commission Chair Brownie Newman was absent. The N.C. Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System, or CLASS, local government investment pool was established in 2023 and includes five counties and 10 municipalities or special districts in its membership — including Charlotte’s Mecklenburg County — according to a presentation from Mason Scott, finance officer for Buncombe County. Scott said he values the pool’s convenience, flexibility and competitive returns as an additional option for the county to increase its investment holdings.

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— Greg Parlier X JAN. 10-16, 2024

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

VENEZUELAN-APPALACHIAN FUSION DUO: Folkmoot’s Queen Auditorium in Waynesville hosts Larry Bellorín from Monagas, Venezuela, and Joe Troop from Winston-Salem on Thursday, Jan. 18. These virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar and more in a show that includes storytelling, singalongs and dancing. Photo courtesy of Tommy Coyote JAN. 10 - JAN. 18, 2024 For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 828-251-1333, opt. 1.

 Online-only events  More info, page 30-31 WELLNESS Therapeutic Recreation Adult Morning Movement Active games, physical activities, and sports for individuals with disabilities ages 17 and over. Advanced registration at avlrec.com required. WE (1/10, 17), 10am, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave Free Zumba Gold Fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. Free, but donations for the instructor are appreciated. For more information please call (828) 350-2058.

WE (1/10, 17), noon, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Tai Chi Fan This class helps build balance and whole body awareness. All ages and ability levels welcome. Fans will be provided. WE (1/10, 17), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Community Yoga & Mindfulness Free monthly event with Inspired Change Yoga that will lead you into a morning of breathwork, meditation and yoga. WE (1/10), 11:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

JAN. 10-16, 2024

Tai Chi for Balance A gentle Tai Chi exercise class to help improve balance, mobility, and quality of life. All ages are welcome. WE (1/10, 17), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Tai Chi for Beginners A class for anyone interested in Tai Chi and building balance, whole body awareness and other health benefits. TH (1/11, 18), MO (1/15), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Avex, Ste 109 Nia Dance Fitness A sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts. TH (1/11, 18), 9:30am, TU (1/16), 10:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Yoga for Everyone A free-in person yoga class for all ages and abilities that is led by registered yoga instructor Mandy. Bring your own mat, water bottle and mask. Registration required. SA (1/13), 9:30am, Black Mountain Presbyterian, 117 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

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Qigong for Health A part of traditional Chinese medicine that involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind and spirit. FR (1/12), TU (1/16), 9am, SA (1/13), 11am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Winter Flow w/Jamie Knox This class builds heat in the body and releases excess water, so we can be our strongest and fittest, boosting our immune system and starving off depression. Walk-ins welcome. SU (1/14), 10:30am, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd Gentle Yoga for Queer & GNC Folks This class is centered towards creating an affirming and inclusive space for queer and gender non-conforming individuals. SU (1/14), 1:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd Barre Fusion A high energy low impact practice that shapes, sculpts, and tones the body like a dancer. No experience necessary, open to all

levels. MO (1/15), 10am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Mettā Meditation In-person guided meditation focused on benevolence & loving-kindness. Free for beginners and experienced practitioners. MO (1/15), 7pm, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

ART Artwork of Leaflin Lore Winecoff Experience Leaflin's artistic evolution showcased in this exhibition, where diverse works capture the essence of her creative journey spanning the past few years. Gallery open Monday through Friday, 8:30am. Exhibition through March 2. John M. Crawford Jr. Gallery, 360 Asheville School Rd Western North Carolina Glass: Selections from the Collection Western North Carolina is important in the history of American glass art. A variety of techniques and a willingness to push boundaries of the

medium can be seen in this selection of works. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through April 15, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Creating Textures: Focus Gallery Exhibition This exhibition features the work of five Guild members: Michael Hatch, Valerie Berlage, Joseph Rhodes, Barry Rhodes, and Joanna Warren. Each artist will display their own respectable arts and crafts during this exhibition. Open daily, 10 am. Exhibition through Feb., 2024. Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Pkwy Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson This exhibition celebrates the legacy of Lambert Wilson, a passionate collector of contemporary Native American art. Gallery open Tuesday through Friday, 10am. Exhibition through June 28, 2024 WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr, Cullowhee American Art in the Atomic Age: 1940–1960 This exhibition features works created during the

1940s–1960s. Much of the art during this time expressed the uncertainty of the era, often relying on automatism and biomorphic forms. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through April 29, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square What Am I, Who Are We?: Origin Story Each month we will explore a new subtopic as it relates to the overarching exhibit topic, with each of our artists telling their stories in this group exhibit. Featuring Art Garden artists, Jack Henry, Annie Kyla Bennett, Trish Salmon, and more. SA (1/13), 4pm, Canopy Gallery, 191 Lyman St, Ste 316 Beyond the Lens: Photorealist Perspectives on Looking, Seeing & Painting This exhibition offers viewers an opportunity to explore a singular and still vigorous aspect of American photorealism. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed on Tuesday. Exhibition through Feb. 5, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Counter/Balance: Gifts of John & Robyn Horn A presentation of important examples of contemporary American craft, including woodworking, metalsmithing, fiber and pottery by renowned American artists. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through July. 29, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Romare Bearden: Ways of Working This exhibition highlights works on paper and explores many of Romare Bearden's most frequently used mediums including screen-printing, lithography, hand colored etching, collagraph, monotype, relief print, photomontage, and collage. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through Jan. 22, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square The Colors of Pink This exhibition features 18 of the building's 30 artists and explores the studio's unusual name as well as the role color plays in each work. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 10am, and Sunday,

noon. Exhibition through Feb. 3, 2024. Pink Dog Gallery, 348 Depot St

COMMUNITY MUSIC Citizen Swing Enjoy cool, old jazz vinyl and live sets by Connor Law and Reggie Headen. WE (1/10), 6pm, Citizen Vinyl, 14 O Henry Ave Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen & More Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. This week discover the music of Queen and more. TH (1/11), 8:45pm, AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd Emma Langford Writing songs imbued with the humor, vibrant imagery and drama of the rugged west coast of Ireland. Emma's music touches on the firm fixture of the folk scene. FR (1/12), 8pm, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave The Chris Mondak Band An evening of lively, high-energy bebop and jazz-funk with dynamic bassist and performer, Chris Mondak. SA (1/13), 7pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State St, Black Mountain The Kruger Brothers An evening of country, rock, pop standards as well as bluegrass that personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. SA (1/13), 7:30pm, Madison County Arts Council, 90 S Main St, Marshall Local Live Monday: Jay Brown A bi-weekly local live series featuring a variety of talented local musicians. This week, Jay welcomes the

Hillclimbers and Dusty Bibles to the stage. MO (1/15), 7pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Dark City Songwriter Round: Beth Lee, Anya Hinkle & John Cloyd Miller A new series focusing on talented local, regional, and national songwriters who both write and sing their original compositions. WE (1/17), 7pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Thursday Night Live: Em & the Innocent Mischief Enjoy an evening of live music featuring Emily Martin and the Innocent Mischie with a blend of intrepid lyrics and modern folk-mountain sound. TH (1/18), 6pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Larry & Joe These two virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas to prove that music has no borders. TH (1/18), 7pm, Queen Auditorium, 112 Virginia Ave, Waynesville

LITERARY Old Crimes w/Jill McCorkle Jill McCorkle will present her latest book, a story collection entitled Old Crimes. This is a hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online. Register at avl.mx/d8y. WE (1/10), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St Adrian Harley: Many Drops Make a Stream Celebrate the launch of Adrian Harley's debut novel, Many Drops Make a Stream. SA (1/13), 3pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva

Craft: Authors in Conversation w/Denise Kiernan & Rachel Hawkins Denise's guest will be novelist Rachel Hawkins. Seating is first come, first served. No registration is required. SU (1/14), 4:30pm, Little Jumbo, 241 Broadway Poetry Slam Night Test out your poetry skills or come to just listen and vibe. Come be a part of Poetry Slam Night every second Sunday of the month. SU (1/14), 7pm, Canopy Gallery, 191 Lyman St, Ste 316 The Language of God: Book Study The Language of God by Francis Collins provides a testament to the power of faith in the midst of suffering without faltering from its logical stride. TU (1/16), 10am, Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville How to Hold Power: Pavini Moray w/Jeffrey Kaplan A hybrid author event that offers both in-person and virtual attendance options. Join Pavini Moray, author of How to Hold Power in conversation with Jeffrey Kaplan. Register at avl.mx/d92. TU (1/16), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St Ginger Pinholster & Mark Hummel This is a dual author event featuring Ginger Pinholster and Mark Hummel. The live streamed virtual event is free but registration at avl.mx/d93 is required. WE (1/17), 6pm, Online So Let Them Burn: Kamilah Cole w/F.T. Lukens Kamilah Cole, author of So Let Them Burn, will be in conversation with F.T. Lukens. The event is free, but registration at avl.mx/d94 is required. TH (1/18), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St

Asheville Storyslam: First Impressions Prepare a five-minute story about initial encounters. Blind dates, fixer-uppers, catfish, and long lost twins. When your gut instincts were proven right, or when you unfairly judged a book by its cover. TH (1/18), 7:30pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

incredible race against time and attempt at the impossible - to be the first person with ALS to complete a marathon in all 50 states. WE (1/17), 7:30pm, Regal Biltmore Grande Stadium 15, 292 Thetford St

THEATER & FILM

Lil’ Picasso’s Toddler Art Help little ones embrace their imagination and creativity to develop problem solving, refine motor skills, and creatively to express emotions. WE (1/10, 17), 1:30pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

