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DIGITAL DISCONNECT Buncombe’s rural residents get left behind
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Digital disconnect Like 40 percent of their fellow Americans, many rural residents in the Sandy Mush area of Buncombe County don’t have access to highspeed Internet. Xpress takes a look at the digital divide. cover design Anna Whitley photo by Pat Barcas
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Celebrate Mother’s Day with kindness to all mothers This Mother’s Day, let’s reflect on the largest population of mothers in our country: the many billions of female cows, chickens, pigs and other animals on our farms. How do they rank as moms? Wonderfully! Maimonides, the 12th-century Jewish philosopher, wrote that the love between a mother animal and her young is not different from a human mother to her child. Many other great thinkers over the ages have discerned this. Charles Darwin, for example, wrote, “There is no fundamental difference between man and animals in their ability to feel pleasure and pain, happiness and misery.” Take mother hens, for example. They speak to their chicks even before they are hatched, with the mother clucking softly and the chicks peeping back from inside their shell. An expectant chicken plucks a bald spot on her belly so she can warm the eggs and chicks once they’ve hatched. In fact, chickens are such devoted mamas that they often adopt orphans of other species like kittens, puppies and bunnies. Turkey hens, too, are devoted mothers who are fiercely protective
of their young and will risk their lives to save them. Pigs in the wild live in groups of two to six sows and their young. If the other mothers are also nursing, mother pigs may share caretaking and even nurse one another’s babies, so that foraging sows have more time to find food. Female goats are patient, highly nurturing mothers and therefore are often used to foster orphaned or rejected lambs, calves, horses and mules. Cows naturally nurse their babies for up to three years, and the strong bond between mothers and their offspring last long after the calves have matured. Cows love affection and grieve the loss of their loved ones. Both mothers and their newborn calves may cry pitifully when separated; the heart-rending cries of mothers have been known to last five days. These are just a few short examples of the mothering behavior of farmed animals, who are some of the best mamas in the animal world. Let’s honor these noble mothers this Sunday and every day by dining compassionately and leaving meat, dairy and eggs off of our plates. Asheville is richly endowed with restaurants for every taste and pocketbook where you can eat a vegan (plant-based) meal, from the fine dining at Plant restaurant (165 Merrimon Ave.), to down-home
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Southern cooking at Bean Vegan Cuisine (2145-A Hendersonville Road, Arden), to raw and 100-percent organic delights at Elements (233 S. Liberty St.), plus two vegetarian (primarily vegan) mainstays in the Asheville restaurant scene, both downtown: Laughing Seed Café (40 Wall St.) and Rosetta’s Kitchen (116 N. Lexington Ave.). In addition, if you’d like to meet some of these mothers and other wonderful animals living out full and natural lives, Western North Carolina is rich with sanctuaries: Animal Haven of Asheville (http:// avl.mx/0w2), Goat Mountain Ranch Sanctuary in Leicester (http:// avl.mx/0w1), Full Circle Farm Sanctuary in Weaverville (http://avl. mx/0w3), and the Chicken Rescue and Sanctuary [in Hendersonville] (http://avl.mx/0w4) also featured recently in the Mountain Xpress [“Don’t Chicken Out: How to Responsibly Care for Your Backyard
cartoon bY brent brown
Chickens,” April 29] (http://avl. mx/0w5). (Be sure to contact the sanctuary before visiting.) Oh, that all mothers could be honored and blessed this Mother’s Day! — Cynthia Sampson Asheville
Where was the city planning for Merrimon Avenue? This is in response to the article on “Merrimon madness” in the April 22 edition of the Xpress [“Merrimon Madness: Addressing Safety Risks Along Asheville’s Major Roadways”]. I must admit, when I saw the headline for this article, I was happy that someone took the time to write about this major “elephant” in Asheville’s living room — the poor city planning that’s caused so much resulting traffic problems. While the article’s focus was on “pedestrian safety,” it at least attempted to take a step at raising the issue. Yes, pedestrian safety is certainly an issue on Merrimon. But so is the safety of people driving their cars! When I moved to Asheville just three years ago — before Trader Joe’s, before Harris Teeter — I thought Merrimon traffic was
already on the brink of being reasonable for safety. But then comes not just one (Harris Teeter) but two (Trader Joe’s) large, commercial stores within the same area of space on an already maxed-out road that was not constructed to handle megacommercial traffic. My thought was, “Is there any city planning in Asheville?” and if so, what exactly is their definition of “planning” a workable and safe city? With the influx of new people moving here, and the tiny roads of the city that were not designed for this degree of commercial traffic of large stores — yet the “planner” apparently cares more about the commercial buck than any kind of safety for drivers and pedestrians. As I watch so much of the lovely spaces in the town getting filled in by new, large buildings and saying goodbye to the view of the sky, it is an easy math in my head to foresee the continuing increase in future traffic problems that will ensue. I can do that without having any kind of formal training in city planning. So where is our supposed “expert” and have they been on terminal vacation for the past three years? As Asheville citizens
care about going green, the environment and maintaining a small-town environment, it seems our city planners (do we have any?) have their priorities on the exact opposite of the spectrum. Simply put, their idea of green seems to be simply: money. Very sad. — Gin Oman Asheville
correction The boys pictured in the above photo from our March 4 issue were inadvertently misidentified. Thanks to help from Asheville Middle School Principal Cynthia Sellinger, we can now report that Deandre Spencer, left, strikes a pose with William Sanders, right. The boys had been taking part in a FEAST pie fundraising event at AMS.
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OPINION
by Pat Kelly
Smoke and mirrors Big Tobacco smokes Warren Wilson College When I was in college back in 1969, we could smoke in class, and when I later started working in a medical research lab, we could smoke there too, even while handling blood and urine samples. We smoked on airplanes and in hospital rooms, at the bank and in movie theaters and courtrooms. Doctors were once prominently featured in cigarette ads, touting the alleged benefits of a smoke. We lit up anywhere, anytime, and the human and economic impact was deadly stupid. Today, that dumb, tobaccofriendly world is (mostly) long gone, and I much prefer what replaced it — except, that is, when I visit Warren Wilson College’s gorgeous campus. I love hiking the valleys and creeks, attending student theater, buying eggs from the student-farm market, contra dancing in the gym, and taking my granddaughters to the barnyard to see the piglets and livestock being tended by students. The college takes rightful pride in its innovative and progressive approach to education. Students get a liberal arts education combined with real-life experience in problem-solving and a strong tradition of civic engagement and social justice advocacy. But there’s one deadly tradition on that beautiful campus that neither the students nor the college is taking seriously. The smoking huts, the bridge across the road, the hiking trails and walkways are filled with smokers — because Warren Wilson has cultivated a tobacco-friendly culture. As a result, the school has one of the highest rates of tobacco use of any campus in the country. Last year, Warren Wilson student Katie Pannier presented her capstone project — “An Epidemiological Exploration of Tobacco Smoking on the Warren Wilson College Campus” — to the board of trustees. “Thirty-day tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking prevalence at Warren Wilson College — 40 perent — far surpasses the national average.
prevalence at Warren Wilson College (40 percent) far surpasses the national average for full-time college students (12.5 percent) and college-aged nonstudents (25.9 percent) (Johnston, 2013),” Pannier reported. “It is recommended that the college provide a supportive environment and resources for new student smokers who want to quit. A campaign against tobacco-smoking initiation, especially among freshmen, could also be beneficial.” Pannier was clearly telling the trustees that the tobaccofriendly campus is helping convert nonsmokers into smokers. Meanwhile, student smokers have successfully resisted efforts over the past decade or more to reduce tobacco use and exposure on campus. Warren Wilson aims to encourage young people to work, learn and live in a healthy environment, sublimating instant gratification and ego and recognizing others’ interests. And like getting obnoxiously drunk or stoned, carrying a concealed weapon, playing loud music late at night, or bullying, tobacco use hinders healthy community life. Increasingly, American colleges and universities are opting to create healthy living and working environments. The Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing predicts that nearly all U.S. campuses will be smoke-free in 10 years. We all know tobacco’s harmful effects. Up to 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths are directly related to smoking tobacco, and “There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said in 2006. Those
words are equally applicable now. Today’s college students are tomorrow’s leaders; colleges should strive to educate them as social beings armed with emotional intelligence. Studies have shown that smoking affects cognitive function, including memory. Subsequently, smoking can disqualify graduates from job opportunities, while increasing their health risks and health insurance costs. Warren Wilson students have an outstanding reputation for environmental leadership and community service; why not take on the tobacco companies? In the highly successful Truth campaign, teens and young adults have emphasized facts to substantially reduce tobacco use among high school- and college-aged students — the group the industry targets as replacement smokers. But whatever course Warren Wilson chooses, it won’t be easy. In North Carolina, tobacco farming remains an important cultural influence, and the highly profitable industry has strong ties to state legislators and the economy. A recent report by the Institute for Southern Studies listed Reynolds American Inc., which owns R.J. Reynolds and other brands, among the top Tar Heel power brokers, based on lobbying power and spending in statelevel elections. Meanwhile, at just 45 cents a pack, North Carolina ranks 45th in state cigarette taxes, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The industry spends an estimated $392.2 million annually marketing tobacco in North Carolina, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit reports. Clearly, state lawmakers won’t be much help. According to NC Policy Watch, North Carolina
ranks 47th in spending on antismoking programs, down from $17 million in 2011 to just $1.2 million under the new Republican House and Senate majorities. That sharp decline in funding plus the low cost of cigarettes makes stopping new smokers or getting anyone to quit an uphill battle. Still, Warren Wilson has a powerful, untapped resource: students and alumni like Katie Pannier and Kaitlyn Waters, who published a photo essay last year called “The Allure of the Smoking Hut” in The Echo, the student newspaper. “Why would a student body so otherwise concerned about eating organically and being active be engaged with something so deadly?” asked Waters, blaming the problem on “the smoking culture on campus.” Pannier’s paper won a Derieux Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research from the N.C. Academy of Science, and Warren Wilson touted her success. So on May 31, the World Health Organization’s World No Tobacco Day, I hope students, faculty and staff will stand together with student leaders like Pannier and Waters and the more than 1,500 smoke-free campuses nationwide. A-B Tech, Montreat College, UNC Asheville and South College have already implemented such policies with help from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and the NC Tobacco-Free Colleges Initiative. Warren Wilson could also join the campaign demanding accountability for the state’s share of the 1998 tobacco settlement (about $4.6 billion over 25 years). That money is supposed to be used to address the health and financial toll of tobacco use, not diverted into the general fund. Warren Wilson should make its campus tobacco-free, provide tobacco-cessation services and help student leaders fight Big Tobacco. You can help by signing the N.C. Alliance for Health’s petition to increase the state’s cigarette tax by at least $1 a pack (ncallianceforhealth.org/Excise-TaxResolution.aspx). X
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N E W S
Digital disconnect Buncombe rural residents get left behind
bY cameron huntLeY
cameron.huntley1@gmail.com
sarah sanders stands in her driveway, outside the remodeled 19th -century log cabin where she lives with her partner, allison, and Allison’s two children. The home sits just off the Leicester Highway in Sandy Mush, an unincorporated swath of hills, fields and forests straddling Buncombe and Madison counties. Across the road, a cylindrical white-and-orange post with a domed top indicates that a broadband (high-speed) Internet line is buried underneath. But that line doesn’t service her home or those of most of her neighbors. “Did you see it when you came in?” asks Sanders. “It’s like it’s just sitting there, mocking us.” Like 40 percent of rural U.S. households, Sanders can’t get service that meets the Federal Communications Commission’s current definition of broadband. In January, the FCC jacked up its minimum standards from 4 megabits per second to 25 Mbps for downloads, and from 1 Mbps to 3 for uploads. The line that runs by Sanders’ house, which offers top speeds at least closer to those new standards, serves Whisper Mountain, a gated, greenbuilt community set amid hundreds of acres of forest. But for complex technical and economic reasons, compounded by a grab bag of often conflicting government programs and nonprofit initiatives, Sanders and her neighbors can’t plug in. They do have options for Internet service. HughesNet, a satellite service, provides download speeds of up to 15 Mbps, but it can be expensive and unreliable, says customer jim metzger. There’s also dial-up service via land-based telephone lines, at less than 1 Mbps, and wireless options
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such as Internet via cellphone services, which residents say are essentially unworkable, in practice. The French Broad Electric Membership Corp. offers speeds up to 3 Mbps via a delivery system called Broadband over Power Lines, which many had hoped would help span what’s been called the “last mile” in bringing the 21st century to rural Americans’ doorsteps. But French Broad Electric — a cooperative that serves as the local power company for some 38,000 residents of Buncombe, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties in North Carolina, plus some in east Tennessee — can no longer get the parts needed to maintain its BPL service, which will shut down in June. The only other choice is to drive to the Leicester branch library, which is served by a high-speed line on the state-sponsored North Carolina Research & Education Network. Meanwhile, across much of the industrialized world, fiber-optic lines
connections: Forty percent of rural U.S. households can’t get high-speed Internet. Initiatives such as the Education and Research Consortium and a public-private partnership in Yancey County aim to change that. Pictured: ERC director Hunter Goosman. Photos by Pat Barcas
deliver speeds of 100 Mbps or more. As of February 2013, though, a mere 20 percent of U.S. households — mainly in areas served by Google, large urban areas or municipalities that have their own network — could access fiber-opticbased Internet, compared with 86 percent of people in Japan and 66 percent of South Koreans. Copper lines can approach fiber-optic speeds but have limited capacity for expanding service.
And in an age when Internet access is as embedded in our everyday lives as running water and electricity, not having it is “a huge disadvantage,” says Sandy Mush resident susan merrill. parts of the probLem Ironically, the rapid pace of technological change also contributes to the problem: The FCC’s revised standards meant that, overnight, far fewer rural households had access to what was now considered broadband. Meanwhile, federally funded programs to expand that access have spent millions on technology that’s already obsolete. In 2010, for example, French Broad Electric leveraged more than $1.7 million in federal funds and “invested in the BPL technology … to provide high-speed Internet service to a few of our members who had no other service,” says General
digitaL pipeLine: A highspeed, fiber-optics line goes past many residents in the Sandy Mush area of Buncombe County, but they’re not linked in.
Manager jeff Loven. “It was the only technology available at that time that could provide adequate speed at a reasonable cost.” BPL piggybacks data transmission over existing power lines, but the speed is limited, and there are problems with connection quality. Theoretically, the download speed was close to the FCC’s minimum standard back then, though Metzger says, “I never once connected at [3 Mbps].” He’d switched to BPL after having problems with HughesNet, but when efforts to improve his connection failed, he went back to the satellite service, which he says is faster if often less reliable. And jess mund, a Sandy Mush resident who still has BPL, says it’s “usually not fast enough to stream a video. Sometimes if nobody else is online you can, but if you have multiple users online, there’s no way.” “The technology was far from perfect,” acknowledges Loven. “It was very susceptible to ‘noise’ [on the lines] and required our crews to change insulators and transformers in several areas. There were times when the signal would degrade and service was slow.” Still, says Merrill, “BPL was a vast improvement.” Before that, she explains, “We just had dial-up, and it was horrible. … We were going back and forth to the library so the kids could do their schoolwork.”
If BPL had caught on in the U.S., technological improvements might have followed, but that didn’t happen. After the last remaining U.S. hardware supplier went under in 2012, French Broad Electric bought up much of the defunct company’s surplus stock, but the service’s days were clearly numbered. When Mund and her family moved to Sandy Mush in February 2014, she may have been the last co-op customer to sign up for BPL. “I think they had this one last [modem] they dug out of storage somewhere,” she jokes. In January, notes Loven, “We … sent notification letters to each of our customers explaining the situation. We wanted to give them plenty of advance notice so they could find another Internet provider.” But are there any that meet 21stcentury standards? “I asked if there was another service provider,” says Sanders. “They said to call Frontier [Communications Corp.]. Frontier told me they don’t service this area; AT&T does. So I called AT&T. AT&T told me they don’t service this area; Frontier does.” off the map “It feels weird to be in the United States and there are [developing] countries that have better Internet access,” says Sanders. “We’re in this weird zone, because we live in Madison but our address is Buncombe County. But we haven’t really been able to communicate that with anyone, because we actually haven’t been able to get in touch with a person that’s not in a call center.” Service providers, says Mund, are “basically still telling us we’re not anywhere on the map.” Yet the highspeed highway runs right across the road from Sanders’ house. Around 2008, says Merrill, “All of the sudden, they started all this construction on Leicester Highway.
continues on page 12
Yancey, Mitchell roll out fastest countywide Internet in N.C.
digitaL pipeLine: A high-speed, fiber-optics line goes past many residents in the Sandy Mush area of Buncombe County, but they’re not linked in.
While residents of Sandy Mush in northwest Buncombe County can’t get on the high-speed digital highway at all, nearly 100 percent of their neighbors in Yancey County can get up to 100 megabit-per-second Internet directly to their homes, and the service is now being extended to the adjacent Mitchell County. A five-year, $25.2 million project has put these areas squarely on the map, giving businesses and residents the fastest countywide service in the state, according to North Carolina’s Office of Digital Infrastructure. Asked what made the innovative project possible, given the challenges these rural areas typically face, wanda proffitt says, “I call it teamwork.” Proffitt, the director of Yancey County’s Economic Development Commission, attributes the project’s success to the vision of Yancey native ray miller. He founded Country Cablevision, based in the county’s remote Pensacola community, Proffitt explains. Miller, who’s developed many digital companies around the country, “saw the future and wanted to bring it to his hometown and community,” she says. A 2009 task force helped pull Miller’s idea together and led to Country Cablevision teaming up with the EDC, the local chamber of commerce, Burnsville town leaders and others. Through that partnership, the project got federal stimulus funding via the Broadband Initiatives Program: an $18.6 million grant and a $6.6 million loan to the cable company. “There’s no way a private company could do it alone,” says Proffitt, likening to project to the federal programs that got electricity and phone service to rural Americans decades earlier. The new service, which got rolling in March of 2014, connects schools, libraries, local government offices, businesses and residents. Yancey County’s new tech center, for example, has 100 Mbps download and upload capacity — for free. Residents and businesses have a choice of various tiered commercial services. dean russell, the project manager at Country Cablevision, says the service uses state-of-the-art fiber optics and is within reach of even the most remote home or business. “If you live in Yancey or Mitchell, we will serve you,” he says. — Margaret Williams X
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the Last miLe: High-speed Internet service might be in reach for many rural residents, like Skyler Mund-Penniman, who goes to the closest public library for access — but there’s no infrastructure for covering the “last mile” to their doorsteps.
