Mountain Xpress 01.29.25

FEATURES

Witnessing the fallen giants of the forest after Helene

PAGE 8

HUB OF HEROES

City staff outlines rebuilding process at CIBO meeting

Community members contribute items and stories to Unity of the Blue Ridge’s prayer wall

Like many rural places in Western North Carolina, the Swannanoa community is scattered around hollers and dead-end roads. Because of this, people in each neighborhood had unique experiences of Tropical Storm Helene — whether they were near forested slopes off Bee Tree Road or in riverside complexes within the flood plain. But throughout the community, its members came together to assist one another in the aftermath of the storm. And their efforts continue. Featured on this week’s cover, from left, are Dale Halford, Kevin Halford and Beth Trigg.

The art of wellness practices, post-Helene

Beer, pizza and time travel at Asheville’s third brewery

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes

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UNCA, don’t raze the forest

UNC Asheville has excavators turning up topsoil, scraping new 8-footwide paths, cutting and knocking down trees in the precious jewel of UNCA’s 40-acre urban forest. They haven’t spoken to those of us who will be most impacted by this, but via the grapevine we gather that they have a few buildings planned.

This lovely forest is bordered by Weaver Boulevard, Broadway and the neighborhood of Five Points. It’s 1 mile from downtown. Over the decades, thousands of residents from Five Points, Montford and beyond have enjoyed this forest as a local green reprieve from our urban stressors. The forest is home to box turtles, owls, hawks, woodpeckers, snakes, possum, raccoon, deer and bear. I have seen and heard all of these there. There are ancient trees, mushrooms and wildflowers. Supposedly there is even a cemetery within the woods.

This fall, Helene ravaged the trees of Buncombe County, with estimates of 40% loss of treetops. In addition to the loss of life, homes and income, locals lost so many of their favorite recreation spots. The UNCA forest sustained a lot of tree loss, too, but it was still there for us to walk our familiar paths, to let us get out in woods and hear the birds and to release for a bit the recent Western North Carolina stressors. We didn’t have to get in the car and fight massive traffic to have a walk in the woods.

Please don’t cut down the remaining trees. We have lost enough tree canopy!

UNCA seems to be probing the areas of the forest closest to the Five Points neighborhood for development. We are one of the oldest neighborhoods in Asheville. We are residential. We have narrow streets. We didn’t move here expecting our neighborhood roads to turn into high-volume business corridors. What is UNCA thinking?

Editor’s Note

In this week’s paper we have a series of interviews, “Beyond the Dais,” with participating Asheville City Council members. In these talks, which are part of our Wellness series, members discuss the ways in which they maintain their physical and mental well-being. Be on the lookout next week for our conversations with members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Unfortunately, not all elected officials were available to participate. X

UNCA owns other large land areas just as close to their main campus and much more accessible by main road thoroughfares such as Broadway, Weaver Boulevard and Merrimon Avenue. They own the large tract of land at Broadway and Catawba that is already bulldozed, cleared and ready for development. Use this! Why raze a rare urban forest?

UNCA, align with your purported values. Please model integritous stewardship of our ever-dwindling wild places. Once and for all, put this forest into conservatorship for generations to enjoy.

People speak up! Get active. Don’t let another Asheville green space turn to concrete.

— Anne Walch Asheville

Editor’s note: Xpress contacted UNCA for a response to Walch’s points, and spokesperson Brian Hart pointed us to an online statement (avl.mx/eh50), which says in part:

“UNC Asheville is taking steps to better understand the characteristics of 90 acres of undeveloped portions of university property. This includes assessing boundaries, topography, land composition and utilities. To support this process, the university

Word of the week

weal (n.) a sound, healthy or prosperous state: well-being

Considering this week’s paper is the first of our two annual Wellness Issues, we thought “weal” made for a fitting selection. X

has authorized an experienced external vendor to conduct a thorough exploratory assessment, which will require removing a minimal number of trees and collecting soil samples.

“As we move forward, the university remains dedicated to working with environmental experts who bring deep knowledge of sustainable and responsible land use.

“No decisions regarding development have been made at this time. In keeping with our commitment to transparency and collaboration, as options are being finalized, UNC Asheville will host listening sessions to share information about potential plans and to gather input from the community. …

“Any future development of university property will align with the best interests of the institution, the local and regional community, and the state of North Carolina, while respecting the natural environment that surrounds us.”

Reworking school district lines could help with cancellations

[Regarding “Draft Report: School Districts Shouldn’t Consolidate,” Jan. 15, Xpress:]

I literally just wrote an email to Asheville Watchdog about the absolutely ridiculous wide swath of the Buncombe County Schools (BSC) system and how it’s resulting in far too many school cancellations for schools that are in the heart of Asheville, such as Oakley Elementary, and how students are being robbed of an education; how it really seems

apparent that BCS doesn’t value their education as much as they should. Meanwhile, according to your article, Oakley Elementary is currently considered a “low-performing school” because it “earned an overall school performance grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’ and a school growth score of ‘met expected growth’ or ‘not met expected growth’ as defined by state law.” Keeping these kids out of school for no reason isn’t helping one bit, that’s for sure. What I would like to know is why some of these schools that are very clearly in the heart of Asheville, central Asheville, like Oakley Elementary, have been categorized as a BCS school rather than Asheville City Schools (ACS). It’s quite puzzling. So I don’t believe a full merger is the answer here, but certainly there are a handful of schools that should immediately be changed from BCS to ACS.

Monday, Jan. 13, is a perfect example of how this unilateral cancellation policy makes no sense and is hurting our kids’ education — it was 45 degrees and sunny with all the main roads around Oakley Elementary clear, and our kids weren’t allowed to be in school! Because there were icy roads miles away in say, Black Mountain or Barnardsville, kids who actually live in central Asheville, where there were no icy roads impeding, also had school cancelled.

Since all the missed school due to COVID-19, I believe it’s extra important to make sure these kids get to school every single day; it’s imperative for their learning and socialization. Apparently, the BCS system feels differently, and it’s become apparent that they might not value our kids’ education as much as they should.

The BCS system is simply far too wide, and as locals, we’re aware that it might be snowy and icy 15 minutes from the heart of Asheville and not at all in Asheville proper. BCS is fully aware of the flaws in this system and yet does nothing year after year to address it.

On another equally important note, the Buncombe County Board of Education voted Oct. 18 to count the 19 days that our students missed due to the hurricane as completed school days. Just cuz.

I’m incredibly sick of it and how detrimental it is to our kids’ education. I’ve spoken with school officials about it previously, and it’s culminating this year with already way too many cancellations after 19 missed days of school due to Helene. At this writing, just in the last five school days, from Tuesday, Jan. 7, through Monday, Jan. 13, our kids have missed three out of those five school days and had at least one day with a two-hour delay.

I don’t believe that enough parents are aware of this nonsense, and they

CARTOON BY RANDY MOLTON

need to be made aware. I can only imagine there’s a large handful of parents who are outraged with all the unnecessary school cancellations around here and want something done about it immediately.

— Sam Katz Asheville

We must protect homes from the next disaster

Get ready for the next disaster now! Much has been discussed about John Boyle’s and Victoria Ifatusin’s Sept. 17 detailed review of the Asheville floods of 1916, 2004 and 2021 published by Asheville Watchdog It was a warning about how ill-prepared we were. Helene’s devastation started only 10 days later. The article reviewed the aging 2010 100-year flood maps, the number of buildings at risk in the 100-year flood plains (about 3,000 for Buncombe and Madison counties) and an $88 million estimate of damages that would result from a 100-year flood.

How quaint. Many experts have stated that Helene was a 1,000-year rain event.

Have we learned anything? Will the legislature and the municipalities tighten building codes, adjust zoning maps, pull development back from riverbanks, buy out structures and recreate wetlands, marshes and buffer zones? Don’t expect much: The North Carolina legislature after Helene passed Senate Bill 382, which delayed the rollout of the 2024 building code by six months (Section 1F.3(b)) and appropriated $250,000 for legal fees (Section 2.E.2) to fight new rules specifically designed to protect fragile coastal habitats (according to NC Newsline Dec. 19). N.C. Republicans have been fighting for developers and the Home Builders Association for years, weakening any measures that would have reduced the devastation and loss of life from Helene (Christopher Flavelle, The New York Times, Oct. 3).

While we fight battles over floor elevation, building in floodplains or on steep slopes, can we look to Los Angeles and project that the next disaster might be fire? When driving around town, all I see on the ground is fuel. And houses packed together. “Home hardening” helps protect your home from catching fire from embers or keeps fuel away from your house. Recommendations include changes to roofs, siding, decks, eaves, doors and windows. “Fortified” home standards guide changes to bracing, connections and many technical details. It is designed to protect against high winds, hail and rain.

Homeowners need support to implement these upgrades. Developers and builders need to be incentivized or required to implement them. And we buyers need to be informed to demand them from sellers and advocate they be included in code and zoning regulations.

Using our tax dollars to weaken codes and regulations seems foolish, doesn’t it? If we don’t fix this, Mother Nature and the insurance industry will do it for us!

— David Dixon Asheville

‘The Gospel’ revealed a rich history of Asheville

Amen, hallelujah and shalom to Jerry Sternberg and his “Gospel”!

Since moving to the “Paris of the South” 21 years ago, “The Gospel According to Jerry” has informed, inspired and enlightened me to a rich history of this place from a perspective not often shared.

I only wish I’d had the opportunity to buy him a beverage and hear him hold court with his stories and perspective of how this town evolved.

Thank you, Jerry!

— John Root West Asheville

Sternberg’s wholehearted support made a difference

If Jerry Sternberg believed in a cause, he supported it wholeheartedly. Jerry believed in the cause of providing assistance to domestic violence survivors in Buncombe County.

Helpmate is a local nonprofit whose mission has been just that for over 40 years. While serving on the board of directors of that organization, I witnessed firsthand his tremendous generosity, and I know that the work of Helpmate was literally made possible by it.

I hope you are resting in peace, my friend. Because of your heartfelt empathy for domestic violence survivors, many of them can now do just that.

— John Stewart Asheville

Columnist’s humor came shining through

Well done on the Jerry Sternberg obituary commentary [“In His Own Words: Sternberg’s ‘Gospel’ Told a Colorful History of Asheville,” Jan. 15, Xpress]. Very readable, funny and

REFLECTIONS

Editor’s note: Xpress reached out to community members for their thoughts on the life and impact of Asheville native and longtime Xpress columnist Jerry Sternberg, who died Dec. 25.

Sternberg spoke his mind on government and more

BY MIKE SUMMEY

I met Jerry Sternberg over 50 years ago. I can’t recall exactly when or how we first met, but I do recall one of my early encounters with him. I was trying to purchase Seely’s Castle on Town Mountain, only to lose out to Jerry because he had the money and I was trying to find financing. I visited Jerry at the castle several times, and we laughed about that early encounter. Jerry eventually donated the castle to a religious group, and my brother was married there while it was in their possession.

As the founder of the Council of Independent Business Owners (CIBO) in the late 1980s, I remember that Jerry was instrumental in helping me get the organization started, although he had reservations about it being formed to compete with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. That was never the case, and eventually he came around and was a big supporter. Although we differed on many political issues, he was always a gentleman. He always wanted what was best for the community, but like me, he felt that local government often overstepped its bounds, and he didn’t mind letting you know how he felt.

Jerry and I were longtime members of the Grove Park Country Club and spent many hours together on the golf course. COVID-19 and the passing of my wife in 2020 abruptly curbed my golf outings. I stopped playing regularly, but whenever I did play, Jerry was usually there as part of the gang. He was a pretty good golfer, especially for his age.

Jerry and I both wrote many articles for our local papers. I had a regular weekly column in the Citizen Times called “Tips for Financial Success” until the paper dropped the business section and me along with it. Jerry often wrote articles for Mountain Xpress and other local papers. We would occasionally call each other and discuss a column we were working on. He was very thought-provoking, and his articles touched on many community issues. Among my favorites

were the columns he wrote about growing up as a Jew in Asheville.

Jerry was a unique individual and a real asset to the community. I will miss his infamous cowboy hat, his hearty laugh and his no-holds-barred comments.

Mike Summey is a speaker, author, entrepreneur and real estate investor. Founder and first president of the Council of Independent Business Owners, he’s also past president of the N.C. Outdoor Advertising Association and National Speakers Association Carolinas and recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

A man who kept a promise to his younger self

BY APRIL BURGESS-JOHNSON

Jerry Sternberg was a force of nature. He had a presence as big as that cowboy hat that was always atop his head.

I met Jerry when I first came to Helpmate 12 years ago and learned about his decades of quiet support for our organization and many others in the community. I asked him once why he cared so much about Helpmate’s mission to end domestic violence. He told me that he was relentlessly bullied as a child and swore that if he ever had the chance, he would do everything in his power to make sure that no other person had to feel that way.

As a man who made his own success, he kept that promise to his younger self. When Jerry learned that Helpmate was in the process of expanding emergency shelter options so that domestic abuse survivors had a safe place to flee, he was quickly on board with the project, acting as the first individual benefactor to the project.

Jerry and his wonderful wife, Marlene, donated $1 million to jumpstart Helpmate’s capital campaign. This gift was staggering in its impact and gave the organization the momentum it needed to launch what promises to be a thoughtful and successful campaign.

Jerry was a natural leader, doing so with wit and charm and by setting an example that others felt compelled to follow. His impact will endure for generations, and those of us who knew him will miss him greatly.

April Burgess-Johnson serves as the executive director for Helpmate, an organization that provides safety, shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence. X

Witnessing the fallen giants of the forest after Helene

BY JIM MCMILLAN

I have experienced a great deal of sadness from the destruction Tropical Storm Helene visited on my neighboring forest. In fact, I couldn’t make myself go into the woods for a couple of months postdevastation.

Living in Asheville and Western North Carolina provides easy access to the outdoors and the fabulous ecosystem of the ancient Appalachian Mountains. My home, like many domiciles in the mountains, has this natural wonder just outside the front and/or back doors.

Near my home, in the city limits along Beaverdam Creek in North Asheville, there is a small stream tributary that originates from the high ridgetops of Elk Mountain. An old horse trail from the early 1900s circles the small gorge of this stream. The forest here had been untouched for over a century.

On a sunny, cold and blustery late fall afternoon, I made an attempt to circumnavigate this old forest loop trail above my house for the first time since Helene. The year-round active stream treats this ecosystem with many benefits. It’s also inhabited by many 100-plus-year-old thriving giant trees and forest floor fauna.

I started my hike from my house on the south slope of the creek gorge. This trail climbs up 2 miles and crosses the creek at an empty pond near the top of the gorge. This is the halfway point for the loop.

At mile 1, I encountered extensive downed, giant trees that created a jumble of thick branches. Their trunks and upper branches extended 50-75 feet in both directions across the trail. It was difficult finding a path through the now-horizontal trees. The matrix of branches, leaves and trunks on a steep slope was a complex sea of vegetation in multi-

JIM MCMILLAN

ple dimensions on an unpredictable spongy footing. The size of trunks and root balls was massive.

I eventually reached a paved road that meets the trail. From the road, you can gaze up Beaverdam Valley to Craven Gap. In the distance, I could see the demarcation line of destruction above 3,000 feet where wind shear took down most of the big trees. This was a gut punch.

At the creek crossing just below a pond dam, I found the biggest collection of fallen old friends. They had lived over a century alongside the constant flow of the stream. Their 20- to 30-inch trunks were enmeshed together 10 feet above the ground. Standing, listening to the stream, gazing at the bright afternoon sun glittering through my fallen cohabitants’ colorful, early-fall leaves proved to be an emotional moment. This image of the distant Blue Ridge Mountains and the frozen life of these ghost trees was overwhelming.

Finally, I was heading down. After an hour of pushing, crawling over and under limbs and trunks of trees up to 18-30 inches in diameter, I had barely made it 150 yards down the trail with still 2 miles to the end. I decided to stop any further attempt to push forward and instead climb back to the south ridge trail I had come up on.

With difficulty, I got back to the trail I had ascended two hours earlier. I heard someone working along the trail ahead of me. It was the owner of a house off the paved road who has “accessory trails” around his property; he was leaf blowing his trails! He directed me to follow his trail system to avoid an area on the main trail that had many downed trees.

The accessory trail contained yet more trees lying flat against the steep slope everywhere needing to be crossed. I began bushwhacking downward, wandering in search of the main trail, when I heard voices ahead of me. I encountered two guys pushing upward into the mess I had struggled through over two hours earlier.

They were also frequent hikers on this trail who were making their first exploration attempt. They planned on returning with chain saws to clear some of the trail. Gotta love a chain-saw-toting hiker! I eventually reached the main trail that was clear all the way back to my house: a big reward after a harrowing hike.

During the entire hike, I had struggled to contain a constant fear of slipping and falling, sustaining a broken ankle and/or other body parts becoming trapped inside the dense branches of these countless fallen giants.

As the sun was setting over the distant Blue Ridge peaks, I got home more than three hours after the start

of my journey. I reached quickly for my bottle of Advil because I hurt all over! No blood had been spilled, but I had felt a true sense of camaraderie as I had been grasping and scraping against the bark of these fallen comrades throughout this adventure. This memory will stay with me for a long time to come.

The clearing of the trails throughout WNC will take many months, and the remnants of these giants will remain. These will remind us of their previous, elevated majestic presence on these forest trails and the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains ecosystem that we will continue to travel.

Jim McMillan came to Asheville in 1977. He loves being in the forests of the Appalachian Mountains.  X

FALLEN FRIENDS: Multiple fallen trees can be seen just off a trail in North Asheville after Tropical Storm Helene. Photo by Jim McMillan

interesting piece, with silky smooth transitions. In addition, writer Tracy Rose let Jerry do most of the talking rather than herself. So many writers don’t do that.

It included unforgettable passages such as Jerry’s daddy trading in muskrat, mink and fox furs; Jerry entertaining Yitzhak Rabin in Seely’s castle; and his willingness to admit he was wrong in his jousting with Karen Cragnolin’s RiverLink French Broad River revitalization efforts.

As the piece noted, Jerry’s “healthy dose of humor” came shining through, as well as his decades of wide experience.

— Bill Branyon Asheville

Our neighbor in need, the environment

It seems that the goodness you see coming from all these disasters is neighbors helping neighbors, strangers helping strangers. That is happening right now in Southern California, as it did here in Western North Carolina, and is still ongoing here, as there is much cleanup to be done and still many people in need. The altruism you see of people helping people is a hope and resilience that people have within them.

But what about when time passes after the storms and things seem somewhat stable again? Do we alter our behavior so the disasters happen less frequently? Do we care about the fragility of our environment that we are a part of?

For so long, humans have felt that they could shape and control the environment to fit their needs, but we forget that the environment is like that neighbor you would do everything in your means to help during a crisis. The environment is a living thing that deserves our care and compassion, for we have always been a part of nature, not separate from it.

Will nature snap back on the cries of “Drill, Baby, Drill”? Will that slogan and the acts stemming from it set up the next disaster just waiting to happen so we can once again become the good people helping our neighbors, perhaps forgetting that our environment also needs our care? For the environment is also our neighbor in need.

— Phil Okrend Black Mountain

Call on Dutch engineers for advice

I am writing to express my opinion about the recent flooding

and related damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

Before any rebuilding action is considered for the River Arts District, Swannanoa River and French Broad River areas, I think it would be very wise to get in contact with Holland’s embassy in Washington, D.C., and request someone from that office come down to Asheville and take a look at the results of Hurricane Helene.

They could see the damage before it got all cleaned up.

Much of the Netherlands, if not all, is below sea level.

The civil engineers in Holland have had to consider what massive flooding would do to their country. They are experts in reclaiming land from the sea by building dikes and properly maintaining them for centuries.

The engineers could give the Asheville City Council and county Board of Commissioners some excellent advice on how to rebuild Asheville and how to prevent our major rivers from overflowing and causing major catastrophic damage again.

If I were the mayor of Asheville, I would be in contact with 11th District Congressman Chuck Edwards and ask him to get in touch with Holland’s embassy as soon as possible to arrange a meeting here in Asheville. Because that would be the

best first step in getting our region back to normal as fast as possible.

Well, that is my opinion.

— Tom L. Nanney Asheville

Zipper merging can ease backups

Traffic is brutal in our much-loved, Helene-ravaged mountains. We have a lot of roadwork happening, thankfully. Along with the repairs come road blockages.

So here is a much-needed reminder on merging. How it works:

1. When you see a “lane closed ahead” sign, stay in your current lane.

2. Drivers should continue to use both lanes until you reach the merge point.

3. Take turns moving into the open lane.

4. Resume full speed once you’re in the open lane.

The benefits of zipper merging include:

• Reduces the length of traffic backups.

• Reduces the difference in speed between lanes.

• Reduces congestion at interchanges.

• Creates a sense of fairness and equity and is safer than merging early.

—

Catherine Murphy Asheville X

CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN

Hub of heroes

BY GREG PARLIER

gparlier@mountainx.com

In the hours and days following Tropical Storm Helene, without cell and internet service, sisters Beth Trigg and Mary Etheridge-Trigg weren’t sure just how bad the damage was across the region. They were focused on helping their immediate neighbors near Warren Wilson College, half of whom had lost their homes in the Sept. 27 storm.

