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OUR 30TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 30 NO. 28 FEB. 7-13, 2024

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FEB. 7-13, 2024

NEWS

16 POLICE PRESENCE BCSO returns downtown without formal partnership with APD

18 FIGHTING CHANCES Buncombe’s strategy for opioid settlement targets short- and long-term goals

38 HOLDING COURT Warren Wilson athlete discusses challenges of playing basketball with one arm

WELLNESS

NEWS

New Edition

COMING THIS SPRING

FEATURES

FEATURE

The insider’s guide

C O NT E NT S

44 BODY LIBERATION Personal trainers and gym members rethink approaches to physical heallth

PAGE 28 ACTIVE AGING

PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes

Throughout Western North Carolina, local governments, senior centers and recreation leagues are creating opportunities for the area’s aging population to exercise, make social connections, compete and keep their minds sharp. And experts say all of that is crucial for people entering their golden years.

ASSISTANT PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson

COVER PHOTO Jill Blancher; featuring Ronnie Lakatos COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick 6

LETTERS

CARTOON: MOLTON

CARTOON: BRENT BROWN

COMMENTARY

12 NEWS 26 TDA BEAT 27 DEVELOPMENT ROUNDUP

A&C

54 FINDING WORDS FOR TRAUMA Authors and poets on writing and mental health

28 FEATURES 40 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 44 WELLNESS 54 ARTS & CULTURE 66 CLUBLAND

We provide tips on the well-known attractions, hidden gems and quirky oddities that make Asheville so beloved.

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A&C

What to do and where to find it!

58 CAN’T KNOCK THE HUSTLE Asheville artists discuss keeping pace with the rising cost of living

70 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 70 CLASSIFIEDS 71 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

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MANAGING EDITOR: Thomas Calder EDITORS: Lisa Allen, Jessica Wakeman ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR: Thomas Calder OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose STAFF REPORTERS: Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Chase Davis, Andy Hall, Justin McGuire, Greg Parlier, Brooke Randle, Jessica Wakeman COMMUNITY CALENDAR & CLUBLAND: Andy Hall, Braulio Pescador-Martinez CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Mindi Friedwald, Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Oby Arnold, Mark Barrett, Eric Brown, Carmela Caruso, Cayla Clark, Kristin D’Agostino, Brionna Dallara, Storms Reback, Kay West PHOTOGRAPHERS: Cindy Kunst ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson LEAD DESIGNER: Scott Southwick GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Tina Gaafary, Olivia Urban MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Sara Brecht, Vicki Catalano, Jamie Knox, Scott Mermel INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: Hinton Edgerton, Jeff Fobes, Mark Murphy, Scott Southwick WEB: Brandon Tilley BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler ADMINISTRATION & BILLING: Hinton Edgerton, Mark Murphy DISTRIBUTION: Susan Hutchinson, Cindy Kunst DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS: Leah Beck, Marlea Kunst, John McKay, Alexis Miller, Desiree Davis Mitchell, Henry Mitchell, Angelo Santa Maria, Courtney Israel Nash, Carl & Debbie Schweiger, Gary Selnick

MOUNTAINX.COM

FEB. 7-13, 2024

OPINION

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

Face mask advice misses mark I truly appreciate the Mountain Xpress’ willingness to print letters of varying viewpoints. I found the recent letter “Masking for Pandemic Shows Care for Self, Others” [Jan. 24] quite disheartening. The writer clearly still believes that face masks are effective at stopping a respiratory virus. They are not. The science is clear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spilled the beans when they cautioned the public this past summer that face masks did not protect people from the particulate matter generated from the smoke coming down from the wildfires in Canada. Virus particles are much smaller than smoke particles. I believe in everyone’s right to do their own research and make up their own minds. Those who choose to wear a mask should be free to do so. To insinuate that those who choose not to don’t care about themselves or their community is unscientific … and divisive. — Gardner Hathaway Asheville Editor’s note: The CDC’s NIOSH Science Blog has more information here: avl.mx/dc5.

Not-so-nice newcomers in the Land of the Sky “Let’s go for a Sunday drive!” Finally, my husband, Philip, acquiesced to my pleas after several days of rain. I love everything about Asheville: The amazing history of the Biltmore Estate, the “Roaring 20s” of the Grove Park Inn and the cool art deco buildings downtown. I am always in awe of the mountains and the natural beauty of Pisgah National

C A RT O O N B Y R AN DY M O L T O N Forest with its towering oaks and pines. After six years as a Grove Park resident, I am still delighted by my wildlife neighbors of black bears, wild turkeys and white squirrels. Best of all, Asheville is an eclectic mix of artisans and artists, musicians and buskers, farmers market vendors and avid gardeners, fine restaurants and fabulous food trucks, night life and morning yoga in the park. Also, the Land of the Sky is a place of color and creativity. It’s progressive and inclusive. It’s a place where you can be you. With all the positive aspects of Asheville, it’s easy to see why so many people are moving here. Like others who have come before and after, I am here to stay. We all bring a bit from our past when we move to a new place, some good and some bad. That sunny afternoon, when Philip and I jumped in the red Mini for our Sunday drive,

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we were taking our time and absorbing the calm and beauty of our mountain city. As we came around a bend, a large SUV abruptly sped up to us from behind and laid on the horn! This was not a neighborly “beep, beep” to hurry us along, but an angry and unnecessary wailing of the horn. I turned to my husband and said, “Obviously someone didn’t get the memo!” — Christine D. Page Asheville

There’s still plenty of crime in Asheville While researching, I realized the high crimes in Asheville actually don’t appear to be decreasing. The homicide rate, although down from the previous year, isn’t being acknowledged lower thanks to police

efforts as the first people on the scenes to assist in lifesaving techniques to many gunshot victims! What I noted was far more shooting incidents and victims who survived due to quick responses by the Police Department. The Buncombe deaths, however, are not listed for deaths by fentanyl and other overdose deaths, and these statistics are very outdated years back in the escalation data. A North Carolina new law now allows prosecution of the drug dealers who sell the poisons that kill victims in North Carolina. Infant fentanyl deaths are also making the news, as well as a new tranquilizer drug, xylazine. This new drug causes necrotic tissue in its drug user victims. Reports of drug users of xylazine have to get amputations after using the deadly drug. Here are just a few news items about crime in the Asheville area. On Dec. 20, one injured victim was discovered by police injured by gunshots in the arm. Officers applied lifesaving techniques to save the man’s life before EMS arrived and took the man to the hospital, where he was attended to, then later released. Witnesses reported the gunfire came from outside the residence of the victim, reported on Myrtle Street. The shooting was not a few bullets, but a reported total of 55 shell casings recovered at the scene of the crime. Vehicles totaling four were also damaged by the bullet fire. It’s miraculous with the amounts of shots fired there was only one injury. Days later, a double homicide happened in Asheville on Dec. 23. This is reported as 2023’s seventh and eighth homicides in Asheville. The incident was reported to have occurred in the New Leicester Highway 300 block at 11:30 p.m. The police were called in by a report of a man shot and arrived to find a male deceased inside a business. The identity of one homicide vic-

CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN tim was released as Chase Christian VanLeeuwen. Police are again urging anyone with information to call their tip line. The second homicide victim of the New Leicester Highway shooting was revealed to be Marckia Ornette Jones. On Christmas Eve, a man was shot at a gas station in Asheville. Witnesses interviewed reported multiple gunshots around 9:20 p.m. at the location of 414 Depot St. that is the gas station Green’s Mini Mart. When police arrived, they found that the man had been shot several times. Police provided lifesaving techniques until the EMS arrived. Regarding local fentanyl deaths, an infant fentanyl death happened Sept. 22, 2022, and a year later, the mother has been reported arrested and charged with manslaughter. Fentanyl was a contributor to the infant’s death of toxicity, along with blunt-force trauma. These incidents are just a few of many, which also include fentanyl distribution, overdose deaths, murders, multiple car break-ins, and bomb threats at a local synagogue. All of the above shows me there’s plenty of crime going on in Asheville, and in certain crime criteria, it’s escalating. I want to thank the Asheville Police Department that responds to these incidents, despite their history

of lack of funding, lack of community support and lack of more than enough staff. — Kristen Burns-Warren Canton

A Christian perspective on ending child hunger In the tapestry of my life, I am woven as an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, currently honored to serve as the presiding elder of the Western District in the Western North Carolina Conference. As a guardian of faith and a humble attendee of the recent town hall led by The Center for Black Health & Equity, a leadership organization of the statewide, nonpartisan School Meals for All NC coalition, I am compelled to voice my concern and commitment to solving the pervasive issue of child hunger through simply making meals available to students where we can, namely at their schools. Geographically, the Western District encompasses the counties west of Wake County, including Wake County itself. Why, one might ask, is a religious leader deeply involved in the crusade against child hunger? The answer is simple, yet profound. As a Christian minister, my moral compass points unwaveringly toward

the eradication of hunger, with a particular emphasis on the plight of hungry children. The Christian faith at its core demands a commitment to alleviating suffering and fostering compassion for the most vulnerable among us. In the canvas of my experiences, I have witnessed the consequences of hunger and malnutrition. These afflictions, with their insidious grip on the lives of their victims, have left a permanent mark on my heart. It is not enough to offer prayers and sympathy; action is the divine response to the call for justice and compassion. In the face of such adversity, it becomes not only a professional responsibility but a profound personal priority to address child hunger head-on. There exists a powerful adage that declares, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” As a Christian entrusted with shepherding a community, my spiritual duty compels me to discern where the spirit of God is moving. It requires a constant inquiry into the divine work that beckons, asking, “Where is God at work?” In this critical point in time, the answer resounds: God is moving hearts to end child hunger. The imperative for Christians is clear — to recognize the divine movement and align ourselves with

the purpose of God. It is an invitation to actively participate in a cause that transcends our individual pursuits and denominational boundaries. At this very moment, the collective spirit of humanity is stirred toward a common mission: to feed our children and ensure that no child goes to bed hungry. Supporting school breakfasts and lunches for all children at no cost to families emerges as a powerful means to join this divine movement. It is an expression of solidarity with the broader call to eliminate child hunger in the state of North Carolina. By removing financial barriers and ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals within the educational system, we affirm our commitment to nurturing the physical and spiritual well-being of the next generation. I implore all fellow believers to recognize the divine invitation before us. Let us rally around the cause of ensuring that no child within our state, our nation or our world goes hungry. In doing so, we become the embodiment of God’s love and compassion, working together to usher in a future where every child can thrive, nourished and embraced by the collective arms of a caring community. — Conrad K. Pridgen Whitsett, N.C.

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FEB. 7-13, 2024

OPINION

A driving force BY ZOE RHINE Asheville lost one of its greatest when Connie Bostic died last month. Connie was a creator, and Asheville was her beneficiary. Connie first impacted the Asheville scene in 1983 when she opened a private gay club named Craig’s at 46 Wall St. with friend Craig Culbertson. When the bar closed in 1984, Connie and her husband, George Bostic, opened the Asheville Music Hall in the same location. It was one of the few spaces at the time to offer live music that included local groups, such as the women’s band Crimes of Fashion and the Beth Riser Band, as well as national bands like the Gregg Allman Band. As Asheville Citizen-Times entertainment critic Tony Kiss noted at the time, “The Asheville Music Hall, one of the best things to happen to the city’s nightlife, offered John Prine, Tim Weisberg, Weird Al, John Lee Hooker, John Sebastian and the original Byrds, to name just a few.” It was a place open to all and provided a much-needed entertainment spot for dancing and meeting with friends. I remember a sign above the bar that said, “If the sight of two people of the

Artist Connie Bostic made her mark on Asheville

same sex kissing bothers you, you can leave” — a radical statement for Asheville in the mid-1980s. CULTIVATING AN ART SCENE Connie may be better known, however, for the imprint she made on Asheville’s artistic landscape. Around 1988, Connie joined with Western Carolina University and Bob Godfrey, chairman of the university’s art department, to create and administer an art gallery that would be free from exhibiting only salable art. The World Gallery, housed in the building Connie owned at 37 Biltmore Ave., showed both local and national artists. It opened in November 1989 and closed in August 1991, when WCU was no longer able to fund the effort. Soon after World Gallery closed, Connie and George opened Zone one contemporary gallery in the same space. Zone one also included local and national exhibitions, providing not only a space to show work for local artists but also a venue for the community to view artwork that it would not have otherwise seen. The

ZOE RHINE World Gallery and Zone one were the first contemporary art galleries in downtown Asheville. The openings were always well-attended by enthusiastic crowds and were celebrated affairs. After 10 years of hard work and incredible success in the community, Zone one closed on Jan. 1, 2001. In a Mountain Xpress article about Zone one’s closing, Connie tells writer Patricia Bailey: “I wanted to show

things that had some meaning, more than decoration. I am proud of the fact that so many artists have wanted to show here. My only regret is about the shows that haven’t happened.” In that same story, fellow artist Marie Hudson says: “The greatest thing Connie has done is to encourage and promote and accept other artists.” And David Dawson adds: “Connie Bostic has been a real driving force for the art scene in Asheville, by showing work that was not the prevailing craft image available elsewhere in the region. Hers is a very generous spirit.” Connie was also instrumental in the creation of the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, which reflected on her passing on Instagram: “BMCM+AC mourns the loss of Connie Bostic, who was a longtime board member, a dear and true friend, an incredible artist, social pioneer and mainstay of Asheville’s creative community. “Connie was chair of the board of directors at BMCM+AC for many years, and was instrumental to the museum and to the Asheville art scene in a myriad of ways. … In 2003, Connie was instrumental in helping BMCM+AC move into its first dedicated public space at 56 Broadway in downtown Asheville. She curated many exhibitions, wrote catalog essays and conducted dozens of oral history interviews with BMC alumni. Our museum gallery … is named the Connie Bostic Gallery in recognition of her dedication, generosity and immense support over our 30 years of operation. We celebrate her impactful life and will miss her deeply.” FAR-REACHING WORK

ART SHOW PROTEST: In this 1990 photo, Connie Bostic and other artists and supporters protest outside the entrance to the Walker Arts Center on the campus of Asheville School. The paintings they are holding were part of an exhibition of Bostic’s work. After the work was placed on display, school officials asked the artist to take the show down, objecting to the subject matter of the paintings. Front row, from left, are Monika Teal, Barbara Lantini, Cindy Wynn, Angie Sheets and Pam Thomas. Standing, from left, are Nettie Bagur, Bostic, unknown, Zoe Rhine, unknown, Sally Bryenton, unknown, Betty Clark and Elma Johnson. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Library 8

FEB. 7-13, 2024

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Most importantly, Connie left her own large body of crucial and far-reaching work. I have no idea where or when in the 1980s I first met Connie, but I clearly remember when I was among a group of 14 female friends and fellow artists who went with her to the Walker Arts Center on the campus of Asheville School in 1990 to protest the school’s decision to take down a show of hers that was on display there. School officials had objected to the subject matter of the paintings — abstract images of women’s female parts — and had hung sheets over the artwork until it could be removed. She painted what she was consumed with, the things she was thinking about. She painted what was inside of her. She most often worked in series — I believe she wanted to explore all sides of a sub-

One of my favorite memories of Connie stemmed from when I rented a studio apartment in her building for eight years. I had a 90-pound white, long-haired dog named Moses. Connie knew that I was training him not to jump up on people, but every time she saw him, her eyes would light up and she’d call his name and clap her hands against her chest, right where he’d plant his big front paws, so they could kiss and snuggle face to face. That was Connie Bostic. A LASTING LEGACY

TRAILBLAZER: In this 2021 photo, Fairview artist Connie Bostic stands with one of her untitled oil paintings included in the exhibit Our Story, which opened at Pink Dog Gallery. Photo by Lindsay West ject. She painted an early series of young women joyously, yet defiantly, holding up vegetables as if they were torches; a series of snakes; one of little girls holding chickens; girls holding bouquets of flowers; and recently, a series of portraits of white girls with the Black women who raised them that she started painting from her own family photos. She offers her work to you, if you want to think about these things, too. The exhibition of hers that most moved me in this way was The Heart

of Everything: Homage to the Water Protectors at Standing Rock. The work was inspired from her visiting the Wounded Knee cemetery and reading Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. I took in image after image with all the accompanying information and left enraged at the world, yet so thankful to the art that had just informed me. Connie often used collages when she was stuck and sent many to friends as postcards, especially during COVID. Her Christmas postcards were keepsakes.

Connie’s contribution to North Carolina must be viewed in its entirety. It is not limited by any means to the visual arts but includes art criticism, the literary arts, education, social and cultural activism — all with a strong feminist sensibility. To gain a deeper appreciation, you can view the collection of artifacts and digital images of her artwork at the Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library via its website (avl.mx/dc), using the collection number MS233* for a search term. I do not think Connie would ever have considered herself as being ahead of her time. Her various works were all just things that she personally cared about and wanted to give her time to. I would say, however, in the decades that I have known Connie, she blazed a trail for both herself and the local arts community. The collection gives proof of that. And I would agree with the sentiments found in a 2019 Asheville Made article by Tom Kerr: “Connie Bostic knew Asheville before it knew itself.” Zoe Rhine retired as manager of the Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library after 27 years and currently writes creative nonfiction short stories. X

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OPINION

Like it or lump it?

An Asheville ‘leaver’ checks in

BY NAN K. CHASE Have you ever muttered, while listening to someone complain about how poorly Asheville is run, “If you don’t like it, why don’t you just leave?” Well, I did leave. Five years ago, I moved to a small town in southwest Virginia. I love the inky night sky, low-cost housing, minimal taxes, lack of property crime and road rage, and free parking. Yet, I maintain a lively interest in Asheville and visit often. I have family and friends there, I shop and visit art galleries there, and sometimes I return for work. Naturally, I keep up with city news, tracking the latest Asheville outrage. Lately, media posts have focused on the “obscene” amount of money that the “promotion machine” called the Tourism Development Authority generates and plows back into big salaries and extensive marketing. A recurring complaint is that more TDA money should go toward Asheville’s infrastructure and city services, as if the tourists themselves were responsible for municipal operations. One commenter ventured, “The TDA has been used as a scapegoat for the city’s incompetence.” But in fact, much of the ire now being aimed at the TDA — and tourism in general — merely echoes concerns about the tourism of a century ago, and the mismanagement and negligence of city government back then. THE MORE THINGS CHANGE ... It was 100 years ago that Asheville hosted one of the biggest construction blowouts in American history, creating new amenities to attract visitors, with sophisticated promotions to match. During the 1920s the city borrowed and built until a bank crash in 1930, coming on the heels of the 1929 stock market collapse, exposed the rotting foundations: criminally negligent administrators whose malevolence stripped virtually all public deposits from the city, county, school district and other administrative (and debt-issuing) governmental units. Coupled with the Great Depression, the bank crash led to nearly 50 years of penury in Asheville, followed by further decades of stagnation once the debts were finally paid off. Thomas Wolfe wrote about those horrible days, pinpointing the greed that drove the feverish speculation.

NAN K. CHASE AND FRIENDS And the glittering new tourism infrastructure of the 1920s has become today’s crumbling infrastructure — the very one that the current trove of tourists is now being asked to repair. During the Depression, Asheville’s street maintenance crews were let go. Schools closed, and the Fire Department lost a quarter of its strength. And it was the collapse of those municipal services a century ago from which Asheville now suffers. Maintenance deferred, improvements snuffed, the water system ignored. Even more chilling, there were already calls back then to clean up the filth around Pack Square. In Asheville, it seems, nothing changes. DO IT RIGHT For me, leaving Asheville was hard but necessary. I could see that during my lifetime the city services wouldn’t change appreciably, and paying bigcity taxes for shoddy outcomes was simply unacceptable.

Take street cleaning. In almost every other American city of size, regular street cleaning helps keep stormwater systems functioning. San Francisco, for example, cleans every residential street at least twice a month (commercial streets at least weekly); signs are posted about the schedule, and vehicles must be off the streets or the owners incur hefty fines. In Asheville, according to a city website, “We count on you to let us know when there is flooding, clogged or broken storm drains, or when you’re [sic] street needs to be swept.” Over the last two decades, despite massive private real estate investment and a burgeoning tax base, where are there any signs of improved operational efficiency? Consider Bend, Ore., a tourist-friendly city of similar size (population about 110,000). There are 750 full-time city employees, or roughly one for every 147 residents. In Asheville, population 93,000, a recent head count of full-time city employ-

“It was the collapse of those municipal services a century ago from which Asheville now suffers.” ees came to 1,246, or one for every 75 residents. An Asheville Citizen report from 1920 remains relevant today: “Sometimes it happens that governments … grow careless. But whatever the explanation, it is certain that Asheville is suffering from a lax administration of the laws, and the time has come for all citizens to take home to themselves personal responsibility for lawlessness and to create a public sentiment which will strengthen and uphold the city administration in making Asheville a safe, cleaner and more wholesome place to live.” Emphasis on “to live.” But it’s a cool place to visit. Nan K. Chase is the author of Asheville: A History and Lost Restaurants of Asheville. X

MOUNTAINX.COM

FEB. 7-13, 2024

NEWS

Connected to care The benefits of school-based health centers

Series

BY GREG PARLIER

“This is another thing that we can do to help that child understand that when you come here, we’re going to take care of you,” he says. “We’ll take care of your physical needs, your mental health needs, your academic needs, your social emotional needs. This is a brand-new platform that helps us build those positive relationships with our students and their families.”

gparlier@mountainx.com There’s much more to the unassuming modular unit at the back entrance to Clyde A. Erwin Middle School than meets the eye. Inside, a registered nurse, nurse practitioner and mental health counselor provide close to doctor’s office-level care for students, faculty and families of Buncombe County Schools’ Erwin district, right on the middle school campus. The Warrior Wellness Center, which opened in fall 2022, is one of 34 schoolbased health centers, or SBHCs, operated by Blue Ridge Health around Western North Carolina and the first of its kind in BCS. Asheville City Schools’ Asheville Middle School opened a similar center on its campus earlier in 2022. The SBHCs provide everything from well-child checkups, physicals and immunizations to care for acute issues, prescriptions and counseling services. It’s about bringing health and wellness to the students in the school beyond what a typical school nurse can provide, says Tammy Greenwell, chief operating officer of Blue Ridge Health, based in Hendersonville. The clinic is complete with a waiting room, a small processing area, two exam rooms, a lab where vaccines are stored and blood can be drawn, an office where clients can speak with a licensed counselor, a nurse’s office and a break room. The SBHCs accept public and private health insurance, and are available to serve as a student’s

KEEPING KIDS IN CLASSROOMS

CHECKUP: Alysha Hyatt, a registered nurse, models what a patient might experience by checking the ears of fellow registered nurse Christy Willis at the Warrior Wellness Center at Clyde A. Erwin Middle School. Photo by Greg Parlier

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and getting them connected to care, whatever that care may be that they need,” she adds. Startup funds for the centers at Erwin and Asheville Middle schools were provided in part by United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County as part of its community schools program. Asheville High School also has a school-based health center funded and operated by Appalachian Mountain Community Health Center, says Deborah Calhoun, director 24th of community partnerships August 1st • August at United Way. The clinic at Asheville Middle treated 372 students, and Erwin’s saw 361 in its center between October 2022 and Sept. 30, 2023, Calhoun says. Travis Collins, Erwin’s principal, says the health center’s impact goes beyond day-to-day student health.

primary care doctor, if necessary, Greenwell says. “We just try to make sure we’re getting them access to those services

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One of the most impactful benefits of having the health centers right on campus is their ability to keep students from missing school for routine checkups or minor illnesses, Collins says. If a child isn’t feeling well, instead of potentially sending them home, they can head across campus to the Warrior Wellness Center and get treated without leaving school, as long as their parents or guardians have given the clinic permission to treat their child. “If they find out that it’s not, you know, strep throat or something like that, [the nurse] can contact the family, get permission to give that child Motrin, ibuprofen, you know, some easy fix, and then that kid is back in class. That makes a huge difference,” Collins says. In fact, of the 733 students served at Asheville and Erwin middle schools, only 2.5% did not return to class and had to be sent home for a specific illness or condition. A quarter of students who visited the SBHCs improved their overall school attendance, Calhoun says. “School attendance is one of your highest predictors of not only student achievement outcomes but graduation rates,” Collins adds. Even if a student is too sick to send back to the classroom, having a clinic on campus can save parents the time of having to find an appointment with a primary care doctor to diagnose and treat what is ailing their child, Collins says. “That can be tricky. If you’re a parent, you know that you’re not always going to get that appointment. Sameday care is not that accessible for a lot of our families.” Jo Landreth, principal at Asheville Middle, says the benefit of reduced absences applies to students who aren’t sick and just need required immunizations.

In North Carolina, a slew of vaccinations are required by the end of the first month of school for students in kindergarten and seventh grade, creating a scramble to schedule appointments for some families. Landreth says she is fortunate that in reminder letters to parents, she can offer the on-site clinic as an option to those who may not have the time to schedule an off-site appointment. There are also annual checkups, sports physicals and minor illnesses that can cause students to miss time at school. “I think the greatest benefit is that kids can get the care they need without having to miss a day of school,” Landreth says. “Particularly for families who don’t have their own transportation. And if the kid doesn’t go on the bus to school, then they’re not going to come late either. So before there was a health center, you would have students who might miss a whole day because they needed a quick appointment somewhere.” Plus, the clinic is available for use by teachers and their immediate families, which can save them time, limiting staff absences as well, Landreth adds.

WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL NURSE These days, not every school has a full-time nurse. At both Erwin and Asheville, the school nurse, who is employed by Mountain Area Health Education Center, splits time between other district schools, meaning they are not always available. Landreth says Asheville’s school nurse manages more long-term health concerns like helping the students with diabetes stay on their treatment plans. She also manages health assessments that parents fill out with their child at the beginning of the school year, prepares teachers and administrators for students’ health needs before field trips and responds to basic concerns that may come up like a dehydration-induced headache, she adds. If a child isn’t feeling well and the nurse is out of office, however, that can result in more missed instructional time in schools without a SBHC, Collins notes. But at Erwin and Asheville, there is always a registered nurse a short

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N EWS walk away. At least two days a week, a nurse practitioner is also on-site. The nurses at the SBHC have a good working relationship with each school nurse, says Christy Willis, the registered nurse stationed at the Warrior Wellness Center. They call each other if needed, all in the service of getting children what they need. In one example of collaboration, Greenwell said a child was seen by the school nurse, who determined the student had a fever. The nurse sent the student to the SBHC, where a swab was taken, showing the student had strep throat. Since parents had given consent, the nurse prescribed antibiotics, and the student waited to be picked up by a parent, she said. “I do have peace of mind that that child that does not feel well, we can pack and walk down the hallway, right to a nurse practitioner and a nurse, [and] they can take care of that child with the parent’s permission,” Collins says. “And then many times we can put them right back in class, and they feel better.” Even when the nurse practitioner is not at the clinic, the service is available via a videoconferencing system. In that instance, the on-site registered nurse can use equipment with an embedded video camera to look down the patient’s throat or ear while a nurse practitioner can watch from afar and direct the nurse on-site. They can also virtually listen to a patient’s breathing. Willis is “the hands” of the off-site provider, who can then offer the student a diagnosis and prescription if necessary, she says. COMMUNITY SCHOOLS The SBHCs are one piece of a wider effort spearheaded by United Way to ensure “all Asheville City and Buncombe County students grad-

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HEALTH CARE AT SCHOOL: The Warrior Wellness Center at Clyde A. Erwin Middle School is located off Service Road at the back entrance of the school. Visitors with a connection to any school in the Erwin district can access the clinic without entering the school’s main campus. Photo by Greg Parlier uate from high school ready and fully prepared to pursue their goals and dreams” by 2035, according to its website. This United for Youth Network, which includes many area partner organizations, currently partners with seven “community schools” in Asheville and Buncombe County. These schools have a liaison to help bridge public schools to families and community organizations to help ensure all students “learn, grow and thrive in a healthy, vibrant and connected community,” according to the website. “The schools can’t do it all,” Calhoun says. “We have a role as a community to support students and families and schools, to make them as warm and as welcome as possible so students will ultimately graduate high school in order to pursue their dreams.” School-based health is “a major, important piece” of that effort, she adds. Both Erwin and Asheville middle schools are community schools in that program, which, Calhoun says, is adding two schools soon. Collins says being a part of the community school program and the addition of the Warrior Wellness Center have been instrumental in helping build trust among his school’s stakeholders, especially families. “It just creates another way in which we have a positive relationship with our families. And it’s another way in which we can show them that we care.”

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FUTURE EXPANSION At Erwin, the modular is accessed via Service Road, along the backside of the school, and visitors don’t have to walk through the school to get

TELEHEALTH: Registered nurse Christy Willis shows off the video camera inside an otoscope, which is used to check a patient’s ears, nose and throat. If a nurse practitioner is not in the office, Blue Ridge Health can conduct an exam from afar using the wellness center’s telehealth equipment. Photo by Greg Parlier

to the clinic. That makes it easier for those not on campus to access the clinic, which encourages participation around the Erwin district, Greenwell says. All students and teachers at any school in the Erwin district are welcome at the Warrior Wellness Center, as well as their families, Collins says. Eventually, there are plans to add services adjacent to the clinic at Erwin, like a food pantry and a clothing closet, creating a “one-stop shop” for that community, Calhoun says. At Asheville Middle, the clinic was incorporated into the existing campus buildings, Greenwell says. That has its own advantages of feeling even more accessible for students already at the school, but because potentially sick people not already at school would then bring their germs through the front office when seeking care at the clinic, it’s not ideal, she notes. Another SBHC is on its way, at Enka Middle School, and will be modeled after the Erwin location, Greenwell says. Collins says Enka should be excited, and he can’t endorse the SBHCs enough. “It’s amazing to see the number of ways that it has positively impacted not just my school, but the larger Erwin community,” he says. “It is truly a game changer in the way in which we can take care of our students and our staff and our community.” X

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FEB. 7-13, 2024

NEWS

Police presence

BCSO returns downtown without formal partnership with APD

BY GREG PARLIER gparlier@mountainx.com About nine months after a collaboration between the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and Asheville Police Department never materialized to address public safety concerns downtown, BCSO has launched its own initiative in the Central Business District. Inspired by a September letter from downtown businesses, which spurred numerous meetings between business owners and county leaders, Sheriff Quentin Miller deputized Chief Deputy Herbert Blake to put together a proposal to return deputies downtown on weekend nights. Patrols started Jan. 26 and are currently scheduled to run through June on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Miller’s focus is to make sure the community is safe, he says. “We’re going downtown because we’ve been asked by the business owners and employees to come in.” Meanwhile, it’s been seven months since a 60-day pilot program by the Asheville Police Department sought to improve safety and cleanliness downtown. Business owners told city and county leaders that conditions worsened after the pilot ended, even though the city said it transitioned to an ongoing effort starting July 1. “In the absence of significant progress, the city has fallen short in its duty and responsibility to its residents and neighborhoods. This requires rededication and realignment of proper appropriations to fund an increased public safety presence and urgent need to help protect our community,” wrote William Dissen, owner of The Market Place restaurant in a letter signed by the owners of more than 30 downtown businesses in September. Dissen declined to comment further for this story. Mayfel’s owner Anthony Coggiola, who also signed the letter, says safety issues reemerged after the city’s pilot program ended June 25. “The issue is very difficult for us; it’s very difficult to maintain safety and security for our staff and also our patrons. People that come in, whether they be locals or tourists, it doesn’t matter,” he says. “It had just gotten to a point where it was really bad. And this is the community, business owners, property owners and staff. We all kind of got together and tried to make our voice heard.” While the September letter was addressed to Asheville Mayor Esther 16

FEB. 7-13, 2024

NIGHT COPS: Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office deputies parked on Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville Jan. 27 and patrolled on foot in the Central Business District during the first weekend of BCSO’s downtown patrols. The patrols are part of an initiative to increase law enforcement presence downtown. Photo by Greg Parlier Manheimer, City Manager Debra Campbell and members of the Asheville City Council, its message also reached the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, including Chair Brownie Newman. After hearing from business owners, Newman approached Miller in search of a solution, Miller says, leading to a series of meetings between BCSO personnel and owners and workers of downtown businesses. “I think it’s important that the downtown [community] is inclusive in finding the solution. I’m excited about those opportunities to communicate. I’m excited [that] it seems that everyone is wanting to be at the table to find a solution,” Miller says. Coggiola said he was grateful the Sheriff’s Office entered the conversation seeking solutions, and he was especially impressed with Donnie Parks, a former Hendersonville police chief and instructor at the N.C. Justice Academy, who has been

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consulting with Miller on a part-time basis since being hired last April. “He’s just an outstanding gentleman. His ability to listen and to problem-frame, to move toward a solution. He has a method that he uses that is quite effective,” Coggiola says. For Miller, collaboration with all stakeholders is pivotal. “The plan is to keep them involved in finding solutions. But it’s also about collaborating with the Police Department and other entities, if you will, to assist us in finding a holistic solution,” Miller says. WORKING TOGETHER Collaboration between the county’s two largest law enforcement agencies has been rocky at times over the last year, at least when it comes to downtown. BCSO began conducting a 30-day initiative downtown on April 14 last year, with plans to coordinate with

APD for a “highly visible and unified law enforcement presence,” but a summary report from the Sheriff’s Office in June revealed that collaboration didn’t happen. “While the initiative could be deemed successful in its goal to identify the ‘root cause’ for the existence of crime and other problems or issues in the downtown Central Business District, the collaboration and partnership between the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office and the Asheville Police Department unfortunately did not occur,” the report states. “Both agencies had a downtown presence; however, only the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office was present in the target area. Both the Sheriff’s Office and Asheville Police Department were situated in the downtown business district; however, they were in separate parts of the downtown area. There was no true partnership or collaboration between the two agencies.”

Then-APD Chief David Zack later disputed the BCSO report about collaboration, both in an interview with Asheville Watchdog and in an October presentation to Asheville City Council. “Unfortunately, the recent communication from BCSO suggesting APD did not want support from them was both disappointing and inaccurate,” according to an APD presentation on public safety given Oct. 10. Zack abruptly resigned from the department Dec. 15, and while Miller doesn’t directly blame him for the interdepartmental friction, his tone about future collaboration is more optimistic. “I like looking forward. I like to hit the reset button, if you will. [Let’s] look through the front windshield and not the rearview mirror. … I don’t think going backward is going to assist us to find the solutions that our community needs.” Miller says. “We are now talking about interim Chief [Mike Lamb]. And we’ve agreed that our staff will get together and sit down and have meetings [about what] it means for us to move forward. We’re scheduling meetings so that we can meet and have those conversations.” Samantha Booth, spokesperson for APD, said meetings between Lamb and Miller have been productive in the month or so since Zack’s resignation. “The Asheville Police Department recognizes the importance and welcomes a collaboration with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to address public safety needs in the downtown area. We can implement effective strategies by sharing the necessary resources to address public safety needs by working together,” she says. Miller stresses that it is not his intention to orchestrate a “takeover” of jurisdictions inside Asheville. “The collaboration with APD is important to me, that we work together in finding positive solutions.” SHERIFF’S 2024 APPROACH Miller says generally, collaboration between county and municipal law enforcement offices is not uncommon. After last year’s efforts, Miller visited Wilmington to observe a collaborative effort between the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and Wilmington Police Department, he says. Those two agencies created a downtown task force in 2011 to provide “proactive policing to address issues and create a safer environment for the public by reducing crime,” according to the Wilmington Police Department website. “The Downtown Task Force utilizes mounted patrol, foot patrols, bike patrols, Segway patrols, as well

as vehicle patrols, to accomplish these goals and build working relationships with residents in the community, business owners and their employees, and regular patrons to the area,” according to the website. Using that as a model, Miller envisions creating regular patrol teams downtown consisting of a BCSO deputy and APD officer to show a unified presence in the Central Business District. In his proposal for the current patrols, Miller detailed two financial alternatives to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 16, dependent on a partnership with APD. He projected it would cost BCSO $88,000 to conduct the patrols independently for 26 weeks or $56,000 working together with APD, meaning a deputy would team with an officer for patrols. Commissioners approved the latter. It remains unclear how a funding gap would be made up if a partnership never materializes. The initiative is paid for with excess funds originally slated for the BCSO school resource officer program. The reallocation will not affect that program or any other sheriff’s activities. Deputies sign up for the downtown patrols voluntarily and are paid $75 an hour in overtime pay. Included in the program is pay for a monitor in the office’s Real-Time Intelligence Center, where officers will watch public and privately owned cameras whose access has been shared with BCSO and share any suspicious activity with the deputies on patrol. The priority of the patrols is to prevent crime and repeat offenses through an established presence, not necessarily to make arrests, Miller says. “Deputies will take the action most likely to reduce the likelihood of repeat offenses by those breaking the law. Action on the part of deputies will range from arrests, citations, to seeking assistance from trained medical and mental health professionals in order to triage certain individu-

als when appropriate. Deputies will arrest and hold offenders accountable for any unlawful conduct where, in the deputy’s discretion, arrest is appropriate,” according to its written proposal. BEYOND PATROLS BCSO’s initial proposal outlined much more beyond downtown patrols, detailing a modified policing strategy — described as an extension to its existing co-responder model that prioritizes providing care over arrests when possible. The wide-ranging proposal stems from BCSO’s evaluation of its initial downtown pilot last spring, in which the office identified three primary root causes of increased crime downtown: a lack of an appreciable law enforcement presence downtown, including a lack of collaboration between law enforcement agencies; a lack of adequate housing, clinical treatment and rehabilitative services for the homeless population; and a lack of collaboration among all the stakeholders attempting to serve the homeless. While BCSO’s downtown patrols will help address the first issue, the other two identify deeper community issues that will require collaboration across

many organizations to thoroughly address, the proposal acknowledges. For its part, BCSO has hired Kendra Queen to act as project manager to help expand the sheriff’s existing co-responder model to a full-time, countywide approach, says spokesperson Aaron Sarver. That includes coordinating its Crisis Intervention Team training program, which teaches first responders about mental health issues and deescalation skills, he adds. Queen previously worked for Buncombe County in the Justice Services Department. Miller hopes the co-responder model, along with further coordination among law enforcement agencies, mental health practitioners and homeless services organizations, including the city and county’s joint Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee, will work toward a more holistic, long-term solution to downtown crime. This part of the proposal has a long way to go before implementation, though, so for now Miller is looking forward to seeing results from the downtown patrols. He says he expects to release data and an assessment of the patrols by the end of April. X

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FEB. 7-13, 2024

NEWS

Fighting chances

Series

Buncombe’s strategy for opioid settlement targets short- and long-term goals

BY JESSICA WAKEMAN jwakeman@mountainx.com Medication-assisted treatment. Training on how to administer Narcan. Education and stigma reduction. These are just a few of the initiatives funded by Buncombe County’s opioid settlement money to address the local impact of the opioid crisis. North Carolina state and local governments will receive $1.5 billion in settlement funding from pain medication manufacturers and sellers, staggered in annual payments between 2022 and 2038. Buncombe County is slated to receive a total of $29,353,031 during the 17-year period. County officials understand that the crisis is larger and more complex than the misuse of prescription opioids, says Buncombe County

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Commissioner Jasmine BeachFerrera. She was the county’s liaison to the state’s opioid settlement work group. Polysubstance abuse — when more than one drug contributes to an overdose — is an emergent problem. For example, fentanyl is an opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin. It can be cheaply made and therefore is used as a filler in other drugs. Fentanyl has been identified in the local drug supply since 2015, according to the county’s Opioid Settlement Strategic Planning Report, which was published in May. That year, 33% of overdoses among Buncombe County residents involved fentanyl. By 2021, that percentage rose to 74%. “At a big-picture level, Buncombe County is arguably a pacesetter in the state and arguably in the country for trying to develop responses to the crisis we already understand, and then the emerging crises related specifically to the high risks of polysubstance users are experiencing because of the ubiquity of fentanyl,” Beach-Ferrera explains. Polysubstance overdose deaths accounted for 10% of all overdose deaths among Buncombe County residents in 2015, according to the county’s report. In 2021, they composed 50% of such deaths. Beach-Ferrera adds that the county is also on top of “emerging local trends on disproportionate impact on BIPOC communities, as well, when you look at death rates.” County data shows 3% of all overdose deaths in 2015 were among people of color. By 2021, overdoses in this demo-

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OUTSIDE THE BOX: Mitchell Albers, left, Buncombe County Health and Human Services harm reduction program manager, and Justin Shytle, Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness harm reduction coordinator, show a NaloxBox, which increases access to the opioid-reversal medication naloxone for bystanders. Albers says the county purchased 100 NaloxBoxes and has installed 33 so far. Photo by Jessica Wakeman graphic increased to 13% of all overdose deaths. DECREASING OVERDOSES Buncombe County is focusing efforts on decreasing overdose deaths, says Beach-Ferrera. More county residents died from an overdose in 2021 than any other year on record, according to the county’s report. Increased access to naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose, is one of the county’s primary strategies to decrease these deaths, according to the county report. Naloxone can be administered as a nasal spray, commonly known by its brand name Narcan, or as a shot in the thigh. In June, Buncombe County began offering a monthly free overdose reversal training to members of the public at the Health and Human Services Building. Participants learn how to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses and receive one free Narcan nasal spray kit.

Local nonprofits are key for dispersing the lifesaving medication as well. Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness has given out 2,500 doses of naloxone since July, says harm reduction coordinator Justin Shytle. NaloxBoxes are another method to increase access to the overdose reversal medication for bystanders. A NaloxBox is a large plastic box containing two doses of Narcan, a CPR face mask shield and five-step instructions on how to administer Narcan. It can be mounted on a wall — similar to a fire extinguisher or an automated external defibrillator — and it’s opened via a simple breakaway tag. Buncombe County purchased 100 NaloxBoxes and has installed 33 so far in the community, according to BCHHS harm reduction program manager Mitchell Albers. Some local music venues, as well as homeless shelters and other locations, installed these free boxes. (Naloxone can be damaged at temperatures over 104 degrees, and therefore NaloxBoxes

can’t be installed at outdoors locations like parks, Albers explains.) The county also installed a NaloxBox at all 12 branches of the Buncombe County Public Libraries in September, says Director Jason Hyatt. Library staff received training about the NaloxBox and how to administer naloxone from BCHHS. “Thankfully, we have not had to make significant usage of them,” Hyatt continues. But he was aware of one incident at a library where a patron determined someone was overdosing, obtained Narcan from the NaloxBox and administered it while library staff called emergency services. That is “the ideal scenario,” he says. “Somebody being able to help somebody else out and having the resources [to do so].” In addition to supplying medication, Albers says another goal for NaloxBoxes is for naloxone to be seen as just another emergency tool, like a fire extinguisher, a defibrillator or an EpiPen. Hyatt agrees that NaloxBoxes are an opportunity to educate the public about strategies to reduce deaths from opioid overdoses and perhaps reduce stigma around substance use disorder. “I’ve noticed patrons, staff and other folks who’ve stopped and been curious [about the NaloxBox] after it was first installed,” Hyatt says. “And since there is information on the box itself about the signs to look for opioid overdose, it feels like an education effort as well. It ticks all the boxes for us.” COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE Another key component for addressing the local opioid crisis is expansion of the community paramedicine program within the Buncombe County Emergency Services Department. The post-overdose response team, or PORT, follows up with patients after an

PLANNING FOR THE LONG TERM

EMERGENCY HELP: A NaloxBox is mounted on the wall and opened via a breakaway tag. Each one contains two doses of Narcan, the naloxone nasal spray, a face mask and five-step instructions on how to administer the medication. Photo by Jessica Wakeman overdose and links them to further care, which can range from supplying naloxone or fentanyl test kits to making connections to medication-assisted treatment. PORT started as a pilot in 2020 and debuted in 2021 as a six-person team. There are now three teams and a supervisor, explains Shuchin Shukla, Buncombe County medical substance use professional, who is board-certified in addiction medicine. In March 2022, the PORT began starting patients on medication assisted treatment, or MAT, which is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MAT involves taking a medication to address withdrawals,

like buprenorphine or methadone, while also undergoing counseling to address the addiction. The PORT can administer MAT for several days until the patient gets an appointment with a medical provider at Mountain Area Health Education Center who can then take the patient under care and prescribe the medication. (Shukla helped develop the MAT pilot when he previously worked for MAHEC.) “It’s really amazing that our community paramedic program has been funded,” Shukla says. “And not just with [opioid] litigation dollars but the county budget, to really meet the needs of a community that’s having worsening issues related to being unhoused and having substance use disorders.”

Buncombe County behavioral health manager Victoria Reichard says the county is being strategic about settlement money expenditures. Some funding will address acute needs that arise during the 17-year payout period, Reichard explains. For example, should a new substance enter the drug supply — the way that fentanyl has — it could require an unforeseen, specific intervention, and the community could respond to it in real time. The county also isn’t spending all the settlement funds once they hit its bank account. According to the N.C. Opioids Settlements dashboard, the county received $2,097,004 during the last fiscal year. But Reichard says the county spent only $352,612 of that. During fiscal year 2023-24, Buncombe County is set to receive $4,121,738, according to the dashboard. (As of Jan. 1, it received $1,209,123.70 of the payment expected this year, Reichard says.) However, the county has budgeted to spend only $2,711,995 of the 2023-24 funds. The surpluses are being held by the county to be used in the future to sustain services the county is planning in the long term, explains Reichard. Some funding will be used to establish solid ground for longterm projects, she explains. In the Opioid Planning Strategic Settlement report, support for recovery housing and recovery-friendly workplaces, among others, are some of the longterm projects cited. Surplus funds aren’t lost if they aren’t used immediately, and they accrue interest, Reichard says. The City of Asheville is also receiving a slice of the state’s settlement fund pie: It has a total of $2,755,976 coming during the 17-year settlement period, and so far received $196,886 during 2022-23. The city is expected to receive $386,993 during 2023-24. X

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NEWS

‘Let us go’

Westsiders want out of Woodfin

Photo credit Sarah Snyder

CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Presents a performance of

Pauli Murray

“One Of The MOST IMPORTANT AMERICANS YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF” Portrayed by Asheville’s own famous Storyteller and Character Actor

BECKY STONE Sunday, February 18th, 3:00pm Calvary Presbyterian Church 44 Circle Street, Asheville 28801 Free admission *Donations appreciated

WE’RE LISTENING: Woodfin Mayor Jim McAllister, center, and other members of Town Council held an in-person conversation with residents who live on the west side of Woodfin and want to be de-annexed from the town. Photo by Greg Parlier

BY GREG PARLIER

2 0 24

TER O V UIDE G tion Elec

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gparlier@mountainx.com Seventeen years after Woodfin annexed hundreds of parcels west of the French Broad River, some residents don’t want to be a part of the town. Many of them never did. More than 30 residents who live on the west side of Woodfin showed up to send a message to Town Council on Feb. 1: “Let us go.” “We’re not asking for any money. We’re just asking you to let us walk off into the sunset,” said Chip Parton, who circulated a petition to residents west of the river and helped organize the meeting with town leaders at the Buncombe County Training Center. Woodfin Mayor Jim McAllister and five of the town’s six Council members heard resident after resident express almost two decades worth of pent-up frustrations with the town. “It’s been 17 years, and I haven’t seen anything happening on that side of the river,” said resident Keith Freeman. “I paid right around $3,000 in taxes to the Town of Woodfin to get my trash picked up. That seems a little outrageous to me. If we got the

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services they get on the other side of the river, we’d be great. We probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now. But we don’t get those. And after 17 years, where is all that money that everybody in here has been paying in taxes? It’s not gone to the west side,” he said. Parton has collected signatures of residents representing about 290 properties who want to leave the town. That’s about 55% of the area’s property owners, he estimates. The neighborhoods of Rock Springs and Crest Mountain — part of the 2006 impetus for annexation of the western area of town — and Olivette Farms, a wealthier area in the northwest section of town that was annexed separately several years later, are not included in Parton’s petition area because there’s no interest in de-annexation there, he said. Parton said more people would have shown up to the meeting, but many reported that they didn’t receive a letter from the town announcing the meeting. Others said they got it within a couple days of the meeting day and couldn’t make arrangements to attend on short

notice. Parton noted that his letter was postmarked Jan. 24, a week before the meeting. Town Manager Shannon Tuch told Xpress that the town mailed about 450 letters to the area that was annexed in 2006, excluding the gated Crest Mountain community, which requested to be excluded. Before the meeting, she said she didn’t know why letters may not have reached some residents, as they were sent out to all property owners. “Nothing drives home feeling ignored like letters not reaching residents about a community meeting set up to address that very thing,” Parton said after the meeting. HOW IT STARTED The de-annexation movement sparked last summer, when the Town of Woodfin sent letters to all residents announcing a new stormwater fee that was part of a plan to keep the town’s state permit. Previous town administrators had ignored a violation issued in 2019 by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality over the town’s negligence in

maintaining its stormwater system. In response to that violation, the town levied fees to property owners based on the amount of impervious surface on a property to help pay for upgrades to the system. But residents on the west side complained that there were no stormwater drains or infrastructure to speak of in their neighborhood, and they didn’t understand why they were suddenly asked to fork over more money to the town. “If you listen to these people, we were left alone. And we’ve done our own thing. We were minding our business and we obeyed the law. For whatever reason … Woodfin took us in. And for 17 years, we’ve pretty much ignored everything except [this stormwater fee]. And then that’s when you got the hornet’s nest stirred up,” said Max Parton Jr. “These people just want out.” Most of the west side has no water or sewer service, instead utilizing private wells and septic systems, typical of a rural area. Without typical municipal infrastructure, several residents said they don’t understand why they should pay taxes to the town, which doesn’t operate any water or sewer lines. The Woodfin Water District, an independent entity and special taxing district whose lines don’t mirror town lines, manages water service for some Woodfin residents. Metropolitan Sewerage District, another independent entity, handles sewer lines for parts of Woodfin and Asheville. The town has its own Police Department, provides trash and recycling service, maintains stormwater infrastructure, maintains town streets and parks and has a Planning and Zoning Department. Confusion over what services the town provides were prevalent throughout the meeting’s comments. There’s also frustrations over road maintenance, including inadequate signage and poor salting in the winter on some roads west of the river, according to at least one resident. Many of the major roads in that area, however, are state roads and not maintained by the town. WOODFIN’S JURISDICTION Residents also had complaints over confusion and misinformation from previous town administrators over rules related to certain zoning regulations, requirements regarding livestock and permissions regarding manufactured homes on private property. Woodfin does have control over town ordinances and some zoning regulations, Tuch said, adding that

MEDIATOR: Resident Chip Parton has acted as mediator between the Town of Woodfin’s administrators and disgruntled west side residents since the de-annexation movement began last summer. He says he is encouraged by the current Council’s openness to dialogue. Photo by Greg Parlier changes can be made to address those concerns. Additionally, the town applied for federal grants to run sewer lines across the river but was denied funding, Tuch said. She said the town could look into other options for getting water and sewer west of the river. “I feel very confident that we could land somewhere that you all would appreciate, that would be better than what you’ve experienced,” she said. Many of the stories recounted by various residents had to do with previous town administrations, including one regarding repeated mixed messaging around how much land was required in order to keep goats. All Woodfin Town Council members are in their first term in office, McAllister was elected Mayor in 2023, and Tuch was hired in March 2022. “Just because you were told ‘no’ in the past, ‘we can’t afford it’ in the past, or ‘we don’t want to do it’ in the past, none of that matters anymore. Give our town staff a second chance,”

McAllister said. “Those people don’t work for your tax dollars anymore. So give us a chance.” Amid the conversation, resident Mike Cogdill acknowledged that a listening session such as this one would never have happened under the town’s old leadership.

In order for part of a municipality to de-annex, it must come from the N.C. General Assembly, Mayfield said. In order for Mayfield or state Rep. Caleb Rudow, who was also at the meeting, to sponsor a de-annexation effort, cooperation from the town is vital, Mayfield said. Mayfield also cautioned that there may be some unintended consequences of leaving the town that should be considered, including what type of zoning the county would apply to the de-annexed areas. For the town itself, Tuch told Xpress before the meeting that de-annexation could have a significant impact on town coffers. “The whole annexation area from 2006 represents approximately $245,000 in property tax revenue, or about 6.5% of the town’s total operating budget.” The town’s budget is about $7.5 million this fiscal year, she added. “Loss of revenue is not our main concern, though. We think there’s value in having an engaged community that works together to make things better for everyone. Giving certain residents the choice of opting out has the potential to erode the integrity of the community, lowering the cohesiveness and quality of life for everyone else.” Mayfield said the soonest the N.C. General Assembly could consider the issue is in April, when it returns to session. She hoped the town and residents could come to an agreement on increased services or de-annexation of some of its neighborhoods before the conversation moves to Raleigh, if it gets there. McAllister said the Council will discuss the topic at its upcoming retreat Wednesday, Feb. 7. “I can only guarantee you one thing here tonight. It’s close to the very beginning of a lot of discussions. That won’t be the end. I can guarantee you that,” he said. X

‘WE JUST WANT OUT’ Still, the residents in the room kept coming back to their preferred solution, de-annexation. At one point, state Sen. Julie Mayfield asked the room a hypothetical question. If the town came to you with solutions to all the infrastructure issues that had been discussed and fixed all these problems, would you want to stay in the town and work with them or go? It was a resounding, unanimous response. “We just want out,” they said. “We hear you loud and clear. Clearer than we’ve ever heard you before,” McAllister said. MOUNTAINX.COM

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Looking Back BY CHASE DAVIS cdavis@mountainx.com As former Equity and Inclusion Director Brenda Mills reflects on her career as she begins retirement, two accomplishments stand out. One is the positive reception city employees gave a plan to increase racial equity. The other is the Reparations Commission, a 25-member joint commission between the City of Asheville and Buncombe County designed to make policy recommendations that will help repair the damage caused by systemic racism. “Reparations has definitely had some hiccups, but I think that overall the [Reparations Commission] has been successful,” Mills says. “Specifically, I think that they have made good strides with the audit of the city and the county. It was a big task that has never been done before, but I am excited that we were able to do it.” Mills took over the equity and inclusion role in 2021, one year after local racial protests sparked by the

Former Equity and Inclusion Director Brenda Mills reflects on her career

murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. A strength of the Reparations Commission is its deep connection to the local community. Reparations efforts in cities of similar size have been done largely internally, without much community input, Mills says. “Take Evanston, Ill., for example. In their city, the alderman board handled most of the reparations. While they did go out in the community, the majority of their work was done politically,” says Mills. “For us though, we prioritized working with neighborhoods and volunteers, which can be really tricky. However, I think that our focus on community outreach is what separates us from other reparations efforts and I really think we are going to be a model for the country.” ACHIEVING EQUITY CITYWIDE Mills says her time as the equity and inclusion director was an eye-opening experience.

