Mountain Xpress 05.02.18 by Mountain Xpress

OU R 24T H Y E A R OF W E E K LY I N DE PE N DE N T N E W S, A RT S & E V E N T S FOR W E ST E R N NORT H CA ROL I NA VOL . 26 NO. 41 M AY 2 - 8, 2018

Candidates jockey for position in May 8 primary Loafing around at the Asheville Bread Festival

LEAF aims for gender equity in festival lineup

Spring 2018

Nonprofit issue

OU R 24TH Y E A R OF W E E K LY I N DE PE N DE N T N E W S, A RTS & E V E N TS FOR W E STE R N NORTH CA ROL I NA VOL . 26 NO. 41 M AY 2 - 8, 2018

C O NT E NT S

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Loafing around at the Asheville Bread Festival

LEAF aims for gender equity in festival lineup

Candidates jockey for position in May 8 primary

PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE Have you decided whom to vote for in the primary? If you’re still figuring that out, check out our primary election guide for info on local candidates running for county, state and national offices. COVER ILLUSTRATION Randy Molton COVER DESIGN Norn Cutson and Scott Southwick

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7 FREEZE! ICE raids shine spotlight on Henderson County’s 287(g) program

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32 ON THE RIGHT PATH WNC experts discuss sustainability of outdoor recreation

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36 PLANT-BASED PARADISE Hendersonville is nourishing a growing vegan community

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42 THE FUTURE IS FEMALE LEAF leads the charge for gender equality at music festivals

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44 SOUND OFF Three Asheville-based acts release new music

3 LETTERS 3 CARTOON: MOLTON 5 CARTOON: BRENT BROWN 24 ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES 25 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 26 CONSCIOUS PARTY 28 WELLNESS 32 GREEN SCENE 34 FARM & GARDEN 36 FOOD 38 SMALL BITES 40 CAROLINA BEER GUY 42 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 47 THEATER REVIEW 48 SMART BETS 53 CLUBLAND 59 MOVIES 60 SCREEN SCENE 61 CLASSIFIEDS 62 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 63 NY TIMES CROSSWORD

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OPINION

Send your letters to the editor to letters@mountainx.com. STA F F PUBLISHER: Jeff Fobes ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson MANAGING EDITOR: Virginia Daffron A&E EDITOR/WRITER: Alli Marshall FOOD EDITOR/WRITER: Gina Smith OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose WELLNESS EDITOR/WRITER: Susan Foster STAFF REPORTERS/WRITERS: Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Virginia Daffron, David Floyd, Daniel Walton CALENDAR/CLUBLAND EDITOR:

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Abigail Griffin ASST. CLUBLAND EDITOR: Lauren Andrews

Stop the Balfour Parkway I am a concerned citizen against the proposed Balfour Parkway. My concern is based upon my home and community being included in half of the 24 proposed routes. After researching, I discovered that the Balfour Parkway will not address the “primary purpose of the proposed project to improve east-west vehicular traffic in Henderson County” as described in the N.C, DOT document “Balfour Parkway — Proposed new location roadway from N.C. 191 to U.S. 64 — Henderson County. STIP Project No. R-5744.” Existing and forecast traffic patterns do not support this! The proposed expressway, depending upon the exact path, could impact anywhere from 221 to 440 homes per N.C. DOT documents at a taxpayer cost of $160-plus million. The surrounding area could suffer from destruction of homes, churches, cemeteries, orchards resulting in bifurcation of neighborhoods, traffic noise intrusion, vehicle pollution and elimination of the small-town feel of Henderson County. The Balfour Parkway will change forever the landscape of Henderson County. If east/west travel is impeded by current roads, which has yet to be proven, there are other, less destructive and intrusive alternatives of accomplishing relief, either via fixing the existing road system or placing the expressway through less populated areas (open space). I have aligned myself with the Stop the Balfour campaign to cancel this proj-

ect. Please join us and sign our petition at www.stopthebalfour.com. Thank you for your consideration. — Greg Heimburg Hendersonville

Miller is a man of integrity, intelligence I am voting for Quentin Miller for Buncombe County sheriff. I’ve known Quentin for over 20 years and know him to be a man of integrity, intelligence, open-mindedness, compassion and quality. He has already served this community by doing so many things that have helped people in so many ways. He is not about fanfare; he is about positive outcomes. I will be thrilled to call Quentin Miller my sheriff. I hope you will vote for him, too. — Leni Sitnick Former Asheville mayor Asheville

Fitzsimmons has track record of results I’m voting Patrick Fitzsimmons for Buncombe County commissioner. As Buncombe County voters, we deserve a county commissioner who not only believes in transparency, financial oversight, restoring accountability and trust in our county government, but most importantly, some-

MOVIE REVIEWERS: Scott Douglas, Francis X. Friel, Justin Souther CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Jonathan Ammons, Leslie Boyd, Liz Carey, Jacqui Castle, Cathy Cleary, Kim Dinan, Scott Douglas, Jonathan Esslinger, Tony Kiss, Bill Kopp, Cindy Kunst, Jeff Messer, Joe Pellegrino, Shawndra Russell, Monroe Spivey, Lauren Stepp ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Norn Cutson, Scott Southwick, Olivia Urban MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Christina Bailey, Sara Brecht, Bryant Cooper, Karl Knight, Tim Navaille, Brian Palmieri, Heather Taylor INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES & WEB: Bowman Kelley, DJ Taylor BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler-Tanner ADMINISTRATION, BILLING, HR: Able Allen, Lauren Andrews DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Jeff Tallman ASST. DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Denise Montgomery DISTRIBUTION: Gary Alston, Russell Badger, Frank D’Andrea, Jemima Cook Fliss, Adrian Hipps, Autumn Hipps, Clyde Hipps, Jennifer Hipps, Joan Jordan, Desiree Mitchell, Bob Rosinsky, Thomas Young

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OPI N I ON

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

one who can actually do something about it. Mr. Fitzsimmons has proven he can restore and upgrade large organizations. As former executive director of the Western North Carolina Red Cross, Mr. Fitzsimmons upgraded the organization to a performance rating in the top 10 percent in the country and left the organization with a $3 million endowment. Presently, as executive director of Mountain BizWorks, the organization has created 300 local new businesses generating over 1,300 new jobs since his arrival 3 ½ years ago. As a Council member of Weaverville, he brings a unique blend of public and private-sector experience and will serve the citizens of Buncombe County with integrity and responsibly. Mr. Fitzsimmons has proven a commitment to service and a track record of real results. — Mollie Milner Asheville Editor’s note: Milner reports that she is volunteering on Fitzsimmons’ campaign team.

Williams should continue his good work as DA We and many of our progressive friends support [Todd] Williams for what he has accomplished since he was elected four years ago. Most importantly, he has the support of those who work in the judicial system. We’re puzzled by last week’s letter writer, who listed all the progressive changes that Williams’ opponent will make in the DA’s office [“Scales Puts Forth Truly Progressive Agenda,” April 25, Xpress]. Oddly, the writer listed [some of the] changes Williams has already carried out: • Combined a variety of services under one roof for vulnerable victims of violent crime through the Child Advocacy and Family Justice Centers. • Implemented new options for rehab, job training and other services in lieu of punishment for effective, compassionate outcomes. • Helped veterans with minor offenses and drug convictions clear their records so they can get jobs. • Proposed offering new mothers alternatives to incarceration. • Put plans in place, in collaboration with judges, to pursue aggressive strategies to reduce the jail population and reform cash bail. • Appointed the first black assistant DA. Our district attorney has acted with integrity to date. For instance, while some question the timing of charges 4

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against [Asheville Police Officer Chris Hickman in the beating of resident Johnnie Rush], the DA had to have an investigation submitted to his office prior to seeking charges. Others question why body-cam videos weren’t released in the interest of transparency, but only a judge could order their release, and the DA knew that release of the videos could jeopardize the criminal case. ... In a recent judicial district Bar Association’s candidate forum, his opponent, Ben Scales, agreed that “the key is being transparent with the public after justice has been served.” Scales also stated that he, too, would require an investigation prior to seeking charges against the officer.” Todd Williams considers the circumstances of each crime, rather than reflexively pushing for the harshest possible punishment. He supports a new program that will keep nonviolent, first-time offenders out of jail with the offer of a chance to get their life back on track. Aren’t those all the kind of progressive actions we want our district attorney to implement? Williams has been endorsed by, among others, Drew Reisinger, Dr. Olson Huff, Steve Cogburn, Van Duncan and Terry Van Duyn. He deserves your vote in this primary election to continue his good work as Buncombe County district attorney. Your vote is critical in this normally low turnout primary, as the winner will face no opponent in the November election. Thank you for voting! — Valerie Hoh, community activist Beth Jezek Asheville Editor’s note: The Urban News reported April 13 that Williams plans to employ African-American attorney Jorge Redmon, who is licensed to practice in Georgia, as an assistant district attorney once he is licensed by the N.C. State Bar.

Why I support Woodsmall for Congress If he were honest, Rep. Mark Meadows would likely admit he doesn’t care about polls. Polls that say we: • Want more health care, not less. • Believe teachers deserve more pay, better benefits and decent pensions. • Demand expanded backgrounds checks so those who might harm our children can’t acquire military-style tools of death. What else explains why Rep. Meadows votes against our best interests and those of Americans everywhere?

C A RT O O N B Y B R E NT B R O W N But before you can replace Mark Meadows, you must win the November midterm elections. And to do that, you must win North Carolina’s May 8 primary. So the primary is like applying for a job. And we’re the hiring managers. We must decide the best candidate for the job of beating Mark Meadows. Three good men have applied. But one stands out because of his background, experience and ability to attract the Democratic, unaffiliated, conservative and moderate votes needed to get the job done: Steve Woodsmall. • As a U.S. Air Force major (retired), Steve immediately connects with men and women, regardless of party affiliation, who also served our country honorably. • As an M-16 and .38-caliber revolver marksman and Second Amendment rights supporter, Steve can argue for reasonable gun regulations to voters — including conservatives and moderates — who might not otherwise consider a Democrat. • As a Brevard College teacher and Transylvania Planning Board member, Steve shows by example how serving country and community is his nature, not just his rhetoric. • And as someone who has lived in here for years because, like so many of us WNC transplants, he and his wife choose to, Steve can make a passionate argument why he won’t turn his back on District 11, as our current representative has.

Primaries are like job interviews. And we hiring managers must decide who’s best qualified to beat Mark Meadows. For me, the choice is easy. The best candidate for that job is Steve Woodsmall. — Stephen Advokat Woodsmall for Congress volunteer Asheville

Honesty should be table stakes in congressional race My little family of four just recently settled in the Hendersonville area. Hubby and I both work remotely and travel often, but we justify the long, chaotic Monday-Friday for weekends hiking the Pisgah, raising kids in a charming small town and soaking up the beauty of Western North Carolina. We weren’t planning to get involved with local politics, but with so many factors deteriorating our safety, health care, education and environment, we can’t afford not to. I’ve been following the District 11 congressional race closely; it’s our district. It’s a race to unseat incumbent Mark Meadows, which is an absolute necessity for the health of our community. My eyes have been glued to the Democratic primary featuring Mr.

[Phillip] Price, Mr. [Steve] Woodsmall and Dr. [Scott] Donaldson. After attending a slew of candidate forums/debates and hearing each one articulate their platform in similar and different ways, there is something that has really been bothering me. I feel the need to bring it up. It’s Woodsmall. He’s not being honest. He touts his carbon footprint. I’ve heard him say he’s 100 percent windpowered, off the grid and doesn’t give a dime to Duke Power. Other times, he backpedals and negates those claims. His home shows no evidence of wind power, and he’s admitted to buying credits from a third party. That doesn’t make you wind-powered. And your money still lands with Duke Power.

He also mentions his Air Force career. He retired as a major and he claims to have commanded military bases. But he’s given no details when asked to elaborate. He changes the subject to how angry and fed up he is without taking the time to answer questions that would validate his claims. Why am I the first to question his honesty? The reality is, I began following this race because of my passion for sensible gun laws to protect my children, my opinion on single-payer health care, my love for the environment and desire to protect it. But what I learned is a disappointing reality that, not only do we have to evaluate candidates on their opinions about the issues we care about, we have to evaluate

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You’re all write Mountain Xpress is seeking experienced contributing writers to bolster our coverage of local news, arts and entertainment, food, the environment and health and wellness. We work with writers who know Asheville and Western North Carolina, are comfortable interacting with and reflecting a wide range of people and perspectives and can turn in clean, compelling copy — on deadline. Knowledge of AP style is helpful, as are photography skills. Interested? Please send a cover letter; résumé; at least three published, relevant clips/links; and an indication of the section or sections you’d like to work with to writers@mountainx.com.

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

OPINION

their honesty. Honesty in speaking about themselves and not just telling us exactly what we want to hear. Honesty in making realistic promises to the citizens of WNC. And honesty in representing us in Washington. So, if Woodsmall can’t tell a clear, transparent and consistent story in the District.11 primary, how will he ever survive the general against Meadows? And if by chance he does, do we really want him representing us anyway? — Kaycee Kalpin Hendersonville

Editor’s note: Xpress contacted Woodsmall’s campaign with a summary of the letter writer’s points, and received the following response: “Replacing Mark Meadows is the most important objective. He’s wrong for Western North Carolina. Wrong for America. But beating him will not be easy. You must decide which candidate can attract the most Democratic, unaffiliated, conservative and moderate votes to get that job done. So let me quickly dismiss the concerns mentioned so all three of us can return

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to what’s most important: helping you decide who’s most qualified to take the fight to Mr. Meadows. • I’m a Ph.D. professor with a degree from an accredited university online. (Ask and you can read my leadership dissertation!) This is an example why I want high-speed internet throughout District 11, so everyone can use this modern communication medium. • Your home can be powered with renewable energy from Arcadia Power, too. Just select “100 percent wind power.” It’s a little more expensive, but I see that as an investment in our environment. • I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1975 and retired in 1994 at the rank of major. I’ve held five separate command positions and was recognized as Company Grade Officer of the Year, Maxwell Air Force Base; and Outstanding Airman of the Year, Scott Air Force Base. • I’ve held positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission, FAA, several corporate management positions and a community action agency; served as adjunct faculty at several universities; and taught graduate courses at Forbes School of Business. You can learn more about me at woodsmallforcongress2018.org. But my platform includes universal health care, “green” jobs, reasonable gun regulations, safer schools, education, a living wage and protecting our beautiful WNC natural resources. We’re working hard to spread that message before the May 8 primary. Then, first thing May 9, we’re “back in the office” for the most important District 11 goal: retiring Mark Meadows this November.”

Price is the only candidate who can beat Meadows I write today in total support of Phillip Price, Democratic candidate for the 11th Congressional District. In my opinion, Mr. Price is the only candidate who can unseat Mark Meadows. I have heard all three candidates speak, and Mr. Price is the only one who seems to understand the people of this district. Having lived here for his entire adult life — 30-plus years — and working all over the 16 counties taking down barns and farmhouses to make the lumber into furniture and wood panels for new homes, Mr. Price gets us because he is definitely one of us. Heck, he uses Obamacare for his health insurance! That doctor — who sounds like a Republican wolf in sheep’s clothing — and that professor — who just seems to want to yell about his degrees — don’t seem to understand anything about what

it is to struggle some. And Phillip sure knows about that. And the man sure can answer questions! He knows what is going on, and he has some great ideas to fix things in Washington. Anyway, my guess is that Mr. Price will get a bunch of Democratic votes and a bunch of independent votes and maybe even a few GOP votes. And the doctor and the professor — well, they won’t. So please vote for Phillip Price for Congress as he is the only one who can defeat Meadows. We need to send Phillip to Washington! — Thomas “Tommy” Smith Hendersonville

Citizens should take charge and get it done I appreciated recent letters to the Xpress about littering. I also can appreciate the need for stricter litter laws, even though, ultimately, sometimes citizens should take charge and just get it done. If I can offer a couple of other ideas, one with immediate results and one more a long-term solution: A couple of weeks ago, after looking at roadside trash (for weeks and grumbling about it!) on Monticello Road in Weaverville leading to my neighborhood, I went to my local hardware store and bought a device used to pick up trash and a box of contractorstrength, 40-gallon garbage bags. I walked up and down the road for four hours and picked up nine large bags of trash and actually thoroughly enjoyed my time. The stretch of road looks great! And I found two $10 bills to boot, enough to cover the costs of tool and bags! Doing this type of activity is a win-win for everybody. (Please be careful, wear an orange vest and stay well off the road. Stay alert!!). A more long-term solution is to teach our children how to act. We should teach our kids zero tolerance for polluting in any form, anywhere. Lead by example. Let keep Mother Earth clean! — Bill Cheek Asheville

Correction In our April 18 article, “Breaking Down Barriers: Nonprofits Help WNC Families Clear Hurdles to Food Access,” we included incorrect information about whether the WNC Farmers Market accepts SNAP payments. We later learned that one vendor does accept SNAP — Teague’s Country Corner.

NEWS

FREEZE!

ICE raids shine spotlight on Henderson County’s 287(g) program

BY SAMMY FELDBLUM

who knows how many years being separated from their families. “The reality is that as long as you maintain a 287(g) program, there’s going to be deportations in Henderson County.”

sfeldblum@gmail.com In mid-April, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents staged a flurry of raids throughout Western North Carolina. In Weaverville, Hendersonville, Fletcher and in Buncombe County’s Emma community, ICE agents detained some 15 residents to start the deportation process. The raids began on April 14. Later that day, hundreds of people took part in a protest in front of the federal courthouse in downtown Asheville. The protest was organized by Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción. The Ashevillebased CIMA (formerly known as the Coalición de Organizaciones LatinoAmericanas) coordinates the efforts of groups working for immigrants’ rights in WNC. Local activists and faith leaders, joined by Asheville City Council members Sheneika Smith, Brian Haynes and Vijay Kapoor, tried to piece together exactly what had happened while voicing support for the region’s immigrant communities. Bruno Hinojosa Ruiz, CIMA’S co-director, described the day as a “moment of panic” for many families. “Right now,” he said, “we don’t even know where people are being held: could be Hendersonville, could be South Carolina, could be Charlotte.” MINOR INFRACTIONS CAN TRIGGER DEPORTATION Only six of North Carolina’s 100 counties participate in the federal government’s 287(g) program, which enlists local law enforcement personnel to help implement federal immigration law. Henderson is the only WNC county that takes part in the program. ICE spokesman Bryan Cox of the agency’s Atlanta office stressed that the April raids were at-large operations separate from the 287(g) program. Nonetheless, in the aftermath, the program has come under intense scrutiny from immigrants’ rights activists and community members. Henderson County opted into the program under Sheriff Rick Davis in 2008; between 1990 and 2006, the local Latino population had increased dramatically. Much of that growth resulted from migrant agricultural workers

HEIGHTENED TENSION

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Incumbent Henderson County Sheriff Charlie McDonald, left, took the stage with primary challenger Lowell Griffin at a candidate forum on April 17. Henderson County’s participation in enforcing federal immigration law was the hot topic of the forum, drawing protests, jeers and eventually a walkout by a number of attendees. Photo by Sammy Feldblum

The raw feelings in the wake of the raids were on display at an April 17 forum for county sheriff candidates. Incumbent Charlie McDonald squared off against Republican challenger Lowell Griffin, a captain in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. No Democrat is running, so the May 8 primary will determine who wins the job. Before a packed house in Blue Ridge Community College’s Bo Thomas Auditorium, the candidates discussed such issues as arming teachers, building new training facilities and disposing of dead animals.

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coming to the area seasonally and then settling here. Today, the county’s more than 10,000 Hispanic residents account for about 10 percent of the population. Critics say the 287(g) program can lead to racial profiling and overpolicing, even among residents with green cards or American citizenship. Either party to the local ICE agreement is free to rescind it at any time. According to an ICE fact sheet, however, “Racial profiling is simply not something that will be tolerated, and any indication of racial profiling will be treated with the utmost scrutiny and fully investigated. ... In addition to the training these officers receive from their local departments, the 287(g) training includes coursework on multicultural communication and the avoidance of racial profiling.” Yet for immigrants lacking documentation, even minor infractions can trigger the deportation process. “Originally, it was a program intended to target aggravated felonies and such crimes,” a man who formerly worked under Davis told Xpress. The man, who’s now with a different sheriff’s office, requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. “But then people were included that were brought into the jail for jaywalking or having an expired license. Now you’re talking about people that have been in this country for

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N EWS But it was the 287(g) program that sparked the most controversy. At the outset, moderator Bill Fishburne refused to accept a question asked in Spanish, even after the crowd offered to translate it. That set the stage for a question about outreach to the Latino community. McDonald cited Spanish-speaking deputies and participation in Day of the Dead festivities as demonstrating his department’s efforts to “be inclusive.” But his assertion that his deputies don’t ask about visas while on duty was met with skepticism by some members of the audience. Griffin, on the other hand, drew scattered cheers from the mixed crowd when he said: “The Latino community, I don’t think people understand the economic impact they have. There are industries that would fold without these folks, who have become a huge part of our community. We have to earn their trust.” Nonetheless, Griffin hedged on the question of collaborating with ICE, saying, “I have to look deeply at it. I can’t tell you every part of it, the ins and outs. I will tell you this: I don’t want to use it as a tactic that’s going to intimidate the Latino

STANDING UP: Outside the April 17 sheriff candidate forum, a group of community members gathered on the grounds of Blue Ridge Community College after walking out of the event in protest of incumbent Sheriff Charlie McDonald’s participation in the 287(g) program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Photo by Sammy Feldblum community that this county relies so heavily on. … The application can be arbitrary at times.” But McDonald, who’s renewed the program repeatedly since becoming sheriff in 2012, begged to differ.

“Obviously, Mr. Griffin doesn’t understand what the 287(g) program is. It has nothing to do with the roundups. ... Once somebody is brought into our jail, they’re run through our system to determine if they’re a rapist, a murderer — and that’s what it does.” The assertion drew boos from a heavily Hispanic corner of the crowd. “I want to challenge the assumption that it’s arbitrary,” McDonald continued. “It’s not arbitrary: Everybody that comes in gets run through the system.” That produced more boos and shouts that the sheriff was lying. Latino residents stood up brandishing signs proclaiming “No ICE” and “287g = RACIST” and filed out of the room. One woman shouted that without immigrants there would be no tomatoes, no apples. Other crowd members jeered back. A man yelled: “Arrest them! Arrest them!” At press time, McDonald had not responded to requests for comment on the walkout. But Maj. Frank Stout, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, told Xpress, “It’s their right to come and right to go as they so choose.” CLIMATE OF FEAR Outside the auditorium, the protesters gathered to discuss how to protect community members from deportation. Former CIMA organizer Alan Ramirez scoffed at McDonald’s distancing his department from the recent raids. “The 287(g) program has been here for 10 years,” he said. “It built the foundation for such a successful raid.”

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According to the ICE fact sheet, the program provides “a tremendous benefit to public safety,” helping “local and federal officers ... better identify and remove criminal aliens.” By working together, it notes, “Our state and local law enforcement partners have become a force multiplier, allowing ICE to actively engage more officers/agents into ongoing enforcement operations nationwide that require increased manpower.” But Hunter Ogletree, who heads the Henderson County Public Schools’ Migrant Education Program, was deeply upset by the raids. “This week has been crazy,” he said. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve never seen anything like this. Never.” Cox, however, disputed the idea that the recent raids represented anything unusual. “We make arrests literally every day,” he told Xpress. “The premise that arrests that took place across Western North Carolina were a new thing or something that is not continuing to happen, will continue to happen, would not be correct. ICE has a presence in North Carolina; that is not a new thing.” The April raids resulted in about 15 arrests, Cox estimated, adding, “We don’t typically track arrests below the field office level.” Community members, though, say there were at least a half-dozen more than that. Felicia Arriaga, who grew up in Hendersonville, is studying 287(g) programs in North Carolina while pursuing a doctorate in sociology at Duke University. It’s hard to verify the number of deportees reported by ICE, she said, but “the number of people who were picked up in this most recent

raid is less than the number that were deported from the jail last year.” That climate of uncertainty, noted Ramirez, contributes to a generalized anxiety throughout the immigrant community and beyond. Speaking “as a person of color in this country,” he said, “We live with anxiety. We’ve heard ICE may be here till the end of the week, but detainments and deportations have been going on in our community for years now. So this is an opportunity to tell the truth about collaboration between local law enforcement and federal.” Similar sentiments were expressed on April 25, when ICE and Sheriff’s Office representatives held the program’s annual public meeting at the county courthouse. McDonald did not attend. UNLAWFUL LAW? Griffin has vivid memories of the hardships faced by the Latino community when he was growing up in Fruitland. “I was working in a little convenience store in Edneyville — I saw migrant labor come in that were forced to live in substandard conditions,” he told Xpress. “This is back when there were migrant camps here.” Griffin made similar comments during an April 11 meeting of El Centro of Henderson County, a local nonprofit that provides support services to the Latino community. District Attorney Greg Newman, a former mayor of Hendersonville,

also attended the gathering, which was held at the Blue Ridge Community Health Center. “I was never a fan, because I was worried about the fear that it would place in a community,” he said about the collaboration with ICE. “I was mayor when it came in; I was worried about it not being applied evenly. It causes a lot of problems. It also concerned me that there was this thought in the community of ‘OK, let’s round ’em up … and ship ’em to God knows where.’” George Pappas, an immigration attorney who works with El Centro, left no doubt about how he sees the program, calling it “a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Every single challenge to 287(g) detainment in federal court has knocked it down. It’s unconstitutional.” Asked about Pappas’ assertion, Cox said, “Different courts have ruled different ways. There is a split in the district courts right now.” But Pappas also had some words of warning for whoever wins the sheriff’s job: “If you’re sheriff and you try to hold people like this, watch out, because our community of lawyers is going to sue you. Not just you,” he told Griffin; “I said this to Sheriff McDonald as well. If you really want to build trust with the Latino community — with all communities, as you say — then this is how to do it: Get rid of it.” X

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Protest signs from the April 17 sheriff candidate forum summarized some forum attendees’ opposition to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department’s cooperation with federal immigration agents. Photo by Sammy Feldblum MOUNTAINX.COM

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

F EATU R E

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2018 Buncombe County

PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE

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dfloyd@mountainx.com The May 8 primary election promises to be a dramatic first act to the 2018 election cycle in Buncombe County. Numerous candidates are seeking their party’s nomination for seats in county and national government. Five Democrats are jostling to plug the void left by retiring Sheriff Van Duncan, four Democrats are hoping to fill an Ellen Frost-shaped hole on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and five Republicans have jumped on the ballot in an effort to unseat seven-term Rep. Patrick McHenry. Meanwhile, three-term Republican Rep. Mark Meadows is limbering up in preparation for a general election brawl with one of three Democratic candidates. Republican County Commissioner Robert Pressley is making similar preparations for a matchup against one of three local Democrats. Republican Nathan West was originally running against fel-

2018

BEER WEEK PULL-OUT GUIDE 10

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

low conservative Amy Evans for the chance to face off against Democratic incumbent John Ager for his District 115 State House seat, but he has dropped out. He has thrown his support behind Evans, but his name will still appear on the ballot. To help voters differentiate among the many candidates, Mountain Xpress sent questions to all those who are fighting for a nomination. Responses to our questions for candidates for Buncombe County Sheriff and District Attorney were published in our April 26 issue (online at avl.mx/4wz). Rep. Mark Meadows, his primary challenger, Chuck Archerd, and Ira Roberts, a Republican candidate in the U.S. House District 10 primary, didn’t respond to our survey. Early voting is underway in the 2018 primary election. Those who are registered as unaffiliated voters may request a ballot for either major party’s primary. For more information, see the complete Xpress voter guide at avl.mx/4wz. X

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MOUNTAIN XPRESS VOTER GUIDE BUNCOMBE CO. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

THE QUESTIONS

BUNCOMBE CO. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - DISTRICT 2

AMANDA EDWARDS Democrat

Experience: Executive director AB Tech foundation, former executive director of Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter of the American Red Cross Website: www.electamandaedwards.org Endorsements: Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman; Sheriff Van Duncan; Black Mountain Vice Mayor Maggie Tuttle; Black Mountain Alderman Jeremie Konegni

PATRICK FITZSIMMONS Democrat

Experience: Executive director of Mountain BizWorks and Weaverville Town Council member; former CEO of Western North Carolina Region of American Red Cross Website: www.votepatrickfitzsimmons.org

What neighborhood/area do you live in? What are those residents’ concerns?

Green Ridge in north Buncombe County, where we have a lot of backyard farmers, myself included, and some working farms. Recently, just over 12 acres of land were sold in less than 12 hours of being listed on the market. The uncertainty of what will happen to that land has residents of the area concerned. Will a new housing development be built, or will the land remain as open farmland? This is a concern that I hear from neighbors and throughout District 2.

I have lived in Weaverville for 14 years and was elected to the Town Council in 2015. I have learned from my experience governing and from listening to my neighbors that managing growth and development and preserving the small-town atmosphere of the area is most important to people. Folks are not adverse to new development but don’t want predatory growth that is unexpected or unmanaged. People want to live in a community that is safe, walkable, has amenities for all and preserves our natural environment.

What’s one recent Board of Commissioners decision you disagree with? How would you have handled it differently?

The commissioners rejected the option of undertaking a national search for a new county manager. In our council-manager form of government, there is no staff member more crucial to achieving strategic priorities and changing culture than the county manager. I would have opted for a competitive process with an eye on equity and innovation in top candidates.

The commissioners were presented with reasonable recommendations to address the scandal enveloping our county, yet they refused to discuss them. In October, Chairman Newman proposed cutting the salaries of county commissioners, who make some of the highest pay for commissioners in the state, as well as awarding an increase for the lowest-paid county workers and freezing cost-of-living increases for top salaried employees who have been severely overrewarded by the county manager in recent years. Some commissioners said they were waiting for results of a salary study first before acting. Six months later, no changes and no salary study.

What do you bring to the table that your opponents can’t?

My deep roots in education. My husband is an elementary principal, son is in middle school, mom and aunts were teachers. Also, I will serve as a knowledgeable and vigilant commissioner, ready to prevent avoidable crises and to lead change. I have in-depth education in county government management and best practices (master’s of public administration). My years as a CEO and executive director provide me with budget and management skills. I believe that the greatest challenge that our county faces is restoring trust and ensuring fiscal oversight and accountability — because without trust and oversight, we can’t make progress on community priorities.

The benefit I have that my opponents lack is experience as an elected official and a career in executive positions. I bring a breadth of knowledge and experience in both business and government. No learning curve necessary here. My opponents in the District 2 race are a credible and diverse set of folks. They are all smart, educated professionals. We have four people running in a district in rural North Carolina with several small towns, and who are they? An African-American man, two women and a gay guy. Who would have thought such a field would have even been possible?

There is a stark difference in outcomes for white and black residents of Buncombe County. What should the county do to narrow the gap between these populations?

Until we can ensure that everyone lives in a safe neighborhood and has equal access to public services, educational and employment opportunities, we have unacceptable disparity. Early childhood education, affordable housing, opioids, diverse workforce, law enforcement and criminal justice reform are all equity issues. Policies: Achieve shared understanding of equity via training. Deliver equal access to high-quality early childhood education via fellows program for teachers; two-year to four-year degree transfer program; child care centers with businesses and nonprofits. Partner with Habitat for Humanity, Givens Estates, MHO on affordable housing. Interagency coordination on opioids. Anti-bias hiring practices. De-escalation training, diversion programs.

The difference in wealth and resources between whites and blacks is great across the country and even more so here. We need to encourage business development in black neighborhoods by incentivizing it. We need to protect black neighborhoods from total gentrification by using zoning ordinances and development incentives. We need to address the achievement gap in our schools by looking to school districts who have effectively reduced theirs and taking bold action. We need to improve public housing such has been proposed for Lee Walker Heights. And we need to make sure law enforcement agencies are well-trained and held accountable.

How can the county rebuild trust in the wake of the Wanda Greene scandal and ongoing investigation?

The county must do the work that we rely on it to do and do it with equity, fairness and transparency. Regarding the ongoing investigation, we can release all public information that has been withheld. If it is public information, it should be made public. In reforming policies and practices that created the perception that government is self-serving, we can first listen to the public and county employees and use their input to make further changes. We have to both change the perception that county government is self-serving and do the work of providing services that people rely on.

To restore an atmosphere of trust, we must be abundantly transparent, with a much greater degree of financial oversight from our commission. We must take action to try and recover the oversized bonuses awarded some staff or remove those staff. If my board of directors offered me a couple hundred thousand dollars as a bonus, of course, I would be excited, but I would also know that it was wrong and unhealthy for my company. Those county staff knew that, too, yet no action has been taken and no contrition has been voiced.

What’s the single most pressing issue facing Buncombe County now, and how would you address it?

The greatest challenge that our county currently faces is restoring trust and ensuring fiscal oversight and accountability. Without trust and oversight, we can’t make progress on our priorities. Commissioners are supposed to set policy, supervise the county manager and provide fiscal oversight. Commission had not even been giving the county manager an annual performance review. I prioritize trust and accountability because I want to achieve on all our priorities: protect our community from overdevelopment, fund emergency services, solve the opioid crisis, fund education, grow high-wage jobs, create affordable housing and expand diversity and equity in services and our workforce.

Municipalities and the county need to collaborate on their land-use planning and management. Right now, we have land-use plans that don’t align between the various towns and the county, resulting in different sets of development rules from one side of the street to the other. The county and towns all need to coordinate land-use plans. We need economically wise and environmentally sustainable development and growth, and we can’t achieve that with competing plans.

Many candidates have said they want to address the rising cost of living in Buncombe County. What, if anything, would you do to alleviate the stress citizens are feeling from rising costs? If nothing, why?

It starts and ends with a budget and priorities. People facing that stress are my priority. I work every day with people choosing between getting to work on time at a low-wage job or finishing up the homework for a class that is required to complete a degree or training program. As a commissioner, I will look at the budget, and then back up and ask the hard questions. Who are we serving? Are we delivering what’s needed? Are we tracking the return on investment? I will apply the inspection and oversight that we should expect, focused on our priorities.