continued from page 11
And I said, ‘They’re putting in a broadband line!’ ... We were excited.” But that optimism quickly faded. “When they started doing construction,” remembers Metzger, “I asked one of the guys what was going on. He said, ’They’re putting in fiber.’ I said, ‘We’re finally getting Internet!’ And he said, ‘Nope: it’s for Whisper Mountain.’ I said, ‘You’re going to go right by my road: You can’t put a T in there?’ He said, ‘Nope.’” Whisper Mountain developer charlie ball says the gated community, whose master plan shows 89 upscale homesites, sits at the very end of AT&T’s service area. And when construction began in 2006, he pushed the utility hard to upgrade the existing copper line. Under franchise agreements, notes Ball, companies have to make periodic upgrades, but they decide on what kind of upgrade. “Their decision was whether to upgrade 6 miles of copper or put in fiber. It took a lot of doing to get it done; I had to lobby incessantly.” The problem, he continues, is that “There’s no switch between the central office [and the one at Whisper Mountain], and they only [install switches] based on demand.” The switch, however, is what enables lines to be run to individual homes, explains hunter goosmann, executive director of the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas. The nonprofit provides fiber-based services in the “middle mile” (the segment between
the core network and “last mile” providers) throughout the region. Wire-based Internet, says Goosmann, gets to a specific house from a central office. And the one serving Sandy Mush is 6 miles away, in Leicester. “The fiber goes into a fiber distribution panel, then into a switch or a router, and then it will come out of that via copper connections that go into someone’s home.” Sandy Mush residents say they’d be happy to cover the cost of installing such a switch. “We’re all sitting here with our pocketbooks open going, ‘We will pay for it!’” says Merrill. Metzger concurs, saying, “I think there’s enough people on the road that if they said, ‘It’s going to cost this amount to run the lines,’ I think most everybody would kick in their share. Unless it would be like $20,000 to do it. That’d be a different story.” doLLars and sense Running 6 miles of overhead fiberoptics lines might cost $250,000, says Goosmann. But underground lines like the one on Leicester Highway are another story. “Here in the mountains, if you kick the topsoil, it’s very likely you’re going to find granite, [which] easily adds another $100,000 to $200,000,” he notes. Still, fiber has many advantages over copper lines, especially over long distances, Goosmann
explains. It’s more durable; it can be bent and roped around corners; it can handle much more capacity at a higher speed; its signal doesn’t degrade as quickly; and, properly insulated, there’s almost no noise or interference. But the upfront cost is greater, due largely to the material itself. The “fibers” are actually strands of glass, and the information they carry is in the form of light, unlike copper lines, which transmit electricity. Like Russian nesting dolls, fiber cables are made up of progressively smaller bundles of wires; all told, a cable may have up to 288 fiber-optic lines encased within it. “The average fiber line,” notes Goosmann, “is thinner than a human hair.” Splicing a line to service an individual home or neighborhood means cutting each one of those fibers and installing extra equipment, which could cost “hundreds or into the thousands of dollars,” he estimates. Thus, businesses are more reluctant to install access
points in sparsely populated rural areas. An end-of-theline connection like Whisper Mountain’s is more feasible, partly because it requires little to no splicing. “When you’re using fiber-optic cable, you’re sending light from one end to the other,” says Goosman. But with every connection, “That light signal gets degraded.” “I wish we could help our friends and neighbors, but there’s no way,” says Ball. “We’re grateful to have the service and would love to help anyone we could … but we’re just a user; [AT&T is] the provider.” He says he “can’t imagine” how it would be financially feasible for the company. “There’s going to be way less than 1,000 users in that 6 miles” from the Leicester central office to the last switch. “You might get 100 customers.” wireLess to the rescue? Goosmann cites two key issues in expanding access in rural areas:
“How far a house is from a central office, or is there an active point-topoint wireless service in the region?” There are some wireless options in Sandy Mush, including a service provided by the Mountain Area Information Network, an Asheville-based nonprofit. There’s also Skyrunner, whose downtown Asheville building has “about a gigabit [fiber] connection coming in,” notes company co-owner art mandler. “Then, on top of the building, we have about a dozen radios that point in various directions, and then from those we make further connections into the community.” Wireless providers buy bandwidth (delivered via a fiber connection) from providers like the Education and Research Consortium, using radio waves to give their customers Internet access. “Having a fiber cable is the most secure and dependable connection you can have,” says Mandler. “But we’re filling a particular niche, which is crossing that gap where cable doesn’t easily
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go. ... We can give them ... 10 Mbps download speed with low latency.” In addition, he notes, wireless is less prone to service interruptions, because there’s no long line that can be damaged or cut. And unlike satellite-based systems, Skyrunner’s radio equipment isn’t 30,000 feet in the atmosphere and thus is less susceptible to disruptions caused by things like bad weather. Furthermore, installation is relatively inexpensive. But there’s one big catch: Wireless Internet can be transmitted only along lines of sight. “If you can’t see us directly,” says Mandler, “then you’re really not a candidate for the service.” And that, unfortunately, is mainly case in Sandy Mush, he explains. “There are some points that could potentially be sites for broadcast, if there were a ridge that looks down on Sandy Mush that could ’see’ one of our other broadcasts, and if we had inquiries from people who live in that area. But so far it hasn’t happened.” Government’s role “It’s a challenge for these larger companies,” says Mike Romano of NTCA — The Rural Broadband Association, “because they serve big cities and smaller areas, and these smaller areas aren’t really the focus of their investment or activity.” The national organization advocates on behalf of small, community-based service providers. The federal Communications Act of 1934, which created the FCC, aimed to expand access to communications infrastructure. “In the case of electricity and telephone,” says Romano, “we had programs through the Rural Utilities Service that helped finance cooperatives and small, privately held companies in the areas that larger utilities couldn’t find a justification to serve.” French Broad Electric, for example, relied on low-interest loans from the Rural Electrification Administration, a forerunner of today’s Rural Utilities Service, to establish service to its customers. A similar effort could help expand rural Internet access today. In a Jan. 14 speech in Cedar Falls, Iowa, President Obama said that clearing away the red tape and helping communities succeed in a digital economy is one of his goals for 2015. Cedar
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Falls Utilities, a group of communityowned services, offers Internet customers speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (1,000 times faster than 1 Mbps). “Small, locally owned companies want to make the transition to broadband,” says Romano, “but for the same reasons, it’s hard to deploy. It would seem like we should be looking to the programs that have worked before — appropriately updated — rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.” Mixed results Recent efforts by various government entities, however, have been spotty and sometimes counterproductive, due to insufficient oversight and coordination. “What the FCC is doing now in areas served by larger companies is to give them an incentive,” Romano explains. “So if you serve these customers in N.C. with at least 10 [Mbps] broadband, they’ll give you this much money over a six-year period. If the company declines it, that money will essentially go up for auction. Some of the concern is if it goes to auction, people will still look for places that make the best business case rather than the entirety of the map. Some rural areas might get served, but the most unattractive become harder still to serve.” Another federal government initiative, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, has supported useful projects in N.C. and elsewhere but has also had significant problems. Part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the $4 billion program provides grants to communications, broadband and electrical companies to run wire to rural areas. About $104 million of the money went to the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, a state-initiated nonprofit, for its Golden Leaf Rural Broadband Initiative. The project helped connect universities, community colleges, hospitals, schools and libraries, including the Leicester branch. Goosmann’s Education and Research Consortium also benefited. “We got about $15 million of that,” he says, enabling the organization to extend its fiber networks in the area. Other stories, though, are not so rosy. A Feb. 11, 2013, New York Times story titled “Waste is Seen in Program to Give Internet Access to Rural U.S.” detailed cases of fraud, abuse, mismanagement and shortsighted planning in the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. In one case, an 11-student school in Agate, Colorado, received a fiber-optic Internet connection even
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though it already had two; in another, a subcontractor used part of a $12 million grant to run fiber through the neighborhoods where its employees lived. “Nationally, $594 million in spending has been temporarily or permanently halted, 14 percent of the overall program, and the Commerce Department’s inspector general has raised questions about the program’s ability to adequately monitor spending of the more than 230 grants,” the article noted. “BTOP was a particularly interesting program,” says Romano. “What it ended up being used for, in many cases, was long-haul runs of fiber where people could sell it, on profitable routes that might also happen to run through a rural area connecting some schools or libraries. … But it didn’t really connect the rest of the community. … They built fiber to a school, but they didn’t build fiber to all the houses that … the school serves.” He adds, “If you cherry-pick customers and just take the schools and libraries and leave the rest of the community, it’s going to become harder for someone to make a business case just to serve what’s left of the community.” That’s the situation facing French Broad Electric, which has been seeking alternatives to its BPL system for years with no success. “There seems to be a lot of money out there for rural Internet projects on the surface, but it’s almost impossible to get, due to the restrictions and limitations set forth in the application process,” says Loven. “We’ve applied to three different sources for funding a [fiber-to-home] project but haven’t been selected by any of them. The high-speed Internet business is risky, and in our area, where the customer density is low and other technologies are emerging overnight, a large amount of the funding has to come in the form of a grant, or there is simply too much risk.” Loven says the co-op is “still evaluating every opportunity to see if we can find a suitable replacement that’s affordable. But as of today, that option is simply not out there.” Watching the world move on Across the country, many remote mountain and rural communities are even worse off than Sandy Mush in terms of broadband access. And what’s needed, says Romano, is not just reliable financing (perhaps through the Rural Utilities Service) but also “a sufficient, predictable and sustainable support mechanism that’s aimed not only at getting networks out
there but keeping them out there.” For nearly 20 years, he continues, “The FCC has tried to find other ways of stimulating network investment in rural areas, and none has proven as widely successful as this particular combination of programs.” But if that doesn’t happen, Romano emphasizes, the key will be “reconciling all of these different existing programs to make sure they’re working well with one another. That’s what we saw with RUS and [the Universal Service Fund] in the past. … Now, everyone seems to be coming up with the ‘next big thing’ to solve the rural broadband challenge, and they’re never coordinated very well. No one thinks through what the implications are with the rest of the community or other programs.” Goosmann agrees. Getting quality Internet to rural communities, he predicts, will take “a combination of fiber, copper and wireless. It’s not one solution with the mountains: It never is.” Meanwhile, in neighboring Yancey and Mitchell counties, precisely the kind of collaboration Romano and Goosmann describe has given residents of those rural areas some of the fastest Internet in the country (see sidebar, “Yancey, Mitchell Roll Out Fastest Countywide Internet in N.C.”). For Sandy Mush residents, however, at least the immediate future seems to promise continued digital isolation. “We can either go back to dial-up or very spotty satellite service,” says Mund. “I mean, I’ll do it, but we literally have no viable option come June.” And a frustrated Merrill notes, “We’ve really started to thrive because of the Internet. Once it’s cut off, how am I going to make a living? I put so much money into my [home-based] business, and it’s just now getting to the point where it’s starting to pay off, and now...” Metzger, meanwhile, sounds a similar note. “Part of me says, ‘You made the choice to live out in the boondocks,’ and yes, I made that choice. … But at the same time … it goes right by our road. I get it, you know? There’s only 14 houses instead of 1,400. But it just blows my mind that I can’t take advantage of something everyone else has.” “It’s funny,” Mandler of Skyrunner said in a recent phone interview. “While we were talking I was sort of clicking around on my topography map, looking at what it would take to cover that Sandy Mush Valley. There’s a ridge there to the north called Little Sandy Gap. And just to the west of that is a pretty tall peak that has kind of a great reaching view across both directions. I bet if you got up there...” X
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by Clarke Morrison
clarkemorrison1@gmail.com
Democracy or bunkum? Buncombe commissioners debate the merits of longer meetings
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Doing the county’s business takes longer these days. Meetings of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners now regularly run three hours or more — at least twice what they took before a 2011 state law required Buncombe County to switch to district elections and expanded the board from five to seven members, says Chair david gantt. The resulting partisan split on the board, he maintains, has led to more timeconsuming conflict concerning the county’s overall direction. “I would estimate the average meeting is two to three times as long,” says Gantt, a Democrat who was first elected in 1996. “I think there’s a desire for each commissioner to publicly express his or her opinion on each issue that comes before the board under the current system. It’s more territorial, and there’s more partisanship than any time since I’ve been on the board.” But Republican Commissioner mike fryar feels there’s an advantage to the longer meetings. “There are two parties sitting up there now,” he points out. “We try to get stuff through, and they try to get stuff through. It’s not a one-way package anymore.” bill sabo, who taught political science at UNC Asheville before retiring last year, sees both advantages and disadvantages. “It’s a basic trade-off between efficiency and an effort to increase legitimacy by ensuring different voices are heard,” he explains. “When you increase one, you’re going to decrease the other.” Elected officials, says Sabo, typically negotiate and work out compromises out of the public view, and “the meetings become forums for each of the commissioners to articulate and
defend their positions. I would say the longer meetings are a basic consequence of structural changes in the way things are done. Whether it’s good or bad depends on your perspective. “As to whether or not that improves transparency,” he continues, “I think it means that all perspectives are more likely to be heard, not that we get greater insight into how the commission really makes its core decisions.” Fairview resident nathan ramsey, a Republican who chaired the Board of Commissioners from 2000 to 2008, says he felt a responsibility to talk with the other commissioners by phone about policy directions. “There’s an argument that all the decisions have been made outside the public meeting and there’s no substantive discussion,” he notes. “There’s a tension between that and having meetings where people are talking too much and not having an efficient governing process. Just because you have a long meeting doesn’t mean you have a better result. There’s a balance there somewhere.” chris cooper, head of Western Carolina University’s Department of Political Science and Public Affairs, believes that conversations with constituents, conducting serious research and thoughtfully considering the issues are more likely to benefit the public. “Longer meetings, in and of itself, I don’t think is a good thing or a bad thing,” says Cooper. “I’ve never seen any research on that suggesting it’s a good thing. Longer discussion could mean [commissioners] are really weighing the options. Longer discussion could also mean that they just want to be on the record.” Commissioner brownie newman, who previously served on the Asheville City Council, says he doesn’t mind the longer meetings. “If that’s something you’re not accepting of, you’re
Fairness vs. power politics
Long hauL: Buncombe County commissioners meetings have been getting longer, in part due to its partisan split — four Democrats, three Republicans. Photo by Hayley Benton
probably in the wrong business,” he observes. “Our job is to listen to people. You have to bring a certain amount of patience to the table when you’re in this role.”
Fryar agrees. “I’m a public servant,” he notes. “If [meetings] are long, that’s what I get paid for. I’m not up there to just say, ’Yes, no and ’bye.’” X
Then-state Rep. tim moffitt’s 2011 bill changed the system for electing the Buncombe County commissioners. Previously, voters throughout the county had elected four members and a chair to four-year terms on the board. The law, which affected only Buncombe County, took effect the next year, dividing the county into three districts corresponding to its three state House districts. One roughly follows the borders of Asheville; another includes much of eastern Buncombe, from Fairview to Barnardsville; the third lies mostly to the west of the city, stretching from Arden in the south to Sandy Mush in the northwest. Voters in each district elect two commissioners, and the candidates must live in the district they seek to represent. Only the board chair is elected countywide. Just before the change, all five board members were Democrats. The current board contains four Democrats and three Republicans. Board Chair david gantt believes the district election system is flawed. “Any given resident can only vote for a maximum of three commissioners out of seven that make decisions about budgets and taxpayers’ money,” he points out. “I think that’s fundamentally wrong, because each resident should be permitted to vote for or against each commissioner.” Commissioner mike fryar, however, feels district elections are more fair because “The people in different areas have representation. The districts help people in the rural areas.” When he ran for commissioner before the district system was established, notes Fryar, he finished last among the eight candidates, yet in his next bid for office, under the new arrangement, was able to win a seat. “That tells you something,” the Fairview resident maintains. “Every part of Buncombe County is different. You have your rural part and your downtown part. Everybody has different ideas.” Commissioner brownie newman, meanwhile, says he would favor a system that combined the two approaches. District elections, says Newman, a Democrat, allow more attention to be paid to the concerns of residents in different parts of the county. “But the benefit of at-large elections is the representatives tend to focus on what is the higher good for all the people of Buncombe County, instead of a smaller section of the county.” The current system, he notes, is “pretty heavily weighted toward people who are only accountable to a part of the county. That’s the hand we’re dealt: There’s nothing we can do about that. My hope is that members of the commission will do everything they can for the whole county. But at the end of the day, it’s hard to ignore the people who voted for you.” Gantt says he’d prefer a system that allowed all county voters to turn thumbs up or down on the candidates in each of the districts, which is how county school board elections work. But the Republican-controlled General Assembly didn’t seek the county’s input before reconfiguring the board, and Gantt doesn’t expect that to change. In April, the Legislature approved a similar measure replacing at-large elections for the Wake County Board of Commissioners with district elections for all members. Backers of the legislation said it would improve voter representation, while critics contend that the real aim is to elect more Republicans. Moffitt, a two-term Republican who lost his re-election bid last November, “rammed [the election changes] down our throats without any notice, hearings, public comment or discussion,” charges Gantt. “If Rep. Moffitt’s goal was to divide the county into three distinct community-interest areas and to increase the number of Republicans on the board, he was very successful.” Moffitt declined to comment for this story. — Clarke Morrison X
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Helping hands Community Foundation promotes local philanthropy
bY krista L. white
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C
ontributions to The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina are gifts that literally keep on giving. By investing donated funds and using the earnings in the years to come, the nonprofit provides a legacy for its donors. It now oversees more than $240 million in assets and puts that money to work in the form of grants and scholarships in the 18 westernmost N.C. counties. Last year, the foundation distributed $14.2 million to local groups and individuals, including a record $346,500 in scholarships for 175 students, while continuing to maintain and grow its asset pool. That brought its cumulative total to $165 million in community support across the region since 1978. The group focuses its giving in four areas: early childhood development, food and farming, natural and cultural resources, and people in need. Board members and staff make site visits to help them stay up to date on pressing regional issues, so they can direct donors’ money to the right places. Last year alone, donors contributed $10.5 million.
You’re never too young to give bernard arghiere remembers the first time he gave to a charity. He was 21 years old. “It wasn’t a lot of money, but it’s how it all starts,” says the retired software developer. “You start young, you start with small gifts, and then you get a passion for certain causes.” Growing up in a household with a mother who volunteered regularly, Arghiere saw philanthropy in action from a very young age. “My mother never told me that I needed to do this too: It just made sense,” he recalls. By age 22, Arghiere had zeroed in on The Nature Conservancy, which he still supports through donations and service on the North Carolina chapter’s board. “Find something you have a passion for and give something — even if it’s just $10 or $15. And then, give your time,” Arghiere suggests. “Time is important: Everyone has some special skill, whether it be picking up garbage on the side of the road or helping make financial board decisions, which they can
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contribute,” he points out. “I’ve done and still do both of those.” Now 67, Arghiere has been active in the community for years. “I’ve served on boards and volunteered for a lot of nonprofits,” he reveals. When Arghiere and his wife, Holly, moved to the Asheville area in 1992, they began searching for a way to make their donations have a more lasting impact. They considered setting up their own foundation but ultimately opted to partner with The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, which directs two funds for the family. Arghiere says he liked the way the organization helped them identify multiple causes and organizations that fit their interests, which include social justice, science, astronomy clubs and environmental causes. And though the bulk of their philanthropy is concentrated in Buncombe County and WNC, they also support statewide environmental groups.
Arghiere advises those interested in supporting a particular organization to look at how much it spends on overhead, to ensure that most of the gift directly supports the group’s mission. He also recommends assessing how true to its mission that organization is and how effective in getting the job done. Which projects will the money you give actually be supporting? Beyond that, however, Arghiere encourages potential donors to broaden their scope by giving to a community foundation. “There are lots of unmet needs in this community that aren’t being taken care of by the government, and someone has to step up,” he points out. “When you have some resources, you have to know when enough is enough, and realize when it’s time to help some other folks out.” In addition to his philanthropic activity, Arghiere is a volunteer instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville, teaching astronomy-related courses in the College for Seniors. X
earLY giver: “You start young, you start with small gifts, and then you get a passion for certain causes,” says Bernie Arghiere. “Find something you have a passion for and give something — even if it’s just $10 or $15. And then, give your time.” Photo by Michael Oppenheim
Philanthropy starts with the heart BREAKFAST/LUNCH ALL DAY
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paY it forward: “Consider what’s most important to you and follow your heart, says Lisbeth Riis Cooper, right, co-founder of the CooperRiis Healing Community, pictured with her husband, Don. “Is your heart in it? Is it something you believe in? Is it something you feel good about?” Photo by Krista White
People give to charities for many reasons — to help address issues important to them, to honor family traditions, to leave a lasting legacy, or perhaps to obtain a tax deduction. But whatever your reasons, consider what’s most important to you and follow your heart, urges Lisbeth riis cooper, cofounder of the CooperRiis Healing Community. “Is your heart in it? Is it something you believe in? Is it something you feel good about?” She and her husband “believe in homegrown philanthropy,” says Riis Cooper, who serves as vice chair of the nonprofit’s board and is also its design director and photographer. The couple favors “organizations where we know what’s going on and we believe in their higher purpose,” notes don cooper, adding that they discuss all of their financial gifts very carefully. “We find ourselves more aggressively supporting organizations that we are personally involved in,” Riis Cooper reveals. The healing community, which helps peo-
That switch inspired the couple not just to give more but to think about creating a lasting legacy. “In our combined philosophy, we feel as though we don’t want to leave all our accumulated assets to our children: We want them to experience and enjoy the fulfillment of their own lives without infusion from [us],” Cooper explains. Thus, their major goal is to create a lasting trust “that will deal with philanthropy when we are gone.” The community foundation will take over direction of the trust at that point, continuing to support causes that the couple has outlined, hopefully with input from their children. “It’s a good feeling to know you’re doing something that’s bigger than you, that’s greater than you,” says Riis Cooper. “Because after a while, how many pairs of shoes can you own? How many cars can you buy?” X
Kevi Bears Kids is our charity and my true passion. We’ve helped more than 900 kids in the past 7 years; and you can view the photo’s on F.B. My personal pledge this year is $1,000. enough to help about 200 kids. It’s too late for me, I’m already addicted to buying balls n dolls for kids who need them. Everyone should have the Right to Dream; and if it helps fight hunger as it did for me, that’s a blessing that I want to be a part of. When I grow up I wanna be Santa Claus. I hope you get to travel one day; and see what it feels like to put a toy in the hands of a kid who really needs one. Unpretentious Love,
Kevin n Betty Lee
ple with mental illness or emotional distress gain skills to become independent and attain greater fulfillment in life, receives a large portion of the family’s philanthropy. Other areas of interest include the environment, education and land preservation. “You give because the more you give, the more you get back,” she explains. “It feels good to know that you’re making a difference.” Like many other supporters of charitable activities in the region, the couple relies on The Community Foundation of WNC to help manage their donor-advised fund, which they started more than 20 years ago. Cooper, a community foundation board member for nine years, is now on the organization’s investment committee. He’s also a Warren Wilson College trustee and serves as board chair of the CooperRiis Healing Community. “I have a theory: You accumulate assets during a certain period of your life; then there comes a point where a switch flips and you move from accumulation to distribution of assets,” he reveals.