“I came to realize that the needs of one community might be very different from the needs of another,” Mills says. “A friend of mine gave me a really good analogy about it: Goldfish need water that is a little dirty to survive. While other fish prefer clean, pristine water, goldfish need their water to be cloudy. If you put a goldfish in a tank designed for other fish, it will die. People are the same way: Everyone has different needs in order to grow and thrive.” Mills is proud of her work leading the development of an equity action plan. The plan, which was first presented to City Council in November, looks at the strategic goals of each department within the city and develops a framework for addressing them in a way that is fair and inclusive for their employees and the community they serve. “We took a different approach to equity action planning because we really wanted each of the departments to think about how they could advance racial equity individually,” Mills says. Mills says that she believes the action planning was well received by city departments, with many of them already taking steps to put their plans in action. Most plans focus on trying to achieve demographically equal employee retention and promotion rates, she says. “It was truly a beautiful thing to watch because I got to see people who were most likely ‘voluntold’ to lead this initiative excited and eager to work on it. They were all aware that we are not where we need to be, but they were willing to take what they learned back to their departments and start the process of making real change,” Mills says. Mills highlights the work of the Asheville Water Resources Department as an example. The department, which set goals to diversify its workforce and improve communication, created a video that explains what it means to have equity in the workforce and how to use inclusive language. The department sent out a survey to all of its employees to get feedback on how the department could improve its communication and policies to be a more inclusive and respectful work environment. Of its 172 employees, 111 took the survey, a participation level that Mills calls “incredible.” MILLS’ BEGINNINGS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT A native of North Carolina, Mills attended Parkwood High School in

FEB. 7-13, 2024

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TIME TO RETIRE: Former Equity and Inclusion Director Brenda Mills, who officially retired on Jan. 31, has worked in local government for more than 32 years, 18 of which were with the City of Asheville. Mills served in her most recent role since 2021. Photo courtesy of the City of Asheville Monroe and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1985 with a bachelor’s in industrial relations. Later, she earned a master’s in public administration from Western Carolina University. For Mills, working in local government initially came out of necessity. In 1992, after working for UNC Chapel Hill as a parking services coordinator for six years, Mills moved to Asheville for a new start. Mills says she struggled to find a job, taking temporary work to make ends meet. Mills says a friend of hers told her about a job in the booking department of the Buncombe County Jail. “Initially, I was against the idea. I didn’t know anything about working in a jail and I was a little scared,” Mills says. “Eventually, I went and spoke with the jail administrator. It was more money, so I took the job.” Two years later, she became coordinator of the county’s Minority Business Program, which exposed her to the greater Black community. Until then, she had a few Black friends but she struggled to find the Black community and did not realize the scope of the issues that local minorities faced. “When I moved to the area in ’92, I never really saw a Black person. However, when I worked as the coordinator for the [Minority Business] program, I attended the Martin Luther

Kink Jr. breakfast event, where about 1,000 of the 1,100 people were Black. It got me thinking, ‘Where do all of these people live?’” Mills says. “That’s when I started to realize how divided and segregated Asheville can be.” In 2005, the county’s Minority Business Program was transferred to the city, and Mills followed. At the city, Mills worked in various capacities, including as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project manager, an administrative services manager, an economic development specialist and as a neighborhood and community engagement specialist. “Neighborhood services was, hands down, my dream job,” says Mills. “I love working in neighborhoods. I like going to communities. I like hearing about the concerns they have and I did my best to try and connect them with the government to help support them.” Mills says educating people about local government was one of her favorite parts of her career. “I’m amazed that in the 21st century, people still don’t know how the government functions, which can be difficult because it then makes them think [the government] is trying to hide things,” Mills says. “I am really passionate about educating people on how the city works on a day-to-day basis, how they can get involved and engage with city staff and Council and even how they can use social media as a way to get news and updates. If people feel like they can engage with [the city], they are more likely to see the work we are trying to do and will help us to strengthen their communities.” Mills became interim equity and inclusion director in June 2021, following the abrupt resignation of Kimberlee Archie, who claimed that the city lacked accountability and support for her department. City Manager Debra Campbell later removed “interim” from Mills’ title. “I knew the Black community of Asheville really well from my previous roles, and they knew and trusted me. I also knew some of the agencies and organizations, and I felt like I could make a difference,” Mills says. “While equity was not something that I initially wanted to do with the city, I came to love my job and I feel that it’s been a really good journey to learn about myself as a person of color and as a woman.” Mills says that she has felt supported by city staff and believes the equity and inclusion team has developed strong relationships with the city manager’s office and other city departments. “I think it is really important for people to realize that if you are facing no resistance in your job, then you are working with robots,” Mills says.

“Taking equity out of it, every department has its own goals and objectives, and when another department comes in and asks them to do something outside of those goals, it can lead to resistance. However, I can safely say that I have felt supported in my role and overall I believe that each of the departments has been responsive.”

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LOOKING FORWARD Mills recognizes the work that still needs to be done to achieve equity citywide. Namely, Mills says the city needs to continue to maintain and update the equity action plan. “It is not enough to just put a plan together and then forget about it,” Mills says. “It is going to be really important for departments to continue to put their plans into place and to keep them updated and alive.” Additionally, Mills would like to see improvements to the city’s equity training procedures. “One of the things I think has to happen is equity training needs to be mandatory for every supervisor and every employee,” Mills says. “We want to set up an organization that values people’s differences, that values what people bring to the table and one where people feel like they know how to take the next step. To do that, I think that everyone needs to be trained, not just directors and managers.” Those tasks are now up to Sala Menaya-Merritt, who was recently named Asheville’s next equity and inclusion director. “[Menaya-Merritt] has a lot of experience and training in her background and she has a lot of good suggestions about new programs and initiatives that we can offer,” says Mills. “I am excited to see how she grows the department and what she plans to do.” As for Mills, she has big plans for retirement. In addition to spending more time with her family, Mills will be an adjunct professor at Western Carolina University, teaching diversity, equity and inclusion in the nonprofit administration graduate program. She also plans to launch a consulting business, whereby she will use her experience in local government to help businesses and nonprofits achieve diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations. “For me, I don’t see retirement as the end of my career, but rather as a new chapter,” Mills says. “Public service is a difficult but wonderful profession, and I had the opportunity to work with amazing people, both with the city and out in the community. I am just ready for my next step in the journey.” X

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NEWS

Wider net BY LISA ALLEN lallen@mountainx.com In North Carolina, Medicaid expansion launched Dec. 1, offering coverage to adults, ages 19-64, earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Statewide, as many as 600,000 residents are now eligible. Locally, over 6,100 Buncombe County residents signed up on the first day, according to a N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid dashboard. Xpress checked in with Pisgah Legal Services, which helps low-income people sign up for Medicaid and Affordable Care Act medical insurance coverage. We spoke to Jaclyn Kiger, Pisgah Legal’s chief operating officer, to find out how enrollment is going. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Xpress: What does the expansion mean in WNC? Kiger: Dec. 1 was a huge, important day for the state of North Carolina

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and for so many people that have been waiting for Medicaid. Here in WNC, speaking broadly, we’re talking about people who work in restaurants, hotels, piecing together two or three part-time jobs, artists, cashiers. People who were left out. It opens up really good, quality health care for them. Of our enrollment work during open enrollment, 30% has been Medicaid. That’s huge. Also, community health centers: They can now bill Medicaid for a larger share of their population. That’s a positive aspect. It means coverage for many, many low-income people who have been without for decades. Ultimately, [the decision to expand coverage] is going to save lives. What role does Pisgah Legal play in Medicaid expansion? The enrollment between Medicaid and ACA is similar in that we’re working with people in determining who in their household needs coverage, what their household income is according to the guidelines and regulations, and then supporting them and assisting

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them in submitting an application, whether it’s through North Carolina’s system for Medicaid, ePASS or through the exchange, which is the marketplace app for ACA. The local department of Health and Human Services is also available. Pisgah Legal is a big part of that network of resources here in WNC. Our services are free and confidential. Is it complicated to sign up for Medicaid? It is not. It’s important for readers to know there are free resources across the state to understand their options and support them in going through the enrollment process. I think the state of North Carolina has done an excellent job to roll this out as quickly as possible. Any delay puts people at risk of not having the coverage that they need. When can people enroll for Medicaid? This is an ongoing enrollment, unlike the Affordable Care Act. [ACA enrollment ended Jan. 16.] Medicaid is year-round. I think that will change the workflow. Are there some people who are unhappy that the expansion enrolled them in Medicaid and threw them off their ACA coverage? I think there is a lot of education about what that means and what Medicaid offers. There is a small overlap of people who were over 100% for the federal poverty income levels and under 138% [that qualified for ACA coverage]. Medicaid is an outstanding safety net health care program here in the state of North Carolina and across the country. So what we’ve done at Pisgah Legal is make sure there is education and understanding about what is Medicaid. Medicaid has a maximum copay of $4, with many services requiring no copay at all. It also provides dental coverage for adults. And it has other pieces, like nonmedical transportation, which is something that is outside of ACA plans. We have heard that there have been some challenges with finding providers that take Medicaid. That is true. But we have heard from the state that they expect more providers to sign up. Do you help providers get set up to accept Medicaid payments? No, our role is the access to getting on Medicaid — the eligibility and understanding your rights and what’s covered under Medicaid. On the provider side, there is an ombudsman program.

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ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE: Jaclyn Kiger, Pisgah Legal Services’ chief operating officer, says Medicaid expansion will save lives in WNC. Photo courtesy of Pisgah Legal Is Medicaid expansion available to everyone who qualifies? Unfortunately, no. There will still be vulnerable populations that are left out. … Many immigrants will qualify for Medicaid or ACA, but for [those who are] undocumented, it may be complicated. Please call us. Does Pisgah work with the immigrant population in accessing community resources that are available to them? Yes. We have a Justice for All program on the civil legal side. People can reach out to us about immigration laws, housing, domestic violence and other issues. Are there resources for immigrants regarding health care who don’t qualify for Medicaid or ACA? It’s very limited. Can unhoused people get coverage? Yes. That is a population that we are working with. What is the primary message you want to get out into the community about who is and who isn’t eligible for Medicaid? To people who are reading this and don’t have health insurance, I really urge them to reach out to Pisgah Legal so we can talk about what options may be available. Maybe they haven’t been insured and they don’t think there is a program out there that meets their needs or that they can afford. It’s certainly worth connecting to Pisgah or another community resource [to find out]. X

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N EWS

TDA BEAT

Community members recognized at partner event

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority president and CEO of Explore Asheville Vic Isley, far right, and BCTDA board chair Brenda Durden, far left, recognized several community members with the Asheville Superstar Award. From left, following Durden are recipients Jack Benton, Reggie Tidwell, J. Chong, Mike Lamb and Quentin Miller. Photo by Chase Davis Nearly 400 community leaders and entrepreneurs gathered on Jan. 31 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton for Explore Asheville’s annual partner event, “The Year Ahead.” Led by BCTDA President and CEO of Explore Asheville Vic Isley, four panels of local business owners and community leaders highlighted upcoming developments and events. To start the program, Isley noted the importance of tourism to the local economy. “In 2022, visitors contributed $3 billion to our community and local businesses,” Isley said. “Visitor spending is our strongest export, and the authority’s role is to inspire visitors to bring net new dollars through the front door of a wide variety of local businesses to sustain the livelihoods of our residents. … Quite simply, a city of 95,000 or a county of 270,000 can’t solely support the breadth of creativity within our community without the expenditures of people from people who are outside of it.” Isley highlighted the Tourism Product Development Fund, a 26

FEB. 7-13, 2024

community grant funded through Buncombe County’s 6% occupancy tax. In 2023, the TPDF fund supported three major projects: $1.53 million to the City of Asheville to upgrade Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville; $500,000 to the WNC Agricultural Center for an outdoor covered equestrian arena; and $4 million to Buncombe County for new turf, lighting and a playground at the Enka Recreation Destination. A sponsor from each of the three organizations was presented a ceremonial check. The TDA also gave five community members the Asheville Superstar Award, an annual award that recognizes individuals who have worked with the TDA and Explore Asheville to support their initiatives and events. The TDA recognized Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller; Asheville Police Department interim Chief Mike Lamb; owner of J. Chong Eats, J. Chong; director of sales for Parks Hospitality Group Jack Benton; and creative director of Curve Theory Reggie Tidwell.

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COMMUNITY PANELISTS UNVEIL SOME 2024 HIGHLIGHTS From art to history, local leaders and business owners announced new draws for area tourism. Candace Reilly, executive director of the N.C. Glass Center, says a new facility in Black Mountain will help accommodate its rapid growth and give tourists another site to appreciate local artwork in addition to its River Arts District center. “We have grown so quickly in the past almost eight years because of what we do. We work with glass, we make art, which is fun. We economically support over 70 artists,” Reilly said. “[The Black Mountain facility] is basically going to double our footprint, allowing us to serve more artists and tourists. It will also allow us to go into more rural communities for youth programming.” Reilly says the new location will open in August. Melody Rigdon, vice president of marketing for Biltmore, also had news related to glass art. Dale Chihuly, a world-renowned glass artist, will be returning to showcase

his work this spring in the Amherst exhibit center at Deerpark, the estate’s signature event area. “One of the really neat features of the exhibit is a persian glass ceiling that guests will be able to walk under as they enter the ballroom,” says Rigdon. “It is going to be different, but it’s also really unique and spectacular.” The exhibit will run from Monday, March 25, through Sunday, Jan. 5. On the historical front, Katherine Mitchell, executive director of Riverfront Development Group, said the organization is developing a digital museum to commemorate Stephens Lee High School, which opened in 1923 as the only public high school for Black residents in Asheville. The school closed in 1965. “The museum will incorporate stories, memorabilia and anything else that we can get from the students who attended the school in the five surrounding counties.” Mitchell said. “We think that this will be something that Asheville, Buncombe County and Western North Carolina has never seen before.”

— Chase Davis X

DEVELOPMENT ROUNDUP

Board of Adjustment to hear proposal for new neighborhood development Buncombe County Two projects requiring special-use permits and one zoning variance are on the agenda at the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment meeting at noon Wednesday, Feb. 14. The in-person meeting will be at the Board of Commissioners Chambers, 200 College St. Information on how to attend and apply for comment can be found at avl.mx/anq. No email or voicemail comments will be accepted. SPECIAL-USE PERMITS: MHO Pentland Hills SUP (99999 Pentland Hills Drive, Asheville, 28806) Joe Quinlan of Asheville-based Mountain Housing Opportunities is requesting a special-use permit for a Level I planned unit development on 10.96 acres. The development will consist of 69 residential units, including 37 single-family structures and 16 duplexes. Upon completion, the streets and common areas of the development will be deeded to the Pentland Hills Homeowners’ Association. Project documents can be accessed at avl.mx/dbw. Big Sandy Landing SUP (99999 Big Sandy Mush Road, Leicester, 28748) Rachel Brown of Big Sandy Landings LLC is requesting a special-use permit to establish a personal landing strip on 2.11 acres. According to the application, the strip will be used for a single-engine, propeller-driven aircraft that will not be operated on a regular basis or for any commercial business purposes. Future developments also may include a storage barn and a two-bedroom single family residence. Project documents can be accessed at avl.mx/dbv. ZONING VARIANCE: Vinny’s Investments Wedd & Stay Variance (1774 Smokey Park Highway, Candler, 28715) Vinicio Aleman of Vinny’s Investments LLC is requesting a zoning variance to allow an exterior staircase on his property to remain. According to the variance request, the exterior stair-

NEW DEVELOPMENT: The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment is set to discuss a proposed Level I planned unit development consisting of 37 single-family structures and 16 duplexes. Image courtesy of Buncombe County. case was constructed with the addition of a second floor on an existing building. The staircase does not comply with the current ordinance, which requires the development to have a 10-foot offset from the property lines. Project documents can be accessed at avl.mx/dc0.

City of Asheville The public will be able to provide input on two zoning map amendments at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, which will be in person at City Hall’s first-floor North Conference Room at 70 Court Plaza. A meeting of the same body to review the agenda, which is open to the public but does not allow public comment, will be at 4:30 p.m. in the fifth-floor Large Conference Room. The Design Review Committee will meet virtually at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, with an agenda review at 12:15 p.m. the same day. The agenda for that meeting was not available as of press time. Planning and Zoning Commission Residents can submit comments over email and voicemail until 24

hours before the meeting or provide in-person comment during the meeting itself. Instructions on how to attend and comment, as well as the full meeting agenda, are available at avl.mx/8b6. ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS: The Kessler Hotel — Asheville (1 Angle St. & 10 Kitchin Place, Asheville 28803) Jonathan Cook with Kessler Asheville LLC is requesting to conditionally rezone property located at 1 Angle St. and 10 Kitchin Place from Community Business II (CBII) to Commercial Expansion — Conditional Zone (COM EXP-CZ) for a new hotel. According to project documents, the hotel is proposed to have 96 rooms, a restaurant, retail spaces

and underground parking. The project is estimated to cost $52 million. Project documents can be found at avl.mx/dc3. London Road Apartments (21 London Road, Asheville, 28803) Warren Sugg with London Asheville LLC is requesting to conditionally rezone property at 21 London Road from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential Expansion — Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ) for a new apartment building. According to project documents, the building is proposed to be four stories with 208 multifamily residential units. The development will include a parking deck. No estimated cost was included. Project documents can be found at avl.mx/dc4.

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— Chase Davis X

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FEB. 7-13, 2024

FEA T U RE S

Active aging

Recreation programs provide exercise, social bonds for WNC seniors

BY JUSTIN McGUIRE jmcguire@mountainx.com Shortly after retiring to Henderson County in 2009, George Raab was driving through Hendersonville’s Jackson Park when he happened upon a group of men playing softball. “I said to my wife, ‘They look like seniors,’ and I pulled over,” says Raab, now 76. “I didn’t know anybody. I talked to them, and that was it. That’s what got me started.” For the next decade, Raab participated in Henderson County Senior Softball, a league for men ages 50-85. Through the group, he stayed active, forged friendships and even had the chance to participate in the state Senior Games finals in Raleigh several times. “We call it healthy aging, and it really is,” explains Raab, who lives in Zirconia, a community about 7 miles southeast of Hendersonville. “When you’re exercising, you’re doing your body good, you’re doing your heart good. And it’s kind of a family thing, because nobody really takes it serious, and you get to know all of the other guys from the other teams.” Raab’s experience is not unique. Throughout Western North Carolina, local governments, senior centers and recreation leagues are creating opportunities for the area’s aging population to exercise, make social connections, compete and keep their minds sharp. And experts say all of that is crucial for people entering their golden years. “They’re meeting people, they’re talking, they’re working, they’re playing,” says Lynn Metcalf, Henderson County’s senior activities program coordinator. “They’re not sitting at home by themselves. It takes skill, thinking through things and thinking through strategies in some of these activities, so I think it helps them cognitively.” Adds Julie Parker, activities coordinator for Polk County Senior Services: “Our biggest goal is helping people to stay in their own homes and not have to go to assisted living. If they’re able to be independent longer, their life span is longer. Probably the biggest advantage in being healthy longer is being able to see your grandchildren grow up and being there for them as long as possible.”

NET GAINS: Henderson County Parks and Recreation offers a variety of senior activities, including table tennis. Photo by Jill Blancher starting at age 50. But most who take part are in their 60s, 70s or 80s — and sometimes even older. “We have one person who is 100,” says Melinda Polites, administrator for the Lakeview Center for Active Aging in the Town of Black Mountain. “She has come to classes faithfully for many years.” With such a wide range of ages, administrators like Polites find it necessary to offer a variety of programs.

“We have a Friday morning exercise class that’s a little faster paced, and we have a tai chi class that is also mostly standing up the whole time,” she explains. “But there’s some folks that just can’t stand on their feet for an hour, so we try to balance that.” With that in mind, the center offers popular “sit and be fit” and chair yoga classes and recently launched a chair volleyball class. In the game, six participants per team sit in chairs

Series and play with a beach ball. The center adopted the idea after Polites heard about a similar program in Tennessee. “It’s more beneficial than I even thought because it has coordination requirements,” Polites says. “We have some folks who are in the beginnings of dementia, and I have watched some struggling just with the act of serving: throwing up with one hand and hitting with the other. They have to think about it. And then you have to be quick on your response.” Even the simple act of sitting in a chair while playing can prove challenging for seniors who lack agility, she says. The Lakeview Center also offers a dance aerobics class and hopes to bring back a square-dancing class that folded during COVID-19 restrictions. Additionally, it will soon start offering Walk With Ease, an Arthritis Foundation program designed to reduce the pain of arthritis and improve overall health. “We have some sort of exercise thing five days a week,” Polites says. “The No. 1 benefit for us is social opportunity. It’s scientifically proven that there’s a connection between isolation and depression and dementia. And then of course, programs that help with moving and balance are good for preventing falls.” Parker says Polk County’s senior center, the Meeting Place, screens new participants for depression, asking questions about how much time they spend with people outside their homes, for instance. Officials found many of

WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS In keeping with Senior Games guidelines, local recreation programs for seniors allow people to participate 28

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HEADS UP: Black Mountain’s Lakeview Center for Active Aging offers a chair volleyball class. Photo courtesy of the Lakeview Center

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CARRYING THE TORCH: Joe Primus is the ambassador for the 2024 Polk County Senior Games. Photo courtesy of Polk County Senior Services the seniors were not seeing anyone but their spouse most days and were generally lonely. “People who are new, they may come in and seem a little down,” she says. “And so it does help being able to come out and be more active and have friends you can do it with. We do see a change in them a lot of the times. They just get a big smile on their faces, and it’s really nice see that.” The Meeting Place, located in Columbus, offers classes in group fitness, indoor cycling, movement, yoga, cardio drumming, exercise bingo and more. The center also has a fully equipped gym that is open 8:30 a.m.4:30 p.m.weekdays. GAMES SENIORS PLAY In addition to her role with the Meeting Place, Parker is Senior Games coordinator for Polk County. The county started participating in the games in 2020. This year’s Polk County games, which will take place May 2-31, will offer residents a chance to compete in table tennis, swimming, cornhole, pickleball, croquet, boccie, shuffleboard, bowling, minigolf and and more sports. The top three finishers in each age category for each sport will advance to the state finals, which will take place August-October. About 75 people took part last year, and Parker hopes that number increases to 100 this year. “A lot of those events that we do in our Senior Games, we also do those during the year,” Parker says. “So

we have cornhole clinics, we have a pickleball group that gets together almost every day at Stearns Gym [in Columbus]. We have a little pickleball court here at the Senior Center, but it’s not up to par for people who are really into pickleball.” Henderson County’s Metcalf also is in charge of her county’s Senior Games, which will be May 1-22, this year. Upon taking the job last year, she decided to gear activities around Senior Games sports, including table tennis, cornhole, cycling, pickleball, croquet, boccie and basketball. Among other things, the county also offers a cheerleading group and a Wednesday fun walk at Jackson Park. Metcalf hopes to add a monthly hike when the weather warms up. Mary Davis, 63, retired to Hendersonville in 2016 after working as associate director of recreation at UNC Charlotte. She started participating in Senior Games in 2022 but had been familiar with the program for years, even volunteering in the 1990s. “Senior Games is about fitness, fellowship, family,” she says. “It’s all of those things. We sometimes bring my granddaughter along when we do things, so it’s a way for a whole family to get involved.” Davis swims most days and cycles regularly during warm weather months. “Exercise time and also recreation time is really important as you get older, not only just for the socialization, but for the activity,” she says. “Keeping moving through the wintertime is important for anyone that’s a senior. I think it’s really easy in the wintertime to get very comfortable in your warm house.” Like Polites, Metcalf says it is vital to make activities available to seniors of differing abilities. “When they come in, we just adjust on the fly whatever activity we’re doing to make sure that all physical capabilities are able to participate,” she says. “I had a 97-year-old come in who wanted to do some of the board games. So we’ve moved the room in which we’re holding it to make it more accessible to him so he doesn’t have to move so far to get to the room.” That points to an inescapable reality: Even the most active seniors find that their physical abilities change as they get older. After years of competing in softball, for instance, Raab transitioned to pickleball a few years ago. “Like most guys my age, it was knee problems,” he says. “I could still play softball, but it wasn’t as much fun. And when I got into the pickleball, I realized that I could do this and it doesn’t bother my legs. And it seemed like it was better exercise for me.” X

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Twenty years and counting

Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts celebrates a milestone

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BY CARMELA CARUSO carmela.caruso@yahoo.com The classrooms at Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts are spacious and bright — hardwood floors, stone accent walls, natural trim and long windows make the campus look more like a retreat center than a school. On a porch, Adirondack chairs welcome rest and relaxation. Inside, massage tables line a room. Meanwhile, essential oil diffusers and mini-altars adorned with statues and candles sit on tables in quiet corners throughout the campus. In addition to these features, a meditation hut, a labyrinth and a lush garden with over 100 herbs are also on the grounds. “I don’t know of many student lounges that have a dragon head and drum,” says Stevin Westcott, Daoist Traditions’ communications coordinator, gesturing to a colorful mask in the corner of one room. The college, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary, has grown over the past two decades from a single classroom with 10 students to now offering three accredited programs in Chinese medicine and herbology. To date, it has graduated over 280 students. “We’ve been very fortunate,” says the college’s co-founder and vice president, Rachel Nowakowski, especially when she considers how close the college came to never even getting off the ground. CHANCE ENCOUNTERS In the late-1990s, Mary Cissy Majebé had grown tired of operating The Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic, which she’d opened in Asheville in 1985. At the time, Nowakowski was working as Majebé’s assistant, along with Junie Norfleet, a fellow future co-founder of Daoist Traditions. “I kept thinking, ‘If I see one more headache or one more set of men-

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TWO DECADES LATER: In 2003, Mary Cissy Majebé, left, and Rachel Nowakowski co-founded Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts with Junie Norfleet and Patricia Bernarding. Photo courtesy of Daoist Traditions strual cramps ...’” Majebe recalls, trailing off. No stranger to career shifts — before acupuncture, she was working toward a doctorate in exercise physiology and planning to become an Olympic diving coach — Majebé decided to apply to law school in Atlanta. The school’s condensed schedule would allow her to keep her clinic in Asheville and practice acupuncture to pay her way through school. That was the plan, anyway. On a trip to visit her daughter in New York City, Majebé signed up for

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a two-day class to maintain her acupuncture license. The workshop was led by Jeffrey Yuen, a master teacher of classical Chinese medicine. Late to the first lecture, Majebé squeezed her way through the packed room to the only available chair, way in the back. Within a few moments of Yuen’s talk (which, depending on who is telling the story, was either about the pericardium meridian or gallbladder meridian), Majebe was hooked. She’d never heard anyone speak about Chinese medicine the way Yuen did. She quickly abandoned her plans for law school. Back in Asheville, Majebé convinced Nowakowski and Norfleet to attend a two-year course with Yuen. Once the three completed their schooling, they began planning what would become Daoist Traditions. Together with Patricia Bernarding, whose background is in education, the four women established the college in 2003.