The Campfireball: First Timer's Club A reverse-storytelling show created live and in the moment out of the true experiences of the audience. TH (1/11), 7:30pm, Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd John Alexander & JC Guest Present: This is Love A screening of the acclaimed documentary, This is Love, about the unsung hero of soul music Rudy Love. There will be a live Q&A after the documentary screening. FR (1/12), 2:30pm, OLLI/ Reuter Center, UNCA, 300 Campus View Rd Accordion Time Machine Presents: Forbidden Brunch Delight in devilishly delicious debauchery, indulge in the forbidden and fruitful, share and commune over the most dramatic of all meals, brunch. SU (1/14), 7:30pm, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd Wise Words Open Mic Welcoming beginners and fellow artists to a creative space to express ourselves poetically. You can rhyme or not, tell a story, sing a song, or even get something off your chest in a creative way. TU (1/16), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

Eightfold Path Study Group A group will gather to study the Eightfold Path Program. Kris Kramer will host the group as a fellow participant and student. WE (1/10, 17), 3:30pm, Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N Dougherty St, Black Mountain How to Stay Healthy this Winter Attendees can receive free mini-acupuncture treatments and get helpful hits on staying healthy

during the cold months. This event is free and open to the public. WE (1/10), 5pm, Heaven's Cloud Event Center, 130 Sardis Rd Peace Education Program Ann innovative series of video-based workshops that help people discover their own inner strength and personal peace. WE (1/10, 17), 5pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave, Sensory Story Time Each session features a story followed by a related sensory activity designed to activate toddlers’ senses. Each participant receives a copy of the book to take home. WE (1/10, 17), 5pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave Aerial Silks Foundations Learn how to properly ascend, descend, and create stunning shapes on the silks while emphasizing safety and proper form. Participants of all ages and all abilities are welcome. WE (1/10, 17), 4pm and 5:30pm, Amethyst Realm, 244 Short Coxe Ave

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Crafting w/Cricut Make a new craft each month using your Cricut. For more information, call (828) 350-2058 or email kkennedy@ ashevillenc.gov. WE (1/10), 6pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

TH (1/11, 18), TU (1/16), 10:30am, Dr Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St

TH (1/11, 18), 5pm, Madison County Cooperative Ext Office, 258 Carolina Ln Marshall

Bowling for Adults 50+ Friendly games of bowling at Sky Lanes. Transportation will be provided. TH (1/11), 1pm, Sky Lanes, 1477 Patton Ave

Healthcare Workers Meetup Mixer & Social Networking Mix and mingle with other people who are new to or veterans in healthcare. This event encourages people to swap stories, share experiences, net work and make new friends in the industry. WE (1/10), 6pm, plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St

Kids & Teens Kung Fu Learn fighting skills as well as conflict resolution and mindfulness. First class is free to see if it's a good fit for you. TH (1/11, 18), MO (1/15), TU (1/16), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Dharma Talk: Paul Linn Meditation followed by a Dharma talk on Buddhist principles applied to daily life with Paul Linn. Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome. TH (1/11), 6:30pm, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Paint & Sip A fun and creative painting class. No experience is needed; our skilled instructors will help guide you each step of the way so that you can recreate this majestic fox. WE (1/10), 6:15pm, Boojum Brewing Co., 50 N Main St, Waynesville

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JAN. 10-16, 2024

Southside Walking Club Gather with others and walk inside Grant Southside Center’s gym or outside if it’s a nice morning.

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Conserving Carolina Green Drinks: Reducing Wildlife Collisions Dr. Liz Hillard will highlight and discuss research findings from two wildlife road crossing projects here in Western North Carolina. TH (1/11), 5:30pm, Trailside Brewing Co., 873 Lennox Park Dr, Hendersonville One-Pan Meals Each week we’ll cook and taste delicious and inexpensive options that you can make at-home, but without all the usual prep and cleaning time in the kitchen. For more information, contact Jessica Mollet at 828649-2411.

Nerd Nite January A monthly event held in 100+ cities around the world featuring fun-yet-informative presentations across a variety of subjects. TH (1/11), 7pm, The River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St Leadership Is Free Workshop: Growth and Development in 3 Areas A free six week course that will enhance your growth development in three areas of leadership. FR (1/12), 9am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Bingo on Grove Street A fun and friendly game of bingo in the community. FR (1/12), 10:30am, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St

Montford Story Time Kids listen to a book and participate in an activity that pertains to the story. Each participant receives a copy of the book to take home. FR (1/12), 5pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave Skate Jam Clinics Bring your own skates or rent a pair as instructors spread the love of roller skating. FR (1/12), 5pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd Southside Family Game Night Classic and contemporary board and card games provided, but feel free to bring your own. Bring your family, friends or just yourself. FR (1/12), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St Hemlock Hike An extended Hemlock Hike in the Pisgah National Forest. Hikers will traverse 5.3 miles across beautiful mountain terrain passing by waterfalls and stands of eastern and Carolina hemlocks. SA (1/13), 10am, Pisgah

Center for Wildlife Education, 1401 Fish Hatchery Rd, Pisgah Forest Self Defense Training A monthly workshop in which you will learn self-defense. The class will be structured so that people of all ages and abilities can learn self-defense techniques that will help build skills to keep you safer. SA (1/13), 10:45am, Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Center Blvd. Bid Whist Make bids, call trumps, and win tricks. Every Saturday for fun competition with the community. SA (1/13), 1pm, Dr Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St Open House for Newly Engaged Visit Haiku Avl to walk through the venue and talk about your dream wedding with a free consultation by experienced wedding coordinators. SA (1/13), 1pm, Haiku Avl, 26 Sweeten Creek Rd Experience the Gifts of Mary Magdalene: Empower Your Sacred Self Leadership A transformative journey to empower your

sacred self-leadership and receive sacred blessings. SA (1/13), 5pm, Crystal Visions, 5426 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville Sacred Earth Sound Journey Sound is known as one of the most effective technologies for moving stagnant, or blocks in energy, bringing shifts in consciousness and increasing peace and flow within body, mind and spirit. SA (1/13), 6pm, The Well, 3 Louisiana Ave Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club Weekly scrabble play. All scrabble gear provided. SU (1/14), 1:30pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Make Your Own Medicine: Herbal Oils & Healing Salves Workshop Learn hands-on skills that you can use to support your health. Space is limited and there is a sliding scale for registration. SU (1/14), 2pm, Black Mountain Herbal Pop Up, 34 Tudor Way, Black Mountain

Willow Lantern Workshop In this class, you'll learn how to make your own willow lantern. In the dark of winter, you'll make a cozy, glowing lamp of paper and willow branches. This workshop is suitable for ages 12+. SU (1/14), 2pm, Canopy Gallery, 191 Lyman St, Ste 316 Line Dancing Lessons Free line dancing lessons with Jerri and the Avl Country Western Dancers. SU (1/14), 4pm, Shakey's, 38 N French Broad Ave Writing Your Legacy A seven-week class offered by Aging Gracefully based on the book, Writing Your Legacy: The Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Life Story. Writing will take place inside and outside the class; bring a notebook and your favorite writing tools. MO (1/15), 10am, Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville Cornhole Smash Learn about the game and its benefits from national champion Dillon Pressley. This course is a five week round robin season ending with a tournament. MO (1/15), 11am, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd Therapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting & Cooking A variety of cooking and crafts for individuals with disabilities ages 17 and over each week. Advance registration at avlrec.com is required. TU (1/16), 10am, Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd Toddler Discovery Time Crafts, games, and playtime for youngsters. Advance registration at avlrec. com is required. TU (1/16), 10am, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Open Spin A space to come learn and practice djing in front of a non-judgemental audience. A local DJ will be around to help where they can or point you in the right direction. TU (1/16), 9pm, Different Wrld, 701 Haywood Rd, Ste 101 Treks Hiking Club for Adults 50 & Over A low-impact hiking club offering leisurely-paced hikes for active adults. No hiking experience is required, but the hike covers over three miles on uneven terrain. WE (1/17), 9:30am, Asheville Recreation Park, 65 Gashes Creek Rd

How to Start Your Outdoor Business Matt Godfrey will discuss how to turn your idea or hobby into a viable venture. Find out what questions you need to answer, what you need to do, and who you need to connect with to be successful. WE (1/17), 11am, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler Change Your Palate Cooking Demo This free food demonstration is open to everyone but tailored towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/ or their caretakers. Our featured host is Change Your Palate's very own Shaniqua Simuel. WE (1/17), 4pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Friendship Bracelet Class This class focuses on learning chevron and candy stripe design friendship bracelets. Advance registration required. WE (1/17), 5pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave Cybersecurity & Risk Management Basics Reduce the mystery surrounding cybersecurity with a low-jargon dive into principles and techniques that can help significantly reduce the risk of being harmed by a cyber-attack. Register at avl.mx/d99. TH (1/18), 11:30am, Online Bingo-nasium A night of bingo with the community in the gym. TH (1/18), 2pm, Asheville Parks and Recreation, 70 Court Plaza Family Cooking Class These cooking classes teach fundamental skills to kids ages 7-10 alongside an adult from their family or community while focusing on fun, collaboration, and learning. All ingredients are provided. TH (1/18), 5pm, Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St The Foxy Chef Presents: Vegan Cooking Two local chefs curate a night a of delicious vegan cooking. This class is open to anyone interested in bringing extra flavor to the kitchen. TH (1/18), 6pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave January Intention Practice: Part 2 Michael Scardaville will be leading the second in a series of 3 events related to intention setting and living in accordance with our highest aspirations.