Once everyone’s basic needs were met, at least temporarily, the sisters, who live less than a mile apart, began working their way out of the neighborhood to see who else needed assistance.

“How do I get out of here with all the roads blocked? How do I get access to fuel? All of those things everybody in all these different pockets was figuring out in their own family systems or small neighborhoods,” Etheridge-Trigg reflects.

Etheridge-Trigg’s husband, John Etheridge, went on a search for fuel across state lines to power people’s generators and cars, navigating back roads however he could to get through. Meanwhile, Trigg hosted displaced neighbors at her house and began collecting and redistributing supplies as they became available. Before long, the two sisters felt as if they had a system in place that could work. So they expanded their efforts, doing wellness checks throughout the community.

The pair has since launched Swannanoa Communities Together (SCT), a grassroots organization focused on rebuilding efforts. But they are not alone. Following the storm, several other ad hoc organizations have formed in Swannanoa — one of the areas hardest hit by Helene.

Grassroots organizers power Swannanoa’s recovery

NOBODY’S VICTIM: In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, Beth Trigg, right, co-founder of Swannanoa Communities Together, has spent a lot of time going door to door at hotels working with people who may have expiring FEMA temporary housing vouchers. Xpress photographed Trigg on a Jan. 21 visit to Quality Inn in Black Mountain, where she met displaced Swannanoa residents Kevin Halford, left, and his father Dale Halford. On the morning of Sept. 27, as Helene whipped through the region, Kevin Halford made his way to Madden’s Ace Hardware, where he was a supervisor. After checking on the status of the store, he headed home, but downed trees and rising floodwaters forced him to park his truck under the Interstate 40 overpass near upper Beacon Village. He waited there for four hours while his 80-year-old father was home alone. “There was nothing I could do at that point but wait and pray,” he says. The Halfords are now secure in a hotel room, paid for by FEMA through at least February, and Kevin has been working to get other displaced residents access to hotel rooms or campers. Trigg says his efforts reflect a common trait in people she encounters. “You are a person who’s displaced, and you are helping somebody who’s living in their car,” she observes. “Nobody’s just a victim.” Trigg and Kevin say they will collaborate to help others still displaced by the storm. Photo by Caleb Johnson

’ACTUALLY, WE ARE THE HELPERS’

The Jasper Apartments, an affordable multifamily housing complex, occupies a hill near the corner of U.S. 70 and Warren Wilson Road. In the

immediate aftermath of the storm, its younger residents hauled buckets of water from a nearby retention pond for their families and elderly neighbors. For more than a week, the complex remained without power and water.

During this time, Trigg made her way to the apartments for a wellness check. It was amid these early efforts, says Etheridge-Trigg, that she realized the help she assumed might be on its way, be it from the Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA) or a large nonprofit entity, was not coming — at least not in the way she had imagined.

“I kept waiting for some entity to step in. I remember having a conversation with Beth and being like, ‘Well, we don’t want to get in the way of the helpers.’ Then we realized, ‘Actually, we are the help.’”

According to a FEMA news release, the organization had granted more than $47 million in individual disaster assistance by Oct. 4. Additionally, Buncombe County put out a release noting survivor assistance teams were posted on Park Street in Swannannoa the first week of October. A community care station was also set up in Swannanoa in the Ingles parking lot Oct. 9. Still, more help was needed.

The Jasper complex offered its community room as a storage center for supplies, and Trigg and EtheridgeTrigg set up a community resource hub in the parking lot. Everyone was doing whatever they could, Trigg says. “They were self-organizing [at Jasper]. We were self-organizing. People were taking care of each other,” Trigg says.

While at Jasper, Trigg met Angela McGee, a single mother of eight who had lost her home in the flood. She was at the complex to apply for an apartment, but no units were available. Through her network, Trigg was able to connect McGee to the Charlotte-based landlords who owned a vacation rental in Oakley that they were willing to provide for a storm victim.

Beyond friends and neighbors, McGee was the first stranger Trigg assisted during the recovery, which helped her and her sister realize that they could expand their services if they established a formal organization. Around late October, SCT was born.

BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

Like many rural places in the mountains, the Swannanoa community is scattered around hollers and dead-end roads, with pockets of the population tucked behind numerous bridges crisscrossing the river and its tributaries. Because of this, people in each specific neighborhood had unique experiences in the storm, whether they were near forested slopes off Bee Tree Road or in riverside complexes within the flood plain.

As Trigg, her sister and their helpers started branching out farther from home, they ran into others doing the same work in other neighborhoods. Kym Maisch, who would later become a core member of SCT, was focused on the Moffitt Road neighborhood behind the former Root Bar, where two people died when an apartment

building came off its foundation and floated down the river.

John Piper Waters crossed paths with Trigg on Facebook amid a search for missing residents of a trailer park on the east end of Swannanoa. That led to a lasting partnership between the two, who continue to connect displaced residents with resources.

Down in Beacon Village, near what some consider “central” Swannanoa off Whitson Avenue, Tissica Schoch was doing her own organizing.

Schoch says she was fortunate to own the one house on Edwards Avenue that did not flood. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, she opened her door to another family. Once she learned about the twice-daily county briefings on Blue Ridge Public Radio, she became the unofficial news source for Beacon Village.

“I love synthesizing information and spreading it. So from that point on at 10 [a.m.] and 4 [p.m.] I would turn my car on and listen to the radio. We would charge people’s phones, I would take extensive notes, and then I would go around and tell everybody what I found out,” Schoch says.

About a week after the storm, the neighborhood began regularly meeting to share information and resources. Schoch, who worked remotely for a finance consulting firm before the storm and will return to that role at some point, got her hands on a Starlink portable internet modem to help in her communications role, and she kept disseminating information.

Eventually, Schoch joined organizers George Scott, Carol Groben and others to form the Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance (SGA). According to the group’s website, its mission is “to inform the community and support relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts in the Swannanoa Valley.”

FORMING ALLIANCES

SGA, a collaborative group without hierarchical structure, holds decentralized meetings where everyone shares their needs as well as what they can offer.

During a recent meeting on a cold January morning, about 20 attendees sat on chairs in a circle in the sanctuary of the former Swannanoa United Methodist Church on Whitson Avenue. Scott, one of the group’s rotating facilitators, says the group has met 46 times since Oct. 4 with a total attendance of more than 1,000, as of Jan. 7. They still meet two to three times a week.

The goal of the meeting, Scott told the group at the outset, was to connect attendees and figure out how to best

Running the hills of the East End with Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley

Xpress: What is your go-to exercise? And, if applicable, where in Buncombe County do you like to do it?

Mosley: I’m an early riser, typically waking up between 4:30 and 5 a.m. each day to start my exercise routine. I usually begin with a stationary bike session to get my heart rate up, followed by resistance training at least three times a week. Most of my workouts are at home, which allows me to stay consistent despite a busy schedule.

During the pandemic, I found myself embracing the hills of the East End neighborhood — walking and running them became a great way to clear my mind while getting a good workout in. Another one of my favorite spots, especially in the fall, is Beaver Lake. There’s something about walking around the lake amid the changing leaves that makes it not only a great workout but also a restorative experience. Exercise has always been an important part of my routine, and it’s something I prioritize for both my physical and mental well-being.

On days when you need to mentally unwind, is there a spot in our city that you gravitate to? Why?

INCLINE: Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley typically begins her morning exercise routine around 4:30 a.m. Photo courtesy of Mosley

Yes, there’s a hidden nook near downtown that I’ve always been drawn to. It offers a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance, and it’s one of those places that feels peaceful and away from the hustle and bustle. I use to visit this spot as a kid, and there’s something nostalgic about it for me. It’s like a little secret of Asheville — quiet, serene and offering a sense of connection to nature. Whenever I need to clear my mind and recharge, I find myself returning to that place. It’s a location that reminds me of the simplicity and beauty of Asheville, and it’s a great place to center myself amid a busy day. What song gets you most energized (whether it’s for a workout session or a Council meeting)?

I’m too much of a music lover to pick just one song — it really depends on the mood I’m in. Prince is my all-time favorite artist, and his music always gives me energy and inspiration. I tend to gravitate toward ’70s, ’80s and ’90s R&B a lot — it’s what I grew up with, and there’s something about those grooves that really gets me moving. Lately, though, I’ve been listening to a lot of Beyoncé. Her music has that powerful, empowering vibe that helps me get in the zone, whether I’m working out or heading into a Council meeting. Her energy and confidence are contagious, and it’s hard not to feel motivated when she’s on. X

share the resources available to them. All attendees introduced themselves, shared information about recent projects, what issues they were facing or what services they were offering.

Cody Johnmeyer, a demolition contractor from Missouri, said he was there with his crew to help, earning praise and thanks from the crowd. But longtime Swannanoa resident DeDe Styles shared the best-received news at the gathering: She planned to bring strawberries back to town.

With Swannanoa’s Ingles temporarily closed due to sustained damage and Ledford’s Produce stand destroyed, the valley has become a food desert, with the closest grocery stores in Black Mountain or East Asheville. At the meeting, Styles said residents need a place where they can get strawberries, ramps and pickled quail eggs.

“I worry that people can’t get strawberries. People in Swannanoa really depend on that,” she told the crowd to joyful exclamations.

Groben says it’s been “overwhelming and humbling” to see how the community has come together after the storm.

“It’s extraordinary. I never expected something like this. I’m so proud of this community coming together to help their neighbors recover.”

Schoch says it’s refreshing to see how a community that didn’t know each other before now can’t live without each other.

“We want to continue this community that we’ve established and have monthly potlucks. And, you know, I think a lot of us are going to be more active in just sitting on porches and saying hello to people who pass by.

NEW FRIENDS: Sisters Mary Etheridge-Trigg, left, and Beth Trigg, middle, didn’t know fellow Swannanoa Communities Together members Carmen Ybarra, second from left, and Kym Maisch, right, before Tropical Storm Helene arrived Sept. 27. Now, they are best friends. Also pictured: Maisch’s son Zander Sizemore, age 7. Photo by Greg Parlier

I mean, on Sept. 26 we didn’t know each other’s names, but now I can’t get down the street without saying hello to everybody,” Schoch says.

BIGGEST BARRIER

For grassroots organizers working to bring more resources to Swannanoa and help its blue-collar residents find replacement housing, a thematic roadblock emerged. The area’s status as an unincorporated, census-designated

place without a town council or mayor complicates recovery efforts.

Unlike larger Asheville to the west or Black Mountain to the east, there is no clear town square in Swannanoa, no obvious gathering place for residents to go to for resources and no hyperlocal government official to call for help. That, say both Trigg and Schoch, has made it more difficult for residents there to get access to the same resources, information and recovery infrastructure available elsewhere.

“The reality is that if you live in an unincorporated part of the county, the only local government you have is the county government. You don’t have what the people who live in the city of Asheville have or what people who live in Black Mountain have,” Trigg says.

In 2009, Swannanoa residents voted down a referendum to incorporate the community. Some are now seeing the value of incorporation in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

“The biggest barrier to Swannanoa getting back on its feet is the fact that we are unincorporated, and so we don’t have a channel to access all of the grants and state funding,” Schoch adds. “If that was out of the way, we would be in great shape for recovery.”

Despite those roadblocks, the fight goes on for organizers, and something about working with your neighbors, for your neighbors is refreshing, Schoch says.

“It was like a little very messed-up utopia that we had. No money ever

Kids Issues!

exchanged hands. It was just, ‘What do you need?’ and ‘I’ve got you,’” she adds.

KICKING INTO HIGH GEAR

Similar to other communities post-Helene, there have been standout businesses and nonprofits shifting their typical operations to ensure the community gets fed in Swannanoa.

You can’t have a conversation about the post-storm atmosphere without talking about Blunt Pretzels, just down the block from where SGA holds its meetings.

The day after the storm, Chris Smith and his wife, who live one mile from the pretzel cafe, walked to Blunt in search of water. Owner Eddy Shoeffmann already had the griddle warmed up with pretzels heating and was cooking up burgers and bratwursts for the community.

Smith, who works in software sales and previously owned a food truck, asked Shoeffmann if he needed help. Just like that, Blunt had a new volunteer chef.

For 60 days, Blunt served breakfast, lunch and dinner, with supplies donated by local restaurants closed from the storm and staple ingredients supplied by World Central Kitchen. At its apex, the operation was serving 2,000 meals a day, Smith says.

Four months later, Smith and the volunteer team are still cooking dinner seven days a week, serving between 200 and 400 people each night, he says. They plan to continue through at least mid-April and hope to extend the effort by loaning the space to restaurateurs who lost their kitchens or by offering classes on how to prepare more obscure food items, Smith says.

Meanwhile, Swannanoa-based food nonprofit Bounty & Soul kicked into high gear providing food not only to Swannanoa but all over Buncombe County after the headquarters of MANNA FoodBank was destroyed in East Asheville, forcing the larger nonprofit to relocate.

“We completely filled the need for fresh food access. MANNA’s capacity for fridges was at 20%. We had to step in in a bigger way,” says Ali Casparian, executive director of Bounty & Soul.

The supplier went from distributing fresh food to 17,000 people a month to around 24,000 after the storm, she says. The nonprofit has focused its efforts on areas hardest hit, especially Swannanoa.

Bounty & Soul set up regular markets on Whitson Avenue in a mobile produce truck, giving locals dependable access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

It also expanded its reach beyond food, using community connections to help secure mattresses for people who lost everything in the flood, Casparian says.

WINTER EFFORTS

Back on the west side of Swannanoa, as water returned to the taps in the Jasper Apartment complex, its residents needed their community room back, and SCT needed a more permanent home.

Trigg found a vacant building on U.S. 70, across from where Tarwheels Skateway used to be.

Carmen Ybarra, community organizer with Just Economics, joined the team to help communicate with the area’s Spanish-speaking community and has stayed on with Maisch and the sisters to help in additional ways.

At SCT headquarters, as volunteers unwrap a donated fridge that the crew plans to stock with available perishables, Trigg vents about the group’s more recent efforts: homelessness avoidance.

Trigg, Maisch, Waters and others have spent much of the last couple of months scrabbling together funds from various, mostly private, sources to help residents facing the threat of eviction. More recently, the group has assisted those who are living at hotels and motels paid for by FEMA navigate the federal agency’s requirements. Among these efforts, they have been appealing for more time and assistance. Many, Trigg says, still have nowhere to go.

Etheridge-Trigg says on average, two to four people come to SCT every day for housing-related financial assistance. They never turn anyone away, she adds.

Ultimately, beyond their pressing day-to-day work, the members of SCT aim to unite the community and give a voice to all residents who wish to be a part of Swannanoa’s recovery.

“What we are trying to do here is hold a space for all those communities to work together on what we need right now and on the future of Swannanoa, and do it through building connections and trust,” Trigg says.

During Xpress’ visit, an organizer living along N.C. Highway 9 arrived, looking for resources and help supplying her neighbors. Up until that moment, Etheridge-Trigg says, they hadn’t heard from anyone in that area.

The visit is an example of how many people in different neighborhoods are still in great need, EtheridgeTrigg says. She hopes word will spread that SCT is a place where anyone interested in Swannanoa’s future can be a part of rebuilding.

“We need to make sure that everybody who wants to have a voice in figuring out what Swannanoa is going to do from here, and how Swannanoa will look from here, and how we can support each other … has a space to have a voice,” she adds. X

What’s next?

City staff outlines rebuilding process at CIBO meeting

BY BRIONNA DALLARA

bdallara@mountainx.com

As recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, several City of Asheville staff members and elected officials attended the Jan. 17 meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners (CIBO) to explain the rebuilding process.

A critical component is whether buildings are deemed substantially damaged, meaning repair costs within a one-year look back period exceed 50% of the property’s market value, said Ben Woody, assistant city manager, during the presentation.

“If the damage does not exceed 50%, you can rebuild back the way you were,” Woody told about 100 business owners gathered in the Sherrill Center at UNC Asheville. But if damage exceeds that amount, building owners have to adhere to current — and often tougher — standards.

To help property owners navigate post-storm recovery, the city has launched a Floodplain Assistance Support Team (FAST) dedicated to addressing all things building code.

Ultimately, CIBO members gathered to hear about proposed changes to the city’s building codes or Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Woody assured the audience the changes are primarily technical to keep the city in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Key requirements for buildings with substantial damage will remain unchanged from language established in 2009.

The UDO’s flood ordinance will maintain its current 2-foot freeboard requirement, which mandates that buildings’ lowest floors are 2 feet above base flood elevation — the height anticipated during a flood, as determined by flood maps created by the NFIP and managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“In 2009, the City of Asheville adopted new flood maps. We’ll do that again in a couple of years, and then the new flood maps in a couple of years will likely include the modeling from Hurricane Helene — that’s in the future,” Woody said.

Woody also addressed confusion surrounding the city’s look-back period, which is used to determine the amount of damage.

The look-back period, which starts when repairs do, was changed from five years to one in 2009, but that change was missed in a few spots, causing confusion. The current changes will clean that up, Woody said.

But just like the flood maps, the look-back period may change in the future, Woody said.

DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

One attendee asked if damage to tenants’ equipment, for example restaurant equipment, is included.

The answer is yes, said Derek Wainscott, stormwater division manager for the city, whose team surveyed buildings for substantial damage.

“The 50% applies to all improvements to any building. So the equipment for a restaurant would count for that,” Wainscott said.

To calculate the degree of damage, teams from the city use the Substantial Damage Estimator from FEMA that begins with the property’s tax assessed value from 2021 and adjusts it to reflect the prestorm market value.

“Our best available information is from property tax roll and from these … estimating tools. That doesn’t mean that’s your best information,” Wainscott said.

After the team initially addresses substantial damage, it’s crucial for contractors to tally expenses as they go, Woody said.

“We’re going to start with estimates, right? But there’s got to be receipts at the end,” Woody said. “So the worst thing that we could do is you start working because you’re at 48% (but) when we get to the end of that project, and you’ve actually spent 57%, you’re going to have to fix that.” That could mean a project would have to be scaled back to come under 50% or changed to meet higher standards.

If property owners don’t agree with initial estimates, they can turn to the FAST.

FAST TO THE RESCUE

“The idea behind this is we have a specific group of people that all have touches within the development process, whether through planning, whether it’s through stormwater, whether it’s through inspections,

LOOKING AHEAD: Ben Woody, assistant city manager, answered questions that local business owners had about the recovery process at the Jan. 17 CIBO meeting. Photo by Brionna

Dallara

planning review, or permitting, we have somebody specific for that,” said Mark Matheny, development services director for the city.

“We’re expecting a back-and-forth with your better information from a contractor or from an appraisal,” Wainscott said. This information will go into the estimating tool to better reflect construction costs in Asheville.

“If you give me an appraisal and it is higher than our adjusted market value, we will take that information, put it into the tool,” Woody said.

To date, a team of 20 city staff members led by Wainscott have surveyed 824 buildings in the floodplain as drawn by the NFIP.

Of 448 commercial buildings, 230 were substantially damaged or destroyed. Of 376 residential buildings, 45 were substantially damaged or destroyed.

Historic structures can request a city variance from flood standards, but state law still requires owners to

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take steps to make the property more resilient, Woody said. The FAST team can help with that.

“Biltmore Village is a great example: There is a path forward that you can rebuild, even though you’re substantially damaged, and you can still avoid that elevation or flood-proofing,” Woody said.

ADDRESSING WATER SYSTEM ISSUES

City officials also outlined how much Helene altered the city’s approach to providing water.

“Our water quality coming into watersheds probably changed for the next 20 years just because of the settlement and everything in there,” said David Melton, water resources director.

City staff then outlined three large projects intended to make the city’s water system more storm-proof.

• Converting North Fork Reservoir into a conventional water treatment plant, which would include several sediment basins to remove turbidity (the murkiness of the water), increased on-site storage and other enhancements to improve water treatment. Staff is beginning the design phase. Cost: $101 million.

• Alternate waterline leading to North Fork that doesn’t traverse the flood-prone Swannanoa River Valley. Cost: $50 million.

• Adding another treatment facility, possibly in West Asheville. Cost: $80 million to $100 million.

Melton said a fourth treatment plant would get “all our eggs out of one bas ket” since the two plants are near each other Swannanoa and Black Mountain.

“If something happens in that area, it’s going to happen to both plants. Of course, we got separation with Mills River, and we’re doing projects there now,” Melton said, but eventually there will be a need for a fourth treat ment plant.

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Community activist

BY GREG PARLIER

Having just had surgery, the illtimed Tropical Storm Helene relocated Bobbette Mays’ recovery. But distance couldn’t keep the community advocate away from her support of Shiloh, her neighbors, Asheville and Black voices on city and county boards and commissions.

When the storm hit, Mays went to stay with her daughter in Maryland for two weeks. But despite her house in Shiloh still lacking power and water, she couldn’t stay away.

“I came back because I just didn’t want to be there and not see what was going on here. I’m very passionate. I’m a community activist, and so I’m all about the people in the community and what we can do for each other,” she says.