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Supporting nonprofits is good business shelley brown’s parents and grandparents supported assorted nonprofits, so it was only natural that she would too. “Philanthropy is a family tradition,” notes Brown, an attorney who recently retired from Pisgah Legal Services. “It was an expectation to become involved with it.” Brown’s grandfather, she reveals, “was the secretary of commerce under Eisenhower, and when he stopped serving in the position after President Kennedy was elected, he started volunteering for various nonprofits. As a little child, I could see that his nonprofit work was as important to him as his professional work.” But even if supporting charitable efforts wasn’t part of your family culture growing up, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get involved, she maintains. “Giving back is as much an obligation as brushing your teeth. Without community support of the nonprofits, they can’t do their work.” And while that work is important at the spiritual and moral levels, continues Brown, it also yields practical benefits that help communities succeed.
“When people think about moving to Western North Carolina and relocating a business here, one of the things they look at is how stable the community is,” she points out. “If there’s a lot of homeless people out on the street, high crime rates, poor health care and poor schools, people are not going to want to come to the area.” To prove her point, Brown cites the example of downtown revitalization. “Downtown in the late ’70s, early ’80s was a scary place to be at night. Now, you go downtown and it is so vital,” she notes. “That happened, in part, due to a group of philanthropic, civic-minded people that said, ‘For Asheville to continue, we can’t have the center of it decaying. We need to have a healthy downtown.’” The combination of philanthropic and government money sparked change that’s been good for businesses, the community and homeowners, Brown asserts. As part of her own giving strategy, Brown volunteers for
“Giving back is as much an obligation as brushing your teeth. Without community support of the nonprofits, they can’t do their work,” says Shelley Brown. Photo by Krista White
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Pisgah Legal Services; she also has a fund with the Community Foundation of WNC that supports social justice and educational initiatives, including Pisgah Legal, MANNA FoodBank, Homeward Bound and many other local groups. “It’s not just local organizations that I support and direct funds to: It’s also out-ofstate organizations,” she notes. When Brown set up the fund back in the early ’80s, she found the community foundation an invaluable resource. “When I first started giving, I would get knowledge about an organization, and as I learned more about it, I would want to contribute to it,” she recalls. “From the beginning, the community foundation has helped inform me about the community’s needs and the nonprofit organizations working here. If there’s an organization that I don’t know about or am confused about, I can check with the people at the community foundation and learn more about it.” X
Asheville Area Arts Council
BUILDING COMMUNITY
THROUGH ARTS IN ACTION The Asheville Area Arts Council is proud to support regional artists through our grants and programs
htoN Briga H Bemc oirs
Me
Photo Credit: Justin Blowers
The Asheville Area Arts Council is the collective voice for the arts, advancing Buncombe County by delivering resources, developing innovative collaborations and fostering creativity in the community.
For more information about artist grant opportunities:
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Locally focused giving The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
“I don’t know of any organization that better understands the needs of nonprofits across the region.” — David Liden
bY abLe aLLen
aallen@mountainx.com
Retired businessman Ray Hust and a group of local forward-thinking people gave the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina its start in 1978, according to the organization’s 2008 year-end report. The group’s startup name was “The Community Foundation of Greater Asheville,” and it enjoyed initial support from United Way and the Junior League. Operating with an allvolunteer staff in donated office space, the foundation had $141,507 in assets at the end of its first year. By 1980, it had contributed $7,575 in grants and scholarships. Two years later, the organization’s board expanded service to its current service area, the 18 westernmost counties of North Carolina. The foundation has grown steadily under the direction of presidents pat smith (1990-2008) and elizabeth brazas (2009-present). Smith began her professional career as Asheville’s only female CPA in the 1970s. In a March 2005 article in WNC Woman, she recalled that the foundation had “so few resources [around $1.5 million in 1984], the foundation was only making a few thousand dollars in grants. Community foundations were a new concept, and it was hard for people to understand what the long-term impact could be.” By 1990, the foundation had $5 million in assets. Within a few years, it had provided key early support to Pack Place, the Affordable Housing Coalition of Asheville and Buncombe County, and RiverLink. The foundation staff and board coordinate with area charities to
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stay current on pressing areas of need. In the early 2000s, when david Liden was a board member on the grants committee, he recalls that the targeted grant areas were education, health, environment and the arts. The foundation’s current targets are early childhood development, farms and food, people in need, and natural and cultural resources. “I don’t know of any organization that better understands the needs of nonprofits across the region,” said Liden Current board member and local attorney sarah thornburg says what attracted her first to the foundation, and what continues to be attractive to folks, is its commitment to local matters. “It applies the buy-local attitude that is popular in this area to the world of philanthropy. Increasingly, there are other foundations that donors could choose and to which local donors could give a lot of money, but the advisors [of those funds] might be in big cities in other states. With the Community Foundation, donors in Western North Carolina are benefiting charities in Western North Carolina.” Both Liden and Thornburg get excited about the Community Foundation’s ability to help families, including those with modest means, establish a fund. With the foundation covering overhead costs and providing logistical help, Liden’s family was able to establish a small fund of its own. “The kids pick the fund’s focus each year, and they will continue to have input after I’m gone,” Liden explains. Thornburg echoes this sentiment and applauds families who approach giving in this
way. “I think it is a beautiful circle,” she says, when creating and managing a fund involves more than one generation. According to The Council on Foundations, a membership association that offers accreditation to community foundations and other public-philanthropic partnership groups, there is no part of the country untouched
2014
CFWNC GRANTS by RELIGION - 8%
SCHOLARSHIPS - 4%
by foundations helping communities. The Community Foundation of WNC is one of the Council’s 1,700 foundations and corporategiving groups. The regional nonprofit has three functions: to make grants and give scholarships; to consolidate and organize giving by individuals, corporations and organizations; and to provide leadership for solving pervasive community problems. In practice, when the foundation receives a gift from a philanthropic partner, those assets go into a fund where it becomes a renewable resource to generate annual grants and scholarships. About 75 percent of disbursements are distributed to nonprofits according to the donor’s advice, with the remainder distributed at the discretion of the foundation. X
PROGRAM AREA ANIMAL WELFARE - 1% ARTS - 6%
COMMUNITY - 17% HEALTH - 18% ENVIRONMENT - 7%
PEOPLE IN NEED - 18% EDUCATION - 23%
AREA OF NEED Animal Welfare Arts Community/Economic Vitality Environment Education Health People in Need Scholarships Religion TOTAL
AMOUNT GIVEN $57,283.00 $948,554.00 $2,358,719.00 $1,050,640.00 $3,234,241.00 $2,590,046.00 $2,560,999.00 $311,200.00 $1,130,956.00 $14,242,638.00 Infographic by Alane Mason
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Dr. Matthew Young DDS, PA | BIOLOGIC GENERAL DENTISTRY Question: Dr Young, why do you support the autism community?
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N O N P R O F I T
DONATE TODAY!
S U P P L E M E N T
Nonprofits seek creative funding in Buncombe County
adding it up: According to the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, Buncombe County is home to 449 nonprofit organizations. To fund their work, each organization must come up with creative solutions that help them stand out from the crowd.
bY haYLeY benton
hbenton@mountainx.com
On April 14, representatives from 43 nonprofits waited patiently for the chance to request funding from Buncombe County. The funds they sought came from the county’s community development grant program, which provides support for nonprofits that give back to the community. The main goal? Support organizations that support Buncombe County.
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But these 43 organizations, requesting $4.2 million this year, make up only 9.6 percent of the total nonprofits in the county. Others rely on privately funded grants and donations, as well as individual donations — both small and large. Each organization must constantly work to grab and hold the public’s attention. And in a city like Asheville, it seems there’s never a shortage of worthy causes. a giving communitY “Buncombe County has a very vibrant nonprofit sector,” says david
heinen, vice president for public policy and advocacy at the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. According to the center, 449 nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations call Buncombe County home. At last count, near the end of 2012, these organizations collectively employed more than 16,000 individuals, making up roughly 13.6 percent of all employment in Buncombe County that year. In total, these 449 nonprofits spent a total of $1.6 billion in 2012, the most recent year of data available. “That sounds really high,” Heinen points out. “But larger organizations like Mission and Warren Wilson are included in that figure,” which make up a massive portion of those expenditures. And when you look at county government money allocated to nonprofits, it’s nearly inconsequential in the grand scheme, compared with the billion-dollar figure. Government funding can contribute to a variety of public projects, “anyone from arts councils to directservice providers,” Heinen says. “It’s typical for organizations doing more public work to stream funding from local government.” evoLution of government funding Last year, 48 nonprofits requested $6.6 million in funding but received only a fraction of that in the finalized budget, $2.3 million — which comes to less than 1 percent of the county’s $368 million operating budget as a whole. “Some commissioners think we should’ve spent more than that,” Gantt says. But others, commissioners mike fryar and joe belcher, opposed the expenses during last year’s budget meeting. However, Gantt insists that the nonprofits the county agrees to fund provide vital services that encourage economic growth and promotes the general well-being of its residents. “It’s not like we give them money and say, ’You’re great people,’” he explains. “There was a time when we did that, but we don’t do that anymore.” The way the county distributes funding now, he continues, makes the county “much more accountable, and the organizations are more accountable to us.” “They have to enter into a contract where we specifically assign benchmarks and goals that they have to [meet],” Gantt says.
In deciding which organizations get what, county officials ask themselves how the nonprofits’ projects align with county goals. “Is this something that Buncombe County needs?” Gantt questions. “Because if we don’t need it, even if it’s nice, we shouldn’t [fund] it.” allison jordan, executive director of Children First/Communities in Schools, explains that her organization has benefited greatly from previous years of county funding. And this year, she says, they’re applying for $100,000 to “help us expand into additional schools.” The nonprofit’s total yearly budget is “around $1.2 million, with about half of that supporting our AmeriCorps program.” “All of our funding is important to us,” Jordan continues, mentioning that the organization’s additional funding comes from other foundations, civic and faith groups, corporations, individuals and special events. “We are a relatively small organization that impacts a lot of children’s lives.” ann marie traylor, executive director of the Environmental Quality Institute, says she feels the same. “We’re requesting about 10 percent of our current organizational budget from Buncombe County [this year],” she explains. “As you can imagine, that would be a painful cut if they withdrew their funding. Right now we monitor [water quality in] 53 sites monthly in Buncombe County alone — and about 160 throughout WNC.” If the organization lost its county funds, Traylor says, “We would have to discontinue 20 sites,” unless another source of income comes along. When asked why more nonprofits don’t apply for the county grants, Gantt speculates that “a lot of nonprofits think we’re putting them through too many ringers.” As a part of the deal, each organization must be completely transparent with the county, giving quarterly reports, meeting goals and keeping promises made in the initial contract. “A lot of nonprofits don’t want to do that, and that knocks a lot of them out,” Gantt continues. “We’re pretty hard on them, but we’ve got to get results if we’re using taxpayer money.” But cindy mcmahon, senior consultant at WNC Nonprofit Pathways, says that nonprofit
You Put the
Fun
in Fundraising. Thanks for having us write, research and report on your grant proposals for 15 years. We salute your hard work and dedication to addressing the greatest needs of our region.
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funding is “a pretty complicated picture.” Nonprofit Pathways provides training and knowledgebased assistance to nonprofits in the 18-county region, and McMahon has personally helped many organizations achieve success in their fields. “There are all ranges and sizes of nonprofits,” she explains. “There are lots of really small volunteer-run organizations, and they’re not going to have the staff time that’s required to write a county grant. It takes more capacity to get those kinds of grants, and those groups [may be] able to function on a much smaller budget, without having to raise as much money.” countY contracts Apart from the community development grants, the county also contracts nonprofits for services normally created and handled by specific government entities. These nonprofits don’t have to make pitches at budget meetings — their work is funded through specific departments rather than the general fund — but, still, they are held to the same standards of efficiency. “Buncombe County is wellknown in North Carolina for partnering with nonprofits and forprofits to get things done,” Gantt explains. “Instead of setting up a new group [within the government],” the county seeks out and contracts established organizations to accomplish work that they’re already set up to do. “If there’s a group already” specializing in that field, “why would [the county] try to reinvent the wheel?” he asks.
It’s
Prom!
We’re All a little Queer Here
The biggest partnership, Gantt mentions, is likely the county’s contract with Western Carolina Community Health Services, a 20-year-old nonprofit specializing in preventative and primary health care for the under- and uninsured. “We’re paying less than we were and getting more in services because of the way that they’re set up,” he explains. “If they’re doing it cheaper and better than we can do it, it makes sense to go with the specialist — someone on the front lines of the area.” This model for contracting out the county’s services is both cost- and time-efficient, says Gantt, and other counties have expressed interest in adopting Buncombe’s strategy. “If someone’s already on the ground doing it, there’s shorter time to get results. They can start [a county project] the next day.” But, on the other side of the funding field, Heinen says, “there are a lot of organizations where maybe [government funding] is not appropriate,” so those nonprofits turn to “a variety of different funding streams.” getting creative While Gantt mentioned that some nonprofits may be deterred by the county’s strict goal-oriented check-ups, denise bitz, founder and president of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, echoes McMahon’s point that transparency isn’t always the problem. The rescue organization, she explains, is just “too busy to organize” and do what’s needed to formally request a grant. Instead, BWAR sought out a creative solution to keep the funds steady and the animals both fed
Saturday, June 6th, 7-10pm
at Toy Boat Community Art Space 101 Fairview Ave • Asheville $10 Suggested Donation (or pay what you can)
• LGBTQ & Allied Youth Ages 14-23 Adult Chaperones. IDs recommended.
828.772.1912 info@youthoutright.org
www.youthoutright.org Special Thanks:
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Wear what makes you feel
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Hospice Home Store We need your...
BOOKS Call 828-696-0625 for pick-ups. Your donation supports the nonprofit services of Four Seasons CFL
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and happy. “We’ve started a few businesses to fund the rescue work that we’re doing. We have two thrift stores, a store where we sell pet supplies and a grooming salon. We had to get creative because the work that we do is very expensive.” Additional funds are generated from public outreach and engagement. elisabeth bocklet, marketing and communications director at United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, says most of the local nonprofit’s funds “are generated from personal donations. We do seek out some grant money, but most of [our funding] is corporate and individual giving. And it’s a massive effort to obtain that.” For nonprofits seeking out individual donors, the key to keeping the community engaged is through meaningful work, where donors get to experience firsthand the difference their contributions make. “We’re able to connect their giving to some
real issues and create those deeper experiences for people so they can engage and feel connected,” she says. “It’s not just about writing a check; it’s about creating those connections to the greater good and engaging the community in the experience of giving.” Bitz agrees: “Community engagement is critical, especially in animal welfare. There used to be an attitude that blamed the public for all of our work, like, ‘If it wasn’t for irresponsible pet owners’ and ‘If people would just spay and neuter their pets.’ It was always putting the blame on people,” she explains. “But I think, now, our whole perspective has changed. Overall the majority of people are really good. I find that, in this community, if we just keep reminding people of that and thanking them, then it really makes a difference.” As an organization that’s mainly run by volunteers, Bitz says the important part is “allowing [the public] to be a part of the work that we’re doing. It’s really rewarding
for people.” Specifically, she mentions, “we have a club called Outward Hounds that meets four days a week and takes [rescue] dogs out on a hike somewhere — usually the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Biltmore Estate. Anywhere from a 3-6-mile hike. It’s a great bonding experience for everybody.” And those connections pay off: “Individual donors make up the vast majority of where our money comes from,” Bitz says. “We survive mainly on people that are donating $20-40 a month.” Bocklet adds, “Everything from $5 to our leadership givers, who give $1,000 or more on an annual basis — they make up almost half of our campaign. They’re a huge component of our organization.” And collaboration with other entities, says Traylor at EQI, is what helps keep many nonprofits afloat. Both of the environmental organization’s projects — biological and chemical analysis of local streams — are “funded through a partnership with other nonprofits and local agencies,” she says. “These partners pay a fee to have us analyze samples from their watershed or county of interest.” competition vs. coLLaboration And though it seems the region could potentially be overrun with nonprofits all seeking the same funds, Traylor says her organization works well with other environmental nonprofits, sharing ideas and data across organizational boundaries.
“We are just focused on the science and the objective-data collection,” Traylor explains. “We’re not really an advocacy organization with causes to get behind,” such as RiverLink or MountainTrue, she notes, so there’s not much competition from her point of view. “Really, our relationship with them is more of a partnership. If RiverLink is working in Ross Creek, they can use our data to see where a management project may work. … We work together with those groups more than compete, and they’re helpful when we apply for grants because we can say we’re partners with them and they use our data.” It’s not that competition doesn’t exist. It’s that many local nonprofits are willing to work together to accomplish a common goal. “You know, I think that there’s always competition in every industry to some degree,” Bocklet says. “But when we bring consultants in from other regions or states — and they see what’s happening in our community when it comes to the level of communication and partnership and the good intentions between organizations — they’re like, ’Wow, this doesn’t happen everywhere.’” Although overlapping nonprofits share a good amount of friendly competition, Bitz says the organizations grow and learn from each other in the process. “If we see Asheville Humane doing a great adoption promotion, then it inspires us to do just as well,” she says. Bocklet adds: “There’s always going to be some amount of competition, and that’s healthy. But even more so, there’s a beautiful amount of collaboration in this community.” X
Beginning Friday, May 15th
Memorial Day Weekend Benefit for Veterans Sunday, May 24 • 1pm-5pm At The Bywater, 796 Riverside Drive
Live Music Open Mic for Veterans Silent Auction
Sherri Lynn & Mountain Friends Band
Food prepared by:
Metal Mike’s Culinary Busking
Riverside Drive Band All event proceeds will benefit Helios Warriors, Inc. Helping Veterans Heal with Holistic Therapies www.HeliosWarriors.org
Proudly Sponsored by:
Friday 3pm - 6pm Groce Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd. on US 70
Fresh From Local Growers and Vendors Who Care! mountainx.com
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May 10, Mother’s Day (1pm - 4pm) Garden and Gallery Stroll. Art reception, Women’s Enrichment Award, Sahara Peace Choir, Raffle, Silent Auction. By Donation. Proceeds support OM Sanctuary’s first annual Women’s Enrichment Scholarship Fund. June 6, Human Health and Connection to Nature (1pm - 4pm) OM Sanctuary’s Open House, Celebration of Conversation Easement, Lectures, Class Demos, Informational Hike, Music, Raffle, Silent Auction. By Donation.
Sunday, June 21, Return to our Natural Rhythms Solstice Event! Ticketed. A sustainable world and future begins with a sustainable individual lifestyle.
Holistic R&R Stays, classes and more.
OM Sanctuary 87 Richmond Hill Dr. Asheville, NC www.omsanctuary.org mountainx.com
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N O N P R O F I T
S U P P L E M E N T
The nonprofit challenge Local groups face uncertain future
bY margaret wiLLiams
mvwilliams@mountainx.com
Hundreds of nonprofits call the Asheville area home, providing services ranging from housing to health, environmental advocacy to youth sports. These groups employ thousands of local folks and help pump nearly $2 billion into the local economy, according to the N. C. Center for Nonprofits. But in the bumpy post-recession landscape, these service-oriented organizations face significant challenges. Xpress asked several local nonprofit consultants to comment on what those challenges are and how they can be overcome. “Certainly, fundraising is one,” says greg walker wilson, former director of the Ashevillebased Mountain BizWorks. “The state is decreasing its support [for programs and services], and the burden falls on nonprofits,” notes Walker Wilson, who’s now a consultant who specializing in helping organizations more effectively achieve their missions. “Often, there’s more need than money.” wilson sims, co-founder of Sims & Steele Consulting, says nonprofits “managed to survive the recession, and they’re very resilient. Their biggest challenge is they still don’t have the resources to respond to the growing needs, take advantage of new opportunities or deal with transitions in leadership.” alex comfort, too, raises the issue of funding. “As the economy heals,” says Comfort, who owns Mountain Non-Profit Solutions, “all of the nonprofits are going into overdrive to raise money.” However, he continues, “The gifts are smaller; there are more trust issues.”