“I think the biggest thing after being here for 20 years is we just feel fortunate and grateful,” says Nowakowski. “I mean, [Majebé] tried to veer off course and go into law but came back to Chinese medicine. And when I moved here and started studying, I was like, ‘I don’t know Chinese medicine. Should I move to Florida and become a motorcycle mechanic?’ So, you know, had we chosen differently, we’d have very different lives.” CLASSICAL ROOTS Nancy Hyton was part of Daoist Traditions’ first graduating class. She now owns West Asheville Acupuncture. Hyton says the school’s classical focus sets it apart from other programs in the country. “It’s

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F EA TU R ES a very special school, and I didn’t really realize it when I was going there how special it was. … Daoist Traditions really is trying to preserve this very old lineage of Chinese medicine that predates the modern era,” Hyton explains. Yuen, an 88th-generation Daoist priest, spent more than 20 years studying classical medicine with other masters. His teachings, rooted in ancient texts and passed down orally from teacher to student, maintain the spiritual and emotional components of acupuncture and expand on different channel systems not normally addressed in traditional Chinese medicine. It was a difference that Majebé felt during those first few moments of Yuen’s New York City lectures and one she’s been able to bring to students like Hyton over the past 20 years. Nowakowski says Yuen was involved in the early planning and developing of the college’s curriculum, and he still visits the school quarterly to teach seminars and meet individually with students. The classes, which anyone can register for, draw people from all over. Hyton says she still returns to study with Yuen.

In addition to learning Chinese medicine from a living master and studying classical texts, students at Daoist Traditions also participate in self-cultivation — practices steeped in the more spiritual and emotional aspects of the medicine. For students, self-cultivation includes working on campus in the herb gardens, keeping a journal and practicing qigong — movements that incorporate breathwork and meditation for mental, emotional and physical health. “Becoming a healer is not just from the mind but the heart,” says Westcott, the school’s communications coordinator. He believes Daoist Traditions’ emphasis on self-cultivation makes students more well-rounded practitioners. “This is not just PR, it’s reality — what I’ve seen, what actually happens here,” he adds. Heather Gagliardi, a fourth-year doctoral student who will graduate from Daoist Traditions in May, says she plans to continue the practice of self-cultivation after graduation. “I think you have to [continue it] for mental and physical health. There’s a lot of burnout in health care,” she says.

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ON-THE-JOB TRAINING Both Hyton and Gagliardi agree that Daoist Traditions prepares students to practice acupuncture directly after graduation because of the program’s rigor as well as the amount of hands-on clinical experience. Students in the four-year programs complete 3,000 hours of training and 800 hours in the clinic, where they see a minimum of 350 patients over a two-year period. Students start clinical observations in their second year and begin treating patients in teams during their third year. By the fourth year, they’re working with patients on their own. All interns work closely with licensed acupuncture professionals who oversee treatments and are on hand to ask and answer questions. Hyton says that working in the clinic was her favorite part of the school because it was so interactive. “A lot of critical thinking goes into making a diagnosis in Chinese medicine, which is something that really appealed to me,” Hyton says. “It’s very logical, the way that the diagnosis process works. So I feel like we really got a sense of how to do that in clinic. And we got to see all kinds of people with all sorts of stuff.” Part of why the clinic attracts people from all walks of life is its relative affordability. Treatments are $40 a session with discounts for veterans, seniors and students. (A typical, private acupuncture session outside of the school costs double that figure, while some practitioners charge over $100 per session.) And unlike other inexpensive community practice options that sometimes seat groups of people together in a large room, Daoist Traditions’ clinic offers individual sessions in private rooms with massage tables. “We can provide the full experience,” says Peter Shea, clinic director. “We can also use the modalities or adjunct techniques like cupping, gua sha and moxibustion.” (Gua sha is a therapy that involves scraping of the skin, while moxibustion uses bundles of burning mugwort in place of needles to target points on the body.) Even with COVID-19 restrictions in place over the past several years, the clinic was able to operate successfully, says Shea. The clinic closed in March 2020 but reopened that summer with precautions in place — mandatory masking, air purifiers, additional cleaning equipment and thermometers. The clinic offered heavily discounted sessions to encourage people to return and continued mandatory masking through May 2023 as a precaution.

BODY AND MIND: Enrolled students at Daoist Traditions participate in a session of self-cultivation. Photo courtesy of Daoist Traditions “We persevered, and people came back,” says Shea. He believes part of the clinic’s success is that it has become so embedded in the local community and because students continue to bring friends, family and referrals to the program. HEALTH CARE FOR ALL In addition to offering reducedprice acupuncture at the clinic,

INAUGURAL CLASS: Nancy Hyton, who now owns and operates West Asheville Acupuncture, was among the first students to graduate from Daoist Traditions. Photo by Carmela Caruso

Shea says Daoist Traditions continues to look for ways to engage with the local community. Currently, interns offer free acupuncture to patients at Elizabeth House hospice in Hendersonville, as well as to members of the unhoused community at Haywood Street Congregation. They’ve also previously run a booth at the North Asheville Tailgate Market. “It’s putting [interns] in places where hopefully they’ll be doing some kind of volunteer work in their own communities wherever they move to [after graduation],” says Majebé. After graduation, Gagliardi plans to move to rural Kentucky and establish a private practice to work with the medically underserved. She says that in rural areas, “Health care is not accessible. Health care is a privilege.” Kelsey Irvin, a dually enrolled master’s and doctoral student in her third year, says the “ability to meet [the patients] where they’re at is very important. If you are rigid, you’re not going to be able to help other people.” Irvin, who first experienced acupuncture when she was diagnosed with lymphoma, says she appreciates the practice because it “looks at the entire person, not just the disease.” Acupuncture treatments helped her manage pain and depression, enough so that she was able to lower her medication dosages.

Irvin, who previously worked as a civil engineer, says that after surviving cancer, “I tried to go back to my corporate job and couldn’t. I just didn’t fit there anymore.” Instead, she enrolled in acupuncture school. After graduation, she plans to go back home to Morgantown, W.Va., and use her own experiences surviving a health crisis and the knowledge she gained from Daoist Traditions to connect with patients and give back to the community. Gagliardi and Irvin both say small class sizes — each cohort is typically about 20 students — allowed them to form friendships and bonds with their classmates and receive individual attention from faculty. Among that faculty is Majebé. Along with her role as college president, she continues to teach at Daoist Traditions. Meanwhile, she also still runs her own clinic, right across the street from the college. It’s been 25 years since she almost made the switch into law school, but she says the practice of acupuncture is still “fresh and interesting.” “I’m still learning,” says Majebé. “Chinese medicine is a lifelong learning process. We really tell our students that the main work comes after you graduate. We’re giving you the basics and you’re going to want to get out and start seeing people — that’s when you really learn.” X

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Active in the community

D. Tyrell McGirt discusses programs, opportunities at Asheville Parks & Recreation BY LISA ALLEN lallen@mountainx.com D. Tyrell McGirt, director of Asheville Parks & Recreation, says he didn’t initially plan for the career he now has. One summer, while a teenager in Greensboro, his mother asked him if he was interested in being a lifeguard. Before he could respond, she told him she’d already signed him up for the position — his first with a parks and recreation department. After earning a degree in business from N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University, he spent a little over a year “in [the] corporate [world] and figured out real quickly that it didn’t work for me,” he says. Leaving his job, McGirt joined the YWCA Central Carolinas in December 2000, working as an aquatics coordinator for its health and wellness center. “I thought I would do [that] until I figured out what I wanted to do as an adult,” he says. Several year later, he was still with the department when it struck him: He enjoyed what he was doing. Why not make it his career? “That’s when I started digging deeper into the industry and really started getting into everything it has to offer.” Since that time, McGirt has worked across the country, including stints in Alabama and Arizona. In January 2022, he joined the Asheville Parks & Recreation Department. Xpress checked in with him about the city’s offerings and ways for residents to stay active in 2024. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Xpress: When you came here two years ago, what was one thing you saw that could make an immediate difference in Asheville? McGirt: What I saw was a very comprehensive system that for a city our size has a lot of resources. We have 10 community centers, [as well as] both paved and natural-surface trails. We have 65 parks. We have some extra bonuses like a skatepark, river access, lawn bowling and disc golf [courses]. Nothing jumped out to me as, “Oh, Asheville needs this.” Looking at the data, what activities could attract more people to the services your department offers?

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CENTER EXPANSION: Asheville Parks & Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt, left, and City Council member Sandra Kilgore unveil improvements to the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center during an August 2023 ribbon-cutting. Photo courtesy of McGirt Certainly there are things we could be doing to offer more youngadult activities and teen activities. We recognize that’s an area of opportunity for us. I think an area where we shine is being able to offer no-cost or low-cost programming at our community centers so families can do things with their young ones as well as after-school programs. How do you measure your department’s success? Well, citizens are pretty vocal here in Asheville. They don’t mind letting us know if we missed the mark on something. We have a “say yes” philosophy in the department. So we figure out which ways we can get to yes, and that’s not always easy. Is funding a challenge? Funding is a challenge wherever you are. There’s always going to be needs that are out of reach. We have to look at the system globally and not get into rabbit holes of what’s needed in this particular

area and how that fits into the city as a whole. What is your department’s biggest opportunity? We’re in the middle of a comprehensive plan, so I’m curious to know exactly what that data shows and see what that data tells us is the biggest opportunity. Our focus is maintaining and increasing our service levels at all of our amenities. As a Black man in parks and recreation, do you consider yourself a mentor? Absolutely. I enjoy working for a city where equity is not only valued but it’s an expectation. We do well in the Parks and Rec Department of having a workforce that’s reflective of the Asheville community. [For the young Black men in the department], I try to make them more aware of the opportunities that the industry has to offer them. That’s a passion of mine. It’s something I

wish I had coming up. I feel like I would be five years further ahead if I had had it. How can the department help people seeking a healthier lifestyle in 2024? Asheville residents have access to safe spaces within the city’s system that can help facilitate their commitment to health resolutions. We have two fitness centers, at Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers. We have four indoor gymnasiums that are available for residents to use for pickup basketball, volleyball, pickleball and other activities. We have 10 miles of paved greenway. We have sport activities for youth and adults — senior games, softball, sand volleyball, flag football and tennis. And we have a host of fitness classes — Zumba, Power Hour exercise, line dancing and yoga — at different center locations. For more information, visit avl.mx/6xa. X

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F E AT UR E S

‘Making my dream a reality’ E.W. Grove’s influence on Asheville’s image

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k.dagostino@gmail.com In 1892, author George Chapin published the book Health Resorts of the South. Not surprisingly, it included a chapter on Asheville. The section began with a quote by poet John Greenleaf Whittier: “And the pale health seeker findeth there/the wine of life in the pleasant air.” At that time of the book’s publication, the world was in the throes of one of history’s deadliest diseases: tuberculosis. In the 19th century it’s estimated that the disease killed 7 million people per year. Highly contagious, doctors believed symptoms — which included debilitating pain in the lungs and coughing up blood — could be controlled by bed rest and time spent in the mountains. “The idea was that illness could be contracted through miasma or ‘bad air,’” says Katherine Cutshall, manager at Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library. As the U.S. became more industrialized, she continues, “physicians recommended their patients seek fresh clean air.” According to Cutshall, the Cherokee once frequented area hot springs for health benefits and restorative qualities. Later, in the 1770s, the region’s first white settlers held similar beliefs about the region’s wellness features. By 1871, Dr. Horatio P. Gatchell established The Villa in Asheville, the nation’s first sanitarium. Originally located in the Kenilworth section of Asheville, Gatchell later relocated the facility to Haywood and College streets. Once established, the doctor collaborated closely with outdoor enthusiast (and future

Series city’s elevation, which they claimed created air pressure that matched that in human blood vessels. Asheville was quickly becoming a hub for medical tourism. At its peak the city had 130 boardinghouses and sanitariums. This appeal eventually led to the arrival of E.W. Grove, whose impact on the city is present to this day. ‘NEVER TOO OLD TO BUILD CASTLES’

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: Health issues may have led E.W. Grove to Asheville, but the entrepreneur had no interest in perpetuating the city’s reputation as a landing spot for those seeking medical relief. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections Asheville mayor) E.J. Aston to promote his new health resort in the pamphlet Western North Carolina: Its Resources, Climate, Climate, Scenery and Salubrity. The brochure compared Asheville’s mountains to those in Vienna and Geneva, popular destinations in Europe to treat individuals with TB. The city’s 1896-97 directory asserted that in New England, 1-in-4 deaths were due to consumption; but in Western North Carolina, the directory asserted, the figure was 1-in-33. Medical minds of the time attributed the region’s healing properties to the

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As in the past, Asheville’s natural beauty continues to attract healers of all sorts. Buncombe County native H. Byron Ballard, who is known as Asheville’s village witch, has seen the Pagan community blossom since the 1990s. Today, she says, the local group population is around 1,000. Ballard, a senior priestess and co-founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple, a nonprofit church with a focus on the divine feminine. When asked if she believes the city has its own brand of healing magic, Ballard says, “Doubtful. But these are among the oldest mountains in the world, containing two of the oldest rivers in the world. The energy here, whether used for healing or other things, is deep and strong. If a person can connect with it in a way that is genuine and respectful, much can be learned.” X

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In the 1880s, before his arrival in Asheville, Grove was building his reputation in the medical world as a young pharmacist in Paris, Tenn. At the time, malaria was taking the South by storm. Grove’s first wife, Mary Louisa Moore, and his daughter, Irma, both died from the illness. Quinine, a plant-derived medicine with a strong bitter taste, was known to help curb malarial fevers and chills. Determined to make the solution more palatable, Grove created a sweet syrup with lemon flavoring and marketed it as a tasteless chill tonic. The product bore an eye-catching label: a half-child, half-pig smiled at consumers; beneath the creature the label read, “Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic. Makes Children and Adults Fat as Pigs.” According to Omni Grove Park Inn’s website, Grove eventually sold over 1.5 million bottles. Health issues ultimately led Grove to relocate to Asheville. In 1897, he built a summer home in the city. By 1905, he began exploring development opportunities in the area, amassing hundreds of acres in North Asheville. Then, seeing an opportunity to capitalize on the city’s blossoming tourism trade, Grove set out to build a world-class luxury hotel on Sunset Mountain. However, there was one big problem. The elite travelers who had been coming to Asheville since the completion of the railroad in 1880 were weary of the city’s growing reputation as a national TB sanitarium. “The disease carried a massive stigma,” says Cutshall. “It was associated with uncleanliness and poverty. Grove wanted his resort to be for pleasure, not for sickness. ... He went

as far as purchasing area boardinghouses and sanitariums only to tear them down as part of his efforts to dissociate his resort from the area’s reputation as a health resort.” In the end, Grove’s vision won out. According to writer K.C. Cronin, the city ceased marketing itself as a national TB sanitarium; Grove and his son-in-law Fred Seely completed their plans for the Grove Park Inn. The hotel’s groundbreaking ceremonies took place on July 9, 1912. The following year, on July 12, 1913, it opened. The Asheville GazetteNews reported the inn’s completion. In its July 14, 1913, edition, the paper featured an excerpt from a speech Grove offered guests during the inn’s opening night ceremony: “A man is never too old to build castles and dream dreams. Standing here tonight in the midst of my friends and invited guests, I find a dream realized and a castle materialized. “After a long mountain walk one evening, at the sunset hour, scarcely more than a year ago, I sat down here to rest, and while almost entranced by the panorama of these encircling mountains and a restful outlook upon green fields, the dreams of an oldtime inn came to me — an inn whose

exterior, and interior as well, should present a home-like and wholesome simplicity, whose hospitable doors should ever be open wide, inviting the traveler to rest awhile, shut in from the busy world outside. “It affords me far more gratification than I can express in having in my immediate family an architect and builder who, by his artistic conception, by his untiring zeal, has studied out the very minutest details, making my dream a reality indeed and accomplishing what in so short a time, seems almost beyond human endurance.” Grove went on to leave his mark on downtown Asheville with the construction of such buildings as the Grove Arcade and the Battery Park Hotel. When Grove died in 1927, he was buried in his family plot in Paris, Tenn. His medicine company — complete with its cure-all chill tonic — would long outlive him. The business was renamed Grove Laboratories in 1934. And though the pig body would eventually be removed from its advertisements, the baby’s face remained a key feature when Bristol-Meyers bought out the company in 1957. X

The Switzerland of the South Dr. Gatchell marketed Asheville as “The Switzerland of the South” in his pamphlet promoting The Villa. Copy included testimonials from patients. Below is one written by F.A. Hull, who is identified in the text as being formerly of Michigan. For the pamphlet in its entirety, visit: avl.mx/2zl. Hull writes: “In 1878 I was taken suddenly with haemorrhages, had them repeatedly for three months, and was reduced from 185 to 103 pounds during the time. I suffered from cough, night sweats, as well as partial loss of voice. I made a trip to Colorado and traveled through the mountains for some time, but received no benefit; if anything my condition grew worse. I moved back to lower country, Western Kansas, but receiving little benefit returned to my home in central Michigan, from whence I made a trip to the mountains of Western North Carolina, making Asheville my head-quarters, where I had been in former years when in perfect health. “By riding in the saddle every day, no matter what the weather, I commenced to gain flesh and strength, and the cough, which had

been my constant companion from the first, left me. After roaming over these mountains for three months I found that I had gained twenty-four pounds, felt like a new man, and returned again to my home; but in a few days I found that I was getting into my former condition. “Waiting till October before determining to leave home I formed the idea of making the trip overland in the saddle, but was taken suddenly with haemorrhage and confined to my bed. But as soon as I was able to sit up I ordered my baggage sent by express to Asheville, and I followed on horse-back. I left Michigan on the 23d of October and reached Asheville about the middle of November; making a trip of over one thousand miles in the saddle and gaining ten pounds on the way. When I started I was so weak that I had to be helped into the saddle. “And I did not cease to ride after reaching this place, but kept it up daily in all weather. This I did for six months, and to-day I am as strong and possess as much lung power, if not more, than ever before in my life.” Editor’s note: Peculiarities of spelling and punctuation are preserved from the original document. X

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FEB. 7-13, 2024

FEA T U RE S

Holding court

Series

Warren Wilson athlete discusses challenges of playing basketball with one arm BY JUSTIN McGUIRE jmcguire@mountainx.com When Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel was cut from her high school basketball team as a senior, her future in athletics seemed in doubt. After all, not many college programs were looking for a one-armed guard with admittedly limited offensive skills. But Sinaman-Daniel is not one to back away from a challenge. Determined to keep playing competitive basketball, the Stafford, Va., native reached out to numerous coaches, including Warren Wilson College coach Robin Martin. Martin offered her a roster spot with the Division III Lady Owls. Now a sophomore, Sinaman-Daniel hopes her journey will inspire and educate others. “When it comes to speaking about the arm, I’ve never really been too shy about it,” she says. “Things like this need to be spoken about because there’s not a lot of people in this world who can vocalize situations like this. I would be more than happy to educate people on it.” Sinaman-Daniel spoke with Xpress about the challenges of playing basketball with one arm, how she hopes to inspire young athletes and what her plans are when her playing days are over. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Xpress: What got you interested in being an athlete? Sinaman-Daniel: I’ve been a fan of sports since I was around the age of 6 or 7 because my dad was a really big

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fan of watching basketball. I ended up really liking the sport because of LeBron James, but I didn’t start playing until my freshman year of high school because I didn’t see a lot of people who looked like me on the court. So I didn’t know if I would be able to execute properly the way they would expect somebody with two arms to. So I kind of held myself back throughout middle school, but when it came to high school, I tried out for the team, and I luckily made it. What inspired you to go for it? It was a mixture of things. My best friend at the time was a basketball player, and she found out that I really liked watching the sport. And she pushed me to say, “Screw what people say and see what happens; the worst they can say is no.” And also, it was a thing at my high school where we really didn’t have a lot of girls who tried out for basketball, so our school needed players. They were trying to find people who had potential and hadn’t tried out yet, so [my friend] thought I was one of those people. I had played volleyball in the fall, before I played basketball, so I already was a little more comfortable playing with other people and playing sports in general. But basketball was a different type of mentality because it really has a lot of ball movement and you have to have a good basketball IQ. I had to slowly develop that, but with time it came. What was your high school experience like? My first two years, I was put on junior varsity and my junior year, which was our COVID season, I played varsity. My senior year I tried out and got cut, which I was really upset about. But after

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DETERMINATION: “My parents have instilled it into my head that I am no different than anybody else,” says Warren Wilson basketball player Baileigh Sinaman-Daniel, who was born with one arm. Photo courtesy of Warren Wilson Athletics a couple of days, I took it upon myself to make a highlight reel of me doing anything that was seen as good on the court: a good pass, a rebound, even a shot. But most of my film that I sent out to [college] coaches was defensive work. How did you end up playing for Warren Wilson? After about two months of me sending out my film to multiple coaches throughout the country, Coach Martin was one of the first to respond back with a firm yes. That was one thing that really stood out to me, that she took it upon herself to give me a shot. She invited me on a visit, and after that I went to a “prospect day,” which is where they

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brought all the recruits that they were looking at for that year and basically let them practice to see how they performed. Then Coach Martin asked me if I would like to be on the team, and I said “yes” with no hesitation. What are some of the challenges of playing basketball with one arm? One of the biggest challenges for me personally is confidence with shooting. I feel like offense is a very vulnerable place for me because I don’t have that right arm to really protect myself or to push off the defender if I do have the ball. But Coach Martin has helped me develop my game on the offensive side of the court. I obviously want to be the best that I can be, and sometimes I feel like I get a little bit hard on myself because I want to do just as well as everybody else. But then I have to remember I might have to take a little bit longer to do these things because I have one arm, and that’s fine. So there are little mental challenges on top of the offensive [challenges]. Do you think you can be an inspiration for young people who are dealing with similar issues and are interested in getting involved with sports? I definitely would love to be an inspiration to younger people. It would be a really big thing for me if one kid who looks like me and thinks the same way that I did — that I could never play this sport because nobody looks like me on the court — could see me playing and could get the confidence to do it. I want to show people that you can do whatever you put your mind to and, as long as you bet on yourself, there’s nothing that can stop you. What’s your experience been like at Warren Wilson? The faculty here is absolutely amazing, and they’re really accommodating when it comes to not just being a student-athlete, but also just a person with one arm. If I ask for help, they never hesitate to put in the effort. And the campus here is also very beautiful. The mountains are so pretty. I’m from [eastern] Virginia, so it’s a pretty flat land over there. I’m majoring in psychology and I have a minor in political science and history. After I graduate, I intend to go to graduate school. My main objective after all the schooling is to become a forensic psychologist. How do you think your experience as an athlete will help you going forward? Basketball and the mental aspect of it have shown me how to be resilient with anything I do, and it really has instilled a sense of confidence within myself. Just knowing that I am able to play NCAA Division III basketball is crazy enough to say. So I feel like, in my head, I’ve reached my main goal and there’s nothing but up from here. X

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FEB. 7-13, 2024

COMMUNITY CALENDAR FEB. 7 - FEB. 15, 2024 For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 828-251-1333, opt. 1.

 Online-only events  Feature, page 56-57  More info, page 53  More info, page 62  More info, page 64 WELLNESS Therapeutic Recreation Adult Morning Movement Active games, physical activities, and sports for individuals with disabilities ages 17 and over. Advanced registration at avlrec. com required. WE (2/7, 14), 10am, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave Tai Chi for Balance A gentle Tai Chi exercise class to help improve balance, mobility, and quality of life. All ages are welcome. WE (2/7, 14), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Free Zumba Gold Fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. Free, but donations for the instructor are appreciated. For more information please call (828) 350-2058. WE (2/7, 14), noon, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Tai Chi Fan This class helps build balance and whole body awareness. All ages and ability levels welcome. Fans will be provided. WE (2/7, 14), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Nia Dance Fitness A sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts. TH (2/8, 15), 9:3am, TU (2/13), 10:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Chair Yoga A gentle yoga practice while seated and/ or with the aid of a chair. Well suited for those who may find other yoga classes too challenging. All ages welcome.

TH (2/8, 15), 10am, Asheville Community Yoga Center, 8 Brookdale Rd Tai Chi for Beginners A class for anyone interested in Tai Chi and building balance, whole body awareness and other health benefits. TH (2/8, 15), MO (2/12), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Qigong for Health A part of traditional Chinese medicine that involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind and spirit. FR (2/9), TU (2/13), 9am, SA (2/10), Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Creative Flow: Yoga in the Galleries A creative flow experience that combines the beauty of art with the power of mindful movement. All-levels are welcome. SA (2/10), 9:30am, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Yoga for Everyone A free-in person yoga class for all ages and abilities that is led by registered yoga instructor Mandy. Bring your own mat, water bottle and mask. Registration required. SA (2/10), 9:30am, Black Mountain Presbyterian, 117 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Magnetic Minds: Depression & Bipolar Support Group Free weekly peer-led meeting for those living with depression, bipolar, and related mental health challenges. Email depressionbipolarasheville@gmail.com or call or text (828) 367-7660 for more info. SA (2/10), 2pm, 1316 Ste C Parkwood Rd Wild Souls Authentic Movement w/Renee Trudeau Enjoy release, movement and connection with like-minded women.