This conversation is the second in a periodic series of interviews with Black community members involved in establishing reparations for those who have been affected by generations of systemic racism in Asheville and Buncombe County. The Community Reparations Commission put its work on hold as the community recovers from Tropical Storm Helene.

Mays is quick to express her gratitude to first responders, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers and the staff of Buncombe County and the City of Asheville who helped the community rebound.

“We just really appreciated everything that was done to help because we saw a crisis where everybody was affected. It didn’t matter who you were, where you lived, what you made or anything. Everybody was impacted by this,” she points out.

Mays herself is no stranger to community advocacy and volunteering.

After leaving Asheville to attend college at Winston-Salem State University, Mays moved to California with her mother in 1976. She returned to Asheville in 1988 with her mother and her two children. She lived in Shiloh and worked for the American Red Cross as a phlebotomist. She retired in 1997 on disability because her rheumatoid arthritis prevented her from performing her job. But she stayed involved.

She served as a community connector, bringing food from MANNA FoodBank to those in need, served on the 2021 ad hoc property tax reappraisal committee, worked with the Shiloh Community Association, including as president, and now

serves as vice chair of the Community Reparations Commission. After the storm, she pitched in at Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church, distributing water, food, clothing and supplies.

Xpress caught up with Mays in November to find out how Helene has — and hasn’t — changed her priorities.

Xpress: How was your experience weathering the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene in Shiloh?

Mays: I thought about my ancestors. They would go to bed with the chickens and wake up with the chickens. When darkness falls, with no light, you go to bed, and you wake up in the morning when you look out and see light.

It was kind of a shake-up for [those of us in Shiloh] because a lot of the people in Shiloh are seniors. We have three or four generations of families here. Even though gentrification means that we’re only a small portion of African Americans in this community, those that are here, we’re very close-knit.

Have you always lived in Shiloh?

I was raised in Stumptown (a historically Black neighborhood in present-day Montford near the Tempie Avery Community Center.) We were not impacted by urban renewal. I lost a lot of friends that urban renewal took out that I went to school with or that we played with in Stumptown that had to be displaced, but we were still standing.

I always wanted to live in Shiloh because my family was in Shiloh, my church was in Shiloh, and so that was my main goal. I was so familiar with Shiloh because [we have] three or four generations of families in Shiloh. What made you get into community activism?

My mother was somewhat of an activist. She was familiar with people in West Asheville, East Asheville, North Asheville. When I was little, we were going everywhere. And so that was how it started. Plus, my uncle is Dr. Thomas Kilgore Jr. He was friends with Martin Luther King Jr. They were really good friends. When [Kilgore] passed and they had a service for him in California, Coretta Scott King gave remarks at the funeral service. He was an activist like that, and when we were growing up, that was what he always talked about — the importance of people and helping people. That was his goal.

My father passed away when I was 13, so [Kilgore] was like a mentor and a father figure. Even though he lived in California and we lived in

KEEP GOING: Bobbette Mays, vice chair of the Community Reparations Commission, continues her work connecting Black communities in Asheville, even after Tropical Storm Helene. Photo courtesy of Mays

Asheville, my grandmother always made it important for all of us to get together. So we all knew each other, and we all learned from each other.

Why is it so important to maintain Asheville’s legacy Black neighborhoods?

Somebody’s got to be able to tell the story. Somebody’s got to know that we were here. This cannot be taken away from us, and we want to encourage the young people that you can own and you can live and you can be in these spaces, but you have to get the education to know how to get to these spaces.

Do you think the younger generation understands the importance of legacy neighborhoods and their role in passing on that history?

The sad part is they want to get out, but some of them don’t know how to get out. In my generation, it was my mother and my father before he passed that knew education was important. Go to college, then you have something to stand on, like I started out.

So I think that if we give young people the opportunity, you don’t have to go away to college, but you can go to A-B Tech. But I think they have lost hope. It’s like they’re in a box and

they don’t know how to get out of the box.

We’ve got to get them out of survival mode, into feeling good about themselves, and say, “I can do. I know I can do, and I can teach my children to do.”

What do you envision for Asheville’s future?

I envision that we will be able to grow and prosper. I think this [storm] might be a wake-up call. I want to be able to go out and tell young people that there is a way that you can get ahead. I want them to be able to feel like they’re important.

Who are your heroes?

I look up to Sophie Dixon, current president of the Shiloh Community Association, because she came from Stumptown too, but she has been a vital part of the Shiloh Community Association. I look at her, and even at her age, she’s still out there, and she’s still working and doing stuff and trying to make it better.

Also, I play the piano, and I played in Reynolds Miller Chorale and with Trevor Chavis, and she inspired me. She’s like my second mom, and she has inspired me to be the best that I can be.

Do you still play?

I play at my church. My mom was a musician, too. And my dad loved music. My mom said I was banging on the piano so much that at the age of 5, she got me a music teacher. So I started playing when I was 5.

Music gives me a sense of peace. I’m one that loves instrumental music with no words because I can just close my eyes and just listen to it, so I don’t always want to hear the words.

What would you like to see change in Asheville?

I would love to see more people that look like me come up to the front and join in on these committees and commissions in the city and the county because you cannot complain if you’re not at the table. And that’s a start because then you can start to learn what the policies and the procedures of your city and the county are. Don’t say, “I can’t do it” or “I don’t think that I could do it.” Just try it. X

Commissioners vote to reduce school funding despite pleas

Just before the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ Jan. 21 meeting, several dozen supporters of Buncombe County Schools (BCS) and Asheville City Schools (ACS) gathered outside the county administration building in freezing temperatures to protest the projected $4.7 million budget cut to the school systems. Protesters held signs that read: “Cuts hurt our kids.” Just before the 5 p.m. meeting, the group marched into the building chanting, “I believe that we will win.”

Things did not go as they’d hoped. The meeting went on for over four hours, the majority of the time devoted to school funding. Several school officials, including BCS Superintendent Rob Jackson, ACS Superintendent Maggie Fuhrman, BCS Board of Education Chair Rob Elliot , and ACS Board of Education Chair Sarah Thornburg addressed commissioners, outlining the impact the proposed budget cut would have.

Jackson pointed out that 83% of BCS’ budget goes toward salaries for school personnel, indicating that a cut would impact staffing. Jackson explained BCS can use money from its $19 million fund balance to prevent staff cuts for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year, but the budget cut could impact the 2025-26 school year. Jackson said the district has already pulled out $6 million from savings since Tropical Storm Helene. ACS has $12.7 million in its emergency fund.

In other news

• Commissioners voted 7-0 to rezone 14 Hitching Post Lane, a 10.35 acre Asheville property near Leicester Highway, from an R2 residential zone to a CS commercial space. No members of the residential area spoke during public comment. Barney Danzansky of Equity Development Group, speaking on behalf of the property owners, said the rezoning would allow the property to keep up with other commercial developments in the area.

• The board unanimously approved a request from Asheville

After school officials, another 18 people addressed the board. Parents, teachers, students and a school social worker all made impassioned pleas to keep funding intact and cited increased needs amid an already stressed budget. They described students who had lost their favorite teachers and subjects to budget cuts; children who go to school hungry and under emotional distress; a student with disabilities who was not able to receive consistent assistance due to staff cuts; larger class sizes; teachers acting as bus drivers; and “stretched thin” English as a second language teachers. Nearly 3,000 new multilanguage students have enrolled in BCS since the storm. All worried the cuts would be another blow to students after an already difficult year.

Several speakers asked the commissioners to raise property taxes rather than cut funding, but John Hudson, county budget director, said state law prohibits the county from raising taxes midyear.

The other avenue to generate revenue is to pursue those who haven’t yet paid their property taxes, which were due Jan. 5. But commissioner Martin Moore said many people aren’t paying taxes because they are out of work or their properties were damaged in the storm, including 9,200 homes. Going after them for tax payment would be adding pain to an already difficult situation, he said, adding that raising taxes or pursuing those behind in paying taxes would essentially be harming one constituency to help another.

Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) to ask for an additional $2.8 million from the state’s Community Development Block Grant Recovery Housing Program. The money would go to Transformation Village, which provides housing to unhoused women, mothers with children, and veterans, to build a four-story, 64-unit building with 32 units dedicated to women and mothers in recovery from substance abuse.

• Commissioners voted unanimously to withhold $325,000 from the county’s property reappraisal and $596,342 from conservation easements. Commissioners voted to

COLD FACTS: Despite protesters outside the Buncombe County administration building, commissioners voted Jan. 21 to cut education budgets.

BUDGET CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD

Reductions to funding are happening across county government, not just in education. The county has instituted a hiring freeze, leaving 89 vacancies unfulfilled. Areas of public health, social work services, justice services, economic development and economic services will all see “programmatic reductions,” Hudson said. Deferred maintenance of county facilities; reduced library and recreation programming, animal shelter capacities and medical supplies; as well as reductions in tax reappraisal funding and future conservation easements are all planned cost-cutting measures to make up for an expected $15 million to $26 million deficit in fiscal 2025.

“Climate change took this money from us already, months ago,” com-

retain $78,000 in Early Childhood Education funding.

• The board accepted a $500,000 grant from N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Accessible Parks to replace the existing playground at the Buncombe County Sports Park. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

• Lee Ann Smith was reappointed to the Library Advisory Board and Co-Kema Hines to the Juvenile Crime and Prevention Council. The reappointment of Andy Bobowski was postponed after commissioner Moore requested additional information about his employment history. X

missioner Parker Sloan said, citing the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The effects of the storm have increased county spending while revenue is lagging. Property taxes are the county’s largest revenue source, accounting for 64.8% of funding. As of Jan. 16, nearly 1% of collections were past due.

The proposed budget cuts are to prevent the county from dipping further into its fund balance — the county’s savings account. If the balance were to fall below a certain amount, it risks losing its AAA rating — the highest possible bond rating — which enables the county to get lower interest rates.

“Spending down county reserves puts our bond rate in jeopardy, puts our services in jeopardy and puts the entire county in jeopardy for decades to come,” explained Commissioner Drew Ball. The cuts will ensure that the county fund balance stays at 10.5%-13.5% of the overall budget, which is $41 million to $57 million.

CASTING THE VOTE

In the end, a motion to cut the county’s budget, including school funding, passed, 5-2, with Commissioners Jennifer Horton and Moore opposed.

“As a mother and a product of Buncombe County Schools, I have a hard time sitting here before my community, when I ran on strong communities, to take $4.7 million away from our students,” Horton said before the vote.

“This is very painful for all of us,” Comissioner Terri Wells said. “And I feel a necessary decision that we have to make to ensure that we are fiscally healthy. … It is an awful, awful choice to have to make.”

Commissioners who agreed to the cuts said they had to choose between putting the entire county’s bond rating at risk or including education cuts. Several expressed hope money would be coming from the state to shore up school budgets.

“What all of us have got to do is lobby the state,” suggested Commissioner Al Whitesides Wells added, “We are advocating very strongly at the state level to be able to get flexible funding and with good terms that can help us with this revenue loss that we are facing.”

Commissioners have their eyes on a potential $100 million loan from the state, which could be distributed throughout the county as needed, including as a reimbursement to the school systems.

— Carmela Caruso  X

Photo by Carmela Caruso

FOR YOUR EARS

Asheville Theater Alliance’s new podcast, “Behind the Curtain” gives listeners a weekly view of the performing arts industry in Western North Carolina. Debuting Jan. 16, the podcast hosted by Janet Kopenhaver drops by 1 p.m. Thursdays and will feature a different performance artist or organization talking about new productions, events and history. Info: avl.mx/egj X

Arts honor for Manheimer

Americans for the Arts honored Mayor Esther Manheimer for her dedication to the creative sector with a 2025 Public Leadership in the Arts Award. The gathering took place Jan. 17-19 at the 93rd winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. In a media release announcing the award, ArtsAVL commended Manheimer’s efforts to ensure that arts and culture remain central to the post-Helene recovery efforts. The release also highlighted the mayor’s role as co-chair to Gov. Josh Stein’s Rebuilding Western North Carolina Advisory Committee. X

Public Service Announcement

The City of Asheville is seeking volunteers to serve on 11 boards and commissions that were paused after Tropical Storm Helene. Residents have until Sunday, March 9, to apply to serve on everything from the Board of Adjustment to the Mountain Community Capital Fund Operating Committee. Just based on that last one, we agree with the city’s recommendation to attend or watch videos of the board for which they would like to apply. To learn more, visit avl.mx/a4h. X

recommendation for applicants to attend or watch videos of the board for which they would like to apply. To learn more, visit avl.mx/a4h. X

The City of Asheville wants residents and business owners to weigh in on post-Helene recovery priorities. The survey, available in English, Spanish, Ukrainian and Russian, takes only about 10 minutes and will be available until Sunday, Feb. 2. You can find the survey at avl.mx/egm.

Sid isn’t “old,” the Asheville Humane Society notes, he’s just practiced in the art of friendship. A dog of simple tastes, he can’t imagine a better evening than enjoying a bowl of beef stew (the canned dog variety, of course) by a cozy fireplace. Sid may saunter on walks, but he is quick to befriend humans. Meet him at Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Lane. X

Help set prioritiesrecovery Help from afar

headed west to showcase their work at The Tucson Gem Show on 22nd St., which runs Thursday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 16. In 2012, the show’s producers, Russell and Missy Carthart, lost their home in Hurricane Sandy. Since that time, they’ve worked to give back to communities affected by natural disasters. Donations and part of the proceeds from the showcase will benefit the artists as well as Asheville nonprofit Let’s Choose Love and its minigrant program Asheville Rising – Love Along the Way. X

Local artists Galen Frost Bernard, Daniel McClendon, Sandra Bottinelli , and Jesse Jason are

Photo courtesy of Asheville Humane Society

Curtain,”

Daniel McClendon, and Jesse Jason are Choose

A spiritual touchstone

Community members contribute items and stories to Unity of the Blue Ridge’s prayer wall

BY MINDI MELTZ FRIEDWALD

mindimeltz@gmail.com

A painted stone beloved since childhood. Quartz crystals and hidden geodes. A sea urchin and a tiny statue of Ganesha. A stone found in a basement in Italy. River stones washed up in the flooding from Tropical Storm Helene.

Each piece in Unity of the Blue Ridge’s new 40-foot-long prayer wall has its own history, embedded within altarlike alcoves or larger mosaics of locally sourced, uniquely shaped stones. Walking around to the backside, visitors can even peek into a niche inside the right arm of the structure to see and touch fragments of the Berlin Wall.

The church represents the Asheville branch of Unity Church, a denomination with Christian origins that draws on wisdom from many religious traditions and honors all paths to God. People throughout the region gifted the stones, keepsakes and prayers that comprise this wall, which was built in honor of Unity of the Blue Ridge’s 75th anniversary. Though not quite complete, Unity invites all to visit it and — if they wish — insert their own written prayers into the cracks left open between stones.

The Rev. Darlene Strickland envisioned the wall as part of the property’s Pathway of Peace, a spiritual landscaping plan for Unity’s 10 acres of forest and green space in Mills River. It includes a labyrinth and a rainbow bridge to memorialize deceased pets, which is still under construction.

A time capsule containing individuals’ private letters to the future was mortared into the wall itself, and in it Strickland enclosed a letter of peace and prayer.

“This prayer wall is not just stone,” she writes to future generations. “It is made of hope, goodwill and our stories.” The message also notes that the wall was built for “prayer, reflection, connection, healing, renewal, joy and solace — for all who seek it, whether they come from near or far.”

Of course, plans for the actual project, designed and constructed by local mason Jill Haynie, were nearly upended by Tropical Storm Helene.

CONSTRUCTING A VISION AFTER LOSS

Haynie and Strickland first discussed ideas for the prayer wall in July. At the time, Haynie was preparing for an extended trip to Greece, where she regularly goes for work and trains in European masonry techniques. The two agreed to reconnect upon her return in the fall. Little did either know how much the region would change.

When Haynie got back to Western North Carolina in October, she discovered her home had been destroyed by Tropical Storm Helene. Almost everything she owned was gone, and she had no idea what to do next other than offer a prayer of surrender. As she was doing so, her phone rang. It was Strickland, calling to report that the church had power and water and was unscathed. When she learned of Haynie’s situation, Strickland secured her a temporary home through one of the church’s congregants.

She got to work on the wall in mid-October.

Unity, whose community consists of around 300 local members as well as virtual participants throughout the world, invited contributions to the wall through Facebook, its newsletter and word-of-mouth. Some people brought stones in person; others left them for Haynie to find in the morning when she came to work; still others mailed them in.

Local carpenter Jake Dann assisted Haynie on the project. Dann did the back side of the wall while Haynie focused on the front. This approach, Haynie notes, is unconventional. Normally, to avoid uniformity of style, two masons go back and forth on both sides of a wall. “Something told me … no, let him do the back. … Let’s see what happens,” Haynie says.

Dann’s contribution, Haynie continues, reminds her of Peruvian-style walls, while her work calls to mind both Ireland and Jerusalem. It’s “very international,” she says, which Haynie feels aligns with the multidenominational embrace of the church.

“I’ve really worked my whole life in honing my intuition, and you know, to me stonework is really about intuition,” Haynie says.

Haynie chose the crowning rock because it called to her in a dream, and she says that Dann responded to her choice with the exact words she spoke in her dream: that it reminded him of the Taj Mahal.

For Strickland, the wall is a physical presence “where the seen and the unseen come together as one.” She imagines it helping people connect with God in a tangible way, just as a member of the Catholic church might touch a rosary.

“I’m very interfaith in my understanding of God, and there are many pathways to experience,” says Strickland. “Even the word ‘God’ is just very limiting, and we all interpret it in our different ways. … It’s helpful at times to have a physical touchstone to help us connect with something that is beyond touchable.”

STONE AS LIVING MEDITATION

Haynie says she frequently stopped work on the wall to counsel visitors

who came there seeking healing and inner peace. She believes that whatever healing needs to happen for a person, the wall creates a space for that to open. Building the wall also helped Haynie herself heal from the doubt and upheaval after losing her home.

“You’re processing your life as you’re building,” she says. Working with stone, she continues, is a form of meditation. She believes visitors to the wall can access that same meditative “energy” that she and others put into it, because the wall is “living.” And she hopes that people will insert their prayers into the cracks.

She told Dann when they started work, “You will be different when this is over.” She saw the work as a profound journey, “because any time you’re doing something, especially community based, you build relationship, you learn about people, you hear people’s stories, you hear their sadness.”

One couple in the congregation asked if they could contribute some of the ashes of their recently deceased parents; Strickland held a ceremony as the wall was being built. Meanwhile, a cousin of Haynie’s sent in a heart-shaped stone that he’d painted red as a child; it was a gift for his mother after his brother was killed by a drunk driver. He told Haynie he’d rather it be part of the prayer wall than forgotten when he

dies. Haynie built a shrine around it in the wall.

“Healing is a natural thing that happens,” says Strickland, “but healing needs space; our body needs rest. We need a loving, nurturing atmosphere to heal.” She intends the Pathway of Peace to provide that

atmosphere and believes it will be a catalyst for healing and community connection that she can’t even yet predict.

THE INVITATION

Haynie recently left for Scotland and Ireland to complete a life coaching certification program with the Hay Foundation. When she returns, she will add the finishing touches to the prayer wall, including a semicircle “landing” in front which extends the stonework into a central patio. Above it, a metal tree of life will be inlaid. Strickland imagines using the space in front of the wall for memorial services, outdoor yoga or other community purposes.

In spring, once the wall and at least some pathways are complete, Strickland plans to hold an interfaith ceremony to officially christen and open the prayer wall to the public. But she welcomes visitors to experience it now, as long as they understand that it and the other Pathway of Peace features are still a work in progress.

Until early February, anyone is welcome to contribute stones for the mosaic of the landing, leaving them in front of the wall for Haynie to include when she returns.

Most of all, for Unity’s anniversary, Strickland wants to give the prayer wall as a healing gift to the greater community. “We welcome anyone to come out and experience it, if it can be a blessing in their life.” X

Q&A: BEYOND THE DAIS

Hiking with Council member Maggie Ullman

Xpress: What is your go-to exercise? And, if applicable, where in Buncombe County do you like to do it?

Ullman: When I have time, I love to hike and mountain bike. But more often I get exercise bike commuting around town which allows me to multitask — exercise and transportation.

On days when you need to mentally unwind, is there a spot in our city that you gravitate to?

To mentally unwind, I need go no further than a yoga mat in my living room. What song gets you most energized (whether it’s for a workout session or a Council meeting)?

“Speed Reader” by local musician and longtime friend Marley Carroll. It makes me want to dance, and dancing pumps me up! X

STONES FOR PEACE: Local mason Jill Haynie pieced together the stories, stones and offerings of many people to make the prayer wall she built for Unity of the Blue Ridge. Photo by Mindi Meltz Friedwald

HAPPY TRAILS: Council member Maggie Ullman hikes the Black Mountain Crest Trail. Photo courtesy of Ullman

Helping hands

BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE

It was a big year for Give!Local.