Buncombe County has a higher cost of living than most comparable counties in the Southeast region. The main factor contributing to this problem is the cost of property and housing. Buying or renting a home is out of reach for many working families. We are a desirable area, and that demand drives up costs. That demand is not likely to be reduced, so we have to devise ways to ensure affordable housing is integrated into the inventory, including fighting for federal funds that have been cut. We also need plans that limit and manage what kind of growth we experience.

How would you rate the performance of the current county Board of Commissioners? Why?

I give the board credit for continuing to address its strategic priorities in spite of the fallout from the Greene investigation. However, many of the policy and budget issues that have come to light are so obviously the opposite of good practice and good ethics. Those issues compelled me to run for office. Those issues could have been avoided if they had at least one vigilant commissioner with training in government best practices, ethics, management and HR. I’m not talking about illegal behavior. Look at the one-year delay in raises for lowest-paid workers and the quiet retention bonuses.

I think the current commissioners are good people who were overconfident in their manager and were misled by her. They became complacent and accepted whatever she told them. These are good folks who find themselves in a whirlwind of controversy and have become immobilized. Emergencies require leaders to be communicative, to be totally transparent, and to take bold action. That has not happened. We are several months into this mess, and there have been some positive but minor changes made to personnel policies, but boldness has evaded our commission. MOUNTAINX.COM

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

BUNCOMBE CO. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - DISTRICT 2

MOUNTAIN XPRESS VOTER GUIDE

DERECK LINDSEY

BUNCOMBE CO. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

NANCY NEHLS NELSON

Democrat

Experience: Emergency medical technician Regional Transport Service at Mission Health System Website: www.votederecklindsey.com

Experience: Former project manager at AT&T Bell Labs; member of the Buncombe County Conservation Advisory Board Website: www.nancynehlsnelson.com

THE QUESTIONS What neighborhood/area do you live in? What are those residents’ concerns?

I was born and raised in Black Mountain. I now live in Riceville with my wife and two younger children. People in my community are concerned with growth. They want to know how Riceville is going to grow in the future. They are keeping an eye on what is going on around them. They also want to know how new development would affect them.

I live in the Reems Creek Valley. The most pressing issue is unwise land use. Growth has to take into consideration why people visit here and live here in the first place. We don’t have an unlimited water supply, especially here in an area rightly named “Dry Ridge.” Careful consideration is needed for what we do with bottomland farms and ridgetops that entice visitors and are treasured by residents. That issue is followed closely by the quality of education, especially in early grades and why the county has to buoy up what the state has cut.

What’s one recent Board of Commissioners decision you disagree with? How would you have handled it differently?

I don’t necessarily have a disagreement with any decisions that the county commissioners have made in the recent past, but I think for everyone’s sake, it would have been a lot better if they had always been as transparent and open with the public as we are striving to be both now and moving forward in the future.

In October 2017, a measure failed to move the county forward toward a goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. I would have supported this initial measure with the understanding it was broad enough to act as a catalyst to get county staff exploring how this can be done. I agree that details are needed as to the costs and responsibilities, and it is my understanding many of these issues were cleared up and the measure was eventually passed. Like master land-use measures, direction toward what looks today like an unattainable goal pushes us into uncharted waters for the common good.

What do you bring to the table that your opponents can’t?

I bring a blue-collar attitude and perspective to the community. I work hard to provide for my own family. I have experience and firsthand knowledge of the opioid crisis, not only from my professional perspective as an EMT but also from the perspective of health care providers because I work closely with them. I also bring a moderate stance on most issues and feel that I can help bridge the gap on most issues and topics. I also have support from voters that span all political and religious views.

I am the singular District 2 candidate with extensive project management experience, who has also spent countless hours in County Commission and planning meetings and who has ample time to dedicate to the issues because I am retired. My work at ATT Bell Labs put me in contact with engineers and scientists from all over the world, and I participated in business in many cultures and settings. I am also the singular candidate that is IN the community in a wide variety of ways – from serving on the IRB at the VA hospital to teaching at UNCA OLLI College for Seniors.

There is a stark difference in outcomes for white and black residents of Buncombe County. What should the county do to narrow the gap between these populations?

I agree. There is still a gap between certain communities, unfortunately. We have seen some of this displayed lately within our county. It is our duty to not only acknowledge, but to also assist in healing these wounds. We can engage with problem-solving topics and issues that are important to our citizens. We should always be promoting unity. Our goal as commissioners should be to help people regain their trust in their community and with their leaders. I feel these are some of the skills and attributes that I possess and, hopefully, I’ll have a chance to share them.

A key component to balancing inequality is ensuring equal educational outcomes while addressing historic policies that have not treated people of color equally. Quality education is the key to raising self-actualized, empowered kids and allowing children of all races to expand their worlds to include a vision of their most actualized selves is a primary step toward opportunity AND understanding. The differences in outcomes in Buncombe County come a great deal from wealth disparity, too. Programs in the community and in the schools, especially early education, that build a safe, warm, learning environment and devote funds to building resiliency in all kids will mold strong, resilient adults.

How can the county rebuild trust in the wake of the Wanda Greene scandal and ongoing investigation?

Transparency. We need to be accessible, be forthright, answer their questions and manage our community with an open-door, open-book policy. Our citizens need to know they can depend and trust us — their elected officials — to do the right thing. We need to produce pro-growth policies that adhere to the true needs of our communities that influence education, housing costs and our critical infrastructure needs. Local leaders and agencies should be engaging in open communication. We need to set the example in being unified, especially when it comes to supporting the citizens of Western North Carolina.

Buncombe County needs commissioners who have the time for the oversight needed to ensure public funds are used appropriately. Despite everything, the Buncombe County government is still functioning well and delivering services. Buncombe County still has its AAA bond rating and has recently passed an outside audit, and county services continue to be performed by good, hardworking county employees. Checks and balances are crucial, and I would support additional changes to tighten up oversight and continue to move ahead in parallel with the ongoing investigation.

What’s the single most pressing issue facing Buncombe County now, and how would you address it?

Making sure that service workers, young people in the community and everyone else working in these industries that support tourism have affordable places to live — that is definitely one of the current most pressing issues. We need to recruit contractors who will make a commitment to supply so many units on an affordable income-type basis and not just create affordable housing for rich people. We need affordable housing for hardworking people earning middle-class pay (people who work in our tourism industry, restaurants, hotels, breweries and other servicerelated jobs).

Personally, I believe the most pressing issue is a lack of consistent, reliable digital infrastructure throughout the county. Emergency personnel have difficulty reaching each other in different parts of the county, school resource officers have varying degrees of success establishing contact from inside school facilities, and residents cannot always reach 911 in remote parts of the county. This also affects commercial and residential growth far from Asheville. Businesses wanting to locate in other parts of the county face this lack of consistent communications networks. Yancy County has the fastest internet in the state, brought to them with federal grants and loans totaling over $20 million.

It is imperative that we provide water and sewer for our more rural parts of Buncombe County. We can drive down some of the rising cost. We need to improve negotiations with potential contractors. Let’s recruit developers who will also contribute to our schools. Our communities could benefit from developing greenways, bike lanes and more sidewalks. We need to be more strategic to make sure developers are dedicated to supplying affordable housing for middleclass and lower-middle-class residents. We also need to encourage the expansion of public transportation and/or their hours of operation for our county residents.

We need to continue to strive to bring more good-paying jobs to the county municipalities outside of Asheville for those residents. We need to make sure that every tax dollar is used wisely. We need to make sure unnecessary expenditures are not using taxpayer money and that every project that does is known and approved by the commissioners. In terms of value of county services to cost of living, it needs to remain the same.

How would you rate the performance of the current county Board of Commissioners? Why?

Even though there’s been some trials and tribulations here as of late, I feel the current commission is doing a good job at putting in some fail-safe policies and some other efforts to make citizens of the county more trusting in them, the process and what they are doing. Right now, citizens are not able to see exactly what is going on because we are still going through the process of investigations. I believe the commission is dedicated and working to be more transparent and have information easily accessible for citizens of Buncombe County.

Crisis precipitates change. Trust between county staff and the Board of Commissioners was undermined. In spite of this or because of this, the current board is moving in the right direction.

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

BUNCOMBE CO. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - DISTRICT 3

MOUNTAIN XPRESS VOTER GUIDE

TAYLON BREEDEN Democrat

BUNCOMBE CO. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Experience: Co-founder of Farm Friend Bend and Yoga with Goats Website: www.breeden2018.com Endorsements: City Councilman Brian Haynes; Renew AVL

THE QUESTIONS

DONNA ENSLEY Democrat

Experience: Former chief development officer at MANNA FoodBank Website: www.electdonnaensley.com

What neighborhood/area do you live in? What are those residents’ concerns?

I live off South Turkey Creek Rd in Leicester. A lot of my neighbors are farmers. They struggle with low wages, they have a need for internet infrastructure, they are concerned about higher taxes and unaffordable housing.

I live off of Avery’s Creek in Arden. Recent conversations with many different residents from various nearby neighborhoods all expressed the same major concern: traffic and the need for infrastructure and planning before allowing further development. Route 191 and Hendersonville Road are all major concerns, as are the roads feeding into them.

What’s one recent Board of Commissioners decision you disagree with? How would you have handled it differently?

I don’t think the county purchase of land to entice Deschutes Brewery to the area was the most well-thought-out plan. It was purchased for $6.8 million in 2015 and was sold for $5.25 million in 2018. I would have wanted to see a mixed use of residential and industrial zoning on this property. Yes, there is a dire need for housing in Buncombe, but having jobs for the residents moving into these homes is just as important.

I don’t think there is a recent decision I would disagree with, however, it is the lack of oversight and a clear vision for our county that I disagree with. For instance, Candler residents have requested money for water and sewer feasibility studies, and this has been ignored. School projects were postponed beyond the promised timeframe while other parts of the county had projects completed on time. It’s time for a comprehensive plan to identify, prioritize and meet the current and emerging needs in our community. This will entail coordinating with Asheville in certain areas and meeting with local residents to plan for future growth, transportation and employment opportunities.

What do you bring to the table that your opponents can’t?

An understanding of issues that young people are facing. Many millennials have checked out of the political process. Many feel like our government is not working and both of the parties are corrupt. They want candidates that will talk about the obstacles they face: college debt, unaffordable housing and health insurance, costly child care, low wages and addiction. I feel like I bring, as a farmer, an understanding of rural Buncombe County that sometimes gets left out of the conversation.

I bring vast experience in board leadership, strategic planning, consensus building and determining measurable outcomes. I have lived here for 31 years and have served on many nonprofit boards and as president of Helpmate, the YWCA, Rotary Club of Asheville, and I recently retired from an executive role at MANNA FoodBank. At MANNA, we expanded food distribution and capacity by nearly 300 percent. I also worked on expansion and functional transformation projects with the Daniel Boone Council, Habitat for Humanity, First Presbyterian Church and in the planning stages of Pack Square Park. My experience in organizational development will benefit our community at a time when we are experiencing exponential growth.

There is a stark difference in outcomes for white and black residents of Buncombe County. What should the county do to narrow the gap between these populations?

We really need to be taking steps in restoring the minority communities’ trust in our police and holding our officers to the highest standard. Buncombe County should mandate implicit bias training for any law enforcement agency within the county and hire a more diverse police force. When we talk about helping our minority citizens thrive, we should begin to look at our education system. Funding pre-K programs can help minority families get a jumpstart on improving their children’s lives. Providing adequate transit options also helps bridge the gap. Without a way to travel to work, residents won’t have wages to take care of themselves or their family.

I believe funding grassroots organizations is a good first step in reaching minority populations to provide job training skills. GO Green Opportunities is a great example of success. However, my experience working with the Asheville Buncombe Education Coalition taught me that investing in mentoring and tutoring programs and reaching youths before middle school provides a lifelong impact for greater success. Minority youths need a vision for a brighter future and a clear path for success in order to narrow the graduation and success gap. In addition to what is already being done, I would propose investing in early childhood development, after-school and mentoring programs for our most at-risk populations.

How can the county rebuild trust in the wake of the Wanda Greene scandal and ongoing investigation?

The only silver lining to the debacle is it has caused a necessary shift in transparency. If we want to restore faith in local government, we must allow the public to know how taxpayer money is spent and hold those who feel they are above the law accountable. I agree with the commissioners who voted to strip the county manager’s authority to award bonuses or incentives. Strengthening our internal controls, giving the auditor’s office more independence and ensuring that more staff have eyes on budget tasks are all imperative. It is easier for corruption to occur when fewer people know what is going on with the budget.

I think the steps the County Commission has taken toward transparency and accountability are well-designed. It will take time and due diligence at every turn to rebuild the trust of our citizens. The only additional step I would recommend would be to create a Finance Committee of qualified citizens to meet monthly and review the county finances. The purpose of the committee would be to provide regular oversight of county finances and to advise the commission of any irregularities.

What’s the single most pressing issue facing Buncombe County now, and how would you address it?

Our No. 1 issue is affordable housing, which really stems from our county’s low wages. People who are working 40 hours a week should not have to stress about affording rent, groceries and gas. There are so many residents in the city who can no longer afford to live there, which creates a funnel of people moving to the surrounding communities. These communities’ infrastructure is not up to snuff, and it is causing a lot of headaches. We must increase access to affordable housing in the county. I support first-time homebuyer incentives and working with local businesses, workers and organizations to push initiatives that will generate broad-based wage growth.

I believe the single most pressing issues facing our county is the lack of coordination and planning for infrastructure needs across the county. Now is the time to create a comprehensive strategic growth and development plan that will address current needs and support projected infrastructure needs for 10 years or more. Without such a plan, we are at risk of losing the very assets that make our county so desirable. At a minimum, this plan needs to encompass schools, police, fire, health and human services, water and sewer, green space, roads, transportation and housing.

Check out [previous question].

The cost of housing has been an issue since I moved here 31 years ago. I would propose a three-prong approach as a long-term solution: 1) provide a living wage for our workforce; 2) require a percentage of large housing complexes be dedicated to affordable housing; 3) build public transportation infrastructure so residents can live where housing costs are lower and still have transportation to their jobs.

How would you rate the performance of the current county Board of Commissioners? Why?

I would rate the Board of Commissioners a 7. I think that Brownie Newman is a good leader for implementing renewable energy standards for the county. The commissioners are working hard toward funding pre-K programs, drug court programs and building the Family Justice Center. I think the need and push for transparency in county spending happened a day late and a dollar short.

I would give our current board of commissioners a B. The current board has been on the job less than two years. I believe they have worked hard to rectify the financial conundrum in the wake of Wanda Greene. However, had the checks and balances been in place and at the bare minimum an annual employee evaluation been done, this scandal might have been mitigated at inception. Additionally, because of the heavy focus on this issue, many other concerns that need immediate attention (such as infrastructure) have not even surfaced as an issue to be addressed.

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - DISTRICT 3

CATORI SWANN Democrat

Experience: Technical director and production manager at North Carolina Stage Company, founder of production company Deus Ex Machina Corp Website: www.catoriswannforbuncombecounty.com Endorsements: AFL-CIO Central Labor Council of Western North Carolina I live in Royal Pines, just across Mills Gap Road from Glen Arden Elementary. Of principal concern to my community are water quality and infrastructure. With the Duke Energy power plant a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw away, as well as the CTS Superfund site only half a mile up the road from us, it is a constant concern that our water sources remain pure and potable. Despite the availability of municipal water, the cost of access is prohibitive, and most in my community rely on private wells, which are growing more and more contaminated. We are also quite painfully aware of the congestion that is ever present in south Buncombe. Prior to Wanda Greeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resignation and subsequent investigation, I would say there was much I would have challenged if given the chance. Since Mandy Stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assumption of this weighty mantle, I can honestly not find any decision made by the board that does not align with my own positions. I even support the recent rate increase in emergency services and applaud the board for having maintained such a relatively low cost up to this point. Their new early childhood development program is among the best in the country. If anything, I would push the current programs more aggressively.

As a veteran of the theater community, I bring a unique perspective and skill set. As a production manager and operations manager of two nonprofit arts organizations, I am practiced in guiding the collaborative process. My strengths lie in problem-solving and negotiation, with a strict eye to resource allocation. My history as a craftsman (carpenter, welder, electrician, auto mechanic), as well as my artist income, lend me a particular understanding of the challenges facing the working class in Buncombe County.

A leading cause of the mistreatment of minority communities is gentrification. We need to put safeguards in zoning laws that prevent overdevelopment of historical minority communities that result in families being priced out of their own neighborhoods. We also need to address issues of access to public resources in minority communities by investing further in community centers and health clinics in these underserved neighborhoods. A greater focus on food distribution in the form of farmers markets and CSA subsidies would alleviate health and nutrition concerns.

I will propose the forming of a digital database of citizens who would like more detailed access to Board of Commissioner meetings, programs and plans. Any citizen could sign up to receive reports of meeting minutes, plan and proposal details, and updates of current programs without having to attend the meetings in person. I will advocate a more proactive approach to transparency. Rather than simply opening the process to public scrutiny, I will seek to actively engage the citizens with the process on a community-by-community level.

The single most pressing issue facing Buncombe County is infrastructure. As Asheville experiences explosive growth and tourism, our roads and energy grids are failing to keep up. I will actively lobby the NCDOT to explore modernization projects to update our roads, bridges and traffic signals with smart and green technology. I have developed a budget-friendly plan to address the broadband gap in the rural sections of the county using existing infrastructure and innovative signal bundling, using methods developed successfully in other Appalachian communities. In these ways, I plan to bring Buncombe County into the 21st century.

This is a difficult issue to manage while allowing natural growth. I would propose an extension of the recent Artist Housing Initiative put forward by the board to push housing subsidies into more communities. I would favor grant programs targeting first-time homeowners. I would explore expanding the affordable housing requirements already in zoning laws. I would invest in community gardens, tailgate and farmers markets and CSAs to help tackle food and nutrition deserts. I would lobby the General Assembly to enact policies that protect small family farms.

I applaud the efforts of the Board of Commissioners in recent months. The Wanda Greene scandal has left our county with a black eye, and their tireless work is beginning to address this issue. Their social welfare and education programs are exemplary, and if anything, I would fight aggressively to promote them further. Given very public scrutiny, I feel they have performed quite admirably in striving to right this wrong and regain the trust of our constituents.

MOUNTAINX.COM

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

MOUNTAIN XPRESS VOTER GUIDE

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – DISTRICT 10

SETH BLANKENSHIP Republican

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Experience: Capitol Hill liaison and eventually chief of staff at D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship Website: www. blankenshipforcongress.com

THE QUESTIONS In light of the recent school shooting in Florida that left 17 people dead, how would you keep students safe?

It is important to keep our children safe, especially when in school. No student should have to fear for his or her life in a classroom. Unfortunately, shootings have occurred in our schools. We need to address the issue and do all that we can to prevent the next one. No two situations are the same, but we can learn from each crisis that occurs. We need more brave men and women in uniform protecting our schools. We don’t have to look far to find brave school resource officers; for example, Sheriff Deputy Blaine Gaskill fired a single shot at a school shooter in Maryland that ended the entire situation. There are many brave men and women that protect our students daily and prevent other school shootings that we will, thankfully, never hear about.

GINA COLLIAS Republican

Experience: Lawyer and real estate broker Website: www. ginacolliasforcongress.com

I am a gun owner. It is time to listen to the real fears of our citizens, not about losing our guns, but about getting news our child was shot at school. Politicians have a duty to find the best ways to stop this rampant violence on our defenseless children and to ensure school safety. I am guided by my moral compass, and I will not accept any funding from the NRA. We need to consider commonsense gun laws such as higher age requirements for purchase, robust mental health and universal background checks that are coordinated records checks between federal and state agencies, and funding for CDC research into the causes of gun violence.

JEFF GREGORY Republican

Experience: Former member of U.S. Air Force, retired postmaster Website: www.facebook.com/ Jeff-Gregory-For-Congress Put armed police in all schools as well as bulletproof barriers in each classroom.

(For challengers) Why are you running against Patrick McHenry? What are you hoping to improve? It is important for our elected officials to fully understand the foundation on which this republic was built upon. As the federal debt continues to be increased and the out-of-control spending of American people’s money, we understand that something must be done. The federal government continues to draw from the Treasury without regard for future generations. We have seen the sacrifices that great patriots have made before us and we must understand that the same must be true to future generations to continue to enjoy the freedoms that we have today. We must rebuild our foundation and restrain Congress from overspending OUR money.

I am running to restore leadership, accountability and rational thinking in our legislative branch and to listen and to communicate with N.C. District 10. McHenry refuses to hear our voices. Countless constituents have expressed in many public forums and to me their frustration over McHenry’s lack of transparency. I am standing up for those whose voices are being ignored. McHenry is bought and paid for by the NRA, so he is biased in considering school safety measures. Despite the fact he represents a rural farming district, he serves on the Financial Services Committee rather than the Committee on Agriculture. He is a career politician who supports Wall Street instead of Main Street. McHenry is disconnected from us.

McHenry has a 47 failing conservative review score (conservativereview.com). He has not attempted to repeal NAFTA. It is an unfair trade agreement, and President Trump agrees. McHenry is part of the swamp, and President Trump asked it to be drained. I will represent District 10 and the U.S. fight against illegal immigrants, unfair trade practices and abortion. McHenry said one should be able to have an abortion up to the first heartbeat. That is murder. Life begins at conception.

(For challengers) Pick two votes by Patrick McHenry in his most recent term that you disagree with. Why do you disagree with them? HR 1625 — TARGET Act. This bill appropriates $1.3 trillion dollars on many unconstitutional programs. More Republicans voted against the bill than Democrats. We had several representatives from the North Carolina delegation that voted against this bill. However, Congressman McHenry played a key role in getting this bill passed. As chief deputy whip, it is his job to make sure these types of bills pass the house. It continues to fund Planned Parenthood and over half a billion dollars to fund the Gateway project (money only to be spent in New York and New Jersey). How would you rate President Donald Trump’s performance? Is he doing a good job? A bad job? Why?

President Trump took the world by storm when he defeated his opponent, Hillary Clinton, in November of 2016. Of course, all the media outlets were shocked by the fact Mr. Trump was to be our next president. And still, many media outlets try every way to undercut the legitimacy of his presidency. They cannot believe that millions of Americans still want conservative values in Washington, D.C. It would be an honor to work alongside our president by serving the people of the 10th District in Congress. We would be able to relinquish the power from D.C. and give it to the rightful owners, the American people.

What’s the most important issue facing WNC residents? How would you address it?

We have many issues facing WNC today. We, unfortunately, know all too well the difficulty of drug addiction here in WNC. We must address this issue and make sure that law enforcement has the proper tools they need to help fight back. Our communities know how to best address these situations, not bureaucrats in D.C. We need community involvement and local government to help law enforcement keep illegal drugs from circulating. Also, we must continue to cut spending and lower taxes for the people in North Carolina. We want you to keep your hard-earned money instead of sending it to D.C. Again, you know best how to spend/save your money. I had the opportunity to serve in Washington, D.C., after graduating from Appalachian State University. It was at that time that I began to truly understand what the roles of the federal government are and, perhaps most importantly, what the roles of the federal government are NOT. I learned how our government was framed during that hot summer of 1787 in Philadelphia as the delegates created the United States Constitution. It is important for any elected official to truly understand these principles. Every elected official takes an oath (or affirmation) to the United States Constitution before they are able to perform any of their official duties. We have gone astray from this document for too long. Together we can rebuild our foundation.

What do you bring to the table that your opponents can’t?

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

McHenry does so little that has direct and measurable impact. First, I disagree with his support of payday predatory lending where interest rates can be up to 100 percent of the loan; second, his lack of transparency in denying the 6,156 farmers in N.C. District 10 the right to simply run their own farms knowing what chemicals are in their pesticides. Why can we have labeling in the grocery store, but not on the farm? Predatory lending can put our military service members at risk because these payday lenders often target military bases, where they offer to help tide over service people until their next payday, trapping them in a debt cycle. These actions result in negative impacts here in North Carolina. Kim Jong-un is likely at the negotiating table for the first time. Other than that, I do not support bad behavior. We should not be holding our children to a higher standard than our leaders. President Trump’s erratic actions undermine the credibility of the USA. He has failed to unite the American people and in fact promotes divisiveness. Republicans in Congress, including Patrick McHenry, follow in lockstep with Trump’s policies. McHenry aligns himself to be a cheerleader for Trump regardless of issues, a man with no moral compass, no integrity, very little credibility and a history of multiple bankruptcies. His one significant claim to legislative victory is the tax bill, which leaves behind 99 percent of N.C. District 10 and further decimates the middle class. Infrastructure and affordable housing are at the top of local WNC issues. Integrating our region’s environmental and economic needs must be carefully managed and everything balanced in considering opportunities for growth. In building the 21st-century economy to include our N.C. District 10, new manufacturing opportunities must be rooted in technology, clean energy and infrastructure development. Our district is widely rural with farms and a center of invaluable natural treasures — our beautiful mountains, lakes, waterfalls and rivers. These land and water resources are the heart of WNC’s long-term prosperity, and they must be protected. I am the only Republican woman, attorney, small-business owner and mother challenging Congressman McHenry. Whenever I make a decision, I consider first and foremost the effects on our families and children in N.C. District 10. I am very proud of my lifelong commitment to service and volunteerism. Service is a part of my moral fabric and compass. My documented record of service, from volunteer positions in community and professional organizations, and going so far as hands-on building projects in parks and playgrounds, speaks for itself. I have similarly taught my children to understand the value of service, which they are carrying out. Being the only woman in this race running for Congress, it is a natural extension of my commitment to serve.

Voting to increase the debt, which includes funding for Planned Parenthood and illegal immigration. The debt increase puts the U.S. more in debt. Planned Parenthood murders the unborn.

Donald Trump is doing a great job. He is trying to fulfill his campaign promises and make America great again without McHenry’s help. I will work with Trump to bring back jobs to America, defend our borders and fight the left-wing socialist communist agenda.

Jobs, lack of jobs. Repeal NAFTA. It’s the worse trade agreement ever and destroys jobs for our district.

Experience in life, business, decorated military, certificate for first space shuttle flight recovery team, federal accident investigator, retired postmaster. All my career, I have been a part of roundtable problem-solving — finding solutions, as Trump is.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – DISTRICT 10

PATRICK MCHENRY INCUMBENT Republican

Experience: Seven-term incumbent Website: www. mchenryforcongress.com The recent school shootings in Florida and Maryland are horrific tragedies, and my heart breaks for all the students and faculty impacted. In recent weeks, the House has taken action on two important measures which will help prevent these tragedies in the future. First, the House passed the STOP School Violence Act, which will give local law enforcement, schools and faculty the resources they need to recognize threats and stop them before anyone gets hurt. Second, Congress passed legislation to fix our national background check system to ensure convicted felons and domestic abusers don’t have the ability to purchase firearms illegally. (For incumbent) What have you done during your last term in office to improve the lives of constituents in your district? Over the last two years, I worked to pass the most significant tax cut in a generation. This tax cut means the average, middle-class family of four in Western North Carolina will save almost $2,000 annually. In addition, this tax cut package has led to hundreds of American businesses announcing bonuses, wage increases and other benefits for their employees. These are real tax cuts proving real savings that will benefit all those here in Western N.C. I am also proud to have supported passage of legislation in Congress that has devoted billions to combat the opioid crisis. These horrific drugs have touched communities and families throughout Western North Carolina. I’m proud to work with President Trump to treat addiction and fight the spread of these drugs. (For incumbent) Pick two votes you’ve made in your previous term that you are most proud of. Why did you pick those two? First, I’d say the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As I’ve explained before, this legislation is the most significant tax reform in a generation and has led to immediate tax savings for individuals and families here in Western North Carolina. Next, I’d highlight my vote for the American Health Care Act, which fully repealed Obamacare. While regrettably this bill did not become law due to the failure of the Senate, I’m proud to have supported its passage and would vote for it again if given the opportunity. Obamacare is a broken law that has failed at its most basic promises. It has driven up health care costs for people here in Western North Carolina and left them with inferior care. Obamacare is a failed law, and we must continue to work to replace it. I think President Trump is doing a very good job. Over the first year and a half of his administration, we’ve seen the most significant tax cuts in a generation, we’ve seen unemployment fall and our economy continue to grow. We’ve seen numerous conservative judges approved to lifetime appointments to our federal courts, billions of dollars committed to combating our nation’s opioid crisis, our troops have received one of their biggest pay raises in years, and President Trump is working hard to rebuild our military. You’d be hard-pressed to argue that his time in the White House has been anything but a success. Two specific issues come to mind, and in many ways, they are related. The first is the opioid crisis, which I’ve addressed previously. It has had a significant impact, hurting our communities. I’m proud to have supported funding to begin combating this crisis, but our work is far from done. The second issue is workforce development. There are far too many working-age males not in our workforce and even more employers who struggle to hire because of the lack of qualified candidates. Many of these working-age males have suffered from addiction. We must act to get them treatment for this illness and develop the skills they need to get back to work. I’ve been a hard-working, responsive representative to the people of North Carolina’s 10th District. My values and positions on the issues best reflect those I represent. What separates me from my opponents is that over the past two years, I’ve worked closely with President Trump and his administration. I have relationships with leaders throughout the executive branch — relationships my opponents lack — which enable me to ensure Western North Carolina’s interests are cared for and protected.

ALBERT WILEY Republican

Experience: Former nuclear engineer, physician Website: none

IRA ROBERTS Republican

Experience: Former member of North Carolina Army National Guard, facility operations manager in Catawba County Website: www.irarobertsforcongress.com Ira Roberts did not respond to Xpress’ questions.

MOUNTAIN XPRESS VOTER GUIDE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

There is no one perfect solution, but creating a more robust “TSA-type detection system” in all schools and permitting a few voluntary, well-trained, vetted school staff to be armed are some initial, prompt measures that would help. Increasing mental health capabilities in the school nurse’s office would also help.

(For challengers) Why are you running against Patrick McHenry? What are you hoping to improve? I believe my broad life experience better prepares me to work on the current, technical and urgent public health and environmental problems in the 10th District and in our country. Specifically, I have worked initially as a nuclear engineer, then as a cancer specialist physician for 30 years at University of Wisconsin, and as the first director of ECU Cancer Center; and, after 9/11, I became director of a Department of Energy (NNSA), nuclear emergency, 24/7, medical response team (with deployments to Iraq, Israel, Russia, Venezuela, China, Chernobyl, Fukushima area and in 25 countries, working extensively with almost every federal government agency, and in U.S. Navy (Vietnam era) and with the IAEA and the WHO).

BUNCOMBE COUNTY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

(For challengers) Pick two votes by Patrick McHenry in his most recent term that you disagree with. Why do you disagree with them? Rep. McHenry voted for the Omnibus Spending Bill, which irresponsibly increased the national debt and the deficit to over $20 trillion and $1.5 trillion, respectively. His voting for such bills simply passes these devastating debts on to our children and grandchildren and will affect their freedom and quality of life, as well as threaten our national sovereignty and security. In addition, he is weak in his support of building the Mexican border wall, which is the most important single thing that the federal government can now do to preserve our national security and our national sovereignty. I think “good fences make good neighbors” and that it would help if Rep. McHenry and Congress would make English our official language. When I first applied to serve in U.S. Congress, I was firmly endorsed by President Reagan and have been a “Reagan conservative” since then. When President Trump first announced his candidacy, I immediately supported and worked for him because his agenda reminded me of President Reagan more than any of the other candidates, and I think he is now doing a good job.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY NC SENATE DISTRICTS I consider lack of jobs for family breadwinners to be devastating on family morale and a serious public health issue — so, a congressman from the 10th District should work hard to bring to the district high-paying jobs in biotechnology and robotic and AI industries, in particular, as well as provide special help with rehabilitation of people (with history of drug addiction from the “opioid crisis”) to again become job eligible.

I am well-qualified and am applying again for the job to serve (for only two-three terms) in Congress because of my broad life experience — first, as a nuclear industry worker and later as an administrator of some major, multimillion dollar programs in the U.S. Navy, at the University of Wisconsin and at East Carolina University Cancer Center programs, and recently, as director of a major U.S. Department of Energy (National Nuclear Security Administration) nuclear emergency, 24/7 response program. My experience working in these different federal and state government jobs, and accordingly my understanding of government “silos and waste,” would enable me to add value to congressional oversight committees in deliberations on government waste and in dealing with “fake science” in various government agencies (especially concerning environment, health and nuclear nonproliferation issues).

BUNCOMBE COUNTY NC HOUSE DISTRICTS MOUNTAINX.COM

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

MOUNTAIN XPRESS VOTER GUIDE

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – DISTRICT 11

D. SCOTT DONALDSON Democrat

Experience: Chief of staff at Pardee Hospital Website: www. scottdonaldsonforcongress. com

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE QUESTIONS

PHILLIP PRICE Democrat

STEVE WOODSMALL Democrat

Experience: Small business owner Website: www.price4wnc.org Endorsements: Selected by Moms Demand Action as a Candidate of Distinction, received an endorsement from the Hendersonville Chapter of Our Revolution, endorsed by the Sustainable Politician Project

Experience: Served in Air Force, worked as government contractor, teaches at Brevard College Website: www. woodsmallforcongress2018.org Endorsements: Equality North Carolina, NC State AFL-CIO, former Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell

In light of the recent school shooting in Florida that left 17 people dead, how would you keep students safe?

The tragedy in Florida was awful but far too common. We should begin by raising the age to buy any firearm to 21, expand criminal background checks and close all loopholes. We should ban further sales of high-capacity clips and military-style weapons of war. We should also fully fund mental health programs, especially for youths. In the schools themselves, we need to ensure that funds are allocated for guidance counselors and resource officers. We can and will do better.

We need to have much tighter background checks for the purchase of firearms, with no loopholes allowed for gun shows or online purchases. We must add records of domestic violence, habitual animal cruelty and history of violent mental illness to the FBI database. I also believe we should raise the age at which a person can purchase a firearm and require everyone to register guns and purchase liability insurance. We need to get rid of semiautomatic assault weapons, bump stocks and high-volume magazines. These are sensible changes that the majority already supports and are our best hope to safeguard schools and public spaces. As for arming teachers? Terrible idea that only benefits gun manufacturers and the NRA while turning schools into the Wild West.