FEB. 7-13, 2024

MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION: The Asheville Mardi Gras Parade returns Sunday, Feb. 11, featuring more than 25 krewes and parade entries. The event starts at 3:05 p.m. at Coxe and Southside avenues in the city’s South Slope. After the parade, all are invited to attend the Queen’s Ball at Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium, starting at 6 p.m. Photo courtesy of Asheville Mardi Gras SU (2/11), 9:30am, Dunn’s Rock Community Center, 461 Connestee Rd, Brevard

breath. TU (2/13), 6pm, The Restoration Hotel Asheville, 68 Patton Ave

Winter Flow w/Jamie Knox This class builds heat in the body and releases excess water, so we can be our strongest and fittest, boosting our immune system and staving off depression. No need to pre-register. Walk-ins welcome. SU (2/11), 10:30am, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd

Community Yoga & Mindfulness Free monthly event with Inspired Change Yoga that will lead you into a morning of breathwork, meditation and yoga. WE (2/14), 11:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Gentle Yoga for Queer & GNC Folks This class is centered towards creating an affirming and inclusive space for queer and gender non-conforming individuals. SU (2/11), 1:30pm, W Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd

Counter/Balance: Gifts of John & Robyn Horn A presentation of important examples of contemporary American craft, including woodworking, metalsmithing, fiber and pottery by renowned American artists. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through July. 29, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Barre Fusion A high energy low impact practice that shapes, sculpts, and tones the body like a dancer. No experience necessary, open to all levels. MO (2/12), 10am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Breath Medicine: Breathwork A full body reset that will leave you feeling lighter, more alive, motivated and energized through the medicine of your

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ART

Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson This exhibition celebrates the legacy of Lambert Wilson, a passionate collector of contemporary Native American art. Gallery open Tuesday through Friday, 10am. Exhibition through June 28, 2024 WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr, Cullowhee

Artwork of Leaflin Lore Winecoff Experience Leaflin's artistic evolution showcased in this exhibition, where diverse works capture the essence of her creative journey spanning the past few years. Gallery open Monday through Friday, 8:30am. Exhibition through March 2. John M. Crawford Jr. Gallery, 360 Asheville School Rd, Vera B. Williams: Stories This retrospective will showcase the complete range of award-winning author and illustrator Vera B. Williams' life and work. It will highlight her time at Black Mountain College, her political activismin addition to her work as an author and illustrator. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through May. 11, 2024. Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St Western North Carolina Glass: Selections from the Collection Western North Carolina is important in the history of American glass art. A variety of techniques and a willingness to push boundaries of the medium can be seen in this selection of works. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday.

Exhibition through April 15, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Valentine's Day Ready Set Throw: Date Night Pottery Class Sip a glass of wine and nibble on chocolates while you explore the sensual aspects of clay. You can dig your hands in the clay, or work on a piece together. FR (2/9), SA (2/10), SU (2/11), WE (2/14), 7pm, Odyssey Clayworks, 236 Clingman Ave Give Love Event: Live Music & The Unmasking Opening Reception A free live music performance from local band, Rooster as well as an opening reception for The Unmasking exhibit that's in collaboration with The River Arts District. SA (2/10), 3pm, Canopy Gallery, 191 Lyman St, Ste 316 American Art in the Atomic Age: 1940–1960 This exhibition features works created during the 1940s–1960s. Much of the art during this time expressed the uncertainty of the era, often relying on automatism and biomorphic forms. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through April 29, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts Exhibition Featured in this exhibit are Arrowmont’s nationally and internationally recognized practicing artists and university workshop instructors. Open daily, 10am. Exhibition through May 1, 2024. Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy

COMMUNITY MUSIC Citizen Swing The fun starts with some cool, old jazz vinyl, and then continues with live sets by Connor Law and Adam Rose. WE (2/7), 6pm, Citizen Vinyl, 14 O Henry Ave Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: The Music of Linda Ronstadt Bill Kopp, author and music journalist is joined by local Chanteuse Peggy Ratusz to discuss the music of Linda Ronstadt. WE (2/7), 7pm, Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr Rakish Explores tunes and songs from Irish and American folk traditions in a way that reflects their shared interest in and love for chamber and improvised music. TH (2/8), 7:30pm,

White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Piano & Trumpet Recital: Classical Selections Classical Selections featuring Kevin Bryant on piano and Bill Ross on trumpet. Presented by the Weaverville Music Study Club with an offering to benefit the North Buncombe Music Scholarship. FR (2/9), 7pm, First Baptist Church of Weaverville, 63 N Main St, Weaverville End of Days House Show Enjoy hearing a collection of original songs from Derek and Flamy, plus your requests in an intimate house show setting. FR (2/9), 8pm, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave Raj & Friends: Jazz does Rock A Ted talk style event about Jazz does Rock music. This event will also be streaming live on retro fit radio. SA (2/10), 6pm, Earth River Records, 101 Stone Ridge Blvd Boiler Maker Jazz Band One of the best East Coast big bands from Pittsburgh performing at the Land of the Sky Swing Soiré dance weekend.

SA (2/10), 8pm, Attic Salt Theatre, The Mills at Riverside, 2002 Riverside Dr, Ste 42-O Robin Bullock's CD Release Robin Bullock effortlessly creates a magical world with his multi-instrumental wizardry, taking listeners on an unforgettable journey into the deep heart’s core. See p56-57 SA (2/10), 8pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Amici: Deep River This concert highlights the important influence of African-American Spirituals in classical chamber music. SU (2/11), 2pm, White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Mark's House Jam & Beggar's Banquet Potluck Bring an open heart and potluck dish to share with an amazing community of local musicians from around the globe. SU (2/11), 3pm, Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr To Victims of War: Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra Winter Concert A candlelight meditation on war and peace, featuring reflective masterworks by Shostakovich and Vaughan-Williams, and the world premiere of Frederic Glesser’s, An Illusion of Presence. SU (2/11), 3pm, Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville ACMS Presents: Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Wind A musical masterpiece performed by guest pianist Caroline Palmer and part of the world's premier chamber orchestras, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. SU (2/11), 4pm, Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St

the reading, guests will have the opportunity to meet the author and have their copies of her works signed. SA (2/10), 4pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Poetry Slam Night Test out your poetry skills or come to just listen and vibe. Come be a part of Poetry Slam Night every second Sunday of the month. SU (2/11), 6:30pm, Canopy Gallery in Art Garden, 191 Lyman St, Ste 316 Oren Jay Sofer: Our Heart Was Made For This Oren will teach on the topic of his new book: Your Heart Was Made For This. MO (2/12), 7pm, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain The Language of God: Book Study The Language of God by Francis Collins provides a testament to the power of faith in the midst of suffering without faltering from its logical stride. TU (2/13), 10am, Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W., Hendersonville Dixon, Descending: Karen Outen w/ Elizabeth Kostova A powerful, heart-wrenching debut novel about ambition, survival, and our responsibility toward one another. Free but registration is required. TU (2/13), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St Asheville Storyslam: Love Hurts Prepare a five-minute tale about a love that made you go ouch. Bring stories of your heart, kicked to the curb by the people or places or things you love or used to love. TH (2/15), 7:30pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

LITERARY

THEATER & FILM

Stepping on the Blender w/Katherine Snow Smith Katherine Snow Smith writes with vulnerability and humor about forging an unexpected path, parenting, dating, reporting, aging, loss and launching the next act in a full life. WE (2/7), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St

Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help A hilarious, memory play following 19 year old Linda O'Shea and her family as they attempt to evade the nosy parish priest. WE (2/7,14), TH (2/8,15), SA (2/10), 7:30pm, FR (2/9), SU (2/11), 2pm, North Carolina Stage Co., 15 Stage Ln

Filing in the Blanks: Poetry Reading & Book Signing w/Glenis Redmond Immerse yourself in the lyrical world of poetry as Glenis Redmond captivates audiences with her powerful words and dynamic presence. Following

LaDonna Smith & Susan Hefner w/John English & Kris Gruda Susan and LaDonna will come together for one of a kind collaborative performance. TH (2/8), 7pm, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

The Campfireball: Love Bugs Created spontaneously out of whatever stories and lives happen to be gathered together inside Story Parlor at that moment in time. TH (2/8), 7:30pm, Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd Flyin’ West Set in the 1890s, Flyin’ West is a compelling, crowd-pleasing drama told through the eyes of four African-American women. This production is rated PG-13. FR (2/9), SA (2/10), 7:30pm, SU (2/11, 2:30 pm, Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E Walnut St This Dog Don't Hunt: A Staged Reading Is the story of growing up in a small town and being told that you "aren't quite right, but realizing that someone else's life is not always better. FR (2/9), SA (2/10), 7:30pm, 35below, 35 E Walnut St Rouge: Cirque & Dance Cabaret Featuring daring aerial acts, thrilling acrobatics and poetic dance that cannot be missed. The Madame of Ceremonies is your guide for a mesmerizing good time that holds audiences spellbound. FR (2/9), 8pm, Wortham Center For The Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave The Vagina Monologues A poignant and hilarious tour of the last frontier, the ultimate forbidden zone, The Vagina Monologues is a celebration of the feminine experience in all its complexity and mystery. FR (2/9), SA (2/10), 3pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville An Act of God Written by 13-time Emmy award winner David Javerbaum, known for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, this laugha-minute play explores the human experience through the lens of a higher power. FR (2/9), SA (2/10), SU (2/11), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville Drum Tao (夢幻響) Experience the thrilling rhythms of Japan, the electrifying energy of passionate, percussive performance and the otherworldly theatrical flair of these professional taiko drummers. TU (2/13), 7pm, Wortham Center For The Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave Drum Tao (夢幻響): Student Series The Student Series is open to school

groups, homeschoolers, community groups and families. WE (2/14), 10am, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave Blind Date Live Asheville's only live dating show that provides a fun and effective alternative to app-life. This Valentine's day edition will feature a post-show dance party with DJ Lil Meow Meow WE (2/14), 8pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS Aerial Silks Foundations Learn how to properly ascend, descend, and create stunning shapes on the silks while emphasizing safety and proper form. Participants of all ages and all abilities are welcome. WE (2/7, 14), 4pm and 5:30pm, Amethyst Realm, 244 Short Coxe Ave Eightfold Path Study Group A group will gather to study the Eightfold Path Program. Kris Kramer will host the group as a fellow participant and student. WE (2/7, 14), 3pm, Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N Dougherty St, Black Mountain

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Peace Education Program An innovative series of video-based workshops that help people discover their own inner strength and personal peace. WE (2/7, 14), 5pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Crafting w/Cricut Make a new craft each month using your Cricut. For more information, call (828) 350-2058 or email kkennedy@ashevillenc. gov. WE (2/7), 6pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave DIY Valentine's Day Cards In this hands-on session, we will show you how to use your Cricut to make personalized cards. For more information, call (828) 350-2058 or email kkennedy@ashevillenc. gov WE (2/7), 6pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Drop-in Community Notary Service Stop by Firestorm on the first Wednesday of each month for free, friendly, no-judgment Notary Public services. WE (2/7), 6pm, Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd

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COM M U N I TY CA LEN DA R Healthcare Workers Professional & Social Networking MeetUp Mix and mingle with other people who are new to or veterans in healthcare. This event encourages people to swap stories, share experiences, net work and make new friends in the industry. WE (2/7), 6pm, plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St

Notworking AVL A social scene welcoming all types of healers such as therapists, counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, intuitive healers, reiki practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and others who support healing. TH (2/8), 6pm, The Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St

WNC Sierra Club: What You Are Doing Right About Recycling? Learn why much of the material that should be recycled ends up in the landfill. Find out what you can do to help change that. WE (2/7), 7pm, OLLI/ Reuter Center, UNCA, 300 Campus View Rd

The Remembrance Project: Remembering & Honoring Individuals of Record Lynched in Buncombe County Dr. Joseph Fox will share information on the Equal Justice Initiative’s Lynching Research Project, in which the number of racial terror lynchings increased throughout the South after the Civil War. TH (2/8), 6pm,, Christmount Christian Assembly, 222 Fern Way, Black Mountain

Kids & Teens Kung Fu Learn fighting skills as well as conflict resolution and mindfulness. First class is free to see if it’s a good fit for you. TH (2/8, 15), MO (2/12), TU (2/13), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

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FEB. 7-13, 2024

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Sales & Service for Introverted Business Owners Explore how not being a salesperson can be your strongest asset in actually making sales. Learn methods and mindset to leverage your strengths as an introvert to grow your business. Preregistration is required at avl.mx/db5. TH (2/8), 10:30am, Online Southside Walking Club Gather with others and walk inside Grant Southside Center's gym or outside if it's a nice morning. TH (2/8), 10:30am, Dr Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St MBBC Networking Event w/Focus on Leadership A monthly networking meeting with a special guest speaker. The meeting will focus on why leadership is key and there will be food, conversation and networking. TH (2/8), 11:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Conserving Carolina: Green Drinks Learn about the latest developments on planning and construction of the Ecusta Trail, as well as potential trail enhancements and connections that could occur in the future. TH (2/8), 6pm, Trailside Brewing Co, 873 Lennox Park Dr, Hendersonville Mosaic Jewelry Making 101 All supplies and tools will be provided for you as well as detailed instruction and a demonstration. TH (2/8), 6pm, Foundation Studios, 27 Foundy St

Dharma Talk: Paul Linn Meditation followed by a Dharma talk on Buddhist principles applied to daily life with Paul Linn. Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome. TH (2/8), 6:30pm, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Nerd Nite February A monthly event held in 100+ cities around the world featuring fun-yet-informative presentations across a variety of subjects. TH (2/8), 7pm, The River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery Ste Parents of Anxious Kids A parent's workshop for parents and caregivers of anxious kids with a private practice psychotherapist that holds 20 years of experience. FR (2/9), 9:30am, Sharon Hyman LCSW, 38 Hibriten Dr Bingo on Grove Street A fun and friendly game of bingo in the community. FR (2/9), 10:30am, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St Senior Road Trippers Participants purchase their own meals and souvenirs. Transportation provided. Advance registration required as space is limited. FR (2/9), 10:30am, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd History Bites A unique winter lecture series that delves into local history and culture. This month features scholar Julie Thomson who will present "A History of Black Mountain College". FR (2/9), 11am, Historic Johnson Farm, 3346 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville

Brown Bag Lunches Jacob Betzen will discuss new and emerging pests and diseases threatening our forest in North Carolina. FR (2/9), noon, Bent Creek Experimental Forest Training Center, 1577 Brevard Rd

Bid Whist Make bids, call trumps, and win tricks. Every Saturday for fun competition with the community. SA (2/10), 1pm, Dr Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St

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. Our featured host is Change Your Palate's very own Shaniqua Simuel. FR (2/9), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

How to Join the Guild: Application Workshop The Guild application workshop takes you step-by-step through the process. After the workshops, participants have the option of requesting someone to assist with and review their Guild application. SA (2/10), 1pm, Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy

Skate Jam Clinics Bring your own skates or rent a pair as instructors spread the love of roller skating to beginners. FR (2/9), 5pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd Twists & Tangles: Father-Daughter Hair Workshop A heartwarming and educational event designed to strengthen the bond between fathers and daughters while teaching essential hair care and styling skills. FR (2/9), 5pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Hearts & Arts: Couple’s Valentines Painting Partners paint their own canvas, then combine it with their partner’s to create one painting. FR (2/9), 6pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave Southside Family Game Night Classic and contemporary board and card games provided, but feel free to bring your own. FR (2/9), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St Galentine's Candle Making & Lipgloss Bar Create personalized, custom colored lip glosses, while you let the cozy glow of candlelight guide you through the art of crafting your own custom scented candle. FR (2/9), 7pm, Hummingbird Candle Co., 82 N Lexington Ave Scentual Alchemy: Craft Your Signature Venus Perfume Explore your Venusian love language through aroma, and create a scent that resonates with your individual essence. SA (2/10), 11am, Albemarle Office Building, 247 Charlotte St

Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club Weekly scrabble play. All scrabble gear provided. SU (2/11), 1:30pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Filing in the Blanks: Writing Workshop Unleash your creativity in an engaging writing workshop led by Glenis Redmond. Through interactive exercises and insightful guidance, participants will explore the art of poetry and cultivate their unique voices. SU (2/11), 2pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Parent & Child Workshop A workshop to gain shared language and understanding about youth drug and alcohol use, skills for having open dialogue regarding substances, and agreements on how to maintain mutual trust through middle and high school. SU (2/11), 2pm, St. James Episcopal Church, 424 W State St, Black Mountain Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt: Walking Scavenger Hunt Use your treasure map to follow clues, solve puzzles, and crack codes on this unique Valentine's scavenger hunt through Downtown Asheville. The hunt typically takes about 60 minutes to complete. SU (2/11), 3pm, Dssolvr, 63 N Lexington Ave Line Dancing Lessons Free line dancing lessons with Jerri and the AVL Country Western Dancers. See p53 SU (2/11), 4pm, Shakey's, 38 N French Broad Ave Treks Hiking Club for Adults 50 & Over A low-impact hiking club offering leisurely-paced hikes for active adults. No hiking experience is required, but the hike covers over three miles on uneven terrain. MO (2/12), 9:30am, Asheville Recreation Park, 65 Gashes Creek Rd

Writing Your Legacy A seven-week class offered by Aging Gracefully based on the book, Writing Your Legacy: The Step-byStep Guide to Crafting Your Life Story. MO (2/12), 10am, Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville Stitches of Love Meeting A small group of stitchers who create a variety of handmade items which are donated to local charities. New members are always welcome to join. MO (2/12), 3pm, Panera Bread, 1843 Hendersonville Rd Financial Starters Get a better understanding on how money, credit, and banks work and why they are essential in securing your financial future. MO (2/12), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St Therapeutic Recreation Adult Crafting & Cooking These cooking classes teach fundamental skills to kids ages 7-10 alongside an adult from their family or community while focusing on fun, collaboration, and learning. All ingredients are provided. TU (2/13), 10am, Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd Toddler Discovery Time Crafts, games, and playtime for youngsters. Advance registration at avlrec. com is required. TU (2/13), 10am, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Financial Projection Basics Understanding financial data will help a business owner predict future revenue and expenses of a project. This is a free event, but preregistration at avl.mx/dca is required. TU (2/13), noon, Online Free Six-Week Pottery Class Learn the basics of pottery in this six-week course. Start when it's convenient for you and continue for the next six weeks. Space limited, advance registration required. TU (2/13), 2pm, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St Tap into ASL w/Hope This inclusive gathering welcomes both deaf and hearing individuals to come together for a unique experience of learning American Sign Language (ASL), socializing, and enjoying games. TU (2/13), 6:30pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200

Butterfly & Flower Shadowbox Workshop w/Fran Ritchie Participants will learn how to spread their own butterflies and create 5x7" shadowbox scenes using dried plants and flowers, as well as a few other inspiring materials. WE (2/14), 5pm, Canopy Gallery in Art Garden, 191 Lyman St, Ste 316 Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt: Walking Scavenger Hunt Use your treasure map to follow clues, solve puzzles, and crack codes on this unique Valentine's scavenger hunt through Downtown Asheville. The hunt typically takes about 60 minutes to complete. WE (2/14), 6pm, Dssolvr, 63 N Lexington Ave World of Games Grab a controller and beat your opponent on Xbox or PS5 playing games like Fortnite, Warzone, Madden NFL, and 2K basketball. Board and card games available for those not e-gaming. WE (2/14), 6:30pm, Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Bingo-nasium Bring your friends for a night of bingo in the gym. TH (2/15), 2pm, Asheville Parks and Recreation, 70 Court Plaza Third Thursday: Open Studio Social Third Thursdays are opportunities for artists to network, share ideas, and create together with extended gallery hours. TH (2/15), 5pm, Foundation Studios, 27 Foundy St The Foxy Chef: A Night of Vegan Cooking Two local chefs create a night of delicious vegan cooking. This class is open for anyone and everyone. TH (2/15), 5:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave Dharma & Discuss Meditation instructions will be given during the sitting which will followed by a recorded video talk. For those who wish to share, the last 15 minutes or so are open to comment or questions. TH (2/15), 6:30pm, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Pinewood Derby Racing Go through a start-tofinish process shaping and designing, adding weights, and racing pinewood cars with a focus on creativity, friendly competition, and positive sportsmanship.

TH (2/15), 6:30pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave Craft & Connect Get crafty and acquire new skills while connecting with peers in your community. Registration is required. TH (2/15), 7pm, Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd

LOCAL MARKETS RAD Farmers Market Winter Season Browse 30+ local vendors all winter long with fresh produce, pastured meats, baked goods, honey, and more. Safely accessible by bike or foot on the greenway, plus free public parking along Riverside Drive. WE (2/7, 14), 3pm, Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Dr Valentine Gift Market Enjoy live music, local food, artisan goods, and gifts for him and her. SA (2/10), 11am,White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Pop-up Market This pop up market will feature bread, pastries, pies, flour and grits, cornmeal, coffee, honey textiles and more. SU (2/11), 11am, Carolina Ground, 1237 Shipp St, Hendersonville

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS Love, Marquee An evening of entertainment, sweet treats, interactive art, surprises through the night, and a dance party by a live DJ. See p64 TH (2/8), 6pm, Marquee Asheville, 36 Foundy St Land of the Sky Swing Soirée This is a Balboa centered event with 4 Balboa workshops, 4 social dances, 4 amazing live bands, 3 competitions and a ton of fun. For more information and class registration visit avl.mx/dbq. TH (2/8), FR (2/9), 7pm, SA (2/10), noon and 8pm, SU (2/11), 1pm, Alley Cat, 797 Haywood Rd Valentine’s Chocolate & Wine Pairing This event provides an unforgettable blend of flavors, perfect for a romantic prelude to Valentine's Day. SA (2/10), 10am, Atelier Maison & Co., 121 Sweeten Creek Rd Goldenrod Collective's Grand Opening & Open House Art Garden AVL welcomes The Goldenrod Collective, a botanically inspired artist and teaching studio, to the canopy with an open house that will

display works by their creatives. SA (2/10), 11am, Canopy Gallery in Art Garden, 191 Lyman St, Ste 316 4th Annual Great Buzz Gathering Brief presentations about inspiring local pollinator conservation initiatives. Visit with speakers afterwards for more information. SA (2/10), noon, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave Block Party for Medicaid Beneficiaries This event will bring together beneficiaries, healthcare providers and community organizations to offer education on Medicaid Expansion. This family-friendly event will also feature sweet treats, giveaways, inflatables, arts and crafts, and a DJ too. SA (2/10), noon, Asheville Mall, 3 S Tunnel Rd Lunar New Year Celebration Step into a world of cultural richness and a fusion of flavors through food, music and even a Lion Dance performance. SA (2/10), noon, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200 Second Saturday Workshop & Concert You'll leave with a sweet heartfelt message in a handmade art piece to help you share your love. Afterwards enjoy an intimate concert with Amy Steinberg. SA (2/10), noon, Foundation Studios, 27 Foundy St Black History: Storytelling & Reflecting Acknowledging African American history by honoring those who lead the way through storytelling and reflecting with one another. See p64 SA (2/10), 1pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd Valentine Greenway Challenge This race combines the fun and creative spirit of the annual Valentine 5K with the dynamic course and wonderful cause of the Greenway Challenge. SA (2/10), 2pm, Black Mountain Recreation and Parks, 304 Black Mountain Ave, Black Mountain Beneath the Veil: A Mardi Gras Masquerade Carnival season comes to Eulogy with their first annual Masquerade Ball to celebrate Mardi Gras. There will be music by Phantom Pantone, NoLa inspired cocktails and masquerade attire is encouraged. See p62 SA (2/10), 6pm, Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave

Bike Love AoB’s annual gala designed to stir the passions of WNC’s cycling community through music, dance, and merriment. This year’s headliner is DJ Lil Meow Meow. SA (2/10), 7pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200 Valentines Family Dance Bring someone special and your best dance moves to the Burton Street Valentine’s Family Dance for music, refreshments, and memories. SA (2/10), 7pm, Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St Galentines Day w/Bal & DJ Barbie Celebrating the femmes we love and worship the ground they walk on with music from DJ Weird Barbie. There will also be chair massages, fairy hair, free tarot readings and more. SA (2/10), 9pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave Land of Sky Swing Soiree Last day of the Land of Sky Swing Soiree that features a potluck brunch and dancing. Hot Club of Asheville will be playing amazing gypsy jazz. SU (2/11), 1pm, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd Mardi Gras 2024 Parade Party Bring your party to this party and grab a front row seat to watch the parade. Beads will be tossed and enjoy drink specials while viewing the parade. SU (2/11), 1pm, Urban Orchard Cider Co. South Slope, 24 Buxton Ave Asheville Mardi Gras & Queens Ball More than 25 krewes and parade entries are registered. Following the parade, all are invited to attend the Queen’s Ball at Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium.