The annual campaign, launched by Mountain Xpress in 2015, raised more than $337,000 — plus more than $112,000 in matching grants — for 52 area nonprofits in 2024. That represented a $44,000 increase over 2023 and included a one-day record of $56,000 in donations on the final day of the campaign. Give!Local also received a record number of individual donations.

Lisa Watters, who coordinated the 2024 campaign for Xpress, believes donors stepped up in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, which highlighted the vital work being done by nonprofits. She notes a similar spike was seen in the 2020 campaign, in the wake of COVID-19.

“I think both the 2020 and 2024 campaigns show that when the going gets tough, our community not only steps up as a whole but that those who are able give even more,” says Watters.

As coordinator of the campaign, Watters works with all the nonprofits to get an authorization letter from the president of their board of directors, a participation fee and materials to feature in the Give!Local print guide and online platform.

Below, Xpress speaks with Watters about how Give!Local works, the impact Helene had on the campaign and why it is important for Western North Carolina.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Xpress: For those who aren’t familiar with Give!Local, can you briefly explains how it works?

Give!Local is a campaign that raises funds for dozens of local nonprofits by creating an easy, fun and rewarding way for folks to donate. It does this by offering a one-stop online platform with a shopping cart that allows donors to direct a single gift, whether for $5 or thousands of dollars, to just one or many Give!Local nonprofits. In the process donors can increase their donation if they give to a nonprofit with a matching grant as well as garner “goodies” such as gift certificates, merchandise, entry into drawings and more.

Before the platform goes live each Nov. 1, a printed Give!Local Guide comes out in the last October issue of

A TIME TO GIVE: Lisa Watters, front office and listings coordinator for Xpress, headed the 2024 Give!Local campaign. Xpress photo

Mountain Xpress. The guide, as well as the platform, highlights each participating nonprofit — their mission and the work they do in the community — as well as any matching grants and any fun incentives they might offer. Donors also have the option of filling out a paper form and sending that in with a check if they prefer. The campaign officially ends at midnight each Dec. 31. How are the charities chosen?

The nonprofits are selected by a committee based on a variety of criteria. The nonprofits have to be 100% locally based. For example, we don’t accept applications from local offices of national charities. Each charity that applies has to present a plan of action to optimize the Give!Local campaign through their own efforts — for example, via social media outreach and networking endeavors. We also try to maintain a balance of diversity in organization size, scope and category. We look at past enthusiasm and results for nonprofits reapplying to be part of the campaign and reserve space for new and small nonprofits to participate.

What is your role?

My role this year was as campaign coordinator. Being the coordinator basically means juggling and keeping track of lots of different kinds of information as well as being the liaison between the nonprofits and the editorial and design departments at Xpress

Once the print guide went to the printers on Oct. 10, I didn’t have much to do until the campaign officially started on Nov. 1. At that point my job was to keep track of any

donations that qualified for matching grant monies and to update the matching amounts online — lots of spreadsheets were involved.

Now I’m working on creating a spreadsheet for each of the nonprofits that shows who donated, how much they donated and their contact information. In the process, I’ll pull out the names and contact information of anyone who requested to remain anonymous.

How did Tropical Storm Helene affect your approach to Give!Local this year?

To be honest, we didn’t have a lot of time to change our approach. Just a day before Helene hit, we had sent out the last of the final proofs to be approved. After Helene, of course, it took days for us to get our own systems back online before we could even begin reaching back out to the nonprofits, many of which were offline themselves. Add to that the fact that the official deadline to send the final proof of the guide to the printers was Oct. 4, the first Friday after the storm, and you can imagine how much we were scrambling. Fortunately, we were able to get a week’s extension from our printers, but even with that we were still unable to contact quite a few nonprofits and just had to go with what we already had.

For about a day or so, we did entertain the idea of allowing the nonprofits to send in updates on the impact Helene was having on their organizations and to incorporate that into their profiles, but as those updates began coming in, we realized we just didn’t have the time or manpower to implement them. Also, we knew it wouldn’t be fair to the nonprofits unable to reach us with updates precisely because of how how much Helene had affected them.

However, we were able to adapt in two significant ways. First, we updated our own editorial content in the guide to reflect Helene’s impact on our community and to ask our readers who

were in a position to help to join forces and dig deep. Additionally, our lead graphic designer, Scott Southwick, came up with an alternative cover different than the one originally planned, one that powerfully reflected Helene’s impact on our community: a wet and bedraggled dog and young woman sitting in the bed of a truck after being rescued from a nearby river.

Why is Give! Local important to the WNC community?

It’s important in so many ways. I think a lot of people want to contribute to the larger community but don’t always know how. The Give!Local campaign not only highlights dozens of different nonprofits and the work they’re doing in the community but also makes it easy to donate to one or more of them. Additionally, it not only raises much-needed funds for each individual nonprofit but also provides greater exposure to what they’re all about and the work they do. Finally, I think it’s a way for all of us to connect: Those who donate are contributing to needs in the community they feel strongly about, local businesses are contributing by donating services and goods for incentives, and the nonprofits hopefully feel more supported and recognized for the work they do.

Looking ahead, do your foresee any new opportunities or challenges in 2025?

Except for 2022, when the amount the campaign raised remained static, Give!Local has progressively grown each year in the total amount raised for the nonprofits. Of course, we hope to continue this upward trend, but at the same time we don’t want to lose sight of the campaign’s ability to effectively fundraise for each participating nonprofit. This means we probably won’t add to the number of nonprofits, as that would dilute the impact for each one. We also want to find new outreach models to raise awareness of the campaign and do what we can on our side to make each year as successful as possible. X

Resistance training and martial arts with Council member Bo Hess

Xpress: What is your go-to exercise? And, if applicable, where in Buncombe County do you like to do it?

Hess: Exercise is a key component of my health and overall well-being, helping dial in numerous physical and mental benefits. For a typical workout, I engage in a mix of cardio, resistance training and martial arts, with a particular focus on Muay Thai and combat training at Rogue Combat Club. This combination not only keeps me fit but also incorporates mindfulness into my routine. When I’m in the mood for a more serene experience, I head to the Blue Ridge Parkway. There, I enjoy hiking with my mini-Aussie, Clovis, or walking along the scenic trails and bridges, which offer breathtaking views and a peaceful escape from the daily grind. This blend of vigorous and calming activities helps me maintain my physical health and mental clarity.

Are there also any places within the city that you gravitate toward when you need to mentally unwind?

Before Tropical Storm Helene, I often found solace at Carrier Park, where I’d walk with Clovis, mingle with neighbors and enjoy the serenity of the greenway, often stopping in for coffee along the way at Foundry. Since these areas were impacted by the storm, I’ve turned to the Blue Ridge Parkway for reflection and rejuvenation. My favorite times to visit are at sunrise and sunset; the views are simply breathtaking, and watching the sun rise and fall instills a deep sense of awe for me. For indoor relaxation, my condo is my sanctuary where I unwind with a good book or podcast.

What song gets you most energized (whether it’s for a workout session or a Council meeting)?

Choosing a favorite workout song is a challenge because I love all kinds of music and I thrive on the energy that music brings, especially during workouts and even before Council meetings. I tend to gravitate toward high-energy, up-tempo genres like hip-hop and electronic dance music. Artists like Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj and Dom Dolla are on my current playlist. Their tracks are the perfect blend of motivation, confide nce and rhythm that keep me pumped whether I’m at the gym or preparing for a big meeting. Their music not only elevates my spirit but also keeps me focu sed and ready to tackle any challenge.  X

SPARRING: Council member Bo Hess, right, spars with his coach Phil Kratz.

Photo courtesy of Hess

Hear me out Tips on improving your listening skills

BY THOMAS CALDER

tcalder@mountainx.com

When it comes to being an active listener, there are several potential roadblocks, says Jamie Zane Brazell, owner of Out of the Woods Therapy. One of the common obstacles, she notes, is technology. “Distractibility is high because of how our world operates with the expectations of multitasking, smartphones and all of the other devices and the massive amounts of information accessible to us at all times,” she says.

Additionally, she notes, many people struggle to hear others because they are too eager to interject and insert their views into a conversation. In other instances, she continues, especially when the conversation is about something personal, people are prone to grow defensive and shut down.

“I think of active listening as a basic skill that’s a precursor to empathic listening,” says Brazell. “So you first have to get the part down where you are staying engaged as a listener before you can get to the part where you are actively listening for the purpose of trying to understand the feelings of the other person.”

As part of Xpress’ annual Wellness Issues, we reached out to additional professionals whose education, livelihood or a combination of the two have trained them to be adept listeners. Below you’ll find their insights and advice.

UNDERSTAND A PERSON’S VALUES

“Listening is easier when we agree with — or like — someone, but much harder when we don’t. One trick is to stop focusing on the other person’s specific words and instead listen for the underlying values or interests they are expressing. For example, if a neighbor is screaming and yelling about where you parked, try to figure out what’s important to them. They might value easy access to their home, safety for children or respect for their view. When we listen for what’s beneath the surface message, it’s easier to understand what might be driving the other person, which can create more space for finding common ground.”

— Laura Jeffords, executive director, The Mediation Center

Series

LEND AN EAR: As part of Xpress’ annual Wellness Issues, we reached out to professionals whose education, livelihood or service has trained them to be adept listeners. Photo by Thomas Calder

PUT YOUR CELLPHONE AWAY

“In a world of unlimited access to technology, with cellphones and other devices constantly at our fingertips, being fully present and able to listen can be more challenging than ever before. The mere holding of a phone or even placing it on a table while you are engaged in a conversation across from someone can leave the impression that they are not a priority. My greatest advice to becoming a better, more attentive listener in your personal and professional life is to eliminate technological distractions whenever possible. Turning off your device — or the ringer in the case of the cellphone — and putting it away when you are expected to listen, removes the potential distraction and communicates that you respect the other person and are interested in what they have to say.”

— Meredith Switzer, executive director, All Souls Counseling Center

BE CURIOUS

“True curiosity is an essential ingredient for engaging in meaningful conversation, especially across difference. ‘Bridging conversations’ (thanks to Mónica Guzmán for that term) are rooted in curiosity and can

expand our understanding, allow us to see more of each other’s humanness and maybe even find common ground. If I’m not asking genuine questions or I’ve got an agenda to change someone’s mind, I’m definitely not bringing curiosity with me into the conversation.”

— Emily Kujawa, project Manager and improvement specialist, WNC Health Network

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS

“Good listening requires empathizing with someone else’s perspective and acknowledging that this perspective is important. Or stop assuming that your conversational partner is uneducated, uncaring or ‘down a conspiracy rabbit hole.’ Instead, take a deep breath and recognize that their life experiences have brought them — and the two of you — to this exact same point in time and space. Incredible, isn’t it?”

— Vicki Garlock, author and founder of World Religions for Kids

ZONE OUT AT YOUR OWN PERIL

Sadly, the indications of not listening don’t make themselves known until the person you’re not listening to is at least two paragraphs deep.

The first of these indications is a wandering mind. Your thoughts drift to the mundane such as parking meters, potential supermarket trips or that you just noticed an oil stain on your jeans. Then comes the alarming realization that all you’ve said in response to the person speaking to you was either ‘yeah’ or ‘cool.’ More alarming still is when the person you’re supposed to be listening to references something from earlier in the one-sided conversation — a callback, if you will — and you nod your head as if to agree that yes, of course I remember that funny, weird thing that happened to you at your office work party that you just told me about. And then, the dreadfully inevitable happens: The other person’s mouth stops moving, and they wait for the much anticipated response to their query: ‘What would you have done?’ After a couple of beats, all you can manage to say, all that you have any business saying is, ‘I mean, honestly, I just have no words.’“

— George Awad, comedian, writer and actor

STEP OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE

“True listening creates a safe and welcoming space where everyone feels valued. Sometimes, it’s as simple as slowing down our speech, rephrasing for clarity, being patient or pausing to ensure someone has the chance to fully express themselves. Other times, it’s about stepping out of our comfort zone — learning a few phrases in another language, using visual aids or taking the time to understand nonverbal. Even when we don’t fully agree with someone or can’t personally relate to their experience, we can still offer the gift of listening and find a way to appreciate their input so that everyone, regardless of their background, feels seen, heard and truly at home.”

— Paula Penovi, certified translator with Argentum Translations

WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON

“In my experience, very few conversations — no matter how challenging — fail to reveal something worthwhile. Even in opposition, there’s nearly always a spark of shared humanity or a mutual goal. If we lead with respect and a willingness to listen, we can start to bridge the divides that seem so insurmountable today.”

— Zeb Smathers, mayor of Canton X

JAN. 29 - FEB. 6 , 2025

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 41

WELLNESS

Wellness Wednesdays: Free Zumba

Free guided fitness dance session.

WE (1/29), 5pm, Barrel Room at Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200

Thrive 55+ Exercise Party

Every Wednesday, active adults will come together for chair exercise, balance challenges, and strength training.

WE (1/29, 2/5), 11am, Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St

Therapeutic Recreation

Adult Morning Movement

Wednesday mornings are all about active games, physical activities, and sports adapted to accommodate all skill levels.

WE (1/29, 2/5), 10am, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Friday Fitness Friday Fitness focuses on strengthening, stretching, and aerobics every Friday.

FR (1/31), 10am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Tai Chi for Adults

Improve your movement and flexibility with relaxation techniques each week. Intended for participants ages 40 and over.

FR (1/31), 1:30pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Tai Chi w/Nancy Miller

Tai Chi teacher Nancy Miller will guide you through an evening of gentle movements and deep breathing.

FR (1/31), 7pm, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way

Himalayan Sound Bath Meditation

Imagine the soothing tones of Himalayan singing bowls washing over you, calming your mind, and rejuvenating your spirit.

SA (2/1), SU (2/2), 11am, Somatic Sounds, 157 S Lexington Ave

Wild Souls Authentic Movement w/Renee

Trudeau

An expressive movement class designed to

help you get unstuck, enjoy cardio movement, boost immune health, dissolve stress and celebrate community.

SU (2/2), 9:30am, Dunn's Rock Community Center, 461 Connestee Rd, Brevard

Sunday Morning Meditation Group

Gathering for a combination of silent sitting and walking meditation, facilitated by Worth Bodie.

SU (2/2), 10am, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Yoga Taco Mosa Donation based yoga with Clare Desmelik.

Bring your mat, a water bottle, and an open heart.

SU (2/2), 10am, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Prenatal & Postpartum

Yoga

A rejuvenating and relaxing yoga session designed specifically for pregnant and postpartum folks.

SU (2/2), noon, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd

Queer Yoga

This class is donation-based and centered towards creating an affirming and inclusive space for all queer folks.

SU (2/2), 1:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd

Sound Bath & Gentle Flow

Experience a gentle yoga flow that prepares your heart, mind, and body for deep relaxation to the live acoustic vibrations of gong, singing bowls and more.

SU (2/2), 7pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd

Strength & Exercise

Workout at your own pace in a fun atmosphere in this weekly class for active adults working on overall fitness and strength.

MO (2/3), 9:30am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Zumba Gold & Silverobics

Calorie-burning, fun, low-impact class that incorporates dance and fitness for older adults

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

HENDO THEATER SEASON RETURNS: Hendersonville Theatre kicks off its season with its newest production, Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, starting Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m. In this fresh adaptation of the iconic 1967 film, a progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are tested when their daughter brings her Black fiancé home to meet them. Photo courtesy of Hendersonville Theatre

each week.

MO (2/3), 10:30am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Prenatal Yoga

Paulina, a yoga teacher and certified birth doula, will guide you through gentle poses and breathing exercises to help you connect with your changing body.

MO (2/3), 5:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd

Balance, Agility, Strength, Stretch

This weekly class for adults focuses on flexibility, balance, stretching, and strength. Bring your own exercise mat.

TU (2/4), noon, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Training w/Tre

This four-week bodyweight workout focuses on developing strength, flexibility, and endurance without the need for equipment.

TU (2/4), 1pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Qigong

A gentle form of exercise composed of movement, posture, breathing, and meditation used to promote health and spirituality.

TU (2/4), 1:15pm, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Tai Chi for Beginners Improve your balance, fitness, and flexibility without putting stress on the joints.

WE (2/5), 9am, Marshall Public Library, 1335 N Main St, Marshall

SUPPORT GROUPS

Parkinson’s Support Group

Monthly gathering for those living with Parkinson’s Disease and those who support them.

TU (2/4), 10am, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd

Community Narcan Training

An important training led by Sunrise Recovery and hosted by AmeriHealth Caritas. Learn how to use Naloxone, an introduction into harm reduction, what’s going on in our community and more.

TU (2/4), 10:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

WNC Prostate Support Group

A forum for men, caregivers, family members, partners and supporters to attend no matter their current situation with prostate cancer. This month Susie Gronski will speak on pelvic health.

TU (2/4), 6:30pm, First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St

Nicotine Anonymous

People share their experience, strength and hope to stop using nicotine. You don’t need to be stopped, just have a desire to attend.

TH (2/6), 4:30pm, Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 1 Kenilworth Knolls Unit 4

DANCE

Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ Mtn Vibez

A Latin dance social featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, and reggaeton with dance lessons for all skill levels.

WE (1/29, 2/5), 8pm, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd

Tap Dance: Beginner

Tap dance for beginners teaches the basics through a combination of exercise, music, and incredible fun. Students provide their own tap shoes.

TH (1/30), 11:45am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Line Dancing

Designed to teach the latest line dances step by step, this weekly class inspires community members to put on their dancing shoes and boogie.

TH (1/30), 1:30pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Bachata Dance Lesson and Social

Live DJ Bachata nights with some Cha Cha, Cumbia, Merengue and Salsa added to the mix.

TH (1/30, 2/6), 8:30pm, Urban Orchard Cider Co. S Slope, 24 Buxton Ave

Asheville Community Square Dance

A night of community social dance, music, laughs an fun. Beginner and family-friendly.

SA (2/1), 7pm, Haw Creek Commons, 315 Old Haw Creek Rd

Line Dance: Beginner

Some familiarity with line dance steps is helpful, but not necessary in this weekly class with instruction to all styles of contemporary music taught by Denna Yockey.

MO (2/3), noon, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Contact Improv Dance

Explore mindful, unscripted movement in deep connection with others. Co-create a space to revel in the unfolding of this beautiful, embodied, in-body art form. MO (2/3), 6pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Monday Night Contra Dance

A welcoming environment for anyone who would like to contra dance. Lessons start at 7 p.m. and a social dance starts at 7:30 p.m. MO (2/3), 7:30pm, A-B Tech, Genevieve Circle

Tap Dance: Advanced Fun and active twice-weekly class for advanced students. Students provide their own tap shoes.

TU (2/4), 10am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Intro to Line Dance

A true beginners course for those who are new to line dance taught by Liz Atkinson.

WE (2/5), 10am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Zumba Gold

A weekly interval-style dance fitness party that combines low- and

high-intensity moves. Burn calories as you move to the rhythm.

WE (2/5), noon, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Open-Level Adult Dance

Each class will feature a full-body warm-up, specific skill practice, and a dance combination to your favorite music.

WE (2/5), 5:30pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St, Black Mountain

Line Dancing Groove in for this fun weekly drop-in class. Try it once and you’ll be hooked.

TH (2/6), noon, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

ART

Greetings from Asheville: Tourism & Transformation in the Postcard Age

This exhibition explores how the land, the people, and the built environment of Asheville were interpreted through early 20th century vintage postcards. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through May. 30, 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Look Up Asheville: A Photographic Exploration of Asheville

Architecture

The exhibition features vivid photographs by local photographer

Michael Oppenheim.

The photographs will be showcased on canvas as gallery wraps and traditional archival photographic prints. Gallery open Monday through Friday, 8:30am. Exhibition through February, 28. John M. Crawford Jr. Gallery, 360 Asheville School Rd

Valley Talent Exhibition

An annual exhibition that invites eight local valley schools to have their art teachers select works to be featured in at BMCA. Artists range from kindergarten to high school students. Gallery open Monday through Friday, 10am. Exhibition through Jan. 31. Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

The Totem: Celebrating Family, Spirit & Culture

Ten Asheville artists offer unique interpretations of totems, exploring family, spirit, and cultural themes. These modern totems invite viewers to reflect on their connections to family and heritage. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 10am. Exhibition through Jan. 31.

UpMarket Events & Gallery, 70 N Market St

Anti Form: Robert Morris’s Earth Projects The suite of lithographic drawings by Robert Morris presents a series of ideas for ten works of art shaped out of earth, atmospheric conditions, and built

environments. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through May 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Forces of Nature: Ceramics from the Hayes Collection Forces of Nature is drawn from the collection of Andrew and Hathia Hayes, demonstrating the different approaches to ceramics in Western North Carolina.Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through March, 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

American Made Paintings & Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection

The exhibition beautifully illustrates distinctive styles and thought-provoking art explored by American artists over the past two centuries with more than 100 works of art by renowned American artists. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Monday and Tuesday. Exhibition through Feb. 10, 2025.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Songwriters in the Round w/Michael Lille, Miriam Allen & Vaden

Landers

An evening with some of the best songwriters in Western North Carolina.