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Sims, who came to Asheville in the mid-1990s with a background as a basketball coach, English teacher and fundraiser, says local nonprofits are “remarkable” and “creative,” relying on a mix of government grants, individual donations, estate gifts or annuities, foundation support and fundraising events to support their work. Many of these groups, he notes, “are undercapitalized and trying to get to a sustainable position.” Thus, organizational leaders have “a huge job: They have to be the face of the organization as well as run it, manage the board, ensure program [development] and raise money,” he says. And if all that weren’t difficult enough, adds Sims, “Nonprofit giving has not returned to prerecession levels, and giving patterns are different.” a Looming generation gap “Government funding is leaching out,” says Comfort: There’s less of it to spread around. Private donors, he says, can’t replace those lost funds, and fewer individuals are setting up family foundations that will provide long-term support for nonprofits. A UNC Asheville fundraiser for many years, Comfort trains, teaches and offers a “boot camp” for nonprofit leaders; he also runs capital campaigns. At 67 and “moving toward retirement,” he worries about the coming gap in leadership and fundraising: “More people are leaving money in their estate plans and wills, but there’s going to be a 20-year gap as baby boomers age out.” There are only about half as many millennials as baby boomers, he explains, meaning fewer future donors. And meanwhile, millennials approach giving very differently (think Kickstarter campaigns). The biggest donations today tend to come from people 70 and older, notes Comfort. And as that generation passes, he wonders how nonprofit leaders can connect with younger donors and build relationships with them. This challenge, he says, is more complicated because
facing forward: Local nonprofits confront a variety of challenges, says consultants like Greg Walker Wilson, right. Seeking financial stability is one, as well as decreasing support from state, federal and local governments. Photo courtesy of Walker Wilson Consulting
turnover at nonprofits is relatively high, the leaders themselves are getting older and retiring, and — despite their passion and commitment to their respective missions — “Nonprofit executives may not be comfortable with, or always have, fundraising skills.” Donors, he notes, give to people and organizations they know and trust. And when there’s a change in leadership, a lack of fundraising experience, or directors and staff who are spread too thin in their duties (a common problem, since nonprofits are often understaffed), raising money becomes even harder. Walker Wilson agrees, adding that it helps to have a good internal structure — including healthy relationships among board members, staff and directors — as well as clear goals and strategies. Nonprofit leaders, he says, need to think about who their “customers” are — not just the clients they serve, but also the general public, donors and
government agencies. “What are their interests? Figure out what they need, and get more tech-savvy. Adap, and evolve,” counsels Walker Wilson. passing the torch For his part, Sims says the nonprofits that will survive in the postrecession landscape will be creative. That means doing things like partnering with other groups to share costs, seeking new revenue streams and applying businessworld techniques such as cost-benefit analysis and metrics. “They’ll keep a pulse on what they’re doing and how,” he explains. One of Sims’ clients, he notes, is considering creating a thrift store or gift shop; another is looking to focus more on estate planning in its fundraising mix; yet
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another may expand its event season. The Asheville Amadeus Festival in March, he points out, was a joint venture involving several nonprofits — including the NC Stage Company, the Asheville Art Museum and the Asheville Symphony — and local businesses like Highland Brewing Co. The collaboration “made that performance possible, and it was a win-win-win for all,” says Sims. Walker Wilson, meanwhile, maintains that it’s the combination of business skills and the ability to work with donors, boards, staff and the community that spells success for nonprofit leaders. “There’s so much passion that people bring to nonprofit work,” he observes. “You know that you’re making a difference in people’s lives.” And, like Comfort, Walker Wilson stresses the importance of passing on that passion to the next generation. “Make sure boards have young people serving on them and getting trained,” he advises. “They can handle it.”
Still, Comfort predicts that many of today’s nonprofits will probably fail in the next few years, while others will merge or team up with partner organizations. At the same time, however, “People will keep doing great things and supporting great causes,” he says. And those groups that do survive, notes Sims, may be more careful about taking on new projects, making sure they’re “sustainable and not overstretched financially.” Whatever the challenges, Walker Wilson concludes, “There are lots of needs and segments of the community that need help. We’re fortunate to have strong social support structures, including nonprofits. It’s a way of paying back and paying forward.” for more info Greg Walker Wilson: walkerwilson.com Wilson Sims: simsandsteele.com Alex Comfort: mn-ps.com X
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N O N P R O F I T
French Broad River MPO 2012-2020 TIP Amendments and Public Hearing
S U P P L E M E N T
Nonprofits by the numbers bY abLe aLLen
French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization will take up for adoption amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) during the May 28, 2015 MPO Board meeting. The FBRMPO 2012-2020 TIP and the full set of proposed amendments may be viewed at http://www.fbrmpo.org/ There will be opportunity for public comment at a public hearing during the FBRMPO Board meeting on Thursday, May 28th at 12:30 PM. Interested parties may submit comments in person at the meeting, or in writing starting on Wednesday, May 6th through 5 PM on Wednesday, May27th. Comments may be submitted to mpo@landofsky.org or by phone (828)251-6622. Many of the TIP Amendments to be considered will include projects for planning or construction from the statewide prioritization process and previously advertised as the Draft TIP. The Draft TIP provides a schedule of transportation projects that are proposed for the next 10 years for full or partial funding and covers the entire French Broad River MPO Planning Area. The May 28th MPO Board meeting will take place at the Historic Henderson County Courthouse, located at 1 Historic Courthouse Square in Downtown Hendersonville. The TIP will satisfy the Program of Projects requirement for the City of Asheville and become the final program of projects unless modified and a final notice is published. FBRMPO meetings are open to people of all ages and abilities. Please let us know 48 hours in advance if you require special meeting accommodation or translation services. It is the policy of the French Broad River MPO to ensure that no person shall, on the ground of race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other Civil Rights laws and authorities.
aallen@mountainx.com
Mountain Xpress took a look at the 441 nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status in Buncombe County and more than 10,300 nonprofits in the whole state. We found that the large and diverse sector has a significant economic footprint. Small community organizations can be an important part of civic life, the N.C. Center for Nonprofits reports, but just a handful of schools, universities and hospitals actually account for the bulk of the money.
Local statistics peopLe empLoYed • in Buncombe County: 127,155 (in 2014) • by all Buncombe nonprofits: 16,196 (in 2013); 14,586 (in 2012) • by Mission Hospital Inc.: 7,811 (in 2012) totaL expenditures bY • all Buncombe nonprofits: $1,781,530,053 (in 2012) • Mission Hospital Inc. and Mission Health Systems Inc: $938,858,328 (in 2012)
2012 All other nonprofits in Buncombe County
Mission Hospital & Mission Health Systems
Nonprofit assets
Nonprofit revenue
Nonprofit expenditures
Nonprofit employees
totaL revenue
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% • all Buncombe nonprofits: $2,080,245,995* • largest 10 percent Buncombe nonprofits by revenue: $1,889,837,883* • Mission Hospital Inc. and Mission Health Systems Inc: $1,053,490,370 (in 2012)
100%
totaL assets • Buncombe nonprofits: $5,013,742,290* • largest 10 percent of Buncombe nonprofits by total assets: $4,731,022,657* • Mission Hospital Inc. and Mission Health System Inc.: $3,098,606,701 (in 2012)
North Carolina Statistics peopLe empLoYed (2012): • nonprofits employ 1 out of every 9 people in the state • nonprofits provide 425,000 jobs • nonprofits payed over $15 billion in wages voLunteers (2012): • number of people who volunteer each year: 2.5 million • percentage of overall population who volunteered: 26.4 percent • hours of volunteer work statewide: 228.6 million (which is the equivalent of 109,903 full-time workers) Data from N.C. Center for Nonprofits, Urban Institute and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis * most recent available yearly data for each organization. Includes information from 2012, 2013 and 2014 X Infographic by Anna Whitley
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Where nonprofits get their revenue national statistics 2012
46.6%
Fees for goods & services from private sources
23.2% Other sources
2.6%
Fees for goods & services from government sources
5.5%
Investment income
9.5% Government grants
12.6% Private contributions
Data from N.C. Center for Nonprofits
Celebrating 30 years of excellence in workshops, contests, readings, retreats & editorial services!
“God bless The Writers’ Workshop!!” —KURT VONNEGUT 2005 “The Writers’ Workshop is a community treasure that deserves to be nurtured and supported” —E.L. DOCTOROW and PETER MATTHIESSEN 2013 “Asheville’s writing community has evolved through the years with the very focused efforts of its organizational champion, the Writers’ Workshop” —JEFF FOBES, publisher, MountainXpress 2014 “I was honored to join REYNOLDS PRICE in Asheville to give a benefit reading for The Writers’ Workshop!” —EUDORA WELTY 2000 “Keep up all the superb work that you do!” —JOHN LE CARRE 2015
Advisory Board E.L. Doctorow John Ehle Helen Henslee John Le Carre Peter Matthiessen
Past Members: Kurt Vonnegut Eudora Welty Alex Haley Reynolds Price
828-254-8111 • writersw@gmail.com • www.twwoa.org mountainx.com
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Nonmedical Treatment for ADHD
We make a living by what we get, We make a LIFE by what we give.
Karon Korp
Realtor, SRES Board Member Asheville Sister Cities Member Kiwanis Club of Asheville Opportunity Knocks! Ambassador Dining Out for Life Volunteer Salvation Army ABCCM Please call with questions, —KK
www.ashevillerealtygroup.com
INVEST IN LOCAL BUSINESSES, EARN A RETURN, CREATE JOBS, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
153 S. Lexington Avenue, Asheville 828-253-2834 mountainbizworks.org 40
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
UNCA and Advanced Psychological Services is accepting children aged 7-10 for a study of non-medical neurofeedback treatment for Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder. Symptoms of ADHD include difficulty concentrating, disorganization, distractibility, forgetting, and trouble completing tasks. Prior diagnosis not necessary. Free evaluation and treatment. Some reimbursement for time and travel. Risks will be explained before agreeing to participate.
For information without obligation call Dr. Roger deBeus: 828-333-5359 x3, or email rdebeus@unca.edu, or visit ICANstudy.org.
mountainx.com
of Buncombe County NC Pre-K Now Accepting Applications
for 15-16 School Year
FREE, high quality early care and learning program for children the year before they enter Kindergarten is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 school year. To apply, visit www.smartstart-buncombe.org or call 828-285-9333, x 1050
Join us for new Play & Learn Groups! Play and Learn Groups are FREE pre-literacy programs for 3 month olds - 5 year olds in Buncombe County who are not in regulated child care and their parents/caregivers. The program is offered at locations around the county. For more details, schedules and locations, visit www.smartstart-buncombe.org or call 828-350-2904. Smart Start of Buncombe County…Investing in the First 2,000 Days of a childʼs life.
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EDEN
in the Mountains - Is a Christ-centered non-profit which seeks to promote health through art and natural wellness and restore the body, soul, and spirit. - A place to cultivate the arts and combine a natural wellness experience with a raw/whole foods detox program and spa type modalities in a natural environment, with a variety of art classes and workshops for children & adults. - Sustainable living practices are an important part of the environment at EDEN: an off-the-grid facility with low EMF emissions, alternative energies, organic gardening practices, and Eco-friendly buildings. - 35 acres of untouched, natural land, nestled in a private valley in the Mountains in Old Fort, NC, with a river and 3 natural springs.
We are currently in the building phase. Volunteers and funding always appreciated! For more information visit EDENintheMountains.org or visit us on Facebook. or call Kim Hostetter at 386.931.9696
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Philanthropy for “the rest of us” bY susan hutchinson and jeff fobes
Giving is great — after you pay the rent. Everyone loves nonprofits and the work they do, but times are tough and many folks, particularly young people, have little or nothing left at the end of their paycheck to contribute to worthy causes. What’s more, tax laws are written for the wealthy, providing benefits for their charitable giving. But for those who can only afford to give a hundred or a thousand dollars in a year, tax laws generally don’t provide any benefits for their generosity. Mountain Xpress plans to change that! While we can’t change the tax laws, we can find other incentives for those in the small-to-modest donation bracket. This fall, watch for a new way for Western North Carolinians to give back to their communities. Xpress is pleased to announce Give!Local, a new end-of-year giving campaign based on the idea that giving should be fun and rewarding — for all of us. Based on an idea started in Portland, Ore., Give!Local is a twomonth giving project that provides cool incentives for donors, even those making very small gifts. Give!Local will include an online platform that makes giving quick and easy, a print guide to the November-December campaign, weekly contests to build community excitement, and awards to exceptional nonprofit employees. Richard Meeker, publisher of Willamette Week (Portland, Oregon’s alt weekly), and co-owner of the Independent Weekly in Durham, recently visited Asheville to help with the planning and development of Xpress’ project. According to Meeker, “In our first year, in 2004, Portland’s Give!Guide worked with a couple dozen nonprofits and helped raise about $24,000 for them. I considered that a huge success at the time. But now our Give!Guide has grown, so that in 2014, we raised over $3 million for 136 nonprofits.” “I’m thrilled that Mountain Xpress has decided to create its own
Give!Guide this year,” Meeker says. “This should prove to be of real benefit to Asheville’s nonprofit community — and as a result, to everyone here.” Using the Give!Guide model, everyone, whether in Portland or Asheville, who donates money, even in small amounts, receives incentives, such as coffee, a cookie, a car wash or concert tickets. Local businesses that provide incentives benefit from new customers coming through their doors and exposure to targeted markets. Participating nonprofits get a needed financial boost and, of particular importance, new donors. And with a little luck, a couple hardworking nonprofit employees will receive a cash prize and recognition for their efforts. Meeker has come to Asheville twice thus far to help shepherd the Xpress project. Due to his efforts around the country in past years, nine alternative papers have launched their own versions of Portland’s Give!Guide, including Durham’s Indy Weekly three years ago, which raised $-------- for 48 nonprofits in its third year. “Willamette Week tries to help one new publisher establish a Give!Guide each year,” Meeker explains. “Mountain Xpress and its staff seem perfectly suited to this sort of enterprise, as they already have deep ties to the organizations that provide crucial support to this amazing community.” So be on the lookout for Xpress’ Kickoff party in late October. Start saving your pennies to give to your favorite local nonprofits. And let’s show Portland that Asheville is more than Beer City, USA. If you are a part of a nonprofit that would like to participate in the Give!Local program, you can request an application form by sending your contact information or if you and your business are interested in Give!Local, ask about the variety of ways you can participate by emailing GiveLocal@mountainx.com And special thanks to The Thirsty Monk for providing extra support during our planning phase.
FREE Go Local Discount Card with every Go Local CD opened! Invest Intentionally! With a minimum deposit of $500 to open our GoLocal CertiďŹ cate of Deposit, you can help fund local businesses, community economic development projects and home-ownership opportunities across Western North Carolina. Self-Help Credit Union leverages the money you deposit to create economic opportunity for all, especially women, minorities, rural residents, and low-wealth families and communities with less access to traditional capital.
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Call us now for
Summer Workshops • Bladesmithing with Gerry Drew - May 9 • Batik on Silk with Christine Mariotti - May 16 th • Make your own Natural Soap with Sally Hursey - May 30-31 st • Willow Chair Building with Timothy O’Day - July 14-18th • Eastern Repousse’ with Victoria Lansford - August 22-23 rd th
www.tryonartsandcrafts.org
Growing nearly 10 tons of produce each year and giving it all away. Square Dance / Potluck Fundraiser Saturday, May 30th 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM At the Garden - 26 Joe Jenkins Road, Fairview, NC Suggested Donation $10/person, $20/family
For more information visit www.thelordsacre.org or write us at thelordsacre@gmail.com
HAVE FUN AND FIGHT HUNGER!
37 3 Harmon Field Rd Tryon, NC 28782 828.859.8323
Why Enroll at Franklin? Our Students say it best… “The teachers - they engage a lot and help you understand.” “The group work - when I work with other people I understand better.” “I like that we get to ask a lot of questions. And we’re learning how to ask good questions!” Teachers who care – engaging projects – collaborative work – inquiry.
This is what Franklin is all about.
Accepting Applications for 6th—10th Grade www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org • (828) 318-8140 • info@thefsi.us 44
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
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C O M M U N I T Y
C A L E N D A R
maY 6 - maY 14, 2015
Calendar Deadlines In order to qualify for a free Listing, an event must benefit or be sponsored by a nonprofit or noncommercial community group. In the spirit of Xpress’ commitment to support the work of grassroots community organizations, we will also list events our staff consider to be of value or interest to the public, including local theater performances and art exhibits even if hosted by a for-profit group or business. All events must cost no more than $40 to attend in order to qualify for free listings, with the one exception of events that benefit nonprofits. Commercial endeavors and promotional events do not qualify for free listings. free Listings will be edited by Xpress staff to conform to our style guidelines and length. Free listings appear in the publication covering the date range in which the event occurs. Events may be submitted via emaiL to calendar@mountainx.com or through our onLine submission form at mountainx. com/calendar. The deadline for free listings is the Wednesday one week prior to publication at 5 p.m. For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/ calendar. For questions about free listings, call 251-1333, ext. 110. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 251-1333, ext. 320.