The event is free and open to the public to enjoy food, drinks and live music from J Lloyd Mashup Band and DJ JutRut. SU (2/11), 3:05pm, Mardi Gras Route, South Slope A Valentine Concert The free program features songs that chart the lifecycle of a romantic relationship, from those first smitten moments through loss and finally reconciliation. SU (2/11), 4pm, Parish Hall of St John in the Wilderness, 1905 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock Super Bowl Tailgate Bring your grills, smokers, family, and friends to tailgate outside on the ballfield and watch the big game live on the jumbo screen. SU (2/11), 4pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd Superbowl Sunday For anyone wanting to watch the game and enjoy some drinks. SU (2/11), 5pm, Oklawaha Brewing Co., 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville Souper Bowl Party & Trivia Night View the Super Bowl, play trivia at half time, and eat delicious appetizers. All are welcome but bring canned goods for the community food pantry. SU (2/11), 6pm, First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Marshall Gras Parade This kid-friendly event encourages costumes, instruments and all of your Mardi Gras excitement. The parade will start at The Main Street Cafe and head down BackStreet and back to Main Street, ending at the Cafe. TU (2/13), 5pm, Main St. Cafe Courtyard, 18 N Main St, Marshall

Valentine's Burlesque Class: Classic Choreo w/Claire In this two-hour workshop, you will learn some classically glamorous moves and enjoy something swanky to sip on. Come as your sexy selves, no dance experience is needed, but hot stuff energy is encouraged. TU (2/13), 6pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain Fat Tuesday Fiesta w/ Tuxedo Junction AVL’s quintessential cover music band will be playing for Mardis Gras. All of proceeds will benefit The Asheville Breakfast Rotary Club. TU (2/13), 7pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave Ash Wednesday On Ash Wednesday you are marked with ashes that trace a cross on your forehead, where the baptismal water first marked you with God’s grace. WE (2/14), 12:15pm, Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville Valentine’s Day Party Sip & Paint Come dressed to paint and make new friends. WE (2/14), 4pm, Grove St Community Center, 36 Grove St 4th Anniversary Celebration of LEAF Global Arts A special celebration for the 4th anniversary of LEAF Global Arts Center. There will be hors d’oeuvres available from various cultures and music featuring Melissa McKinney, Adama Dembele, Andre Lassalle and more. WE (2/14), 5pm, LEAF Global Arts, 19 Eagle St Valentine's Day Cocktail Making Class There will be 3 cocktails included in the class as well as a complementary appetizer and dessert table. WE (2/14), 5pm, Bears Smokehouse BBQ, 135 Coxe Ave

Stupid Cupid Monster Mash Bring your best friend, partner, dog to a day of raffles, local art, good times, music and more. WE (2/14), 8pm, The Odd, 1045 Haywood Rd Fake As Hell: Annual Mass Valentine's Wedding Fake marry whoever or whatever you want and enjoy a reception with Valentines refreshments and dancing. WE (2/14), 9pm, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd Honoring Black History Month & Celebrating African Culture w/ Zondo This event is curated by visionary Zondo and aims to take listeners on a sensory voyage through rhythm and time with music that echoes the struggles and the triumphs of African people. TH (2/15), 7pm, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING Warming Shelter & Sanctuary In addition to a warm, welcoming space to share a meal with neighbors, Saturday Sanctuary offers restrooms, phone charging, videos, popcorn and a safe place to rest. SA (2/10), 11am, First Presbyterian Church Asheville, 40 Church St Valenween An annual Valentine's and Halloween mash up that addresses period poverty in the community. Expect special drinks, food for sale and music by DJ Blind Date. There will also be a donation collection of pads and tampons for BeLoved Asheville. See p64 TH (2/15), 7pm, Citizen Vinyl, 14 O Henry Ave

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WELLNESS

Body liberation

Personal trainers and gym members rethink approaches to physical health

BY BRIONNA DALLARA dallarabm@gmail.com

Series

Embarking on a journey toward a healthier lifestyle can be a daunting task for some, especially in a world overwhelmed with ever-changing diet fads and gym regimes. The fitness landscape is often clouded with trends that promote quick fixes and unrealistic expectations. For many locals, such approaches do not work, and they are using their voices to emphasize and redefine what it means to be healthy — going beyond physical appearance and focusing on nurturing the mind, body and soul to create a holistic approach to wellness and well-being. DIETS DON’T ALWAYS WORK For years, Naomi Katz has been researching the psychology behind dieting and how to shift mindsets about what the ideal body is and what it means to be healthy. Now, along with being a personal trainer, she is an intuitive eating, body image and self-trust coach, offering her services through her business Happy Shapes, which she established in 2016. “It’s only a little bit about food and exercise,” Katz says. “Honestly, it’s primarily about how we incorporate autonomy and reclaim autonomy from diet culture.” She says that a lot of her clients understand that diets don’t always work and larger bodies are not inherently unhealthy or bad. The challenge is internalizing this knowledge. “The work that we do together, it’s kind of like bridging that gap,” she says. “And one of the biggest ways to do that is to help people look at their own lived experiences,” Katz says. Within her own life, Katz has confronted personal struggles maintaining a positive self-image. In her 20s, she suffered from an eating disorder. Later, she reverted to chronic dieting and exercising. “Over the years, I started to let go of the idea of weight necessarily as

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EATS & DRINKS GUIDE 44

FEB. 7-13, 2024

DIFFERENT APPROACH: A former collegiate athlete, Betsy Archer says she spent much of her youth struggling to find her place within the fitness world due to her size. In 2022, she launched All Bodies Movement and Wellness, a gym that takes a different approach to exercise. Photo courtesy of All Bodies Movement and Wellness a marker of health. But I still very much thought that diet and exercise were the keys to health,” Katz says. It wasn’t until she learned about intuitive eating that her perspective began to shift. OBSTACLES AND STIGMAS The concept of intuitive eating was coined by registered dietitian Evelyn Tribole and nutrition therapist Elyse Resch in their 1995 book Intuitive

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Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works. “What’s so different about intuitive eating versus a diet is that there is no end point. Intuitive eating is a practice that you continue to learn about for the rest of your life,” Katz explains. According to Katz, Tribole and Resch kept seeing patterns with clients who committed to a strict diet but struggled to lose weight. Ultimately, the co-authors concluded that diets did more harm than good. Along with being ineffective, they triggered negative emotions such as shame and guilt. “If you’ve been dieting your entire life, what does that mean?” Katz posits. “You don’t even really know how to eat on your own anymore. You don’t know how to trust your body’s cues.”

Katz and her clients work together to better understand concepts such as body liberation and intuitive eating. They then apply these lessons to their personal lives. “This work kind of has to happen on multiple levels. We want to do the work ourselves personally, and we also have to recognize where the work actually needs to be done outside of ourselves on a systemic level,” Katz says. Although there are societal obstacles and stigmas outside an individual’s control — like stores not carrying inclusively sized clothing or seats that don’t accommodate all body types — Katz says there are ways to navigate these issues without internalizing the anger. “Instead of turning it inward on ourselves and trying to fix our bodies, we turn it outward at the system and find ways to advocate and make changes outside of ourselves,” Katz says. “Self-advocacy and community advocacy and stuff like that is actually a really big part of this work for some people. Because it allows you to stop feeling like you’re the problem.” One way Katz achieves this is through her podcast, “Satisfaction Factor.” Her co-host, Sadie Simpson, is a personal trainer and manager at All Bodies Movement and Wellness, a local gym that seeks to reimagine what working out looks and feels like. HEALING THE BODY Unlike most gyms, All Bodies Movement and Wellness does not have mirrors lining its walls. In fact, there are no mirrors in the space, and filming is prohibited. Instead, staff members are on standby to correct forms and give clients individualized attention. The business’s owner, Betsy Archer, launched the gym in 2022 after years of grappling with her own self-doubts about her physical appearance. Archer, a former collegiate athlete, says there was a part of her that often struggled with health fads. “I always felt like I didn’t fit in because I have a bigger body and live in a bigger body. ... I spent a lot of years wrecking my body, taking supplements, training too hard — doing all of these

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WEL L NESS things in order to try to attain what I thought was this ideal.” Archer says it wasn’t until her 30s that she met a trainer who lived in a bigger body as well. This transformed the way she saw herself. It also had her reimagine what fitness culture could be. Today, she tries to get her clients to break similar barriers in a judgment-free space, prompting them to focus on how they feel internally as opposed to focusing on their external appearances. “We teach people to feel the movement in their body. We’re saying, ‘This is how your pelvis should be tilted, this is how it should feel,’ so that people are really able to recognize that their body is going to move differently than other people’s. And that however they move is OK,” Archer says. “They don’t have to be looking in a mirror or watching somebody else who’s lifting something heavier than them and try to emulate that.” All Bodies gym has equipment and classes accessible to everyone, whether it be a personalized class to improve mobility, strength and flexibility for ages 60-plus or a strength-training class specifically designed to help build functional capacity for people with joint hypermobility syndrome. New gym members undergo an intake process to identify their personal goals, experiences, motivations and overall relationship with move-

FEEDING THE SOUL

TRUST YOUR GUT: For years, Naomi Katz struggled with maintaining a positive self-image. It wasn’t until she learned about intuitive eating that her perspective began to shift. Photo courtesy of Katz ment. Archer says they then work with clients to set measurable goals. These vary according to the person. For example, some are seeking to feel less winded after taking their dog for a walk; others want to be able to play with their kids throughout the week.

“I think not talking to people about their body size is really important. It doesn’t matter if you live in a small body or if you live in a big body. It’s about helping people really focus on how they feel and what they can do versus what they look like,” Archer says.

TAKE A HIKE: In November 2022, Allie Bourdy, featured here in the white T-shirt, launched the local chapter of Body Liberation Outdoor Club, an inclusive hiking group. Photo courtesy of Bourdy 46

FEB. 7-13, 2024

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Allie Bourdy is a member of All Bodies gym and the local chapter leader of Body Liberation Outdoor Club, an inclusive hiking group “We’re similar to All Bodies — we don’t talk about diet, we don’t talk about weight loss,” Bourdy says. The Asheville group is just one of several chapters across North America, all serving the club’s mission to create safe zones in the outdoors for folks living in big and marginalized body sizes. “We’re there to support each other, lift each other up and be in nature,” Bourdy says. “It’s a really great group of different genders, all different body sizes, different fitness levels.” The club launched in November 2022. Before establishing the chapter, Bourdy says she had a negative relationship with outdoor fitness activities. “My husband’s a huge hiker. But I could never keep up with him,” Bourdy says. “I wanted to be able to go out and enjoy it but I couldn’t go at the same pace as he did. And I got embarrassed, so I would just not go hiking with him.” Having a hiking group with people on her level creates an enjoyable experience, she says. The focus is more on being outside rather than undertaking a strenuous activity. And to ensure no one is left behind, the slowest person leads each hike. “We’re here to be outside in nature and just enjoy each other’s company,” Bourdy says. Before an outing, group members go around and state their intention, whether it’s to walk slowly and relieve chronic pain or to simply meet people. “You actually get time to get to know the other people and create a sense of community,” Bourdy says. Bourdy adds that being outdoors is good for the soul and lends itself to more vulnerable conversations. “I think I just always used to think that nobody knew what I was going through. I always felt like living in a larger body, that I was very isolated, and nobody understood how to live like that. Even just small things like finding restaurants in Asheville that have comfortable seating,” Bourdy says. “It’s just not feeling alone in the world because there’s other people that have had the same experiences.” The group meets once a month. The hikes are 4 miles or less with a maximum 30% incline. “The people that I’ve met from the hiking group have become like family to me and to each other,” Bourdy says. “The world is a weird place and to be able to lean on each other just for an hour hike once a month is something special.” X

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WELLNESS

On the move

Mobile medical units treat patients where they are

BY JESSICA WAKEMAN jwakeman@mountainx.com Licensed clinical social worker Elizabeth Endres recalls a particular patient who declined resources for addressing substance misuse many times. But as the mental health provider for Appalachian Mountain Health’s mobile medical unit, Endres was frequently in the patient’s residential community, providing counseling and support to other individuals. So she was often able to reconnect with that same patient and repeat her offer for services. Then one day recently, Endres says, “she came straight up to me, and she said, ‘I’ve had enough, I want to go to detox. Talk to me about my options.’” That is exactly how a mobile medical unit is supposed to work: meeting people where they are — both figuratively and literally — so that medical care is accessible when they need it. There are many reasons people cannot or do not access medical care. Some, like Endres’ patient, aren’t ready to address a health issue. For others, visiting a health care provider presents insurmountable barriers. Getting to an appointment often requires a vehicle, a ride to the medical office or an internet connection, quiet and privacy. Filling out health insurance paperwork can take more time than many people have — as long as or longer than the appointment itself. And for an individual living on a low income, the fees for visits and lab tests can be out of reach. For some, simply entering a medical building may feel impossible for various reasons. Sue Hanlon, nurse supervisor at Buncombe County’s Public Health Mobile Team, notes that sometimes the presence of law enforcement officers in the county’s Department of Human Services building is a barrier, for example. The result is that many people go untreated. Their primary interaction with a health care provider might only come in a crisis, such as a visit to the emergency room.

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THE NURSE IS IN: Health problems related to chronic issues like diabetes are common among Appalachian Mountain Health’s mobile medical unit patients, says family nurse practitioner Summer Hettinger. She often treats wounds, which sometimes come from substance use. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Endres The expansion of mobile health units throughout Buncombe County is bringing health care where it is needed most — right to them, with minimal barriers. “We’re not there to judge,” Endres says. “People come up to us high — it doesn’t matter, I’m gonna [see them]. We’re not going to tell them ‘no.’ … We just want people to get healthier. There should be nothing interfering with that.”

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‘WOW, THIS IS FOR FREE?’ Appalachian Mountain Health (formerly known as Appalachian Mountain Community Health Centers) debuted its mobile medical unit within the past year. The mobile medical unit has a van carrying wound care supplies, onetime doses of antibiotics, a blood pressure monitor, supplies for urine tests, and hygiene products like detergent, shampoo and menstrual products. Sometimes the team hands out blankets. The van reaches patients who live in underresourced communities, including public housing developments like Pisgah View Apartments; a permanent supportive housing facility, Compass Point Village; and a transitional housing

facility for women and children, Transformation Village. It also visits people who are unhoused. The team includes: Endres, who addresses mental health; community resource advocate Doris Bennett, who assists people with navigating resources, as signing up for Medicaid; and family nurse practitioner Summer Hettinger, who addresses primary care issues. Health problems related to chronic issues like diabetes are common among her patients, Hettinger says. She often treats wounds, which sometimes come from substance use. She can also conduct screenings and provide tests for influenza and COVID-19. Most medical appointments are about 20-30 minutes long, she says, and the behavioral health appointments can run to 45 minutes.

Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services has a mobile medical unit dedicated to public health, rather than primary care. The Public Health Mobile Team is composed of three public health nurses, an emergency management specialist and an administrative assistant. Its van visits community centers like Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, libraries, the YMCA, schools — such as A.C. Reynolds Middle School on community night — and residences like the Villas at Swannanoa Senior Apartments. It also focuses on people who are historically underserved by the health care system: those with low incomes and rural communities. Part of being accessible to the widest swath of community residents is providing services at no cost or low cost, which both the county’s mobile unit and the Appalachian Mountain Health unit do. “No one ever has to pay out of pocket,” says Hanlon of the Public Health Mobile Team’s services. (The county can bill a health insurance provider if a patient has coverage.) “They’re always so impressed,” says Hanlon of the mobile team’s patients. “‘Wow, this is for free? You all can do this?’” WHO THEY SERVE The Public Health Mobile Team reaches a number of different populations. It works side by side with the Buncombe County Emergency Medical Services’ paramedics, visiting patients in the community room at Haywood Street Congregation, a nonprofit that serves unhoused people. It works in partnership with Poder Emma and UNETE N.C, nonprofits serving the local Latino community. And it can also attend specific events if the demographics meet the criteria for clientele it serves, such as LGBTQ+ individuals at

“If someone decided today was the day that they wanted to receive medication for opioid use disorder, we could make that connection right then and there with the community paramedics,” adds Buncombe County Public Health Director Dr. Ellis Matheson. PREVENTIVE CARE SUPPORTS COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY HEALTH: The Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services has a mobile medical unit dedicated to public health. It’s operated, from left, by public health nurses Maggie Bogle and Kerri Sanders; emergency management specialist Jessica Plowucha; public health nurse supervisor Sue Hanlon; and administrative assistant Sarah Smith. Photo courtesy of Hanlon Asheville’s annual Pride celebration. (Its calendar is here: avl.mx/dbo) Other mobile health units bring specialized services to patients in more rural locales. For example, Four Seasons, a nonprofit providing hospice and palliative care in Hendersonville, debuted a mobile unit last summer that enables it to bring palliative care to patients in the westernmost counties of the state. The WNC Community Health Services Mobile Unit, which serves all of WNC, offers medical exams for adults and children, school physicals, sports physicals and immunizations. It also provides dental exams and cleanings for adults and children. (WNCCHS is a federally qualified health center, meaning it provides

services to patients regardless of their ability to pay.) Mobile units offer different services and serve different regions or locations, but often there is overlap and even coordination. Appalachian Mountain Health and the Public Health Mobile Team interact with the Buncombe County community paramedics frequently, as they work with some of the same patients.

The Public Health Mobile Team’s focus is on preventive care — preventing the spread of diseases specifically, explains Matheson. The unit mainly offers immunizations and testing for sexually transmitted infections, including COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, influenza, shingles, tetanus/TDAP and monkeypox, says Hanlon. It can also provide rapid testing for HIV and Hep C and will link people to appropriate care for those viruses. Though its patients are mostly adults, it can provide pediatric vaccinations for COVID-19 and influenza. Harm reduction, which is a public health strategy to decrease the negative impacts associated with substance use, is a focus for the Public Health Mobile Team. It provides Narcan, the overdose reversal medication, and test strips for fentanyl and xylazine (also known as “tranq”), all for free. Matheson notes that when preventive care is not being addressed well — for example, when a virus spreads

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DREAM TEAM: Appalachian Mountain Health’s family nurse practitioner Summer Hettinger, left, medical assistant Carrol Rinaldi-Lemieux, center, and licensed clinical social worker Elizabeth Endres, right, are known by their bright green van that parks at locations in the community. Photo by Jessica Wakeman or a substance causes overdoses — a community becomes more invested in public health as a whole. The rest of the time, when prevention is working, its impact is less seen. “Public health really is invisible,” she says. “But it’s also important for people to know why what we do is so important.” TRUST Both mobile units that spoke with Xpress say the most important thing they do is develop trust. And they do that in part by simply being there, again and again. Someone might not visit a van parked on the street the first time they walk by, Hanlon explains. “But we slowly are building trust, because we show up,” she says. “And we show up with kindness and care.” The key is not pushing anything — services, advice, information — on anyone and “developing this comfort level and knowing I’m not out to get them,” Endres says. A lot of her work to initially gain trust involves just chatting with people. “We talk about their dogs,” she says with a smile. “We give out dog treats now.” Word-of-mouth is the best advertising, the team at Appalachian Mountain Health has found. “In Pisgah View Apartments, there were several faces that I already knew from living in the community and working at Dale Fell [an Appalachian Mountain Health clinic in Asheville],” explains Hettinger. Once they learned she would be in

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the mobile medical unit regularly, “they were like, ‘Oh, I’m going to tell so-and-so!’” Each community has “these unofficial community advocates” who inform their friends and neighbors about the resources, Endres explains. “Those people are huge” because they signal trust and approval. And they communicate to Appalachian Mountain Health’s team what their community actually needs, which is crucial. Accessing services on a mobile medical unit can be an on-ramp, if needed, for accessing the higher level of services available in a brick-andmortar clinic, Hettinger explains. BIG DREAMS The biggest challenge of operating out of vans is, not surprisingly, the lack of space. Appalachian Mountain Health operates out of a van that is about the size of an ambulance. It has a small lab inside it, as well as an exam bed and an EKG machine. Hettinger can meet with patients in the van itself, and she relies on community center partners to give them access to their bathrooms. She appreciates how Compass Point Village and Transformation Village allow her to use indoor spaces at their locations. The unit also has a smaller vehicle, where Endres can bring patients to sit inside with her on colder days. The Public Health Mobile Unit sets up an area to see patients in a nearby

tent or inside the community building or school where it is stationed. Its supplies — COVID-19 tests, boxes of Narcan, syringes, alcohol swabs, Band-Aids, rapid testing kits — are stored inside the van. “It’s not big enough, and we can’t do everything we want to do,” laments Hanlon. But “we make it work.” BCDHHS is awaiting the arrival — hopefully in March, Matheson says — of a new RV for the mobile unit that will have enough space to offer a private interview and exam room. She and Hanlon express excitement about having expanded space. “I’m having a ribbon-cutting and inviting the whole world,” Matheson jokes. Hanlon also says the team is currently being trained on how to initiate contraception for patients, which it’s hoping to offer later this year. And her “pie in the sky” dream, she says, would be for mobile units to provide all services available from BCDHHS, like signing up for Medicare, Medicaid or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Expansion of the county’s mobile health team could come. “The process that we’re in right now is establishing trust within the community, which is going to allow us to really understand what are those true needs in the different communities — because of course, each community is different,” explains Matheson. “Then once we can understand those needs, we can identify where we want to grow and expand.” X

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HEALTH ROUNDUP by Jessica Wakeman | jwakeman@mountainx.com

Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court debuts podcast The Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court debuted “Voices of Recovery,” a podcast hosted by program director, licensed clinical social worker and Marine Corps veteran Kevin Rumley. The podcast addresses mental health treatment and recovery from substance misuse as alternatives to incarceration. The Veterans Treatment Court, a voluntary program for U.S. veterans who are facing certain charges and experiencing addiction or mental health issues, is a program within the Buncombe County Courthouse. “Voices of Recovery” is available for free on Apple, iHeart, Spotify and other podcast streaming services.

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Sponsors needed for kids summer meals The N.C. Department of Public Instruction is seeking community organizations and schools to sponsor the 2024 N.C. Summer Nutrition Program. When school is out of session, the program provides free meals to children ages 18 and younger who may not have access to food at home. The greatest needs are in rural areas, Indian Tribal Territories and areas with a concentration of rural farm workers. Public or private nonprofit schools, camps, universities and organizations, as well as units of local, municipal, county, tribal or state government may be sponsors. Sponsors must attend a state agency training, hire, train and supervise staff, and arrange for meals to be prepared or delivered, among other responsibilities. For more information, visit avl.mx/dbf.

JCC hosts girls swim camp The Jewish Community Center of Asheville, 236 Charlotte St., is hosting several swim camp events for girls in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. A free introductory swim camp about basic skills and water safety for females ages 5-18 who do not have the ability to swim will be offered Friday, Feb. 9, 5-6 p.m. The class will be led by Asheville JCC swim instructors and members of the UNC Asheville women’s swim and dive team. 52

FEB. 7-13, 2024

TOUGH TALK: The Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court debuted a podcast, “Voices of Recovery,” about the unique issues facing veterans in recovery. Army veterans Michael White, left, and Travis Raxter, right, recorded an episode with VTC director, podcast host and Marine Corps veteran Kevin Rumley, center. Photo courtesy of Rumley A swim camp for girls ages 6-11 focusing on starts and finishes will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, 10-11:30 a.m, and another focusing on free stroke and backstroke skills will be held Sunday, Feb. 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Participants for these camps must be able to swim independently for 25-50 yards. A swim camp for girls ages 12-18 focusing on turns and crossovers will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, 2-4 p.m., and another focusing on underwater kicks will be held Sunday, Feb. 11, 2-4 p.m. All participants must be proficient swimmers. Swim coach Abbie Fish and USA swim and Olympic coach Kathleen Prindle are the instructors for the weekend classes. Each class is $50 for JCC members and $80 for nonmembers. Learn more and register at avl.mx/dat. For more information, contact Wendy Lawrence at 828-7855036 or wendy@jcc-asheville.org.

HCA independent monitor schedules 2 meetings Gibbins Advisors, the independent monitor hired to monitor HCA

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Healthcare’s compliance with obligations it made upon the 2019 purchase of Mission Hospital, will hold two community meetings this month. A meeting about Mission Hospital McDowell will be held Tuesday, Feb. 27, 5:30 p.m., at Marion Community Building, 191 N. Main St., Marion. A meeting about Blue Ridge Regional Hospital will be held Wednesday, Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m., at Yancey Public Library, 321 School Circle, Burnsville. (A community meeting about Mission Hospital was held in October. Learn more about it at avl.mx/db0.) Space is limited at each location, so registration is strongly encouraged. To register for these community meetings, visit avl.mx/daz.

YMCA introduces EGYM technology On Jan. 26, Reuter Family YMCA and Woodfin YMCA introduced EGYM Smart Strength Circuits. The strength-training service is free for all YMCA of Western North Carolina members over age 13, over 5 feet 2 inches and between 110-330 pounds. A free RFID-enabled wristband guides the user on each strength

machine on weight level and range of motion. The wristband will also alert the user to change machines after 110 seconds, ensuring a 30-minute workout. Information about the workout will be logged into an app. All members must complete an onboarding session to use EGYM. For more information, visit avl.mx/dau.

Cardiology preactice opens Pardee Cardiology Services opened Jan. 24 at 45 Hendersonville Highway, Suite B, Pisgah Forest. The practice, run by UNC Health Pardee, is staffed by board-certified cardiologists Dr. Holly Humphrey, Dr. Lillia LaPlace and Dr. Marian Taylor. Pardee Cardiology Services offers adult inpatient and outpatient diagnostic testing and procedures. To schedule an appointment, call 828-435-8080.

Free hot lunch downtown First Presbyterian Church at 40 Church St. is offering a free hot lunch

and warming center in the fellowship hall on Saturdays through Feb. 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sanctuary Saturday will feature access to restrooms and phone charging, cards and games, and a safe place to rest. For more information or to volunteer, contact David Germer at dgermer@ fpcasheville.org.

certificate programs, will open at Art Garden, 191 Lyman St., studio 320 A, in February. Classes at Twin Star Tribe will be taught by founder Lupo Passero. For more information, visit avl.mx/dbd.

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• Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe, has been named a Health Policy Fellow for the N.C. Institute of Medicine. Mayfield is among 22 bipartisan members of the House and Senate who will attend educational sessions meant to further understanding of health issues facing the state. NCIOM is an independent organization created by the N.C. General Assembly to provide analysis on health policy. • North Carolina’s Human Rights Campaign has honored Blue Ridge Pride, a nonprofit advocating for LGBTQ+ equality in Western North Carolina, with its Dan Mauney Equality Award. The organization will accept the award at an annual NCHRC dinner on Saturday, Feb. 10. Mauney, who died in 2020, volunteered for HRC and Regional AIDS Interfaith Network in Charlotte to advocate for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS. • AdventHealth Hendersonville has named Larissa Bright, RN, BSN, director of medical surgical nursing. Bright started at AdventHealth as a floor nurse in the medical surgical unit and then progressed to assistant nurse manager and nurse manager. • All Souls Counseling has named Mary Waller as development director. Contact her at mary@ allsoulscounseling.org or 828-2593369, ext. 109. • Asheville Poverty Initiative and 12 Baskets Cafe have named Ben Williamson as executive director. Williamson is a former

The YWCA of Asheville at 185 S. French Broad Ave. is offering free 10-minute acupuncture sessions for members and nonmembers on Thursdays Feb. 13, 20 and 27, 5:307:30 p.m. Sessions are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and pre-registration is not required. Participants can sign up for a slot on the day of the session in the YWCA fitness studio. For more information, contact Megan Smith, co-owner of Affordable Acupuncture of Asheville, at info@acuavl.com.

Musical opportunity for veterans Veterans Healing Farm at 38 Yale Road, Hendersonville, is seeking teachers who are interested in teaching veterans how to play the guitar in an effort to decrease anxiety. Instruction will take place at the farm. For more information, contact Alan Yeck at veteranshealingfarm@ gmail.com.

Grants available for recovery projects Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems is accepting grant applications for projects that support workforce reentry for people recovering from substance use disorder. The INSPIRE initiative is run by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Projects should involve job-focused training, initiatives to link recovery services with employment training or investments in health care networks that support substance use recovery. Letters of intent are due Friday, Feb. 16, and applications are due Friday, March 8. For more information and to submit applications, visit avl.mx/daw.

Herbal school to open Twin Star Tribe, a school offering herbal education and flower essence

Community kudos

organizer, educator and Mountain Xpress reporter. • The Nantahala Health Foundation, a nonprofit that addresses health and wellness in Western North Carolina, has named three new volunteer board members: Clarissa Ashe of Sylva, business manager for the Jackson County Health Department; Ann Lukens of Murphy, a paramedic with Hiwassee Dam and Unaka volunteer fire departments; and Paul Worley of Murphy, who works at Tri-County Community College.