SA (2/1), 7:30pm The Tina McGuire Theatre (at Wortham Center for Performing Arts), 18 Biltmore Ave

What's Shaking? Cabin Fever Concert Series

Mountain grooves for cool kids of all ages, but especially pre-K friends and their grown ups. This concert will feature fun music, lots of drums and shakers to play along, poems, a dance party, and more.

SU (2/2), 2pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd Ste 10

Jazz Night Live jazz hosted by Jason DeCristofaro. For more info, please contact Jason DeCristofaro at (828)273-8254

WE (2/5), 6pm, Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust St, Ste 100, Hendersonville

Men in Harmony: Open Singing Jam

An open jam session to scout for new talented

members as well as share an evening of music. For more information contact Jim Gordon at (828) 545-2262.

WE (2/5), 6:45pm, St. Matthias Church, 1 Dundee St

Bronwyn Cronin & Jazzville

Experience an evening of unforgettable worldclass jazz with Bronwyn Cronin and her band, Jazzville.

TH (2/6), 7:30pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Beginning Cherokee Language

Learn a new language in the new year with beginner Cherokee lessons on the Qualla Boundary. This offering is free of charge and open to all.

WE (1/29, 2/5), MO (2/3), 5pm, Museum of the Cherokee People, 589 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee

Monoprinting w/Gel Plates

Participants will become familiar with basic monoprinting

techniques using gel plates. This workshop will cover the entire process, which includes choosing imagery, textures, and colors.

SA (2/1), 10am, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

Therapeutic Recreation

Adult Crafting

A variety of cooking and crafts, available at two different times. Advance registration required. Open to individuals ages 17+ with disabilities.

TU (2/4), 10am, Murphy-Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview R Rotary Tool Workshops

Carve, etch and sand freely with a workshop that unlocks the potential of versatile handheld rotary tools for crafting with a priority on a safe tool operation and attachment selection.

TU (2/4), 11am, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

Sticky Situations: Make Your Own Slime

A hands-on workshop to learn the secrets of master slime making. From classic stretchy slime to glow in the dark, experiment with different ingredients

and techniques to create unique slimes.

TU (2/4), 5:30pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Change Your Palate Cooking Demo

This free lunchtime food demonstration is open to all but tailored towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/or their caretakers.

TH (2/6), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

One-Pot Meals

Learn to make fuss-free dinners in a pot or a pan. This class is a great way to have fun while meeting your neighbors and enjoying a tasty meal.

TH (2/6), 5:30pm, N Carolina Cooperative Extension-Madison County Center, 258 Carolina Ln, Marshall Craft & Connect Get crafty and acquire new skills while connecting with peers. Advance registration required.

TH (2/6), 7pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

LITERARY

Meter & Melody:

Poetry Night

Poetry open mic hosted by Dill every

last Wednesday of the month.

WE (1/29), 7pm, Static Age Loft, 116 N Lexington Ave

Meter & Melody: Poetry Night

Poetry open mic hosted by Dill every last Wednesday of the month.

WE (1/29), 7pm, Static Age Loft, 116 N Lexington Ave

Poet Quartet: Emilie Menzel, Michael Dechane, Danita Dodson & Emily Schulten

A monthly poetry reading series coordinated by Mildred Barya. This month we welcome Emilie Menzel, Michael Dechane, Danita Dodson, and Emily Schulten reading from their new collections.

SU (2/2), 4:30pm, Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St

Flooded Poetry

Each poet will be able to share 2-3 poems, and occasionally we will have local celebrity poets close out the night with a featured reading.

MO (2/3), 6:30pm, Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd Ste 1200

THEATER & FILM

Jeeves Saves the Day

Prepare yourself for another priceless predicament calling upon

the redoubtable Jeeves to save the day.

WE (1/29, 2/5), TH (1/30, 2/5), FR (1/31),

SA (2/1), 7:30pm, SU (2/2), 2pm, N Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Ln

Foreign Film Fridays

Every Friday visitors can enjoy a cozy movie night in the gallery featuring some amazing foreign films curated by film-buff Carlos Steward. FR (1/31), 7pm, Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd Ste 1200

The Wham, Bam, Puppet Slam

An evening of short form puppet shows presented in a variety of styles. Intended for mature audiences and hosted by Toybox, America's Favorite Cartoon Witch.

SA (2/1), 7pm, Sly Grog Lounge, 271 Haywood St

A Turnpike Sunset by Tom Godleski Turnpike Sunset is about a group of 19th century drovers who are sitting around a campfire, telling stories, singing, and talking about trials and tribulation of life on the drover’s road.

SU (2/2), 2pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State St, Black Mountain

Golden Era Movie Magic

An afternoon of beloved classic films. Grab some popcorn and get ready for a trip down memory lane.

TU (2/4), 12:45pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

A progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are tested when their daughter brings her black fiance home to meet them in this fresh and relevant stage adaptation of the iconic film.

TH (2/6), 7:30pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

Money Visioning & Goal Setting

Envision resilience and identify habits that encourage financial wellness in this interactive and fun class. This is a shame-free space to set your money intentions.

WE (1/29), 11am, OnTrack WNC, 50 S French Broad Ave

Beginning Cherokee Language

Learn a new language in the new year with beginner Cherokee

Q&A: BEYOND THE DAIS

lessons on the Qualla Boundary. This offering is free of charge and open to all.

WE (1/29, 2/5), MO (2/3), 5pm, Museum of the Cherokee People, 589 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee

Rethinking Disaster Recovery & Rebuilding Post-Helene: Lessons from a Flood Disaster in West Virginia

This new monthly webinar series focused on recovery, re-thinking, and rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Register at avl.mx/egc.

WE (1/29), 7pm, Online Low-Cost Community Cat Neuter Clinic

You must schedule and pay for your appointment prior to showing up.

TH (1/30), 8am, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Free Sober Disc Golf

This is a great opportunity to get outside and get some exercise. It's also a fun time to meet others in recovery, build community and create connection. No experience is necessary.

TH (1/30), 3:30pm, Richmond Hill Park, 300 Richmond Hill Dr

Bite Nite: Dumplings

A monthly drop-in featuring rare pours and small plates. It’s casual and it’s first come, first

Spin class with Mayor Esther Manheimer

Xpress: What is your go-to exercise? And, if applicable, where in Buncombe County do you like to do it?

Manheimer: Exercise is really important to me to help maintain my physical health (I have had rheumatoid arthritis since my 20s) and my emotional health. I use exercise as a way to reset my mind when dealing with stress or just the busyness of life and to enjoy the company of others.

On days when you need to mentally unwind, is there a spot in our city that you gravitate to? Why?

I have two favorite exercise routines: one is the YMCA. I love a great spin class — the instructors are great, the people are fun and of course it’s great exercise. The other is walking with family and friends. I walk all over town. I think it’s a great way to get some exercise, hang out with folks and see your city. And, just a PSA here, as a 53-year-old menopausal female, I do weight and resistance training.

What song gets you most energized (whether it’s for a workout session or a Council meeting)?

On the days we have Council meetings, I always exercise. (Actually, I usually exercise every day.) I think it helps prepare you for a loooooong meeting. I try to listen to the news or an Audible book. But that really doesn’t work for me while exercising, so I listen to something fun that won’t get stuck in my head. I hate when a song is stuck in your head. For example, Chappell Roan gets stuck in your head, but Miley Cyrus does not. X

served.

FR (1/31), 5:30pm, Botanist & Barrel

Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop, 32 Broadway St, Ste 110

Tarot w/Cats

This 1-hour workshop will include a brief history of the tarot, and how to incorporate a one- and three-card pull for daily guidance.

FR (1/31), 5:30pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Community Grief Ritual

Unexpressed grief can be the source of stress, illness, and disease while the process of grieving can bring balance to the body and create space for joy to recolonize the heart.

SA (2/1), 10:30am, Land of The Sky UCC, 123 Kenilworth Rd

Kirtan w/Mantra

Mandala

A sweet meditative practice of chanting mantras and divine names. Experience the healing power of bhakti yoga, the yoga of love and devotion..

SA (2/1), 7:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd

Coloring w/Cats: Teens & Adults

Set time for yourself and cuddle with the panthers, meet other cat-lovers, and color a beautiful picture of a cat from our adult coloring books.

SU (2/2), 2pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Cherokee History & Stories

Delve into Cherokee history and storytelling with Kathi Littlejohn in a free series held on the Qualla Boundary at the EBCI's tribal museum.

SU (2/2), 3pm, Museum of the Cherokee People, 589 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee

Alive After 55+

A program for active older adults to socialize, play board games and puzzles, create in group art activities, and more.

MO (2/3), TU (2/4), 10am, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Dharma & Discuss w/ David McKay

David will lead meditation and a conversation with the group on the Dharma, with many opportunities to ask questions, share insights, listen, and learn.

MO (2/3), 6:30pm, The Lodge at Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Lunch & Learn Series w/Rev. Michele Laub, RScP

This Lunch & Learn series was specifically designed for those of us who want to continue to expand our spirituality and are not

comfortable driving in the dark.

TU (2/4), noon, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science Mind Way

Veterans Creative Retreat

The mission of the retreat is to provide a safe space for veterans to explore various artistic mediums, socialize with peers, and find calm and comfort in creating.

TU (2/4), 5:30pm, Givens Gerber Park (Community Room), 40 Gerber Rd

IBN Biz Lunch: Hendersonville

All are invited to attend and promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts.

TH (2/6), 11:30am, Thai Spice, 220 South King St, Hendersonville

EveryDay Strong

A program that equips caring adults with training and tools to support the mental health and wellness of children aged 8 to 18.

TH (2/6), 1:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Empowerment Collective Presents: Therese Gopaul-Robinson & Esmée Dorf

This program features professional Speaker and leading Imposter Syndrome expert Therese Gopaul-Robinson, along with Esmée Dorf, the CEO of an Asheville-based multimillion dollar direct-to-consume company.

TH (2/6), 6pm, Ginger's Revenge Craft Brewery & Tasting Room, 829 Riverside Dr

GAMES & CLUBS

Grant Southside Center Walking Club Walk inside in the gym or outside, if the weather is nice, with themed music each week.

WE (1/29, 2/5), 10:30am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Bid Whist Make bids, call trumps, and win tricks. Every Saturday for fun competition with the community.

SA (2/1), 1pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Bid Whist Group meets weekly with light refreshments and teams formed based on drop-in attendance.

MO (2/3), 5:30pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Ultimate Bid Whist & Spades

Bring a partner or come solo for a fun evening of competitive bid whist and spades every

Tuesday.

TU (2/4), 6pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

KID-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS

Tiny Tykes Wednesday Play Dates

Open play for toddlers to explore bikes, balls, inflatables, climbing structures, and more fun.

WE (1/29), 10am, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Little Adventurers

Little Adventurers is designed to promote physical development, coordination, and social skills through fun, safe, and engaging activities.

WE (1/29), 2pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Toddler & Me Time Out

This open gym time allows toddlers and caregivers to make memories and new friends through structures and unstructured activities.

FR (1/31), 10am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Kids Night Out Grant Southside Center staff are ready each month to connect with your children over goofy games, crafts, science projects, and snacks. Advance registration required.

FR (1/31), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Youth Glow Climbing First time climbers welcome as the climbing wall glows under black lights. Advance registration required. FR (1/31), 6pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Coloring w/Cats: Kiddie Edition

An artistic session with coloring books and markers for children ages 13 and under to relax by coloring as they pet cats to reduce stress and anxiety.

SA (2/1), 1pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Kids Quiet Play Session

Some benefits, especially useful for children, include mental clarity for distracted youngsters as well as immune boosting, respiratory relief and relief from skin conditions.

SU (2/2), 10am, Asheville Salt Cave, 16 N Liberty St

COMPLETE CYCLE: Mayor Esther Manheimer says she loves a good spin class at the YMCA. Photo courtesy of Manheimer

Series

Rookie Readers

An engaging literacy program designed specifically for toddlers with an aim to foster a love for reading while nurturing creativity through crafts.

MO (2/3), 10:30am, Dr Wesley Grant Sr.

Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Beginner Climbing:

Ages 5-7

A three-week instructional climbing class designed for beginners. Adults belay their own children.

MO (2/3), 6pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Little Climbers

A mix of fun games and activities for little adventurers with a focus on building toddlers’ motor skills and balance, climbing and playing on and off the indoor climbing wall.

TU (2/4), 10am, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

World of Games

Grab a controller and best your opponent playing games like Fortnite, Warzone, Madden, and 2K. Board and card games available for those not gaming.

TU (2/4), 6pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Tot Time

Take an express tour of the galleries, then go on an adventure with art, music, or storytelling in the Museum’s interactive Art PLAYce. For children ages 0-5 years old and their families or caregiver.

WE (2/5), 11:30am, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Black Cat Tales: Story

Time w/Cats

A special after-school workshop where families with children age 7 and under can relax and foster a love of reading while also socializing with the cats in the lounge.

TH (2/6), 4pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Intergenerational LEGO Club

Flex your Lego building skills and make some friends while you’re at it. Open to all ages 5 and up.

TH (2/6), 4pm, East Asheville Public Library, 3 Avon Rd

LOCAL MARKETS

River Arts District

Farmers Market

Weekly market featuring local fruits, vegetables, meats, bread, honey, eggs, pastries, flowers, crafts

and more. SNAP and disaster SNAP are accepted.

WE (1/29, 2/5), 3pm, AB Tech, 24 Fernihurst Dr

Friday Night Sip & Shop

Sip, shop and stroll through the different shops found within the Grove Arcade, every Friday.

FR (1/31), 4pm, Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave

Asheville City Market

Featuring local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and other artisan products. Every Saturday through December 21.

SA (2/1), 10am, 52 Market St

North Asheville Tailgate Market

Featuring over 60 rotating vendors providing a full range of local, sustainably produced produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, breads, plants and unique crafts.

SA (2/1), 10am, UNC Asheville, Lot P34, 275 Edgewood Rd

Valentine Shopping Market

This special Valentine market will feature local artisan goods, handmade gifts, libations and more.

SA (2/1), 11am, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Weaverville Winter Tailgate Market

A selection of fresh, locally grown produce, grass fed beef, pork, chicken, rabbit, eggs, cheese, sweet and savory baked goods, artisan bread, body care, eclectic handmade goodies, garden and landscaping plants. Open year round.

WE (2/5), 3pm, 60 Lake Shore Dr Weaverville

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Disaster Recovery Resources Expo

The expo will feature expert presentations, one-on-one consultations, and valuable networking opportunities to aid in rebuilding and growing local businesses.

WE (1/29), 10am, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler

Asheville Standup

Comedy Pageant

Finale

Participants are winners of three standup contests. Pageant

Winner gets title and $200 cash prize. Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Amazon Prime.

WE (1/29), 7pm, PULP, 103 Hilliard Ave

Sensu Dance Reopening

Sensu is a global dance fusion for authentic

embodiment and expression. All are welcome. No dance experience needed.

TH (1/30), 11am, Magictown Movement Studio, 115 Blannahassett Island Rd, Marshall

Assembly Required

Designer Toy Expo

As a hub for makers and collectors alike, Assembly Required is the destination for independent designer, bootleg and art toys.

SA (2/1), SU (2/2) 11am, Battery Park Hall, 46 Haywood St

Winter Sound Music Festival

All day music festival featuring some of the area's finest musicians. All donations will benefit The Arts Council of Henderson County.

SA (2/1), noon, Oklawaha Brewing Co., 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville

Taproom Lunar New Year Celebration

Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake with special eats, festive drinks and family-friendly fun. DJ Kipper and the Flashback Band will be providing the entertainment. See p41 SA (2/1), 11am, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200

You Had Me At MEOW: Speed-dating for Queer Cat-lovers

A queer inclusive speed-dating event where you can mix and mingle with single cat lovers from all walks of life. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Binx's Home for Black Cats.

SA (2/1), 6pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Shiloh Black History Celebration

This event will showcase deep roots of the Shiloh Community by honoring those who led the way, enjoy storytelling and reflecting with one another.

SU (2/2), 1pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Pixe Wars: Weekly Retro Game Tournament

The perfect chance to show off your gaming skills every week. It's free to play and the weekly winner takes home a Hi-Wire gift card.

MO (2/3), 7pm, Hi-Wire Brewing, 197 Hilliard Ave

Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games Clinics

Enhance skills and discover new passions through APR's free clinics, available to all interested participants in this year’s Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games.

TU (2/4), 10am, West Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave

You Had Me At MEOW: Speed-dating for Cat-lovers

An inclusive speed-dating event where you can mix and mingle with single cat lovers from all walks of life. All proceeds from this event will be donated to Binx's Home for Black Cats.

TH (2/6), 6pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING

Read 2 Succeed New Tutor Training Volunteer reading tutors are needed to build a lasting relationship with a student for the entire school year, meeting with them twice a week either during or after school. Register at avl.mx/bto.

WE (1/29), 6pm, Online

Lovers, Sinners & Misfits

Local Asheville artist

Patti Anastasi is hosting an evening of art to benefit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, as they rebuild after Hurricane Helene.

TH (1/30), 5pm, Moxy - Asheville, 61 Biltmore Ave

Zuma Coffee Recovery Fundraiser Hurricane recovery benefit for Zuma Coffee featuring six local acts.

FR (1/31), 7pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Songs for Solomon

A day of music and fund to support the recouping medical costs for Solomon. Several bands will take the stage to fill the space with joyful sound and you can shop the silent auction while enjoying a tasty beverage.

SA (2/1), 2pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd Ste 10

Comedy for Community Supporting Hot Springs Library

Comedy for Community brings all your favorite local comedians together each week to support the town we love through a variety of local charities and organizations. This week will benefit the Hot Springs Library

SU (2/2), 6:30pm, Catawba Brewing Company S Slope, 32 Banks Ave

Stars Servin’ Up Love Community members and tennis enthusiasts are invited to come for a fun-filled and meaningful day of entertaining tennis and giving back to Asheville and the Western North Carolina community. All of the proceeds will be donated to local nonprofits. See p41 SU (2/2), 1:30pm, Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St

To learn more about pursuing

Healing together

BY CHASITY LEAKE

Kelly Bruce, a certified forest therapy guide, has led forest bathing groups throughout the rivers and creeks of Western North Carolina since 2016. In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, Bruce’s understanding of the natural world evolved. Long viewed as a source of healing, she’s since witnessed firsthand the trauma its forces can create. Still, at its core, she believes, nature instructs.

“Nature is incredibly resilient,” Bruce says. “And when people witness that resilience, it mirrors their own capacity to heal.”

Yet, Bruce acknowledges that not all community members are ready to fully immerse themselves in nature. Some remain cautious among towering trees, while others still feel triggered by strong winds. But clients continue returning to her sessions with Asheville Wellness Tours.

“We start small,” she says. “A short walk, a moment of stillness — nothing overwhelming, but enough to remind people of the connection they already have.”

Bruce’s approach represents one of many ways local wellness practitioners have responded to life in WNC post-Helene. Along with healing through nature, others turn to art and storytelling to rebuild both their own lives and the community’s spirit.

ART AS A RECOVERY TOOL

Alexandria Ravanel, co-founder of the Noir Collective AVL, leans into creative expression to facilitate healing. In her work with the YMI Cultural Center, she leads workshops that

use art as a medium for processing trauma. She shares how painting and communal art projects help participants, especially those from the Black community, navigate their emotions.

“Art allows us to express what words can’t,” Ravanel says. “It creates a safe space for people to explore their feelings and share their stories.”

This sense of collective healing resonates with the work of Carol Asiaghi, a shamanic healer and minister. Asiaghi studied ceremonial and healing practices with Indigenous communities in Alaska and Hawaii and blends these approaches with her own spiritual practice. Her counseling incorporates both one-on-one sessions and group ceremonies, offering participants a space to process trauma and foster resilience.

Kim Drye, senior yoga guide with Asheville Wellness Tours and owner of West Asheville Yoga, adds that yoga practices focusing on somatic healing prove instrumental for both instructors and participants.

“Yoga helps reconnect the mind and body,” Drye says. “It’s about creating a safe space to process and release.”

Asiaghi echoes this sentiment, sharing how she prioritizes her own spiritual practices to stay grounded. “It’s not just about helping others,” she says. “It’s about showing up as your best self, which requires time and care.”

COLLECTIVE RESILIENCE

A recurring theme is the power of shared experiences. Whether through group forest therapy sessions, collaborative art projects or sound baths, these modalities foster a sense of belonging and mutual support.

“There’s something transformative about being vulnerable in a group,” Bruce says. “When one person opens up, it gives others permission to do the same.”

“My work is rooted in creating a sacred space for people to explore their healing journey,” Asiaghi says. “Healing isn’t just an individual journey. When we heal together, the impact is exponential.”

CARING FOR THEMSELVES

For many healers, balancing the needs of their clients with their own recovery presents a challenge. Both Ravanel and Bruce highlight the importance of self-care as they navigate their dual roles.

“It’s easy to pour so much into others that you forget to refill your own cup,” Bruce says. “But you can’t guide others through healing if you’re depleted yourself.”

This dynamic is especially evident in group settings such as sound baths, which are increasingly popular among locals. Asheville Wellness Tours holds monthly sessions at the Restoration Hotel. These events take place in a breathtaking space with four glass walls overlooking the city. Timed to align with the golden hour at sunset, the setting enhances the meditative experience.