Benefits Benefit for nepal 225-6422, udharmanc.com • WE (5/13), 5:30-7:30pm Donations and tickets to this candelight ceremony and buffet dinner support earthquake victims in Nepal. Candlelight ceremony, 5:30pm: Held at Urban Dharma, 29 Page Ave.; admission by donation. Buffet dinner, 6:30pm: Held at Kathmandu Cafe, 90 Patton Ave.; $30. Black & White Gala 254-7206, ywcaofasheville.com • TH (5/7), 7-10:30pm - Tickets to this music, dancing and raffle event benefit the YWca of asheville. $60. Held at Crest Center & Pavilion, 22 Celebration Place Dinner Benefit for leicester communitY center 774-3000, leicestercommunitycenter.com • SA (5/9), 4-7pm - Tickets to this
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we’re on a road to nowhere: Looking for a local adventure? Friends of the Smokies and author Danny Bernstein will lead a hike along Lakeshore Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City on Tuesday, May 12. The trek includes passage along the “Road to Nowhere,” a halted road project that includes a tunnel the length of a football field. Image courtesy of the GSMNP (p.48)
roast beef dinner with live entertainment support community center programs. $8. Held at Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester DoWn home tour joelasherjr.com • SA (5/9), 6pm - Proceeds from this Joe Lasher Jr. Band performance benefit the community table. $7 or by donation of five canned food items. Held at Bridge Park, 76 Railroad Ave., Sylva flea market anD Bake sale 693-4927 • SA (5/9), 7:30-11am - Proceeds from this event will benefit Grace lutheran preschool. Held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville ’fore’ the chilDren 254-5356, x300 • TH (5/7), 11am - Proceeds from this golf tournament benefit eliada homes’ mission and programs. $200. Held at Grove Park, 338 Charlotte St.
mountainx.com
Girl scouts 5k anD track-lap
retrospective collective
rnplella.wix.com/bcgsfunrunwalk • SA (5/9), 8:15-10:30am Proceeds from this race event benefit Buncombe county Girl scouts. $15. Held at Enka High School, 475 Enka Lake Road, Candler
safeandsoundavl.com • WE (5/6), 6:30pm - Proceeds from this prix fixe dinner and performance of Paul Simon’s Graceland album benefit helpmate. $65/$20 performance only. Held at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road
lions cluB horse shoW ashevillelionsclubhorseshow.com • WE (5/13) throught SA (5/16), 6-10pm - Proceeds from this saddlebred horse show benefit the asheville lions’ eye clinic. Free to attend. Held at WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road
speak Your peace meditatewnc.org • MO (5/11), noon-1:30pm Tickets to this luncheon with dispute expert Kenneth Feinberg benefit the mediation center. $60. Held at DoubleTree by Hilton, 115 Hendersonville Road
mother’s DaY GarDen anD GallerY stroll omsanctuary.org • SU (5/10), 1-4pm - Donations collected at this reception, music, raffle and silent auction event benefit the Women’s enrichment scholarship fund. Held at OM Sanctuary, 87 Richmond Hill Drive safe anD sounD presents:
Business & technoloGY 3 months to monetiZe Your mission: Business traininG (pd.) Want to grow/start your business in record time? Join us to quickly go from where you
are now to earning more money doing what you love. • Starts June 13, 2015. Spaces limited. • Pre-registration required: bit. ly/3mos2money appalachian Women entrepreneurs conference 252-0121, appalachianwomenentrepreneurs. org • WE (5/13), 8am-7pm Collaborative learning, networking and empowerment seminar for entrepreneurial women living in rural communities in WNC. $15/ free for AWE and HIA members. Held at Morris Hellenic Cultural Center, 227 Cumberland Ave
classes, meetinGs & events 3 months to monetiZe Your mission: Business traininG (pd.) Want to grow/start your business in record time? Join us to quickly go from where you are now to earning more money doing what you love. • Starts June 13, 2015. Spaces limited. • Pre-registration required: bit.ly/3mos2money
venture asheville
aBraham/hicks: laW of attraction meetinG (pd.) Live with joy! Uplifting, positive group! Understand vibration, and how to manifest in your life. Every Wednesday, 7pm, Free! (828) 274-5444.
ventureasheville.com, 258-6137 • WEDNESDAYS, 9am - One Million Cups of Coffee: weekly entrepreneurs startup presentations. Held at RISC Networks, 81 Broadway Suite C
run for kiDs’ sake (pd.) 10 Mile/5K Off Road Run. Saturday, June 13th 8:30 at Warren Wilson College. Register online under upcoming event at www. bbbswnc.org.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! asheville national orGaniZation for Women ashevillenow@live.com • 2nd SUNDAYS, 2:30pm Monthly meeting. Free. Held at YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave. asheville oBjectivists ashevilleobjectivists.wordpress. com • TU (5/12), 6pm - Discussion of Ayn Rand’s philosophy. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. BuncomBe countY puBlic liBraries buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library Free unless otherwise noted. • WE (5/6), 5pm - Swannanoa Knitters, knitting group for all skill levels. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa haYWooD countY liBrarYcanton 11 Pennsylvania Ave., Canton, 648-2924, haywoodlibrary.org • TH (5/14), 3-5pm - Job search workshop. Registration required. Free. henDersonville Wise Women 693-1523 • 1st WEDNESDAYS, 1:30pm - A safe, supportive group of women “of a certain age.” Free. Held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville hillsiDe D&D encounters facebook.com/groups/hillsidednd • WEDNESDAYS, 6-9pm - Weekly ongoing fantasy campaign with the new edition. Free. Held at Hillside Games, 611c Tunnel Road laurel chapter of the emBroiDerers’ GuilD of america egacarolinas.org • TH (5/7), 9:30am-noon Discussion of making tassels. Registration required. Free. Held at Cummings United Methodist Church, 3 Banner Farm Road, Horse Shoe lGBtQjeW 253-0701, jcc-asheville.org • WE (5/6), 7-9pm - Social group meeting. Free. Held at Battery Park Book Exchange, 1 Page Ave. No. 101 ontrack Wnc 50 S. French Broad Ave., 255-5166, ontrackwnc.org Registration required. Free unless otherwise noted. • WE (5/6), noon-1pm “Budgeting 101,” workshop. • THURSDAYS until (5/28), 5:307pm - “Mother/Daughter Money
Buddies,” five-part seminar. • SATURDAYS until (5/16), 9am12:30pm - “Manage Your Money Series,” workshop. • TH (5/14), noon-1pm “Understanding Credit. Get it. Keep it. Improve it,” workshop. pisGah astronomical research institute 1 PARI Drive, Rosman, 862-5554, pari.edu • FR (5/8), 7pm - “An Evening at PARI,” presentation on Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project. Reservations required. $20/$15 seniors & military/$10 children under 14. smokY mountain chess cluB facebook.com/ SmokyMountainChessClub • THURSDAYS, 1pm - Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Free. Held at Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main St., Waynesville touchstones Discussion project 200-2953, lanternprojectonline.org • SUNDAYS, 5:30-6:30pm Workshop on collaborative skills and group dynamics for community building. Free. Registration required. Held at White Pine Acupuncture, 247 Charlotte St. veterans for peace 582-5180, vfpchapter099wnc. blogspot.com • TU (5/12), 6:30pm - General meeting. Held at Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St. Western carolinians for peace anD justice in the miDDle east mepeacewnc.com • WE (5/13), 9:30am - General meeting. Free. Held at Black Mountain Presbyterian, 117 Montreat Road, Black Mountain Western nc humanists 550-7935 • 2nd & 4th SUNDAYS, 11am Brunch meeting. Free to attend. Held at Denny’s, 1 Regent Park Blvd. Wnc pokémon leaGue facebook.com/groups/ WNCPokemon • SATURDAYS, 4-8pm - Video and card games for players of all ages. Free to attend. Held at Hillside Games, 611c Tunnel Road
Dance stuDio ZahiYa, DoWntoWn Dance classes (pd.) Monday 6pm Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Fusion Bellydance 7:30pm
Give Mom the gift of calming quaffables! Bring this ad in for 20% OFF your ENTIRE PURCHASE!
Bellydance• Tuesday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm Bellydance 2 •Wednesday 7:30pm Bellydance• Thursday 7am Hip Hop Cardio 9am Hip Hop Wrkt 4pm Kid’s Dance 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm West African 8pm West African 2 • Saturday 9:30am Hip Hop Wrkt 10:30am Bellydance • $13 for 60 minute classes, Hip Hop Wkrt $5. 90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www.studiozahiya.com :: 828.242.7595
We do beer, wine, cider, and mead.
eco asheville Green Drinks ashevillegreendrinks.com • WE (5/6), 7pm - Hands-on interactive climate change presentation. Free. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place transition asheville 296-0064, transitionasheville.org • MO (5/11), 6:30pm Discussion of hands-on wood gasification projects. Held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 337 Charlotte St.
farm & GarDen asheville GarDen cluB 550-3459 • WE (5/6), 9:30am - “Horticulture - Plant Propagation,” workshop. Held at North Asheville Recreation Center, 37 E. Larchmont Road
Two Day Absolute Auction!
BuncomBe countY master GarDeners 255-5522, buncombemastergardener.org • 2nd SATURDAYS, 11am-2pm - Plant problems, pests and compost demonstrations. Free to attend. Held at WNC Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Road craDle of forestrY Route 276, Pisgah National Forest, 877-3130, cradleofforestry.org • SA (5/9), 9am-5pm - “Garden Day,” includes discussion of backyard gardens, meadow conversion areas, vegetable gardens and monarch way station. $5.
festivals ahepa mother’s DaY luncheon 253-3754 • SU (5/10), 11am-2pm Traditional Greek dishes served cafeteria-style. Cost varies per item. Free to attend. Held at
Friday, May 8th at 6PM Saturday, May 9th at 3PM Please visit our website or auctionzip.com auctioneer ID# 12759 for a complete listing and pictures Sale conducted by
WILSON AND TERRY AUCTION COMPANY Blake Terry NCAL 6902 Jerry Bruce NCAL 9126/SCAL 390 NCAL Firm 6909
Interested in updating your look or turning something you no longer need into cash? One item or a full house, we can sell it for you! We offer free in house appraisals!
we have over 20 years experience in the antique business.
1098 New Stock Rd. Weaverville, NC 28787 828-645-0695 Check our website for information & pictures, for our upcoming monthly sales/auctions: wilsonandterryauction.net NCAL FIRM 6909 mountainx.com
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Morris Hellenic Cultural Center, 227 Cumberland Ave ‘Mama Mia!’ in Marshall 649-7889, madisoncountyarts.com • SA (5/9), 1-6:30pm - Mother’s Day celebration and street festival with works by local artists. Sponsored by the Downtown Marshall Assocation. Free to attend. Held in downtown Marshall.
Food & Beer Leicester Community Center 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 774-3000, facebook. com/Leicester.Community.Center • WEDNESDAYS, 11:30am-1pm - The Leicester Welcome Table offers a hot meal and fellowship. Open to all. Free. Taste of Black Mountain exploreblackmountain.com • TH (5/7), 5:30-7pm - “Rock the Taste,” local wine, beer and food tasting sponsored by the Town of Black Mountain. $40/$30 advance. Held at White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Road, Black Mountain
Government & Politics Buncombe County Republican Men’s Club 712-1711, gakeller@gakeller.com • 2nd SATURDAYS, 7:30am Discussion group meeting with optional breakfast. Free to attend. Held at Corner Stone Restaurant, 102 Tunnel Road Buncombe County Republican Women’s Club 243-6590 • TH (5/14), 11:30am - Lunch and presentation with Dr. Carl Mumpower. Free to attend. Held at Olive Garden, 121 Tunnel Road
Kids Asheville Art Museum 2 N. Pack Square, 253-3227, ashevilleart.org • TU (5/12), 11am-12:20pm Guided tour and hands-on activity for homeschoolers grades 1-4. $4/ student. Blue Ridge Books 152 S. Main St., Waynesville • TU (5/12), 9:30am - Book Buddies, reading exploration for ages 0 to 3. Free. • TU (5/12), 10:30am - Page Pals, early literacy and school readiness for ages 3 to 5. Free.
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by Carrie Eidson & Michael McDonald Buncombe County Parks and Rec 250-6703 • SA (5/9), 8:30-11:30am - Kids fishing tournament for ages 15 and younger. $10. Held at Lake Julian Park, 406 Overlook Road Ext., Arden FIRST Lego League Robotics Team 258-2038 • WEDNESDAYS, 3-5:30pm - All boys and girls ages 10-14 welcome. Free. Held at Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Office, 94 Coxe Ave. Haywood County Master Gardeners 456-3575, sarah_scott@ncsu.edu • WE (5/13), 4-5pm - Kids Gardening Day, with instruction on how to plant a garden. Free. Held at Haywood County LibraryCanton, 11 Pennsylvania Ave., Canton Kids’ Activities at the Libraries buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library Free unless otherwise noted. • WE (5/6), 3:30pm - LEGO Builders Club for ages 5 and up. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • FR (5/8), 4pm - LEGO Builders Club for ages 5 and up. Free. Held at Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain • FR (5/8), 3:30pm - Young Novel Readers Club: Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • MO (5/11), 4-5pm - LEGO Builders Club for ages 5 and up. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • MO (5/11) through FR (5/14) The Dollywood Players present Old Bear and His Cub: • May 11, 10:30am: Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • May 11, 3:30pm: Held at Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain • May 12, 10:30am: Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • May 12, 3:30am: Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • May 13, 11am: Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa • May 13, 3:30pm: Held at EnkaCandler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • May 14, 10:30am: Held at Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road • May 14, 3:30pm: Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview • May 14, 3:30pm: Held at North Asheville Library,
mountainx.com
1030 Merrimon Ave. • TU (5/12), 10:30am - Frozen, reading and family sing-along. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler Spellbound Children’s Bookshop 50 N. Merrimon Ave., 708-7570, spellboundchildrensbookshop.com • SATURDAYS, 11am - Storytime for ages 3-7. Free.
Outdoors Asheville Ultimate Club ashevilleultimate.org, ashevilleultimateclub@gmail.com • Through (6/3) - Registration is open for womens, mens, beginners and co-ed summer ultimate leagues. $40, $25 for new women. Registration closes when full. Buncombe County Special Olympics 250-4260 • TH (5/7), 9am - Spring Games Day, track and field for ages 6 and up. Free to attend. Held at TC Roberson High School, 250 Overlook Road Friends of the Smokies 452-0720, friendsofthesmokies.org, outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org • TU (5/12) - ’Classic Hike of the Smokies,’ with author Danny Bernstein. $10/$35 non-members. Registration required for time and meeting locations. Lake James State Park 6883 N.C. Highway 126, Nebo, 584-7728 • SA (5/9), 10am - Ranger-led .75 mile hike along the Holly Discovery Trail. Free. SheJumps 336-263-4856, shejumps.org • SU (5/10), 11am - “SUP with Mom,” stand up paddleboard excursion. $40. Held at Asheville Adventure Rentals, 704 Riverside Drive
Parenting Children and Family Resource Center 851 Case St., Hendersonville, 698-0674 • WEDNESDAYS until (5/13) “Parents Matter!” sexual health and responsibility. Free. Positive Parenting Program triplep-parenting.org • WE (5/6), 6pm - “Encouraging Desirable Behavior in Children,” workshop. Free. Held at Vance Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road
Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com
Public Lectures Buncombe County Public Libraries buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library Free unless otherwise noted. • TU (5/12), 7pm - “Lessons from the Past, Guidance for the Future,” with Holocaust survivor Walter Ziffer. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville Public Lectures at UNCA unca.edu Free unless otherwise noted. • FR (5/8), 11:30am - “What has the Supreme Court Wrought?” Held in Reuter Center. Free.
Seniors Asheville Parks and Recreation 70 Court Plaza, 259-5809 • TH (4/23) through FR (5/8) Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games. Contact for full schedule. $10
Spirituality ABOUT THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION TECHNIQUE: FREE INTRODUCTORY LECTURE (pd.) The simplest meditation is the most effective. Learn how TM is different from other meditation practices (including other “mantra” methods). TM is an effortless, non-religious technique for going beyond the busy, active mind to access your deepest inner reserves of calm, clarity and happiness — dissolving stress and connecting you to your higher self. The only meditation recommended by the American Heart Association. NIHsponsored research shows deep revitalizing rest, reduced anxiety, improved brain functioning and heightened well-being. Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm, Asheville TM Center, 165 E. Chestnut. 828-254-4350 or TM.org or MeditationAsheville. org ASHEVILLE COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION CENTER (pd.) 8 week course starting May 5, 6:30-8:30pm. Learn ways to create understanding, connection, and deeper love in your relationships by learning Compassionate Communication (Nonviolent Communication). Great for couples! 252-0538. www.ashevilleccc.com 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, 29 Ravenscroft Dr, Suite 200, (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. AWAKENING DEEPEST NATURE MEDITATION CLASS (pd.) Consciousness teacher and columnist Bill Walz. Healing into life through deepened stillness, presence and wisdom. Meditation, lessons and dialogue in Zen inspired unorthodox enlightenment. • Mondays, 6:30-7:30pm: Asheville Friends Meeting House at 227 Edgewood Ave. (off Merrimon). Donation. (828) 258-3241, healing@ billwalz.com www.billwalz.com CRYSTAL VISIONS BOOKS AND EVENT CENTER (pd.) New and Used Metaphysical Books • Music • Crystals • Jewelry • Gifts. Event Space, Labyrinth and Garden. 828-687-1193. For events, Intuitive Readers and Vibrational Healing providers: www.crystalvisionsbooks.com HOW TO USE CRYSTALS AND GEMSTONES FOR PRECISION HEALING & ENERGY BALANCING (pd.) Live at Hilton Hotel in Asheville, May 16-17, 2015; advance registration required. Learn rare practical methods, including from Egypt, Europe, and Asia; very different from info found in most Crystals books today! Amazing selection of international Crystals also available on site, including True Vogel Crystals made by Vogel’s own Master Cutter. For Free Articles and more info: 828298-7007 or www.vesica.org Looking for Genuine Spiritual Guidance and Help? (pd.) We are in a beautiful area about 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, very close to Warren Wilson College. www.truththomas. org 828-299-4359 OPEN HEART MEDITATION (pd.) Experience and deepen the spiritual connection to your heart, the beauty and deep peace of the Divine within you. Increase your natural joy and gratitude while releasing negative emotions. Love Offering 7-8pm Tuesdays, 5 Covington St. 296-0017 heartsanctuary.org SERENITY INSIGHT MEDITATION (pd.) A Burmese monk leads authentic Buddhist insight medi-
tation, grounded in 40 years of practice. Beginners and advanced practitioners welcome. • Sundays, 10am-11:30am; • Mondays and Wednesdays, 6pm-7pm. (828) 2984700. wncmeditation.com THE BLUE MANDALA (pd.) Ongoing Workshops and Events, for full details visit our website. Available Tues-Sat by Appt. (some evening appts available)- Intuitive Crystal Readings, Crystal Healing Sessions, Reiki, Massage, Access Consciousness Bars Sessions,Vibrational Sound Healing; Free Spiritual Lending Library, Online Metaphysical Store Shipping coming soon. The Blue Mandala 1359 Cane Creek Road Fletcher, NC 28732 828-275-2755 thebluemandala.com Adult Forum at FCC 692-8630, fcchendersonville.org • SU (5/10), 9:15am - “A New Model of the Universe.” Free. Held at First Congregational UCC of Hendersonville, 1735 5th Ave. W., Hendersonville Grace Lutheran Church 1245 Sixth Ave. W., Hendersonville, 693-4890, gracelutherannc.com • WEDNESDAYS until (5/20), 5:45pm - “Christianity’s Family Tree: What Others Believe and Why.” Free to attend. Shambhala Meditation Center 19 Westwood Place, 200-5120, shambhalaashvl@gmail.com • 1st THURSDAYS, 6-8pm - Food, conversation and meditation. Free. • THURSDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Sitting meditation and dharma reading. Free. • SUNDAYS, 10am-noon - Sitting and walking meditation. Free.
Spoken & Written Word Asheville Art Museum 2 N. Pack Square, 253-3227, ashevilleart.org • SA (5/12), 3-5pm - Discussion Bound book club: Jewels: A Secret History by Victoria Finlay. Admission fees apply. Battery Park Book Exchange 1 Page Ave. No. 101, 252-0020, batteryparkbookexchange.com • SA (5/9), 2pm - Poet Collin Kelley speaks. Blue Ridge Books 152 S. Main St., Waynesville Free to attend • SA (5/9), 11am - Tony Antonino Jr. discusses his book Fritz Fombie Have No Fear. • SA (5/9), 3pm - Tina Firewolf discusses her book Beneath the
For more volunteering opportunities, visit mountainx.com/volunteering
Chatter: The Wise Self Awaits. • TU (5/12), 1pm - Mary Kraft discusses her book Watch Where You Walk: New and Selected Poems. BuncomBe countY puBlic liBraries buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library Free unless otherwise noted. • WE (5/6), 3pm - Weaverville Afternoon Book Club: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • TH (5/7), 6:30pm - East Asheville Book Club: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. Held at East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road • SA (5/9), 3pm - West Asheville Book Club: Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin. Held at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road • TU (5/12), 1pm - Leicester Book Club: Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • TH (5/14), 1pm - Fairview Afternoon Book Club: My Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview citY liGhts Bookstore 3 E. Jackson St., Sylva, 586-9499, citylightsnc.com Free to attend • FR (5/8), 6:30pm - Faustine Wilson discusses her late mother Victoria Casey McDonald’s book Living in the Shadow of Slavery.
• SA (5/9), 6:30pm - Kim Michele Richardson discusses her book Liar’s Bench and Jamie Mason discusses her book Monday’s Lie. frienDs of the haYWooD countY liBrarY facebook.com/ HaywoodCountyPublicLibrary • TH (5/7), 7pm - Annual meeting featuring author Wiley Cash. $10. Held at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, 556 S. Haywood, Waynesville malaprop’s Bookstore anD cafe 55 Haywood St., 254-6734, malaprops.com Free unless otherwise noted. • WE (5/6), 1-2pm - Autism Book Club: Rogue by Lyn MillerLachman. • WE (5/6), 7pm - Malaprop’s Book Club: Old Filth by Jane Gardam. • TH (5/7), 7pm - Andrew Smith discusses his book The Alex Crow and David Arnold discusses his book Mosquitoland. • FR (5/8), 7pm - Dave Barry discusses his book Worst Class Trip Ever. • SA (5/9), 3pm - Inspire Curiosity: Curious George storytime. • SU (5/10), 3pm - Jan-Philipp Sendker discusses his book Whispering Shadows. • SU (5/10), 5pm - Shakespeare Salon: Macbeth. • MO (5/11), 7pm - Mystery Book Club: The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure. • TU (5/12), 7pm - Betsy Polk and Maggie Ellis discuss their book In Power Through Partnership: How
Women Lead Better Together. • WE (5/13), 7pm - Margaret McMullan discusses her books Aftermath Lounge and Every Father’s Daughter. • TH (5/14), 7pm - Sy Safransky discusses his book Many Alarm Clocks. open mic niGht nothingsopowerful@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7-9pm - Free to attend. Held at Rejavanation Cafe, 909 Smokey Park Highway, Candler thomas Wolfe short storY Book cluB 253-8304, wolfememorial.com • TH (5/14), 5:30-7pm - “The Lost Boy.” Discussion led by Paul Spivey. Free. Held at Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 N. Market St
volunteerinG literacY council seeks volunteers (pd.) Volunteers are needed to tutor adults in reading, writing, math and English as a Second Language. Tutors receive training and support from certified professionals. Learn more by emailing us (volunteers@litcouncil.com). sanDhill communitY GarDen 58 Apac Circle, 250-4260 • SATURDAYS, 10am-noon Volunteers are needed to help with growing produce for donation in this nonprofit community garden.