TH (1/18), 6:30pm, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

LOCAL MARKETS RAD Farmers Market Winter Season Browse 30+ local vendors all winter long with fresh produce, pastured meats, baked goods, honey, and more. Safely accessible by bike or foot on the greenway, plus free public parking along Riverside Drive. WE (1/10, 17), 3pm, Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Dr

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS Burial x TRVE Presents: No Idols Release Party w/Harsh Realm & Cave Grave A collab party featuring music from Harsh Realm and Cave Grave with a special DJ set from Wolves In the Taproom. There will also be a vinyl store pop up from Static Age Records. FR (1/12), 8pm, Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave 5Point Adventure Film Festival A full day of programming, with activities such as a group MTB ride, a group run along the greenway, climbing, yoga, meet & greets with special guests, skateboarding, panel discussions, DJ afterparty and more. SA (1/13), New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St When Doves Cry: Dssolvr 4 Year Anniversary A Prince-themed bash featuring wild brews, a complimentary pancake bar, limited-edition anniversary shirts, glassware and DJ Bridal Parti Burcardi. SA (1/13), 6pm, Dssolvr, 63 N Lexington Ave MLK Day of Service Partner with Riverlink, Hood Huggers, the Burton Street Community Association, and more to help beautify the Burton Street community. MO (1/15), 10am, Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St 14th Annual Kenilworth Celebration of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. This year the conversation will center around, A Capital for Black Capitalism: Soul City, N.C. and its Unique Connection to Asheville. The keynote speaker is Floyd McKissick, Jr. who was the town planner and the conversation will be moderated by journalist Ben Barber. See p30 MO (1/15), 5pm, Kenilworth Presbyterian Church, 123 Kenilworth Rd

Queer Prom This fun prom-themed dance party will include a dance contest, prom polaroids, snacks and drinks. Half of all door proceeds to benefit the Campaign for Southern Equality. TH (1/18), 9pm, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING Ayahuasca & Endangered Cultures: A Fundraiser for Amazonian Activists A community conversation about the economic, cultural, social, political, and environmental impacts of the global spread of ayahuasca. Proceeds will benefit Asociación Keñao. TH (1/11), 6pm, Canopy Gallery, 191 Lyman St, Ste 316

2024

2017

Wellness Issues

Punk for Pits 5 This showcase is a benefit for Pinups for Pitbulls, a nonprofit. The bands featured this year are Cloud City Caskets, Small Doses and Benedozer. FR (1/12), 9pm, The Odd, 1045 Haywood Rd Warming Shelter & Sanctuary In addition to a warm, welcoming space to share a meal with neighbors, Saturday sanctuary offers restrooms, phone charging, videos, popcorn and a safe place to rest. SA (1/13), 11am, First Presbyterian Church Asheville, 40 Church St Alexis Drag Race A dazzling brunch experience with another round of the hottest drag race in town hosted by the fabulous Alexis Black. The show includes lunch and is a fundraiser for Black Wall Street. See p31 SU (1/14), noon and 2pm, Green Man Brewery, 27 Buxton Ave Coverfest III: A Benefit for Asheville Middle School This special community event will raise funds for Asheville Middle School’s annual EightGrade capstone trip to Washington DC. Several of Asheville’s amazing bands will donate their time & talent to perform mini-sets of covers throughout the day. SU (1/14), 5pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave R2S Reading Tutor Support unlocking a student’s potential. Volunteer as a Read to Succeed tutor with training included. Work one-to-one or in small groups during and after school. Register at avl.mx/d9g to volunteer. WE (1/17), 6pm, Online

Publish Jan. 31 & Feb. 7 828-251-1333 x 1 advertise@mountainx.com MOUNTAINX.COM

JAN. 10-16, 2024

HEALTH ROUNDUP by Jessica Wakeman | jwakeman@mountainx.com

Dogwood requests independent monitor proposals for HCA Dogwood Health Trust announced Jan. 2 it is seeking a request for proposals to provide independent monitor, or IM, services to oversee HCA Healthcare. HCA purchased the nonprofit Mission Hospital for $1.5 billion in 2019, and the nonprofit Dogwood Health Trust was formed as part of the sale. In its asset purchase agreement, HCA made 15 commitments regarding health care services, and it also established the role of an IM. Dogwood is tasked with selecting the IM with consent from HCA and N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein. Stein selected Gibbins Advisors, a Nashville-based health care operations and restructuring consultancy, as the IM following the sale. Gibbins Advisors and its CEO, Ronald Winters, faced tense community meetings in Western North Carolina. At an Oct. 19 meeting in Asheville, Dr. Robert Kline, a former member of Mission Hospital’s board of directors, read a letter signed by dozens of current and for-

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JAN. 10-16, 2024

mer physicians expressing concerns over patient care. “In response to listening to our communities and through collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office, Dogwood has asked the IM to add responsibilities beyond what is in the current scope of work,” Dogwood spokesperson Erica Allison told Xpress in a statement. “The additional responsibilities Dogwood asked Gibbins to undertake this past year, in particular those related to community engagement and education and engagement with the Attorney General’s Office, exceed those required under the Asset Purchase Agreement.” The request for proposals is at avl.mx/d95, and a statement of work is at avl.mx/d96. Dogwood will accept proposals through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. The selection of the proposed IM is expected to be announced by April 1. Xpress could not reach Winters from Gibbins Advisors for comment by press time. “We look forward to working with whomever is selected,” Mission Health spokesperson Nancy Lindell told Xpress in a statement.

Pisgah Legal offers insurance help Certified health care navigators with Pisgah Legal Services can assist individuals and families with open enrollment in the Healthcare. gov Marketplace. Following North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion on Dec. 1, thousands of residents may be available for health care coverage. Consumers have until Tuesday, Jan. 16, to choose a plan, and if consumers meet that deadline, coverage will begin Thursday, Feb. 1. Pisgah Legal offers bilingual navigators for Spanish speakers, and free translation services are available for speakers of other languages. Contact Pisgah Legal at 828210-3404 or at avl.mx/d97 to make an appointment.

Double SNAP benefits expand Benefits are increasing for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

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CALL OUT: Dogwood Health Trust announced Jan. 2 it is seeking a request for proposals to provide independent monitor services to oversee HCA Healthcare. Photo by Jen Castillo Program, or SNAP, at farmers markets and groceries in January. Now when shoppers use SNAP/ EBT cards at any farmers market information booth, they’ll receive additional SNAP tokens for fresh fruits and vegetables sold at that market. Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is expanding the Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program in partnership with MountainWise, a project of Macon County Public Health, and the nonprofit Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture. The expansion is already in effect at some participating farmers markets and groceries, and the three organizations will announce additional participating sites in the spring. The partnership is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Dogwood Health Trust, MANNA FoodBank and other organizations. More information about local farmers markets, using SNAP at farmers markets and the Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program is available at avl.mx/5uh.

Novant Health opens surgical services Novant Health Surgical Partners has opened at 80 Peachtree Road, Suite 210, and specializes in general surgery; surgical oncology; breast, colorectal and endocrine surgery; colonoscopies and robotic

surgery. The clinic is a partnership between Drs. Paul Ahearne, Colin Bird, Benjamin Deschner, Ioanna Mazotas and Melissa Zoumberos. For more information, call 828-3785600 or visit avl.mx/d8m.

Impact Health seeks board nominations Impact Health, a startup created by nonprofit Dogwood Health Trust, is seeking nominations for its board of directors. Impact Health leads Western North Carolina’s participation in the Healthy Opportunities Pilot for Medicaid. The HOP focuses on the following social determinants of health: nutrition, transportation, housing and safety. Nominations for the board of directors can be made at avl.mx/d8h.

Pardee BlueMD opens in Hendersonville Pardee BlueMD, a primary care practice of UNC Health Pardee serving patients ages 5 and older, opened at 1027 Fleming St., Hendersonville. As a federally qualified health center in partnership with Blue Ridge Health, it will provide services to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. Sliding scale fees are also available. To schedule an appointment, call 828-435-8140.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 24

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JAN. 10-16, 2024

WEL L NESS

Warren Wilson receives mental health grant Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa is one of 13 liberal arts colleges nationwide to receive a grant for student mental health and well-being from the New York City-based nonprofit The Endeavor Foundation. Warren Wilson will receive $100,000 this year and $75,000 next year for initiatives to integrate mental health and wellness into student learning, including expanded mental health services and restorative justice practices.

Winter hiking challenge announced The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy announced its 2024 Winter Hiking Challenge: to traverse 60 miles between Monday, Jan. 1, and Friday, March 1. Participants can hike, walk or run in any location and at any pace. SAHC will send periodic emails with suggested hiking locations in North Carolina and Tennessee.

JAN. 10-16, 2024

Registration for the challenge is $25 per person and will support the conservancy’s work; free registration can be accessed with the coupon code SAHC2024. Those who complete the challenge will receive a commemorative patch from SAHC. Participants can register and record their results at avl.mx/d8p.