Nicole Will, owner and co-founder of Asheville Wellness Tours, describes the atmosphere as “a really immersive experience.”

“The sounds are all around you — bowls, gongs and other instruments,” Will says. “Participants are allowed to have their own experience, whether it’s rejuvenating a relationship with nature, processing emotions or just lying on the floor and letting the vibrations wash over them.”

MIND AND BODY: Kim Drye, senior yoga guide with Asheville Wellness Tours and owner of West Asheville Yoga, says yoga helps individuals reconnect with the body and mind — a practice particularly helpful in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Photo courtesy of Drye

“People come in stressed, but by the end, they’re in tears,” adds Stephen Miller, a sound bath musician. “They often tell us they didn’t realize how much they needed this.”

NEW REALITIES

The healers emphasize how the storm has compelled them to innovate, creating new ways to meet the community’s evolving needs. Asheville Wellness Tours adapts its offerings to include virtual forest therapy sessions and accessible practices that participants can engage in from their own backyards.

“It’s about meeting people where they are,” Bruce says. “Not everyone is ready for a deep dive into the wilderness, so we create gentle, approachable experiences.”

Similarly, Drye shares how West Asheville Yoga incorporates trauma-informed classes, blending traditional yoga practices with mindfulness techniques to foster inclusive and supportive spaces.

Ravanel highlights how art workshops evolve to meet the community’s needs. “We’ve added collaborative art projects focused on resilience and healing, creating a space for participants to express their experiences

while fostering a sense of togetherness,” she explains.

Asiaghi has also adapted her approach, integrating elements into her ceremonies that address collective trauma. “It’s about ensuring the practices resonate deeply with participants navigating post-storm challenges,” she says.

LOOKING AHEAD

As Asheville continues to rebuild, the lessons from these wellness practitioners and creatives offer a blueprint for resilience. Their work underscores the importance of connection — to nature, to creativity and to each other — in navigating the aftermath of trauma.

“The hurricane reminds us of what really matters,” Ravanel says. “It strips everything down to the basics, but it also gives us a chance to rebuild intentionally.”

In the face of adversity, Asheville’s healers not only help others recover — they redefine what it means to heal.

“We’re not just rebuilding structures,” Ravanel says. "We’re rebuilding connections — within ourselves, with each other, and with the world around us X

Accepting New Patients

Walking the streets with Council member Kim Roney

Xpress: What is your go-to exercise? And, if applicable, where in Buncombe County do you like to do it?

Roney: As a pedestrian and cyclist who relies on public transit, my exercise routine is my daily commute. Whether it’s stopping to check in with local businesses during my walk between meetings, the added benefit of strength training through hauling groceries home before teaching or meeting my goal to ride every transit route last year on the way to community and neighborhood meetings, I find that active transportation allows me to better understand the state of our multimodal infrastructure while also acknowledging the needs of my neighbors who rely on the public right of way.

An additional benefit is the joy of experiencing the seasons through spring’s blooms, summer’s serviceberries, fall’s changing leaves and an occasional winter snow along the way.

OUT AND ABOUT: Council member Kim Roney says walking is a way to stay healthy and connected with the community. Photo courtesy of Roney

Since Helene, I’m among neighbors whose routes have been disrupted or destroyed, and detours can take twice the time. I feel the fiscal, social and moral responsibility to not just put things back where they were but to improve accessibility and safety through intentional investment in our transportation infrastructure.

On days when you need to mentally unwind, is there a spot in our city that you gravitate to? Why?

When connecting beyond my daily mindfulness practice, I gravitate toward the trees in our city parks and public spaces that provide shade, relief from heat during long commutes and the connecting comfort of nature’s sounds in our shared, mountain home.

The squirrel is my favorite fellow tree lover to come across along the way. Squirrels plant trees, can live over a decade and crack me up with their acrobatic moves and wrestling matches.

When I have the time, I take the long way home if it means getting in more steps and quiet time. That might mean going through a park, rerouting through part of a neighborhood I haven’t checked in on in a while or intentionally detouring to a local business to pick up a gift or grocery.

What song gets you most energized (whether it’s for a workout session or a Council meeting)?

For an energy lift, I’ll put on “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley — that intro gets me going every time! The lyrical call to action and invitation to “be loved” resonate with me. In general, though, I’m energized by the ’90s pop, hip-hop and rock of my teen years.

More than listening to music, playing music has been part of my post-meeting processing as a Council member. It’s less about getting energized and more about staying connected to who I am and why I do what I do. I have a set list to choose from, ranging from classical and ragtime to ’70s rock and R&B to the modern pop tunes my students get stuck in my head.

Chapell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” has been a repeated request, so refreshing to play and sing along. X

by Lisa Allen | lallen@mountainx.com

Nurse’s compassion honored by AdventHealth

AdventHealth Hendersonville recently chose registered nurse Ashley Culbertson as the latest winner of its DAISY Award for the compassion she showed to a critically ill patient in the intensive care unit. A young, non-English-speaking patient was battling a critical case of COVID-19. Culbertson patiently communicated in spite of the language barrier and explained the patient’s medical conditions in terms she could understand. She gently prepared the patient to be intubated and preemptively arranged health care power of attorney, ensuring the patient would have someone to make decisions on her behalf when she could not.

“If it had been my daughter in this situation, I would be incredibly overwhelmed with the gratitude for a nurse like Ashley to take care of my daughter in the worst moment of her life and ensure that her emotional and medical needs were met with kindness in my absence,” registered nurse Kim Carver, manager of the float pool and administrative house supervisors, said in a media release. “Nursing is truly a calling in Ashley’s life.”

ABCCM Dental Clinic reopens

The ABCCM Dental Clinic reopened Jan. 10 at 155 Livingston St. Part of ABCCM’s Medical Ministry, the dental clinic serves those without insurance of any kind. The ministry provides urgent care, medication assistance and crisis dental care to nearly 4,000 Buncombe County adults between the ages of 18 and 65. For information, call 828-259-5339.

Mental health providers offer sliding scales post-Helene

To help meet the critical need for mental health care in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, the National Association of Social Workers North Carolina has partnered with the N.C. Psychological Association, N.C. Psychiatric Association, National Register of Health Service Psychologists, N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and Licensed Clinical Counselors of North Carolina to compile a list of mental health providers willing to offer free or sliding-scale fees for

individuals affected by the storm. Info: avl.mx/eg3

Alzheimer’s groups plan advocacy day

Tuesday, Feb. 11, is 2025 N.C. Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, and the Western North Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is urging advocates to convene in Raleigh to support the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The event takes place 8:30 a.m.3 p.m., beginning at the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, 99 N. Salisbury St. Attendees will learn about the legislative process, meet face to face with elected officials, share personal stories with key decision-makers and bring awareness to the importance of the Alzheimer’s Association’s public policy priorities. The event is free, but registration is requested. Info: avl.mx/eg4 or 800-272-3900

Space combines climbing and work

Cultivate Climbing and Hatchworks Coworking on Jan. 1 unveiled The Boardroom, a fitness, wellness and remote-work facility at 45 S. French Broad Ave. A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, featuring light bites, beer and wine. The new space replaces Cultivate Climbing’s former location on Amboy Road, which was damaged by Tropical Storm Helene.

Home health service opens in Arden

In November, Western North Carolina residents Jon and Kristi Campbell opened Right at Home, a home health care service franchise for seniors and disabled adults. Available services include specialty, companion and personal care. The Campbells have owned a similar service in Tampa, Fla., for 20 years. The latest office is at 1904 Brevard Road, Arden. Info: 828-344-6134.

Veterans health portal to change

On Friday, Jan. 31, the Veterans Administration will discontinue its

Series

MyHealtheVet option that veterans use to access their online health portal. Users will need to create either a Login. gov or an ID.me account before the deadline. Over 28,600 veterans use this health portal, and about 30% still need to create an account to comply with the changes. Info: avl.mx/egv

Insurance enrollment extended

Residents of areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene have until Sunday,

Feb. 16, to enroll in 2025 Affordable Care Act health insurance through the HealthCare.gov Marketplace. Free help understanding options and signing up is available through Pisgah Legal Services, a local nonprofit. Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers: Cuidadodesalud. gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment and maternity care. X

Blissful Chiropractic

Experience a 45 minute adjustment that starts with a cranial sacral massage to relax the nerves followed by a gentle hands-on chiropractic adjustment. Sacral Occipital, Applied Kinesiology, and traditional adjustments also available

SUPERNICE: Ashley Culbertson, a nurse at AdventHealth in Hendersonville, was recognized for her compassion toward a scared patient. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

ARTS & CULTURE

WITH CAYLA CLARK

BY CAYLA CLARK

caylaclark73@gmail.com

New year, new edition of “Best Medicine.” But this year, we’re sticking to our resolutions, damn it. No more midnight doughnut trains (don’t ask). No more skipping the gym in lieu of a 12-hour “Love Island Australia” binge. No more forgetting to brush my teeth for 45 nights in a row until they rot and one falls out and I swallow it.

No, no, no — 2025 is all about noon broccoli trains, 12-hour squat fests and not swallowing teeth. It’s going to be a year for the books.

Ringing in this totally noncursed year with me is local comedy legend Hilliary Begley, known for her

role in the Netflix film “Dumplin’.”

Joining her is the very talented Evelyn Pekarek and her trusty sidekick Tater Tot, a dog who never skips leg day. And finally, one of my personal favorite Marion-based stand-up comedians (actually maybe the only Marion-based stand-up comedian), Jason Reel

Cayla: In honor of Xpress’ annual Wellness Issues, I figured we could kick things off by sharing a personal wellness-based resolution. I’ve already shared three of mine, but I’ll get us started by including one more for posterity’s sake.

Cayla: As we all know, the water in Asheville is forever tainted by turbidity and lead. We can’t trust anyone, let alone our local government. They say, “The water is potable,” and what they really mean, of course, is, “We don’t care if you live or die.” Well, government, the joke’s on you. This year, I vow to drink anything other than water — not one drop of poison H2O will touch these shriveled lips, you can bet your hiney on it. Instead, I’ll be observing Warm Milk Mondays, Tonic Tuesdays, Welch’s Wednesdays, Thai Iced Tea Thursdays, Fanta Fridays, Slurpee Saturdays and Strawberry Shake Sundays. I’ll be so shredded and pure by 2026 that you’ll hardly recognize me. I’ll be a poster child of better living through beverages.*

Hilliary: Cayla, gross.

Cayla: What’s gross, Hillary, is that there’s birth control in the water. And I somehow still managed to get pregnant.

Hilliary: Oh, girlfriend. You’re so misguided in every way.

Personally, I HATE New Year’s resolutions. This year, I decided to make the process feel a little more magical. I wrote down 13 different goals I wanted to accomplish in 2025, folded each one and placed them in a jar. For the last 13 nights of December, I randomly picked one goal and burned it without looking. The idea was that the last goal remaining on New Year’s Eve would be the one I’d focus on for the year.

HEALTHY LIVING: For Xpress’ January comedy feature, host Cayla Clark, top left, and her latest cohort of comedians discuss their New Year’s resolutions and brainstorm ideas for new health trends in 2025. Also pictured, clockwise from top right, Hilliary Begley, Jason Reel and Evelyn Pekarek. Photo of Clark by Don Rex Bishop; all other photos courtesy of the comedians

In true universe fashion, the one that remained was my least favorite. I didn’t pull: lose weight, read more books or finally film my special. Nope — the last one standing was PAY ALL DEBTS!

So, come to my shows and tip me heavy, y’all!

Jason: You know what they say, Hilliary.

Hilliary: What’s that?

Jason: “A comedian attempting to pay his debt with a comedian’s tips is a comedian in severe denial.”

Paying off debt is for the weak. This year I’m back to what really matters — balance. I’m hitting the

gym four days a week and slurping down an ice-cold zero-sugar Dr. Pepper right after and maybe adding some fries into the mix. But seeing as I am more health conscious, I’ll probably use some pink Himalayan salt. Some people might say adding salt to Burger King fries is excessive, but if it’s Himalayan salt, it actually cancels out the saturated fats and carbs. Life is all about taking the good with the bad, and I’ll be taking both through the same entrance — my mouth.

Home Delivery

Evelyn: Speaking of mouths and things entering them, this year, my New Year’s resolution is to finally break free from my love affair with Little Debbie. Let’s face it, my “snack-cake diet” isn’t earning me any awards, unless it’s “Most Likely to Appear in a Snack Food Commercial.” Picture me in a bad rom-com, standing in front of my pantry and saying, “Debbie, it’s not you, it’s the 17 boxes of snack cakes stuffed under my bed!”

Hilliary: You can afford 17 boxes of Little Debbies? In this economy?

Evelyn: Most of them expired in the ’90s. Instead of curling up with a box of Cosmic Brownies during my Netflix marathons, I’m venturing into the uncharted territory of healthy eating. Apparently, this includes things like quinoa and chia seeds — neither of which taste as good as their names might suggest. My mental health journey is about finding inner peace, but let’s be real, it’s hard to meditate when all I can think about is how much I miss the sweet embrace of a Nutty Buddy.

So, here’s the plan: For every veggie I eat, I’ll reward myself with a single gummy bear. Because if I can’t enjoy life while attempting to be healthy, then what’s the point? Here’s to 2025 — whether I become a Zen master with a side of kale or just a very confused rabbit on an endless snack cake quest.

Cayla: Speaking of being a kale-laden Zen master, Asheville is known for its unique blend of wellness trends, from cleanliness-free sound baths to yoga with emotionally stunted goats. If you had the opportunity to dream up the next big Asheville health craze, what would it be?

Hilliary: Hands down I will always say laughter is the best medicine. I’d like to start a laughing yoga meditation group. You sit in a circle and each person fake laughs until everyone is laughing in a full-on roar. Or mix that with bungee cord exercises, and we’d all be elevated!

Jason: Asheville is already a pretty healthy place, but there’s always room for improvement. Sure, we’ve got kombucha on tap, yoga studios on every corner and more vegan bakeries than you can shake a gluten-free breadstick at, but let’s talk about the glaring vitamin deficiency we all seem to be ignoring: vitamin D. I mean, have you seen how pale we get in the winter? It’s disgusting.

At some point, we stop looking like a vibrant mountain community and start resembling a colony of welldressed tuberculosis sufferers. Clearly, the solution is simple: shorts year-round. Who needs pants anyway? They’re just leg prisons holding us back from soaking in the sweet rays of the sun. And while we’re at it, let’s ditch the shoes too. Sure, we might pick up a few hookworms, but let’s be honest — hookworms are just nature’s way of saying, “Congrats on achieving maximum vitamin efficiency!” Plus, barefoot is totally on-brand for Asheville. Think of it as grounding but less stupid.

Evelyn: I’m not sure about Asheville lacking any D, Jason, but I do have a couple of ideas for some fun new health craze classes that could really shake things up. First up, we’ve got Synchronized Snorting. Picture this: teams of participants performing synchronized exercises while snorting like pigs. Points are awarded for creativity and for how many people manage to keep a straight face. Spoiler alert: no one does. It’s fitness with a side of farmyard flair!

Next, and this is something I think we’d all secretly love to teach, is Stand-Up Stretching.

Hilliary: Wait, you literally stole my idea, Evelyn.

Evelyn: I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s a yoga class, but with a twist — it’s led by a comedian who cracks jokes while guiding you through stretches. Imagine going from child’s pose to laughing so hard you fall over. It’s basically therapy, fitness and open mic night rolled into one sweaty, hilarious package. And it’s nothing like the laughter meditation group Hilliary proposed. Nothing like it. Who’s signing up?

Cayla: No one, Evelyn; no one is signing up. But we love you.

Cayla: Asheville has always been a hotbed for health and healing — or at least a place people ran to when they needed a breather (literally). Back in the early 1900s, it became the go-to wellness retreat, especially for folks with tuberculosis. Apparently, our crisp mountain air and temperate climate were the original cure-all — kind of like raw, unfiltered milk, but with fewer side effects. And hey, people still swear by that fresh mountain air today. How has your life changed for the better since moving to the area? In what ways has WNC healed you?

Evelyn: The vibrant art scene and eclectic locals have helped me discover my inner artist, even if my “masterpieces” look more like a toddler’s finger painting. I walk through the colorful streets feeling as special as a unicorn in a field of daisies, knowing that in Asheville, being unique is the ultimate badge of honor. So here’s to me, the newly awakened Asheville version of myself, who celebrates every day like it’s a quirky festival of joy — complete with spontaneous dance parties in my living room and a newfound love for kale that I’ll never fully understand.

Cayla: I’m sorry, kale is not it. So fibrous, so jagged, like eating torn-up cereal boxes. Asheville hasn’t turned me into a kale lover, but if you’ll allow me to get serious and sentimental for a moment — I don’t think I would’ve found my way back to sobriety had I not randomly landed here four

years ago. The recovery community in Asheville is robust and special. I felt like I was truly embraced for who I was, struggles and all, and I was never shamed or made to feel like a mess-up during the year or so I chronically relapsed every three months like clockwork. And because I’m sober, I’ve been able to heal other parts of myself. I owe so much to this community. Truly.

Jason: Western North Carolina has been home my entire life. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the country. It has so much diversity in culture, language and people that I don’t think most places offer. Whenever I get down, I just look at the mountains or listen to the folks around me tell stories about how life was 50 years ago. That’s a pretty good cure for the blues. X

“Best

Q&A: BEYOND THE DAIS

Observing nature with Council member Sage Turner

Xpress: What is your go-to exercise? And, if applicable, where in Buncombe County do you like to do it?

These days yoga is my go-to. We have great yoga studios throughout the city, and I also practice at home.

On days when you need to mentally unwind, is there a spot in our city that you gravitate to? Why?

WATER SESSION: Council member Sage Turner practices yoga, pre-Helene, in the French Broad River. Photo courtesy of Turner

All my life, I have been drawn to the water. Pre-Helene, I would sit by the river or Beaver Lake and process my worries in a quiet spot, observing nature and its simplistic approach to life. Post-Helene, I’ve been taking long drives along the riverways in the region. At first, these drives were overwhelming, bringing tears and heartache. As we progress with cleanup and rebuilding, though, these drives give me hope. I can see the progress, slight but steady. I can feel and see the desire to continue on, to rebuild. I find a somber but hopeful peace in such. What song gets you most energized (whether it’s for a workout session or a Council meeting)?

I like instrumental music when I’m working out, doing yoga or taking respite. There’s a great group called The Piano Guys; they cover popular songs with only instruments, and it’s stellar. A favorite go-to is “Beethoven’s 5 Secrets.” X

Light years

BY CHRISTOPHER ARBOR

On Jan. 1, Christopher Arbor and his friends launched a quest to visit one Asheville brewery each week for all of 2025 in the order that they opened. Their most recent stop was Asheville Brewing Co. on Merrimon Avenue. For previous coverage, visit avl.mx/ehe.

A big motivation for this series is to trace the history of Asheville breweries. My personal history is so entwined with Asheville’s third brewery to open — Asheville Brewing Co. — that this installment is going to be as nostalgia-infused as some of the Hollywood offerings the company screens at its Merrimon Avenue location.

If memory serves, the first movie I watched there was Fight Club way back in 1999. The business had just changed ownership and names (from Two Moons Brew-n-View to Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co.), and the vibe was basically “college dorm room.” The dining area had free console games, and the movie seats were old thrifted couches.

If that sounds icky, it was a little, but in an endearing sort of way. This may be hard to believe, but in those

days, the idea of serving beer at the movies was novel.

My college buddies and I could walk over after classes, order food and enjoy whatever film was playing. Part of the charm was that customers gave their names when they ordered food, and the servers would bellow them out during the movie. Back then, there were apparently a lot of residents named “Seymour Butz,” “Al Coholic,” “Amanda Hugginkiss” and “Fire!”

Since then, I think we’ve both grown up a bit. My crew filed in on a recent Wednesday evening — 14 of us — eager for beer, pizza and camaraderie. The place is cleaner and brighter these days. The couches in the theater have been replaced with real movie seats, and the servers hand out buzzers instead of bellowing names.

The best parts remain, though: the easygoing vibe, the cheap movies, Funky Chicken pizza, Shiva IPA, funhouse mirrors and the arcade room, which impossibly still has the same Off Road game that’s been there for decades. There’s still a singular place in each of the circular rooms that has a wonderfully weird echo. You can still sit at a table with the characters

from Star Wars muraled on the wall beside you.

Asheville Brewing Co. is maybe no longer geared for college nerds but instead geared for us nerds who grew up and had kids. Speaking of kids, local trivia-night legend and dear friend Kipper Schauer showed up with his adorable baby, who immediately became the focus of our attention and conversation. A pint in my hand, a baby on my hip and friends by my side: That’s about the most Asheville experience I can imagine.

For more details on Asheville Brewing’s past, check out a previous Xpress article by the late Tony Kiss, “20 Years Later, Asheville Pizza & Brewing Remains a Hopping Landmark,” from April 4, 2018. It’s also worth noting that Asheville Brewing Co. moved its brewing operation to a second location on the South Slope in 2005, long before most other breweries arrived in

town. That site is currently closed, but I’m hoping it will reopen with warmer weather. It has a mighty fine outdoor space.