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Digging Deep with Charles Lewis: Why Investigative Reporting Matters Thursday, May 14, from 6:30-8 p.m. at The Crest Center in Asheville.
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For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.carolinapublicpress.org or call 828-279-0949 mountainx.com
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
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humor
Asheville Disclaimer by Tom Scheve
tomscheve@gmail.com
Find local standup comedy info at AshevilleComedyClub.com • Twitter @AVLdisclaimer
Asheville’s Fan Fiction
asheville disclaimer
Briefs New NC abortion law seeks to limit number of spur-of-themoment abortions undertaken by flibbity jibbits
Kitchen Ugly? Don’t replace... REFACE! 1 New look for about /3 the cost of new cabinets Paul Caron • The Furniture Magician • 828.669.4625
Tagger ruins Odditorium’s mural in bid to bring attention to genius of his men’s-room doodles Water main breaks near new Asheville outlet mall, as the angel of retail death hovers menacingly near Asheville Disclaimer is parody/satire Contact: tomscheve@gmail.com Contrib. this week: Joe Shelton, Tom Scheve
Proposed Changes to NC sex ed
Noi’s Thai Kitchen is now
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828-251-1960 • 535c Merrimon Ave • **Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly 50
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• There’s no such thing as emergency contraception, unless a Republican’s kid has the emergency. • Vaginal virginity must be preserved at any cost, even if other orifices must pay a horrible price. • Only committed, straight married couples can avoid STDs, and only by utilizing paper toilet-seat covers. • Condoms are useless, unnecessary and superfluously festive in color. • Maternity-style graduation gowns are stylish and affordable. • If you experience a perfectly natural and involuntary nocturnal emission, you’re going to burn, burn, burn in the hottest part of hell forever. • Premature removal of a promise ring will result in an STD and/or lethal stoning by Southern Baptists. • Coitus Interruptus was a highly effective ancient Roman general. The terms have no other meaning or connotation. • Teenager sex is highly unpleasant if not painful and usually results in straightjacketed institutionalization. • Hot pants cause cancer in both wearer and observer.
Witnesses: Shirtless man downtown at midnight pretty pissed off
ASHEVILLE, MONDAY — According to several witnesses, a shirtless man seen stumbling down Biltmore Avenue was pretty confused, visibly intoxicated, and more than a little pissed off. “So, apparently the deal is that he is an out-of-work Kentucky shaman who’s passing through, more or less, and from what I gather he’s pretty upset about something,” said one man who spoke briefly to the shirtless man. Other witnesses described the man as tan, “redneck-strong,” and “maybe 10 years younger than his face looks.” “The shirtless man shared some pretty strong opinions about me, and definitely about my girlfriend,” said another downtown pedestrian. “But I have to pick my battles. He was shirtless, which gives one pause. On top of that, he was extremely pissed off. It’s not like we’re married.” City officials and mental health experts believe it’s best that men who are shirtless at night downtown “just work it out” by screaming made-up song lyrics and cussing at bar patrons through the window from the sidewalk. “Shirtless men downtown at night are really feeling ‘it,’” said Ian Stone of the city’s Communication & Public Engagement Division. “Just give them space, maybe a high-five and a ‘whoo-hoo,’ and be aware that they can suddenly become absolutely angry as a hornet, and you’ll be fine.” UPDATE: The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has issued a correction to its guidelines for interacting with wildlife. • Do not attempt to domesticate wildlife you encounter even if doing so means you will be able to spoon with a fawn nightly and have your morning coffee brought to you by an adorable bear cub and then watch a fawn and a bear cub playfully wrestle around in your bed while you enjoy your morning coffee and Instagram the moment.
humor
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by Chuck Shepherd
maritaL enhancement
the continuing crisis
Saudi Arabia’s very first sex accessory shop (in the holy city of Mecca) should be opening soon, according to news reports — operated by a Moroccan Muslim, backed by the German adult mega-retailer Beate Uhse and supposedly fully compliant with Islamic law. Owner abdelaziz aouragh told Agence France-Presse he would stock 18 different Islam-appropriate toys for married couples, along with oils and fragrances that he said would enhance the marital experience. (He did not actually describe the toys but ruled out U.S. mainstays such as inflatable dolls and vibrators.) One such “halal” sex shop opened in Turkey in 2013, and Aouragh’s financial partner runs a similar enterprise online.
• The February gun-and-baby-carrying workshop in Johnston, Iowa, was so successful that instructor melody Lauer and CrossRoads Shooting Sports owner tom hudson plan more. Lauer insisted that she does not necessarily encourage a baby-holding mother to arm herself, but if she chooses to, safety would of course require that she be familiar with the tricky procedure of drawing, aiming and firing even though she might be “wearing” a baby in a sling in front of her body. Hudson, noting the fast-growing market of gun sales to women, said scheduling the workshop “was a no-brainer.” • What is believed to be America’s only hard-nosed “gang” composed only of gay and transgendered AfricanAmericans hopes to have its story told soon by filmmakers — who emphasize the group’s transition from fighters to entrepreneurs working to establish
their own clothing line, according to a March report on advocate.com. The gang, originally organized for protection (“We gonna get our respect one way or another,” said one), hails from the violent Washington, D.C., Trinidad neighborhood, yet some of the 200 members (in their teens or early 20s) insist on stilettos, lipstick and mascara (while carrying knives, brass knuckles and mace). QuestionabLe judgments • Pioneering British facial surgeon ninian peckitt, 63, facing a Medical Practitioners Tribunal in Manchester in April, was accused by a witness of “repeatedly” having punched one patient in the face during a procedure in order to straighten a fracture. Dr. Peckitt acknowledged having used his hands to “manipulate” bones in the patient’s face, calling it a routine surgery-avoiding procedure sometimes required for extensive injuries. • Suspicions confirmed: Two airport screeners at Denver International collaborated in an ongoing ploy in which one, a male, signaled to a female colleague that he had spotted an attrac-
tive male passenger in line that he might like to grope. The female would then suddenly notice an “anomaly” in the screening and ask that passenger to stand aside so the male agent could “inspect” him further — by genital and posterior fondling (over his clothing). The two agents were fired in February after a Transportation Security Administration investigator, having been alerted to the scheme, observed it in action. inexpLicabLe • mohammed almarri, 21, was arrested on multiple charges in Tampa, Fla., on April 12 after illegally entering a neighbor’s apartment in a high-rise and forcing the owner onto the balcony. For reasons undisclosed in the police report, Almarri then allegedly microwaved the man’s wallet in his oven. • joseph williams, 35 (and with several pending warrants), was arrested on April 5 in Fort Pierce, Fla., after entering the emergency room at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute, demanding an enema and refusing to leave until he got one.
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W E L L N E S S
Early Diagnosis Healthy Eating and Living conference educates medical professionals
By ELIZABETH L. HARRISON
elharrison@gmail.com
To help those with eating disorders, first you have to see the problem, and that’s a key focus of the eighth National Healthy Eating and Living Conference being held on Thursday-Friday, May 14-15, at the Hilton Asheville Hotel in Biltmore Park. One of the keynote speakers, Beth Riley, says her battle with anorexia and bulimia went unnoticed by her parents and doctors for years. “No one said a word, ever,” says Riley, executive director of the Riley Center for Eating Disorders in Greenville, S.C. “I spent my 20s dealing with it until I finally got help.” Those struggles ignited a lifelong passion for raising awareness for eating disorders, and Riley will share her expertise on what it takes to build a successful and sustainable eating disorder practice at the HEAL conference, which is sponsored by T.H.E. (Treatment, Healing, Education) Center for Disordered Eating of Western North Carolina. The conference is geared toward teaching professionals how to better treat eating disorders. In the United States, at some time in their lives, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Many of these cases go unreported. “We are not catching this illness,” Riley says. “The medical community, parents — they’re not catching it early enough.”
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While studying at Stanford University, Riley began experiencing fatigue, difficulty concentrating and depression (symptoms also related to malnourishment). When a doctor recommended she eliminate yeast, dairy and sugar, she obsessed about the new diet. “When I ate food that was not on the approved list, I would binge on it, then use compensatory behaviors such as purging and exercise,” says Riley. Riley’s experience is still common today, says Elaine O’Barr, director of T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating. She recounts visiting a family doctor recently and being told the office never comes across eating disorders. “There’s no way that’s possible,” O’Barr says. In 2014, T.H.E. Center — a 501(c)3 nonprofit based at UNC Asheville that offers free services for disordered eating — served over 400 individuals in its support groups and had over 200 calls to its help line, says O’Barr. Doctors aren’t receiving enough education about how to diagnose and treat eating disorders, as well as the severity of long-term side effects if adolescents aren’t treated aggressively, says Riley. In the last 12 months, the Riley Center sent 34 individuals to inpatient treatment. “Most doctors have zero education in treating eating disorders,” she says. Stomach pain is a typical complaint for someone suffering from an eating disorder, she explains. When you restrict food, the body’s metabolism slows and in turn
slows the digestion process. This can manifest as chronic stomach pain, and when doctors cannot find the source of the problem, they might suggest the patient stop eating gluten, dairy or meat, she says. Nicole Foxworth, a boardcertified physician assistant specializing in family health in Hendersonville, says medical professionals are focusing a lot on obesity because they see it so frequently. She says the clinic where she works recently offered an optional lunch-andlearn on eating disorders. At her clinic, adolescent patients coming in for a wellness check-up must complete a questionnaire about what they are eating and how they feel about it. “But not every teen comes in for a [wellness] visit,” Foxworth says. “Like anything with teenagers, they’re teenagers — they’re not the most communicative people.” O’Barr says those who are treating eating disorders are just beginning to realize that eating disorders may not be easy to spot. “You don’t have to look a certain way or be underweight,” she says. “Sixty percent of individuals who present with an eating disorder are normal weight or above. It’s not what you think it is.” Eating disorders are complex and are caused by a combination of behavioral, biological, emotional, interpersonal and social factors, according to NEDA.
Riley adds that some commonalities of people with eating disorders are struggling with anxiety, overachieving, avoiding risk or harm, and liking to be in control. “If you tell them to stop eating gluten or dairy, they will take it to the extreme,” she says. “Even though we have this facility here, when [patients] show up in my office, they are too far gone,” Riley says. “Twice a week we’re sending people far away still. We have a real crisis right now in our area. People are still waiting too long.” Riley says she sees parents putting off help for their child because there’s no time, it’s too expensive, or it means they miss that soccer game and lose a chance at a scholarship. Unfortunately, the long-term damage of putting off treatment for an eating disorder could be irreparable, she emphasizes. The longer you restrict your body from food, the harder it is on your heart, which could lead to heart complications or heart failure, Riley says. “Short-term discomfort will cause long-term health complications, including possible death,” Riley says. Riley was in her mid 20s and living in Hendersonville when she sought treatment at Park Ridge Hospital. She quit her job and paid for the treatment on her own, she says. “It did save my life,” says Riley. “That’s why I’m so committed to helping others.” Riley has been in recovery for 26 years. She earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and began treating eating disorders in 1997. She has sent clients all over the country to treatment facilities so that they could receive the appropriate level of care needed. The expense and emotional stress of sending a child away weighs on the entire family, she says. “Too many people sat in my office over the years and sobbed on my sofa, begging me not to send them away, but they needed to go,” Riley says.
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Be Your Most Beautiful You! Creative styles . Wildly curly to sleek and straight. Custom colors from edgy to natural. Specializing in Great Lengths Hair Extensions. Using the finest vegan gluten free haircare products free support services: Eating disorders are still a common experience, says Elaine O’Barr, director of T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating, which served over 600 people in its support groups and helpline in 2014.
what HEAL Conference 2015 — the eighth National Healthy Eating and Living Conference, sponsored by the T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating and Eating Recovery Center. The event is a workshop offering five continuingeducation credit hours and an opportunity to network with fellow eating disorders treatment colleagues. Key speakers include Emmett Bishop, founding partner and medical director of outpatient services and program development at the Eating Recovery Center in Colorado, and Beth Riley, executive director of the Riley Center. when Thursday, May 16, and Friday, May 15. Early registration and continental breakfast, 8-9 a.m. Friday. where Hilton Asheville at Biltmore Park more info HEAL conference: avl.mx/0vx T.H.E. Center: thecenternc.org
Downtown at Studio Chavarria - Call 828.236.9191
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Many times in their first year post-treatment, patients relapse. That’s when Riley realized the need for more services at home. In 2012, after consulting with colleagues across the country, she opened the Riley Center for Eating Disorders — South Carolina’s first intensive outpatient program for the treatment of eating disorders. Along with the intensive outpatient program, which helps those needing more structure than weekly outpatient therapy and nutrition counseling, the Riley Center offers a day treatment program for those transitioning from residential treatment centers. Staff includes a certified eating disorder specialist, psychiatrist, physician, registered nurse, marriage and family therapists, registered dietitians, kitchen staff and a yoga instructor. It has been a labor of love for Riley, who had no backers at the time and had never owned or run a business. “It was a lot to bite off, but I was glad I did,” she says. X
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weLLness caLendar
by Carrie Eidson & Michael McDonald
Wellness
600 Hour Ayurveda Wellness Counselor Certification Begins in September Discounts Available
Weekend Program AshevilleMassageSchool.org • 828-252-7377 Tapestries Jewelry Incense
Oil Clothing Instruments
BuncomBe countY puBlic liBraries buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library Free unless otherwise noted. • MO (5/11), 7-9pm - “Communicating with Your Body for Health,” presentation. Held at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road healinG from cancer naturallY facebook.com/healingcancernaturally • 2nd FRIDAYS, 2-4pm - Information on diet and lifestyle changes for cancer patients. Free. Held at OM Sanctuary, 87 Richmond Hill Drive international hearinG voices netWork intervoiceonline.org • TH (5/7), 4pm - Knowing You, Knowing You and The Hearing Voices Network, short documentaries about mental health. Free. Held at Yancey County Public Library, 321 School Circle, Burnsville
support Groups aDult chilDren of alcoholics & DYsfunctional families adultchildren.org • Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings.
WOrlD TreAsures ABOuND
9 Biltmore Ave. Downtown Asheville, NC indocrafts.com FB: Indo Apparel & Gifts Twitter@IndoCrafts
al-anon/ alateen familY Groups 800-286-1326, wnc-alanon.org • A support group for the family and friends of alcoholics. For full listings, visit mountainx.com/ support. alcoholics anonYmous • For a full list of meetings in WNC, call 2548539 or aancmco.org asheville Women for soBrietY 215-536-8026, womenforsobriety.org • THURSDAYS, 6:30-8pm – Held at YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave. asperGer’s aDults uniteD facebook.com/WncAspergersAdultsUnited • 2nd SATURDAYS, 2-4pm - Occasionally meets additional Saturdays. Contact for details. Held at Hyphen, 81 Patton Ave. asperGer’s teens uniteD facebook.com/groups/AspergersTeensUnited • For teens (13-19) and their parents. Meets
every 3 weeks. Contact for details. auto immune support Group 553-6072, amberry0822@gmail.com • SA (5/9), 2-4pm - Coping skills for people with auto immune diseases. Held at Fletcher Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher Brainstormer’s collective 254-0507, puffer61@gmail.com • 1st THURSDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Led by brain injury survivors for brain injury survivors and supporters. Held at Kairos West Community Center, 742 Haywood Road chronic pain support 989-1555, deb.casaccia@gmail.com • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6 pm – Held in a private home. Contact for directions. coDepenDents anonYmous 398-8937 • WEDNESDAYS, 7-8pm & SATURDAYS, 11am – Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St. • TUESDAYS, 8pm – Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 1340-A Patton Ave. DeBtors anonYmous debtorsanonymous.org • MONDAYS, 7pm - Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St. Depression anD Bipolar support alliance 367-7660, magneticminds.weebly.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7pm & SATURDAYS, 4pm – Held at 1316-C Parkwood Road electrosensitivitY support • For electrosensitive individuals. For location and info contact hopefulandwired@gmail. com or 255-3350. emotions anonYmous 631-434-5294 • TUESDAYS, 7pm – Held at Oak Forest Presbyterian Church, 880 Sandhill Road fooD aDDicts anonYmous 423-6191 or 301-4084 • THURSDAYS, 6pm - Held at Asheville 12-Step Recovery Club, 1340-A Patton Ave. life limitinG illness support Group 386-801-2606 • TUESDAYS, 6:30-8pm - For adults managing the challenges of life limiting illnesses. Held at Secrets of a Duchess, 1439 Merrimon Ave. livinG With chronic pain 776-4809 • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6:30pm - Hosted by American Chronic Pain Association. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa memorY loss careGivers network@memorycare.org • 2nd TUESDAYS, 9:30am – Held at Highland Farms Retirement Community, 200 Tabernacle Road, Black Mountain men WorkinG on life’s issues 273-5334; 231-8434 • TUESDAYS, 6-8pm - Contact for location.
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nar-anon familY Groups nar-anon.org • WEDNESDAYS, 12:30pm - Held at First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, 204 6th Ave. West, Hendersonville • TUESDAYS, 7pm - Held at West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Road national alliance on mental illness 505-7353, namiwnc.org • 2nd MONDAYS, 11am - Connection group for individuals dealing with mental illness. Held at NAMI Offices, 356 Biltmore Ave. overcomers of Domestic violence 665-9499 • WEDNESDAYS, noon-1pm - Held at First Christian Church of Candler, 470 Enka Lake Road, Candler overcomers recoverY support Group rchovey@sos-mission.org • MONDAYS, 6pm - Christian 12-step program. Held at SOS Anglican Mission, 1944 Hendersonville Road overeaters anonYmous • Regional number: 258-4821. Visit mountainx.com/support for full listings. recoverinG couples anonYmous recovering-couples.org • MONDAYS, 6pm - For couples where at least one member is recovering from addiction. Held at Foster Seventh Day Adventists Church, 375 Hendersonville Road s-anon familY Groups 258-5117, wncsanon@gmail.com • For those affected by another’s sexaholism. Confidential meetings available; contact for details. shiftinG Gears 683-7195 • MONDAYS, 6:30-8pm - Group-sharing for those in transition in careers, relationships, etc. Contact for location. smart recoverY smartrecovery.org • THURSDAYS, 6pm - Info: 407-0460 Held at Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave. • SUNDAYS, 7pm - Info: 925-8626. Held at Crossroads Recovery Center, 440 East Court St., Marion sunrise peer support volunteer services facebook.com/sunriseinasheville • TUESDAYS through THURSDAYS, 1-3pm - Peer support services for mental health, substance abuse and wellness. Held at Kairos West Community Center, 742 Haywood Road sYlva Grief support melee@fourseasonscfl.org • TUESDAYS, 10:30am - Held at Jackson County Department on Aging, 100 Country Services Park, Sylva t.h.e. center for DisorDereD eatinG 337-4685, thecenternc.weebly.com • WEDNESDAYS, 7-8pm – Adult support group, ages 18+. Held in the Sherill Center at UNCA. unDerearners anonYmous underearnersanonymous.org • TUESDAYS, 6pm - Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St.
g R E E N
S C E N E
City building blocks As more Ashevilleans are building with shipping containers, how are these structures stacking up?
bY carrie eidson Send your sustainability news to ceidson@mountainx.com
You may have seen them on the glossy pages of lifestyle and design magazines like Dwell or House Beautiful. You’ve likely glimpsed them on your Facebook or Pinterest feed, or scrolled through photos of them on sites like Buzzfeed or Grist. And if you’ve driven though the River Arts District anytime in the last year, you’ve definitely seen them stacked up by the river. Shipping containers seem to be the new architectural craze, and with the construction of the Smoky Park Supper Club — Asheville’s first commercial structure built from containers (19 of them, to be exact) — city residents and visitors will soon get to explore one of these buildings up close. But what is it about the look of these large steel boxes that has so captured our imagination? “It is very trendy,” says douglas hecker, one of the architects who worked on the supper club. “But I think it’s also a very powerful metaphor for sustainability. It’s very
Living inside the box: “We wanted that association between the containers and the industrial past of the River Arts District,” says Douglas Hecker, one of the architects who worked on the Smoky Park Supper Club. Photos by Carrie Eidson
much wearing your sustainability on your sleeve.” The containers that make up the structures are salvaged — one could even say rescued — from commercial freight companies where they are stored in towering stacks in port cities. Most are 8 feet wide, 8 feet tall and either 20 or 40 feet long. They are built to withstand ocean voyages — being battered by wind and water repeatedly for thousands and thousands of miles until they eventually became
too old or too damaged to withstand any more commercial shipping. “They have a life cycle just like any kind of transportation component — like trucks or trailers — so there’s a point where the containers are retired,” Hecker explains. “There’s repetitive stress from being shipped and banged around, but when a container is retired from shipping, they still exceed building code as a block for a building unit.”