Congress, with legal precedent established in District of Columbia v. Heller, has authority to address gun violence and not threaten Second Amendment rights. I advocate, using Scalia’s words, for “prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, … forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings, … imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms.” This would include banning AR-style weapons. This is not a Second Amendment issue — it’s a public safety issue.

If you win the primary, what is your strategy to defeat threeterm incumbent Mark Meadows?

We will define Mark Meadows as part of the problem in Washington because he is. He takes extreme positions that divide us further instead of trying to unite us. We’ll work with existing organizations across the district to build name recognition and support for a platform that gets Washington and Congress back on track. We’ll emphasize focusing our communities instead of the special interests that fund Mark Meadows. And of course, we’ll raise the money to get that message out.

Without giving up all of the ingredients to our secret sauce, our strategy includes a grassroots campaign of face-to-face meetings with as many people in the 11th District as possible. I have been on this campaign for over a year now and have put over 15,000 miles on my truck traveling through the 16 counties of the district listening and speaking to the hardworking people of Western North Carolina. We are building a coalition of Democrats, unaffiliated voters and moderate Republicans who want to improve the quality of life in WNC. Mark Meadows has helped the rich get richer and ignored the working men and women in the 11th Congressional District. Except, of course, during election years when photo ops become his favorite WNC activity.

My intent to defeat Mark Meadows is to run against his record — during his tenure in office, he’s clearly been driven by the Freedom Caucus agenda and big donors — not the interests of the 11th District. He supported adding $1.5 trillion to the deficit for tax breaks for his wealthy donors. He was a party to the Supreme Court case staying the correction of unconstitutional districts in North Carolina. He supported repeal of the ACA. He’s been silent on all the issues facing the administration, and silence constitutes acceptance. We need representation that actually cares about the issues in the district over those of corporations and rich donors.

What’s the most important issue facing WNC residents? How would you address it?

The opioid crisis is killing Western North Carolinians. Long before it was in the news, I’ve worked to reduce the number of opioids prescribed in the region. We’ll need to involve the entire community in solving this crisis. We need law enforcement, the courts, social services, mental health agencies and health care providers all working together.

The people of this district want better jobs with bigger paychecks. Here’s how to achieve it: 1. A single-payer health care system for all, which will create substantial job growth. 2. Tuition-free education in technical schools and community college; reducing the burden of student loan debt. 3. Tourism is the largest industry in WNC, and it relies on the beauty of our environment. We must support renewable energy initiatives that protect it and create jobs. 4. Repairing our roads, bridges, water systems and power grid is urgent; we must also provide access to high-speed internet and cellular service to everyone across rural WNC. 5. People who work a 40-hour week shouldn’t need public assistance. It’s time for a living wage of $15 an hour.

Health care: I support legislation such as HR 676, Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. This act or similar legislation would provide WNC residents as well as all residents of the U.S. and territories with free health care. Included within my concern with health care is the need for protecting women’s health and reproductive rights. I would make sure that women’s health care organization such as Planned Parenthood receive necessary funding for the services they offer to women in WNC as well as women across the nation.

What would be your chief priority if elected?

My chief priority if elected is to fix a broken Washington, D.C. My chief priority after being elected will be pushing to pass a bill We need to heal the division in this country, something Mark such as HR 676 Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act for Meadows is making worse, not better. I want to be a consensus all of the reasons stated above. maker and solve problems in a constructive way. As a doctor, I hear my patients every day bemoan the state of our politics and our government. We’re not going to fix what’s wrong if we keep electing the same people and expect different results.

We must take money out of politics. The root cause of the failure to address issues like affordable health care, gun violence and the opioid epidemic is the fact that corporate donors provide substantial financial contributions to candidates, which incentivizes their causes but not the interests of the individuals in the district. My first priority is to protect the voice of the people from the voice of large money donors. This can only be done through a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United. I support the We the People constitutional amendment to prevent equating corporations with people and placing limits on and requiring disclosure of all campaign contributions. To ensure that the voices of the people are heard, I also support repealing discriminatory voter laws and establishing universal automatic voter registration.

What do you bring to the table that your opponents can’t?

As a doctor and chief of staff at a hospital, I bring a unique understanding of the problems with our health care system. So much of what’s wrong with our country right now stems from the failure of that system. Our broken mental health system is laid bare by mass shootings. Our opioid crisis shows a malady of the spirit. Many of our economic woes are rooted in debt from illness or injury or exorbitant insurance rates. I understand our system, its impact on our citizens and how we need to fix it.

My military experience and my educational background. I’m a retired Air Force officer and have a master’s degree in business administration and a Ph.D. in organization and management. I have worked in government and business. I intend to bring to the U.S. Congress a commitment to service that I learned and lived by. Public servants must be held to the oath they take to support and defend the Constitution. I took a similar oath as an officer in the Air Force, and I will bring the same commitment to service to Congress that I lived by in the Air Force — “duty, honor and country.” I will use my advanced education and diverse government, corporate and higher-education experience to discover solutions that are reasonable and in the best interests of the people I serve.

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

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I know Western North Carolina. I’ve lived in six counties in the 11th District over 34 years and worked in all 16. And I understand what working people here really face every day, including the struggle for health care. As a self-employed business owner, health care was unaffordable to me before the Affordable Care Act was passed. Now that I have health care under the ACA, I know the anxiety that Mark Meadows has created for so many with his push to repeal it to appease the rich and powerful forces that support him. I think that’s part of the problem with Congress: Too many people who answer only to millionaires and billionaires. I will answer to the people of Western North Carolina.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – DISTRICT 11

MARK MEADOWS Experience: Three-term incumbent Website: www. meadowsforcongress.com Mark Meadows did not respond to Xpress’ questions.

Republican

2018

Republican

CHUCK ARCHERD Experience: Small business owner, CPA

Chuck Archerd did not respond to Xpress’ questions.

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N.C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – DISTRICT 115

NATHAN WEST Republican Candidate Nathan West has dropped out of the race and thrown his support behind Evans. His name will still appear on the ballot on May 8.

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

N.C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AMY EVANS Republican Experience: Manager of Tanner LLC in Black Mountain, served as executive administrator for the Board of Directors of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Foundation Website: www.amyevansnc.com

THE QUESTIONS

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In light of the recent school shooting in Florida that left 17 people dead, how would you keep students safe?

Everyone wants to keep kids safe. I believe the issue of school safety is for every individual, not just children. How do we keep all citizens safe in America today? I believe the only way to solve the public safety issue is to agree the problem goes beyond schools, subways, and public arenas. It is certainly NOT about guns, knives or any weapon of choice. It’s about a culture of divisiveness and violence that we have allowed to flourish in America. We need a strategic approach to solve the real problems: mental health, poor parenting and supervision, social media steering a “political” agenda, overworked teachers and staff who lack training and the resources to acquire it, and disrespect for laws and law enforcement officials. Law enforcement, parents and teachers all working together is the only solution.

State law prevents North Carolina police departments from releasing body camera footage to the public or media without a court order. In light of the body cam footage published in late February showing a white Asheville Police Department officer beating an African-American man in Asheville, will you push for overturning this law? Is there a reason to keep this law in place?

Why should our tax dollars be wasted for such an obvious commonsense solution: Get rid of body cameras and allow our law enforcement professionals to do their job. If an officer (no matter what color his/ her skin) was doing their JOB — apprehending a citizen (no matter what color his/her skin) for violating the law — I don’t see the necessity for further dialogue. Are we a nation of laws or not? This question seems politically motivated and certainly illustrates a waste of valuable resources we could use elsewhere.

A federal court recently ordered the N.C. General Assembly to redraw its congressional maps after determining that they disproportionately favored Republican candidates for U.S. House. Should the General Assembly continue to be in charge of this responsibility, or should the state turn to other methods? What solutions could make map drawing fairer to all parties? Or, why is the current system best?

Gerrymandering should be deemed illegal: “manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency in order to favor one political party or another.” Before the Republicans, the Democrats used the same method to achieve favorable outcomes at the polls. The districts should be based on population only. The census has to be the way we draw district lines — without being adjusted or updated. They can and should be reviewed every 10 years. But only for true population/ census metrics and data collection. I would work to eliminate any gerrymandering no matter what metric it is being proposed to measure.

What state-run service needs the most improvement, and how would you address it?

Like our president, I believe that our roads and bridges are in a sad state of repair. The resources need to be in our budget without raising taxes (gas) for transportation improvements and maintenance. That should be budgeted for. We need modern, traversable roadways, railways and bridges in order to move our services and goods efficiently, statewide.

What is the most important issue facing Western North Carolina, and how do you plan on addressing it?

I believe the state professional licensure and certification standards need to be totally revamped (fees/regulations reduced!). They are killing small businesses and stifling opportunities for qualified professionals to find work in North Carolina. I will create a committee to research current regulation/policy and then completely overhaul the current system to align credentials more favorably with experience levels of professionalism — i.e., create a no-fee or a minimal-fee standard that is reasonable, one that is fair and will attract – not deter — more professionals to work in North Carolina.

What do you bring to the table that your opponent can’t?

Thirty years of solid business acumen. I will apply the same business strategies and principles to the multifaceted issues I am certain to face in Raleigh.

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Asheville Council takes step toward police data transparency “In the words of Bernie Mac, bust a move.” Asheville City Council member Keith Young summarized the sentiments of many in attendance at Council’s April 24 meeting as he encouraged interim City Manager Cathy Ball and other city staff to speed up their work on promoting data transparency for the Asheville Police Department. Council considered the topic after a presentation by Patrick Conant, a volunteer with the nonprofit civic technology advocacy organization Code for Asheville. Conant shared the group’s Petition for Police Accountability Through Data Transparency, which requests the public release of police data, reports and policies to the city of Asheville website and open data portal. The petition comes in response to widespread criticism of the APD after the leak of body camera footage showing former police officer Chris Hickman, who is white, beating black Asheville resident Johnnie Jermaine Rush after stopping him for alleged jaywalking. District Attorney Todd Williams has since charged Hickman with felony assault by strangulation and related offenses. “This is how we start the important process of rebuilding trust with the com-

munity: by providing our residents with the information they need to participate in the process,” said Conant about the Code for Asheville petition. Although all of the information discussed in the petition is currently public record, he noted that the time and effort required to make a request can discourage citizens from seeking it out. Conant said that the petition had widespread community support, pointing to over 700 signatures from residents and endorsements from groups such as the Asheville Youth Mission, Racial Justice Coalition and Sunlight Foundation. Carmen Ramos-Kennedy, president of the Asheville-Buncombe NAACP, and Brynn Estelle, operations director for Tranzmission, spoke in favor of the petition during the public comment period. Mayor Esther Manheimer thanked Conant and Code for Asheville for their suggestions, saying that Council agreed with the principles of transparency and data sharing. She noted that last year’s budget had included a directive for APD to produce quarterly reports on traffic stop data but that implementation had fallen short of the goal. “We have been eager for some time to be able to see more data and have

we remove anything. . . from anywhere

that reviewed on a really regular basis,” Manheimer said. “I don’t feel like that’s come to fruition in the way that we were hoping. My personal impression [is that] we would have more.” Council member Julie Mayfield added her hope that city staff or community groups could go beyond simply making the data available. “I think it’s not generally very helpful when governments just throw out a bunch of information and there’s no interpretation or understanding of what the data says,” she explained. “It allows the data to be manipulated and used for good and bad on all sides.” While Council took no immediate action on the petition, they directed Ball to begin looking at Code for Asheville’s requests and assemble a report with specific next steps and action items to present at Council’s meeting on Tuesday, May 15. Ball agreed to that timeline but noted that the complexity of the issue would take time to consider. “I would reiterate that this is a collaborative effort between the Police Department and legal staff, as well as IT,” Ball said. “We are committed to transparency and providing information; we want to make sure that we protect the rights of all the individuals involved.”

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Slowing your roll on Charlotte Street While the public encouraged Council to accelerate police data sharing on April 24, residents largely sought the opposite momentum in the discussion of the Charlotte Street Improvements process that followed. Multiple speakers hoped to reduce traffic speed on the busy north-south corridor and increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Community members were generally in favor of the city’s “road diet” option, which would convert Charlotte Street from four lanes to three lanes of vehicle traffic starting north of Chestnut Street. The plan would also add dedicated bike lanes, improved sidewalks and safer pedestrian street crossings. Although Transportation Department Director Ken Putnam said the final price tag for the changes is yet to be determined, the current budget

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LIFE IN THE FAT LANE: Members of Asheville City Council voted to reduce the number of vehicle lanes from four to three and add dedicated bike lanes, improved sidewalks and safer pedestrian street crossings to a section of Charlotte Street north of Chestnut Street. The decision was informed by a planning approach known as a “road diet,” which aims to reduce motorized vehicle speeds to improve safety for all corridor users. Photo by Virginia Daffron

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NEWS assigns $1.25 million to the project through fiscal year 2019-20. Mike Sule, executive director of Asheville on Bikes, was among those who addressed Council to support the road diet. Citing data on bicycle accidents in the city, he emphasized the cyclist community’s need for truly dedicated lanes, not just “sharrow” markings that indicate shared lanes for bikes and motorists. “If we’re interested in moving all people by a variety of modes, then we have to build robust infrastructure,” Sule said. Clark Mackey, resident and co-owner of CAKE Websites and More, put a human face on the transportation issue — that of his young daughter, with whom he frequently rides in the

Charlotte Street neighborhood and throughout North Asheville. He shared photos of the two making stops at Ultimate Ice Cream, Luella’s Bar-BQue and Greenlife Grocery, saying that “if we want more of this, we’ve got to get out of the business of putting sharrows down and put down protected bike infrastructure.” Yet not all of the speakers agreed with the road diet proposal. Resident Max Alexander recalled watching an ambulance struggle against traffic on Merrimon Avenue as he suggested that eliminating capacity for vehicles would cause problems for emergency services using the Charlotte Street corridor. “Suppose there’s a fire on Sunset Drive, and the firetruck is delayed

by five minutes because they have to go through at rush hour,” Alexander asked. “With a fire, for every one-minute delay, the damage doubles.” Notably, a city-funded transportation study from 2013 estimates that the road diet would generally decrease delays on Charlotte Street by 2035. Former Vice Mayor Chris Peterson voiced broader opposition to bicycle infrastructure as part of nearly 10 minutes of comment, during which he also accused Manheimer and Council of turning Asheville into “a cheap tourist trap” and ignoring structural issues with the city’s budget. “How many kids in Hillcrest can go out and buy $1,000 suits with bicycles?” Peterson remarked. “It’s an elit-

ist sport. It’s the new golf courses for our millennial, socialist, Democrat party that tells you what to do, because you’re all members.” In line with the weight of public opinion expressed at the meeting, however, Council moved forward with the road diet option for Charlotte Street. Mayfield proposed an amended version of the original resolution, which Council unanimously passed, that specifically focused on dedicated bike lanes. The amended version also maintains the area’s Asheville Innovation District designation, which offers an additional avenue for project funding. Formal planning is set to begin in September.

— Daniel Walton X

City Council approves parking changes in budget work session Those parking downtown may soon find themselves racing against the clock after changes approved by Asheville City Council at its April 24 budget work session. In a move estimated to yield an additional $800,000 of annual revenue, Council unanimously decided to provide free parking at city parking decks only for vehicles that exit within one hour. The change came as Council considered its options for closing the remainder of the city’s budget gap for fiscal year 2018-19. Initially projected at $3.4 million, the shortfall was reduced by city staff and Council members to $2.2 million at an April 10 work session. By law, the city cannot pass a budget that includes deficit spending. At the start of the work session, city Chief Financial Officer Barbara Whitehorn outlined the progress staff had made since April 10. Funding for the incoming Asheville

Police Department police academy class was reduced by half, from $800,000 to $400,000, a decision Whitehorn said was reached in agreement with Chief Tammy Hooper. The cut represented a step back from an earlier proposal by Council member Brian Haynes, which would have eliminated $1.2 million from the APD budget. An additional $100,000 in savings came from renegotiations of Buncombe County property tax billing services, for which Mayor Esther Manheimer commended Vice Mayor Gwen Wisler. In combination with other changes, including a reduction of a planned city employee raise from 3 percent to 2.5 percent and a $10 increase in monthly parking fees, these savings had reduced the budget gap to $971,000 at the start of the meeting. Parking, Whitehorn explained, provided a key opportunity to close that gap. Her staff’s original pro-

2018

BEER WEEK PULL-OUT GUIDE 22

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posal would have eliminated the first hour free for all transactions, generating $1 million annually in income. “There was a significant concern about [how] that hour free is what people use to run errands downtown,” she said. Whitehorn said her staff had also explored the possibility of differential parking rates for residents and visitors, but she noted that the city’s lawyers had ruled out the option. TEETERING ON TRANSIT Although Council eventually consented to the parking policy change, Council member Julie Mayfield expressed her concern about its potential impact on transit planning. At the April 10 work session, Council had considered allocating the additional parking revenue from a full elimination of the first hour free policy to expanding transit service.

“This community wants transit. I think that’s clear — we’ve heard from lots of people [saying] ‘We want expanded hours,’” Mayfield said. The new budget still calls for adding a transit planner, but interim City Manager Cathy Ball noted that another key staff member may be leaving the Transportation Department, putting its ability to handle expanded service into question. Council member Keith Young jumped on that point, voicing his concerns about the department’s capacity. “When the conversations earlier were mentioning staffing issues … my mind automatically went to more than one person,” he said. “To hear that it’s all on the shoulders of one or two people is really disheartening.” While city staff members said they would find a way to fulfill transit directives regardless of staffing, Wisler urged them to stay real-

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NEWS BRIEFS istic when presenting options to Council. “Tell us what is not going to get done or what is going to be substantially delayed,” she said. “We have got to stop asking for miracles — we’re out of miracles. I want staff to be honest with us.” FUNDING THE FINISH Council decided to fill the remaining $171,000 of the gap from the city’s general fund balance. That sum is in addition to $300,000 assigned from the fund during previous discussions; the total allocation still keeps the unassigned fund balance above Council’s policy minimum of 15 percent of budgeted expenditures. Council member Vijay Kapoor, who had previously floated the idea of a property tax increase to avoid dipping into the fund, appeared satisfied with the move. He seconded the motion after Wisler moved to adopt the city staff’s recommendations. The budget now goes to staff for finalization before being formally presented to Council at its next regular meeting in Council Chambers on Tuesday, May 15. A public hearing will take place on Tuesday, May 22, and the final budget adoption vote occurs on Tuesday, June 19.

— Daniel Walton X

SLEEPWORLD of Asheville

by Virginia Daffron | vdaffron@mountainx.com ASHEVILLE CHAMBER LOOKS AT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE The WomanUP initiative of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce will facilitate a Monday, May 7, discussion on creating a safe workplace culture for women. Panelists include Jackie Grant, a litigator and attorney at Roberts and Stevens; Jessica Leaven, a partner with Grimes Teich Anderson LLP; Carol Steen, director of human resources for Mountain Area Health Education Center Inc.; and Robin Sersland of Our VOICE. Held at Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, the event kicks off at 7:45 a.m. with a light breakfast and runs until 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $30 and are available to the general public; both women and men are welcome. Registration is at avl.mx/4wr and closes on Friday, May 4. PRESENTER TO SHARE STORY OF INCARCERATION AND RECOVERY Activist and author Susan Burton will

address Speak Your Peace, an annual event of The Mediation Center that showcases peacemakers who are making a difference in the world. The Monday, May 7, gathering will take place 6:30-8 p.m. at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium, 340 Victoria Road, Asheville. Burton will share her story of recovering from a life of repeated incarceration and her work with female inmates. Among other initiatives, The Mediation Center works with women preparing to re-enter society at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. Event tickets are $12. Information and registration at mediatewnc. org/susanburton. Burton will be available for book signing after the event. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO HOLD BUDGET WORK SESSION Like all municipalities, Buncombe County must get its budget completed before the beginning of the 201819 fiscal year on July 1. County commissioners will hold a budget

work session Tuesday, May 8, 12:30-4:30 p.m., to continue hashing out the details. The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place in the first-floor conference room at 200 College St. in downtown Asheville. DIAMOND BRAND MICROFACTORY POPS UP ON BROADWAY Local outdoor gear manufacturer Diamond Brand Gear will host a grand opening event for its new Pop Up Factory at 69 Broadway, Asheville, on Friday, May 8, 5-8 p.m. The site boasts six industrial sewing machines and products that can only be purchased at the downtown location. The opening coincides with the First Friday Art Walk, which is hosted by the Downtown Asheville Art District on the first Friday of the month, April-December. For more information, visit avl.mx/4ws. X

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WESTERN WORDS: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper brought his cabinet to Western North Carolina for a whirlwind tour that included public events in six western counties. Cooper convened a meeting of his top officials on April 23 at UNC Asheville, where he was flanked by, from left, Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders, Chief of Staff Kristi Jones and Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. Read the full story at avl.mx/4wy. Photo by Able Allen

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‘The Persian Pool’ Beaver Lake opens with a splash, 1924

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DIVE RIGHT IN: A postcard shows the former diving boards at Beaver Lake’s Persian Pool. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville On March 31, 1922, The Asheville Citizen reported that “[s]everal weeks ago Lakeview Incorporated came into existence when a number of prominent residents of the city purchased lands in Beaverdam valley and announced their intentions of building a lake and developing a residential section.” By April, the area, originally designated Lakeview Park, was renamed Beaver Lake. That same month, John Nolen was hired by the committee as the project’s landscape architect. Nolen, an expert city planner from Cambridge, Mass., had first arrived in Asheville that March to help supervise the city’s plans for new, more efficient roadways. Before construction could begin on the lake, an agreement needed to be reached between Lakeview Inc. and the Asheville and East Tennessee Railroad. The railroad company’s tracks traversed the area Beaver Lake intended to occupy. Ongoing negotiations between the two parties soon soured. On April 23, 1922, The Sunday Citizen reported that plans for the lake had been abandoned. The article said: “Mr. [Fred L.] Sale [secretary of Lakeview Inc.] declared that there was a general regret from the stockholders that it would be impossible, because of the stand taken by the railroad company, to construct the lake originally contemplated, but that further negotiations would apparently yield no benefit, and therefore the matter is closed as far as the company is concerned.” However, by January 1923, plans for the lake were back on; the railway had declared bankruptcy. The Jan. 14 edition of The Sunday Citizen reported that “during the past year, with the improvement of the

highway, bus lines have made operation of the railroad a financial failure.” Two weeks later, on Jan. 29, 1923, The Asheville Citizen wrote: “Beaver Lake, covering 72 acres, situated on the Dixie Highway, within a short distance from the city, well stocked with game fish, bordering on a sand bank and furnishing recreation for thousands of visitors to Asheville, filling what has been pronounced as one of the outstanding needs for this section, begins to loom as a reality, with workmen busy clearing away underbrush and debris from the lake site in Beaverdam Valley.” Original plans projected the lake’s completion that summer. But delays ensued. More than a year later, the March 12, 1924, edition of The Asheville Citizen provided further details about the project’s scope, noting “a concrete swimming and wading pool just off the main highway leading through the property.” By early summer, anticipation for the lake’s opening grew. On June 22, The Sunday Citizen wrote: “Beaver Lake has proved itself an unusual attraction during the hot weather of the past week. Every evening there have been hundreds of cars parked along the Dixie Highway and on the wide approach to the dam and new concrete bridge which is being constructed across Beaver Creek, to connect up the new drive around the lake, enjoying the moonlight on the water and the cool breezes and the wonderful scenic effort.” The article noted the completed swimming pool, along with its diving boards. But the development of the area’s sand beach

was still underway. The paper went on to imagine the future “bathing beauties” who would bask “under the large beach sun shades or in the beach chairs that will provide for those who do not care to lie in the sand.” Finally, on July 16, 1924, an advertisement in The Asheville Citizen announced Beaver Lake’s official opening, set for the following day, Thursday, July 17. Swimming races would be held. Diving contests and canoe races would take place, as well. Two days later, on July 18, The Asheville Citizen recapped the opening day’s events. The paper wrote: “The beaches of Florida appeared transplanted to the Land of the Sky for a little while yesterday afternoon, when the opening of the Persian Pool at Beaver Lake with acquatic sports was witnessed by almost 2000 people. The green hillsides were almost hidden under the rows of automobiles which taxed even the spacious parking places of Lake View.” The article continued with descriptions of the “colorful crowds, scattered about under gay umbrellas.” Later on, it noted “[t]he large lake beyond the pool … dotted by canoes, rowboats, motorboats and swimmers, enjoying themsleves in the largest stretch of water that has been available in the immediate vicinity of Asheville.” The swimming pool at Beaver Lake would remain open until 1952. That year, the Lake View Park Commission proposed the pool be leased to the city of Asheville. But City Council would ultimately reject the proposal, in part, due to cracks discovered in the wall dividing the swimming pool and the lake. By January 1953, Lake View property owners voted in favor of dismantling the Beaver Lake pool, leading to the destruction of its dilapidated wall. Editor’s note: Peculiarities of spelling and punctuation are preserved from the original documents. X

HANGING BY THE LAKE: This undated image shows a crowd gathered on the sand beach at Beaver Lake. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville

COMMUNITY CALENDAR MAY 2 - 10, 2018

CALENDAR GUIDELINES For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 251-1333, ext. 137. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 251-1333, ext. 320.

BENEFITS ARE YOU SMARTER THAN AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT? childrenfirstcisbc.org • TH (5/3), 6:30-9pm Proceeds from this trivia contest benefit Children First/Communities In Schools. $300-$420 per team of 4-6. Held at New Belgium Brewery, 21 Craven St. BREAKFAST & YARD SALE BENEFIT • SA (5/5), 8am-noon - Proceeds from this sausage biscuit and coffee breakfast and yard sale benefit Travis Stuart's cancer medical expenses. Free to attend. Held at Beaverdam Community Center, 1620 N. Canton Road, Canton DUCK WADDLE BENEFIT go-greenevents.com/ rotaryduckwaddle • SA (5/5), 9am - Proceeds from this one-mile group walk benefit the Hendersonville Rotary Club education grants. Register online or in person. $10. Held at the Historic Hendersonville Courthouse, 1 Historic Courthouse Square, Hendersonville EBLEN CHARITIES 828-255-3066, eblencharities.org • FR (5/4), 8:30am-4pm Proceeds from Leadercast Asheville, leadership broadcast conference and lunch benefits Eblen Charities. $55/$45 for groups of 5 or more. Held at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden FRIENDS OF THE MOUNTAIN BRANCH LIBRARY rutherfordcountylibrary. org • TH (5/3), 11am Proceeds from the Literary Luncheon event featuring lunch and presentation by author Michele Moore, benefit the Mountain Branch Library. Registration required: 828-287-6392. $25. Held at Lake Lure Inn and Spa, 2771 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure HATS, HORSES & HOPE 828-252-0562, ourvoicenc.org • SA (5/5), 4:30pm Proceeds from “Hats,

Horses & Hope,” Kentucky Derby themed party with live music, reception and auction benefit Our Voice. $35. Held at Capella on 9 @ The AC Hotel, 10 Broadway Ave. I AM HOME ART PROJECT iamhomeartproject.com • SA (5/5), 4-7pm Proceeds from sales at The Thread That Binds, art show and sale, featuring artworks by the homeless, benefit the I Am Home Art Project. Free to attend. Held at Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Drive, Suite 100 MOUNTAINTRUE 828-258-8737, mountaintrue.org • SA (5/5), 5-9pm Proceeds from the Annual Green Bash block party with live music by the Aaron Burdett Band, food and beer vendors and a raffle benefit MountainTrue and the Waterkeeper Alliance. Register online. Free to attend. Held at Green River Adventures, 111 E. Main St., Saluda ST. JOHN IN THE WILDERNESS 1905 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, 828-693-9783 • SA (5/5), 8:30am-1pm - Proceeds from "A Very Special Jumble Sale," featuring furniture, jewelry, kitchen and household goods, home decor, linens, games, household appliances, tools, garden items and holiday items benefit local charities in Henderson County. $10. WORLD VISION GLOBAL 6K FOR WATER bit.ly/2xtrHe4 • Through MO (5/14) - Proceeds from registration for the “World Vision Global 6K for Water,” worldwide road race taking place on Saturday, May 19 at 10am, benefit World Vision’s efforts for global clean water. Register online. $50/$25 children. Held at Calvary Baptist Church 1343 Bailey St., Mars Hill

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY A-B TECH SMALL BUSINESS CENTER 828-398-7950, abtech.edu/sbc

• SA (5/5), 9am-noon - "Cybersecurity for Small Business," seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler • TU (5/8), 9-11am "Preparing for a Small Business Loan," seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler • TU (5/8), 1-4pm - "How to Use LinkedIn to Grow your Business," seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler DEFCON 828 GROUP meetup.com/ DEFCON-828/ • 1st SATURDAYS, 2pm - General meeting for information security professionals, students and enthusiasts. Free to attend. Held at Earth Fare South, 1856 Hendersonville Road FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 850 Blue Ridge Road, Unit A-13, Black Mountain, 828357-9009, floodgallery.org • THURSDAYS, 11am-5pm - "Jelly at the Flood," coworking event to meet up with like-minded people to exchange help, ideas and advice. Free to attend. PUBLIC EVENTS AT UNCA unca.edu • TH (5/3), 7pm - 34th annual Economic Crystal Ball Seminar featuring presentations by economists David W. Berson and James F. Smith. Free. Reception at 6:15pm. Held at Lipinsky Auditorium at UNC Asheville, 300 Library Lane WNC LINUX USER GROUP wnclug.blogspot.com, wnclug@main.nc.us • 1st SATURDAYS, noon - Users of all experience levels discuss Linux systems. Free to attend. Held at Earth Fare South, 1856 Hendersonville Road

CLASSES, MEETINGS & EVENTS CLASSES AT VILLAGERS (PD.) • Herbal First Aid with Abby Artemisia. Sunday, May 6. 5:30-8pm. $2540. • Introduction to Primitive Pottery. Sunday, May 13. 5:30-8pm. $50. Registration/Information: www.forvillagers.com EMPYREAN ARTS CLASSES (PD.) Restorative Stretch on Mondays 7:15pm. Pilates on Thursdays 4:15pm. Beginning Pole on Sundays 3:30pm, Mondays 6:00pm, Tuesdays 1:00pm and 7:00pm, Thursdays 8:00pm, and Saturdays 11:30am. Ballet Barre on Mondays 6:00pm. Aerial Yoga on Thursdays 5:15pm and Fridays 5:15pm.

Committee meeting. Free. Meets in the 1st Floor Conference Room. Held at Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte St. HENDERSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY 905 S. Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, 828-6926424, myhcdp.com • 1st SATURDAYS, 9-11am - Monthly breakfast buffet. $9/$4.50 for children under 10.

CREATIVE INTERVENTION ON BROADWAY: On Saturday, May 5, 3-9 p.m., the alleyways and streets connected to Broadway, from Pack Place down to Woodfin Street, are hosting a Creative Intervention — a one-day event highlighting design and art-based solutions to shift how the public interacts with urban spaces. The event is one component of the Broadway Cultural Gateway project, an effort to transform Broadway into a central artery for a vibrant arts and cultural district. Activities at the free, family-friendly event include art installations, live performances, food trucks, a temporary pop-up maker space and cafe, the LEAF Easel Rider van, the Asheville Buskers Collective and activities by local businesses. To learn more about the Creative Intervention and the Broadway Cultural Gateway project visit ashevilledesigncenter.org/projects. Photo of the LEAF Easel Rider courtesy of LEAF (p. 49) EMPYREANARTS.ORG * 828.782.3321 AMERICAN LEGION POST NC 77 216 4th Ave. W, Hendersonville • 2nd THURSDAYS, noon - Korean War Veterans Chapter 314, general meeting. Free. ASHEVILLE CHESS CLUB 828-779-0319, vincentvanjoe@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 6:30pm - Sets provided. All ages and skill levels welcome. Beginners lessons available. Free. Held at North Asheville Recreation Center, 37 E. Larchmont Road ASHEVILLE ROTARY CLUB rotaryasheville.org • THURSDAYS, noon1:30pm - General meeting. Free. Held at Renaissance Asheville Hotel, 31 Woodfin St. ASHEVILLE WOMEN IN BLACK main.nc.us/wib • 1st FRIDAYS, 5pm Monthly peace vigil. Free. Held at Vance Monument, 1 Pack Square BIG IVY COMMUNITY CENTER 540 Dillingham Road, Barnardsville, 828-626-3438 • TH (5/3), 6pm Community meeting with local law enforcement and refreshments. Free. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TH (5/3), 5pm - Spanish conversation group for all skill levels. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • SA (5/5), 1pm - Drone aviation group for all ages. Children under age 11 must

be with an adult. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • MO (5/7), 10am-noon Itch to Stitch, casual knitting and needlework group for all skill levels. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • TU (5/8), 6pm - Basic computer skills class focusing on online job searching. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • TH (5/10), 2pm "Using Linked In for Job Searchers," class. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, 828-6934890, gracelutherannc.com • SA (5/5), 9am-1pm Multicultural celebration and immigration resource fair with presentations and reception. Registration required. Free. LAUREL CHAPTER OF THE EMBROIDERERS' GUILD OF AMERICA 828-686-8298, egacarolinas.org • TH (5/3), 10am - General meeting and program to begin a cross stitch tape measure cover. Registration: 828-693-4499. $8 for materials. Held at Cummings United Methodist Church, 3 Banner Farm Road, Horse Shoe LEICESTER COMMUNITY CENTER 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 828-774-3000, facebook. com/Leicester.Community. Center • 2nd TUESDAYS, 7pm Public board meeting. Free. MOMS DEMAND ACTION momsdemandaction.org

• WE (5/9), 6-8pm - General meeting regarding gun laws and safety to end gun violence. Free. Held at The BLOCK off biltmore, 39 South Market St. ONTRACK WNC 50 S. French Broad Ave., 828-255-5166, ontrackwnc.org • WE (5/2), 5:30-7pm - "Introduction to Homebuying," workshop. Registration required. Free. • TH (5/3), 5:30-7pm & TH (5/10), noon-1:30pm - "Budgeting and Debt," class. Registration required. Free. • MONDAYS (5/7) through (5/14), 9am-12:30pm "Money Management and Credit," class series. Registration required. Free. • MONDAYS (5/7) through (5/21), 5:30-8pm - "Money Management and Credit," class series. Registration required. Free. • TUESDAYS, (5/8) until (5/22), 5:30-8pm - "Money Management and Credit," class series. Registration required. Free. • TH (5/10), 5:30-7pm "Understanding Credit. Get it. Keep it. Improve it." Registration required. Free.