Community kudos • Mountain Area Health Education Center has named Dr. Amy Russell as its first chief medical and population health officer. Russell was previously medical director for Mission Health Partners and a member of MAHEC’s family medicine faculty. • The UNC School of Medicine Asheville has appointed Dr. Sandra Whitlock as associate dean and program director. She joined as assistant program director in 2015. • Family physician Dr. S. Mark McNeill was installed as president-elect of the N.C. Academy of Family Physicians. • WNC Community Health Services announced that Dr. Wade Davis,

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an HIV specialist, and Dr. Olivia Buckoski, an HIV pharmacist, obtained certification from the American Academy of HIV Medicine, an organization specializing in advanced HIV care and prevention. HIV specialist Dr. S. Todd Wallenius has been credentialed again for three years. • Internal medicine physician Dr. Kristen Lee has joined Pardee BlueMD, 712 Fleming St., and family medicine physician assistants Brooke Fowler and Kate Thompson have joined Pardee BlueMD, 611 Fifth Ave. W. Both practices are in Hendersonville. • Mission Health welcomed two otolaryngologists, Drs. Paul Davis and Steven Dennis, to Head and Neck Specialists of WNC. The new practice addresses cancers in the head and neck regions, including membranes of the mouth, throat, sinuses and nose, the thyroid gland and the salivary glands.

Mark your calendars • Children’s author Jennifer Fae will read her book, a guided meditation titled My Big Heart, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. Kindergartners through fifth graders and their caregivers are welcome. For more information contact library@buncombecounty.org. • A free tai chi for arthritis class will be held 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Grove Street

Community Center, 36 Grove St. The class was developed by medical professionals to improve flexibility, strength and balance and reduce the risk of falls. For more information, contact Brea Kuykendall at 828-251-7438 or brea@landofsky.org. • The Council on Aging Senior Dining and Wellness Program will offer eligible adults a free hot lunch noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 17, 24 and 31, at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road. The lunch is an opportunity to socialize and connect to health and wellness programs. Register at 828-277-8288. • The YWCA Mobile Market will distribute free fresh food 2-3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 14, at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road. All are welcome regardless of income or family size; no paperwork is required. For more information, contact leicester.library@ buncombecounty.org or call 828-250-6480. • Registration is open for the 2024 Valentine Greenway Challenge, which begins at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at Black Mountain Recreation & Parks Offices, 304 Black Mountain Ave. The 5K goes through Veterans Park via the Oaks Trail. The Black Mountain Greenways and Trails Committee will receive all sponsorships and 50% of all registration fees from the race. To register visit avl.mx/d8k. X

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JAN. 10-16, 2024

ARTS & CULTURE

‘Uncorrupted by enterprise’ Poet Brandon Amico on capitalism, time and why you should ignore everything your high school teacher taught you about poetry BY THOMAS CALDER tcalder@mountainx.com The best piece of advice award-winning poet Brandon Amico ever received about writing poetry did not come from a fellow poet. Rather, the wisdom arrived courtesy of Aimee Blesing, an acting teacher. “I was having trouble with a monologue from Spoon River Poetry Review,” he recalls, “and asked her how I could get across this subtext in the work that wasn’t explicit — how could I carry across this meaning I uncovered from the text without changing the words? “She told me that if I had that meaning or image or idea in my mind when I performed, it would make its way to the audience,” he continues. “I keep this in mind when writing poetry; I think we have to trust — both ourselves and our readers — that readers will meet us where we go to meet them; that if I write with something in mind it will find its way to the page without me needing to overdo it.” Amico, the author of Disappearing, Inc., is a 2019 National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellow

and serves as a poetry editor at The Florida Review. Originally from New England, he’s lived in Asheville for the past seven years. In this month’s poetry feature, Amico shares with us two seasonally appropriate works and discusses a wide range of topics from capitalism to the importance of forgetting everything your high school teacher taught you about reading poetry. Xpress: Let’s start with the inspiration for and intention behind these two poems. These poems were the onset of a 30/30 I did starting on Jan. 1, 2023 — a 30/30 being an exercise where you write 30 poems in 30 days. As it was the beginning of a new year, I wanted to examine how we conceptualize time as a possession; something you can have more or less of, that you can lose or gain. I think this is a reflection of America’s way of prizing property over many other aspects of life and making capital the largest factor in the options you have for your life. I also used the occasion as a chance to try my hand at a crown of sonnets, which are a connected series of 14 poems that use the last line of the previous one as their starting point.

Has this focus — the way in which we conceptualize time as a possession — been a topic of interest in previous works, or is this a more recent interest? And how has exploring it in your poetry influenced the way you think about it and put these thoughts into practice within your own life? I’ve been writing about how economic and social forces shape our personalities and paths for a long time. Though it does, as I get older, make sense that I’m more aware of time’s limited nature. I recognize the urge to try and slow time down, to save time where one can and spend it elsewhere. But that very language — “saving time,” “spending” it — betrays that to some degree we think of time as something tangible and thus controllable. That’s, of course, impossible. But it goes hand in hand with America’s imperative individualism: Even if something’s impossible, you should still be able to do it; if you can’t, it’s only because you didn’t want it enough. I try to resist that assumption in my own life. Can we circle back to your previous response? I want to hear more about the 30/30. I feel as if read-

UNSOLVED MYSTERY: “I think there’s a sense from those newer to the form that poetry is something to be ’solved’ — that there’s a hidden meaning to a poem that requires the reader to find a clue or key and it unlocks,” says local poet Brandon Amico. “It’s hard to say where that sense comes from, but almost every young person seems to be taught that.” Photo by Nicole McConville ers would be interested in learning more about the benefits and challenges that come along with the exercise and what advice you’d offer those trying it for the first time. It helps make writing a daily practice. The first couple of days can

On the First Day of the Year (1)

On the First Day of the Year (2)

by Brandon Amico

The coffers are tipped upside down and begin to trickle. Time is money! it says on the street signs and the building facades and the trash bins of my city, where night unrolls a laugh

At the committee meeting, the next bag of wind is gently untied. It is a monumental success, not for the action itself but the agreement for the action to be taken. Outside we lean toward the decision-building,

alight with stars and their operatic algebra. Their connect-the-dots soothsaying. Diamonds dropping into chimneys, our debts leave us— we watch their vapor monologue in the cold air.

as gravity would tug you toward a black hole, waiting for the decision to reach us and blast us back, the wind, yes, but also what the wind represents— a need for shelter, something to keep warm from.

Time is money, and at the onset of a fresh deposit we tilt our mouths upward in hope. We have a whole year to become successful despite this germ of doubt. How could this fresh year have an end date already?

Surely this is the wind they have kept from us, that would solve all our problems and guide us Home. We voted to open this, we voted Bag of Wind 20XX, as a group we decided

I don’t follow, I don’t fallow. Must produce. Hope costs money, energy: the next bag of wind is gently untied.

now is the time for exceptional luck, to seek each lotto unclaimed behind a drowsing dragon.

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be hard. You may feel like you’re forcing it. That’s OK — force your way through a poem every day. Sometimes you’ll write something bad. Sometimes it’ll be great. Usually, it’ll be in the middle somewhere. But you’ll find that by the end of the month, it’s not hard to get yourself into the writing head space, and you’re not waiting for inspiration to strike — you’re letting it meet you in process. It’s helped my writing find a rhythm; I go through intense periods of creation, often in the form of 30/30s, where I get new drafts, and then I spend a few months revising them. Then when I get restless, it’s time for another batch of new drafts. That sounds familiar — the restless need to create. This, too, seems to go against certain American ethos. Creation for the sake of creation as opposed to, say, a profit. I don’t know what the question is here, but I’m curious to hear more from you on the act of creating for the sake of creation. That’s precisely why I love poetry — it gets to something human that has been uncorrupted by enterprise. Creation for creation’s sake, as you said. Sure, you can sell books of poetry or other artifacts of art; artists should make money; we can’t live in this world without it. Get paid, y’all. But the driving forces are different. If something is made with the primary intention of generating money, that colors what is produced. That’s not to say something commercial can’t be art or have merit, but nine times out of 10, the person who is creating from passion will make something I’m more interested in. Speaking of … who are some local poets with recent or forthcoming collections that you’re particularly excited to read and why? Asheville has an amazing group of talented poets, many of which dabble in other forms as well. Just a few recent projects off the top of my head: Brit Washburn’s collection of essays

Homing In: Attempts on a Life of Poetry and Purpose came out recently; I’m excited to jump in there. And we have Emily Paige Wilson’s novelin-verse Four Months Past Florence here in the to-read pile. I’m looking forward to cracking into that, too. And though he’s since left for the Pacific Northwest, I still consider Eric Tran a local poet, so everyone should check out his latest book, Mouth, Sugar, & Smoke, if you didn’t grab it when he came to read at UNC Asheville in early November. I also, like many, am eagerly anticipating a new collection by the incredible Diamond Forde. No rush, though, Diamond! Has there been anything you were taught early on about poetry that you wished you’d never been told? Another way to think about it: What do nonpoets get wrong when introducing young people to poetry? I think there’s a sense from those newer to the form that poetry is something to be “solved”— that there’s a hidden meaning to a poem that requires the reader to find a clue or key and it unlocks. It’s hard to say where that sense comes from, but almost every young person seems to be taught that. I remember a high school class where the teacher shared a poem and there were questions like “Why are the curtains blue? What do those represent?” Like, maybe the curtains are just blue! There is no right answer about what something in a poem “means” — there is intention and interpretation and a whole lot of gray area in between and context you can’t account for. Come to poetry more flexible, because I promise the good poems get better when you approach them from multiple angles and with an open mind. Who are the four poets on your personal Mount Rushmore? Louise Glück, Karen Solie, Wisława Szymborska and Matthew Olzmann. X