Mark your calendar • Shakey’s, a bar at 38 N. French Broad Ave., will host free line dancing lessons on Sunday, Feb. 11, 4-7 p.m. No registration is required. • Youth OUTright WNC will host a Valentine’s Day party with card and friendship bracelet-making on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 4-6 p.m., for queer, trans and allied youth. This is a free event with a meal; masks will be provided. RSVP at avl.mx/dbe for the event address. • Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Square Blvd., will host a free self-defense class Saturday, Feb. 17, 10:45 a.m.-noon. The class is free and open to everyone. To register, visit avl.mx/dav. • Camden’s Library Coffee House, 40 N. Main St., Mars Hill, will host a Huntington’s disease social meetup Saturday, Feb. 17, 2-3 p.m. The organizer, HD Reach, is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Huntington’s disease. • Kristin Hillegas from Serenity Sound Healing of Asheville will hold a sound bath Sunday, Feb. 18, 1-2 p.m., at Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science of Mind Way. The event is pay-what-youwish. Participants must bring a yoga mat, pillow or blanket, and

Feeling Better is Possible - Let’s Get There Together No shame, judgement, or guilt. Only compassion

should wear warm, comfortable and flexible clothing. No registration is required. • The YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave., will hold a free community dinner in its multipurpose room Tuesday, Feb. 20, 5:156:15 p.m. Roasted butternut squash soup, salad and baked maple pears will be served. Speakers and referrals to community resources will also be available. To register, visit avl.mx/day. • Western Carolina School of Nursing is holding a free health fair Friday, Feb. 23, 3-6:30 p.m., at the YWCA of Asheville, 185 S. French Broad Ave. Drop-in blood pressure, blood sugar, cancer and mental health screenings are available, as well as referrals to community resources. • La Leche League of Buncombe County is holding a free monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1-2:30 p.m., at Homegrown Families, 201 Charlotte St. The discussion topic will be “Life with a New Baby.” Breastfeeding and chestfeeding parents, expectant parents and babies are welcome. Advance registration is not required. For more information, call 828-318-3332. X

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ARTS & CULTURE

Finding words for trauma Authors and poets on writing and mental health

BY TESSA FONTAINE

ine [it],” Heaney says. “Writing is one way to offload what you’ve carried.” It can be hard to quantify how much writing about trauma benefits the writer. But one tangible effect Henderson has witnessed is an increase in memory. “With a traumatic brain injury, you lose a lot of memory,” he explains. This can impact a person’s ability to memorize job training, among other challenges. But Henderson says he has noticed that once people start writing, “They remember better.” The sense of community these workshops create is another benefit. “The writing groups come together almost like a platoon in the military, like serving again,” Henderson says.

tgfontaine@gmail.com Inside the Charles George VA Medical Center, 10 military veterans sit in a circle, pen and paper in hand. They’re nervous, strangers to one another. “Write about your first day in-country,” says Elizabeth Heaney, a psychotherapist and the writer-in-residence at the N.C. Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation. The men, some of whom have never been asked to talk about their experiences in more than 50 years, clear their throats, stretch their necks or chuckle uncomfortably. Then they begin writing. Heaney, the author of the 2016 prize-winning book, The Honor Was Mine: A Look Inside the Struggles of Military Veterans, has worked with the foundation for eight of its 10 years. What began as a small group of Vietnam combat veterans has evolved into an intergenerational, coeducational writing group that now includes Gold Star Family members. But the intention remains the same: to help veterans capture their stories and restore a belief in the value of their own voices — to find a way through trauma. Of course, veterans are not alone in confronting traumatic experiences on the page. Local poets and authors also grapple with painful relationships and social dynamics through their poetry and prose. For some, time and distance is essential to addressing their past difficulties, while others find the written word an immediate source of strength and relief.

FEB. 7-13, 2024

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GLIMPSES INTO ANOTHER LIFE

THROUGH POETRY: “A lot of my poetic practice has been rooted in trying to reclaim my relationship with my body,” says poet Diamond Forde. Photo by Evelyn Berry THE THINGS THEY CARRIED Writing has proved to be one of the tools most beneficial for people living with trauma, says Stephen Henderson, president of the N.C. Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation. “It really helps with the healing process, with the memory process,” he notes.

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As part of the program he organizes, groups of eight-10 military vets meet every other week for eight weeks and write about different facets of their experience under Heaney’s guidance. “These are folks who have never been asked to tell their stories, or they tried to tell their stories and were shut down,” Heaney explains. “People didn’t want to hear it. So we turn to them and say: ‘We want to hear your story. We want to listen to it.’” During the workshops, the veterans are asked to write in response to a specific prompt. Once composed, anyone is welcome to share their writing with the group. “Sharing out loud takes the healing to another level. You’re no longer trying to contain it. You’re understood,” Heaney says. Often during sessions, Heaney will look around the room while a participant is sharing his or her work. She watches as other veterans nod their heads to stories about the loss of a best friend, being too scared to sleep or experiencing the unbelievable noise that is war. “Even if they didn’t directly experience it, they can imag-

While many people associate trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder with those who have experienced combat and military service, there is also a large number of civilians dealing with similar mental health issues. Post-traumatic testimonies have become an important way to understand individual experiences, as in the case of historians looking to Holocaust testimonies to get a deeper sense of lived experience. But trauma is not always pinned to large historical events. Many memoirs, for example, explore the traumas an individual writer has gone through, offering the reader a glimpse into another life, a story of survival. One of the challenges in writing about trauma, says Asheville-based author Rachel M. Hanson, is that sometimes trauma is used as a narrative hook. A writer might withhold the details of a harrowing experience as a way of building suspense. Hanson, an assistant professor at UNC Asheville and the founder of the Punch Bucket Lit reading series and literary nonprofit, explains that her approach is to describe the traumatic event or situation right away, “so it’s not used as a teaser. What I’m interested in is the aftermath.” Hanson’s forthcoming memoir, The End of Tennessee, which will be published in August, is about the lasting impact of her experience as a runaway Appalachian teen, deprived of an education. She notes that writing about personal trauma can become a transformative, connective experience for more than just the

author. “I wrote this book for my younger siblings,” Hanson says. “I wanted them to know what it was like to grow up in the life we grew up in as the oldest girl.” Using writing to explore trauma is something familiar to Asheville poet and UNCA assistant professor Diamond Forde as well. “For me, living in a fat Black body in the South, I think the first way I divorced myself from the world, or understood trauma, was in my body. A lot of my poetic practice has been rooted in trying to reclaim my relationship with my body.” This semester, Forde is teaching a fat poetics class at UNCA. The idea behind it, she explains, is to examine the way we treat particular identities and bodies — such as the fat body, the racialized body and the gendered body — as excessive. To help students think through the ways excess might be embodied in the writing, Forde assigned them a chapter from Lindo Bacon’s 2020 book, Radical Belonging: How to Survive and Thrive in an Unjust World (While Transforming It for the Better). “Bacon’s text has this really powerful moment where they write that we are all alive because we live in bodies. To be divorced from your body is essentially death,” Forde says. “What poetry can do, especially through the lens of the body, especially dealing with body trauma, is to reassert our living again.”

SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES: Members of the N.C. Veterans Writing Alliance share their service experiences. Featured, starting left, Stephen Henderson, David Robinson and Midge Lorence. Photo courtesy of Steve Toler concision? “The form of my poems is another act of love.” And finally, the last act of love is “sharing it with somebody else.” The reader loves the writer back by giving attention to the words. Forde offers this wisdom for anyone writing about trauma: You must make recovery a part of the writing

process. This is advice she offers particularly for writers of color. “Therapy and writing are not synonymous, but these things need to work together to create healthy wellness practices,” she says. In writing about trauma, Forde explains, ignoring recovery within the process risks retraumatizing the writ-

er. And if the relationship is harmful, the writer won’t want to write. “For some, community can become part of the [recovery] process, and that’s beautiful,” she says. “Any way we can carve time out for ourselves to live with these emotions and figure out what living with them looks like in our lives is an act of love for our writing.” X

AN ACT OF LOVE There are different camps on the distance a writer should take between a traumatic event and writing about it. For some, getting the experience down quickly while the emotion is fresh can be very powerful. Forde remembers writing her poem “Fat F*ck” immediately after a painful experience, and it underwent minimal revision. Other poems have required many rounds of drafting and significant time before she was able to figure out what she needed to say. Writing about a very recent trauma “can be emotionally fraught and can also make it hard to hold a critical eye onto the work,” Forde says. Allowing more time between writing and revising “is a kindness for the editing process.” This kindness, continues Forde, is one of many steps in the writing process that she considers an act of love. The first step, she explains, is the belief that there is something in her life “worth writing about.” In the next step, she considers craft and form; for example, what happens if she puts a poem about the fat body into a form that is all about

rtise ille maintain expe ev sh A C N U at lty , clinical Psychology facu social psychology , gy lo ho yc ps l in educationa ore! oscience and m psychology, neur

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ARTS & C U L T U R E

MUSIC

Reluctant reflections

Guitar virtuoso Robin Bullock celebrates 30-year career on new retrospective

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN

to his performances at the annual Swannanoa Solstice showcases. “I’ve done two Christmas albums, too, and that’s some of my most popular stuff. But I knew I didn’t want any Christmas material on this because you don’t want to hear that in the middle of a retrospective any other time of year,” he says. “It’s not like this is a complete package. There are albums of mine that I didn’t touch on at all.” Instead, Bullock prioritized work from his two active duos with guitarist Steve Baughman and Celtic harpist Sue Richards, as well as his collaborative work with Irish flutist Michel Sikiotakis when Bullock lived in France in the early 2010s. He also focused on duets with some of his favorite guitar players over the years, among them Tony McManus, John Doyle and Al Petteway. “It definitely did bring back some memories,” Bullock says. “It highlighted those friendships, and that makes me smile. Whenever you’re going back through time, listening to your own recordings, it brings you back to where you were in your life at that point.”

earnaudin@mountainx.com Robin Bullock is not the biggest fan of compilation albums. “I’m kind of inherently distrustful of [them],” says the Black Mountain-based multi-instrumentalist and composer. “Especially when they call themselves ‘Best Of’ or ‘Greatest Hits’ because that leads to hierarchical thinking: ‘These tracks are better than any of the other tracks from the albums they were taken from.’” That sentiment is part of why Bullock used the subtitle “A Retrospective” for his new album, Wolf Tracks, which looks back at his past 30 years of recording. The album spotlights a range of Celtic, Americana, baroque, Renaissance and original music featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin and cittern — a Renaissance-era stringed instrument that’s similar to a lute but slightly smaller. And he’ll celebrate the collection with a CD release concert at White Horse Black Mountain on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. Bullock says it feels “terrifying” to have reached the point in his life and career where a retrospective seems appropriate. And he’s been avoiding taking the plunge for as long as possible. “But when I realized last year that it was the 30th anniversary of my first solo album, I thought, ‘OK, the time has come,’” Bullock says. “And, actually, I’m glad I did because my last few albums have all been kind of folk and a lot of my albums in general have been focused on a particular repertoire or a particular instrument. So when somebody is new to my music and they say, ‘Where should I start?’ it’s always kind of a hard question to answer.” Now Bullock has one CD that covers his diverse career and offers a solid entry point. TOUGH CALLS Bullock describes narrowing the collection to its eventual 19 tracks as a “tricky” process. “Some of my favorite solo finger-style guitar tracks I’ve just had to reluctantly leave out because I already had enough of those,” he says. 56

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SAME AS IT EVER WAS

CANIS LUPUS CONNECTION: From the paw prints on his guitar’s fretboard to the name of his new retrospective album, Robin Bullock resonates with wolf symbology and embraces the feeling of being a “stranger in a strange land” that is life as a musician. Photo by Leea Gorell The decision was less painful, in part, thanks to his 2015 album The Carolan Collection — a compilation of his recordings of the music by 17th-century Irish harpist Turlough

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O’Carolan. Bullock didn’t want to repeat any of those tunes on Wolf Tracks. Similarly, he resisted picking winter holiday music, despite his many fans who look forward

Bullock opted for a largely chronological track list for Wolf Tracks and almost made it entirely sequential. “I just realized it would be stronger if I started with something that is just a good opener, regardless of where it happened in the timeline, and then went back to the beginning and took it from there,” he says. “I like the idea of the journey through time and the development.” Despite the diversity of musical traditions, there’s little on Wolf Tracks to distinguish Bullock’s evolution as an artist. Though quick to poke fun at his sonic consistency — “I don’t know if that means I got it right all along or if it means I just haven’t evolved,” he says with a laugh — he was also surprised by it and heartened by his younger self’s decisions. “I listened to those early tracks and I think I probably would have done it more or less the same way,” he says. “I’ve definitely gotten more and more into the solo, intimate, stripped-down approach, since that’s what I do live for the most

part — you know: one person, one instrument. So that’s why I wanted to make sure I had a reasonable amount of that on this album. But in the recording studio, you can multitrack and add different parts, so I wanted to show some of that as well.” Behind the scenes, however, plenty has occurred to enrich his professional advancement. A native of Washington, D.C., Bullock began frequenting Western North Carolina in 1996, when he was invited to teach at the Swannanoa Gathering, Warren Wilson College’s educational program of summer folk arts workshops. He’s remained on staff each year and has also been a fixture at the Swannanoa Solstice since its 2003 inception. “I was automatically here at least twice a year, and usually more than that, developing friendships and developing connections,” he says. “So when I did finally get to move here full time [in 2013], it was like I’d already been here for a long time. It felt totally like home and it still does. It’s very inspiring to be around this many musicians and creative people in general.” Bullock has helped further that sense of community at White Horse through his monthly Carolina Celtic concert series. He views Wolf Tracks and the record release show as a tribute to the traditions celebrated at the Black Mountain venue and as a way to honor his longtime friendship with Petteway, a fellow local who passed away in September following a short illness. “We used to have a great time just playing together and geeking out about guitars and so forth,” Bullock says. “It was a huge loss. I think we’re all still kind of processing it. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone, but he was one of my all-time favorite guitar players and composers for the guitar, as well as a really close friend. I miss him.” For more information, visit avl.mx/db7. X

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ARTS & C U L T U R E

ARTS

Can’t knock the hustle

Asheville artists discuss keeping pace with the rising cost of living

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN earnaudin@mountainx.com Visual artist and Asheville native Jane Allred is one of the last in her friends group to still call Buncombe County home. Many of her close connections are fellow artists who have moved either to the outskirts of the area — within an hour of downtown — or significantly farther away. According to Allred, while a variety of factors prompted their relocations, personal finances played a major role. No stranger to the hustle, Allred grew up with artist parents and describes covering basic expenses as “running to the finish line, grabbing every coin you can, putting all of it in a giant toilet, flushing it and then starting over.” At 26, she continues to scrape by, operating on a lean budget for the first two weeks of every month until the paycheck from her day job is issued, during which she “hope[s] to God” she sells enough art to “make up for whatever heinous rent” she’s paying for at the time. But to her, it’s all worthwhile. “It’s where I grew up — you can’t price me out,” Allred says. “I love it to an unhealthy degree. I’m dug in like a tick. I don’t care how much my rent is — I’ll stay.” While such dedication is all but necessary to sustain life as an artist in Asheville, it comes with plentiful sacrifices and compromises just to break even. As the cost of living continues to rise, Xpress spoke with a few additional local makers, including a longtime resident who was priced out of the city, to gauge the economic realities of life as a creative person. LINE IN THE SAND Just Economics of Western North Carolina, an Asheville-based living-wage advocacy nonprofit, has set the living wage rate for Buncombe County in 2024 at $22.10 per hour, or roughly $46,000 a year before taxes. The group defines “living wage” as

MAKING IT WORK: Local stage actor Kirby Gibson, right — seen here performing with her husband, Scott Fisher, in The Sublime Theater’s recent production of Ben & Angela — credits a challenging three-year stint in Chicago with awakening her to the financial realities of being a working artist. Photo courtesy of The Sublime Theater “the minimum amount that a worker must earn to afford their basic necessities, without public or private assistance.” This rate represents the lowest wage that will allow an employee working full time to qualify for a one-bedroom apartment in the county, based on a four-year average of the Fair Market Rent released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. According to

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apartments.com data from January, the average rent in Asheville for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,458 per month. But the living-wage figure doesn’t factor in setting aside money for savings. Financial experts typically recommend having at least three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund in the event of job loss or an unexpected cost. “Who has that?” asks visual artist Maxx Feist, who left Asheville in 2021 after nearly two decades living in the city. “No offense to anyone — I’m glad if people do. But I feel like if you become an artist, you make this choice: ‘I’m going to take this gamble.’” Unfortunately, notes Feist, who uses they/them pronouns, many of the successful artists they know

end up “sell[ing] their souls” in the process. “If you want to make money at it, you have to build this very big online presence that sometimes is not true to who you are. And then you have to continue and consistently make the same thing all the time, and that changes what being creative is in some ways,” Feist says. “It can be so soul sucking to always have to be thinking about the financial aspects of everything.” THE WORK/ART BALANCE In turn, as local stage actor Kirby Gibson notes, few people in Asheville are full-time artists. She views financial stability for creatives as “feeling the freedom to create without having

to sacrifice something that you need to survive.” After earning a degree in drama from UNC Asheville in 2012, Gibson pursued acting in Chicago but struggled to make ends meet. Three years later, she returned to Asheville. “Coming back here, it got easier because of [the lower] cost of living,” Gibson says. “But it was one of those [life experiences] that taught me how much I need to get paid an hour to make my rent and budget my groceries. And also the kind of job I need and how many hours I need to work and how many hours I can allow for shows and rehearsals.” In her second Asheville stint, she’s intentionally worked four days, 30-35 hours per week, giving herself at least one day off from her day job. The blocked off time allows her to go to auditions, learn her lines, catch up on emails and other acting-related tasks without overly draining her energy. “I have never regretted it and don’t know how I would continue to do what I do if I worked full time,” Gibson says. “I need that extra allowance for my second job, which is being an actor — because that takes up a little more time than the day job.” Since 2020, Gibson has led the three-person team at the Asheville branch of residential composting service CompostNow. She says that part of the physically demanding job involves being “like garbage men, driving around and picking up stuff and dumping it out and washing all the bins,” but the flexible hours and other perks make it worthwhile. “It’s a dirty job, which I kind of love. And it’s active and outdoors and it keeps me in shape,” Gibson says. “It feels like honest work, and they pay me a living wage, which is even harder to find. So, I feel very lucky and grateful to have that job and that they can work with me in terms of what I need and my limits. They’ve been very amenable to that.” Achieving that balance is important to Gibson. She enjoys not feeling the pressure to create in order to make a living because she says doing so has the potential to take the fun out of the process. “Some people are [focused] in — they’ve got that motivation and they’ve got that laser focus and know exactly that that’s their purpose and what they want to do,” she says. “But I think just as many people enjoy creating just for the experience of that community you create when you make a piece of art and do theater; or to entertain people who come to see you and tell stories and

COASTAL BARGAINS: Visual artist Maxx Feist was priced out of Asheville in 2021 but can afford an apartment and studio in Savannah, Ga. Photo by Liz Trader educate people. And they also enjoy spending time with their family and friends and having a nice job and still having a couple evenings free to, like, enjoy Asheville and hang out and watch movies.”

‘YOU HAVE TO TRY ALL OF IT’ That kind of lifestyle sounds appealing to Matt Williams, who’s ready for more leisure time. After 15 years of running The Eagle Room

recording studio, where he produces and engineers albums for a range of artists, as well as playing in various bands, the 39-year-old musician is eyeing a change. “I did so many all-nighters, and I still do, but that lifestyle of working 24/7 is superhard,” he says. “Now I’m actually looking at still doing [music] and taking less projects, but pivoting into technology since I’m so good at it. I’m looking at degree programs that I can do online to try to get a master’s in software engineering.” Williams adds that musicians his age and older are having trouble keeping up with the physical demands of regular gigging and that more responsible business practices are necessary to sustain the local industry. He’s networking with local artists to pursue sync licensing, in which songs are used in film and TV projects. The lucrative field pays far more than gigging and has the potential to generate considerable passive income. But for those continuing to play out — himself included — he notes that it’s essential for artists to not compromise when it comes to setting rates for performances. Accepting low offers, he

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AR T S & C UL TU R E cautions, sets a dangerous standard that hurts one’s peers. “I’ve had to go to private events, pretty much, to get what I feel like is my value,” Williams says. While he creates plenty of original music on his own, Williams’ party band, The Royal Suits, proudly plays cover songs. He feels there’s a misconception that artists have to write their own material “to feel like you’re making it.” “A couple of our members don’t do original music — but this is their passion,” Williams says. “They’ve been playing music their whole life and they found passion in just making sure that we crush and that our project is the best that it could possibly be.” Allred likewise recommends finding fulfillment through well-paying sources, even if they’re not ideal. She works full time at Madam Clutterbuckets Neurodiverse Universe, where she says she’s fortunate to be able to sell her work while on the clock. But other promotional approaches are necessary. “I’ve tried just about every website-building platform and every sales application possible. I’ve vended at just about every market I can ever possibly find,” Allred says. “All of it is going to be hit-or-miss. All of it is a toss of the coin. And, unfortunately, as exhausting as it is, you have to try all of it.” The ever-changing ways in which people purchase art also means makers should keep an open mind about where they sell their work, she says. “People shut down certain avenues so quickly because it doesn’t work one time,” Allred says. “I have a lot of friends that have co-vended at markets with me. It’s their first time selling their art. They don’t make a sale, and they have never done a market since.” She continues, “You have to get over the disappointment of an unsuccessful day or an unsuccessful week or an unsuccessful month and just keep trying. You have to take that punch direct to the confidence and get back up and keep going — as hard as that is. Because it sucks when you spend all day at a market and no one even takes a second glance. That’s happened to me at least a dozen times. But I still pay my rent with my art. It doesn’t mean I’m any less. You just have to get over that incredibly awful feeling.”

DIFFERENT STAGES: Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Matt Williams has turned to private events for better pay. Photo by Kristen Marie Greene:KMG Photography rent a separate studio space. They say having both in Asheville would be highly unlikely, as would a semblance of financial stability. During their time here, Feist felt connected to the local scene and

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Feist, who now lives and creates in Savannah, Ga., says the cheaper rent is a major perk. Currently, they pay $1,000 per month, including utilities, for their own apartment. The lower cost of living allows them to also

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THE WHOLE TOOTH: Asheville-based doll maker Jane Allred is accustomed to the financial struggles of an artist’s life and committed to the hustle necessary to make ends meet. Photo courtesy of Allred

their identity as “an Asheville artist.” But moving to Savannah made them hustle harder than they would have in Western North Carolina. Rather than focus on one city, as they did — and many other artists do — in Asheville, Feist sells their art all over the South and is working on expanding sales nationwide. “People are sold on the idea of Asheville,” Feist says. “I love Asheville — don’t get me wrong. But do not struggle just to stay there.” Though Feist would still love to eventually move back, they note that doing so would mean being part of a less than desirable scene. In addition to the lack of affordable housing and galleries focused on spotlighting new artists, Feist says everyone is in constant competition, struggling against each other to make money. And if one’s art doesn’t sell and you can’t pay rent, resources aren’t in place to retain the kind of people that once made the city an exciting, vibrant spot. “It’s almost like people have become expendable there, and that’s unfortunate because it was so community driven at one point,” Feist says. “Asheville became too big for what Asheville was. It was so beautiful at one point but I just find it to be a very sad situation.” X

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ARTS & CU L T U R E

FOOD ROUNDUP

What’s new in food The Market Place nominated for James Beard Award The Market Place was named a semifinalist for the James Beard Award’s Outstanding Restaurant category — a first for the restaurant, which launched in 1979. “It’s an exciting honor,” says chef and owner William Dissen, who purchased the restaurant in 2009. “To be able to showcase the heritage of our restaurant, as well as our vibrant community here in Asheville, is a wonderful feeling. It takes a village to create a special restaurant like The Market Place, and that includes our spectacular team, our amazing farmers and artisans, and our community who has supported us over the years.” The restaurant is known for its multigenerational relationships with a network of regional and family farms, from which it sources all of its ingredients. Dissen believes it is The

Market Place’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, the arts and the community of Asheville that made the biggest impact on the judges. “And let’s not forget about the delicious and locally sourced food,” he adds. The menu, which is filled with vegan-friendly options, showcases farm-to-table and seasonally foraged Appalachian cuisine. The chef’s current favorite is the wood-grilled Hickory Nut Gap pork loin with whipped sweet potato, charred radicchio and hamhock jus. The Market Place has worked with many local schools and nonprofits, including the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, which supports the unique local food system, and Seafood Watch, which promotes more sustainable seafood and healthier oceans.

SUSTAINABLE WINS: Chef William Dissen stands in front of The Market Place’s live-fire grill. The restaurant placed as a semifinalist for this year’s James Beard Award. Photo courtesy of Dissen “We love Asheville and we are in this for the long haul,” Dissen says. The Market Place will be offering a three-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day Dinner on Wednesday, February 14 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Starters include a choice of seafood, salad or bisque, followed by one of four entrees such as steak frites or carbonara, with a choice of vanilla cheesecake or flourless dark chocolate torte for dessert. The Market Place is at 20 Wall St. Reservations can be placed at avl.mx/dbu.

New Orleans comes to Asheville Burial Beer Co. is hosting its 10th annual Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, Feb. 10, and Sunday, Feb. 11. Two-thirds of Burial’s ownership hails from New Orleans, and the company is steeped in the city’s influence. “New Orleans inspires a lot of what we do here,” says head of marketing Phil Cassella. “[Its residents] celebrate death, they don’t mourn death. So there’s tradition there. It was important to us to do Mardi Gras here, to throw an annual party.” This will be Burial’s first Mardi Gras celebration to take place at its new music venue, Eulogy, on the South Slope, which opened in November. Eulogy features a full bar with Burial beer on tap and a cocktail menu. 62

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The Beneath the Veil masquerade ball kicks off Saturday at 6 p.m., and full masquerade attire is encouraged. The ball will feature performances by local DJs Phantom Pantone and avl.xlr and a menu of cocktails inspired by New Orleans. Previous masquerades have featured hurricane slushies and chicory-inspired beer. “We do special treatments for a few beers where we add different adjuncts to beers that currently exist to make them special for the event,” Cassella says. “Maybe we’ll make a beignet beer this year.” Sunday’s event begins at 5 p.m. with Phuncle Sam set to perform on the outdoor stage as an after-party for the Asheville Mardi Gras Parade. Eulogy is at 10 Buxton Ave. For tickets or information, visit avl.mx/5sc.