DANCE For dance related events see the dance section in our A&E calendar on p. 49

FOOD & BEER ASHEVILLE BREAD FESTIVAL ashevillebreadfestival.com • SA (5/5), 10am-5pm Festival featuring local and regional artisan bakeries, flour mills and baking and culinary books for sale. See website for full schedule of classes. Free to attend.

Held at New Belgium Brewery, 21 Craven St. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TU (5/8), 6pm - Slow Food Asheville presentation. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-2546734, malaprops.com • FR (5/4), 6pm - Tara Jensen presents her book, A Baker's Year: Twelve Months of Baking and Living the Simple Life at the Smoke Signals Bakery. Free to attend.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS ASHEVILLE ANARCHIST RAD FAIR facebook.com/AvlRadFair, avlradfair@riseup.net • SU (5/6), noon-3pm Monthly gathering with grassroots activists and organizations working towards liberation on the basis of mutual aid, horizontalism, direct action and autonomy. Free. Held at Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road BLUE RIDGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB facebook.com/BRRWC • 2nd THURSDAYS, 6pm - General meeting. Free to attend. Held at Gondolier Restaurant, 1360 Tunnel Road. CITY OF ASHEVILLE 828-251-1122, ashevillenc.gov • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 5pm - Citizens-Police Advisory

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HENDERSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY 828-692-6424, myhcdp.com/ • WE (5/2), 5:30-7pm - Long John Mountain and Pisgah View Democratic precincts meeting with some local candidates and pizza, salad, and drinks. Free. Held at Rugby Middle School, 3345 Haywood Road, Hendersonville INDIVISIBLE COMMON GROUND-WNC Indivisible-sylva.com • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 6:308pm -General meeting. Free. Held at St. David's Episcopal Church, 286 Forest Hills Road, Sylva PROGRESSIVE WOMEN OF HENDERSONVILLE pwhendo.org • FRIDAYS, 4-7pm Postcard writing to government representatives. Postcards, stamps, addresses, pens and tips are provided. Free to attend. Held at Sanctuary Brewing Company, 147 1st Ave., Hendersonville

KIDS APPALACHIAN ART FARM 22 Morris St., Sylva, appalchianartfarm.org • SATURDAYS, 10:30-noon - Youth art class. $10. APPLE VALLEY MODEL RAILROAD & MUSEUM 650 Maple St, Hendersonville, AVMRC.com • WEDNESDAYS, 1-3pm & SATURDAYS, 10am-2pm - Open house featuring operating model trains and historic memorabilia. Free. ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM 175 Biltmore Ave, 828-253-3227 • 2nd TUESDAYS, 11am12:30pm - Homeschool program for grades 1-4. Registration required. $4 per student. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • MONDAYS, 10:30am - "Mother Goose Time," storytime for 4-18 month olds. Free. Held at Skyland/ South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road • TU (5/8), 4-5:30pm - Read with Olivia the Therapy Dog. Registration required: 828-250-6482. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

C O N S C I O U S PA R T Y by Edwin Arnaudin | earnaudin@mountainx.com

‘The Thread That Binds’ art show

COM M U N I TY CA LEN DA R

• WE (5/9), 4:30pm Create a paper flower craft for Mother's Day. For all ages. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK 431 Main St., Chimney Rock, 828-625-9611, chimneyrockpark.com • SA (5/19) & SU (5/20) - “Girl Scout Day and Campout,” event with programs and adventurous activities for Girl Scout troops. Registration required by Saturday, May 12: 828-624-9611. $12 adult/$15 per scout/$5.50 youth/$8 per camper. FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828-687-1218, library. hendersoncountync.org • WEDNESDAYS, 10:30am - Family story time. Free.

WESTERN SCENERY: This untitled painting by local artist Hydro is one of the works that will be on display and available for purchase on May 5 at Ginger’s Revenge as part of The Thread That Binds. The show is the second for the I Am Home Art Project, which provides members of the local homeless community an opportunity to create and sell art and keep all of their earnings. Image courtesy of I Am Home Art Project WHAT: An exhibition to benefit I Am Home Art Project WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 4-7 p.m. WHERE: Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Drive, Suite 100 WHY: Late in September 2017, Janet Taylor and a volunteer brought art supplies to the AHOPE day center and Haywood Street Congregation, sat at a table and invited people from the homeless community to join them and create art. Thus began the I Am Home Art Project, whose mission is “to provide a safe and nurturing environment where those without a place to call home can express themselves through art, and in the process experience healing, dignity and hope.” Less than three months later, seven of the program’s artists exhibited their work at Ginger’s Revenge and made $615 selling originals and prints, 100 percent of which went to the artists. “[The I Am Home artists] couldn’t believe we were going to have a show,” says Taylor, the program’s founder and executive director. “It was like a big party. They were so pleased.” I Am Home returns to the ginger beer brewery on Saturday, May 5, for the nonprofit’s second art show, The Thread That Binds. Participating artists include Copper, Michael, A.J., Blue, Hydro, Jessie, Ellie and Chris, each of whom was given a large frame to display one of their cre26

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ations. Thanks to an increase in donated supplies, Taylor says the show will feature more canvases than its predecessor and that the artists are approaching it with a different mindset. “They’ve taken it more seriously now,” she says. “Some have always sketched, but not sat in a place and made art for a show. It’s a more serious effort.” Attendees may meet the artists and purchase their work, each of which carry a minimum suggested donation amount. Also part of the event is a live collaborative painting, in which I Am Home’s artists and its nine local volunteer artists will take turns adding to a 4- by 6-foot canvas. The finished creation will be auction off at the end of the night, and proceeds will go toward the program’s operations. “We do that sometimes during our art time together where someone starts and passes it around the table. You end up with something you’d never expect,” Taylor says. In addition to The Thread That Binds show, I Am Home has also been invited to participate in Show & Tell’s Spring Pop Up Shop at Asheville Social Hall, May 10-20. The Frugal Framer and Blackbird Framing are partnering with the nonprofit and have donated framing and matting. The Thread That Binds art show takes place Saturday, May 5, 4-7 p.m. at Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Drive, Suite 100. iamhomeartproject.com X

HANDS ON! A CHILDREN'S GALLERY 828-697-8333, handsonwnc,org, learningisfun@ handsonwnc.org • WE (5/2), 4-5pm "Science on Wheels," activities for children. Registration required:828-890-1850. Free. Held at Mills River Library, 124 Town Center Drive Suite 1., Mills River MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-2546734, malaprops.com • SA (5/5), 6pm - Elizabeth Hunt presents her children's book, Rex. Free to attend. • WEDNESDAYS, 10am - Miss Malaprop's Story Time for ages 3-9. Free to attend. • WE (5/9), 6pm - Short stories written and read by Odyssey middle school students. Free to attend. WNC NATURE CENTER 75 Gashes Creek Road, 828-298-5600 • SA (5/5), 10am-2pm - “Camping Day,” camping themed activities for children and families. Admission fees apply.

OUTDOORS CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK (PD.) Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Lure, trails for all levels of hikers, an Animal Discovery Den and 404foot waterfall. Plan your adventure at chimneyrockpark.com BUNCOMBE COUNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS 828-250-4260 • TH (5/3), 9:15am - Spring Games Day, event featuring track and field competition Special Olympics athletes from age six through adult. Free. Held at TC Roberson High School, 250 Overlook Road

CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK 431 Main St., Chimney Rock, 828-625-9611, chimneyrockpark.com • SA (5/5), 9am-noon - "Spring Migration," ranger-guided bird walk. Registration required. Admission fees apply. DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE 1 Rankin Ave., 2nd Floor, 828-412-0983, defenders.org • TH (5/3), 5:30-7pm "Birding By Ear During Spring Migration," workshop with biologist Kevin Caldwell. Registration: southeastoffice@defenders.org. Free. • SA (5/5), 6-10am “Wildlife Walkabout,” walk with a focus on recognizing bird calls. Register for location: southeastoffice@ defenders.org. Free. FRIENDS OF THE SMOKIES 828-452-0720, friendsofthesmokies.org • TU (5/8) - Difficult, 8-mile guided hike to Ramsey Cascades waterfall with backcountry explorer Mike Knies. Registration required. $35/$20 members. HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville, 828-697-4725 • TH (5/10), 2-3pm - Amy Duernberger discusses her book, Exploring the Southern Appalachian Grassy Balds: A Hiking Guide. Free. PISGAH CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED pisgahchaptertu.org/ New-Meeting-information. html • 2nd THURSDAYS, 7pm - General meeting and presentations. Free to attend. Held at Ecusta Brewing, 49 Pisgah Highway, Suite 3 ,Pisgah Forest SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY 828-253-0095, appalachian.org • SA (5/3) & SU (5/4) "Leave No Trace Trainer," backpacking course. Register for location: michelled@appalachian. org. Free.

PARENTING BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF WNC 828-253-1470, bbbswnc.org • TH (5/3), noon Information session for single parents with children ages 6-14 interested in learning more about connecting your child with a mentor. Free. Held at Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC, 50 S. French Broad Ave. Ste. #213.

by Abigail Griffin

PUBLIC LECTURES ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION 828-251-9973, ashevilledowntown.org • WE (5/9), 6pm - Building our City Speaker Series: Lecture by Dennis Pieprz regarding his design expertise focused upon reviving urban districts, creating new communities, designing campus environments and revitalizing urban waterfronts. Information & registration: buildingourcity.org. Free. Held at The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design, 67 Broadway ASHEVILLE ROTARY CLUB rotaryasheville.org • TH (5/10), 5:30pm - Metro Talks: "Small Houses: Alternatives in WNC," presentation by Jeremy Stauffer, green builder and owner of Nanostead. Free. Held at Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • MO (5/7), 6pm “Combat Veterans: PTSD and the Return to Civilian Life,” lecture by Dr. Margo Capparelli. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. FRANKLIN SCHOOL OF INNOVATION franklinschoolofinnovation. org • FR (5/4), 11am - "Facing Housing in Asheville," presentations about housing in Asheville by students from the Franklin School of Innovation Expediation Project. Free. Held at Bent Creek Baptist Church, 1554 Brevard Road HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville, 828-697-4725 • MO (5/7), 5:30pm "Staying Safe on Social Media," informational program in conjunction with Choose Privacy Week. Free. MINDFUL MORNINGS facebook.com/ mindfulmorningsAVL • FR (5/4), 8-9:30am Monthly speaker series with the mission to connect, inspire, and teach dogooders to help achieve world-changing goals. Registration required. Free. Held at The Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St. OLLI AT UNCA 828-251-6140, olliasheville.com • WE (5/2), 11:30am1:30pm - "Housing and Race in Asheville," presentation by Andy Barnett, executive director, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. Free. Held at UNC-Asheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road

• TU (5/8), 9-11am - “The History and Legacy of Lynching in North Carolina: The Past is Not Past,” public lecture by Seth Kotch, assistant professor of American studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. Free. Held at UNC-Asheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road PUBLIC EVENTS AT WCU 828-227-7397, wcu.edu • TH (5/3), 7:30-9pm Astronomy for Everyone: "A Hot Topic - The Sun," presentation and discussion. $15/$12 advance. Held at WCU at Biltmore Park, 28 Schenck Parkway, Suite 300 PUBLIC LECTURES AT MARS HILL mhu.edu • TH (5/3), 6pm - Public lecture by producer, author, motivational speaker, musician, and actor, Fonzworth Bentley. Free. Held at Broyhill Chapel, 3 38 Cascade St, Mars Hill SPEAK YOUR PEACE 2018 828-274-7883 • MO (5/7), 6:30-8pm Public lecture by Susan Burton, founder of a nonprofit that provides housing and other support to formerly incarcerated women. Sponsored by The Mediation Center. $12. Held at A-B Tech, Ferguson Auditorium, 340 Victoria Road WLOS SCHOOL SAFETY TOWN HALL townhall@wlos.com • WE (5/9), 8-9pm - Panel discussion with local school superintendents, local police and student March for Our Lives organizer. Registration required. Free. Held at the WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 FanningBridge Road

SENIORS BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (5/9), 1pm - Chair yoga class series for seniors. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF WNC, INC. 2 Doctors Park, Suite E., 828-253-2900 • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 11am-2pm - The Asheville Elder Club Group Respite program for individuals with memory challenges and people of all faiths. Registration required. $30. • WEDNESDAYS, 11am2pm - The Hendersonville Elder Club for individuals with memory challenges and people of all faiths. Registration required. $30. Held at Agudas Israel Congregation, 505 Glasgow Lane Hendersonville

LAND-OF-SKY REGIONAL COUNCIL OFFICES 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140, 828251-6622, landofsky.org • TH (5/3), 4:30-6pm Community Advisory Committee for Nursing Homes, meeting. Registration: ruth@landofsky.org. Free. SENIOR OPPORTUNITY CENTER 36 Grove St. • MO (12/4), 2-3pm Bingo for seniors and older adults. .75 per card.

SPIRITUALITY ABOUT THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION TECHNIQUE • FREE INTRODUCTORY TALK (PD.) Meditation is fully effective when it allows you to transcend—to effortlessly settle inward, beyond the busy or agitated mind, to the deepest, most blissful and expanded state of awareness. TM is a tool for personal healing and social transformation that anyone can use to access that field of unbounded creativity, intelligence, and wellbeing that resides within everyone. NIH research shows deep revitalizing rest, reduced stress and anxiety, improved brain functioning and heightened mental performance. Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm, Asheville TM Center, 165 E. Chestnut. 828-254-4350. TM.org ASHEVILLE INSIGHT MEDITATION (PD.) Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation. Learn how to get a Mindfulness Meditation practice started. 1st & 3rd Mondays. 7pm – 8:30. Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Suite H, ASHEVILLE, NC, (828) 808-4444, www. ashevillemeditation.com. ASTRO-COUNSELING (PD.) Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions. Readings also available. Christy Gunther, MA, LPC. (828) 258-3229. GROUP MEDITATION (PD.) Enjoy this supportive meditation community. Mindfulness meditation instruction and Buddhist teachings at Asheville Insight. Thursday evenings at 7pm and Sunday mornings at 10am. www. ashevillemeditation.com.

INTUITIVE READINGS (PD.) Listen to your Spirits messages for you. For your reading, or for more information, call 4pm-7pm, 828 551-1825.

TAIZE 828-254-5193 • 1st FRIDAYS, 7-8pm Taize, interfaith meditative candlelight prayer meetup with song, silence and scripture. Free. Held at St. Eugene's Catholic Church, 72 Culver St.

SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER (PD.) Thursdays, 7-8:30pm and Sundays, 10-noon • Meditation and community. By donation. 60 N. Merrimon Ave., #113, (828) 200-5120. asheville.shambhala.org

UNITY OF THE BLUE RIDGE 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road, Mills River, 828-891-8700 • SU (5/6), 1:30-4:30pm "The Call to Passion," workshop with author Gregg Levoy. $25.

BLUE RIDGE BAHA'IS wncbahai.org • MO (5/7), 6:30-8:30pm - Interfaith dinner party. Register for location: carlarussell657@gmail. com Free. • TU (5/8), 6:30-8:30pm - Dinner and discussion. Register for location: jeanthomason9@gmail. com or 828-484-1317. Free. BREVARD WESLEYAN CHURCH 583 N. Broad St., Brevard • TH (5/3), noon National Day of Prayer, spiritual event. Free. CENTER FOR ART & SPIRIT AT ST. GEORGE 1 School Road, 828-258-0211 • 1st & 3rd THURSDAYS, 2pm Intentional meditation. Admission by donation. CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING ASHEVILLE 2 Science Mind Way, 828-253-2325, cslasheville.org • 1st FRIDAYS, 7pm - "Dreaming a New Dream," meditation to explore peace and compassion. Free. CHABAD HOUSE 127 McDowell St., 828-505-0746, chabadasheville.org • 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:30-11:30am - "Torah and Tea," ladies morning out with the Jewish Women's Circle. Registration required: 828-505-0746. Free. GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, 828-693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • WEDNESDAYS until (5/9), 5:30-7:30pm - "A Clash of Kingdoms," five-week adult class. Dinner and childcare available. Free/$5 for dinner. RENAISSANCE ASHEVILLE HOTEL 31 Woodfin St., 828-252-8211, renaissanceasheville.com • TH (5/3), 6:30pm Asheville National Day of Prayer gathering. Information: ashevillendp.com. Free.

URBAN DHARMA 828-225-6422, udharmanc.com/ • THURSDAYS, 7:30-9pm - Open Sangha night. Free. Held at Urban Dharma, 77 Walnut St.

VOLUNTEERING TUTOR ADULTS IN NEED WITH THE LITERACY COUNCIL (PD.) Spend two hours a week helping an immigrant who wants to learn English or

a native English-speaking adult who wants to learn to read. Visit our website or call us to sign up for volunteer orientation on Tue (5/15) 5:30pm or Thurs (5/17) 9:00am. 828-254-3442 volunteers@litcouncil.com. www.litcouncil.com ASHEVILLE PRISON BOOKS ashevilleprisonbooks@ gmail.com • SATURDAYS, 2-4pm Volunteer to send books in response to inmate requests. Information:

avlcommunityaction.com or ashevilleprisonbooks@gmail. com. Held at Downtown Books & News, 67 N. Lexington Ave. FELLOWSHIP ASHEVILLE 756 Fairview Road, fellowshipasheville.com • SA (5/5) - "Serve Asheville," volunteer with local non-profits to help citizens in need. Registration: nick@fellowshipasheville. com.

HAYWOOD STREET CONGREGATION 297 Haywood St., 828-246-4250 • 1st & 3rd THURSDAYS, 10am-noon - Workshop to teach how to make sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic shopping bags. Information: 828-707-7203 or cappyt@att.net. Free. ROTARY CLUBS OF WNC rotariansagainsthunger.org, rawlingswc@gmail.com • FR (5/4) & SA (5/5) Volunteer to help package meals for families in need. Register online. Held at

Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Center Blvd. United Way of Henderson County 828-692-1636, liveunitedhc.org • Through TH (5/10) - Open registration for volunteers for the United Way Day of Caring, community wide volunteering event on Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12. Register online: volunteerhendo.org. For more volunteering opportunities visit mountainx.com

NCDOT TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING FOR THE PROPOSED IMPROVMENTS TO U.S. 19/23 FROM CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN ROAD (S.R. 1836) TO WIGGINS ROAD (S.R. 1200) BUNCOMBE AND HAYWOOD COUNTIES

TIP PROJECT NO. U-6048 The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold an open house public meeting regarding the proposed project to improve U.S. 19/23 from Chestnut Mountain Road (S.R. 1836) to Wiggins Road (S.R. 1200) in Buncombe and Haywood Counties. The meeting will take place on Thursday, May 10th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre Annex located at 53 Park Street in Canton. The public may drop-in at any time during the meeting hours. NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions and listen to comments regarding the project. The opportunity to submit comments will also be provided at the meeting or via phone, email, or mail by May 25th. Comments received will be taken into consideration as the project develops. Please note that no formal presentation will be made.

For additional information, contact Scott Miller, NCDOT Division 14 Construction Engineer at 253 Webster Road, Sylva, NC 28779, (828) 586-2141, or jsmiller3@ncdot.gov.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Caitlyn Ridge, P.E., Environmental Analysis Unit at ceridge1@ncdot.gov or (919) 707-6091 as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Persons who speak Spanish and do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494. Aquellas personas que hablan español y no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión llamando al 1-800-481-6494.

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

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Asheville resident and counselor Winston Janusz developed numerous physical issues after enduring stress that “just kept building and building and building. ... It was a really stressful time. I was in graduate school — all this stuff, plus low on sleep because of having young kids. I’ve had chronic low back pain, tension in the shoulders, tightness … problems with digestion, stomach discomfort.” The experience brought the material he was studying in his courses home in a new way. “Though I already had training as a therapist, it’s kind of a different ballgame when you’re experiencing that personally.” Along with the physical symptoms, Janusz also experienced panic attacks. Janusz says he was able to recover and wants to share his message with others. “I was able to use my education and my resources [as well as] practicing mindfulness and exercise and seeing a good therapist,” he notes. “Not that I never feel anxious; I think that’s part of being human, but it’s nothing like it was. I have it under control.” Janusz’s experience highlights the importance of caring for one’s mental health, a message promoted by Mental Health Month in May, which stresses the need to “make use of the tools and resources that benefit minds and bodies together,” according to sponsor Mental Health America. Mental health problems don’t have to be traumatic or severe to cause a decline in health, explains Kia Asberg, professor of psychology at Western Carolina University. Even less severe levels of depression or stress seem to tax the body. “We know through research that disorders exist on a continuum, so absolutely there can be some compromises both in physical and mental health — whether those rise to the level of a diagnosis or not.” More intense struggles can produce more noticeable effects. Jackson County resident Dee Jane Wilder says she faced compound-

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WELLNESS

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MISSING LINK: Learning about the physical impact of mental stress during his training to become a licensed professional counselor was one thing — but living it gave Winston Janusz a higher level of awareness of how profoundly one’s mental state can affect physical health. Appreciating the link between mental and physical well-being, Janusz says, is the first step toward addressing symptoms of stress when they arise. Photo courtesy of Janusz ing personal events a couple of years ago that not only affected her mental health but also her physical health. “I ended up with high blood pressure. I ended up with weight gain. I ended up sedentary, which led to more health problems and insomnia. I literally ended up with a tic in my right shoulder,” says Wilder. “I’m 56 years old, so for emotional trauma to impact my body like that was something that I never expected.”

BECOME AWARE One of the challenges with medical treatment, says Asberg, is that many doctors and patients overlook mental health, focusing instead on physical complaints. “If somebody is lucky enough or fortunate enough to have access to primary care, they may not present with the mental health issue as the driver of the referral or the reason for seeking tests,” says Asberg. “A majority of folks are presented at pri-

mary care … with physical or somatic complaints. I think it is important to get education out there both to the public as a whole and to primary care providers — the importance of screening for mental health issues.” As part of Mental Health Month, local mental health agencies are sponsoring events designed to spread the word about the importance of addressing mental health. Ashley Starnes has been involved in helping to coordinate one of these events as the administrative and development assistant at the Black Mountain Counseling Center, a nonprofit that serves the lower-income population of east Buncombe County. The center has partnered with the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League to present an art exhibit called “Ten Days in May,” which is designed to raise consciousness and reduce the stigma of mental health issues. The exhibit runs Tuesday, May 15, to Thursday, May 25, at the The Red House Studios & Gallery in Black Mountain. The National Alliance on Mental Illness Western Carolina and All Souls Counseling Center of Asheville are sponsoring a mental wellness walk on Saturday, May 19, at Carrier Park

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in Asheville. According to the NAMI website, the walk is designed “to raise awareness of the importance of mental wellness and community resources that exist for people with mental health issues.” STRESSED OUT Physical ailments often result from the body’s reaction to stress, says Keith Cox, clinical psychology professor at UNC Asheville. “There’s not this kind of nice one-to-one relationship between one specific mental health disorder and one specific [physical] symptom of the disorder,” says Cox, “but it’s more that a number of mental health disorders stress, overtax and dysregulate bodily processes that are not meant to be always on.” “Most mental health problems by definition come with elevated levels of stress or give stress, and that can result in poor health,” Asberg explains. “My area of research and others obviously have shown that chronic activation of stress response systems can then in turn put a strain on the immune system, can impact sleep, appetite,

CONTINUES ON PAGE 30

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W ELL NESS other basic functions that we need for our bodies to recover. Obviously, it can also increase the risk for specific health problems ... diabetes, heart disease, cognitive impairments, autoimmune disorders ... joint pain, back pain, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue [and] psychomotor changes.” Mary Ammerman, vice president of the Institute for Applied Neuroscience in Asheville, which utilizes neurofeedback and other brain health modalities, says that “chronic stress just depletes your resources. It’s just hard on your body because our nervous systems were kind of designed to respond to a temporary stressor that we can run away from or fight off and then go back to a resting state. But when we’re chronically on high alert, it just takes its toll on your organs, your immune system, I mean

everything. So really it’s taxing to your autonomic nervous system.” Janusz says an important part of physical treatment is seeking help to treat the mind. “It’s important to care for our mental health. You can do things for your mental health, just like you do things for your physical health,” he says. “We go to our doctor once a year for a physical checkup, if we have insurance and all that — not because we are sick, but to make sure everything’s working well. I think, in this day and age, we are in such a bad place in terms of mental health, suicide and school shootings and everything. I really feel that people need to hear that our mental health is worth checking up on, too.” Asberg gives a similar recommendation, encouraging those struggling with stress or other mental health issues “to raise those concerns to their practitioner, whoever that may be … or at least get a checkup just like we would for physical health.” Ammerman makes the same case: “I think people have accepted the fact that if you want to be physically healthy, there are things you have to do. You have to watch what you eat. You have to exercise. … We at least know that being physically healthy requires some effort. Being mentally and emotionally healthy requires some effort, too.” Cox says it’s difficult to research the bodily impact of mental health treatment because “the causal arrows of physical health to mental health, they go both ways,” which makes it challenging for researchers to determine the exact direction of the change. But

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he notes that his research team is gathering some measurements, “and we regularly show that effective post-traumatic stress disorder treatments lead to reductions ... of chronic inflammation in the body.” Attending a recent conference, Cox says, he encountered colleagues who were uncovering similar findings. In one study being prepared for publication, “they take blood samples before the mental health treatment to see measures of chronic inflammation, and then they take measures after the treatment, and those show reduction,” he says. New research shows “there’s lots of reasons to try to treat mental health issues early,” Cox explains. “One of them for sure is reducing the risk [to your body].” REAL RECOVERY Janusz offers a message of hope to others: “I feel confident that because I’ve gotten through it, other people can get through it. It was rough. Depression goes along with that too; you get depressed because you are anxious and feel so out of control and like there is no escape from it. ... It’s a horrible form of suffering. There are ways out of it, there are people who have overcome it, and I am one of them.” But not everyone has access to care, says Asberg, and those who don’t receive needed mental health treatment are especially susceptible to physical problems. “The association

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between mental and physical health problems is particularly strong among vulnerable, underserved communities or other marginalized groups,” she points out, especially those who lack a gateway into mental health care because they are “living in poverty or face other forms of discrimination or barriers to treatments.” Vaya Health, a public managed care organization operating in Western North Carolina, can connect those in need of mental health care to resources through its 24-hour service line. Wilder was able to access services through Meridian Behavioral Health Services, a nonprofit serving Cherokee, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Transylvania counties. Meridian provides mental health services to individuals “who wouldn’t have access to services otherwise,” explains Katie Goetz, adult clinical director. Wilder says that through Meridian she was able to access a physician, psychiatrist and counselor. Peer support and a variety of tools and techniques also helped ease her “personal toxic stress.” Since then, she notes, she has authored three books and works as an editor, inspirational coach and peersupport provider. Wilder credits her experience at Meridian with her recovery: “The most important things that really helped me over the last year were the social support of being able to be open and being able to talk about it and the trauma resiliency classes and positive psychology classes.” X

MORE INFO WHAT Ten Days in May art exhibit

Mental Health America mentalhealthamerica.net

WHERE The Red House Studios & Gallery 310 W. State St. Black Mountain

Dee Jane Wilder deejanewilder.com Winston Janusz winstonjanusz.com

WHEN Tuesday-Friday, May 15-25 828-669-0351

Black Mountain Counseling Center blackmountaincounseling.org

WHAT Mental Wellness Walk

National Alliance on Mental Illness Western Carolina namiwnc.org

WHERE Carrier Park 220 Amboy Road Asheville WHEN Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 828-505-7353

Vaya Health vayahealth.com 800-849-6127 Meridian Behavioral Health Services meridianbhs.org

WELL NESS CA L E N DA R

WELLNESS QIGONG (NEI GUNG) CLASSES (PD.) Begin your journey or take it to the next level in the Taoist water method of Qi development. Profound and simple practices taught in Private, group and online classes. Instructor Frank Iborra, AP, Dipl. Ac (NCCAOM) 954-8151235. www. whitecranehealingarts. com SHOJI SPA & LODGE • 7 DAYS A WEEK (PD.) Private Japanese-style outdoor hot tubs, cold plunge, sauna and lodging. 8 minutes from town. Bring a friend to escape and renew! Best massages in Asheville! 828-299-0999. www.shojiretreats. com SOUND HEALING • SATURDAY • SUNDAY (PD.) Every Saturday, 11am and Sundays, 12 noon. Experience deep relaxation with crystal bowls, gongs, didgeridoo and other peaceful instruments. • Donation suggested. At Skinny Beats Sound Shop, 4 Eagle Street. www. skinnybeatsdrums.com ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA CENTER 8 Brookdale Road, ashevillecommunityyoga. com • THURSDAYS (5/3) until (5/31) - "7 Sacraments of the Goddess: An Antidote

to the Modern Day Mother Wound," yoga workshop. $50/$12 drop-in. • SA (5/5), 3-5pm "Yoga Beyond the Mat," workshop. $20. CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING ASHEVILLE 2 Science Mind Way, 828-253-2325, cslasheville.org • TH (5/3), 7-9pm "Holistic Approach to Achieving Health and Wellbeing," medical lecture by Dr. Wolfgang Vogelsberger from Bruno Groening Circle of Friends. Free. GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, 828-693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 9am Walking exercise class. Free. HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION 828-505-1874, dmn261034@mac.com • WE (5/2), 10:15am - "Why Someone without Hearing Loss is involved with the Hearing Loss Association," general meeting and presentation by pastor Mary Hinkle Shore. Free. Held at Care Partners Main Campus, 68 Sweeten Creek Road LAND OF SKY REGIONAL COUNCIL 828-251-6622, landofsky.org • MONDAYS until (5/21), 1-3:30pm "Living Healthy with Chronic Pain" six-week

T hanks for voting an d

series focused on managing pain, getting restful sleep, reducing stress, managing medications, combat fatigue and depression and eating to decrease inflammation. Registration required: stephanie@landofsky. org or 828-251-7438. Free. Held at Blue Ridge Community Health Services, 2579 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville LEICESTER COMMUNITY CENTER 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 828-774-3000, facebook.com/ Leicester.Community. Center • MONDAYS, 5:156:15pm - Zumba Gold exercise class. $5. • MONDAYS, 6:157pm - Zumba classes. $5. • MONDAYS, 7:158pm - Gentle Flow Yoga. $5. MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-254-6734, malaprops.com • MO (5/7), 6pm Diane Long presents her book, Notes on Yoga: The Legacy of Vanda Scaravelli. Free to attend. NORTH ASHEVILLE RECREATION CENTER 37 E. Larchmont Road • TUESDAYS until (5/15), 7-8pm - Peace Education Program, ten-week course of self-discovery based on work by Prem Rawat. Free.

PRAMA INSTITUTE 310 Panhandle Road, Marshall, 828-649-9408, prama.org • SA (5/5), 9am - 2nd Annual Prama Day, festival featuring yoga and meditation classes, workshop and activities. Free. THE MEDITATION CENTER 894 E. Main St., Sylva, 828-356-1105, meditate-wnc.org • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6-8pm - "Inner Guidance from an Open Heart," class with meditation and discussion. $10. WAYNESVILLE BRANCH OF HAYWOOD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 678 S. Haywood St., Waynesville, 828-452-5169 • THURSDAYS (5/10) until (5/24), 1pm - "The Confident Caregiver," three-part workshop to provide training and increase the skills and confidence for caregivers of those with dementia. Registration: 828-356-2507. Free. YMCA MISSION PARDEE HEALTH CAMPUS 2775 Hendersonville Road, Arden • TU (5/8), 5:30-7:30pm - Skin cancer screening. Spanish interpretation services available. Registration required: pardeehospital. org/classes-events or 828-698-7317. Free.

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

GREEN SCENE

ON THE RIGHT PATH

WNC experts discuss sustainability of outdoor recreation

BY KIM DINAN dinankim@gmail.com Head into Pisgah National Forest on any day of the week, and you’ll find activity out on the trails. From hikers standing atop Max Patch bald, enjoying stunning views of Mount Mitchell, to mountain bikers riding beside white pine and mountain laurel on the Foster Creek Trail, outdoors enthusiasts take advantage of Pisgah as just one of Western North Carolina’s hot spots for recreation. Over 1.6 million acres of national forest across the region beckon hikers, bikers, climbers, rafters and hunters, among others, to enjoy the outdoors. The Pisgah Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to the well-being of the Pisgah Ranger District, estimates that between 3 million and 4 million people visit Pisgah each year, roughly half of the 7 million annual visitors to all national forests in the state. Recreation tourism is an undeniable driving force of the local economy. Last year, researchers from Eastern Kentucky University found that outdoor recreation in Pisgah and Nantahala national forests generated $115 million in annual spending, supporting jobs and attracting businesses. But as people flock to Western North Carolina to take advantage of the region’s abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, they also bring a human impact to wild places. MAKING WAVES Eric Bradford is the director of operations at Asheville GreenWorks, an environmental organization that focuses on the urban environment. For the past 45 years, Asheville GreenWorks has tracked the trash that comes into the French Broad River system. Bradford says that approximately 25 percent of this waste comes from individuals recreating on the river or throwing items directly into it. “We see a lot of flip-flops, unopened beer cans, popped tubes and sunglasses,” says Bradford. “Most people aren’t intentionally littering, but all of those plastics are going to accumulate and start breaking down at some point into microplastics.” When plastic waste enters the river, explains Bradford, the material becomes very brittle and breaks into 32

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

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MAKING WAY: Trail maintenance efforts go a long way toward mitigating the impact of outdoor recreation by keeping traffic away from sensitive areas and controlling runoff and erosion. Carolina Mountain Club member Tom Weaver stands next to a fence installed as part of a project to restore the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Bull Gap. CMC crews put in 700 hours of labor over several weeks this spring to restore this section of the trail. Photo courtesy of Carolina Mountain Club tiny pieces as it flows into the Mississippi River and, eventually, the Gulf of Mexico. “[The microplastics] are highly toxic items that we are spreading into our ecosystem,” he says. The science regarding the impact of microplastics on marine organisms is still emerging, but according to a 2015 study published in Marine Anthropogenic Litter titled “Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Distribution, Interactions and Effects,” their distribution is worldwide. Nanoscale plastic particles — billionths of a meter in size — can actually enter the cells of birds, fish, turtles, mammals and invertebrates, with impacts that are yet to be understood. But Bradford is quick to add that recreation generally improves water quality. “People become advocates of the waterway. They don’t want to have a dirty waterway, and they aren’t going to leave it in a worse condition than when they started.”