For our next stop, we’re going to rectify my previous Jack of the Wood detour and go to Green Man Brewing’s Dirty Jack’s taproom. We meet up around 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Here’s our schedule for the next few visits:

• Jan. 29 — Thirsty Monk at Biltmore Park, 2 Town Square Blvd. (downtown location is temporarily closed)

• Feb. 5 — Wedge Brewing (either on Payne’s Way or downtown, depending on weather)

• Feb. 12 — Oyster House Brewing, 625 Haywood Road

• Feb. 19 — Wicked Weed Brewing, 91 Biltmore Ave.

• Feb. 26 — Burial Beer Co., 40 Collier Ave.

Join us if you like. X

DRINKING WITH THE STARS: Christopher Arbor and friend Kevin MacDonald explore the nerdy offerings at Asheville Brewing Co. on Merrimon Ave.

Photo by McNeill Mann

The Playlist

Give these 13 tracks a listen the next time you go for a run

BY THOMAS CALDER

tcalder@mountainx.com

Fans of the band River Whyless may be surprised to learn the group’s drummer, Alex McWalters, met fellow bandmate, Ryan O’Keefe, on the cross-country team at Appalachian State Universty.

“We started playing music together as a duo,” says McWalters. “Later we started a band. Fast-forward 20 years, long beyond our competitive running days, and we’re still in a band together.”

And McWalters continues to run. “It remains an integral part of my life and especially my creative practice,” he says. “Running is especially helpful on days when the creative work isn’t going well. On those days, running is a way of compensating for an otherwise utterly unproductice day. Or seemingly unproductive, because of course sitting there accomplishing nothing is sometimes part of the process.”

In addition to his music, McWalters is a fiction writer and the outreach director for Punch Bucket Lit, a local literary nonprofit. And more recently, he agreed to be Xpress’ guinea pig for our new monthly feature — “The Playlist” — in which we ask a local musician to select and share a set of songs based on a specific theme. For our debut, which coincides with our annual Wellness Issues, we asked McWalters to share an ideal playlist for running in Western North Carolina. The selection, and a brief conversation with McWalters, is included below. Be on the lookout for next month’s playlist in our Feb. 26 edition. Xpress: Ironically, you noted in your submission that you do not listen to music when you run. Is there a reason you choose not to?

McWalters: Running is a space I sort of enter into. Anybody who runs regularly knows what I mean. You get into a rhythm and your mind and your body become attuned to each other in ways that are pretty meditative. Sometimes this is enjoyable, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s painful. Truthfully, running is always at minimum a little uncomfortable. It’s work. Listening to music while you run is a way to take the edge off the discomfort. To make the process more enjoyable, to distract your mind from the body’s discomfort.

In the past I’ve been able to connect deeply with music while running. .... But these days I’m a purist because I value the ability to enter into that singular rhythm wherein there is no other noise but the noise in my head. I consume so much media elsewhere in my life — podcasts, music, news, etc. — that running has become a somewhat sacred space in which I’m alone with myself and with the pain and the pleasure of doing this particular sort of work. I don’t want to be distracted from the discomfort, I want to face it. I said I’m a purist, but maybe what I mean is I’m a masochist, I don’t know. I think maybe all runners (and artists) have a touch of that in them.

Do you have a go-to trail in WNC that you run?

I live in Swannanoa. Until Helene, my go-to trail was the River Trail at Warren Wilson. While I don’t run with music, I do love running with my dog, Ringo. He’s a good running buddy and he loves the River Trail as much as I do. Finding places to run safely after the storm has been challenging. The River Trail is, shall we say, under reconstruction. There is, however, another section of trails connected to the River Trail called Dam Pasture that is now, thanks to the work of the community, accessible. Ringo and I are both deeply grateful to the folks who did the work to clear the debris and repair the trails out there. Thank you.

Lastly, how would you describe your overall track selection and which of the 13 songs is the standout in your opinion?

This playlist is a sampling of some of the up-tempo stuff I’m listening to currently and/or keep coming back to. Vampire Weekend and Dr. Dog — these are bands that are just very important to me. I’m a fan for life. And both bands’ latest records are killer. Scott McMicken, who is part of Dr. Dog, lives here in Asheville and recorded his most recent record, When It’s Happening, with musicians in this community — musicians who I know for a fact are very talented and hard-working and humble sweet generous saints. The record is really good, a slow burner that gets better with every listen. Listen to it as you run in or around Asheville for a truly immersive experience of place.

Series

DRUMMER ON THE RUN: Xpress speaks with River Whyless drummer Alex McWalters for the debut of our new feature, “The Playlist,” in which we ask one local musician to select a set of songs with a specific theme in mind. Photo courtesy of McWalters

And as you may have noticed, Naked Gods is the only band privileged with two slots on my playlist. Naked Gods was a band from Boone, a band that was active back when River Whyless was just cut-

ting its teeth in the scene. Naked Gods was a force, an inspiration. Two of the members of Naked Gods have since started a new project. They’re called Real Companion. Check it out. X

SONGS FOR RUNNING IN WNC

Below are the tracks for Xpress’ inaugural “The Playlist,” courtesy of Alex McWalters. You can find the playlist on Spotify at avl.mx/eg5.

These Ghosts by Tyler Ramsey

Classical by Vampire Weekend

This Is a Photograph by Kevin Morby

A Little Honey by Nathaniel Ratecliff & The Night Sweats

Let Me Roll It by Paul McCartney, Wings Wide Eyes by Local Natives

Lost in the Light by Bahamas

Pain by The War on Drugs

Elephant by Tame Impala

My Creation by Scott McMicken and The Ever-Expanding Talk Is Cheap by Dr. Dog

Soft Drugs by Naked Gods

Slow Dogs by Naked Gods

A high bar

BY KAY WEST

“I feel like the pivot queen,” says businesswoman and hemp/cannabis activist Taylon Breanne, whose most recent reinvention took place as 2024 rolled into 2025. On Friday, Jan. 3, she and business/life partner Aislinn Dugan announced on social media the launch of Oui’d, the parent company for several linked ventures, including a mobile bar and events company.

The Oui’d Bar focuses on providing alcohol-free, adaptogen-infused beverages for weddings and other events, as well as festivals and pop-ups. As a mobile operation, its services and products vary depending on the laws in the state where each event takes place.

“Alcohol-free has really been trending, even before the most recent warnings about cancer,” Breanne says. “But people still want the social effects of alcohol. Adaptogens are a health-forward alternative, and Oui’d creates an elevated social experience without the morning after. ”

Adaptogens, she explains, are any kind of herb or mushroom that allows the body to adapt to stress and counterbalance the hormones released by stress. Lion’s mane mushrooms and turmeric, for example, are anti-inflammatory and combat inflammation caused by stress.

In 2018, Breanne started her first Asheville-based business, Simply Extract, a botanical extraction company creating hemp and mushroom products for clients under their own labels. In 2022, she relocated the laboratory into the back room of Carolina Hemp Co. on Haywood Street downtown and carved out a corner of the store to open The Pot Stirred, a café serving beverages infused with CBD and mushrooms. “Normalizing plant medicine has always been my mission.”

Breanne says The Pot Stirred did well its first year downtown. But when Carolina Hemp moved out of the Haywood Street building in the summer of 2023, Breanne and Dugan had to decide between trying to fill 8,000 square feet of space and cover the increased rent or relocating as well.

Fortuitously, a friend, artist Annie Kyla Bennett, co-founder of Art Garden in Riverview Station in the River Arts District, had an answer. “She came to us and said, ‘Let us take you in,’” Breanne recalls.

The couple built out a new Pot Stirred in the Canopy Gallery on Riverview Station’s second floor and

were back in business September 2023. “That space was perfect,” Breanne says. “There were like 70 artists, RAD was booming, tourists were there for leaf season, locals were all over the greenway.”

In September 2024, Pot Stirred celebrated its one-year anniversary in the Canopy Gallery. Then Tropical Storm Helene hit, taking out the entire lower level of Riverview Station. Water rose 3 feet into the second floor, and all of The Pot Stirred’s inventory and equipment were destroyed.

“I was just kind of feeling done, so tired of all these big things happening — COVID, losing our downtown space, Helene — and having to pivot over and over,” Breanne says. “I took a few months to grieve and realized I just couldn’t give it up.”

She and Dugan focused on an idea they had long batted around for a mobile approach to the business, discussing ways to execute and introduce it as well as how to brand it. They decided to go for something totally new, embracing a business name that’s another play on words

with a fun, flirty, French flair. The pair created a selection of a la carte experiences — adaptogen bar, flower bar and edibles bar — built a website and on Jan. 3 went live on Facebook and Instagram.

Less than a week later, The Oui’d Bar had booked its first event serving 200 attendees of a women’s business conference at Massachusetts Institution of Technology. Breanne says the business has also scheduled work at some local weddings and is applying to vend at spring festivals. The mixology service travels — its drinks, extracts and other supplies plus a 6-foot-wide collapsible bar can fit inside a minivan; at the event site, they style and dress the bar to suit the occasion. Oui’d will soon debut a line of canned adaptogen drinks they intend for national distribution.

“I feel like I’m always tossing a spaghetti noodle onto the wall to see what sticks,” Breanne says with a laugh. “The timing and the reception we’ve already gotten to Oui’d makes me feel like we have something sticky here.”

For more information, visit avl.mx/ego.  X

FLOWER POWER: Aislinn Dugan, left, and Taylon Breanne launched The Oui’d Bar to deliver a mobile, alcohol-free experience for events and special occasions. Photo courtesy of Dugan and Breanne

Tropilachia Club

at Little Jumbo

For those who have had their fill of Asheville’s winter chill, Little Jumbo is reviving its monthlong Tropilachia Club pop-up bar after its successful first appearance in 2024. Kicking off with an opening party on Thursday, Jan. 30, featuring steel pan music from Billy Cardine and Bill Bares, this year’s islandthemed celebration will happen daily starting at 4 p.m. through Friday, Feb. 28. Little Jumbo’s historic building will be decked out with beach-themed décor, and the cocktail menu from lead bartender Millita Gonzalez will feature more than a dozen drinks, such as the Negroni Vice with pineapple-infused vermouth and strawberry-infused Campari. A small-batch hibiscus lager created in partnership with Cellarest Beer Project will be available only during the pop-up.

Little Jumbo is at 241 Broadway. For more information, visit avl.mx/egq. X

CocktailFärməsēLounge

A new downtown bar, Färməsē Cocktail Lounge, (pronounced like “pharmacy”), launched with a grand opening event on Jan. 17 at 5 Biltmore Ave., Suite 1. The spot is open 4-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, offering “chill and upbeat house tracks” from DJ Rexxstep 8 p.m.-2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, according to the bar’s social media pages.

Follow Färməsē on Instagram at avl.mx/egr. X

OaxaCarolina Dinner at Ivory Road

Chef Luis Martinez, owner of Taqueria Rosita and Tequio Foods, will present his OaxaCarolina pop-up dinner 6-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Ivory Road in Arden. The menu includes five courses plus a welcome bite of molote — a dumpling with plantain, queso fresco and black bean sofrito. Dessert is pastel de elote, a corn cake with mascarpone cream and orange. Tickets are $90 per person; an optional wine pairing curated by Ivory Road owner Jill Heaton costs $25. A social hour with appetizers begins at 5 p.m. Ivory Road is at 1854 Brevard Road, Arden. For the full menu and tickets, visit avl.mx/egs. X

Magic meal

Jargon’s popular Dinner and a Magic Show event featuring magician Doc Docherty makes its fifth appearance at the West Asheville restaurant’s Argot Room event space starting with a 5 p.m. cocktail hour on Saturday, Feb. 1. The three-course dinner from Jargon’s new chef, Paul Cremer, includes vegan and gluten-free choices such as pumpkin-coconut soup and a vegetable winter risotto, along with meatier options like tomato-braised pork shank and roasted chicken breast. Docherty will present a new comedy and magic show, “The Wonder Experience,” at this event. Tickets are $99 each, excluding alcohol, gratuity and tax.

Jargon’s Argot Room is at 717 Haywood Road. For more information and tickets, visit avl.mx/egu. X

Posana will kick off Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 9 with a special à la carte brunch menu from chef Erin Cummings and pastry chef Lex Walton 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Starters range from Berliner doughnuts to brussels sprouts with camembert, hazelnuts, white balsamic and pomegranate. Mains include short-rib hash, brioche French toast, baked crab pasta and many other options. Posana will not offer evening service on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Posana is at 1 Biltmore Ave. For the full menu and to make reservations, visit avl.mx/egt. X

by Kay West |

Ricochet

Author Kellyn Carni leads a quiet life in a small mountain town outside of Asheville, with her husband, baby boy, dog, cat and chickens. But her imagination has time-traveled to 1918 Russia, the setting for her first book, Ricochet, a young adult historical fantasy novel that retells the story of the Romanov family murders. Carni will appear at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café where she will read from the book and have a conversation with Hayley Heninger, an Asheville actor and writer best known for her work as co-creator and voice of the paranormal fiction podcast Palimpsest Ricochet takes readers to an alternate reality where Anastasia Romanov and her brother, Alexi, escape their family’s execution, thanks to a magical necklace. “Anastasia’s strengths are her fierce love for her family and her unbreakable sassiness,” says Carni in press material. “I wanted to answer the question: How do we find mean-

ing in life when we’re stripped of everything that defines us?” The free event will be both in person and virtual. Pregistration is required. avl.mx/egb X

Year of the Wood Snake

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and the end of Dry January on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Highland Brewing Co.’s annual event honoring brewery founder Oscar Wong ’s ChineseAmerican family heritage. To commemorate 2025, the Year of the Wood Snake, Highland has teamed up with Seattle-based, Asian-owned Lucky Envelope Brewing to create an exclusive honey amber lager, which will be available at the event. Lunar New Year-themed cocktails will also be featured. Starting at 11 a.m., Master BBQ, Rice Wagon and Blue Cardinal mobile eateries will be on-site selling food, and from noon-3 p.m., DJ Kipper will spin K-pop hits. Dragon Dancers, a dance group from Dragon Phoenix martial arts studio in Woodfin, will dazzle with colorful costumes and vibrant choreography from 1-3 p.m., and the Flashback Band takes the stage 6-9 p.m. Activities to keep kids busy and entertained include balloon snakes, Chinese lantern decorating, a chopstick challenge, face painting and free snow cones 1-2 p.m. avl.mx/ege X

The Deep End of Hope

Mining a well-known biblical timeline, Emma Churchman, master of divinity and trauma chaplain, has titled her book The Deep End of Hope in the Wake of Hurricane Helene: 40 Days and Nights of Survival and Transformation. A launch and forum event will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Gerton Fire Station, 4975 Gerton Highway in Gerton, a small Henderson County community between Fairview and Bat Cave.

“Since Day 1, the station functioned as the gathering point for our Gerton community,” Churchman explains. When Helene hit Western North Carolina in September, the author and her husband, Jeff, were trapped for several days atop a mountain with no means of communication. Bushwhacking 3 miles to descend, they discovered the true devastation in Gerton, their rural hamlet of 301 people. In her post-storm memoir, Churchman chronicles her role as a trauma chaplain for her community and the heartache and heroism of residents. Speakers at the launch event will include former state Rep. and Fairview resident John Ager and his son, N.C. Rep. Eric Ager, along

with Kevin King, executive director of Mennonite Disaster Service, and Pamela Prince-Eason , president and CEO of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. The free event begins at 2 p.m. Books will be for sale on-site from Malaprop’s Bookstore/Caf é with a portion of sales benefiting Mennonite Disaster Service. avl.mx/eh3 X

Stars Servin’ Up Love

In the game of tennis, love is a big fat zero. Literally. But on Sunday, Feb. 2, some of the biggest names in the sport are committed to the Stars Servin’ Up Love celebrity tennis benefit event to raise funds for Tropical Storm Helene recovery in Western North Carolina. Raising a racket on an indoor hardcourt at Harrah’s Cherokee Center will be champions Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick and young rising competitors Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro. Also holding court will be celebrity guests Michael Kosta (“The Daily Show”), Pete Wentz, (of the band Fall Out Boy), “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and actress Esai Morales (Mission: Impossible). The matches will feature mic’d-up short sets of singles and doubles, on-court activities for youths and first responders and live DJ sets. One hundred percent of net proceeds from the event and other related activities will be donated to local nonprofits, including the Always Asheville fund, Asheville

Area Habitat for Humanity, Asheville Tennis Association and United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. Doors open at 1:30; the event begins at 2:30. avl.mx/eg6 X

Image courtesy of the author

Oscar Wong celebrates Lunar New Year 2024. Photo courtesy Highland Brewing Co.

Photo of Emma Churchman by Jeff Boudreaux

Photo of Emma Navarro courtesy of the U.S. Tennis Association

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29

27 CLUB

Yawni (avant-pop, freak-folk), 8pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Jarv w/King Green & Damn Skippy (hip-hop), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S PSK Karaoke, 8pm

HI-WIRE BREWING -

BILTMORE VILLAGE

Free Weekly Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Wyatt Espalin & Matt Smith (multi-genre), 6pm

IMPERIÁL

DJ Otto Maddox (soul, funk), 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Bluegrass Jam w/Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm

PULP

Standup Comedy Pageant, 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Big Richard w/The Shoats (bluegrass, country, folk), 8pm

THE MULE

Wednesday w/Saylor Brothers (jam-grass), 6:30pm

THE ONE STOP

Amabel Lee Band (Americana, country), 10pm

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30

27 CLUB Skyway 61, Devette, & King Ghoul (rock, grunge), 8pm

BEN'S TUNE UP Gang Beef Presents: Road to SXSW & Open Mic, 7pm

CROW & QUILL

Russ Wilson & The Kings of Jazz, 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Bless Your Heart Trivia w/Harmon, 7pm

EULOGY

Honey's Indie Sleaze

Send Off (multi-genre), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S East Ritual Residency (punk, garage, indie), 9pm

FLOOD GALLERY

True Home Open Mic, 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Hearts Gone South (country), 6pm

IMPERIÁL

DJ Nex Millen (hip-hop, R&B), 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm

LAZOOM ROOM BAR & GORILLA

Modelface Comedy Presents: Ryan Cox, 7pm

LOOKOUT BREWING CO.

Music Bingo, 6pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

The Blinds (indie-soul), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm

PULP

Oceanic & VEAUX w/ Moody Bridge (dancepop), 8pm

SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/Franco Nino, 9pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Christie Lenée & Crys Matthews (acoustic), 8pm

CLUBLAND

COSMIC SOUL ROCK: On Saturday, Feb. 1, Rebekah Todd & Co. performs at Shiloh & Gaines, starting at 9 p.m. Todd pulls from a wide range of influences, including the Tedeschi Trucks Band, to create her unique brand of cosmic soul rock. Photo courtesy of TAS visuals

THOMAS WOLFE

AUDITORIUM

Joe Gatto, 7pm

VOWL Karaoke Night, 8pm

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

27 CLUB

In Dog Years, Rhinestone Pickup Truck, & Hashwitch (rock, grunge, stoner metal), 8pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

The Ain't Sisters w/ Isaac Hadden (folk, rock, funk), 8pm

CATAWBA BREWING CO. SOUTH SLOPE

ASHEVILLE

Comedy at Catawba: Aaron Naylor, 7pm

CORK & KEG

Vaden Landers Band (country, honky-tonk, folk), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

Firecracker Jazz Band, 8:30pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Para Gozar (Cuban, Latin, Cumbia), 8pm

EULOGY

• Spaceman Jones + the Motherships, Sk the Novelist, Tyler Pressley, Siyah, & LaVey (hip-hop), 8pm

• DJ Lil Meow Meow's Dance Floor Rapture (pop, electronic, R&B), 11pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Andy Ferrell (folk, country, Appalachian), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Boat Command (lofi, trip-hop, jazz-fusion), 6pm

IMPERIÁL

DJ Malintzin (Latin, hip-hop, electronic), 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Fancy & Friends (Americana, country), 8pm

LOOKOUT BREWING CO.