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JEWELRY

VISUAL ART

Christie Calaycay discusses jewelry-making Christie Calaycay is an Ashevillebased jewelry maker. Xpress: Is there an upcoming jewelry event happening in Asheville that you’re looking forward to seeing? Calaycay: The Colors of Pink is in the Pink Dog Creative gallery until Sunday, Feb. 25. The collaborative show includes several jewelry pieces, along with paintings, textiles and mixed media. It explores the studio’s unusual name and the role of color in each artist’s work. Outside of jewelry-making, what other upcoming local arts happening intrigues you? An event that has been on my calendar for a long time is Krafthouse, which is coming back to Center for Craft in September. It’s an immersive installation and is like a smaller version of Meow Wolf. It is definitely one to keep on your radar. What current project are you working on that you’re especially excited about? Winter is always a good time for me to recharge and enjoy some quiet. I usually use this time to develop designs for a new body

Melanie Norris on the local visual arts scene

Melanie Norris. Photo by Jackson Dulaney Christie Calaycay. Photo by JeanLuc LeBlanc of work. Right now, I’m working on a new collection based on superstitions from different cultures — think a modern and more interesting twist on amulets and good-luck pieces. X

NEW ITEMS WEEKLY

Melanie Norris is a Barnardsvillebased painter. Xpress: Is there an upcoming visual arts event happening in Asheville that you’re looking forward to seeing? Norris: I’m really looking forward to the new work going up at Tyger Tyger Gallery this January. I believe this month the space has several smaller works on paper from artists in the gallery. Foundation Woodworks gallery also has new owners, Jacqueline and Mark Oliver, who have brought in more local woodworking that I’m excited to check out. Outside of visual art, what other upcoming local arts happening intrigues you?

Hannah Kaminer has an album coming out this month — Heavy on the Vine. It was recorded at Echo Mountain Recording with great local musicians. I’ve heard some of the tracks, and they’re beautiful. Full disclosure, my husband, Jackson Dulaney, was one of the musicians in the session. What current project are you working on that you’re especially excited about? I’m planning to start a printmaking project with Perry Obee at Obee Editions in Black Mountain. Hopefully, the result will be a nice monotype or a lithograph edition that will fit into my current painting series about parenthood explored through the visual icon of tents. X

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PRINTMAKING

FASHION

Denise Markbreit on printmaking Denise Markbreit is an Ashevillebased printmaker and mixed-media artist. Xpress: Is there an upcoming printmaking event happening in Asheville that you’re looking forward to seeing? Markbreit: At Asheville Print Studio + Gallery, I am looking forward to the show Urban Horizons. This show will have six participants, and all work will reflect the mostly urban environment and spaces we as humans inhabit, build, destroy and reclaim. All the work is analog printmaking in some form, ranging from etching, screen printing, lino block and woodblock, mono print, mixed media and sculpture. The artist reception will be on Saturday, Jan. 13, 3-6 p.m. The show will be up through the end of February. Our winter gallery hours to see the exhibition are Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or by appointment. Outside of printmaking, what other upcoming local arts happening intrigues you? The art event I’m most looking forward to seeing this winter is American Art in the Atomic Age at the Asheville Art Museum. It showcases art made between 1940-60. This era is of special interest to me. I am very drawn to the midcentury design aesthetic, art, furniture, architecture, etc. While at the museum, I am also looking forward to seeing the current Romare Bearden exhibit of his wonderful prints. His spirit of experimentation has always inspired me. What current project are you working on that you’re especially excited about?

Denise Markbreit. Photo courtesy of the artist The work I created for the Urban Horizons show is especially exciting for me. As the founder of Asheville Print Studio + Gallery, I don’t get a lot of creative time to work solely on personal projects. A lot of my time is spent with administrative tasks, teaching, curating and representing over 40 printmakers. To have time and space to create this new body of work has been a blessing. I’ve combined printmaking with my love of sculptural forms. The resulting work reflects the gritty urban environment that is the River Arts District or any of the spaces that are on the edges of cities that were once manufacturing hubs. X

Designer Wendy Newman talks art deco and upcycling Wendy Newman is an Ashevillebased designer. Xpress: Is there an upcoming fashion show happening in Asheville that you’re looking forward to seeing? Newman: Every year, my favorite Asheville fashion show is Color Me Goodwill — an event that exemplifies community at its best. Seven designers participate, each selecting a color and venturing to Goodwill to purchase clothes for upcycling. This year’s event takes place on Friday, April 19. Tickets tend to sell out quickly, so here’s a pro tip: Secure yours now! I’ve been volunteering my photography to this event for eight years. Outside of fashion, what other upcoming local arts happening intrigues you? Friday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 18, I’ll be attending the 37th National Arts and Crafts Conference at The Omni Grove Park Inn. I went to it once before in 2002 to see what it was. There are so many master crafters to meet and see their work. A lot of furniture, interior pieces and home design. What current project are you working on that you’re especially excited about? My current project is for art deco enthusiasts: a historic collaboration between the Tamara de Lempicka Estate and Wendy Newman Designs has given rise to Wendy’s Wearable Art. This collection transforms iconic paintings into luxury scarves, umbrellas and leggings. The collection is now available online at avl.mx/d8z. Additionally, the Broadway musical Lempicka, based on Tamara de Lempicka’s life, premieres on Tuesday, March 19. The silk scarves

Wendy Newman. Photo by Katie Richard and umbrellas I’ve created, featuring the famous painter, will be available for purchase during the musical. You can find more information and purchase tickets at avl.mx/d90. X

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ARTS & CU L T U R E

FOOD ROUNDUP

What’s new in food Sourhouse bakery launches online shop Local baker Erik Fabian has launched a new online shop for his company, Sourhouse. Dedicated to helping aspiring bakers make the perfect loaf of sourdough bread, Sourhouse offers free community cookbooks and sells several products designed to make the baking process easier. “It can be a bit overwhelming trying to bake sourdough for the first time, especially if you don’t have much experience in baking,” says Fabian. “Our goal with Sourhouse is to make the process a little easier and hopefully make it less intimidating for people looking to get started.” Sourhouse’s signature product, Goldie, is a device that maintains the ideal temperature for active sourdough starters. “Temperature has a huge effect on a sourdough starter and will impact your bread a lot,” says Fabian. “With Goldie, you can keep your starter at the ideal temperature of 75-100 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of the temperature of your kitchen. We call it ‘Goldilocks Zone’ because it is not too hot but not too cold.” Fabian’s idea for Goldie came during the pandemic while helping his friends bake sourdough. “In 2020, I was suddenly a stay-athome dad hungry for adult conversation, so I was happy to talk about sourdough baking with my friends,” says Fabian. “Helping them get started gave me something positive to focus on in a stressful time, and it reminded me just how much of a struggle it is for new sourdough bakers.” Fabian knew that temperatures were a huge challenge for sourdough bakers and had tinkered with ideas for a device that could keep sourdough starters warm. After over two

son of the late civil rights leader and Asheville native Floyd B. McKissick, will be the keynote speaker. Members of the McKissick family are among the developers of a 3,700-acre community called Soul City, a planned Black mini-metropolis in rural North Carolina. The discussion will be moderated by Benjamin Barber, a writer and voting rights advocate who serves as the democracy program coordinator at the Institute for Southern Studies and as a contributing writer for Facing South. The event will be hosted by Marvin Chambers, a founding member of A.S.C.O.R.E. (Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality). Kenilworth Presbyterian Church is at 123 Kenilworth Road. For more information, visit avl.mx/d8i.

GOLDILOCKS ZONE: Sourhouse co-owners Jennifer Yoko Olson and Erik Fabian created Goldie, a device designed to keep sourdough starter at the ideal temperature. Photo courtesy of Sourhouse

Cuban coffeehouse to open in West Asheville

years of work and dozens of prototypes, Goldie was born. “Goldie has truly been a labor of love,” says Fabian. “We worked so hard on different versions and variations, but the end product is something that I am really proud of and something that I hope will help inspire people to get into sourdough baking and join our community.” Fabian says that his biggest piece of advice for people looking to bake sourdough for the first time is to expect to make mistakes. “A big thing that I tell new bakers is that I don’t strive for perfection with every loaf of bread; I strive for what I call the ‘good enough’ loaf,” Fabian says. “Sourdough is not the easiest thing to bake, but with each ‘good

Haywood Famous coffee shop is set to open at 2 Westwood Place in West Asheville come spring. Owner Eva Rodriguez-Cué, a first-generation Cuban American, says the business will specialize in Cuban coffee and market itself as a “sober nightlife” destination. “As a teenager, I always dreamed of a place where I could hang out at night that was like the parties I hosted in my room — spinning records, good conversation, inside jokes and art. Instead, it seemed all there was to do at night was walk around the grocery store, go for a drive or find some trouble,” says Rodriguez-Cué. “Thus came the idea for a coffee shop that wasn’t just a place to work but a second home; a place that supports

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enough’ loaf, you learn more and more, and your bread will improve.” For more information, visit avl.mx/d8t.

Honoring MLK The 14th annual Kenilworth Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be Monday, Jan. 15, at Kenilworth Presbyterian Church. A community potluck will from be 5-6:30 p.m. in Kenilworth Center, behind the church, followed by the main program in the sanctuary. The topic of this year’s event will be “A Capital for Black Capitalism: Soul City, N.C., and Its Unique Connection to Asheville.” Floyd B. McKissick Jr.,

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its patrons through the exchange of coffee, music, art and ideas.” Rodriguez-Cué says that the name for the shop comes from when she worked at the West End Bakery as a teenager. “It was my first summer working there, and I was greeted by regulars, neighbors, friends, some familiar and some not. I felt like a minicelebrity,” says Rodriguez-Cué. “Eventually, the phrase became an inside joke between my friends and I to talk about our little slice of the world. In this world, we have our own icons, hangouts, stories, legends, parties and even 15 minutes of fame.” For more information and to see updates on the café, visit avl.mx/d8w.