BEATEN PATHS People also make their outdoor presence felt while recreating on dry land. Danny Bernstein is a member of the Carolina Mountain Club, an all-volunteer organization that leads hikes and maintains over 500 miles of trails in Western North Carolina. She says that physically impacting the land while hiking is unavoidable but counters that her club has a generally positive effect. “We have people that really care about Pisgah and the Smokies because they put their feet on the ground once a week or more,” Bernstein says. “They are friends, they are supporters, and they monitor the various issues that affect public lands.” Bernstein notes that the Carolina Mountain Club tries to hike responsibly. “We stay on the trail,” she says. “We do not throw anything in the woods, even if it’s biodegradable, because most of what we eat is not native.” The club makes sure that hikers follow procedures while going to the bathroom in the outdoors, avoiding rivers and

other water sources. Club members also carpool to the trailhead, limiting their carbon footprint. But most of the practices that make hikers responsible users of the outdoors go hand in hand with respecting the forest, says Bernstein. “We talk about flowers or trees,” she says. “Sustainability comes naturally.” Mark Stierwalt is a former board member for Pisgah Area SORBA, a mountain bike and trail advocacy group. While he acknowledges that mountain biking can disturb soils, he also notes that sustainable trail design can mitigate user impact. On a physical level, those changes can include improving drainage structures to reduce soil transport and adding better sight lines. “Blind corners are safety and social issues on multiuse trails,” explains Stierwalt. “My biggest concern for the trail system is user conflicts. We have a major educational issue that is centered around [bike] yielding.” Economically and socially, sustainable trail design means sharing stewardship and making trails accessible to everyone. As the Forest Service’s 2016 report on the National Strategy for a Sustainable Trail System explains it, a sustainable trail system should be supported by public and private interests in tandem and invite people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to recreate outdoors. Adding motors to the trail mix makes sustainability more challenging. The Grandfather Ranger District in the Pisgah National Forest and the Nantahala Ranger District in the Nantahala National Forest both offer trail systems for off-road driving by allterrain and four-wheel-drive vehicles. In 2008, the National Forest Service released a report on the effects of all-terrain vehicles on forested lands and grasslands. Following any level of disturbance by ATVs, trail runoff increased by 56 percent and generated sediment by 625 percent, compared to the undisturbed forest floor. However, the report also notes that this disturbance can be reduced by proper trail design and maintenance. DOUBLING BACK Notably, many of the trails currently in use were not initially designed for hiking or mountain biking. “Almost all of the trails in Pisgah and the Smokies

weren’t built as trails [for recreation],” says Bernstein. “They were old roads or old trails from before they became public land,” she says. Stierwalt says the land’s previous use for timber production led trail builders to seek the shortest distance between two points, which was often along creeks or “fall lines” straight down a slope. When it rains, water rushes down these fall line trails, picking up soil and depositing it into creeks below. When this happens, the sediment damages water quality. Sedimentation can destroy fish spawning beds, reduce aquatic plant life and alter a stream’s ecology. “A lot of our issues are alignment issues rather than pure use issues,” says Stierwalt. These issues may be exacerbated by what Stierwalt calls a coming “tidal wave” of demand for mountain biking trails. The sport has become popular with younger riders, who are training their skills to higher levels than those of previous generations. “They are going to be looking for harder and more technical terrain as they move toward adulthood — Pisgah is going to be a magnet for those riders,” notes Stierwalt. Sustainable trail design will do a lot to help meet the upcoming demand, but Stierwalt says it’s only part of the answer. “Having a master plan for the district’s trail system would go a long way with planning for the future,” he says. “It would allow for better allocation of resources and take into account all user groups and subgroups.” But according to Stierwalt, there is currently

no effort in the works to develop a master plan, which could come with a price tag in excess of $100,000. BEST FOOT FORWARD “When we go out in the woods, it doesn’t matter what we do. We are disrupting things,” says Colleen Olfenbuttel, black bear and furbearer biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. From trail construction that fragments wildlife habitat to hiker traffic that keeps bears from wild food sources, human activity in the wild has unavoidable consequences. Even in light of these impacts, however, Olfenbuttel wants people to recreate in the outdoors. “Certainly, we want to encourage people to get out in the woods and enjoy nature,” says Olfenbuttel. “We understand people that appreciate nature and enjoy being outside will be more likely to support wildlife programs. I tell people: Leave no trace. Make the place cleaner than when you left it.” John Cottingham, founder of the Pisgah Conservancy, says that people can take simple steps to lessen their impact on the environment while recreating. “Don’t go out on the trails when they are vulnerable,” he advises. “When we’ve had a freeze and thaw or heavy rain, things like mountain bikes, horses or even boot treads can have a negative impact.” Cottingham also recommends that all users of Pisgah National Forest stop by the visitor’s center, located approximately two miles inside the Brevard entrance

to the forest, and talk to the staff there for advice on current issues of concern. “Moving forward, it is going to be really important for the entire community to come together and do a lot more volunteer trail work,” says Stierwalt. “I think it is fair to ask trail users to volunteer two to four times a year on trail days and give something back to the forest.” For his part, Bradford advises those who want to recreate in the local waterways to take only what they need out on the river and to secure the items they do

take. “Leave the flip-flops and wear a good pair of river sandals or old sneakers,” he says. “Strap on your sunglasses, lock your cooler. We want folks to leave out the things that are going to fall off your person really easily.” Still, at the end of the day, Bradford encourages people to get out on the river. “Would I want a few less popped tubes in the river but have it dirtier in other aspects?” he asks. “No. I’d rather have the popped tubes and the people who are invested in the waterways.” X

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THERE IT FLOWS: Once a polluted industrial dumping ground, the French Broad River is now a major draw for Western North Carolina’s outdoor and tourism industries. While recreational paddlers and floaters do leave behind their fair share of waste, local experts say, getting people in touch with the river has actually benefited water quality by raising awareness and involvement with cleanup efforts. Photo by Mike Belleme; courtesy of Transylvania Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Development Authority

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

FARM & GARDEN

HERB THYME

Asheville Spring Herb Festival returns with workshops, native plants

BY LIZ CAREY lizcarey@charter.net A.D. Reed, executive director for the Asheville Spring Herb Festival, says attendees of this year’s event need to bring an open mind — and maybe a little extra capacity. “If you’ve got a little red wagon, bring it with you,” Reed says. “Everyone always ends up buying more than they think they will.” From Friday, May 4, to Sunday, May 6, the WNC Chapter of the North Carolina Herb Association hosts the 29th annual Asheville Spring Herb Festival at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market. Roughly 60 vendors from the Asheville area convene to offer everything from herbs and heirloom vegetables to compost, mushroom spores, soaps and teas. This plentiful array speaks to the festival’s substantial growth since its origins in 1990, when only four or five vendors set up shop in the WNC Farmers Market parking lot. “In the beginning, it was just four hours on a Saturday,” Reed notes. “Now, it stretches over three days. When I started in 2000, the festival drew in 22,000 people. Now, we’ll have as many as 35,000 people. It’s the largest festival of its kind in the U.S. and Canada.”

ECO ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS ashevillegreendrinks.com • 1st THURSDAYS, 7pm - Ecopresentations, discussions and community connection. Free. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place CREATION CARE ALLIANCE OF WNC creationcarealliance.org • THURSDAYS until (5/17), 6-7:15pm - Community book discussion on Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. Registration required: chas.jansen@mtsu.edu. Free. Held at Jubilee Community Church, 46 Wall St. HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS 174 Broadway,

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

HERBAL ESSENCE: From a small gathering that started out in the parking lot next to the WNC Farmers Market’s main office to one of the largest herb-focused events of its kind, the Asheville Spring Herb Festival has come a long way in its nearly 30-year run. What keeps shoppers coming back, organizers say, is the quality and variety of plants and products on offer. Photo courtesy of the Asheville Spring Herb Festival Visitors come to the festival from Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Maryland, Reed adds. “I even got a call from a woman in New Jersey who was traveling to Florida and wanted to make sure she didn’t miss it on her way there,” he says.

habitatbrewing.com • SU (5/6), 3-5:30pm - “Go Fossil Free,” forum on renewable energy sponsored by 350 Asheville. Free to attend. HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD 828-692-3026 • FR (5/4), noon - Arbor Day celebration with tree planting and awards presentation. Sponsored by the Four Seasons Rotary Club. Free. Held at Bruce Drysdale Elementary, 271 Bearcat Blvd., Hendersonville WNC SIERRA CLUB 828-251-8289, wenoca.org • TH (5/3), 7-9pm - “Wildflowers, Trees & Critters,” presentation by naturalist Scott Dean. Free. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place

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FARM & GARDEN ASHEVILLE BOTANICAL GARDENS 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., 828-252-5190, ashevillebotanicalgardens.org • FR (5/4), noon-6pm & SA (5/5), 8:30am-3pm - Spring plant sale with trees, shrubs and flowers. A portion of proceeds benefit the Botanical Gardens. Free to attend. ASHEVILLE GARDEN CLUB 828-550-3459 • WE (5/2), 10am - General meeting, presentation by Elizabeth McClatchery Brown and field trip of Biltmore Village gardens. Free. Held at All Souls Cathedral, 9 Swan St. ASHEVILLE SPRING HERB FESTIVAL 828-301-8968,

Jeannie Dunn, owner and director of Red Moon Herbs in Asheville and president of the N.C. Natural Products Association, expects vendors to do a brisk business in fruiting trees, edible landscaping and medicinal herbs this year. “People are saying, ‘How can I use this?’ and

ashevilleherbfestival.com • FR (5/4) & SA (5/5), 8:30am5pm & SU (5/6), 10am-3pm Largest herb festival in the U.S. and Canada featuring vendors, workshops, free parking and shuttles. Free to attend. Held at WNC Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Road BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library • SA (5/5), 10am - Plant exchange sponsored by the Black Mountain Seed Library and Black Mountain Blooms. Free. Held at Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain • TH (5/10), 6pm - “Gardening with Children,” presentation by Rachel Strivelli, gardener and teacher. Free. Held at Skyland/ South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road

‘What can I plant that will help sustainability?’” she says. Part of that demand, believes Dunn, is the “foodie” inclination of Asheville-area residents and restaurateurs. “We see a lot of chefs using local herbs and local produce in the farm-to-table movement,” she says.

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE cityofhendersonville.org • THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, until (5/13) Seasonal mulch and composted leaves giveaway. Thurs. & Fri.: 3:30-7pm. Sat.: 8am-noon. Free. Held at the old Waste Water Treatment Plant, 80 Balfour Road, Hendersonville LIVING WEB FARMS 176 Kimzey Road, Mills River, 828-505-1660, livingwebfarms.org • TU (5/8), 4:30-7:30pm “Woodland Edibles Plant Walk,” with forager, botanist and herbalist Abby Artemesia. $10. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LIBRARY 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, 828-884-3151

• TH (5/3), 6:30pm - “Heirloom Herbals: Edible and Medicinal Native Plants of the Southern Appalachians,” presentation by herbalist Laura Gardner. Free. WEAVERVILLE GARDEN CLUB relax@innonmain.com • TU (5/8), 9:30am - General meeting with presentation by Dale Pennell, Weaverville’s new Public Works Director. Free. Held at Weaverville Town Hall, 30 S. Main St., Weaverville WHITAKER FARMS 90 Dalton Road, Horse Shoe • WE (5/2), 8:30am-1:30pm - “Soil Health Field Day,” interactive workshop. Registration required: 828-697-4949. Sponsored by the Henderson County Soil and Water Conservation District. Free.

“But we also see more people using native herbs like stinging nettle, morels and other plants native to this area in their food.” This year’s festival also addresses the hunger for herbal education through several workshops where participants can learn more about growing and using herbs. Although workshops had been a part of the event’s early incarnations, Reed explains, they had been absent for some time before the 2017 festival. “The workshops started in the late 1990s, early 2000s, but we couldn’t find a way to provide space for the workshops without taking away vendor space,” Reed says. “But we decided to try it again last year with master gardeners. People liked having the workshops so much that we decided to keep space available for them.” Friday’s workshops cover growing herbs, with topics such as edible landscaping, creating an herbal first aid garden and container growing. On Saturday, the presenters shift to using herbs through demonstrations of preparing extracts, making soap and blending teas. And on Sunday, the festival concludes with

a presentation by Joe Hollis on native plants. One aspect of the festival hasn’t changed over the years, says Reed: There is no charge for attending, parking or participating in any of the workshops. The WNC Farmers Market will also be running a free shuttle to and from the parking lot to help people access the event and return to their cars with their purchases. Sometimes, a little red wagon just isn’t enough. X

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

FOOD

PLANT-BASED PARADISE Hendersonville is nourishing a growing vegan community

CHEEZE, PLEASE: The menu at Hendersonville’s soon-to-open Jazzy Vegetarian Vegan Café will feature recipes from chef Laura Theodore’s television show, “Jazzy Vegetarian,” including plant-based pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, chili and more. Photo by Andy Ebberbach

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

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It’s no secret that Asheville is a popular destination for plant-based eaters — the city has long made headlines with its vegan-friendly food scene. But Hendersonville, Asheville’s smaller neighbor to the south, is becoming a serious competitor when it comes to vegan eats. The small, close-knit town — population 13,840 — has seen a slew of vegan and vegan-friendly spots and options come to the table in the last several years. This could arguably be a domino effect started by the all-vegan Sanctuary Brewing Co., which opened in 2015. The philanthropically focused brewery opened after co-founders Lisa McDonald and Joe Dinan decided to leave their former careers in corporate consulting and accounting, respectively, to pursue their shared passions for craft beer and animal advocacy. McDonald thinks Sanctuary’s unique mission has helped shift the town’s attitude toward veganism. “It basically says to the general public, ‘Yes, we’re vegan, but there’s nothing different about us whatsoever.’ We’re

just a brewery that makes beer and happens to really like animals and show compassion in the world,” she says. The couple also run Sweet Bear Rescue Farm in Flat Rock, a nonprofit that’s home to some 17 or so rescued animals, including turkeys, chickens, a pig and goats. “I think there are still some stereotypes about vegans being kind of off-from-center a little bit, maybe fringey — and that’s really just not the case anymore,” she adds. “It’s a pretty mainstream movement, and I think SBC really shows that.” JAZZING THINGS UP Now Sanctuary is in the process of expanding to open an on-site eatery, the Jazzy Vegetarian Vegan Café. Leading the effort is chef Laura Theodore, star of PBS Food’s Taste Award-winning cooking show “Jazzy Vegetarian.” The menu will feature some favorites from Theodore’s show, including the Ultimate Jazzy Burger, Famous Vegan Reuben Sandwich, vegan “egg” and “chicken” salads, along with pizzas, chili, lots of small bites and a kids menu. There will also be desserts like Divine Chocolate

Mousse Cake and Mini Raspberry Cheeze-Cakes. “Having a place in Hendersonville for nonvegans to embrace plant-based meal options, while offering enticing items for vegans, will help bring the community together while exploring the endless possibilities that scrumptious vegan food has to offer,” says Theodore. The cafe is slated to have a soft opening sometime this month. The nearby small community of Horse Shoe also has its own plantbased eatery, the family-operated Garlik Vegan, which specializes in 100 percent meat-, egg- and dairyfree pizza, sandwiches, entrées, baked goods, salads and desserts. Garlik’s most popular items are the taco pizza and white pizza. But the extensive menu also includes items like “chicken” wings, “shrimp” skewers, Philly cheezesteak, stir-frys, soups and more. Garlik opened in March and has already seen an overwhelming response, says co-owner Christine Kozlik, a selftaught vegan chef who has been vegetarian since her teen years and went vegan five years ago. While they expected only a handful of people at the soft opening, the restaurant was jampacked. “Holy wow, the place was full,” she recalls.

CLUB VEG: The Hendo Supper Club brings vegan and vegan-curious diners together at various Hendersonville restaurants for specially prepared meatless meals. Photo by Tana Black Kozlik and her husband, Michael Garrett, along with daughters Rayven, 18, and Aleigha, 16, and son Zen, 10, sold the vegan eatery and photography businesses they owned in Florida before their recent move to North Carolina. After noting that the Hendersonville area needed more vegan food options, they decided to set up shop nearby. Regular patrons include vegans and nonvegans, says Kozlik. “We have awesome people coming in here every single day,” she says. “The community is phenomenal. We feel like we’re a part of it, and we just moved here.” NO RESTAURANT, NO PROBLEM New plant-based options are even popping up in Hendersonville outside the usual restaurant context. Trey Singleton started his career as a chef at the San Francisco Bay Area’s landmark all-vegan Millennium Restaurant and later worked with executive chef Jason Sellers at Asheville’s Plant before taking his current position as a bartender at Sanctuary. He now takes opportunities to exercise his culinary talents locally, including cooking Sanctuary’s weekly donation-based Sunday meal and partnering with chef Michael Gilligan to present a recent 22-person vegan beer-pairing dinner at Harvey’s at the Henderson Inn. “I think Hendersonville’s vegan scene is just as good as Asheville’s,” says Singleton, noting Sanctuary’s upcoming eatery plus Garlik Vegan, along with the numerous plant-based options always available at the Hendersonville

Community Co-op and Deli. “Then all the restaurants around here know what’s going on, too, so they’re adding vegan options to their menus.” There’s even a coffee business in Hendersonville that’s plantbased. Candice Pritz and her husband, Zach, have embraced veganism for about three years and founded their small-batch specialty coffee business, ShareWell Coffee Co., in 2016. Pritz lists health and environmental reasons for their dietary choices. But she also stresses a desire to “spread awareness of the bogus monopolizing food industry and, of course, the horrendous methods of animal cruelty being practiced.” Their products can be found at many local spots, including Sanctuary, Garlik, Plant and more. The company also hosts all-vegan pop-up cafes at various locations. It’s very unusual, says Pritz, to find coffee events that don’t offer milk products, “but the truth is, there are some killer plant milks out there that pair very well with coffee, so there is absolutely no need for the dairy.” JOIN THE CLUB In addition to new plant-based eateries and pop-up options, the area recently saw the launch of the Hendo Supper Club, a vegan dinner meetup that brings groups to omnivorous restaurants for custom meatless experiences. The idea was the brainchild of local resident Meg Hoke, a friend of McDonald’s. “I had the idea because one of the hard parts in the beginning of eating vegan was such limited options in

restaurants,” says Hoke, who gradually began adopting a vegan diet last year. “I thought if local places realized there was a market for more plant-based dishes, they might offer more options. And being a strong extrovert, I am always looking for opportunities to hang out with marvelous people. So I thought maybe we should coordinate with local restaurants to have a supper club.” Originally, Hoke envisioned the group as maybe seven to 10 people who would contact a chosen restaurant in advance to see if it could accommodate them for a vegan meal. But it quickly grew into a full-fledged supper club. “It’s a way to get people in Hendersonville together like any supper club — the food just happens to be plantbased,” she explains. “This way we’re not catering to vegans; we’re catering to anyone in Hendo who’s interested in having a great meal.” The group meets monthly and is growing steadily — 16 people attended the first dinner this winter at Postero, and by the March 22 gathering at Brandy’s on Main, there were 30 diners. The club’s Facebook group, which currently has about 70 members, is open to anyone, whether vegan or omnivorous, and attendees tend to come from both camps. “We can show the restaurants that we’re friendly, we’re positive, we’re good tippers, and we know a thing or two about food,” says McDonald. “So we try to make it a positive experience as far as outreach, and at the same time, we’re winning by letting restaurants know that they can make delicious vegan food.” As much as the Hendo vegan community has going on now, the future looks even tastier. McDonald expects the supper club to continue to grow, Jazzy Vegetarian Vegan Cafe is just weeks away from opening, and Garlik is starting to launch regular events, including vegan education seminars, cooking classes, gallery nights showcasing vegan artists and more. “When we do these classes, we see it working for vegans and nonvegans alike,” says Kozlik. “I want everybody to find their tribe.” To join the Hendo Supper Club, look for the group on Facebook. The Jazzy Vegetarian Vegan Cafe is scheduled to open in late May at Sanctuary Brewing Co., 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville. Look for updates on the Jazzy Vegetarian and Sanctuary Brewing Co. Facebook pages. Garlik Vegan is at 3754 Brevard Road, Horse Shoe. Find details and menus at garlikvegan.com. Sharewell Coffee Co. is at 416 N. Main St., Hendersonville. For details, visit sharewellcoffee.com. X

Dinner 7 days per week 5:00 p.m. - until Bar opens at 5:00 p.m. Brunch - Saturday & Sunday 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. LIVE MUSIC Tue., Thu., Fri. & Sat. Nights Also during Sunday Brunch

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FOOD

SMALL BITES by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com

Asheville Bread Festival celebrates rye

BREAKING BREAD: The theme for this year’s Asheville Bread Festival is “A Celebration of Rye.” But plenty of other types of loaves will be available at the gathering’s Bread Fair at New Belgium Brewing Co. Photo courtesy of Asheville Bread Festival

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Cathy Cleary is no stranger to the Asheville Bread Festival. The local writer, cookbook author and former West End Bakery owner has participated in all 13 of its previous gatherings. But this year’s event — which run Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6 — marks a shift for Cleary. For the first time, she and Carolina Ground’s manager Jennifer Lapidus have joined forces to co-organize the 14th annual festival, taking over the duties previously held by co-founders Steve Bardwell and Gail Lunsford. As in years past, the Asheville Bread Festival will feature workshops with local, regional and national bakers, cookbook authors and flour mill operators. A majority of the sessions, which will be held at locations in and around Asheville, correspond with the festival’s theme: A Celebration of Rye. Topics range from rye pie dough to German rye bread, from Scandinavian rye to naturally-leavened rye bagels. Tickets are required for all classes. While rye may be the focus for many of the workshops, all varieties of loaves and pastries will be available to sample and purchase at the gathering’s

Bread Fair, which runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 5. Free and open to the public, this year’s event takes place at New Belgium Brewing Co. The venue is a first for the festival, which previously operated out of A-B Tech. Along with offering a change of scenery, Cleary says New Belgium provides a chance to further educate people about the similarities between two seemingly different industries. “The historical connection between beer and bread is huge,” she says. “Beer producers and bread bakers use a lot of the same products. It’s grain, yeast and fermentation.” The Bread Fair will conclude with a panel discussion and tasting with Stanley Ginsberg, author of The Rye Baker: Classic Breads from Europe and America, followed by a ticketed dinner featuring three mobile wood-fire pizza ovens with three teams of bakers rolling out signature pies. Festivities will wrap up on Sunday with a six-hour Master Class on Rye, led by Harry Peemoeller and Lionel Vaitnet with Ginsberg. Professional bakers can inquire about tickets by emailing carolinaground@gmail.com.

In addition to the workshops, fair and dinner, Cleary says one of the major missions of this year’s festival is to help create greater awareness and support for sustainable local grain production. Through a partnership with Slow Food Asheville, the Asheville Bread Festival will donate a portion of this year’s proceeds to help Western North Carolina farmers buy seed grain to grow for flour. But ultimately, Cleary says, the weekend event is about coming together in celebration of bread. “I’m very excited about gathering together all of the knowledge from the professionals that are coming from around the country,” she says. “And the spirit of collaboration that ensues when you get groups of people with knowledge on a particular subject together in the same place. ” The 14th annual Asheville Bread Festival runs Saturday-Sunday, May 5-6. For tickets and details on workshops, times and locations, as well as pre-festival events, visit ashevillebreadfestival.com.

A FIELD GUIDE TO MUSHROOMS OF THE CAROLINAS On Thursday, May 3, writer Michael Hopping, co-author of A Field Guide to Mushrooms of the Carolinas, will discuss his new book at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St. The collection offers user-friendly identification tools for those interested in the 650 mushrooms found in the Carolinas, with information on mushroom edibility and toxicity. On Saturday, May 12, at 3 p.m., Hopping will lead an additional talk at Firestorm Cafe & Books, 610 Haywood Road. Michael Hopping will present his latest book at Malaprop’s Bookstore/ Cafe at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 3. For more information, visit avl.mx/4wa. For additional information about his talk at Firestorm Cafe & Books, visit avl.mx/4wb. THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION’S CELEBRITY CHEF TOUR DINNER Posana Restaurant will host the James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour dinner series Thursday, May 3. The six-course meal will feature plates prepared by Posana chef and owner Peter Pollay along with Katie Button of Cúrate and Nightbell, John Fleer of Rhubarb, Atlanta-based chefs Ford Fry of Ford Fry Restaurants and Craig Richards of St. Cecilia and chef Digby Stridiron of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Stridiron Group. The James Beard Foundation’s Celebrity Chef Tour dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Posana, 1 Biltmore Ave. Tickets are $120-$180. For more, visit avl.mx/prtr. WHY WE COOK Table restaurant will host its second Women’s Dinner: Why We Cook event celebrating women in the service industry. The evening will feature plates prepared by Table’s Laura Kregnel along with Charleston chefs Elizabeth Schultenover of Felix and Emily Hahn of The Getaway, Olive Boys of The Rooted Juicery + Kitchen of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Chelsi Hogue of Greenville, S.C.’s

The Anchorage. Drinks will be prepared by bartenders Andrea Seng of The Waterbird, Jen Splain of The Imperial Life and Lexi Rae of MG Road. The evening will conclude with music from DJ Lil Meow Meow at The Imperial Life Cocktail Lounge, located above Table. Women’s Dinner: Why We Cook runs 6-9 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at Table, 48 College St. Tickets are $75 per person. Price does not include drinks and gratuity. To RSVP, email info@ tableasheville.com or call 828-2548980. Additional events will takes place at The Imperial Life, 4:30 p.m.12:30 a.m. For more information, visit avl.mx/4wc. FED TALKS: THE MAGIC OF FERMENTATION Meg Chamberlain of Fermenti Foods and Sarah Archer of Serontonin Ferments will lead the latest FED Talks series, hosted by Rhubarb and Edible Asheville. The event features a demonstration on how to make ginger and turmeric pink sauerkraut, and guests will be able to sample an array of fermented foods and small plates from Rhubarb. The workshop is suitable for those new to fermentation as well as experienced cooks seeking fresh inspiration and ideas. The Magic of Fermentation runs 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at Rhubarb, 7 S. Pack Square. Tickets are $28 per person. To learn more, visit avl.mx/3a2.

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WAKUWAKU EATERY GRAND OPENING WakuWaku Eatery will host its grand opening Monday, May 7. The Japanese homestyle restaurant, owned by Naomi Mikami, is at 674 Merrimon Ave. in the space previously occupied by Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop. (For more, see “New in the Neighborhood: Growing North Asheville Restaurant Scene Targets Locals,” Xpress, March 21.) For updates, visit waku2eatery.com. X

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CAROLINA BEER GUY

FOOD

by Tony Kiss | avlbeerguy@gmail.com

What’s in a name? Growing up in Asheville, Rebecca Crandall wanted to be an actress. In her youth, she was in local productions of Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and Singin’ in the Rain, among others. “I thought it would be great to sing and dance and act on Broadway,” she says. “But by the time I was in high school, I knew I didn’t have that kind of talent.” In search of a new career, she turned to some of the same qualities that had informed her work on the stage. “I like to help people, and I like reading and writing, and I didn’t mind an audience,” she says. “That sounds like a lawyer.” Crandall got her law degree from UNC Chapel Hill and has wound up specializing in trademark law at Asheville’s McGuire, Wood & Bissette Law Firm. That practice brings her into regular contact with Asheville’s booming craft beer and beverage scene, where more than 40 breweries have opened in Buncombe County, part of over 70 such establishments around Western North Carolina. The law firm is a member of the Asheville Brewers Alliance trade group, which represents breweries and beer-related businesses. Crandall helps people protect their brands and assists startup breweries in navigating the complex legal process of establishing their businesses. Among her clients thus far are Asheville Brewing Co., Archetype Brewing Co. and Urban Orchard Cider Co. “I always knew that I didn’t want to do criminal law or family law,” Crandall says. “It’s so serious, and I knew it would be hard emotionally and mentally. It wasn’t a good match for

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTOR: Asheville attorney Rebecca Crandall has helped many local breweries with trademark law issues, which crop up on a regular basis. “If you’re going to name a beer with the word ‘monster’ in it, that’s a problem because ’monster’ is incredibly litigious,” she says. Photo by Anita Riley me. I wanted to do something creative in the law.” After earning her law degree, Crandall remained in Raleigh for 10 years, practicing intellectual property law. During that

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Attorney Rebecca Crandall helps WNC breweries deal with trademark and naming issues

time, she made visits to New Orleans and became fond of Abita Beer’s Amber. “It blew my mind,” she says. “After that, I was hooked.” Already keeping an eye out for opportunities to return to Asheville, she tracked the city’s progress on its way to becoming the nation’s East Coast craft beer capital. While living in Raleigh, she and her husband, Jason Griffin, made what she calls “pilgrimages” back to Western North Carolina on a regular basis and visited local breweries. The frequency led to solid connections with brewers and brewery owners in town, and in 2015 the couple moved to Asheville when Crandall was hired by McGuire, Wood & Bissette. With more than 6,000 craft breweries in the United States, plus more than 8,700 wineries and 1,000 distilleries, Crandall says trademark and naming issues are becoming more commonplace. Arguably

the highest-profile local beer dispute involved Bell’s Brewery of Michigan and the much smaller Innovation Brewing Co. of Sylva. Bell’s claimed that Innovation’s name infringed on the Bell’s advertising slogan “Bottling innovation since 1985.” In December 2017, Bell’s lost its case before the federal Trademark Trials and Appeals Board. Crandall was not involved in that matter but closely followed its progress and has worked with many new area breweries to verify if their potential company and beer names can legally be used. “There are [naming] conflicts with local breweries fairly regularly,” she says. “If you’re going to name a beer with the word ’monster’ in it, that’s a problem because ‘monster’ is incredibly litigious.” When such issues arise, Crandall says, the best first step is a friendly phone call to the other brewery to point out the problem, which is often all that’s required to resolve the matter. If the naming problem persists, she says, she can send a letter, and from there it can be taken to court, though doing so is rare. “Ninety percent of disputes are resolved before trial,” she says. Having a board-certified trademark specialist in Asheville has been valuable to breweries, says Kendra Penland, director of the Asheville Brewers Alliance. “I think in craft beer, your brand is so vital, and being able to protect that brand is important,” Penland says. “Rebecca is an expert in intellectual property, and having someone like that here as part of our craft beer community is a great resource. I enjoy working with her and hanging out with her. And she really loves craft beer. She is really committed to our industry.” Mike Rangel, president of Asheville Brewing Co., agrees. “She has helped us protect our brand from other breweries that have used the name ‘Ninja,’” he says. Through its Ninja Porter, his brewery owns national rights to that name when it applies to beer. “She’s a problem-solving kind of attorney. She’s created agreements with out-of-state breweries that want to use ‘ninja,’” Rangel says. “It’s been a godsend having her here. People don’t even realize how much she is helping the breweries. And she’s a beer fan.” X

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

THE FUTURE IS FEMALE

LEAF leads the charge for gender equality at music festivals

BY ALLI MARSHALL amarshall@mountainx.com The national campaign 2020 Women on Boards seeks to increase the percentage of women serving on U.S. company boards to 20 percent or greater within the next two years. But the gender gap doesn’t end with the corporate world, and similar initiatives have been launched in the U.K. — such as Festival Republic’s ReBalance — to address gender imbalance in the music industry. Closer to home, LEAF Festival — long known for its ethnically diverse lineups — decided to accept the challenge in regard to female artist representation. But, asks performing arts director Ehren Cruz, why wait to 2020? The spring festival — held Thursday, May 10, to Sunday, May 13 — features more than 20 percent women-led acts, including its headliners and the entire Lakeside main stage schedule for Friday. Acts include all-female mariachi band Flor de Toloache, blues guitarist Samantha Fish, indie-folk artists the Shook Twins and sometimesAsheville-based world-soul collective Rising Appalachia. And, says Leah Song, who fronts the latter with her sister Chloe Smith and will also perform a solo set, “We’re excited to be featured with Ani DiFranco.” DiFranco, a songwriter, poet and feminist activist, headlines LEAF on her first return trip to North Carolina following the enactment of HB2. DiFranco boycotted the state in response to the controversial legislation that sought to strip rights from transgender people. (The N.C. General Assembly approved a bill repealing HB2 last spring, though the repeal bill blocks cities and counties from enacting their own policies to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination.) Anyone who’s worked in the music industry in any capacity knows that it’s dominated by white men. “Even when I’m looking to try to round out my lineup, I’d say 70 percent of bands are typically male-driven,” says Cruz. Pushing for female representation means extra legwork, fostering connections, researching who deserves attention and “taking some chances, putting people onstage [who] aren’t ’proven’ but are awesome musicians.”