That’s where the sustainability piece comes in. Turning the containers into homes, businesses or auxiliary structures saves them from being sunk into the ocean, shipped overseas empty to be melted back down to raw steel or simply left to sit in everincreasing stacks. “It’s an interesting concept that we’re getting to see in Asheville now,” notes mark matheny, plan review coordinator for the city of Asheville. “The basic principle here is that we have these containers that go across the Pacific Ocean through basically tsunamis, and then you bring them into a city and you have to figure out how to turn them into something that is safe and livable.” Though builders and even city inspectors may be excited about the possibility of shipping container projects, the technique is still pretty new to Asheville — resulting in a lot of questions. After all, not that many people here have built with these things before. “I’ve had people approach me and ask about turning them all kinds of angles or stacking them vertically, but this is not the way they work,” Hecker says of the bottom-heavy containers. “They want to be stacked like Legos — one on top of each other, preferably corner to corner.” But if you’re going to think of shipping containers as grown-up Legos, think of them as Legos on steroids. Their heavy steel sides mean they can create structures that can stand the test of time and the extremes of climate. “They’re fireproof, waterproof, termite-proof —
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stacking up in the rad The finished look for the Smoky Park Supper Club is distinct and yet pretty congruous with the repurposed warehouses of the RAD. The structure is made from three stories of containers framed by a wooden deck that slopes down the back and leads out to the banks of the French Broad. The two containers in the third level have had their floors removed — what Hecker called the “most laborious” part of the whole process — to create an atrium in the building’s center. According to SG Blocks, the New York-based company that sourced and engineered the containers, Smoky Park Supper Club is the largest container restaurant in the country. “The design concept was just to stack them like they would be in a container yard, just very simple and straightforward,” Hecker explains. “We also wanted the aesthetic. We wanted that association between the containers and the industrial past of the River Arts District.” Though the vision for the restaurant’s architecture took shape quickly, matt Logan, who owns both the restaurant and the site where it sits, says he didn’t immediately think of using containers. “I really fell in love with the property first, and then I just did a lot of research on what would work best down here,” he says. “But the containers do allow for it to be as much an art project as a building project.” Logan adds that the whole site — which at various times has either
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sat neglected or held a junk-yard, a warehouse or a crack house — is a testament to the power of reusing and recycling. Before the restaurant or the neighboring buildings (including the venue called The Boathouse and the offices of Asheville GreenWorks) could be built, the site had to go through a major cleanup, aided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s brownfields program. “It’s been a complicated project,” Logan adds. Much of the work on the containers was done off-site by SG Blocks — including using plasma torches to burn through the heavy steel to create space for the doors and windows or to remove walls or floors. The containers rolled into Asheville on 18 trucks last May, before being stacked by crane and welded to each other and to the building’s foundation. “When we knew it was almost time for them to come, we had to label each container with a number that corresponded to our key for the design,” says kristie Quinn, Logan’s business partner. “If you look at them now you’ll still see the numbers for each one. And that’s how they were placed. You would stop the truck and say, ‘Oh, you’ve got container No. 4?’ Because you had to make sure they were coming through in the right order.” And while you might expect zoning and inspections to be a headache for container structures, Quinn says working with the city was a breeze. “It was a new thing for them,” she says. “But the way they approached it was to treat it like prefabrication construction. There weren’t any major obstacles. Prefab was the closest thing they could compare it to, but as time goes on, they may change that.” a container citY? The Smoky Park Supper Club, though Asheville’s first commercial use of containers, is not its first container structure. In 2014, brook van der Linde and
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ryan naylor moved into the West Asheville home they built DIY-style out of two containers despite “not really knowing what we were doing when we started,” Naylor says. “It seems like in home construction right now it’s all about new, new, new — that’s the American way,” Naylor explains.“For us, the whole point of our home was to push this idea of reuse, reduce and recycle. Shipping containers are just one of the materials we used to accomplish that goal.” The couple used salvaged windows, a shed roof and other free and low-cost materials as they turned the containers into a 1,120-squarefoot, three bedroom, two bath home — chronicling each step in their journey in their blog, 40 X 28. Despite some features that “the city inspector hadn’t seen before,” Naylor says the house is “really just a regular home.” But while a container home may pass as standard, according to boomer sassmann, co-founder of the Asheville Tiny House Association and a shipping container structure designer, the people attracted to these homes tend to be of the more progressive sort. “In my opinion, [containers] are a building block for folks who are thinking about building a smaller-scale home,” Sassmann says. “Those folks are already on board with the sustainability aspect, and that’s a big reason why they’re thinking about it.” It’s the same sort of homeowner who might be interested in hemp houses or earthbag houses, Sassmann says, because container homes are just one trend capturing people’s attention. All these homes are evidence of a slowly changing mindset to conserve, to recycle and to build with less impact, he says. “Whereas in traditional construction you take all these two-by-fours and two-by-12’s and pieces of plywood, build up to something and have all this scrap left over, with containers you flip that and say, ‘OK, start with this building block and cut pieces out,’” Sassmann notes. “It’s a totally different way of building.” And while you certainly could build a large home from containers, Sassmann asserts that would be missing the point. “There are folks who have contacted me who say, ’I want to build a 16-container home.’ And I say, ’Best of luck to you.’ …. We don’t need more of those. We don’t need more 16,000-square-foot, $1 million or $2 million homes.”
So should we expect that many more Ashevilleans will quickly follow in Naylor and van der Linde’s footsteps? Hecker says, probably not. “As a residential trend, I am very suspicious of containers,” Hecker explains. “It takes a special kind of client — someone who either has the resources to stick their neck out [financially] or someone who says, ‘This is the house I’ve always dreamt of, and I’m going to live in it for the rest of my life and keep it in my family.’ And why is that? Hecker says, despite the way container homes are often portrayed in posts shared on social media, they’re not actually that cheap to build. ”There’s a mythology out there,“ he says. ”I think we’ve all seen the Buzzfeed [article] that says, ‘Build a home for $2,500.’ But that’s simply not the reality.“ For one thing, container construction requires more skilled labor, specifically, “bolting and a lot of welding. And cutting through some very seriously heavy-gauge steel,” he notes. And while Hecker says that some of that cost can be reduced by doing more of your own labor, Matheny points out that another expense of a container home is that it requires working with building professionals, unlike traditional construction where you could, in theory, just follow the state’s residential building codes and pass inspection. “The residential code is pretty prescriptive — in really simply terms, it’s basically a recipe for building a house,” Matheny says. “But when we take a storage container that’s already made, nowhere in the residential code does it tell us how to turn that into a home. So that’s when you need a building professional. And that’s true for any nonprescriptive home.” And if you’ve cleared your zoning and inspection hurdles, there’s also homeowners association codes to think of. After all, not everyone likes the look of a steel box, Sassmann points out. And then there’s the money. Hecker adds that getting a bank to finance a container home can often be a terrible obstacle. “Banks and traditional financing are a huge roadblock to innovation and construction because there’s this focus on the resale,” he says. “I do think Asheville is a place where some local banks are probably willing to do it. But the big banks, I think will be very reticent to loan money to a container home project.” But Hecker and Sassmann both agree that all this doesn’t mean you should throw away your dream to build a container home affordably; you just
buiLding from the inside out: The team that worked on the Smoky Park Supper Club also included architect Myles Alexander of Form and Function, David Cross of SG Blocks, welder Joe Heath, carpenter Peter White, David Wells of Wells Construction Group and foreman Justin Belt.
have to build to a reasonable scale and be willing to get your hands dirty. “It doesn’t become cheaper because you’re using this recycled box, but it can be cheaper because it’s a whole different style of thinking about construction,” Sassmann says. “It’s less is more. It’s more of a minimalist approach. And it’s also about recycling these containers that are sitting in port cities around the world. You do get a bragging-rights boast from it. You get to say, ‘Hey, look at what I’m doing for the environment.’ It’s cool; it’s interesting. And it lets you, no pun intended, think outside of the box.” thinking big If shipping containers are compared to giant block toys for adults, it may be no surprise that the plans that have been envisioned for them — much like the varieties of Lego kits available in the toy aisle — range from the innovative to the remarkably complex to the downright fantastical. In addition to homes and businesses, Sassmann says we might see more of them as accessory structures: workshops, storage buildings, wine cellars, root cellars and emergency bunkers. In fact,
according to Sassmann, doomsday preppers were some of the first to jump on the container bandwagon. But how about, say, a houseboat? “Yeah, they’re big heavy steal boxes, but at the same time, I’m sure somebody has already taken one of these things and dropped it on top of a pontoon-style setup,” he says. How about mobile homes? Hecker says that idea has already been explored by a firm called Lot-Ek in New York, though only conceptually. “That idea of having a totally mobile, shippable home, it’s fun to think about, but it’s not practical. It would be an amazing project to realize, as it does have some of the attributes of something like an Airstream, but more like a larger home.” But what about more altruistic uses? In 2007, Hecker, who is also a professor at Clemson University, began exploring the idea of using containers for emergency housing in developing countries in the Caribbean. When a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, Hecker and SG Blocks worked together on a project called SEED_Haiti. The goal was to take containers already stacked up
in Haiti’s ports and turn them into housing that could withstand seismic aftershocks and provide a safer solution to the tent cities that are often used in disaster relief. For Haiti, the idea never became a reality, but it’s a concept that Hecker says is viable, though it would take “lots of work, lots of people and lots of funding.” Of course, in a city like Asheville, where many residents struggle to find homes that don’t eat up over half their pay check, it’s tempting to think containers could also be a way to provide more affordable housing. Sassmann notes that a few years ago he and a partner designed a 1,400-square-foot, two-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath home that could be built for $80,000 using containers. However, “we caught a lot of criticism from people who build traditionally,” he notes. “They said, ‘Great. Whoopde-do. We could do the same thing.’ “I think they’re right,” Sassmann continues. “You can do the same approach where you do a trimmeddown, $80-$100 per square foot project with containers or with traditional wood construction, and you can hit that same price point. But if you think about it from a strength and design standpoint — which one is going to be more secure? Which one is going to be more interesting? It’s obvious that it would be the container.” But Hecker notes that for all the imagination surrounding containers, the truth is, “Nobody wants to be known for working with brick, and no architect really wants to be known for working only with containers.” While he thinks containers are certainly useful and will continue to be incorporated into design, the novelty will eventually wear off. “At some point maybe it will just become incorporated into a choice of building materials, like brick or wood or steel are,” Hecker proposes. But, he adds, “I think they’ll be around. They make sense.” Whatever the future holds for containers, Sassmann says, he just hopes they keep getting used. “There are so many containers in some cities around the country and around the world that the sun sets two hours earlier because it drops behind this wall of stacked-up containers, which is just crazy,” he says. “I hope whether people decide to start building homes or restaurants or bunkers or artwork or whatever it is — let’s just do it. Let’s try to reuse some of this stuff.” X
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F O O D
From the hearth Smoky Park Supper Club breaks new ground
bY jonathan ammons
jonathanammons@gmail.com
Seen from the road, the pile of repurposed shipping containers looks more like something out of a science fiction movie than the home of a progressive, esoteric restaurant. But when the Smoky Park Supper Club opens sometime this summer, it will be the nation’s biggest eatery made out of those recycled containers, says david cross of SG Blocks, which specializes in this type of construction. Smoky Park, though, will also boast something equally curious: an almost entirely woodfired kitchen. The early morning mist is still lifting off the river as Asheville farmto-table pioneer mark rosenstein and michelle bailey, the new venture’s executive chef, cart armloads of firewood up the steps and into the building. “We’re a few months away from opening,” notes Rosenstein, standing amid a kitchen that’s completely empty save for an incredibly convoluted, built-in wall oven. “So for the next two months, all I’m going to be doing is collecting data on this oven. How long does it take to heat up? How long does it hold heat? How long does it take to lose heat? All of that before there’s ever any cooking going on.” To the uninitiated — and seeing as there are few of these ovens on the planet, nearly all of us are — the state-of-the-art Le Panyol just looks like an ordinary wood-fired pizza oven. A crescent-shaped hearth and door allow you to peek into a domed core where a small stack of wood is roaring. But unlike a pizza oven, there’ll be no fire burning when the cooking finally starts. Rather, this Ferrari of the kitchen is what’s called a “heat-retaining oven,” which sustains the high temperatures generated by the fire long
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after its embers have been snuffed and swept away. Left untouched overnight, notes Rosenstein, “It will only lose about 10 to 15 degrees, even when there hasn’t been a fire in there since [the morning].” “This ’terre blanche’ is considered to be the best heat-retaining material in the world, and it only comes from one place in France,” he says. But it’s not exactly some new high-tech breakthrough: “These ovens have been built this way since 1840.”
state of the art: The Smoky Park Supper Club’s state-of-the-art Le Panyol oven presents a learning curve for chef Michelle Bailey, left. But Bailey says that learning to use the equipment with Mark Rosenstein, right, is not a chore. “Being able to map the temperatures and learn how this thing works, that’s really fun for people like us.” Photo by Carrie Eidson
new worLds to conQuer
temperature controL There are four kinds of heat that can be used for cooking, Rosenstein explains: radiation, conduction, convection and sublimation. Radiation relies on ionization and doesn’t require physical contact between the heat source and the food; conduction means there’s actual surface contact; convection entails “a differential in temperature, so you have a temperature current”; and sublimation “is the melting or freezing of ice, or steam.” Most cooking in a con-
mostat has a 15 degree sensitivity, so it goes from 225 to 210 but it wants to get back up to 225. It can take that oven up to 350 to do so, and when that blast of electricity comes on, that air can be 450 degrees. So actually you are taking the food higher than you want it. And if I were to put it in an oven at 225 and walk away, I’ll have scorched it, burned it, dried it out. But that will never happen in this oven.”
ventional oven, he continues, “is convection, and convection affects the molecules differently than the other three forms of heat.” The Le Panyol, on the other hand, relies on a combination of conduction and radiation. “Once we build heat into this oven,” says Rosenstein, “the temperature ... is always only going down. ... But if you set a normal oven to 225, that temperature is going up and down. Say your ther-
For a chef, this opens up a whole new world. In most restaurant kitchens, notes Rosenstein, there’s little difference in the equipment. But with this setup, “You kind of have to relearn everything.” For Bailey, though, that’s part of the appeal. “To be able to be there from the ground up with Mark, being able to map the temperatures and learn how this thing works, that’s really fun for people like us.” This is not the pair’s first time working together: Bailey was execu-
tive chef at Rosenstein’s celebrated Market Place restaurant from 200609, before leaving to help open The Venue in downtown Asheville, followed by a stint as executive chef at the Highland Lake Inn & Resort. “I have no experience with an oven like this, which I’m superexcited about,” she explains. “That’s a bit of the reason why I wanted to come do this.” For his part, notes Rosenstein, “I’ve been thinking about this since I sold The Market Place. I built an oven like this at my house, so I’ve been working with this stuff for six or eight years. But now we’ll start doing the testing on this one.” They’re not the only folks in Asheville using a retained-heat oven, however. “There’s probably a dozen people around town that that use retained heat for baking bread,” he says, “but we’re the only outfit that’s using retained heat for 60 or 70 percent of our menu. The rest will be cooked on a wood-fired grill. The textures that we get out of this are going to be different: It
goes back to the way water molecules are affected by convection.” proof is in the pudding “I will prove it to you before we open,” he vows. “We’ll have a gas range to boil stocks or whatever, but I’ll take the exact same ingredients, I’ll give it to the same person to cook it, I’ll put it in the same pot, I’ll use the same temperature and cook them simultaneously and let you taste them side by side. They’ll be completely different, and it all relates back to the fact that this is conduction and radiation, not convection.” From now until the restaurant opens, though, you’ll most likely find both Rosenstein and Bailey here, meticulously recording temperatures on a clipboard as they figure out how to stage their menu. “This is going to be a whole new culinary journey,” muses Bailey, pointing toward the roaring fire churning smokelessly just beyond the arched door. “It doesn’t get much better than that.” X
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food
by Pat Barcas
pbarcas@gmail.com
Asheville Food Park A reclaimed property across from Carrier Park is set provide a year-round food destination and social space
Because its tragedy was of a watery nature, the story of the old building across from Carrier Park at State Street and Amboy Road is not exactly that of a phoenix rising from the ashes. But the historic structure is certainly being reinvented after a disastrous history. The floods of 2004 brought 8 feet of water into the building — previously a bar built in 1948 — sealing its fate after already being shuttered for five years. Slowly, the space hobbled back into the world of commerce as a small produce stand, but it’s now being primed to return to its former glory as a social hub, family gathering place and food spot. The Asheville Food Park, projected to open in early June, plans to host a rotation of food trucks, a coffee and smoothie bar, a produce and fruit stand, local art sales, pet adoption events and a full bar that will stay open until 2 a.m. Developer dean pistor says that the park will be very adaptable and open 360 days per year, with parking space for three food trucks at a time, occupying four-hour shifts for breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening munchies until 11 p.m. For special events such as a marathon or bike race at Carrier Park, food carts might be brought in that stock granola or fruit cups. Ice cream and lemonade carts might occupy spots during hot summer months. He says that although the space does possess a full liquor license, the main goal is to focus on the food and the neighborhood aspect. “We’re not a bar. The idea here is to be foodcentric,” he says. Pistor says neighborhood response to the renovation of the dilapidated building has been positive. And the produce stand, he says, meets a need in the area, which lacks grocery stores. “It will provide food that
park pLan: After entering Asheville Food Park, patrons will be able to visit the bar on the left or grab a quick beer at the window then head to the food trucks in the back. Dogs will be welcomed. Photo by Pat Barcas
you can take home and cook with. We’ll be meeting a great community need, and it’s a great component here, being neighborhood-friendly.” As history shows, the site sits in a flood-prone area, so it’s being recreated in a simplified format with treated wood and metal that can withstand a flood and be pressurewashed easily. “You can wash all this out and be open 24 hours later,” says Pistor. People will enter in the front and walk along a corridor in the middle. The bar is on the left, coffee on the right, with hanging ferns for sale all along the walkway. Space upstairs is being rented out for vendors, with storage for dry goods and a place for the food trucks to clean their large pots and pans. Walk toward the back to visit the food trucks or hang out at the bonfire area. Even though Asheville currently has more than 40 licensed food trucks, out-of-town food
trucks are also being scheduled to stop at the park, for those looking for something new. Pistor says that for many mobile ventures, booking vending spaces in advance is unusual. “They travel around, and it’s hard for them to find spots. I’m doing advance advertising now to bring them in,” he says. Pistor says a key part of his vision is being the first step through the gateway to the River Arts District. He plans on displaying a variety of pieces from local artists, including metal arts, pottery and paintings. It’s all designed to be a year-round destination that not only meshes with activities at Carrier Park, but also stands alone as a spot to relax and take in some Asheville flavor away from downtown. “In the fall we’ll be selling pumpkins; in December we’ll have Christmas trees,” says Pistor. “We really hope to be an asset to the neighborhood year-round and a fun place to visit.” X
food
by Rachel Ingram
ringram@unca.edu
Metamorphosis on South French Broad Avenue Letʼs Celebrate and Pamper
Renovations at 45. S. French Broad Ave. will bring more groceries, dining, shopping — and, yes, craft beer — this summer and fall to the downtown neighborhood
A year of renovations to 45 S. French Broad Ave. are nearing completion, says building coowner charlie ball, of Asheville Distilling Co. “We’ve gone from what was essentially a two-tenant building to multiple tenants,” says Ball. “The first phase was to relocate Downtown Market to make way for the Hopey & Co. expansion.” Downtown Market, an eclectic indoor vendor space, has moved into a smaller, 7,700-squarefoot space, while Hopey & Co. an Asheville-based discount and artisan grocery, will almost triple in size to 20,000 square feet, he says. “We don’t add anything until we find out that people in the community really want it,” says Hopey & Co. co-owner danette hopey. “We’ve found that’s the best way — grow slow and just grow along with the community.” The expansion into the renovated space, she says, will include the addition of a stone-baked pizza parlor, butcher shop, espresso and fresh juice bars, ice cream shopette, bakery and a glass-enclosed wine room. “It looks like we’ll be opening the main store, with all the groceries — 10 times more groceries — sometime in July.” The space formerly occupied by the grocery store will be transformed into a restaurant and taproom with seating for 75 and featuring about 500 beer varieties, Hopey says. “The food, of course, is like our city — very eclectic,” she says, noting that the new Hopey & Co. will offer lamb roasts, steaks, Mediterranean fare, shawarma, sandwiches, salads and more. “We’ve just grown and
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Special Salt Cave Session work in progress: Charlie Ball, left, is pictured in the area of 45 S. French Broad Ave. that was formerly Downtown Market. The space will soon house an expanded Hopey & Co. Photos by Rachel Ingram
grown,” Hopey says. “The logical thing is to pair [that growth] with fantastic food that’s ready to go.” On the other end of the building, susie watson and Lance hardcastle, operators of the Downtown Market, say they are maximizing efficiency as well as enlarging their own bar, the Sly Grog. “When we had to move and get smaller, we decided that this was a good venture to have the bar and use part of the space to do that,” says Watson. The Sly Grog originated in a booth space Watson and Hardcastle shared in 2011. Since then, it has gained popularity and has grown into a dedicated wine, beer and sake bar and music venue with a 3,000-watt audio recording system, says theo crouse-mann, bar manager. “This little bar was always in the Downtown Market as sort of just a cool thing, that you could have a wine or sake and walk around and shop,” Watson says. “When we
had the opportunity to move, we realized that we had the opportunity to make it like a grownup bar, so that’s where this is coming in now.” The owners started with a soft opening in April and say the grand opening will be held near the end of this month. “I’m hoping we can have everything from puppet shows to burlesque,” says Watson. Crouse-Mann says the Sly Grog will be open seven days a week and until 2 a.m. on the weekends. The taproom at Hopey & Co. will also be open until 2 a.m., and the main grocery store’s hours will be extended to 9 p.m., according to Hopey. In addition to the expansions of the two existing tenants, Ball says other sections of the building will soon be filled with new businesses. “We’ve got a to-beannounced brewery that will take up a corner of the building in the lower level,” he says. “We’re
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grocerY growth: Hopey & Co. co-owner Danette Hopey says that when her new store at 45 S. French Broad Ave. opens in July, it will offer 10 times more grocery items than it did before the expansion.