Friday Night Music Series, 6pm

NOBLE CIDER & MEAD TAPROOM AND PRODUCTION

FACILITY

Crisp Comedy w/Ritu Tirthani, 7pm OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Mattocks Johnson Band (classic-rock, blues), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Owen Walsh (acoustic), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Jimmi Lang's Almost Doors (tribute band), 8pm

ORANGE PEEL Rubblebucket w/ Hannah Mohan (indie, art-pop), 8pm

SHAKEY'S Shankai & the Goonie Tunez (R&B, alt-rock), 9pm

SHILOH & GAINES Andrew Thelston Band (rock, alternative), 9pm SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. Cowboy Mouth (rock, blues, punk), 6pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Lo Wolf & Friends (indie-folk, Americana), 9pm

THANKS FOR GIVING LOCAL

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Bobb Hatt, Gyna

Bootleg, The Electric Mature & Zach Cooper (experimental, jazz, rock), 9pm

THE ONE STOP

• Riddim vs Rhythm (jazz, funk, electronic), 6pm

• 5J Barrow w/Ben Balmer (folk), 10pm

THE STATION BLACK

MOUNTAIN

Mr Jimmy (blues), 5pm

WICKED WEED WEST Karaoke, 6pm

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

27 CLUB

Doc Rotten, Forsaken Profits, & CBGBDC (punk, hardcore), 9pm

ASHEVILLE CLUB

Mr Jimmy (blues), 6pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Adam Ezra Group (folk, Americana), 8pm

BATTERY PARK

BOOK EXCHANGE

Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 5pm

CROW & QUILL

Hearts Gone South (country, honky tonk), 8:30pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Ramona & The Holy Smokes (country), 8pm

EULOGY

Group Chat, Musashi Xero, Grgly, Toh, & DJ Grimmjoi (EDM, hip-hop), 9pm

FLEETWOOD'S It's Snakes, Pinkeye, & Mercyland (punk, alternative), 9pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

Eyes Up Here Comedy: Galentine's Edition, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Flashback Band (classic-rock, glam-metal), 5pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Nobody’s Darling String Band, 4pm

• Lydia Hamby (bluegrass, folk), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Ashley Chambliss (pop, easy-listening), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

• Invitational Blues Jam, 4pm

• Saturday Sessions Fam Jam (multi-genre), 8pm

ORANGE PEEL

Sold Out: Phantogram w/GLU (electronica, dream-pop, hip-hop), 8pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Rebekah Todd & Co., 9pm

STATIC AGE LOFT Sanctum, 8pm

STATIC AGE

RECORDS

East Ritual, Possums, Momophobia & Paprika (indie, punk, rock), 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Tyler Ramsey w/ Spencer Thomas (folk, indie-rock, Americana), 8pm

THE ONE STOP

Fresh Buzz (rock, funk, indie), 10pm

THE WHITE RABBIT AT WATER STREET

Techno Satori (psychtrance, techno), 6pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

Band of the Sky (rock, folk, blues), 7:30pm

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

DSSOLVR

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 4pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

Jazz Sunday, 2:30pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Grateful Sunday w/ Phuncle Sam (tribute-band), 2pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• The Bluegrass Boys, 12pm

• Traditional Irish Music Session, 3:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Stipe Brothers (acoustic), 3pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Suns of Stars Sunday Residency, 2pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Open Mic w/Mike Andersen, 6:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Freedy Johnston w/Tin Roof Echo (pop-rock, alternative, Americana), 8pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

Lazy Sunday w/ Lazybirds & Peggy Ratusz (Americana, jazz, blues), 7:30pm

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3

27 CLUB

Rockstar Karaoke, 10pm

CATAWBA BREWING CO. SOUTH SLOPE

ASHEVILLE

Musicians in the Round: Monday Open Mic, 5pm

CATAWBA BREWING

SOUTH SLOPE

Open Mic Night, 5pm

FLEETWOOD'S Best Ever Karaoke, 9pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Music Mashup, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Open Mic Downtown, 6:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Mashup Mondays w/ JLloyd, 8pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Sludge Inc. February Residency, 8pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Mr Jimmy & Friends (blues), 7pm

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4

EULOGY

Noah Gunderson w/ Abby Gunderson (indie-folk), 7pm

FLEETWOOD'S Turntable Tuesdays (hip-hop, electronic), 9pm

LOBSTER TRAP

Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 6:30pm

LOOKOUT BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 6:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

The Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute), 6pm

SHAKEY'S Booty Tuesday w/DJ Tamagotchi, 10pm

THIRD ROOM Open Decks, 8pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

White Horse Open Mic, 7pm

WILD WING CAFE

SOUTH Paws & Effect Bingo, 4pm

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5

FLEETWOOD'S PSK Karaoke, 8pm

HI-WIRE BREWINGBILTMORE VILLAGE Free Weekly Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Hear Here w/Ed Jurdi & Matt Smith (Americana, folk, rock), 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Bluegrass Jam w/ Finklestein 3, 6pm

PULP

Dirtybird w/ Reggie Headen and the Nighttime Moon (multigenre), 7:30pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE Drake Milligan (country), 8pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Straight Ahead Wednesdays w/The Bill Bares Trio & Bill Evans (jazz), 7:30pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Grateful Dub w/Roots of Creation (reggae, tribute band), 10pm

CROW & QUILL

Matadragones (Latin, Americana), 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Bless Your Heart Trivia w/Harmon, 7pm

EULOGY Ghostkid, Hawk, & Crucifiction (post-hardcore, alt-metal), 7pm

FLOOD GALLERY

True Home Open Mic, 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Vaden Landers (country, folk, Americana), 6pm

LEVELLER BREWING CO.

Open Old Time Jam, 6pm

LOOKOUT BREWING CO.

Music Bingo, 6pm

ONE WORLD BREWING Musical Happy Hour, 5pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm

SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/DJ Franco Nino, 9pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Janx Spirit Half Century w/The Discs, John Kirby & The New Seniors (rock), 9pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

Auto-Tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch A Mic, 10pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS David Collins & Shaeffer Mallory w/Yoni Bologna & Khandroma (experimental, postrock, noise), 8pm THE GREY EAGLE Henhouse Prowlers (bluegrass), 8pm

THE ONE STOP Saylor Brothers (jamgrass), 10pm

VOWL Karaoke Night, 8pm

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In medieval Europe, beekeepers made formal reports to their hives of significant events in the human world, like births, deaths, marriages, and departures. They believed the bees needed to be continually informed so as to ensure robust honey production. The practice was called “telling the bees.” Let’s make this an inspiring story for you in the coming weeks, Aries. I invite you to keep your community fully apprised of what’s happening in your life. Proceed on the assumption that sharing your plans and changes with others will generate harmony and support. Like the beekeepers, you may discover that keeping your community in the loop will strengthen your bonds and sweeten your endeavors.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A regular guy named Jesse Ronnebaum bought an old painting at a yard sale for 50 cents. For the next 10 years, it hung on the wall in his living room. Then he noticed a dim inscription on the painting that suggested maybe it was more valuable than he realized. Consulting an art dealer, he discovered it was an unusual composition that featured the work of seven prominent artists — and was worth a lot of money. Ronnebaum said, “Years of struggling, barely making bills, and the whole time there’s $50,000 hanging over my head, literally.” I am predicting metaphorically comparable events unfolding in your life during the coming months, Taurus. Hidden value will no longer be hidden. You will utilize neglected sources of wealth and finally recognize subtle treasures.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In Namibia’s arid grasslands, fairy circles periodically emerge. They are highly regular rings of bare land encompassed by vegetation. What causes them? Supernatural entities, as believed by the local people? Sand termites or hydrogen-loving microbes, according to a few scientists? As yet, no definitive explanation has emerged. I love that! I cherish mysteries that thwart attempts at rational explanation. In accordance with astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to specialize in tantalizing and unsolvable enigmas in the coming weeks. Your soul needs rich doses of provocative riddles, mysterious truths, and fun puzzles. Exult in the liberating declaration, “I don’t know!”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Wherever you wander, be alert for signals that remind you of who you used to be. This will stimulate your creative speculation about who you want to evolve into during the next few years. As you ruminate about your history, you will get inspirations about who you want to become. The past will speak vividly, in ways that hint at your best possible future. So welcome clues from people who are no longer alive. Be receptive to old allies and influences that are no longer a central part of your world.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Crown shyness” is a phenomenon seen among some trees like lodgepole pines. In forests, they grow big and strong and tall, yet avoid touching each other at their tops. This creates canopies full of pronounced gaps. What causes this curious phenomenon? First, if branches don’t brush up against each other, harmful insects find it harder to spread from tree to tree. Second, when winds blow, branches are less likely to collide with each other and cause damage. There’s a third benefit: More sunlight penetrates to the forest floor, nourishing animals and other plants. I propose that you adopt crown shyness as a metaphor for your use, Leo. Express your beauty to the max — be bold and vivid and radiant — but also provide plenty of space for your allies to shine. Be your authentically amazing self, but create boundaries that allow others to be their amazing selves.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Some astrologers assert that you Virgos suffer from an ambition deficit. They authoritatively assert that a fiery aspiration to achieve greatness never burns hot within you. But in the coming months, I

will work to show you a different perspective. Let’s start now: Many of you Virgos are highly skilled at being self-sufficient. But sometimes this natural strength warps into a hesitancy to ask for help and support. And that can diminish your ability to fulfill your ambitions. My goal will be to celebrate and nurture your self-sufficiency even as I coach you to be dynamic about gathering all the assistance you can.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Life is not fair. In the coming days, you will be odd proof of this fact. That’s because you are likely to be the beneficiary of uncommon luck. The only kind of karma that will be operating in your vicinity will be good karma. X-factors and wild cards will be more available to you than usual. Your timing will be impeccable, and your intuition will be extra incisive. You may even be tempted to theorize that life is conspiring to bring you an extra supply of meaningful experiences. Here’s the clincher: If anyone in your sphere is prone to feeling envy because you’re flourishing, your charm will defuse it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Here are three questions to ruminate on: 1. What resources are you afraid you will run out of or squander? 2. What if your fear of running out or squandering these resources obstructs your ability to understand what you need to know and do so that you won’t run out or squander them? 3. How can you dissolve the fear and feel confident that the necessary resources will keep steadily flowing in, and you will use them well?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Most stars have at least one companion star, sometimes two. Our sun, which is all alone, is in the minority. Astronomers have found evidence that our home star once had a companion but lost it. Is there any chance of this situation changing in the future? Might our sun eventually link up with a new compatriot? It’s not likely. But in contrast to our sun’s fate, I suspect that 2025 will offer you a significant diminishment in your personal loneliness quotient. If you crave more camaraderie and togetherness, the coming months will be a favorable time to seek them out. Your meditation question: What’s the opposite of loneliness?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the coming weeks, your authenticity will be your greatest strength. The more genuine and honest you are, the more life will reward you. Be alert for situations that may seem to demand camouflage when in fact they will ultimately reward your complete transparency. You will be most powerful and attractive as you allow yourself to be fully seen. You can even use your vulnerability to your advantage. Be openly, clearly, unabashedly yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): As I envision your life in the coming weeks, I am moved to compare you to certain birds. First, there will be similarities between you and the many species that can literally perceive Earth’s magnetic fields, seeing them as patterns of shadow and light overlaid on their regular vision. You, too, will have an uncanny multi-dimensional awareness that helps guide your travels. Secondly, Aquarius, you will be like the migrating songbirds that recalibrate their internal compass every day when the sun sets. In other words, you will make steady efforts to ensure that your magical ways of knowing are grounded in earthy rhythms.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In some Polynesian cultures, there is a belief that one’s mistakes, including excessive anger, can cause physical sickness. Hawaiians traditionally have employed a ritual remedy for such ills called ho’oponopono. It includes acts of atonement, forgiveness, and correction. It may even involve a prayer conference where all the people involved talk about their mutual problems with respect and compassion, seeking solutions and restitution. The coming weeks will be a fantastically favorable time for you to carry out your own version of ho’oponopono, Pisces.

MARKETPLACE

Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 advertise@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds

RENTALS

APARTMENTS FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

First floor of house in quiet, safe, private neighborhood East of Asheville. 1b/1b, one person only. Shared washer/dryer. $975/month for rent, $75 for utilities + Wi-Fi. Pets considered. (828) 545-0043

EMPLOYMENT

GENERAL

UNITED WAY IS HIRING: SENIOR DIRECTOR, UNITED FOR YOUTH United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is hiring a Senior Director, United for Youth. Lead a transformative initiative ensuring all students thrive. Full-time, meaningful work, robust benefits. Make a difference! For more information, and to apply, visit unitedwayabc.org/ employment-opportunities

UNITED WAY SEEKS DIRECTOR, DATA AND EVALUATION Join United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County as the Director of Data and Evaluation. Lead impactful data systems to drive student success. Full-time role with excellent benefits. For more information, and to apply, visit unitedwayabc.org/ employment-opportunities

UNITED WAY: WE'RE HIRING FOR AN ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF GRANTS United Way of Asheville and Buncombe

County seeks an Associate Director, Grants. Manage grants, write proposals, and drive community impact. Join our team and make a difference. Full-time with excellent benefits—apply now: unitedwayabc.org/ employment-opportunities

HOME IMPROVEMENT

GENERAL SERVICES

AVL'S PREMIER EXTERIOR CLEANING SERVICE

Maintaining your property is important for its longevity and curb appeal. JD Power Washing provides safe soft washing for your house, driveway, deck, and more. james@jd-power-washing. com

HANDY MAN

HANDY MAN 40 years experience in the trades, with every skill/tool imaginable for all trades with the exception of HVAC. No job too small. $35 an hour. Carl (828) 551-6000 electricblustudio@gmail. com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-

NET If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-844588-6579. (AAN CAN)

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CASH PAID FOR HIGH-END MEN'S SPORT WATCHES

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GET A BREAK ON YOUR TAXES! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind today at 1-855-8697055 today! (NC Press)

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR? Donate it to Patriotic Hearts. Fast free pick up. All 50 States. Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business. Call 24/7: 1-855402-7631. (AAN CAN)

GOT TAX PROBLEMS? Owe under $10k to the IRS? Get the affordable tax help you deserve! Start for just $49/ MO. Call Tax Response Center: 877-824-1321 (NC Press)

HEARING AIDS High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and nearly invisible. 45-day money back guarantee! 888-970-4637. (NC Press)

NEED NEW WINDOWS? Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames? Need outside noise reduction? New, energy efficient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & FREE quote today. 1-877-248-9944. (AAN CAN)

PEST CONTROL Protect your home from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service

Do you have an extra car that needs a new home?

Your donated car can open the doors to independence, increased income, and higher education for a hardworking member of our community. Vehicles of all types and conditions are welcomed and appreciated!

The donation is tax-deductible. The process is simple. The impact is real.

or an inspection today! 1-833-237-1199. (AAN CAN)

REPLACE YOUR ROOF WITH THE BEST LOOKING AND LONGEST LASTING MATERIAL – STEEL FROM ERIE METAL ROOFS Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited time offer – up to 50% off installation + additional 10% off install for military, health workers & 1st responders. Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-855585-1815. (NC Press)

SAFE STEP: NORTH AMERICA’S #1 WALK-IN TUB Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package and $1600 off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-931-3643 (NC Press)

STOP OVERPAYING FOR AUTO INSURANCE A

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TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. 1-877560-5054. (NC Press)

UNCLAIMED / RECEIVED FIREARMS The following is a list of unclaimed firearms currently in the possession of the Asheville Police Department: GRY/BLK, BRYCO ARMS, 48, .380; GREEN, STEN, MKII, 9mm; BLK/BRO, REMINGTON, 870; SIL/BLK, S&W PISTOL, 6906, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 23, .40; GRY, JIMENEZ,

J.A. NINE, 9MM; SIL, HCA PISTOL, HCA, .32; BLK, LUGER, AP9, 9MM; BLK, HIGHPOINT, 4095 RIFLE, .40; GRY/BLK, SKS, 762X39, 7.62; BRO, REVELATION, 300F, 12 GA; BLK, ANDERSON, AM-15, 223; BLK/ WHI, GPR (REVOLVER), GERSTENBERGER, .22; BLK, RUGER, LCP, .380; TAN/BLK, CANIK, TP9SA, 9MM; BLK, BERETTA, APX, 9MM; BLK, S&W, S&W MP 45, .45; BLK/BRO, HATFIELD 20 GA SHOTGUN, HATFIELD, .20; BLK/BRO, MOSSBERG SHOTGUN, MOSSBERG, .12; PLE, SCCY, CPX-1, 9MM; BLK/BRO, MOSSBERG SHOTGUN, MOSSBERG, .12; BLK/BRO, HATFIELD 20 GA SHOTGUN, HATFIELD, .20; UNKNOWN, STERLING PISTOL, 22; BLK/ SIL, SMITH & WESSON, 9 SHIELD, 9MM; SIL/BLK, JENNINGS, J22, .22; BLK, SMITH & WESSON, S&W, .40; BLK/SIL, HI-POINT, CF380, .380; SIL/BLK, AMT, BACKUP, 9MM; BLK, SMITH & WESSON, SHIELD, 9MM; SIL/BRO, SENTINEL, MKI, .22; BLK, SMITH & WESSON, S&W, .380; SIL, RAVEN, MP-25, .25; BLK, HI-POINT, C9, 9MM; BLK, HI-POINT, S&W, .40; BLK, RUGER REVOLV, LCR, .38; BRO, TAURUS, G2C, 9MM; BLK, KELTEC, P3AT, .380; SIL/BLK, S&W PISTOL, SD, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 22, .40; BLK, GLOCK, 43, 9MM; BLK/BRO, BERSA, 383-A, .380; BLK, HIPOINT RIFLE, HIPOINT, 9MM; BLK, REMINGTON, 870, 12 GA; BLK, GLOCK, 43, 9MM; UNK, HERITAGE, ROUGH, .22; BLK, SMITH & WESSON M&P, M&P 15-22, UNK; UNK, GSS-SHOTGUN, STEVENS 94H, SINGLE; UNK, GSP 12 GA SHOTGUN, MAVERICK 88, 12GA; BLUE, STEVENS, STEVENS 320, 12 GA; UNK, LLAMA, PARABELLUM, 9MM; BLK, TAURUS, G2C, 9MM; BLK,

GLOCK, 26, 9MM; BLK/ TAN, GLOCK, 42, .380; BLK, TAURUS, PT738, .380; BLK, SPRINGFIELD, SA XD, 9MM; BLK/GRY, RUGER REVOLV, LCR, .38; COM/BRO, DAVIS INDUSTRIES, P-32, .32. Anyone with a legitimate claim or interest in this property must contact the Asheville Police Department within 30 days from the date of this publication. Any items not claimed within 30 days will be disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws. For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property and Evidence Section at 828-232-4576

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. We do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! For a free estimate, call 24/7: 1-888290-2264. (AAN CAN)

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION A small amount of water can lead to major damage in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-888-313-1427

Have zip code of service location ready when you call! (NC Press)

WE BUY VINTAGE GUITARS Looking for 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-855-4027208 (AAN CAN)

YOU MAY QUALIFY For disability benefits if you have are between 52-63

years old and under a doctor’s care for a health condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now! 1-877-2476750. (AAN CAN)

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

HEALTH & FITNESS

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS Discover oxygen therapy that moves with you Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 877-443-0443. (NC Press)

AUTOMOTIVE

TRUCKS/ VANS/ SUVS FOR SALE

TITAN MOBILE HOME 1983

Public Sale Titan Mobile Home 1983 Located in Woodfin. Email for more information mountainouschange@gmail. com

MARKETPLACE

BATH & SHOWER

UPDATES in as little as one day! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months. Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & military discounts available. Call: 1-877-560-1844. (NC Press)

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Call 1-877-6491190. (NC Press)

by Joel Fagliano

ACROSS

1 Franken and Sharpton

4 Like many college dorms

8 Wood-shaping tool

12 State school near the Allegheny River, familiarly

14 Chump

15 Kuwaiti leader

16 Destination for the Taj Express

17 Upper atmosphere

18 Atmosphere in the room

19 Bud

20 Ding-dongs

22 “___ anges dans nos campagnes” (French carol)

23 Start of an encrypted web address

25 More, on a music score

26 What some fear A.I. might become

28 Format for an English final, maybe

30 Instruction from a taxi driver

31 ___ Blanc

32 Best in a hot dog competition

33 Outfits

37 Actress Rooney of 2015’s “Carol”

39 Sailor’s “Stop!”

40 Large waterfalls

45 Unidentified person, in slang

46 Ox’s stablemate in a traditional Nativity scene

47 Skate park jump

48 OLED alternative

49 Insect with a single ear found on its chest

52 Watch over

53 Hungarian violinist Leopold

55 Base boss, informally

56 “Every cloud ___ silver lining”

57 Animated clownfish

58 Name derived from the Greek for “peace”

59 Whence the gingerbread man

60 Funny Arnaz

61 Votes for

62 Pairs of jolly bells? DOWN

1 Navajo neighbors

2 What might be strung from the item hidden in this puzzle

3 Walks with confidence

4 Prepare, as a watermelon

5 Holiday carol … or a literal hint to what can be drawn by connecting nine letters when this puzzle is finished

6 Just manage, as a win

7 Mend, as a stocking

8 Cleric’s title: Abbr.

9 “Have you started without me?”

10 Region near the North Pole

11 What might be set under the item hidden in this puzzle

13 Florida city or bay

14 School yr. part

21 Arizona’s ___ National Park

24 Red nose during wintertime, maybe?

27 Like fresh paint

29 Go-___

32 Singer Rita

33 What might be draped from the item hidden in this puzzle

34 One seeking refuge from a dangerous situation

35 Some two-seaters

36 Euro competitor, for short

38 Handle things?

40 Tweety Bird, e.g.

41 Even if, casually

42 Rend

43 What might be hung from the item hidden in this puzzle

44 Civics, for example

50 Where most of the world’s rice and tea is grown

51 Word repeated in the lyric “Do you ___ what I ___?”

King of France