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

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MUJERES FENOMENALES: The lineup for the spring edition of LEAF is intentionally packed with powerhouse, women-led acts. Included on the roster is Flor de Toloache, the first and only all-women mariachi group in New York City. The collective has been nominated for a Latin Grammy and can count QuestLove of The Roots among its fans. Photo courtesy of the band He adds, “At the end of the day, it feels right. ... It feels like I’m not just taking the easy way out, and it will foster a much stronger lineup in the end.” While some festivalgoers might feel ostracized by the push for more female representation onstage and the conversations that come with that move, “other are like, ‘Well, good. Let’s talk about it,’” says Cruz. On Sunday, LEAF will host a Female Trailblazer Forum in Eden Hall, featuring DiFranco and Song with Haitian musician and writer Mimerose Beaubrun of Haitian roots band Boukman Eksperyans, and LEAF founder Jennifer Pickering. “Let’s have artists like Ani DiFranco talk about why female rights are impor-

tant,” says Cruz. “You don’t have to go there. You can go dance contra and you can go to healing arts. [There are] all these other places where you can feel safe. … However, if you want to dive deeper, we’re going to do that, too.” Such initiatives as the panel might provide inspiration for up-and-coming artists. Song and her sister were strongly influenced by their fiddler mother and by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. “She loved our music and hired us for our first gigs where we were getting flown to places and taught us all about how to run a small business as women,” Song says of Gladstar. The Rising Appalachia song “Medicine” is dedicated to Gladstar and the herbalism community.

Even though Song and Smith run their musical project, “we’ll often arrive at a new venue that doesn’t know very much about the work that we do, and the assumption is that we’re just the drummer’s girlfriend or the singer,” says Song. But the sisters have made a concerted effort to staff their team with women. “You have to dig — you have to work hard to find women in the music industry,” says Song. “We’re not only hiring women. We want to be sure we’re hiring the right people and bringing in the right musicians that fit the project. But we take a little bit of extra time to work with women-run companies.”

2018

BEER WEEK PULL-OUT GUIDE

WOMEN WITH A MISSION: Rising Appalachia, fronted and run by sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith, left, have been performing at LEAF since the band’s inception. Singer-songwriter and activist Ani DiFranco, right, returns to North Carolina for the first time since HB2. Photos courtesy of the artists She adds, “I think it’s so exciting to see what’s happening when women are moving into places of leadership in all these realms.” Other women of note at spring LEAF include Kam Franklin, who fronts Houston-based R&B band The Suffers, Ireland-born, Canada-based powerhouse singer-songwriter Irish Mythen, the performers of movement collectives Studio Zahiya and Trillium Dance Company, and The Change — an all-women funk band from Princeton, W.Va. That group, among others, will arrive in Western North Carolina early to serve as resident artists with area students. Other artists leading residencies this season include Australian didgeridoo player Ganga Giri, Ugandan multi-instrumentalist Kinobe, and Nasheville-based duo Sally & George, the project of offstage sweethearts Shelby Means (Della Mae) and Joel Timmons (Sol Driven Train). Timmons and Sol Driven Train have previously worked with local students, creating the kind of memorable, community-based, kid-oriented performance that sums up why LEAFgoers love the biannual festival. Such artists certainly fit the bill for trailblazer status (and, indeed, this season’s festival was organized around a trailblazing theme) and prove that not only the women of LEAF are leading the way. For example, “Supaman is creating a pathway for indigenous youth to hold true to their tribal and ceremonial traditions,” Cruz says of Christian Parrish Takes the Gun, the Apsáalooke rapper and fancy dancer known onstage by his heroic moniker. “Supaman utilizes various instruments, including the drum and the ute, all while beatboxing, rapping

and remixing different native tracks,” according to the performer’s bio. He was a frequent visitor, performer and speaker at the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. “I do feel like we have been more and more so recognizing that we have a platform to share more than the ideas of multiethnic unity,” says Cruz. “We can share values. We do stand by the LGBT community. … We do stand by having multiethnic representation not just [in the bands] but in finding ways, whether it’s through reduced tickets, whether it’s busing families in, whether it’s creating welcoming spaces on the grounds, so that people who aren’t used to festival environments feel welcome and people who are just dipping their toes into this realm think, ‘Hey, it’s for me.’” X

COMING 5/23! Advertise@MountainX.com

WHAT LEAF Festival, theleft.org WHERE Camp Rockmont 377 Lake Eden Road Black Mountain WHEN Thursday, May 10-Sunday, May 13. Tickets are available online only until May 10 or until sold out. Community passes for Buncombe County residents, good for Friday-Sunday (no camping) are $123 adults/ $108 youths ages 10-17/free for children younger than 10. Day passes are $56/$46 for Friday and Sunday, $67/$61 for Saturday. Parking is $10

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A&E

by Bill Kopp

bill@musoscribe.com

SOUND OFF

Three Asheville-based acts release new music

Three very different Ashevillebased artists are celebrating the release of new music. Soulful proghop group Natural Born Leaders mark the release of their debut EP About Time with a Saturday, May 5, show at Asheville Music Hall. Folk singer-songwriter Chuck Brodsky debuts his 10th album, Them and Us, at The Grey Eagle on Sunday, May 6. And singer-songwriter Brie Capone commemorates the release of her second EP, If I Let You In, with a May 5 performance at Isis Music Hall. THERE WAS NO BLUEPRINT One of this year’s most eagerly anticipated local releases is the debut album from Natural Born Leaders. Even in an era of countless crossgenre mashups and hybrids, the band’s music resists pigeonholing. Natural Born Leaders’s sound starts with a relatively conventional rock instrumental lineup: guitarist Rex Shafer, bassist James Eddington and drummer Kevin Murtha. Jazz and R&B textures are provided by saxophonist Ben Survant, while lead vocalist (and lyricist) Mike Martinez brings folk, soul and hip-hop flavors to the group. But the resulting music made by the five musicians sounds nothing at all like rock-rap hybrids Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Faith No More or Rage Against the Machine. “There was no blueprint” in putting together Natural Born Leaders, Martinez says. “We all come from different musical backgrounds, and we just try to make it work.” The prog-hop label is a useful a way of defining Natural Born Leaders’

AIN’T HARD TO UNDERSTAND: Though it’s difficult to describe the music of Natural Born Leaders, the appeal of the group’s music is straightforward. One of three Asheville-based acts releasing new music this month, the five-man band celebrates the debut of its About Time EP with a May 5 show at Asheville Music Hall. Photo by Michael-Jamar Jean Francois music, and the group itself sometimes uses the term (along with many others) in its own promotional material. The four songs on About Time are a varied lot. “Do You Mind” starts off

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with a melodic bass line that conjures visions of northern Africa; the supporting bass figure has its foundation in funk. When the whole band kicks in, there are elements of reggae, but those are delivered in an ambitious, progressive rock style. And Martinez’s vocals alternate between sharply crafted rap phrasing and soulful, melodic singing. Martinez says that the group develops its material in an unhurried, collaborative manner. “Nothing we’ve done has been hard to come by,” he says. “Everything’s been really natural. The way we started was organic; the way we got all our members was organic. We put our intention out there with everything we do and just hope that it comes back.” He adds, “Generally, it does.” Natural Born Leaders’ music is dense and layered, and Martinez’s lyrics share those qualities. “I only write

lyrics to songs that I absolutely vibe with,” he says. The lyrics to each of About Time’s songs were written in one sitting. “Do You Mind?” “The Return of Jafar” and “Time Flies By” all began as jams. “I’ll blast a jam through my speakers at home and write the lyrics quickly,” Martinez says. An early lineup of Natural Born Leaders included MC Austin Haynes out front with Martinez. Having two MCs meant that the group’s music was more hip-hop-oriented. But once Haynes left, Martinez’s folk-blues background revealed itself more in the group’s new material. Once the group entered Artcore Studios, producer Patrick Doyle helped Natural Born Leaders channel their jams into concise songs. “We wrote the songs,” Martinez emphasizes, “but Patrick really helped us figure out what our music meant

rows & rows of REAL books at REALLY GREAT PRICES and what directions we should go with it.” Even in the space of four songs over 20 minutes, the group’s improvisational character still comes through. Live onstage, the band members build upon the songs’ foundations, following their collective muse wherever it leads them. “I improvise lyrics a lot, too,” Martinez says. He half-jokes that he does so because he can’t remember his own words. “And a lot of time, I’ll freestyle rap. I’ll end up changing words around, putting this line here, moving something elsewhere.” So, while About Time is an accurate audio document of Natural Born Leaders, it’s also a snapshot of the band in a given moment. “Every show is different,” Martinez says. There remains a relationship between the studio versions of the group’s songs and the way they’re played onstage. “I don’t like making songs I can’t play live,” says Eddington. “But what’s fun is that when you work on a song in the studio, you end up changing it.” Then, in concert, the songs change yet again. “There’s a give-and-take, a back-and-forth between the two,” Eddington says. Natural Born Leaders are currently focusing on promoting their EP, but the band is already at work on new material as well. “We kind of like the idea of just putting out a few songs at a time,” Martinez says. “Ideally, we’ll put out a new EP every six months.” WHO: Natural Born Leaders with Spaceman Jones and the Motherships and Secret B-Sides WHERE: Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave., ashevillemusichall.com WHEN: Saturday, May 5, at 9:45 p.m., $10 advance/$12 day of show COMMON GROUND Except for a trio of records he released in the final years of the 20th

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century, Chuck Brodsky has long been the model of the independent, do-ityourself artist. It’s just that now, the music business is catching up with his approach. “The whole business model has changed,” says the singer-songwriter. “If you hustle, you can have a career independent of record labels and managers. But it requires spending a ton of time on the computer.” And that, he points out, is time an artist might otherwise spend actually making music. But Brodsky has found effective means of making music and bringing it to his growing base of fans. His recent Kickstarter campaign succeeded in funding Them and Us. It’s his third crowdfunded album, and he’s a fan of the crowdfunding model. “It allows artists to own the rights to their recordings, which is huge. And it empowers fans by letting them play a big part in helping make a record,” Brodsky says. Though he does his share of performances in music halls, he finds that house concerts further strengthen that bond between performer and audience.

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Spring 2018

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Brodsky is skilled at what former U.S. Sen. Al Franken calls “kidding on the square”: approaching serious subjects and leavening them with wry humor. And Brodsky employs the method with subtlety in songs like “Call It Chicken.” “Preaching is easy,” Brodsky says. But he points out that those messages sometimes don’t reach beyond “the choir.” So he makes a point of not hitting his listeners over the head with messages. “Things that are genuinely and universally funny don’t need a lot of commentary from the writer,” he says. “Humor disarms people to where they just might be able to see your point.” Though he was born in Philadelphia, Brodsky has called Asheville home for more than two decades. And he says that living in Western North Carolina has informed his songwriting. “I’ve always approached writing with one foot rooted in the traditional, and the other foot going wherever it goes,” he says. “I write songs about what I see, or things that move me, so I started writing about what I was seeing here and about what moved me here.” There’s a universality to his worldview that makes it appealing to a wide audience. “Experience has shown me

that we all have a lot more in common than we’re allowed to believe,” the musician says. When making Them and Us, Brodsky didn’t set out to craft an album built around a specific theme. But there remains a unifying character to the album’s nine songs, one tidily summed up by its title. “There are countless ways to divide people into ‘them’ and ‘us,’” he says. “We have all sorts of ways to label somebody as being one of ‘Them,’ and we fail to see that there is really only ‘us.’” WHO: Chuck Brodsky WHERE: The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., thegreyeagle.com WHEN: Sunday, May 6, at 7 p.m., $15 advance/$20 day of show FLYING SOLO Singer-songwriter Brie Capone first moved to Asheville when she was a teenager, but her musical journey would eventually take her far afield. Capone studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and then moved to New York City to launch her career. Her group The Humble Grapes recorded a selftitled album, but that project didn’t last. “My band broke up,” Capone explains. “Amicably.” By that point, she realized that solo work was her real goal. And she wanted to leave New York. “I had a few songs already in my mind,” she says. “I also needed some healing time and a new project to do so.” Those circumstances led her back home to Asheville. Capone recorded her first solo EP, Orbit, at Echo Mountain Studio. “My roots here aren’t really deep,” she says, “but I do feel that Asheville is home for me.” An Andrew Anderson-directed video for “Scars,” one of the stand-

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out tunes on Orbit, won the Judges’ Choice prize at the 2017 Music Video Asheville awards. The elegiac tune exemplifies the rich and expressive character of Capone’s music. The next month, she won NewSong’s LEAF Festival SingerSongwriter Competition. For her solo work, Capone has made the decision to use the EP format rather than full-length albums to release her music. Her reasons for doing so come down to two things: time and money. “I just wanted a simpler format to put out as much music as possible,” she explains. “I really like a smaller batch of songs. I’m also thinking about producing more singles — that’s how people listen to music now.” Capone believes that her latest EP, If I Let You In, reflects the character of Asheville. “This batch of songs has all come from this past year and a half,” she says. “I was really inspired by the different pace of Asheville, and I felt like I learned more about myself over this past year.” The first single from the EP is “Weigh In,” a song Capone says grew out of a lyric that got stuck on a loop in her mind. “I had the line, ‘I want to go downtown, I want to go to bed. No one’s interesting,’ and I thought that was sort of a funny problem,” she says. “Two different wants at once, on a scale, going back and forth.” For her EP release show at Isis Music Hall, Capone will share billing with Stephanie Morgan’s group, Pink Mercury. Capone’s carefully arranged songs are sure to provide a contrast with Pink Mercury’s improvisational approach. Capone jokes that there’s another difference between her and Morgan: “She has better stage moves than me,” Capone says. “I’m not mad, just aware.” Capone’s ambitions might someday lead her to move beyond the EP format into full-length albums. Musing on that possibility, Capone suggests a possible concept: “Robots from the year 2045 who learn to love. I’d want a full orchestra for that. “But,” she hastens to add, “I’m not there yet.” WHO: Brie Capone with Pink Mercury WHERE: Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road, isisasheville.com WHEN: Saturday, May 5, at 9 p.m., $10 X

T H E AT E R R E V I E W by Tony Kiss | avlbeerguy@gmail.com

‘Burden’ by Immediate Theatre Project is clear that this relationship is over — if it ever really existed at all. And, when JB learns what his careless reporting has done, Repoley turns up the acting energy as the character tries to undo the damage. Repoley gives a remarkable, highenergy performance as JB. (We only meet the play’s other characters through the actor’s one-sided conversations with them.) There is an enormous amount of dialogue, and Repoley delivers it all without missing a beat. Midway through Burden, there’s a long, semiautobiographical fable that JB has written about a young prince. It’s a complicated, surreal sequence, and the narrative gets bogged down before it reconnects to the real drama. The story plays out on a sparse stage with few props and colorful walls that indicate a sense of

turmoil and recklessness. Another important element is the effective use of lighting, created by Jason Williams, to convey emotion. The play is performed without intermission, which serves to heighten the tension. Burden is experimental and edgy, but it’s also engaging theater. X

WHAT Burden WHERE N.C. Stage Company 15 Stage Lane ncstage.org WHEN Through Sunday, May 20. Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. $16-34

STOP THE PRESS: Willie Repoley stars in the dramatic one-man character study Burden by Immediate Theatre Project. It follows a reporter in search of a career-making story. Photo by Nina Swann Photography There are few upbeat moments in the Immediate Theatre Project’s riveting one-man drama Burden. This haunting production follows a despondent and drifting young blogger/journalist in search of a career-making story about corruption. He finds it, but there are dire and unexpected consequences. The show runs through Sunday, May 20, at North Carolina Stage Company. Willie Repoley stars as the blogger JB, and he also co-wrote the world premiere piece with director Ron Bashford. Together, they have crafted an intense character study — and this character is going off the rails in a bad way. JB fled his hometown of New Orleans, just before Hurricane Katrina wrecked the city. He’s in no hurry to return, though he left behind a girlfriend and seems desperate to keep those connections open. Now he’s in Portland, Ore., trying to establish himself as a writer for a local progressive blog. JB wants to report on gentrification and how big business is wiping

out the the little guys. His targets are developers and city leaders. This part of the tale hits close to home in Asheville, where development has wiped out older buildings on Pack Square and especially down in the Market and Eagle streets area where there was once a lively African-American community. But JB knows nothing really about Portland and maybe not much about reporting. His passion gets in the way of common sense. Meanwhile, he has no personal life other than trying to phone his longtime former girlfriend, Ann. Other than his story, she’s about all that he has. But the relationship is just an illusion, because she won’t take his calls. JB is cracking under the the loss of that relationship and has no way to fix the issue. There are many strong moments in Burden. One comes when a young JB plays hide-and-seek, but finds himself alone in the forest. It’s a memory that haunts him years later. In another powerhouse scene, JB finally connects with Ann, but it

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SMART BETS

A&E

by Edwin Arnaudin | Send your arts news to ae@mountainx.com

Dirt, dreams and death Solo dance works are the focus of Asheville Butoh Collective’s Dirt, dreams and death show on Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5, at REVOLVE at RAMP South Studio. On the program is “Mound,” described as “an archetypal journey into feminine rites of passage, created and performed by Julie Becton Gillum,” with an original accompanying soundscape by composer Ivan Seng. Also part of the evening is Constance Humphries’ “The Daydreamers’ Ball for Strange and Broken Things” and the premiere of Jenni Cockrell/strange daughters butoh’s “arterial spirits,” which explores power, paradox, memory, love and loss through a reimagining of Lady Macbeth. Both nights’ performances begin at 8 p.m. $15. dirt-dreams-death.bpt.me. Photo by Constance Humphries

Magna Carda Grounded by the smooth rhymes of Megz Kelli and the confident keys of Dougie Do, Austin, Texas-based hip-hop band Magna Carda has drawn comparisons to The Roots and Lauryn Hill. Blending the core MC-producer duo’s chemistry with drums, bass and guitar, the ensemble heads to Ellington Underground on Wednesday, May 9, at 10 p.m. Lyricist C. Shreve the Professor of local collective Free The Optimus is looking forward to opening for a like-minded act. “I’m always excited to rock with new talent, and they seem to have it together,” he says. “Feels like they should be a good fit for what we do live, as well. DJ Jet will be rocking with me and Mike L!VE might drop by for a guest appearance.” Fellow Asheville artist Dr. Ho-tron is also on the bill. $10. ellingtonunderground.com. Photo courtesy of the band

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Jane Kramer In an Xpress interview prior to their collaborative show at The Altamont Theatre in July, Asheville-based singer-songwriter Jane Kramer called world-music trio Free Planet Radio and Dobro player Billy Cardine the best musicians in town. She also said she wanted them to be her band “whenever [she] can afford to pay them what they’re worth.” The ensemble has since played a few area concerts, recorded Kramer’s forthcoming album and will reunite Saturday, May 5, at 8 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre. The evening doubles as a fundraiser for DWT’s Youth Education Scholarship Fund, whose 2018 Emerging Artists winners Nikki Forbes (vocal and songwriting), Daniel Logan (vocal), Mars Mignon (theater) and Logan Williams (vocal) will also perform. Tickets are $35 general/$30 for students (who may also purchase $10 day-of-show rush tickets)/$20 for children. dwtheatre.com. Photo by Rose Kaz for Rose Photo

Alida Woods As its title suggests, Disturbing Borders, the latest collection of poems from Ashevillebased author Alida Woods, deals with boundaries both literal and figurative that separate society. In the words of fellow poet Eric Nelson, “While these borders — between landscapes, cultures, families and individuals — are disturbing, in these finely crafted poems they are also disturbed, if not erased entirely, by empathy, compassion and familial love.” A lifelong educator and former principal of Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Woods will read from her new book at Malaprop’s on Sunday, May 6, at 3 p.m. as part of Poetrio, the bookstore’s monthly celebration of poetry. Fellow North Carolinians Holly Iglesias (Sleeping Things) and Ross White (The Polite Society) will also read from their recently published works. Free to attend. malaprops.com. Author photo courtesy of Woods

A&E CA LEN DA R

by Abigail Griffin

‘THE MERCY SEAT’: Ellipsis Theater Company presents award-winning playwright Neil LaBute’s, The Mercy Seat, at 35below on Fridays through Sundays, May 4-20. The dramatic production, which explores a man’s chilling self-interest in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, is directed by Jeff Messer and stars Badi Mirheli and Jamie Knox. For show times and tickets, visit ashevilletheatre.org. Photo by Betsabe Fregoso from Peak of the Mountain Productions courtesy of Asheville Community Theatre (p. 51) ART BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TU (5/8), 6-7:30pm - "Splash about in Watercolors," art class for ages 14 and up. Registration required: 828-250-6488. Free. Held at Skyland/ South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road CREATIVE INTERVENTION 828-785-1357, craftcreativitydesign. org, info@ craftcreativitydesign.org • SA (5/5), 3-9pm - Event showcasing design interventions and art-based solutions that shift how the public interacts with urban spaces. Event includes art installations, performances, pop-up makerspace, repair cafe, food and beverage vendors and interactive art activities for all ages. Free. Held at Broadway Cultural Gateway Study Area, Broadway St. to N.

Lexington, Walnut St. to Woodfin St. HAYWOOD COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL 86 N Main St., Waynesville, 828-4520593, haywoodarts.org/ • FR (5/4), 1-4pm Demonstration of clay techniques by Cory Plott. Free. MCDOWELL TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 54 College Drive, Marion, 828-652-6021, mcdowelltech.edu • SA (5/5), 9am-5pm WNC Photography & Graphics Expo, event featuring presentations and demonstrations from local photographers and graphic designers. Registration: bit.ly/2HSNXQz. Free. THE ASHEVILLE SCHOOL 360 Asheville School Road, 828-254-6345, ashevilleschool.org • TUESDAY through THURSDAY (5/8) until (5/10), 7pm - Looking Out, Looking In, per-

formative works by students and local artists incorporating dance, music, writing and visual art. Audience members will need to travel short distances and have the ability to climb up and down stairs. Free.

ART/CRAFT STROLLS & FAIRS MOONLIT ART MARKET burialbeer.com • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 8-11pm - Art and craft fair. Free to attend. Held at Burial Beer Co., 40 Collier Ave.

AUDITIONS & CALL TO ARTISTS CALDWELL ARTS COUNCIL 601 College Ave., SW, Lenoir, 828-754-2486 • Through FR (6/15) Submissions accepted for the 42nd annual Caldwell Visual Artists Competition. See

website for details: caldwellarts.com. TRANSYLVANIA COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, 828-884-2787, tcarts.org • Through TU (5/15) Photograph submissions accepted for the annual White Squirrel Photo Contest. Contact for full guidelines.

DANCE EXPERIENCE ECSTATIC DANCE! (PD.) Dance waves hosted by Asheville Movement Collective. Fun and personal/community transformation. • Fridays, 7pm, Terpsicorps Studios, 1501 Patton Avenue. • Sundays, 8:30am and 10:30am, JCC, 236 Charlotte Street. Sliding scale fee. Information: ashevillemovementcollective.org

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A &E CA LEN DA R LEARN COUNTRY TWO-STEP 6-WEEK DANCE CLASS (PD.) Wednesdays starting May 16, 7-8pm, Asheville Ballroom. 828-333-0715. naturalrichard@mac.com $75, $65 Early Bird by May 9. www. DanceForLife.net LEARN TO DANCE! (PD.) Ballroom • Swing • Waltz • Latin • Wedding • Country Two-Step • Special Events. Lessons, Workshops, Classes and Dance Events in Asheville. Certified instructor. Contact Richard for information: 828-333-0715. naturalrichard@mac.com • www.DanceForLife.net HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS 174 Broadway, habitatbrewing.com • 1st MONDAYS, 7-8:30pm - "Salsa Dancing for the Soul," open levels salsa dance. Free to attend. REVOLVE 122 Riverside Drive, revolveavl.org • FR (5/4) & SA (5/5), 8pm - “Dirt, Dreams, and Death,” butoh solos by the Asheville Butoh Collective. $15. • WE (5/9), 7pm “Sleeping on Rooftops,” collaborative work of spoken word, dance and experimental cello music with Alli Marshall, Sharon Cooper, Coco Palmer Dolce and Melissa Hyman. $10. SOUTHERN LIGHTS SQUARE AND ROUND DANCE CLUB 828-697-7732, southernlights.org • SA (5/5), 6pm - "South of the Border," themed dance. Advanced dance at 6pm. Early rounds at 7pm. Plus squares and rounds at 7:30pm. Free. Held at Whitmire Activity Center, 310 Lily Pond Road, Hendersonville YMCA - ASHEVILLE 30 Woodfin St., 828-2109622, ymcawnc.org/ centers/asheville • SA (5/5), 6pm - Sockhop dance for healthy aging adults with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. Registration: 828-210-9622. $5.

MUSIC AFRICAN DRUM LESSONS AT SKINNY BEATS DRUM SHOP (PD.) Saturdays 5pm, Wednesdays 6pm. Billy Zanski teaches a fun approach to connecting with your inner rhythm. Drop-ins welcome. • Drums provided. $15/ class. (828) 768-2826.

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by Abigail Griffin

www.skinnybeatsdrums. com A CAPPELLA ALIVE facebook.com/ acappellaalive, wbellnc@yahoo.com • THURSDAYS, 7-9pm - A Cappella Alive! womens choral group practice. Free. Held at Givens Gerber Park, 40 Gerber Road ASHEVILLE AREA PIANO FORUM 828-669-3878, a shevillepiano.org, president@ ashevillepiano.org • SU (5/6), 3pm - Piano recital concert featuring the winners of the Asheville Area Piano Forum’s annual piano competition. Free. Held at Broyhill Chapel, 338 Cascade St, Mars Hill BLUE RIDGE ORCHESTRA blueridgeorchestra.com • SA (5/5), 3pm & SU (5/6), 3pm - "Music for the New World," concert featuring works by Dvorak and Marquez. $15/$5 students. Held at Lipinsky Auditorium UNC Asheville, 300 Library Lane BREVARD MUSIC CENTER 828-862-2105, brevardmusic.org • 1st MONDAYS, 12:30pm - Community concert series. Free. Held in the Porter Center. at Brevard College, 1 Brevard College Drive Brevard DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE 18 Biltmore Ave., 828-257-4530, dwtheatre.com • SA (5/5), 8pm - Jane Kramer featuring Free Planet Radio and Billy Cardine, concert. $35/$30 student/$20 children. FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE 2661 Highway 225, Flat Rock, 828-693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org • THURSDAYS through SUNDAYS (5/3) until (5/13) - “The 3 Redneck Tenors,” musical comedy concert. Thurs., Sat. & Sun.: 2pm. Fri. & Sat.: 8pm. $20 and up/$15 students. LIPINSKY AUDITORIUM AT UNC ASHEVILLE 300 Library Lane, unca.edu • SA (5/5), 3pm & SU (5/6), 3pm - "Music for the New World," concert featuring works by Dvorak and Marquez. $15/$5 students. WAYNESVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 566 South Haywood St., Waynesville,

828-456-9475, fumc-waynesville.com • SU (5/6), 4pm Haywood Community Chorus concert. Free.

SPOKEN & WRITTEN WORD ASHEVILLE LAND OF SKY TOASTMASTERS 828-691-2417, LandOfSkyToastmasters .org • TUESDAYS, 7-8am - Event to improve speaking skills and grow in leadership. Free. Held at Reuter YMCA, 3 Town Center Blvd. ASHEVILLE WRITERS' SOCIAL allimarshall@bellsouth. net • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 6-7:30pm - N.C. Writer's Network group meeting and networking. Free to attend. Held at Battery Park Book Exchange, 1 Page Ave., #101 BLUE RIDGE BOOKS 428 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville • 1st & 3rd SATURDAYS, 10am Banned Book Club. Free to attend. • SA (5/5), 3pm Michael Hardy Kirk presents his book, Civil War Raids Along the Blue Ridge. Free to attend. BLUE RIDGE TOASTMASTERS CLUB blueridgetoastmasters. com • MONDAYS, 12:151:30pm - Learn-bydoing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a supportive atmosphere. Free. Held at Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (5/2), 3pm - Afternoon Book Discussion: Hero of the Empire, by Candice Millard. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • TH (5/3), 6:30pm East Asheville Book Club: White Trash: a 400 Year History of Class

in America by Nancy Isenberg. Free. Held at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road • FR (5/4), 10am-5pm - "May the Fourth Be With You: Star Wars Day," Star Wars themed event with crafts, activities and books. Free. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa • TU (5/8), 1pm Leicester Book Club: Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig. Free. Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • TU (5/8), 7pm - EnkaCandler Book Club: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • TU (5/8), 7pm - Mull it Over Beer and Books Club: Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard. Free to attend. Held at The Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St. FIRESTORM BOOKS & COFFEE 610 Haywood Road, 828-255-8115, firestorm.coop • First SUNDAYS, 5pm - Political prisoners letter writing. Free to attend. FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828-687-1218, library. hendersoncountync.org • 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:30am - Book Club. Free. • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1:30pm - Writers' Guild. Free. FREE COMIC BOOK DAY • SA (5/5), 11am-5pm Free Comic Book Day, featuring free comic books available at comic book stores around the Asheville area. Free to attend. FRIENDS OF HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 1940 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville • FR (5/4) & SA (5/5), 10am-4:30pm Proceeds from this large

book sale benefit the Friends of Henderson County Public Library. Free to attend. MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-254-6734, malaprops.com • WE (5/2), 6pm - Tom Perrotta presents his book, Mrs. Fletcher. Free to attend. • WE (5/2), 7pm Malaprop's Book Club: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Free to attend. • SU (5/6), 3pm Poetrio, poetry readings featuring Holly Iglesias, Ross White and Alida Woods. Free to attend. • MO (5/7), 7pm - LGBTQ Book Club: Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns by Andrea Gibson. Free to attend. • TU (5/8), noon Discussion Bound Book Club: Devotion (Why I Write), by Patti Smith. Free to attend.

• TU (5/8), 6pm Richard Powers presents his book, The Overstory. Free to attend. • TH (5/10), 6pm Joshua Darty presents his book, Asheville's Riverside Cemetery, and Anna M. Fareillo presents her book, Cherokee. Free to attend.

in the youth production class. Fri.: 7:30pm. Sat. & Sun.: 2:30pm. $7. • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS (5/4) until (5/20) - The Mercy Seat, drama presented by Ellipsis Theater Company. Fri. & Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2:30pm. $18. Held at 35below, 35 E. Walnut St.

NEW DIMENSIONS TOASTMASTERS 828-329-4190 • THURSDAYS, noon1pm - General meeting. Free to attend. Held at Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, 33 Meadow Road

THEATER ASHEVLLE COMMUNITY THEATRE 35 E. Walnut St., 828-254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • FRIDAY through SUNDAY (5/4) until (5/6) - The Music Man, performed by students

NC STAGE COMPANY 15 Stage Lane, 828-239-0263 • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS until (5/20) - Burden, by Ron Bashford and Willie Repoley. Wed.-Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2pm. $16-$34.

HENDERSONVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville, 828-692-1082, hendersonvillelittletheater. org • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS until (5/6) - The Gin Game, tragi-comedy. Fri. & Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2pm. $16.

THE MAGNETIC THEATRE 375 Depot St., 828-279-4155 • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS until (5/5), 7:30pm - Doll, play by local playwright Brenda Lunsford Lilly. $16. • SU (5/6), 2:30pm “Disgruntled Fumes,” one-woman tongue-incheek salute to poetry open mics. $10.

J.E. BROYHILL CIVIC CENTER 1913 Hickory Blvd SE. Lenior, broyhillcenter.com • TH (5/3) through SA (5/4) - The Odd Couple, comedy. Thurs.Sat.: 7pm. Sat.: 2pm. $14/$12 students.

US CELLULAR CENTER 87 Haywood St. • WE (5/2), 4:30pm & 7:30pm - The Cirque, traveling circus performance troupe featuring aerialists, acrobats and motorcycle balancing acts. $25.

Dramatic reading at Battery Park Book Exchange

May 10th at 6pm

Readers include Jim Stokley & Michael Sartisky

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GALLERY DIRECTORY 310 ART 191 Lyman St., #310, 828-776-2716, 310art.com • Through TH (5/31) ARTfoli: Emergence, group exhibition.

Spring 2018

Nonprofit issue

Coming May 9! Contact us today! advertise@mountainx.com

ASHEVILLE BOOKWORKS 428 1/2 Haywood Road, 828-2558444, ashevillebookworks.com • Through TU (5/29) - Third Fridays: A Decade of Communion and Critique, group exhibition featuring artist books by Lisa Blackburn, Clara Boza, Margaret Couch Cogswell, Laurie Corral, Gwen Diehn, Michelle Francis, Heather Allen Hietala and Laura Ladendorf.

FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER 850 Blue Ridge Road, Unit A-13, Black Mountain, 828-357-9009, floodgallery.org • Through SU (6/3) - The Art of Phil Kurz, exhibition. GRAND BOHEMIAN GALLERY 11 Boston Way, 877-274-1242, bohemianhotelasheville.com/ • Through SU (5/20) CONTEXTure, exhibtion of paintings by Stefan Horik.

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SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM 223 W State St., Black Mountain, 828-669-9566, history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org • Through SA (6/23) - Step Back in Time: A Walking Tour of Black Mountain, exhibition of watercolor paintings by Jerald Pope. SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM 828-669-9566, swannanoavalleymuseum.org • Through MO (12/31) - Black Mountain College and Black Mountain: Where 'Town' Meets 'Gown', exhibition focusing on interactions between Black Mountain College and the surrounding community. Held at Swannanoa Valley Museum, 223 W State St., Black Mountain

ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts.com • Through FR (5/4) - 51st Annual UNC Asheville Juried Student Exhibition. Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave. • Through SA (5/26) - I Am Are U?, Exhibition of paintings, sketches and prints by Zander Stefani. Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library • Through WE (5/9) - Evergreen Community Charter School spring art exhibition. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St.

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

STAND GALLERY 109 Roberts St. • Through TH (5/10) - Exhibition of works by Molly Sawyer.

ART AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY mhu.edu • Through TU (7/31) - The War From Above: William Barnhill and Aerial Photography of World War I, exhibition. Held at The Ramsey Center in Renfro Library, 100 Athletic St,, Mars Hill • Through SA (5/12) - Senior art student exhibition. Held at Mars Hill University, Weizenblatt Gallery, 79 Cascade St., Mars Hill

BLACK MOUNTAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS 225 W. State St., Black Mountain, 828-669-0930, blackmountainarts.org • Through FR (5/18) - Woodworks, exhibition of works by Dirck Cruser and John Casey.