Asheville Restaurant Week returns Jan.16 Asheville Restaurant Week, the annual celebration of local cuisine organized by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, kicks off its 12th year on Tuesday, Jan. 16. For its 2024 iteration, nearly 50 restaurants will join in on the festivities by offering menu specials through Monday, Jan. 22.

Each restaurant has created a customized menu or special offering for the week, which can be viewed on the Asheville Chamber of Commerce website. Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar, Cúrate and Ruth’s Chris Steak House are among the several dozen participating eateries. For more information, visit avl.mx/5k3.

snacks of my hometown to the U.S.,” Peterson said in the release. “This original flavor bubble waffle is the essential flavor at every bubble waffle store in Hong Kong, just like selling classic milk tea at every bubble tea store.” Pop Bubble Tea is at 640 Merrimon Ave, Suite 103. For more information, visit avl.mx/bk5.

Authentic Hong Kong snack

Drag Brunches

Pop Bubble Tea, a local bubble tea shop on Merrimon Avenue, is launching a new addition to its menu — Hong Kong bubble waffles, also known as egg waffles. Co-founders Ashley Garrison and Eva Peterson dedicated extensive research and testing to curate the recipe, drawing inspiration from Peterson’s roots in Hong Kong and Garrison’s experience with recipes at The Hop Ice Cream. A classic street snack in Hong Kong since the 1950s, bubble waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. “This is my honor to introduce one of the most famous street food

Asheville Drag Brunch is hosting two drag shows on Sunday, Jan. 14, at Green Man Brewery. These family-friendly events will feature several drag performances, costume shows and lip-sync competitions. Brunch is included with both the noon and 2 p.m. shows. All proceeds will support Black Wall Street AVL, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting local Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Green Man Brewery is at 27 Buxton Ave. All ages are welcome, but youths must be accompanied by an adult. General admission tickets are $25 and must be purchased before arrival. For more information, visit avl.mx/d8u.

— Chase Davis X

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AR T S & C UL TU R E

ROUNDUP

Around Town One-man show finds laughs in the absurdity of people-pleasing Joe Carroll spent many years of his professional life guiding drunken bachelorette and bachelor parties and other tourists around Asheville. So he didn’t have to look far to find inspiration for Quality Service, his new one-man comedy show. “At some point along the way, I recognized that I had a knack for presenting a version of myself that reflected what others wanted to see: a judgment-free, puppylike energy that shared the message ‘I love it here’ and ‘You’re doing great,’” explains Carroll, a veteran of the local improv scene. “But most of the time, I didn’t love it here, and they [tourists] were not doing great.” Quality Service examines what it means to serve others and highlights the absurdity of pathological people-pleasing, Carroll says. The show, which blends improv with sketch comedy, storytelling and audience participation, will run Friday-Sunday, Jan. 19-21, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Asheville Masonic Theater. “I would leave work covered in beer and confetti and watch the mask slowly slip off. Underneath the mask was someone that wanted for the pain in the world to be acknowledged so that it could be healed. Underneath was someone that treasured authenticity and connection over pointless pleasantry,” he says. “I am creating this show to honor that side of myself and to honor that side in others.” Carroll, who began improvising in 2007 as a student at Appalachian State University, moved to Asheville in 2011 and performed with the improv troupe No Regrets. After the group broke up, he developed several comedy projects around town, including his one-man show JOLO. He taught at Asheville Improv Collective until it closed in 2020 and now teaches longform improv classes at Misfit Improv & Acting School. “I think it’s fair to say that comedy found me,” he says. “When faced with hard truths, one is often put in the position to laugh or cry. I chose to double down on the laugh option, but I still cry frequently and in public.” The show, which Carroll developed over several years, will be directed by Carin Metzger with music by Aaron Price. The Asheville Masonic Theater is at 80 Broadway. For more information or to buy tickets, go to avl.mx/d8d. 32

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FUNNY MAN: Joe Carroll’s one-man show, Quality Service, will run Friday-Sunday, Jan. 19-21, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Asheville Masonic Theater. Photo courtesy of Carroll

Speaking in tongues Kim Hayes says releasing a book of poetry was like giving up babies for adoption. “My poems come from a lot deeper than the surface part of me that most people see,” the Asheville woman says. “And it’s taken some courage to share those depths, knowing that what the reader understands may be entirely different from what I intended. Quite frankly, I could have taken the easy path and gone on scribbling little poems just for me until I died.” Instead, she was “inspirited” to put together As if She Spoke in Tongues, a

collection of poems written over five or six years. It was recently published by Grateful Steps Publishing House and features 10 illustrations by her daughter, Rachael Thomas. The title refers to the idea that readers will interpret the poems in their own language and she, as the author, will lose control. “The book is me letting go of things I’ve held close for a long time. It covers a lot: nature, God, the universe, love, politics, dying, living,” she says. Although Hayes has been writing poetry for years, her credentials as poet are sketchy, she contends. “I’ve taken some poetry classes and attended some workshops over the years. These days, I

meet regularly with other poets to gain their insights and suggestions.” Her poetry has appeared in Barricaded Bards: Poems from the Pandemic, a 2021 collection put out by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville. She also contributed to a book of Lenten meditations, Winged with Longing for Better Things, by Sylvia Sweeney and took second place in the semiannual Xpress Poetry Contest in April. For more information or to purchase As if She Spoke in Tongues, go to avl.mx/d8g.

Local music spotlighted The Dark City Kings, Aunt Vicki and Fashion Bath will take the stage for a local music showcase at The Orange Peel at 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 11. “I know that the AVL Music Fest helped create some larger interest in the local scene, so I’d like this Orange Peel showcase to build on that momentum,” says guitarist John Kennedy of the Black Mountain-based Dark City Kings. “Sure I’d love a good turnout for the Dark City Kings, but I’d also like a good night for the other bands, and so The Orange Peel will host more local showcases, and more people will become interested in checking out the local music scene.” The Dark City Kings began as a group of friends who met to play music outdoors during the height of COVID restrictions. It recently released an album, Porch. Led by married songwriters Lee Dyer and Erin Campbell, Asheville’s Aunt Vicki plays indie, retro rock and Americana. And Fashion Bath, formed by Kevin Boggs and Max Murray, is an Asheville-based experimental rock band. The Orange Peel is at 101 Biltmore Ave. For more information or to buy tickets, go to avl.mx/d8l.

In early 2021, with the city building a new pool at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, City Council voted to close the pool. When community members raised concerns about the site’s future, the Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County worked to get the site listed on local and national historic lists. The park and pool were designated a City of Asheville Local Historic Landmark in 2022. The historic designations do not include permanent protections for the site, PSABC Executive Director Jessie Landl cautioned in a press release. “Our work does not end with the completion of the designation process. Recent renovations to the park have breathed new life into the landscape, yet the pool remains closed. Without a plan in place for the future of the pool, it will continue to deteriorate,” she wrote. The preservation society hopes to work with the neighborhood, the broader community and the city to explore options for site’s future.

Trail blazing The long-planned Asheville Black Cultural Trail was unveiled in a recent ceremony at Black Wall Street.

The self-guided interpretive trail highlights prominent people, places and events in local African American history. It includes 14 stops and 20 panels across three historically significant neighborhoods: downtown, Southside and the River Area, now known as the River Arts District. Among individuals spotlighted on the trail are William R. “Seabron” Saxon, who refused to give up his seat on a bus from Atlanta to Asheville in 1951; William and Georgia Roland, business owners who provided strategy, training and meeting space to Black teenagers during the Civil Rights Movement; and Matthew Bacoate Jr., who operated the first Black-owned manufacturing companies in Western North Carolina in the 1960s and 1970s. The YMI Cultural Center and the site of Stephens-Lee High School, the area’s all-Black secondary school from 1923-65, are stops on the tour. Development of the trail was led by the River Front Development Group, a community advisory group and Explore Asheville staff. “Our goal was focused on lifting up Black history in an inclusive way by illuminating stories of resilience

and resourcefulness,” Catherine Mitchell, executive director of River Front Development Group, says in a press release. “We selected stories of bondage, resistance, advocacy, medical care, and entrepreneurship.” For more information about the trail, go to avl.mx/d8q.