Fish camp opens on the South Slope Former “Top Chef” contestant Ashleigh Shanti recently opened Good Hot Fish on the South Slope. The highly anticipated restaurant will be a first for the James Beard nominee, who previously gained recognition as chef de cuisine for Benne on Eagle. She first launched the Good Hot Fish concept as a popup in Burial Beer Co.’s taproom and has grown a following from there. The project draws inspiration from traditional fish camps, casual Southern restaurants which special-

ize in fried fish, hushpuppies and sides. Shanti’s menu is also influenced by Black Appalachian cuisine. Menu items include trout bologna and fried catfish as well as stewed greens and baked mac and cheese. The location is connected to Eulogy, Burial Beer’s music venue, and will soon feature a walk-up window catering to late-night concertgoers. Good Hot Fish is at 10 Buxton Ave. and is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. For information, visit avl.mx/dbr.

Coffee roaster puts you in charge A recently opened coffee shop in West Asheville, Kota Kai, gives customers the opportunity to build their own blend. Kota Kai is the face of Coffee Library, a private label and wholesale coffee-roasting project out of Woodfin. The company sells a wide array of coffee from all parts of the globe and seeks to match coffee drinkers with their perfect roast profile. “Coffee has become a real passion point for me,” says Coffee Library founder Drew Hawkins. “In 2017, my wife and I quit our jobs and traveled the world. … [When we were] backpacking through Central and South America [and] Southeast Asia, coffee became the morning ritual before we went out.” The company plans to open the Coffee Library Roastery on Riverside Drive by summer, but until then, Kota Kai offers its wide range of coffee blends in store. “In Kota Kai, we are launching a create-your-own-blend experience,” says Hawkins. “’You can choose from over 20 single-origin coffees to create a blend right there in the store, no minimum.” The flat rate for Kota Kai coffee is $18 per pound, but there is a discount for bringing

your own container. The shop also features nitro cold brew and draft lattes, as well as house-made caramel sauce. Kota Kai is at 753 Haywood Road. For more information, visit avl.mx/dbs.

Tea lovers in luck Asheville Tea Co. has released a Valentine’s Day Trio of teas as well as a gift box set. Designed with romance in mind, the products use sustainably sourced ingredients centered on botanical flavors. The three-tea box set combines Tulsi Rose, Chamomile Lavender and Hibiscus Mojito. The Bee Mine box set includes a limited-release Tulsi Rose, Asheville Fog Scone Mix and a tulsi rose-infused honey made in collaboration with local honey company Asheville Bee Charmer. “We are absolutely head over heels in love with the new collaboration from our friends at Asheville Bee Charmer,” says Melissa Dean, Asheville Tea Co.’s director of marketing, in a press release. “With sweet, delicate notes of rose petals, tulsi and hibiscus, this pure raw honey infused with Tulsi Rose tea may make you feel like falling in love.” The Valentine’s Day gift boxes can be purchased at avl.mx/dbt.

Jazz dinner returns at Jargon Jargon celebrates Mardi Gras with a two-night New Orleans Jazz Dinner on Monday, Feb. 12, and Tuesday, Feb. 13. The annual event offers an exclusive assortment of large and small plates à la carte in lieu of the ordinary menu. Designed by chef Ryan Kline, the Mardi Gras menu reflects

both the Cajun and Creole culinary traditions of Louisiana. Tables are available in the dining room as well as the heated courtyard, beginning at 5 p.m. The courtyard will feature live jazz music by Les Chats Violet, with members of the local funk ensemble Empire Strikes Brass. Jargon is at 715 Haywood Road. Reservations can be placed at avl.mx/9hw.

Publix stocks Devil’s Foot Publix is now offering four of Devil’s Foot’s most popular flavors — Sparkling Lemonade, Fuego Ginger Beer, Sparkling Cherry Limeade and Sparkling Black Tea Lemonade — according to a press release. Incorporating real fruit and ginger and sourced from local farms, Devil’s Foot soda has less than half the sugar of a normal soda. These flavors are priced at $8.99 per four-pack. Devil’s Foot beverages are available at the Weaverville, South Asheville and Waynesville Publix locations.

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ARTS & C U L T U R E

ROUNDUP

Around Town Benefit to fight period poverty A new annual event addressing period poverty in the community will take place Thursday, Feb. 15, 7-11 p.m., at Citizen Vinyl. Valenween: Pads & Tampons for People in Need is a mashup of Valentine’s Day and Halloween. The entrance fee is a box of menstrual hygiene products or $5, either of which will go to BeLoved Asheville, a nonprofit that will distribute the products to those in need. Jeannie Regan, an artist, activist and Western Carolina University student, organized the event. She believes that period poverty is not talked about enough. “There’s just such a lack of information and lack of education surrounding periods, [which] happen to half the population. It’s really eye opening and very sad,” she says. Period poverty affects about 20 million Americans, predominantly homeless, at-risk and marginalized people. It’s a serious need that affects people’s day-to-day lives, Regan says. “They

FEB. 7-13, 2024

shouldn’t miss work or school because they don’t have pads or tampons. That should not be a decision people are having to make. There’s just all these barriers to people getting their basic needs, just to go about their day.” In North Carolina, period pads and tampons are considered luxury items and are taxed. They cannot be purchased with food stamps. Though art can’t cure homelessness, says Regan, she hopes the event will help to alleviate period poverty in the community. She also hopes the event will create a lighthearted, fun environment for a serious topic. “I’m hoping it will loosen up people’s stigma and the taboo about periods and help them kind of broach that conversation and think about this need,” she adds. The event features themed cocktails by Clare Cameron, music by DJ Blind Date, live “Vamportraits” by Jillian Ohl, live letterpress prints by Jessica White, graphic design by Jenny Fares and art for sale by other local artists. Half of the artists’ proceeds will go to BeLoved Asheville. Vampire-esque attire —think fake blood and fangs — is recommended. Citizen Vinyl is at 14 O. Henry Ave. Learn more about Valenween at avl.mx/dbc.

BE MY VALENTINE: Menstrual hygiene products will be collected as admittance for the inaugural Valenween, an arts event benefiting BeLoved Asheville. The gathering takes place Thursday, Feb. 15, at Citizen Vinyl. Photo courtesy of BeLoved Asheville

Shiloh storytelling honors Black history

Actor debuts ‘goddess rap’ album

Asheville Parks & Recreation invites the community to reflect on local Black history, heritage and hope at a series of events in February to celebrate Black History and Legacy Month. The first event will be held at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, 1-4 p.m., and will pay homage to Shiloh, a historically African American community established in the late 1880s. The Shiloh Community Association invites members, friends and neighbors to honor those who helped build the Shiloh community through storytelling and reflections about its past, present and future. Call 828-274-7739 for more information about this event. The Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center is at 121 Shiloh Road. For a listing of Black History and Legacy Month events, visit avl.mx/dbh.

Local musician and actor Luciya debuted her album Cingular on Jan. 28 — her birthday. The album falls under a genre Luciya calls “goddess rap,” with influences of jazz, pop and hip-hop all tied together in homage to the spirit world. “It’s about empowering the feminine,” Luciya says, describing the genre. “The sticky substance of magic gluing everything together in the universe. This is part of how I associate in the world, in my life and how I view everything.” She wrote the album following a breakup, during an introspective time. “The subsequent year and a half … was me being with myself and single and coming back to this deep inner place inside where I wasn’t listening to outside energies influencing my decisions and actions as much.” Luciya’s album release fell two days after Season Three of “Hightown,” a

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TV show she acts in, was released on Jan. 26. Stream Cingular at avl.mx/dbi or avl.mx/dbj.

Love, Marquee Marquee Asheville, located in the River Arts District, celebrates its two-year anniversary with Love, Marquee, a Valentine’s Day-themed event on Thursday, Feb. 8, 6-9 p.m. The event is free and includes sweet treats, beverages by the Marquee’s in-house bar Saint Brighid’s, music from DJ Nex Millen and more. Marquee art gallery is at 36 Foundy St. For information visit avl.mx/dbg.

Grail continues Music Movie Mondays Grail Moviehouse hosts its latest Music Movie Mondays event series, which screens new, classic and cult films about music. Each monthly

screening begins with an introduction by music journalist Bill Kopp and concludes with a moderated discussion about the film. On Monday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m., the 1978 motion picture The Last Waltz, directed by Martin Scorsese, will be screened. The film documents the farewell concert of The Band, a CanadianAmerican group that got its break as the backing group for Bob Dylan. The rock group was a pioneer in the Americana genre and concluded its musical journey with The Last Waltz concert just eight years after releasing its debut album. Tickets are $15. Grail Moviehouse is at 17 Foundy St., Suite 10. For information visit avl.mx/dbl.

Call to artists ArtsAVL is accepting artist applications for the 17th annual Weaverville Art in Autumn Festival, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., in downtown Weaverville. Applications are due Saturday, June 15. The festival will feature 114 juried artists and cash awards for Best of Show, second and third place and four honorable mentions. The application fee is $35, and if invited to the show, a booth fee is $165. The Asheville Downtown Association is also accepting applications for arts, crafts and ware vendors for 2024 events until Friday, Feb. 23. For more information on these and other artist opportunities, visit avl.mx/dbm.

Luke’s Gospel brought to life St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church will present the biblical musical “Sermon on the Plain,” based on the sixth chapter of Luke’s Gospel, on Saturday, Feb. 17, and Sunday, Feb. 18.

Local musician and composer Rita Pisano has directed choirs and musical theater at various churches for years. One day, while reading Luke’s Gospel, Pisano says she was taken aback by the poetry and fullness of the characters — a musical waiting to be written. The show retired in 2001 after numerous performances across Western North Carolina, but Pisano says there have been requests for its revival. “Our performance at St. Joan of Arc is an answer to that call. Through this choreographed concert version with an intergenerational cast of almost 40, we hope to bring the pathos, joy and hope of this beautiful gospel to light again.” Tickets for the show are $10, available at http://avl.mx/dba. St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church is at 768 Asbury Road, Candler.

Showing seniors love Senior Helpers of Asheville is doing a Dear Senior, Valentine’s Day Card Drive to spread love to the community’s senior citizens. Senders can address their cards “Dear Senior,” followed by an uplifting message. The goal is to deliver 1,000 cards through Meals on Wheels, the Council on Aging and other senior communities in the Asheville and Hendersonville areas. “Every day our Senior Helpers caregivers work with seniors who struggle with loneliness and isolation. Our visits are the highlight of their day or week,” says Daniel Pickus, director of operations at Senior Helpers. Pickus notes that according to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is a loneliness and isolation epidemic in our country that especially affects seniors: Lack of social connection leads to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia and premature death. All cards must be sent to the Senior Helpers office by Friday, Feb. 9, and will be delivered to seniors the week of Feb. 14.

Senior Helpers office is at 1550 Hendersonville Road No. 110. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.For more information visit avl.mx/dbn.

Asheville Art Museum expands collection The Asheville Art Museum has acquired 12 new artworks, created throughout the 20th and 21st centuries across varying artistic mediums. The new additions were made possible by the museum’s Collectors’ Circle, a group that educates about art and art collecting and fosters exchange of ideas in the art community. The group makes annual purchases for the museum using an acquisition fund from yearly dues. The Asheville Art Museum has also announced the recipients of the 2024 Regional Scholastic Awards. Award winners will be featured in a student exhibition in the museum’s Van Winkle Law Firm Gallery and multipurpose space through Monday, March 25. All award recipients will be honored at a closing reception on Thursday, March 21. Asheville Art Museum is at 2 S. Pack Square. For information visit avl.mx/cro.

schoolers until Friday, March 8. This national initiative gives students an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence in their lives. Through classroom discussions and writing, students who enter the challenge explore what they think should be done to reduce youth violence in their community. They address the following questions through an essay, poem, short story or song: How has violence affected my life? What are the causes of youth violence? What can I do about youth violence? Finalists and their families will have the opportunity to attend a celebration dinner in Washington, D.C. For more information visit avl.mx/dbk.

— Brionna Dallara X

MOVIE REVIEWS AMERICAN FICTION: Jeffrey Wright’s work in this biting satire with a surprisingly warm heart earned him a well-deserved Oscar nomination. Grade: B-plus — Edwin Arnaudin

Do you have the write stuff? A “Do the Write Thing” writing challenge by the National Campaign to Stop Violence is open for middle

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

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CHICAGO-BASED ARTIST: On Wednesday, Feb. 14, Eulogy hosts Chicago-based guitarist and singer-songwriter Elizabeth Moen, starting at 8 p.m. Moen is known for her fierce vocals, bluesy guitar, introspective lyrics and electronic textures. Photo by Leslie Schwartz For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7 12 BONES BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. Trivia! Trivia!, 6:30pm BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Trivia Night w/ PartyGrampa, 7pm FLEETWOOD'S Psych Night w/DJ Torren, 9pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Saylor Brothers & Friends (jamgrass), 6:30pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Music w/ Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm

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OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Bluegrass Jam w/ Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm SHAKEY'S Sexy Service Industry Night, 10pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm THE DRAFTSMAN BAR + LOUNGE Trivia Nights, 7pm THE GREY EAGLE Jeffrey Martin w/ Tommy Alexander (folk, rock), 8pm THE ODD Free Terraoke Karaoke, 9pm URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Trivia, 6:30pm

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

ONE WORLD BREWING Charles Walker (indierock, alt-country), 7pm

CROW & QUILL Alex Krug Jazz Combo, 8pm

OUTSIDER BREWING Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

EULOGY Para Gozar w/DJ Mtn Vibez (Cuban, Latin), 8pm

SALVAGE STATION Runaway Gin (Phish Tribute), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S The Kitchen Counters, Acid Jo & Yesterdays Clothes (punk), 9pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/ Drew Matulich, 7:30pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Karaoke w/Banjo Mitcc, 6pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Mike Kenton & Jim Tanner (jazz), 5:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Collin Cheek (Americana, rock), 7pm

SHILOH & GAINES Karaoke Night, 8pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Django & Jenga Jazz Jam, 7pm THE GREY EAGLE Sold Out: Foxing & The Hotelier (emo, indie-rock, al), 7:30pm THE ODD Vras, Angel Massacre & Hellir (metal), 8pm THE RAILYARD BLACK MOUNTAIN Howie Johnson & Bill Maddox Duo (Americana), 7pm THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN Mr Jimmy (blues), 6:30pm

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 27 CLUB Sacrilege (dance party), 10pm

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY P*rn Star Karaoke, 8pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Above Ground w/John Keck (Americana, rock), 7:30pm CATAWBA BREWING CO. SOUTH SLOPE ASHEVILLE • Comedy at Catawba: Jamie Shriner, 7pm • Hot & Horny Comedy Showcase, 9pm CORK & KEG Bayou Diesel (Cajun, Zydeco), 8pm CROW & QUILL Meschiya Lake & The Moodswingers, 8pm EULOGY Cold Choir Presents: Vault (post-punk, darkwave, EDM), 8pm FLEETWOOD'S Pinkeye, Beat Up & Tiny Tv's (punk, rock), 8pm GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM Rom Com Trivia w/ Lex, 7pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Kevin Daniel (Americana, Southern-rock, blues), 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Vice Versa (jazz, funk, blues), 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Honky-Tonk Fridays w/Jackson Grimm, 4pm • Cole Ritter & The Night Owls (alt-country, rock, blues), 9pm MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Big Ivy Project (rock, folk), 6pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Derek McCoy (bluegrass), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING Matt McCann (Americana, rock, funk), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST St. Owsley (Jerry Garcia/Grateful Dead tribute), 8pm SALVAGE STATION Empire Strikes Brass (funk, rock), 8pm SHAKEY'S Shelby Lore Band (Southern-rock, blues, country), 9pm SHILOH & GAINES Dirty Dead (Grateful Dead tribute), 9pm

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THE ODD John Kirby Jr. & The New Seniors, Tight & Call the Witness (rock'n'roll, punk, metal), 9pm THE ORANGE PEEL 80s vs 90s Dance Party, 8pm

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THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO. The Bins (rock, funk), 7pm THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN Vaden Landers (country), 6pm WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT Riyen Roots (blues, roots, folk), 7pm WATER'N HOLE Shed Bugs (funk, blues, psych rock), 9pm

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ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL • Balkan Bump, Citron & Tigress (funk, jazz, Balkan), 7pm • Subdocta w/Sound Lobotomy (trap, dubstep, bass), 10:30pm BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 6pm CATAWBA BREWING CO. SOUTH SLOPE ASHEVILLE • Mardi Gras Comedy Madness, 7pm • Secret Saturday: Late Nite Comedy Showcase, 9pm CORK & KEG The Old Chevrolette Set (country), 8pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Nobody's Darling String Band, 4pm • Mucho Gumbo (Cajun, swamp-pop), 9pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Random Animals (indie, soul), 8pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Krispee Biscuits (electronic, funk), 10pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST • Bald Mountain Boys (bluegrass), 4pm • Adam Knight's Buried Alive (Phish tribute), 9pm

CROW & QUILL Black Sea Beat Society (Balka, rock'n'roll, Turkish-psych), 8pm

SHAKEY'S • Friday Late Nights w/ DJ Ek Balam, 12am • Boot Scoot & Boogie, 10pm

DSSOLVR Going Nowhere Fast: Emo Night, 6pm

SHILOH & GAINES Karma Dogs (rock), 9pm

FLEETWOOD'S Fantomex & Small Doses w/Flippants & Those Dogs (punk, rock, post-hardcore), 8:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE Sold Out: Chatham Rabbits (folk), 8pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Pleasure Chest (blues, soul, rock), 6pm

THE RAILYARD BLACK MOUNTAIN Ashley Heath (Americana, blues), 7pm THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN Live Music Saturday Nights, 7pm URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Cumbia & Latin Social w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 9pm WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT DJ Rexx Step, 7pm

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 EULOGY Phuncle Sam (Grateful Dead tribute), 5pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 3pm GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM Jazz Sunday's, 2pm

THE ODD Party Foul Drag & Bold Burlesque: Saturday Night Tease, 8pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Bluegrass Brunch, 1pm • Traditional Irish Jam, 3:30pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Nirvani (Nirvana tribute), 8pm

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THE GREY EAGLE Country Brunch w/ Hearts Gone South, 12pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN GreyStroke (rock), 7:30pm PLĒB URBAN WINERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 4pm

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12 27 CLUB Monday Karaoke, 9pm 5 WALNUT WINE BAR CaroMia, Rahm, Iannuci & Jaze Uries (dreampop, soul, R&B), 8pm DSSOLVR Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13

DSSOLVR Cheesy Valentine's Day Comedy Show, 9pm

ARCHETYPE BREWING Trivia Tuesday, 6:30pm

EULOGY Elizabeth Moen (synthfolk, country, soul), 8pm

EULOGY Squirrel Flower w/Greg Mendez & Tombstone Poetry (post-rock, indie, folk), 8pm FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Jackomo Cajun Band, 6pm NEW ORIGIN Trivia, 7pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 7pm

HAYWOOD COUNTRY CLUB Open Mic w/ Taylor Martin & Special Guests, 7:15pm

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

HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 6pm

SHAKEY'S Booty Tuesday w/DJ Tamagatchi, 9pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo! Pub Trivia w/ Jason Mencer, 7:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Takes All Kinds Open Mic Nights, 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING Open Mic Downtown, 7:30pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Mashup Mondays w/ The JLloyd Mashup Band, 8pm THE GREY EAGLE Tanner Usrey w/JD Clayton (rock, country, Americana), 8pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Mr Jimmy & Friends (blues), 7pm THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO. Trivia w/Billy, 7pm

SHILOH & GAINES Open Mic, 7pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Tuesday Night Open Jam, 8pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Open Mic Tuesday, 7pm

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 12 BONES BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm 27 CLUB Broken Heart Club Burlesque Show, 10pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. Trivia! Trivia!, 6:30pm BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Trivia Night w/ PartyGrampa, 7pm

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FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Saylor Brothers & Friends (jamgrass), 6:30pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Music w/ Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Bluegrass Jam w/Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm SHAKEY'S Sexy Service Industry Night, 10pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Trivia, 6:30pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish Music Session, 7pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15

HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7:30pm LAZOOM ROOM BAR & GORILLA LaZoom Room Comedy w/Gabbie Watts, 7pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. J. Dunks (rock, pop, folk), 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING The Knotty G's (Americana), 7pm OUTSIDER BREWING Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm SHAKEY'S Comedy Showcase, 8pm SHILOH & GAINES Karaoke Night, 8pm

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THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO. Peggy Ratusz & Kelly Jones (blues), 6pm

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

THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN Mr Jimmy (blues), 6:30pm

EULOGY Jointkiller Brass Band & Below the Bassline (jazz, brass, reggae), 8pm

URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Bachata Thursdays, 8:30pm

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

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F R E E W I L L A S T R O L O G Y BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): In honor of the Valentine season, and in accordance with astrological omens, I offer you a love letter from an unpublished novel by an Aries friend. Consider saying something similar to a person who would be thrilled to hear it. Here it is. “We will seize the sexiest joy we can conjure. We will turn each other into boisterous deities in quest of liberation from all unnecessary limitations. We will tenderly shock each other with mysterious epiphanies and rivers of bliss. ‘Wild’ will be too mild a word for the awakenings we provoke in each other’s futures.” TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “The greater the fool, the better the dancer.” Composer Theodore Hook said that. Poet Edwin Denby agreed. He said, “There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.” Choreographer Martha Graham added, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.” I bring these thoughts to your attention because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to get freer, more sensuous, and more unconstrained. Dancing your inhibitions into oblivion will be an excellent way to pursue these goals. So will doing everything with a dancer’s abandon, including love-making. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Years ago, Salon. com asked various critics to name the most preposterous sex scene to appear in a recently published novel. I was honored that one of the vignettes selected was from my book The Televisionary Oracle. As I read the critic’s review of my wild, funny, and crazy erotic story, I realized he was a pedantic macho prude who thought sex isn’t sex unless it’s dead serious and joylessly intense. The characters of mine he regarded as preposterous were in fact playing, laughing, and having goofy fun. In the spirit of my novel’s kooky lovers and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to pursue uproarious amusement while enjoying the arts of intimacy — both in and out of bed. (P.S.: Playwright Rose Franken said, “Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.”) CANCER (June 21-July 22): A psychic told me that in one of my past lives, I was Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome. It’s an intriguing theory that could help explain why my horoscopes are popular in Italy. What about you, my fellow Cancerian? Is there an aspect of your reincarnational history that aids your current destiny? Or are there past events in your current life that are becoming more influential? The coming weeks will be a good time to meditate on these possibilities. While you ruminate on your history, check in with the spirits of your ancestors and departed allies to see if they have any inspirational messages for you. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Kevin Kelly wrote the book Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier. There he observes, “Listening well is a superpower. While listening to someone you love, keep asking them ’Is there more?’ until there is no more.” Dear Leo, this is excellent advice for you in the coming weeks. I urge you to specialize in gathering the deep revelations of those you care for. Opening yourself to them in unprecedented ways will boost your soul power and enrich your wisdom. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Imagine you are walking on a hill at night. You are headed to meet a person you adore, who awaits you with champagne and chocolate. The weather is balmy. The moon is full. You are singing songs you both love, announcing your arrival. The songs tell stories about how much you two love to yearn for each other and how much you love quenching your yearning. When you arrive, dear Virgo, what will you tell your beloved to make them feel supremely understood and appreciated? LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Has your approach to togetherness become infused with habit or numbness? When was the last time you got extravagant for the sake of love? Has it been a while since you tried a daring romantic move or two?

FEB. 7-13, 2024

I bring these questions to your attention, Libra, because now is an excellent time to rev up your imagination as you upgrade intimacy, companionship, and collaboration. I hope you will authorize your fantasy life to be lush, unruly, and experimental. Spur yourself to dream up departures from routine that intrigue your close allies. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Author W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) testified, “My own belief is that there is hardly anyone whose sexual life, if it were broadcast, would not fill the world with surprise and horror.” Is that true about you, Scorpio? Even if it is, I’m guessing the horrifying aspects will be nonexistent in the coming weeks. There may be surprises, yes. There may be entertaining interludes. But from what I can tell, everything will at least be educational and colorful. What are your most exotic erotic fantasies? Now is a good time to ask a willing partner to explore them with grace and good humor. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Valentine season is looming, and many of us are receptive to advice about togetherness. I’ll offer some principles that I believe are essential to you Sagittarians as you nourish ALL your close relationships, including your romantic bonds. They are from novelist Graham Joyce. He wrote, “Two people in love don’t make a hive mind. Neither should they want to be a hive mind, to think the same, to know the same. It’s about being separate and still loving each other, being distinct from each other. One is the violin string, one is the bow.” CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Lately, I have been intoxicated a lot. Not because I’ve ingested drugs and alcohol. Not because I have been doing three-hour meditations or studying sacred texts. I’ve felt so wildly free and euphoric because life has been dismantling some of my fears. Once it happened when my psychotherapist spoke just the right curative words at a pivotal moment in our session. Another time, I came upon a very large hare while strolling in the woods and had an epiphany about how to heal a painful trauma in my past. On another occasion, I dreamed of a priestess doing a banishing ritual to exorcize my abandonment fears. There were three other similar events, as well. I bring this to your attention because I suspect you may soon also get intoxicated through the loss of fears. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Reading through the annals of famous authors’ quotes about love, I’m horrified by the relentlessness of their sour assessments. “Love is merely a madness,” wrote Shakespeare. “Whoever is not jealous is not in love,” said St. Augustine. “General incivility is the very essence of love,” declared Jane Austen. “It is impossible to love and be wise,” moaned Francis Bacon. “Real love always has something hidden — some loss or boredom or tiny hate,” says Andrew Sean Greer. I am allergic to all that dour noise! Personally, I have been entangled in a lot of romantic love during my time on Earth, and most of it has been interesting, educational and therapeutic. I am deeply grateful for ALL of it, even the heartbreaks. Any wisdom I have developed owes a great debt to my lovers. What about you, Aquarius? Where do you stand on these issues? I suspect the coming months will provide you with ample reasons to embrace my attitudes. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Have you discovered all there is to know about your sexual feelings and proclivities? Have you come to a complete understanding of what turns you on and how you might express it? I hope your answer to those questions is “no,” Pisces. In my view, all of us should keep evolving our relationship with eros. There is always more to discover and explore about the mysteries of our desires. Always more to learn about what excites and inspires us. The coming days will be an excellent time for you to enjoy this research.

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REAL ESTATE & RENTALS | ROOMMATES | JOBS | SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASSES & WORKSHOPS | MIND, BODY, SPIRIT MUSICIANS’ SERVICES | PETS | AUTOMOTIVE | XCHANGE | ADULT Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 advertise@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the Russian proverb: “Doveryai, no proveryai,” trust but verify. When answering classified ads, always err on the side of caution. Especially beware of any party asking you to give them financial or identification information. The Mountain Xpress cannot be responsible for ensuring that each advertising client is legitimate. Please report scams to advertise@mountainx.com EMPLOYMENT GENERAL PART TIME ASSISTANT Need assistant for errands, partial-day leisure trips in my car, light help at home. CNA preferred. East Asheville. Starting at $20/ hr. 828-772-7201 .

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MOUNTAIN XPRESS DELIVERY DRIVER

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