Arroyo, Rosy Kirby and Julie Armbruster. Reception: Friday, May 4, 7-9pm.

TRACEY MORGAN GALLERY 188 Coxe Ave., TraceyMorganGallery.com • Through SA (5/26) - Four French Photographers, exhibition of works by Edouard Boubat, Robert Doisneau, Bernard Plossu and Phillipe Salaün.

FANTASTICAL ART: Three Asheville-based artists from the Murmur Lodge arts collective have joined forces to present a fantastical, pop-surrealistic escape at the newest Push Skateshop and Gallery exhibition opening on Friday, May 4. The show, Fake Field Trip, features mystical beasts, childhood impressions and dramatic realizations in the form of illustrations by Fian Arroyo, drawings by Rosy Kirby and paintings by Julie Armbruster. A reception for the exhibition, with music, food and silk screen prints available from all three artists, takes place Friday, May 4, 7-9 p.m. Angels Better Nature by Fian Arroyo courtesy of Push Skateshop and Gallery GROVEWOOD GALLERY 111 Grovewood Road, 828-253-7651, grovewood.com • SA (5/5) through SU (6/3) Interactions, contemporary ceramic sculptures by Taylor Robenalt. HAYWOOD COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL 86 N Main St., Waynesville, 828-452-0593, haywoodarts.org/ • FR (5/4) through SA (5/26) - Creations in Oil and Handcrafted Mugs, exhibition featuring 12 local artists. MOMENTUM GALLERY 24 North Lexington Ave., momentumgallery.com • SU (5/6) through (6/23) - Exhibition featuring paintings by Michael Barringer, ceramic works by Jeannine Marchand and sculptures by Michael

Sirvet. Reception: Sunday May 6, 5-8pm. OPEN HEARTS ART CENTER 217 Coxe Ave. • FR (5/4) through FR (6/29) - Piece by Piece: A Show of Works in Collage and Assemblage, exhibition of works by Open Hearts Art Center artists. Reception: Friday, May 4, 5-8pm. PINK DOG CREATIVE 348 Depot St., pinkdog-creative.com • Through SU (5/6) - I am My Own Muse, exhibition of mixed media acrylics by Jenny Pickens. PUSH SKATE SHOP & GALLERY 25 Patton Ave., 828-225-5509, pushtoyproject.com • FR (5/4) through FR (6/1) - Fake Field Trip, exhibition of artwork by Fian

TRANSYLVANIA COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, 828-884-2787, tcarts.org • Through FR (5/4) - Exhibition of the work of students from Transylvania County Public Schools. TRYON ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL 373 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, 828-859-8323 • FR (5/4) through FR (6/15) - Synergy, exhibition of works by student and instructors. UPSTAIRS ARTSPACE 49 S. Trade St., Tryon, 828-859-2828, upstairsartspace.org • SA (5/5) through FR (6/15) - Looking Away: Arden Cone and Glen Miller, exhibition of paintings by Glen Miller. Reception: Saturday, May 5, 6-7:30pm. • SA (5/5) through FR (6/15) - Repressed Beauty: Recent Works, exhibition of works by Patti Brady. Reception: Saturday, May 5, 6-7:30pm. WOOLWORTH WALK 25 Haywood St., 828-254-9234 • Through TH (5/31) - Exhibition of the works of Cathy Nichols and Sylvia McCollum. ZAPOW! 150 Coxe Ave., Suite 101, 828-575-2024, zapow.net • FR (5/4) through SA (6/30) - May The 4th Be With You, group exhibition. Reception: Friday, May 4, 7-9pm. Contact the galleries for admission hours and fees

CLUBLAND

INTERSTATE POETS: Fresh off the MerleFest stage and back in the mountains this week is the bluesy folk group Cicada Rhythm. Touring with the likes of Rising Appalachia, Greensky Bluegrass and Elephant Revival, the group has polished a sharp, lively stage presence. Treat yourself to a mix of pure, easy vocals and happy folk-pop melodies, modernized with the addition of pedal steel and electric guitar. Expect the traveling musicians to spin verses describing the backwoods and countryside unfolding outside their windows, as well as lyrics that tackle the evolving conversation of diplomacy and eco-consciousness — and perhaps a love song or two. Catch this emerging band when Cicada Rhythm pops in to Isis Restaurant on Friday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2 185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 6:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM AMBROSE WEST Boy Named Banjo & Ghost of Paul Revere (folk, roots rock), 8:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open Mic hosted by Mark Bumgarner, 7:00PM CARMEL'S KITCHEN AND BAR Adi the Monk (jazz), 5:30PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Music on the Lawn w/ Whistlepig, 6:30PM The Mallett Brothers Band (alternative country), 7:00PM He-Bird, She-Bird w/ Greg Cornell & The Cornell Brothers (Americana), 8:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Open Jam Session, 5:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM

CORK & KEG 3 Cool Cats (rock n' roll), 7:30PM

ODDITORIUM Party Foul Drag Circus (drag), 9:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Western Wednesday w/ Vaden Landers & DJ David Wayne, 9:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM

FUNKATORIUM John Hartford Jam w/ Saylor Bros (bluegrass), 6:30PM

ONE WORLD BREWING Kevin Williams & Dulci Ellenberger (folk), 9:00PM

PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR Dave Desmelik, 7:00PM PULP Aisles of Jane Doe w/ Widow Lake & Tombstone Highway, 8:00PM SALVAGE STATION The Devon Allman Project w/ Duane Betts, 9:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY French Broad Mountain Valley Acoustic Jam, 6:30PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Weird Wednesday Jam, 8:00PM STATIC AGE RECORDS Night Space, Bamban, Black Box Theory, Nomadic War Machine (electronic), 9:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Shag! Beach Music Night w/ AVL FM’s DJ Dr. Filth, 8PM THE GREY EAGLE Kevin Fuller, 5:00PM Hearts Gone South album release show w/ Drayton Aldridge & The All Nighters, 8:00PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE Berlyn Jazz Trio , 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT The Wonderful Wizards of Western NC, 8:00PM THE PHOENIX & THE FOX Jazz Night w/ Jason DeCristofaro, 7:00PM THE SOUTHERN Disclaimer Comedy Open Mic, 9:00PM TOWN PUMP Open Jam w/ Billy Presnell, 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES JJ Kitchen All Star Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM TWIN LEAF BREWERY Open Mic Night, 8:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Music Bingo, 8:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jazz Night, 7:30PM

5/2

wed

the wonderful wizards of western nc

5/3

thu

album release show!

honey be nice

w/ va/md

5/4

fri

ryley walker

5/5

sat

wham city comedy

5/7

mon

axxa abraxas

w/ the dead tongues

5/8

w/ curt castle, celia verbeck

tue

free!

subtle degrees

(travis laplante/ gerald cleaver)

Yoga at the Mothlight

Tuesdays and Thursdays- 11:30am Details for all shows can be found at

themothlight.com

MOUNTAINX.COM

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

CLU B LA N D FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Billy Litz (Americana, soul), 9:00PM

THURSDAY, MAY 3 Open daily from 4p – 12a

WEDNESDAY 2 MAY:

North Carolina’s First Cider Bar Family Owned & Operated Seasonal, craft-made hard ciders and tasting-room delights from local farmers & artisans.

#1 Best Place to Drink Cider in U.S.A. - Food & Wine Magazine

210 Haywood Road, West Asheville, NC 28806 (828)744-5151 www.urbanorchardcider.com

DAVE DESMELIK 7:00PM – 10:00PM

THURSDAY 3 MAY:

DANIEL SHEARIN TRIO 7:00PM – 10:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 8:00PM AMBROSE WEST Funky Reggae Party w/ Chalwa, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Will Ray & The Space Cooties, 7:30PM

FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Rochelle Feldkamp (singer-songwriter), 6:00PM GOOD STUFF Jim Hampton & friends perform "Eclectic Country" (jam), 7:30PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Red Rover Thursdays, 7:00PM

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Boulevards, 10:00PM BANKS AVE Bass Jumpin w/ DJ Audio, 9:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Roots & friends open jam (blues, rock, roots), 6:30PM

TAYLOR MARTIN’S SONGS DOGS

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Alien Music Club (live jazz), 9:00PM

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Rebecca Folsom (folk, singer-songwriter), 7:00PM

SUNDAY 6 MAY:

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Chris Jamison, 7:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam, 7:00PM

BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Carrie Morrison, 6:00PM

LAZY DIAMOND Heavy Night w/ DJ Bootch, 10:00PM

FRIDAY 4 MAY:

KING GARBAGE 7:00PM – 10:00PM

SATURDAY 5 MAY:

7:00PM – 10:00PM

OPEN MIC NIGHT WITH LAURA BLACKLEY

FEATURING QUETZAL JORDAN 7:00PM – 10:00PM

309 COLLEGE ST. | DOWNTOWN | (828) 575-1188

w w w. p i l l a r a v l . c o m

LOBSTER TRAP Hank Bones, 6:30PM

CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Lincoln McDonald, 8:00PM

ODDITORIUM Within the Ruins, Hexxus, Salvaticus (metal), 9:00PM

CROW & QUILL Carolina Catskins (ragtime jazz), 9:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Sonic Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Mitch's Totally Rad Trivia, 7:00PM Masseuse, 10:00PM

FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER Open Mic (6:00 PM sign up), 6:30PM

OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Kind, Clean Gentlemen (acoustic roots), 6:00PM

PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR Daniel Shearin Trio, 7:00PM PULP Slice of Life Comedy Night w/ Carrie Adams, 9:00PM PACK'S TAVERN Jason Whitaker & Jeff Anders (acoustic rock), 8:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY West End Blend, 8:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE The Paper Crowns (Appalachian folk, bluegrass), 7:30PM SALVAGE STATION O' Brother, 9:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Old Sap, 7:00PM STRAIGHTAWAY CAFE Open Mic, 7:00PM SUMMIT COFFEE ASHEVILLE Open Mic w/ Dylan Moses, 6:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Jason Decristofaro Quartet & The House Hoppers w/ Caleb Beissert (Benefit for CIMA) , 7PM THE GREY EAGLE Carbon Leaf w/ Scott Mulvahill, 8:00PM THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Burger Kings (classic rock n' roll), 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Honey Be Nice Album Release Show w/ VA/ MD, 8:00PM

TOWN PUMP Linda Mitchell, 9:00PM TRESSA'S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Jesse Barry & The Jam (blues, dance), 9:00PM TWIN LEAF BREWERY Craft Karaoke, 8:00PM US CELLULAR CENTER Casting Crowns w/ I Am They, 7:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Big Ivy Project, 7:00PM WINE &OYSTER Paul Defabtta, 6:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL Ben Phan (bluegrass, gypsy grass), 8:00PM

FRIDAY, MAY 4 185 KING STREET Americana Troubadour Round with Wyatt Espalin, Dave Desmelik, & Rob Tiger, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Sidecar Honey (Americana, rock), 9:00PM AMBROSE WEST Brooks Hubbard Band w/Christy Lynn Band (rock), 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Hard Rocket, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Phutureprimitive w/ Dorfex Bos & Live Animals, 10:00PM

GRAND OPENING! THIS SUNDAY • MAY 6 • 4PM Come out and join us! • Roots Birthday BLOCK PARTY • Local LIVE Music ALL NIGHT! $2 Pierogies • $5 Wings 1459 Merrimon Avenue • 828 281-3613 54

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

WED

BEN'S TUNE UP Vinyl Dance Party w/ DJ Kilby, 10:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Acoustic Swing, 7:00PM BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER May the Fourth Be With You, 1:00PM Royal Johnson, 6:00PM CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Captain EZ, 9:00PM CORK & KEG The Gypsy Swingers (jazz, bossa nova), 8:30PM CROW & QUILL Vendetta Creme (silly, sultry cabaret), 9:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Rock 'n' Soul Obscurities w/ DJ Greg Cartwright, 10:00PM ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND Birocratic w/ Futexture, Koresma & Lavier, 10:00PM FLEETWOOD'S The Power/Jackson Harem/ Obsideon Eye, 9:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Soldado (rock, jam), 10:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Shaun Peace Band (reggae), 7:00PM FUNKATORIUM Virginia and The Slims, 8:30PM GINGER'S REVENGE Coy Wolf (Americana, bluegrass), 7:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Cicada Rhythm (folk, indie), 7:00PM Mountain Heart (jam band, soul, Americana), 9:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Astral Plainsmen w/ Gunner & Smith, 8:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Hot n' Nasty w/ DJ Jasper & DJ Chrissy (rock 'n' soul vinyl), 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Calico Moon (Americana), 6:00PM MAD CO BREW HOUSE Pete Pawsey, 6:00PM ODDITORIUM Slugly, New Junk City, Dullside, Man Made Devil (rock, punk), 9:00PM

SLY GROG LOUNGE Tiny Little Teeth, 9:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Natalie Fitz (jazz, blues, pop), 7:00PM DJ Red Iyah 10:00PM THE GREENHOUSE MOTO CAFE Eric Congdon Electric Trio, 7:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Appalachian Renegades, 8:00PM

THE GREY EAGLE Sierra Hull & Her Band, 8:00PM

BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Ten Cent Poetry, 7:30PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE Select DJ Sets, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Ryley Walker w/ The Dead Tongues, 9:30PM TOWN PUMP Scoundrel's Lounge, 9:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Fridays w/ members of Phuncle Sam, 5:30PM Grudatree, 10:00PM

US CELLULAR CENTER The National w/ Big Thief, 8:00PM

ONE WORLD BREWING Ves Frank (singer-songwriter), 9:00PM

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Asheville Electro Music Fest, 2:00PM May the 4th Be With You Beer Fest (movies, costume contest, comics), 5:00PM

ORANGE PEEL Buckethead, 9:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Egg Eaters (art punk), 6:00PM PACK'S TAVERN DJ Burr (dance hits, pop), 9:30PM PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR King Garbage, 7:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Kenny George Band, 8:00PM SALVAGE STATION Screaming J's, 9:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Shabudikah, 8:00PM

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Roots & Dore Band w/ Andrea Lee, 8:00PM

WINE &OYSTER Peggy Ratusz, 6:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL DJ Malinalli, 8:00PM ZAPOW! Eddy & The Whirlpools (nerd-core, surf, rockabilly), 7:00PM

SATURDAY, MAY 5

SUN

FREE PATIO SHOW, 5-7PM

KEVIN FULLER

WED HEARTS GONE SOUTH

W/ DRAYTON ALDRIDGE & THE ALL NIGHTERS

THU

CARBON LEAF

TUE

W/ SCOTT MULVAHILL

CHARLIE TRAVELERS PRESENTS:

WED

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Natural Born Leaders EP Release w/ Spaceman Jones & The Motherships & The Secret B Sides, 9:30PM

MON

FRI

AN EVENING WITH SIERRA HULL & HER BAND

SAT

THE LIL SMOKIES

CHUCK BRODSKY AN EVENING WITH

THE HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN

HOP ALONG W/ SAINTSENECA

9 WYE OAK W/ PALM

THU

W/ CALEB CAUDLE

FREE PATIO SHOW, 6-8PM

DOSS CHURCH

Asheville’s longest running live music venue • 185 Clingman Ave TICKETS AVAILABLE AT HARVEST RECORDS & THEGREYEAGLE.COM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Matt Sellars, 7:00PM BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Max Gross Weight, 6:30PM CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Drayton & the Dreamboats, 9:00PM CHESTNUT Jazz Brunch, 11:00AM CORK & KEG The Old Chevrolette Set (country duets), 8:30PM CROW & QUILL House Hoppers (swing jazz), 9:00PM DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE Jane Kramer feat. Free Planet Radio and Billy Cardine, 8:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Soul Motion Dance Party! w/ DJ Dr. Filth, 10:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Rahm Squad (funk, soul), 10:00PM

185 KING STREET Cinco de Chris-O, 8:00PM

FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Tina Collins Duo (folk/ americana), 6:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Phantom Playboys (swinging rockabilly), 9:00PM

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Bad Weather States, 7:00PM

THIS WEEK AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

THIS WEEK AT THE ONE STOP:

THU 5/4 FRI 5/5 SAT 5/6

DO CA$

NA H TIO N$

Masseuse - [Funk/Rock] GrudaTree - [Funky Blues] Daniel Earle and the Holy Rukus - [Rock/Soul]

UPCOMING SHOWS - ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL:

PHUTUREPRIMATIVE w/ Dorfex Bos & Live Animals WEEKLY EVENTS

FRI 5/4 - S HOW : 10 pm (D OORS : 9 pm ) -

TUESDAY:

Turntable Tuesday - 10pm

adv .

$12 /

dos .

NATURAL BORN LEADERS EP RELEASE w/ Spaceman Jones and The Motherships & The Secret B Sides

$15

SAT 5/5 - S HOW : 9:45 pm (D OORS : 9 pm ) -

WEDNESDAY:

THURSDAY:

FRIDAY:

Evil Note Lab

Mitch’s Totally Rad Trivia 6:30pm

F ree Dead F riday

9:30pm

5pm

adv .

$10 /

dos .

$12

SUNDAY: Bluegrass Brunch

ft. Bald Mountain Boys + Aaron “Woody” Wood and Friends - 10:30am-3pm

5/18 5/19 5/19 5/26 5/31

James Brown Dance Party w/ DJ Williams’ Shots Fired - [Funk] 12PM - Asheville Vinyl Fetish Record Convention - [two floors] 10PM - Time Machine Dance Party Off with Your Radiohead Presents: In Rainbows + OK Computer Lost Dog Street Band w/ Mama’s Broke + Heather Taylor & Sean Jerome

TICKETS & FULL CALENDAR AVAILABLE AT ASHEVILLEMUSICHALL.COM

@avlmusichall MOUNTAINX.COM

@OneStopAVL MAY 2 - 8, 2018

C LUBLAND ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Gina Sicilia (jazz, blues), 7:00PM Brie Capone EP release w/ Pink Mercury (folk rock, indie, soul), 9:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Amongst the Trees, 9:00PM

COMING SOON WED 5/2 6:30PM–LAWN CONCERT WITH WHISTLEPIG (FREE)

7PM–THE MALLETT BROTHERS BAND 8:30PM–HE-BIRD, SHE-BIRD

W/ GREG CORNELL & THE CORNELL BROTHERS THU 5/3 6:30PM–LAWN CONCERT WITH MOONLIGHT STREET FOLK (FREE)

7PM–REBECCA FOLSOM

FRI 5/4 6:30PM–LAWN CONCERT WITH QUEEN BEE AND THE HONEYLOVERS (FREE)

7PM–CICADA RHYTHM 9PM–MOUNTAIN HEART SAT 5/5

7PM–GINA SICILIA 9PM–BRIE CAPONE EP RELEASE WITH GUEST PINK MERCURY SUN 5/6

5:30PM–ROY BOOK BINDER

7:30PM–KAT WILLIAMS & RICHARD SHULMAN

SONGS TO HONOR ALL MOTHERS TUE 5/8

7:30PM–TUESDAY BLUEGRASS SESSIONS WED 5/9

7PM–SHAWNA CASPI W/ STEVEN POLLARD THU 5/10

7PM–REBEKAH LONG 8:30PM–FREDDY AND FRANCINE W/ KIERAN MCMULLA FRI 5/11 6:30PM–LAWN CONCERT WITH MOONLIGHT STREET FOLK (FREE)

8:30PM–BRIAN ASHLEY JONES TRIO AND ROOSEVELT DIME SAT 5/12

7PM–ELI COOK PLAYS THE BLUES 6:45-9PM–ISIS LAWN SERIES

DAMSEL & DISTRESS SUN 5/13

6PM–NEVER A PAL LIKE MOTHER (LOUNGE) 8PM–NEVER A PAL LIKE MOTHER (MAIN STAGE) ISISASHEVILLE.COM DINNER MENU TIL 9:30PM LATE NIGHT MENU TIL 12AM

TUES-SUN 5PM-until 743 HAYWOOD RD 828-575-2737

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

MOUNTAINX.COM

LAZY DIAMOND Sonic Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Sean Mason Trio, 6:30PM ODDITORIUM All That & The Kitchen Sink: Benefit for Boi's Top Surgery, 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Daniel Earle & The Holy Ruckus w/ Terrabang, 10:00PM ORANGE PEEL TUNE-YARDS w/ My Brightest Diamond , 9:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Shane Pruitt Band (blues, rock), 6:00PM PACK'S TAVERN Flashback (classic hits), 9:30PM PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR Taylor Martin's Song Dog, 8:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Tom Eure (folk), 8:00PM SALVAGE STATION Urban Soil, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Further to Fly, 8:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE The Half That Matters, OBSiDEONEYE, The Styrofoam Turtles (psychedelic punk), 8:00PM STATIC AGE RECORDS Hissing Tiles, Sans Hannah (post-punk), 9:00PM THE GREY EAGLE Cinco De Me-owo: Cat Weirdo's 2nd Silent Auction, 1:00PM The Lil Smokies w/ Caleb Caudle, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Wham City Comedy, 9:30PM TOWN PUMP Seven Year Witch, 9:00PM

UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Cinco de Bye-o w/ ClamTucky Derby and io Trio, 3:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Asheville Electro Music Fest, 2:00PM WINE &OYSTER The Live Wires w/ Linda Mitchell 6:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL The Jordan Okrend Trio, 8:00PM

SUNDAY, MAY 6 185 KING STREET Sunday Sessions Open Electric Jam, 4:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Wendy Jones (jazz), 7:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Classical Guitar Society Player's Circle, 1:30PM Musicians Jam & Pot Luck, 3:30PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Larry Dolamore, 7:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM FUNKATORIUM Gypsy Jazz Sunday Brunch, 11:00AM GOOD STUFF Open Mic w/ Fox Black & friends, 6:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 1:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Roy Book Binder (blues, country, folk), 5:30PM An Early Mother’s Day Celebration w/ Kat Williams & Richard Shulman Trio (jazz, blues, R&B), 7:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Traditional Irish/Celtic Jam, 3:00PM JARGON Sunday Blunch w/ Mark Guest & Mary Pearson (jazz), 11:00AM LAZY DIAMOND Punk Night w/ DJ Chubberbird & Frens (killer punk vinyl), 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Phil Alley, 6:30PM

ODDITORIUM 80s/90s Dance Party with DJ Baby Bear, 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Bluegrass Brunch, 10:30AM

GOOD STUFF Bingo Wingo Thingo, 6:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Game Night, 4:00PM

ORANGE PEEL Rivals Sons & J. Roddy Walston w/ The Business, 8:00PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo Trivia Night, 7:00PM Open mic, 9:00PM

OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Trivia Night, 5:00PM

LOBSTER TRAP Dave Desmelik, 6:30PM

PACK'S TAVERN Sunday Social Club, 4:30PM

ODDITORIUM Risque Monday Burlesque w/ Deb Au Nare, 9:00PM

PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR Open Mic Night w/ Laura Blackley & Quetzal Jordan, 7:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Jimmy Clifton, 3:00PM SLY GROG LOUNGE Sly Grog Open Mic, 7:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Manifest Your Month W/DJ Infinitec, 8PM THE GREY EAGLE Chuck Brodsky Album Release Show, 7:00PM

OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Mountain Music Mondays, 6:00PM PULP All the Peels: A Showcase of OP Employees w/ Megan Kay & Ben Melton, 7:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Open Mic w/ It Takes All Kinds, 7:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Siyah’s Two Year Conscious Hip-Hop Show, 8PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE Select DJ Sets, 9:00PM

THE GREY EAGLE The Hot Club of Cowtown, 6:00PM

THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN Bob Zullo (pop, rock, jazz, blues), 7:00PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE Ghost Pipe Trio (jazz), 9:00PM

TOWN PUMP Jackson Howard, 9:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Roy Futureman Wooten & Kevin Spears, 7:30PM

MONDAY, MAY 7 185 KING STREET Open Mic hosted by Christ Whitmire, 6:00PM

Downtown on the Park Eclectic Menu • Over 30 Taps • Patio 14 TV’s • Sports Room • 110” Projector Event Space • Shuffleboard Open 7 Days 11am - Late Night THE SUNDAY SOCIAL LUB C IC ON THE P MUS ATIO @ 4:30PM

THU. 5/3 Jason Whitaker & Jeff Anders (acoustic rock)

FRI. 5/4 DJ Burr

(dance hits, pop)

SAT. 5/5 Flashback (classic hits)

20 S. Spruce St. • 225.6944 packStavern.com

THE MOTHLIGHT Axxa Abraxas w/ Curt Castle & Celia Verbeck , 9:00PM THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN Bob Zullo (pop, rock, jazz, blues), 7:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jay Brown, Whitney Moore, & Jimmie Griffith, 7:00PM

TUESDAY, MAY 8

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Siamese Sound Club (R&B, soul, jazz), 8:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR The John Henrys (hot jazz), 8:00PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Classical Guitar Mondays, 7:30PM

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Jody Carroll (roots, blues), 8:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Country Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Tuesday night funk jam, 11:00PM

FLEETWOOD'S The Switch (Queer Comedy Party), 8:00AM

TAVERN

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Ben Phan, 7:00PM

MOUNTAINX.COM

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

CLU B LA N D DOUBLE CROWN Groovy Tuesdays (boogie without borders) w/ DJs Chrissy & Arieh, 10:00PM GOOD STUFF Old time-y night, 6:30PM

Salsa & Latin Dance w/ DJ Edi Fuentes

Saturday, 5/5 • 9:30pm • $5

39 S. Market St. • theblockoffbiltmore.com

HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Dr. Brown's Team Trivia, 6:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Tuesday Bluegrass Sessions w/ The Thomas Cassell Band, 7:30PM

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Honky Tonk Jam, 7:00PM

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Turntable Tuesday, 10:00PM

LAZY DIAMOND Rock & Metal Karaoke w/ DJ Paddy, 10:00PM

ORANGE PEEL Misterwives w/ Flor & Flint Eastwood, 8:00PM

LOBSTER TRAP Jay Brown, 6:30PM

SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Taco and Trivia Tuesday, 6:00PM

ODDITORIUM Open Mic Comedy Hosted by Tom Peters, 9:00PM

STATIC AGE RECORDS Crutch (SWE), Poor Excuse, Demersus (Swedish punk), 9:00PM THE GREY EAGLE Hop Along w/ Saintseneca (folk rock, indie), 8:00PM Wye Oak w/ Palm, 8:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Travis Laplante & Gerald Cleaver w/ Carmelo Pampillonio, 9:00PM TOWN PUMP Andrew Thelston (singer-songwriter), 9:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish jam & open mic, 6:30PM

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 6:00PM

LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM ODDITORIUM Synergy Story Slam, 7:00PM The Styrofoam Turtles, Ghost Town Remedy, Obsidioneye, Max Gross Weight (rock), 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Jameson Cooper (soul, funk, R&B, hiphop), 9:00PM ORANGE PEEL Shakey Graves w/ And The Kids, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING French Broad Mountain Valley Acoustic Jam 6:30 PM

BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open Mic hosted by Billy Owens, 7:00PM

THE FAIRVIEW TAVERN Redleg Husky (country, blues), 9:00PM

CARMEL'S KITCHEN AND BAR Adi the Monk (jazz), 5:30PM

THE IMPERIAL LIFE The Berlyn Jazz Trio, 9:00PM

ELLINGTON UNDERGROUND Magna Carda (hiphop), 10:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Doug Strahan & the Good Neighbors (rock, Americana), 9:00PM FUNKATORIUM John Hartford Jam w/ Saylor Bros (bluegrass), 6:30PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM

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LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM

SLY GROG LOUNGE Weird Wednesday Jam, 8:00PM

DOUBLE CROWN Western Wednesdays, 9:00PM

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Open Jam Session, 5:00PM

5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM

CORK & KEG 3 Cool Cats, 7:30PM

ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Shawna Caspi w/ Steven Pelland (folk, singer-songwriter), 7:00PM

THE MOTHLIGHT Tav Falco's Panther Burns w/ Dirty Dutch Trio, 9:00PM THE PHOENIX & THE FOX Jazz Night w/ Jason DeCristofaro, 7:00PM THE SOUTHERN Disclaimer Comedy Open Mic, 9:00PM TOWN PUMP 7 Mile Mushroom, 9:00PM Open Jam w/Billy Presnell, 9:00PM TWIN LEAF BREWERY Open Mic Night, 8:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jazz Night, 7:30PM

MOVIES

REVIEWS & LISTINGS BY SCOTT DOUGLAS, FRANCIS X. FRIEL & JUSTIN SOUTHER

HHHHH = H PICK OF THE WEEK H

Xpress reviews virtually all upcoming movies, with two or three of the most noteworthy appearing in print. You can find our online reviews at mountainx.com/movies/reviews. This week, they include: AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR GEMINI

HHH

LEAN ON PETE (PICK OF THE WEEK) HHHH

Writer/director Andrew Haigh offers an unflinching look at a teen’s struggle to survive below the poverty line, in Lean on Pete.

Lean on Pete HHHH DIRECTOR: Andrew Haigh PLAYERS: Charlie Plummer, Steve Buscemi, Chloe Sevigny, Travis Fimmel, Steve Zahn DRAMA RATED R THE STORY: A young boy reeling from the death of his father steals a racehorse and tries to track down his aunt. THE LOWDOWN: A coming-of-age story that eschews the feel-good sensibilities of the genre in favor of a challenging look at the bleak realities of those living on the margins of American society. On the basis of the trailer for Lean on Pete, I was far from sold. Another plucky underdog story about a downtrodden teen turning his life around thanks to a chance encounter that will give him purpose and a calling, with lessons learned along the way? I’ll pass. Thankfully, Lean on Pete is not that film. While its young protagonist does, in fact, learn some lessons,

they’re more along the lines of figuring out how to siphon gas or beat up thieving bums with a tire iron than anything of the “just believe in yourself” variety. This is no after-school-special — consider yourselves warned. Have you ever wondered what would happen if Robert Bresson had directed National Velvet or Vittorio De Sica had helmed The Black Stallion? Me either. But it might look something like writer/director Andrew Haigh’s mournful meditation on the America of the marginalized. The story follows Charley (Charlie Plummer), a 15-year-old whose tail-chasing wastrel of a single dad (Travis Fimmel) has shuffled the boy from town to town, skirting the poverty line in the Pacific Northwest. Charley spends a lot of time running in preparation for a football season that seems increasingly unlikely to come, and it’s on one of these runs that he stumbles across a racetrack and picks up an odd job from gruff horse trainer Del (Steve Buscemi), a surrogate father figure only slightly

more put together than his biological one. While working for Del, Charley becomes fixated on the titular Lean on Pete, a broken-down quarterhorse racing the county fair circuit, one loss away from being sent to the glue factory in Mexico. While the story may sound predictable up to that point, it doesn’t stay in familiar territory for long. The narrative takes a hard left turn into subject matter that makes neorealism look positively sunny when Charley’s dad meets an untimely end, Pete finally loses that race and the boy inevitably snaps. What follows is one of the most depressing and unremittingly bleak third acts in recent memory, as Charley and Pete set out on a harrowing journey to track down the boy’s only known relative, a quest that leads from tragedy to tragedy in short order. If Lean on Pete feels like a movie ripped from the lines of a country song, that’s because in a sense it is. Adapted from alt-country singer/songwriter Willy Vlautin’s novel of the same name, Haigh’s film has a hauntingly laconic quality that almost normalizes Charley’s suffering. When a vagrant breaks the news to our hero that he is, in fact, homeless, we believe his incredulity — not only because of Plummer’s surprisingly solid performance but because of Haigh’s tightly constructed and expertly paced script. Cinematographer Magnus Jonck’s sun-bleached desert vistas and shadow-soaked cityscapes mirror Charley’s interior landscape, an isolated drifter passing through a cruel and indifferent world almost too large and complex to fathom.