— Justin McGuire X

MOVIE REVIEWS THE IRON CLAW: Director Sean Durkin’s hard-nosed dramatization of the Von Erich wrestling family’s tragedies is a must-see. Grade: A-minus — Edwin Arnaudin

Find full reviews and local film info at ashevillemovies.com ashevillemovies.substack.com

THANKS FOR GIVING LOCAL Congratulations and thanks to all who participated and supported Mountain Xpress’ project and our

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Making history The Walton Street Park and Pool, one of Asheville’s most significant African American historic sites, was added to the National Register of Historic Places last month. At the southern end of the Southside neighborhood, the city-owned Walton Street Park opened in June 1939 as Riverview Park. The pool was completed in the southwest corner of the park in fall 1947 and the poolhouse the following summer. With its gableroofed picnic shelter, concession stand and playground, the park became a community hub for generations of African Americans.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10 185 KING STREET Trivia & Karaoke Night, 7pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Saylor Brothers & Friends (jamgrass), 6:30pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Music w/ Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Bluegrass Jam w/Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Humpday Hootenanny (funk, rock), 10pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm SHAKEY'S Sexy Service Industry Night, 10pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm THE ODD Leah Lawson, Jackson Grimm & Lillian Leadbetter (Appalachian, folk, Americana), 8pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Mike Kenton & Jim Tanner (jazz), 5:30pm BLK MTN PIZZA & ALE HOUSE Billy Presnell (folk, Americana), 6pm CROW & QUILL Jenna McSwain Jazz Quartet, 8pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7:30pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Lumpy Heads (Phish tribute), 10pm ONE WORLD BREWING Andrew Wakefield (bluegrass), 7pm SHAKEY'S Karaoke, 9pm SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners (funk, R&B), 7pm THE GREY EAGLE Hex Wizard w/the Beard Cult (psych, rock'n'roll), 8pm THE ODD Honky Tonk Night, 9pm

CHARLOTTE-BASED AMERICANA BAND: On Friday, Jan. 12, The Local Boys play at Jack of the Wood Pub, starting at 9 p.m. Look for this Charlotte-based quartet to celebrate the deep roots of traditional bluegrass and Americana music. Photo courtesy of Waterhouse Studios Photography ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Off With Your Radiohead (Radiohead tribute), 9pm BOTANIST & BARREL TASTING BAR + BOTTLE SHOP Jennifer Alvarado (country, pop, blues), 6:30pm

URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Trivia Night, 6:30pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Aunt Vicki, Dark City Kings & Fashion Bath (indie-rock, bluegrass), 8pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish Music Session, 7pm

THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN Mr Jimmy (blues), 5pm

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12

CORK & KEG Bayou Diesel (Cajun, Zydeco), 8pm

185 KING STREET The Water Kickers (folkrock, Americana), 7pm

27 CLUB Sacrilege (dance party), 10pm

CROW & QUILL Firecracker Jazz Band, 8pm

CATAWBA BREWING CO. SOUTH SLOPE ASHEVILLE • Comedy at Catawba: Winston Hodges, 7pm • Where Ya From? Crowd Work Comedy Show, 9pm

FLEETWOOD'S Bad Sleepers, Cadavernous & Voola Bros (garage-punk, rock'n'roll), 9pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Machine Funk (Widespread Panic tribute), 7:30pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Tru Phonic (funk, rock, blues), 7pm HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Doss Church & the Unholy Noise (Americana, indie, post-folk), 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Honky-Tonk Fridays w/ Jackson Grimm, 4pm

Open Mic Tuesdays, Trivia Wednesdays & Karaoke Thursdays • NFL SUNDAY TICKET FRI 1/12 Your neighborhood bar… no matter where you live. 34

JAN. 10-16, 2024

SAT 1/13

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• The Local Boys (bluegrass, Americana), 9pm MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Wayne Buckner (country, Southern-rock, Americana), 6pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Calculated Error (rock), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING Bobby Frith Duo (bluegrass, jazz), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST The Well Drinkers (Americana, bluegrass, Cajun), 8pm SHAKEY'S Friday Late Nights w/DJ Ek Balam, 12am

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Moon Hooch w/ Honeycomb (electronic, dance, jazz), 9pm

FLEETWOOD'S Acid Jo, Mary Metal, Kassidy Blount & The Dark Hungers (indie, garage), 9pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Todd Barry (comedy) , 8pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 6pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Robert Thomas Band (jazz, rock), 6pm

WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT Muddy Guthrie (rock, Americana), 7pm

CORK & KEG Carolina Cold Ones (oldtime, Appalachian), 8pm

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13

CROW & QUILL Meschiya Lake's New Orleans Jazz Band, 8pm

GINGER'S REVENGE Modelface Comedy Presets: Gluten-Free Comedy, 7pm

SHILOH & GAINES Bloodkin (rock, folk, experimental), 8pm THE GREY EAGLE Jason Carter (bluegrass, country), 8pm

27 CLUB Blissful Thoughts, Hit Dogs & SnakesSnakeWhale (rock'n'roll), 9pm ASHEVILLE CLUB Mr Jimmy (blues), 6pm

DIFFERENT WRLD Man: A Dragcital w/Milo Mawlie, 1pm EULOGY Disco Is Dead w/ Phantom Pantone, 8pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM Gluten Free Comedy, 6:30pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Nordmoe & The Rodeo (country), 6pm

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JAN. 10-16, 2024

C L UB L AND JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Nobody's Darling String Band, 4pm • Laura Blackley & The Wildflowers (Appalachian, rock'n'roll, folk), 9pm

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OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Billingsley (rock), 8pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Jackson Stokes Band (soul-rock), 10pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST • Preston Cate & The F.A.T. (multiple genres), 3pm • Chalwa (reggae), 8pm SEEKER COFFEE Natalie Jane Hill, Emma Geiger & Lyle de Vitry (folk, Appalachian, jazz), 7pm SHILOH & GAINES After Ours w/Eli Kahn & Joe Enright (jazz, grunge, experimental), 9pm THE BURGER BAR Best Worst Karaoke, 9pm THE GREY EAGLE Sicard Hollow (psych, punk-grass, rock), 9pm THE ODD Party Foul Drag: Saturday Night Tease, 8pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Sold Out: Beartooth w/The Plot In You, Invent Animate & Sleep Theory (noise, rock, metal), 6:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. • Gathering Dark (country, honky-tonk), 3pm • The Lads (rock, blues), 4pm

WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT DJ Rexx Step, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Sunday Jazz Jam, 1:30pm

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14

SOVEREIGN KAVA Cosmic Appalachian Soul, 7pm

CATAWBA BREWING CO. SOUTH SLOPE ASHEVILLE Comedy at Catawba: Kourtlyn Wiggins, 6:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE Country Brunch w/Vaden Landers, 12pm

CORK & KEG PubSing (gospel), 3pm EULOGY Kerosene Heights w/ Porch Coffin, Equal Creatures & Mary's (emo, punk, rock), 8pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 3pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. • The Jacktown Ramblers (bluegrass, jazz, swing), 2pm • Sunday Salsa, 5pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Bluegrass Brunch, 1pm • Traditional Irish Jam, 3:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Melissa McKinney (blues), 2pm

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 27 CLUB Slaughter (metal night), 10pm EULOGY Wolf, Seriff & Sipe (jazz), 8pm FLEETWOOD'S Spooky Tuesdays: All Vinyl DJs, 7pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm NEW ORIGIN Trivia, 7pm

MONDAY, JANUARY 15

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 7pm

5 WALNUT WINE BAR CaroMia, Rahm, Iannuci & Jaze Uries (dream-pop, soul, R&B), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST The Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute), 6pm

FLEETWOOD'S Best Ever Karaoke, 8pm HAYWOOD COUNTRY CLUB Open Mic w/Taylor Martin & Special Guests, 7:15pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo! Pub Trivia w/ Jason Mencer, 7:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Takes All Kinds Open Mic Nights, 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING Open Mic Downtown, 7:30pm

SHAKEY'S Booty Tuesday w/DJ Ek Balam, 9pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Tuesday Night Open Jam, 8pm THE GREY EAGLE PAKT w/Percy Jones, Alex Skolnick, Kenny Grohowski & Tim Motzer (prog-rock), 8pm

EULOGY Sluice & Truth Club (indie-rock), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S Psych Night w/DJ Torren, 9pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Saylor Brothers & Friends (jamgrass), 6:30pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Music w/ Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Bluegrass Jam w/Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Humpday Hootenanny (funk, rock), 10pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm SHAKEY'S Sexy Service Industry Night, 10pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm THE ORANGE PEEL Badfish (Sublime tribute band), 8pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Open Mic Tuesday, 7pm

URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Trivia, 6:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Mashup Mondays w/The JLloyd Mashup Band, 8pm

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18

185 KING STREET Trivia & Karaoke Night, 7pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Mr Jimmy & Friends (blues), 7pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm

BLK MTN PIZZA & ALE HOUSE Billy Presnell (folk, Americana), 6pm

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CROW & QUILL Jessie & the Jinx (honkytonk), 8pm

HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7:30pm LAZOOM ROOM BAR & GORILLA Comedy Night w/Holly Ballantine, 7pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Billy Litz (Americana, blues, indie-folk), 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING Jake Burns (reggae, rock, folk), 7pm SHAKEY'S • Comedy Showcase w/ Hilliary Begley, 8pm • Karaoke, 9pm THE ODD Anti-Sapien, Torsion & All Hell (death, metal, punk), 8pm THE ORANGE PEEL Doss Church & the Unholy Noise (Americana, indie, post-folk), 8pm THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN Mr Jimmy (blues), 5pm URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Bachata Thursdays, 8:30pm

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SUN: Cosmic Appalachian Soul Sundays, 7pm MON: Ping-Pong Tournament, 6pm TUE: Open Jam w/ house band the Lactones, 8pm WED: Poetry Open Mic AVL, 8:30pm/8pm signup

01/11 THUR

Django Jazz Jam, 7pm Hot Club-Style Jazz

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01/12 FRI

DJ Uncle Rizz, 8pm

01/13 SAT

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EULOGY Wolves in the Taproom: Black Metal Night, 7pm