M A X R AT I N G Lean on Pete is a film about the struggle for survival, but it’s never as grandiose as such a theme would suggest. It’s a shockingly intimate and unvarnished examination of very human reactions to tragedy, and it never opts for easy answers or saccharine sentimentality. It’s an uncomfortable watch — more Au Hasard Balthazar than Seabiscuit — but that doesn’t stop us from rooting for Charley every inch of the way. That Haigh pulls this off without pandering to the audience’s sympathies is a distinction that leaves Lean on Pete a cinematic experience as challenging as it is ultimately rewarding. Rated R for language and brief violence. Starts Friday at Fine Arts Theatre. REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

SCREEN SCENE

MOVIES

Avengers:

Infinity War HHH DIRECTOR: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo PLAYERS: Everybody SUPERHERO ACTION SPECTACLE RATED PG-13 THE STORY: Thanos collects the Infinity Stones in order to cull the universe’s population. THE LOWDOWN: Nothing exceeds like excess ... At this point, it’s hard to look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe as anything other than an unstoppable boxoffice juggernaut — but when Marvel Studios introduced the concept of shared-universe comic book adaptations 10 years ago with Iron Man (2008), the success of the model was far from assured. In fact, it must have been a remarkably tough sell to convince the money men that people would turn out for a dozen movies stringing together the B- and C-list properties of a comic book publisher that had declared bankruptcy in the not-too-distant past. For better or worse, in the brief span of a decade, these films have taken over the world, and with Avengers: Infinity War, they’ve reached their inevitable endgame. But that endgame won’t deliver any true catharsis until its follow-up film next year. What we have before us now is a dramatically overstuffed and surprisingly downbeat piece of popculture ephemera that feels less like a self-contained film and more like a 2 1/2-hour buildup for the movie we actually want to see. If the cries of “bullshit” I heard as the credits rolled on Infinity War are any indication, this is a Marvel movie as likely to leave audiences frustrated as it is to make the bean counters ebullient. And Disney/Marvel’s armies of accountants have good reason to smile, with Infinity War boasting the biggest

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MAY 2 - 8, 2018

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opening weekend in history both domestically and globally as well as granting Disney the distinction of crossing the billion-dollar threshold just 117 days into the year, breaking the studio’s own record. So is this movie worth the money people have clearly spent on it around the world? Well, yes and no. For die-hard fans, Infinity War packs more of what we love about Marvel movies into a slightly larger package than usual and then squeezes another 40 percent in on top of that. Instead of a handful of superpowered comic book caricatures, we have dozens. Instead of one mustachetwirling villain, we have five. Instead of one climactic set piece, we have two, albeit awkwardly intercut. It’s basically every character that’s been introduced in the last decade going up against a significantly larger menace, but as the threat level and body count rise, emotional returns diminish. It’s hard to be too tough on writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely and directors Anthony and Joe Russo — trying to tie together 18 films is a deeply unenviable task after all. There’s no room for character development, save for the film’s villain/protagonist (?!) Thanos, kinda-sorta played by Josh Brolin but really performed by a litany of VFX artists. It’s probably in your best interest to bone up on the previous films before coming into this one, but who has 30-plus hours to spare prepping for a movie? Even if you did, Infinity War offers little novelty beyond its scope. If I haven’t devoted much space here to character or performance or story summary, it’s because these elements are all sufficiently similar to the past Marvel films that they merit little discussion. This is the big, splashy CGI blockbuster that you expect it to be and nothing more. It’s not terrible, it’s not great, it simply is. If there’s little to justify the existence of Infinity War outside of its necessity to the following film, that seems to be enough to put asses in seats — even if those same asses leave the theater slightly flummoxed. The conversations I overheard in the bathroom after my screening — literally, everyone had to pee, because, again, 150 minutes — were possibly the most telling analysis of Infinity War. One fan dejectedly remarked, “Man, you’re supposed to feel good after these movies …” To which another replied, “Yeah, but if Wolverine had been there …” Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references. Now Playing at AMC Classic River Hills 10, Carolina Cinemark, Grail Moviehouse, Regal Biltmore Grande, Epic of Hendersonville, Co-ed of Brevard, Strand of Waynesville. REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM

by Edwin Arnaudin | edwinarnaudin@gmail.com

ACROMANIACS: Stan Laurel, left, and Oliver Hardy pause on the set of Liberty. The 1929 film is one of three comedy shorts and animated works in Grail Moviehouse’s latest Silent Sundays installment on May 6. Photo courtesy of Image Entertainment • Western Carolina University presents the Controlled Chaos Film Festival in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, 199 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee. On Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m., WCU students’ films will be screened, several of which have mature subject matter not suitable for children. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors, faculty and staff, $10 students and free for School of Stage and Screen students. They are available online or by calling 828-2272479. Proceeds and donations benefit the Motion Picture Student Project Fund, which helps students in WCU’s Film and Television Production Program with the cost of creating their senior thesis films. bardoartscenter.wcu.edu • The 2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour stops by Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard, on Friday, May 4, 8-10 p.m. The event also includes demonstrations and raffles. Attendees are encouraged to bring a comfortable chair. Free. oskarblues.com • The Paper Mill Lounge and Theatre, 513 Mill St., Sylva, presents A Very Fringe Film Festival on Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6, at 8 p.m. Selections showcase a variety of subject matter, from abstract to realism, and highlight the cultural richness of the creative community in and around Western Carolina University. Attendees must be ages 21 or older and wear cocktail attire. Free to attend. thepapermilllounge.com

• The monthly Silent Sundays series at Grail Moviehouse, 45 S. French Broad Ave., continues May 6, at 7 p.m., with a collection of comedy shorts and animation: Mutt and Jeff On Strike, Get Out and Get Under (starring Harold Lloyd) and Liberty (starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy). Film historian Frank Thompson will introduce each film and participate in a post-screening Q&A. Local stride pianist Andrew J. Fletcher will provide a live, improvised score. Tickets are $12 and available online or at the Grail box office. grailmoviehouse.com • On Monday, May 7, at 7 p.m., The BLOCK off Biltmore, 39 S. Market St., screens the latest in its Cafe Mortal Film Sessions series, Serving Life. Forest Whitaker narrates the documentary about a group of inmate volunteers who staff their own hospice inside a Louisiana maximum-security prison where the average sentence is over 90 years. Free to attend. theblockoffbiltmore.com • The Carolina Climbers Coalition presents a screening of Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey on Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at Wedge Brewing Co.’s Foundation location, 5 Foundy St. The documentary profiles the influential climber, who remained passionate about the outdoors until his death last year at age 94. The evening also includes updates on the CCC’s recent access projects at Eagle Rock, Big Rock and Buckeye Knob. Tickets are $15 and available online. carolinaclimbers.org X

MARKETPLACE STA RTI NG F RI DAY

Bad Samaritan

Thriller starring David Tennant, directed by Dean Devlin. According to the studio: “Two young men who valet cars at a local restaurant develop a clever scam to burglarize the houses of the restaurant’s customers. Things go smoothly until one robs the wrong customer and discovers a woman being held captive. Afraid of going to prison, he leaves the woman and returns the car to the restaurant. Filled with guilt, he makes a call to the police, who find nothing when they investigate. Now, the valet must endure the wrath of the kidnapper who seeks revenge on him, all while desperately trying to find and rescue the captive woman he left behind.” No early reviews. (R)

Lean on Pete

See Scott Douglas’ review

Overboard

Gender-role-reversed remake of the 1987 Kurt Russell/Goldie Hawn comedy starring Eugenio Derbez and Anna Farris. According to the studio: “After unjustly firing a working-class single mom of three (Kate, Farris) hired to clean his luxury yacht and refusing to pay her, a selfish, spoiled, rich playboy from Mexico’s richest family (Leonardo, Derbez) falls overboard when partying too hard and wakes up on the Oregon coast with amnesia. Kate shows up at the hospital and, to get payback, convinces Leonardo he is her husband and puts him to work — for the first time in his life. At first miserable and inept, Leonardo slowly settles in. Eventually, he earns the respect of his new ‘family’ and co-workers. But, with Leonardo’s billionaire family hot on their trail and the possibility of his memory returning at any moment, will their new family last or will Leonardo finally put the clues together and leave them for good?” No early reviews. (PG-13)

Tully

Comedy from director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody. According to the studio: “Marlo (Charlize Theron), a mother of three including a newborn, is gifted a night nanny by her brother (Mark Duplass). Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully (Mackenzie Davis).” Early reviews positive. (R)

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CONDOS/ TOWNHOMES FOR RENT NORTH ASHEVILLE TOWNHOUSE North Asheville 2BR/1BA Townhouse, one mile from downtown Asheville. $895/month. Laminate hardwood floors, on the busline, very nice neighborhood. No pets. 828-2524334.

ROOMMATES ROOMMATE NEEDED Mature roommate needed, nice room, lovely home. Great location. $500/month plus deposit. Smoker ok. No pets. Personal interview and background check required. Please call (423) 358-3055.

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ROOMMATES

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TROLLEY TOUR GUIDES If you are a "people person," love Asheville, have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and clean driving record you could be a great Tour Guide. Full-time and seasonal part-time positions available. Training provided. Contact us today! 828-251-8687. Info@GrayLineAsheville.com www.GrayLineAsheville.com

Persepolis HHHHS

DIRECTOR: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi PLAYERS: (Voices) Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian, Gabrielle Lopes Benites ANIMATED FANCIFUL BIOPIC Rated PG-13 The very unusual and surprisingly powerful Oscar-nominated animated biographical film about the extraordinary — and yet perfectly relatable — life of an Iranian girl. Though playful in tone, it’s a narrative that goes much deeper than one might expect. It’s a film that should be seen — and one that benefits from a second look, as well. This excerpt was taken from a review by Ken Hanke published on May 1, 2012. Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Persepolis on Friday, May 4, at the new Flood Gallery location in Black Mountain, 850 Blue Ridge Road, Unit A-13, Black Mountain.

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The Twelve Chairs HHHH

DIRECTOR: Mel Brooks PLAYERS: Ron Moody, Frank Langella, Dom DeLuise, Andreas Voutsinas, Diana Coupland COMEDY Rated PG The Twelve Chairs — based on a 1928 Russian novel — had seen service quite a few times when Mel Brooks made his version of it in 1970, the most famous being the 1945 Fred Allen film It’s in the Bag. Oddly, the Brooks version is a lot tamer than the Fred Allen version (one of the oddest films of the 1940s), and, in fact, is probably the closest Brooks ever came to making a “normal” film. That may also be why it’s largely ignored today — sandwiched between the classic The Producers and the brazenly outrageous Blazing Saddles. This excerpt was taken from a review by Ken Hanke published on July 6, 2006. The Hendersonville Film Society will show The Twelve Chairs on Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m. in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.

2018

Secret Agent HHHHH

DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock PLAYERS: Madeleine Carroll, Peter Lorre, John Gielgud, Robert Young. SPY THRILLER Rated NR One of the most thematically unsettling and technically accomplished films of Alfred Hitchcock’s British era, Secret Agent (1936) is often unduly marginalized because it followed the director’s masterful The 39 Steps (1935) and preceded his equally exceptional Sabotage (also 1936). And that’s unfortunate, because its twisty plot — adapted from W. Somerset Maugham’s “Ashenden” stories — and compelling psychological characterizations, expertly acted by Peter Lorre, Madeleine Carrol and a young John Gielgud, place Secret Agent squarely among the best films of Hitchcock’s early output. The Asheville Film Society will screen Secret Agent on Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at The Grail Moviehouse, hosted by Xpress movie critic Scott Douglas.

Informational Meeting Do you have a nonprofit that wants to participate in Give!Local – Mountain Xpress’ end-of-year giving platform?

May 16th at The Block Off Biltmore @ 1 p.m.

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FREEWILL ASTROLOGY ARIES (March 21-April 19): I hate rampant consumerism almost as much as I hate hatred, so I don’t offer the following advice lightly: Buy an experience that could help liberate you from the suffering you’ve had trouble outgrowing. Or buy a toy that can thaw the frozen joy that’s trapped within your out-of-date sadness. Or buy a connection that might inspire you to express a desire you need help in expressing. Or buy an influence that will motivate you to shed a belief or theory that has been cramping your lust for life. Or all of the above! (And if buying these things isn’t possible, consider renting.) TAURUS (April 20-May 20): These days you have an enhanced ability to arouse the appreciation and generosity of your allies, friends and loved ones. The magnetic influence you’re emanating could even start to evoke the interest and inquiries of mere acquaintances and random strangers. Be discerning about how you wield that potent stuff! On the other hand, don’t be shy about using it to attract all the benefits it can bring you. It’s OK to be a bit greedier for goodies than usual as long as you’re also a bit more compassionate than usual. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I bet that a healing influence will arrive from an unexpected direction and begin to work its subtle but intense magic before anyone realizes what’s happening. I predict that the bridge you’re building will lead to a place that’s less flashy but more useful than you imagined. And I’m guessing that although you may initially feel jumbled by unforeseen outcomes, those outcomes will ultimately be redemptive. Hooray for lucky flukes and weird switcheroos! CANCER (June 21-July 22): Born under the astrological sign of Cancer, Franz Kafka is regarded as one of the 20th century’s major literary talents. Alas, he made little money from his writing. Among the day jobs he did to earn a living were stints as a bureaucrat at insurance companies. His superiors there praised his efforts. “Superb administrative talent,” they said about him. Let’s use this as a take-off point to meditate on your destiny, Cancerian. Are you good at skills you’re not passionate about? Are you admired and acknowledged for having qualities that aren’t of central importance to you? If so, the coming weeks and months will be a favorable time to explore this apparent discrepancy. I believe you will have the power to get closer to doing more of what you love to do. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If you really wanted to, you could probably break the world’s record for most words typed per minute with the nose (103 characters in 47 seconds). I bet you could also shatter a host of other marks, as well, like eating the most hot chiles in two minutes, or weaving the biggest garland using defunct iPhones, or dancing the longest on a tabletop while listening to a continuous loop of Nirvana’s song “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” But I hope you won’t waste your soaring capacity for excellence on meaningless stunts like those. I’d rather see you break your own personal records for accomplishments like effective communications, high-quality community-building and smart career moves. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Isaac Newton (1643-1727) was among history’s three most influential scientists. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) has been described as the central figure in modern philosophy. Henry James (1843-1916) is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in English literature. John Ruskin (1819-1900) was a prominent art critic and social thinker. What did these four men have in common? They never had sex with anyone. They were virgins when they died. I view this fact with alarm. What does it mean that Western culture is so influenced by the ideas of men who lacked this fundamental initiation? With that as our context, I make this assertion: If you hope to make good decisions in the coming weeks, you must draw on the wisdom you have gained from being sexually entwined with other humans.

MAY 2 - 8, 2018

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BY ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Every so often, a painter has to destroy painting,” said 20th-century abstract expressionist painter Willem de Kooning. “Cézanne did it. Picasso did it with Cubism. Then Pollock did it. He busted our idea of a picture all to hell.” In de Kooning’s view, these “destructive” artists performed a noble service. They demolished entrenched ideas about the nature of painting, thus liberating their colleagues and descendants from stale constraints. Judging from the current astrological omens, Libra, I surmise the near future will be a good time for you to wreak creative destruction in your own field or sphere. What progress and breakthroughs might be possible when you dismantle comfortable limitations? SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Mayflies are aquatic insects with short life spans. Many species live less than 24 hours, even though the eggs they lay may take three years to hatch. I suspect this may be somewhat of an apt metaphor for your future, Scorpio. A transitory or short-duration experience could leave a legacy that will ripen for a long time before it hatches. But that’s where the metaphor breaks down. When your legacy has fully ripened — when it becomes available as a living presence — I bet it will last a long time. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): When a critic at Rolling Stone magazine reviewed the Beatles’ Abbey Road in 1969, he said some of the songs were “so heavily overproduced that they are hard to listen to.” He added, “Surely they must have enough talent and intelligence to do better than this.” Years later, however, Rolling Stone altered its opinion, naming Abbey Road the 14th best album of all time. I suspect, Sagittarius, that you’re in a phase with metaphorical resemblances to the earlier assessment. But I’m reasonably sure that this will ultimately evolve into being more like the later valuation — and it won’t take years. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): According to my analysis of the astrological omens, love should be in full bloom. You should be awash in worthy influences that animate your beautiful passion. So how about it? Are you swooning and twirling and uncoiling? Are you overflowing with a lush longing to celebrate the miracle of being alive? If your answer is yes, congratulations. May your natural intoxication levels continue to rise. But if my description doesn’t match your current experience, you may be out of sync with cosmic rhythms. And if that’s the case, please take emergency measures. Escape to a sanctuary where you can shed your worries and inhibitions and maybe even your clothes. Get drunk on undulating music as you dance yourself into a dreamy love revelry. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Life never gives you anything that’s all bad or all good.” So proclaimed the smartest Aquarian 6-year-old girl I know as we kicked a big orange ball around a playground. I agreed with her! “Twenty years from now,” I told her, “I’m going to remind you that you told me this heartful truth.” I didn’t tell her the corollary that I’d add to her axiom, but I’ll share it with you: If anything or anyone or seems to be all bad or all good, you’re probably not seeing the big picture. There are exceptions, however! For example, I bet you will soon experience or are already experiencing a graceful stroke of fate that’s very close to being all good. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Enodation” is an old, nearly obsolete English word that refers to the act of untying a knot or solving a knotty problem. “Enodous” means “free of knots.” Let’s make these your celebratory words of power for the month of May, Pisces. Speak them out loud every now and then. Invoke them as holy chants and potent prayers leading you to discover the precise magic that will untangle the kinks and snarls you most need to untangle.

TVS is HIRING! TVS is hiring! Open positions include Production Worker, 3rd Shift Supervisor, and Material Handler. TVS offers medical and dental benefits, 401k, PTO, and short term disability plans to all full time employees. Please see website at www. tvsinc.org for more details and application process.

ADMINISTRATIVE/ OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT We are looking for a responsible Administrative Assistant to perform a variety of bookkeeping and clerical tasks in our Asheville, NC gallery. The Administrative Assistant will be expected to provide support to our managers and employees in daily office needs and in handling general administrative activities. • Ideal Administrative Assistants will be expected to have strong interpersonal skills, a sound understanding of accounting, an ability to think on their feet. An understanding of the Microsoft Office Suite and strong typing/transcription skills are required. Full Time. 401(k), health, and retirement benefits. Applicants who call or show up in person will not be considered. Send resume to: silvia@brunkauctions.com

SALES/ MARKETING SALES PERSONNEL NEEDED FOR SALES OFFICE Sales Personnel needed for busy sales office. The position is full-time and prior sales experience is not required as the applicant will be trained for the position. Applicant must be available to work until 6:00 pm, as well as Saturday from 10 am - 2:00 pm. Sales representative applicant is expected to present a friendly, outgoing, energetic attitude to customers both in-person and on the telephone. Applicant must be self-motivating, computer literate, great at multitasking as well as being able to perform basic office tasks and be a team player. Applicant must be at least 19 years of age and have a Valid North Carolina Driver's License. Applicant should apply in person at 1473 Patton Avenue, Asheville between the hours of 10:30 am - 5 pm MondayFriday or call 828-258-8085.

RESTAURANT/ FOOD COOKS • DISHWASHERS (BILTMORE VILLAGE) Ruth's Chris Steakhouse seeking Cooks and Dishwashers (Biltmore Village) compensation: 10.50 dish 12-15.00 cooks email resume to prepak@ rcbiltmore.com KITCHEN COOK • THE WILLOWS AT RED OAK RECOVERY Wages: $15-16/hr DOE Full-time with benefits. Hours: Daytime Hours, Some Weekends Responsibilities: • Responsible for meal preparation • Provides general support for daily food service operations • Requirements: • Food Service Experience • Servsafe Certified. To apply: Visit www.RedOakRecovery. com/employment

LINE COOKS - SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Taproom & Restaurant has

openings for experienced full and part-time Line Cooks. These positions start at $14/ hr. plus benefits. Please visit our website: http://www. sierranevada.com/careers to learn more and apply!

MEDICAL/ HEALTH CARE WILDERNESS THERAPY PROGRAM • FAMILY THERAPIST Trails Carolina is seeking a Licensed Family Therapist to work within our program that has helped hundreds of families since 2008. If you have ever wanted to challenge yourself and make a lasting impact on the lives of adolescents and teens, now is your chance. We offer competitive pay and benefits and have immediate openings within our program. As a Family Therapist, you will work alongside primary therapists to develop a systemic treatment plan for family support and family therapy that works directly in-line with the treatment goals of the adolescent during their wilderness treatment. Also, you will support the family services program in development and implementation of family services within and outside of the Trails wilderness program. You will be working alongside some of the most dedicated professionals in Wilderness Therapy treatment programs and will gain invaluable knowledge and experience in this field. Qualifications include three to five years experience in the Mental Health Therapy field; LCSW, LPC, LMHC, MFT, LCAS or similar state board approved license; Licensed in North Carolina or eligible for licensing in North Carolina; How to apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Jenevieve Rollins at jrollins@ trailscarolina.com Please make sure to include references. Thank you for your interest!

HUMAN SERVICES CAMP RUACH SUMMER COUNSELOR Camp Ruach Counselors share in the JCC’s commitment to high quality programs while maintaining excellent customer service. A Camp Ruach Counselor leads children in age-appropriate recreational activities. Please contact seth@jcc-asheville. org for info. DIRECTOR • FAMILY VISITATION PROGRAM The Mediation Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, seeks a director for the Family Visitation Program which provides supervised visitation and safe child exchange. For job description and application instructions, visit www.mediatewnc. org/jobs DISABILITIES SERVICES ASSISTANT Community Action Opportunities (CAO) is seeking a Disabilities Services Assistant. The ideal candidate will have experience working with families of pre-school children and coordinating services with community agencies, service providers and other program employees. • The position also provides staff training and technical assistance in the child outcome domain of Social Emotional Development and School Readiness. • Compensation: $15.50 to 17.25 per hour, DOQ, plus competitive benefits including 401(k). EOE and DFWP Visit communityactionopportunities.org/openings for full job description and application requirements. • Application deadline 05/18/2018.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER CASE MANAGER Helpmate, Inc., a domestic violence agency in Asheville, seeks a full time Shelter Case Manager to support survivors of domestic violence during evening, overnight and weekend hours. The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide support, service coordination and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence in a shelter setting and on the hotline. Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills are required. The qualified candidate will have a bachelor’s degree or 2 years’ experience in the social work field. This position is a non-exempt hourly position. Spanish fluency is desired and incentivized in pay. Diverse candidates encouraged to apply. Email resume and cover letter to HelpmateAsheville@ gmail.com with “Shelter Case Manager” in the subject line. helpmateonline. org FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATE Asheville, NC. Community Action Opportunities (CAO) is seeking a Family Service Associate. The ideal candidate will have experience working with families of pre-school children and can facilitate family engagement in their child’s development and school readiness activities. Compensation: $15.55/hour plus competitive benefits including 401(k). EOE and DFWP Visit http://www.communityactionopportunities.org/ openings.html for full job description and application requirements. Application deadline 05/11/2018. MENTORS • MONTFORD HALL Hiring adventurous, thoughtful role models for teenage boys in recovery. Mentors run groups, lead exercise/adventures, and coach students through crisis. Visit our website for full description. 21+, Experience required. jpotter-bowers@ montfordhallschool.org

POLICE DISPATCH/COMMUNICATIONS A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a part-time position Campus Police Dispatch / Communications (Extended to 4/27/18). For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin.com/ postings/4791

Visit communityactionopportunities.org/openings. html for full job description and application requirements. Application deadline 05/08/2018.

PROFESSIONAL/ MANAGEMENT HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM ANALYST The City of Asheville: full-time Homelessness Program Analyst. Coordinate staff, work with agencies and community partners in homeless prevention, community education, planning, coordination of programs. Online Application at www.ashevillenc.gov/jobs.

TEACHING/ EDUCATION 5TH GRADE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER ArtSpace Charter School, a K-8 public school located near Asheville, North Carolina is seeking a full-time 5th grade Math and Science Teacher beginning August, 2018. Applicants must have a current North Carolina teaching license in Elementary Education. Previous experience as a lead teacher is highly preferred. Candidate must be willing to work in a collaborative, integrated, experiential environment. Knowledge of the arts and arts integration strategies is preferred, but not required. Please send resumes and cover letters to: resumes@artspacecharter.org with the subject heading “5th grade Math/ Science Teacher”. 6TH GRADE MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER ArtSpace Charter School, a K-8 public school located near Asheville, North Carolina is seeking a full-time 6th grade Math and Science Teacher beginning August, 2018. Applicants Must have a current North Carolina teaching license in Elementary Education or Middle School Certification in Math. Previous experience as a lead teacher is highly preferred. Candidate must be willing to work in a collaborative, integrated, experiential environment. Knowledge of the arts and arts integration strategies is preferred, but not required. • Please send resumes and cover letters to: resumes@ artspacecharter.org with the subject heading “6th grade Math/Science Teacher”.

POLICE I A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a part-time position Police I (Extended to 4/27/18). For more details and to apply: https://abtcc.peopleadmin. com/postings/4792

ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR A-B Tech is currently taking applications for an Adjunct Instructor, Medical Laboratory Technology Blood Bank (Extended to 4/30/18). For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin. com/postings/4807

SELF SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM MANAGER Community Action Opportunities (CAO). CAO is seeking a Self-Sufficiency Program Manager. The ideal candidate is an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is ready to spearhead day-to-day case management operations. Compensation is $52,042 to $61,000 annually (DOQ) plus competitive benefits including 401(k). EOE and DFWP.

CHAIR • FIRE PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a Full-Time position Chair, Fire Protection Technology. For more details and to apply: abtcc.peopleadmin. com/postings/4810

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN TEACHER ArtSpace Charter School, a K-8 public school located in Asheville, NC, is seeking a full-time Exceptional Children Teacher beginning August 2018. Candidates must have current NC licensure in Special Education and at least one year’s experience teaching special education. Candidate must be willing to work in a collaborative, integrated, experiential environment. Knowledge of the arts and arts integration strategies is preferred, but not required. Send email cover letters and resumes to: resumes@artspacecharter.org email Subject Heading: “EC Teacher.” EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ArtSpace Charter School in Swannanoa, NC seeks an Executive Director who will advance the school’s vision as a national benchmark in educational excellence through an integrated K-8 curriculum utilizing the visual and performing arts. The ED will shape and strengthen ArtSpace’s culture of collaboration between staff, faculty, students, parents, board, and surrounding community. For application requirements please visit http://www.artspacecharter.org/engage/employment/

TEACHERS WANTED Shining Rock Classical Academy, a public K-8 charter school in Waynesville, NC is seeking innovative and highly qualified licensed teachers for the 2018-2019 school year. Interested applicants should forward a cover letter, resume, copy of NC DPI teaching license, and three references to: jobs@ shiningrock.org.

CAREGIVERS/ NANNY EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER For elderly woman with dementia. Start immediately, $22/hour, 3 hours/day, flexible schedule. Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send an email to: crystalmartins752@gmail. com

CAREER TRAINING AIRLINE CAREERS Begin here – Get started by training as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 800-725-1563 (AAN CAN)

COMPUTER/ TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Administrative Assistant Full Time/Telecommute, digital marketing strategies, proof content, Meticulous Person Generate Reports. Office 365. goodjobsyes@gmail.com

XCHANGE YARD SALES BILTMORE PARK COMMUNITY YARD SALE SPRING IS HERE! Sat. May 5, 8 am - noon.• Don't miss this now

famous sale! Huge variety including antiques, household items, clothing, holiday decor and gift items, furniture, toys, sports and exercise equipment, and much, much more! • I-26, exit 37 (Long Shoals Road), turn between McDonald's and CVS. Look for balloons on mailboxes at participating homes! MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 7:30a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department (1 Charles A Lytle Ln, Asheville, NC 28803). Electronics, Clothing, Furniture, Antiques, Household items.

SERVICES COMPUTER HUGHESNET SATELLITE INTERNET 25mbps starting at $49.99/month! Fast download speeds. WiFi built in! Free Standard Installation for lease customers! Limited time. Call 1-800490-4140. (AAN CAN)

LEGAL DENIED CREDIT? Work to repair your credit report with the trusted leader in credit repair. Call Lexington Law for a Free credit report summary and credit repair consultation. 855-620-9426. John C. Heath, Attorney at Law, PLLC, dba Lexington Law Firm. (AAN CAN)

HOME IMPROVEMENT CONSTRUCTION MOUNTAIN GOAT CONSTRUCTION Nicholas Clement Owner/Operator. 828289-0771. MountainGoatConstructionLLC@gmail. com SWABEY BUILT, CUSTOM FINISH CARPENTRY Swabey Built specializes in custom finish carpentry. Flooring, decking, cabinets, doors, trim and wood paneling. Fast, Friendly and Excellent work. Call: 970-846-2540 Email: swabeybuilt@gmail.com. Website: www.swabeybuilt. com.

GENERAL SERVICES DRIVEWAY SEAL COATING Protects pavement and beautifies. Hand applied commercial grade sealer. Also: Painting • Powerwashing • Top quality work • Low prices • Free estimate • 30+ years experience. Call Mark: (828) 299-0447.

HEATING & COOLING MAYBERRY HEATING AND COOLING Oil and Gas Furnaces • Heat Pumps and AC • • Radiant Floor Heating • • Solar Hot Water • Sales • Service • Installation. • Visa • MC • Discover. Call (828) 658-9145.

HOME IMPROVEMENT HIRE A HUSBAND • HANDYMAN SERVICES Since 1993. Multiple skill sets. Reliable, trustworthy, quality results. Insured. References and estimates available. Stephen Houpis, (828) 280-2254.

T HE N E W Y O R K T IM E S CR O S S W O R D P U Z Z L E

ACROSS

1 Cloths used to collect dust 5 ___ elephant 10 Habitat for a trout 14 Org. with a Grand Esteemed Loyal Knight 15 Creation from a kit 17 Part of Iran that can get quite hot 19 Novelist Wilson who wrote “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” 20 Popular early 2000s R&B artist 21 Aziz of “Observe and Report” 23 Org. to call for a jumpstart 26 German dissent 27 Suddenly showed interest 30 Shape for a locket 31 Scent 32 Israeli region that includes Eilat 34 Band engagement 35 2008 Olympic men’s tennis gold medalist 40 Air passenger’s request 42 Bull’s-eye, for Target 43 Didn’t speak of, as a touchy subject 48 Game similar to baccarat ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS LUNG CANCER? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. Call 844-8987142 for Information. No Risk. No Money Out Of Pocket. (AAN CAN) NOTICE OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY The following is a list of unclaimed and confiscated property at the Asheville Police Department: electronic equipment; cameras; clothing; lawn and garden equipment; personal items; tools; weapons (including firearms): jewelry: automotive items; building supplies; bikes and other miscellaneous items. Anyone with a legitimate claim or interest in this property has 30 days from the date of this publication to make a claim. Unclaimed items will be disposed of according to statutory law. For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property and Evidence Section, 828-232-4576. UNCLAIMED FIREARMS The following is a list of unclaimed firearms currently in the possession of the Asheville Police Department: Silver/Brown Raven Arms .25 1168950, Gray/Black Jimenez Arms 9MM 011152, Chrome/Brown Raven Arms .25 1370481, Black/White Unknown .22 130670, Black Mossberg 410G P704969, Green/Black Remington 12G D227426M, Black Mossberg 12G R395853, Black/Brown Remington 12G X287559M, Black Mossberg 12G R951760, Brown/Rusted Savage Arms

edited by Will Shortz

9 Nascar Hall-of-Famer Jarrett 10 Shedding, as weight 11 “The Story of ___” (1975 film by Truffaut) 12 “The Muppet Show” host 13 Singer John who was born Reginald Dwight 16 Sitcom cook who said “Stow it!” 18 Matador’s opponent 21 “Chacun ___ goût” 22 Basilica part 23 Ballplayer Rich who started and ended his 15-year career as a Giant 24 Farthest point in an orbit DOWN 25 Pitcher’s asset 1 “Notorious ___” (best 28 Retouches after a fly seller about a member ball is caught of the Supreme Court) 29 McKellen of 2 First full month of “The Hobbit” D.S.T. 33 Distillery sight 3 Attends without an 36 Soprano Licia who escort performed hundreds of 4 Like something that times at the Met can be closed tight 37 Something in a simile 5 Lash out at that’s dead beyond doubt 6 Digitize, as a document 38 Fever fit 7 Suffix with president 39 Quite a bit 8 No. of concern in a 41 Figs. on a StanfordBinet test cockpit

No. 0328

49 Health resort 50 Catches in a net 51 Chicago airport 53 Rimes with the 2002 hit “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” 54 “Finally, though as important …” 60 Supports for a lower joint 61 ___ qua non (essential element) 62 Psychoanalysis appt. 63 “Like ___, all tears”: Hamlet 64 Fashion magazine that can be read from back to front?

16G P521309, Black Rossi .22 IZ11659, Silver/Black Smith & Wesson .38 DCX4486, Black Connecticut Valley Arms .45 U11315005202, Black Springfield Armory 9MM XD259829, Black HI-Point 9MM A56783, Brown/Black Sears 12G P297754, Brown/Black New England Firearms .410G NP373726, Black Mossberg 12G MV95105J, Brown/Black Mossberg 12G AT170977, Brown Unknown 12G 15933, Black/Brown R.F.I. 7.62MM Z4017, Black/Brown MAADI 7.62x39 AC0062295, Black/ Brown New England Firearms 12G NG321616, Black Mossberg 12G P448922, Brown/ Black Unknown 12G 63587, Silver/Black North American Arms .22 R15403, Black Rohm .22 136673, Black SCCY 9MM 056001, Silver/Black Ruger .22 21152556, Black Armi Tanfoglio .25 087662, Silver/Black Raven Arms .25 1149170, Black/Brown RG .22 L700708, Black Smith & Wesson .38 J867902, Silver/ Black Smith & Wesson .38 R305030, Black HI-Point 9MM P1566081, Black Taurus .45 NHN92340, Black Unknown 7.62x25 197973, Black/ Gray PIC .25 119066, Silver/ Brown Smith & Wesson .38 ADK6871, Silver/Tan Gedaco .22 51764, Black/Brown Smith & Wesson .38 J857533, Black Smith & Wesson .38 D529836, Silver/Tan Phoenix Arms .25 3141859, Silver/Black Smith & Wesson .40 DVJ7426, Silver North American Arms .22 G38635, Black/Brown Taurus .22 ANA22532, Black GLOCK .40 BDU613US, Gray/Black Bryco Arms .380 1605254, Yellow/Black Smith & Wesson .38 457916, Black/Brown Cal West Co. .22 528722 • Anyone with a legitimate claim or interest in this property must

contact the Asheville Police Department within 30 days from the date of this publication. • Any items not claimed within 30 days will be disposed of according in accordance with all applicable laws. • For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property and Evidence Section at 828-232-4576. WANTED: PORSCHE 911 Seeking to buy any Air-Cooled Porsche in any condition, running or not running. I live in the Knoxville TN area, but am a serious buyer. • Please call Jason: 865-621-4012.

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT BODYWORK $60 TWO-HOUR MASSAGE AT YOUR HOME Please check out my FaceBook page[Transformational Massage Therapy through Frank Solomon Connelly:LMBT#10886] for information. Practicing professionally since December 2003. (828) 7072983. Creator_of_Joy@ Hotmail.com.

COUNSELING SERVICES

POSITIVE HYPNOSIS | EFT | NLP Michelle Payton, M.A., D.C.H., Author | 828-681-1728

PUZZLE BY PETER GORDON

43 Rabbi Meir who served in the Knesset 44 Gets the lead out? 45 Doors, in Brest 46 African pest 47 Fussy to a fault

| www.MichellePayton.com | Michelle’s Mind Over Matter Solutions include: Hypnosis, Self-Hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique, NeuroLinguistic Programming, Acupressure Hypnosis, Past Life Regression. Find Michelle’s books, educational audio and videos, sessions and workshops on her website.

48 Final word in a 57 Cpl. or sgt. Porky Pig short 58 Fall ’75 TV debut 52 Tidal retreat 59 End of each word 53 Leopold’s 1924 in 17-, 27-, 43- and co-defendant 54-Across — as 55 Caterer’s coffeepot well as every clue 56 Red snapper, at a (and that’s a fact!) sushi restaurant ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE

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