JAN. 10-16, 2024

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F R E E W I L L A S T R O L O G Y BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Why do birds sing? They must be expressing their joy at being alive, right? And in some cases, they are trying to impress and attract potential mates. Ornithologists tell us that birds are also staking out their turf by chirping their melodies. Flaunting their vigor is a sign to other birds of how strong and commanding they are. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you Aries humans to sing more than ever before in 2024. Like birds, you have a mandate to boost your joie de vivre and wield more authority. Here are 10 reasons why singing is good for your health: tinyurl.com/HealthySinging TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Which zodiac sign is most likely to have a green thumb? Who would most astrologers regard as the best gardener? Who would I call on if I wanted advice on when to harvest peaches, how to love and care for roses as they grow, or how to discern which weeds might be helpful and useful? The answer, according to my survey, is Taurus. And I believe you Bulls will be even more fecund than usual around plants in 2024. Even further, I expect you to be extra fertile and creative in every area of your life. I hereby dub you Maestro of the Magic of Germination and Growth.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I will name two taboos I think you should break in 2024. The first is the theory that you must hurt or suppress yourself to help others. The second is that you must hurt or suppress others to benefit yourself. Please scour away any delusion you might have that those two strategies could genuinely serve you. In their place, substitute these hypotheses: 1. Being good to yourself is the best way to prepare for helping others. 2. Being good to others is the best way to benefit yourself.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Research I’ve found suggests that 70% of us have experienced at least one traumatic event in our lives. But I suspect the percentage is higher. For starters, everyone has experienced the dicey expulsion from the warm, nurturing womb. That’s usually not a low-stress event. The good news, Gemini, is that now and then there come phases when we have more power than usual to heal from our traumas. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, the coming months will be one of those curative times for you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Doubt has killed more dreams than failure ever will,” says Sagittarian author Suzy Kassem. Many of us have had the experience of avoiding a quest for success because we are too afraid of being defeated or demoralized. “Loss aversion” is a well-known psychological concept that applies when we are so anxious about potential loss that we don’t pursue the possible gain. In my astrological estimation, you Centaurs should be especially on guard against this inhibiting factor in 2024. I am confident you can rise above it, but to do so, you must be alert for its temptation— and eager to summon new reserves of courage.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): At their best, Libras foster vibrant harmony that energizes social situations. At their best, Scorpios stimulate the talents and beauty of those they engage with. Generous Leos and Sagittarians inspire enthusiasm in others by expressing their innate radiance. Many of us may get contact highs from visionary, deep-feeling Pisceans. In 2024, Cancerian, I believe you can call on all these modes as you brighten and nurture the people in your sphere — even if you have no Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Leo or Pisces influences in your astrological chart. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Here are my wishes for you in 2024. 1. I hope you will rigorously study historical patterns in your life story. I hope you will gather robust insights into the rhythms and themes of your amazing journey. 2. You will see clearly what parts of your past are worth keeping and which are better outgrown and left behind. 3. You will come to a new appreciation of the heroic quest you have been on. You will feel excited about how much further your quest can go. 4. You will feel gratitude for the deep inner sources that have been guiding you all these years. 5. You will be pleased to realize how much you have grown and ripened. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo author Eduardo Galeano mourned how our institutions condition us to divorce our minds from our hearts and our bodies from our souls. Even sadder, many of us deal with these daunting schisms by becoming numb to them. The good news, Virgo, is that I expect 2024 to be one of the best times ever for you to foster reconciliation between the split-off parts of yourself. Let’s call this the Year of Unification. May you be inspired to create both subtle and spectacular fusions of your fragmented parts. Visualize your thoughts and feelings weaving together in elegant harmony. Imagine your material and spiritual needs finding common sources of nourishment. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): According to ancient Greek myth, the half-divine hero Heracles

consulted the Oracle of Delphi for guidance. He was assigned to perform 12 daunting feats, most of which modern people would regard as unethical, like killing and stealing. There was one labor that encouraged integrity, though. Heracles had to clean the stables where over a thousand divine cattle lived. The place hadn’t been scrubbed in 30 years! As I meditated on your hero’s journey in the coming months, Libra, I concluded that you’d be wise to begin with a less grandiose version of Heracles’ work in the stables. Have fun as you cheerfully tidy up everything in your life! By doing so, you will earn the power to experience many deep and colorful adventures in the coming months.

JAN. 10-16, 2024

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 2024, I predict you will be blessed with elegant and educational expansion — but also challenged by the possibility of excessive, messy expansion. Soulful magnificence could vie for your attention with exorbitant extravagance. Even as you are offered valuable novelties that enhance your sacred and practical quests, you may be tempted with lesser inducements you don’t really need. For optimal results, Capricorn, I urge you to avoid getting distracted by irrelevant goodies. Usher your fate away from pretty baubles and towards felicitous beauty. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Some people feel that “wealth” refers primarily to financial resources. If you’re wealthy, it means you have a lot of money, luxurious possessions and lavish opportunities to travel. But wealth can also be measured in other ways. Do you have an abundance of love in your life? Have you enjoyed many soulful adventures? Does your emotional intelligence provide rich support for your heady intelligence? I bring this up, Aquarius, because I believe 2024 will be a time when your wealth will increase. The question for you to ruminate on: How do you define wealth? PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “No one can build you the bridge on which you, and only you, must cross the river of life,” said philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Here’s my response to that bold declaration: It’s utterly WRONG! No one in the history of the world has ever built anything solely by their own efforts, let alone a bridge to cross the river of life. Even if you are holed up in your studio working on a novel, painting, or invention, you are absolutely dependent on the efforts of many people to provide you with food, water, electricity, clothes, furniture, and all the other goodies that keep you functioning. It’s also unlikely that anyone could create anything of value without having received a whole lot of love and support from other humans. Sorry for the rant, Pisces. It’s a preface for my very positive prediction: In 2024, you will have substantial help in building your bridge across the river of life.

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CLASSES & WORKSHOPS CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

and its Acupuncture Clinic WHAT: Special Event: Free mini-acupuncture treatments, information on “How To Stay This Winter,” remarks by College President Dr. Cissy Majebé, refreshments WHEN: Jan. 10, 2024, 5-7pm WHERE: Heaven’s Cloud Event Center, 130 Sardis Rd., Asheville, NC 28806 daoisttraditions.edu . LOVE TO SING! LEARN A CAPPELLA SINGING FOR FEMALE VOICES WITH A LOCAL CHORUS Song O’ Sky Chorus rehearses Tuesday Nights - 7:00 p.m. St. John's Episcopal Church. Come share a love for singing A Cappella barbershop-style harmony and in a culture of belonging.

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T HE N E W Y O R K T I ME S C R O S S W O R D P U ZZLE edited by Will Shortz | No. 1206

PUZZLE BY PETER A. COLLINS AND BRUCE HAIGHT

ACROSS

1 Holy service 5 Hustle 9 “Hallelujah!” singers 14 Humorist Bombeck 15 Half a soft drink? 16 Hurried past 17 Harsh rule, metaphorically 19 Host 20 Honored 21 Hones, as a blade 22 Hobbyist’s purchase 24 Hummer’s interior? 25 “… has come ___ surprise” 27 “Have you ___ wool?” 28 Have a gander 29 Honda Civic competitor from Kia 33 Heavy D’s genre 34 Hybrid genre of country and 33-Across, pejoratively 35 Handle letters 36 Hammer sound 39 Herd at Yellowstone 40 Heehawing animal 41 Home to Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett 42 High-tech gaming tournament, briefly 43 Hagiography subjects: Abbr. 44 Hercule Poirot, e.g., for short 45 Hopping mad sort 47 “Hamilton” cast member Phillipa 48 Holler when the game is deadlocked 49 “Holy cow!” 52 Herr, here 53 Hard to believe, as a tale 54 Hardy’s “before” 55 “Hurrah!” at a stadium 56 Hard to believe 59 “Harvey” star James 62 Heat center of the 2000s

14 17

33 35

49 53 57

54 59

55 61

DOWN 1 “Hasn’t impressed me much” 2 “Happy Days ___ Here Again” 3 Haughty intellectual 4 Hang on to 5 Hatch plans 6 Having a rough texture 7 Huge issue for some teens 8 Helter-skelter scrambles 9 Hoodless pullovers often worn with other layers 10 Hog part 11 Historically 12 “Hah!” 13 Hard drinks similar to bourbons

coming soon

63 Hypocrite’s perch, perhaps 66 Health problem now largely eradicated in the U.S. 67 “Here’s an ___ …” 68 Hacks, say 69 Hall-of-Fame QB Bart 70 Hollywood’s Amanda 71 Hang on to

New Edition

20 22

18 Haute couture name 22 Home to more than 20 million Pakistanis 23 How loose strings might end up 26 Having been sloshed out 30 “Hell, yes!” 31 High-priced perfume ingredient 32 H.S. student’s test result, on a scale of 1 to 5 36 Homemaker from Mayberry 37 Help 38 Hobby shop purchase with a large wood or plastic base

46 Helmet wearer’s potential embarrassment 49 “How Deep Is Your Love” singer Barry, Maurice or Robin 50 Huffy response to a threat 51 “Hooray!” 56 Hip dressers 57 Having gone to an extra period, for short 58 “House” actress Ward 60 Household detergent brand 61 Huge gem, slangily 64 Hotel room option: Abbr. 65 Helpful skill for guessers?

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE

C A F E S C R U L O B S E N A C T D A I S O K R A O N T H E F E N C E M A U S C O M E S T O A B Y S S W I S H Y W A S H Y A C H E B O A S T A E R I N N I M B U S Y D E F T D E C I S I O N F A T I G U E S WO O S H Y M A E Y E S A D S A S P E R O F T WO M I N D S I T S Y S L A T S M A E S T R I C A S H U P I N T H E A I R A R E A G E L T A N N O Y R E S T H I S I S S U E MOUNTAINX.COM

JAN. 10-16, 2024

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