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working on the deal.” The brewery will occupy between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet. Little Bee Thai, the restaurantturned food truck, will soon be within permanent walls once again. “They should be in here this fall,” Ball says. One of the biggest sites downtown, the building offers an additional 10,000 square feet of unoccupied space, he notes. Although nothing firm is planned yet for that area, Ball says, “We’ve got some ideas.” The current tenants say they are excited to welcome new neighbors and business partners. “It was an
underused building before,” says Crouse-Mann. “The more life that can come into this building, the better, I think,” Watson says. “I’m just anxious to see how it all evolves.” The next phases of the renovation include putting in new floors and installing an elevator, which the building did not previously possess, Hopey says. As they renovate, Ball says, they are reinforcing the building’s structure so they can grow vertically in the future. “That’s what we do — we recycle buildings,” says Hopey. “All of our stores are in buildings that needed a family.” The Hopey family purchased all of the furniture for the new facilities at Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Asheville and Hickory, she adds. The company will hire an additional 30-40 employees, with the expansion slated to be complete in November when the restaurant and taproom open to the public. X
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WeDnesDaY asheville BreWinG: $3.50 all pints at Coxe location; “Whedon Wednesday’s” at Merrimon location; Wet Nose Wednesday (special treats for dogs) at Coxe location, 5-8pm
oYster house: $5 mimosas & bloody Marys southern appalachian: Live music: Stepchild (Americana, blues), 8-10pm WeDGe: Food truck: El Kimchi (Korean/Mexican street food)
sunDaY
lexinGton ave (laB): $3 pints all day
asheville BreWinG: $5 bloody Marys & mimosas at Coxe location
one WorlD: Live music: Beats & Brews w/ DJ Whistleblower, 8pm
Burial Beer co.: Jazz brunch w/ The Mandelkorn George Project, noon (until food runs out)
oskar Blues: Community bike ride led by The Bike Farm, leaves brewery 6pm; Beer run w/ Wild Bill, group run leaves brewery 6pm oYster house: $2 off growler fills pisGah: Live music: EMEFE, 6:30 pm; Food truck: Latino Heat WeDGe: Food truck: Root Down (comfort food, Cajun)
thursDaY asheville BreWinG: $3.50 pints at Merrimon location french BroaD: Live music: Redleg Husky, 6pm southern appalachian: Live music: Nitrograss (bluegrass), 7-9pm; Food truck: Farm to Fender WeDGe: Food truck: Tin Can Pizzeria
friDaY french BroaD: Live music: Tyler Nail Trio, 6pm hiGhlanD: Live music: Hank West & The Smokin’ Hots (jazz exotica), 7pm southern appalachian: Live music: Carolina Rex (blues, Americana), 8-10pm; Food truck: Amazing Pizza Co. WeDGe: Food truck: Melt Your Heart (gourmet grilled cheese)
saturDaY french BroaD: Live music: Salt of the Earth, 6pm Green man: Food truck: Melt Your Heart (gourmet grilled cheese) hiGhlanD: Live music: Alarm Clock Conspiracy, 7pm; Food truck: Pho Ya Belly & Mama Dukes
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monDaY altamont: Live music: Old-time jam w/ John Hardy Party, 7pm asheville BreWinG: Beat the Clock Mondays (medium cheese pizza, the time you order = the price you pay), 4-9pm one WorlD: Live music: Cameron Stack (blues), 5pm WeDGe: Food truck: El Kimchi (Korean/Mexican street food)
tuesDaY asheville BreWinG: $2.50 Tuesday: $2.50 one-topping jumbo pizza slices & house cans (both locations) hi-Wire: $2.50 house pints one WorlD: Live music: The Paper Crowns (Americana), 8pm
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by Gina Smith caregiver. Entries must be submitted in person by Friday, May 8. On Saturday, May 9, three entries will be chosen to win a free 9-inch Mothers Day cake with the child’s winning poem inscribed on top. Poems must be submitted in person at the shop at 225 Haywood Road in West Asheville. Details are at shortstreetcakes.com. rock the taste
rewards of motherhood: Deerpark at Biltmore Estate is one of several Asheville restaurants offering special meals for Mother’s Day. Deerpark will offer a Mother’s Day brunch buffet 10 a.m.-2 p.m. that day. Photo courtesy of the Biltmore Co.
what to do for mother’s daY Asheville moms are a diverse bunch, but it’s likely most would agree that a whole day dedicated to honoring and pampering them is an OK thing. For many, that might mean being treated to brunch, lunch or dinner at a local eatery. But Asheville is the current holder of the Travel + Leisure magazine title of America’s No. 1 Quirkiest Town, so for others it could translate to something completely different. For those who want to go the foodie route, the choices are plentiful. If a brunch buffet is the ticket, Omni Grove Park Inn’s Blue Ridge Dining Room (omnihotels. com/hotels/asheville - grove -park/ dining/blue-ridge) and Season’s at Highland Lake in Flat Rock (hlinn.com/seasons) both will offer impressive buffet spreads with a view of the mountains. The Biltmore Estate will admit moms free on Mother’s Day with the purchase of an adult or youth ticket, and special brunches will be served at both The Inn on Biltmore
Estate and Deerpark restaurants. This option might be especially appealing to mothers who are fans of the television show Downton Abbey as the estate is currently featuring a special exhibition, “Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times.” (biltmore.com) Downtown, there is also Lex 18’s Downton Abbey-style high tea Champagne brunch, which features quiche, scones, parfaits, tea sandwiches and desserts (lex18avl.com). On the north side of town, Ambrozia Bar and Bistro will offer a fourcourse Mother’s Day chef’s tasting menu (ambrozia-avl.com), and in West Asheville, Buffalo Nickel will be offering moms a special brunch served with a rose (buffalonickelavl. com). To the east in Biltmore Village, the Grand Bohemian Hotel’s Red Stag Grill will be doing a threecourse brunch featuring grilled peach salad, Scottish salmon, jumbo scallops, lobster and more.(bohemianhotelasheville.com/dining) If mom is more of the outdoor, active type, she may prefer to run
the Earth Fare 5K on Saturday, May 9, at Carrier Park. The race will be followed with a celebration featuring snacks and free Urban Orchard hard cider or Highland Brewing Co. beer, and moms will receive a special surprise at the finish line. (earthfare.com/RunAVL) Adventurous moms might want to take an urban wild foraging hike with local herbalist and long-distance hiker Heather Housekeeper 5-7 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at Villagers in West Asheville. Housekeeper will teach participants how to identify, harvest and use wild edible and medicinal plants commonly found growing in backyards and along city sidewalks. Herbal tea and wild treats will be provided. Tickets are on a $15-$25 sliding scale. (forvillagers.com)
The Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce will host the 15th annual Rock the Taste culinary event 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at White Horse Black Mountain. The event will feature a number of Black Mountain and Swannanoa restaurants competing in four award categories and offering samples as well as beer from Lookout Brewery and Pisgah Brewing Co. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door; availability is limited. For details and to buy tickets, visit thelittletownthatrocks.com or call 669-2300. chicken saLad chick Fast-casual restaurant chain Chicken Salad Chick recently announced plans to open a franchise in the Asheville Market Retail Center at 4 S. Tunnel Road. The Alabama-based company has stores throughout the Southeast and serves a wide variety of chicken salads by the pound as well as deli sandwiches, soups and salad. A press release from the company says the Ashevile restaurant should open late this summer. For more information, visit chickensaladchick.com. X
cake and poetrY Also in the spirit of celebrating mothers, Short Street Cakes will host its inaugural Mother’s Day Poetry Contest. Open to Asheville kids ages 18 and younger, the contest offers a free cupcake to every child who submits an original poem about his or her mother, grandmother or other special
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Subtle calibration Matthew E. White returns to Asheville with Fresh Blood
bY biLL kopp
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matthew e. white has been musically active for many years, including collaborations with Megafaun and the Mountain Goats and three albums with avant-jazz group Fight the Big Bull. But as an artist recording and touring under his own name, he’s a relative newcomer. White brings his music to The Mothlight on Friday, May 8. The story making the rounds is that White’s debut — 2012’s Big Inner — wasn’t really intended as an album at all. White recorded the collection of songs to demonstrate the capabilities of the Spacebomb House Band and his record label of the same name. That record caught on with critics and listeners alike, and effectively launched White’s career as a name artist. “I think that story has gotten lost in translation a little bit,” says White. “By no means is Big Inner a ‘demo’ in the sense that we didn’t work as hard on it as we might a normal album.” White makes it clear that the album is intended as “a purposeful and intentional personal artistic statement.” Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Va., White grew up with
who Matthew E. White with J Seger where The Mothlight themothlight.com when Friday, May 8, 9:30 p.m. $10 advance/$12 day of show
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pop music. “I listened to Chuck Berry and Beach Boys as a little kid, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden in middle school, and all kinds of stuff in high school: good and bad,” he says. He discovered jazz while in college and subsequently “really went back, started at the beginning and connected it all.” The result of his talent filtered through those influences is music that’s tough to describe. “If I have to say one thing, I say ‘soul’ or maybe ‘R&B.’ But I know that’s not quite right. Sometimes,” he laughs, “I say ‘gentleman’s psychedelia from the New World.’” I suggest that to my ears, he’s sort of a cross between Isaac Hayes and Berlin-era Lou Reed. White says, “I’m just going to start saying that. Perfect.” On the just-released Fresh Blood, White builds upon the sonic foundation established by his debut. He concedes that he didn’t want to repeat himself musically. “But at the same time, I don’t believe in just changing variables and setting a completely
hard to cLassifY: When asked to describe his own sound, Matthew E. White — who plays The Mothlight this week — has multiple answers. “Sometimes I say ‘gentleman’s psychedelia from the New World,’” he tells Xpress. Photo by Shawn Brackbill
different course. There’s a vocabulary that I’m working on, and I want it to develop.” On Fresh Blood, White sought to create an album that “contain[s] bits and pieces of old vocabulary as well as pushing the language farther into something new.” On both records, there’s a lush, dense and richly layered texture, in part the result of the sonic effect of the large Spacebomb House Band. But White’s touring band is four musicians, including himself. “Obviously we have to adapt [arrangements] a little bit,”
he says. “But to me, the songs are the centerpiece of the record. And in the live show it’s the same.” He prefers not to think of studio work and live performance as connected. “They are such different mediums that interact with people, budgets, administrative details and cultural context so differently. To make decisions on one based on the other limits both,” White believes. Matthew E. White’s records feature strong hooks and melody, yet one word that comes to mind when hearing them is subtlety. “Well,” White chuckles, “the live show with the band isn’t so subtle, that’s for sure. It’s much more direct than the album is.” He goes on to say that the record’s subtlety is “less purposeful than it seems, actually. There are a lot of times when I think I’m being pretty direct, and it’s taken as being much more subtle than I think it is. I think I’m just calibrated a little differently in that way.” X
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by Justin Souther
the.running.board@gmail.com
Parking lot confidential Local playwright Waylon Wood stages sentimental Letters and Notes “It’s a strange process; it’s like osmosis,” says producer, writer and director waylon wood of his latest play, Letters and Notes Found on the Windshield at the Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot. It opens at Asheville Community Theatre’s black box performance space 35below on Friday, May 8. “I started this play in college. It was a play-writing exercise about ‘a declaration of love,’” Wood says, but the inspiration behind the piece goes back much further than that. “This play takes place in my dad’s hometown in Florida, and I remember these women would gossip in front of the shoe store window. I was 6 or 7,” Wood says.
what Letters and Notes Found on the Windshield at the Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot where 35below ashevilletheatre.org when Friday, May 8-Sunday, May 24 Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays, 2:30 p.m. $15
“One of the gossips was that there was a policeman and he was having an affair. In ’76, in a small Southern town, that was scandalous. What would happen is that they’d leave notes on each other’s cars — that was the way you communicated. And if you were trying to be sneaky, there was an honor code about not looking. I was wondering how this would be if they weren’t having an affair and they were single, and this is how this started.” He adds, “For years I’ve written on cocktail napkins, postcards — sent
them home, sent them to other people — these two people talking back and forth to each other. That’s how the play distilled itself.” As for the setting of Letters and Notes, the play takes place in a much simpler time, some four decades ago in a quaint place similar to the Florida panhandle community where Wood grew up. “That’s where it is in my head, this small town in the ’70s where people still had to communicate very simply,” Wood says. “I’m still young enough that I haven’t really worked out of [Florida]. I haven’t really worked out of my childhood and my family’s origins. The panhandle is still very deep South, and really it’s an extension of Alabama or Georgia. My family’s lived there for well over 150 years. I have a love-hate with it. I grew up there, but it’s changed so much in my own lifetime. You could drive through central Florida, open the windows at night, and there were orange blossom smells. That’s so romantic to me.” He continues, “It is a sentimental play. There’s no sex and violence and drugs and rock ’n’ roll, though a lot of my other plays have that in them. So people are very surprised when I pull out something so sentimental and sweet. And it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s not Bridges of Madison County.” Letters and Notes is designed as a simple production: two actors, a table, some lighting cues and little else. Each of the three weekends uses different sets of actors. “The two actors have very little rehearsal time,” says Wood. “They come in, I tech them. Lights up, lights down. It’s really a lot of fun to see how they interpret what they’re reading while trying not to impose my vision on them. I’m really trying to get them to come in as personalities. Really, these actors have discovered these letters, and they’re reading these letters from other people. I’m waiting to see what happens as well.” It’s an approach that lends itself to the tighter confines of 35below. “I love that space,” says Wood. “It’s for storytelling, for small plays. You can’t really tune
taLk of the town: “This play takes place in my dad’s hometown in Florida, and I remember these women would gossip in front of the shoe store window,” says local playwright Waylon Wood of the inspiration for his new production, Letters and Notes Found on the Windshield at the Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot. “This [was] in the ’70s, [when] people still had to communicate very simply.” Photo by Jenny Bunn
out of that space. That space is very concentrated, and there’s something about the energy of that many people getting together. But my whole mission as a writer is to take you out of the space, not keep you in the theater. I want the world to grow outside of the play so that in your head, you’re getting a picture of all of the people they’re talking about, the mood, the setting, the atmosphere.”
He adds, “I try not to impose too much of a point-of-view. I’m not a social writer; I don’t write about temporal things. I want [the characters’] internalness to come out; I want the characters to live in your head a while, so two years from now, you might hear something that reflects back on the play. I want people to carry the play out with them.” X
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jordan.f.lawrence@gmail.com
Don’t fear the reaper Panda Bear on transformation, handmade songs and kid critics During the past 15 years, no band has had a bigger impact on the sonic trajectory of independent music than Animal Collective. With an immersive touch for psychedelic detours — some scary, some cozy — mixed with wondrous harmonies and propulsive rhythms, the group’s skewed take on pop has expanded the borders of what’s readily considered indie-rock. But within that talented membership, none has had a greater reach than Panda Bear, aka noah Lennox, who performs at The Orange Peel on Saturday, May 9. This year’s album, Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper, still builds on supple vocal effects and
who Panda Bear with Jessica Pratt where The Orange Peel theorangepeel.net when Saturday, May 9, 9 p.m. $20 advance/$23 day of show
echoing textures, but its songs are shorter and punchier, its mood steadier — contemplating the big questions that occupy the thoughts of this 36-year-old husband and father of two. Xpress caught up with Lennox via email to discuss his life in Lisbon, Portugal, Grim Reaper’s catchier approach and what his kids think about his unusual profession. Mountain Xpress: You’ve been living in Lisbon for a decade. how does that impact your outlook on the u.s. when you come back to tour?
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noah Lennox: It feels a little odd and foreign to come back, but only in trivial ways for the most part. As far as I’ve seen, people are people, and you take the good with the bad wherever you are. I can say that American advertisements and television marketing noise feel kind of abrasive and overwhelming to me these days. how do you work on music these days? is it a regimented thing for you? I work at home and at a small studio (more like a practice space, really) I share with a Portuguese band called Gala Drop. If I’m going to make any kind of noise, I’ll usually walk down to the studio, but I prefer working at home so long as there aren’t people in the apartment. I do find having a schedule and a routine very important. this record definitely boasts some of the catchiest, most popforward melodies you’ve produced as panda bear. i read in one interview that a vocal trick on “mr. noah” was a nod to rihanna. did you go in trying to make a catchier record? I couldn’t say that I actively pursued making something I figured was catchier, but I do like pop music and songs and hooks that stick in your head. There are several instances on the album (such as the vocal technique on “Mr. Noah”) where I hoped to introduce a familiar element as a kind of anchor. You picked the name panda Bear Meets the Grim reaper, but i’ve read that you’re not actively scared of death. why did you pick the title? I liked that the title referenced a handful of dub and reggae records from the ’70s, which would feature one artist or producer meeting another as a way of signifying collaboration. The title feels like a contrast between a lighthearted and casual element
worLd music: Baltimore-born experimental artist Noah Lennox has lived in Portugal for 10 years. “I can say that American advertisements and television marketing noise feel kind of abrasive and overwhelming to me these days,” he tells Xpress. Photo by Fernanda Pereira
and a more serious and foreboding element. I felt like that summed up a lot of the songs pretty well. Also, I felt like change and transformation was a constant theme in the songs. So I felt the Grim Reaper character could be a symbol for, or the agent of, transformation. in an interview with Dummy, you talked about working in a more “crude, simplistic” way with this album. tell me a little bit more about that. I like for the songs to keep a handmade feel, but I couldn’t say that was entirely new for this album. I don’t like to let the computer or the sequencer do too much work, and
I’d say it’s why I like using samples so much. There’s often an implicit imperfection to samples and how they synchronize. i read that your daughter doesn’t care for your music. has she warmed up to it? what does your son think? My daughter still doesn’t care much about what I do. If anything, she seems kind of embarrassed, but that’s OK. My son seems more interested in music and sound in general, so perhaps I have a chance with him. Their feedback means everything to me as it seems as pure a response as I can find. X
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by Kyle Sherard
RAD Studio Stroll moves to a new weekend
Each spring and fall, thousands of art and craft collectors and enthusiasts converge on the River Arts District for the biannual studio strolls. Now, as the stroll enters its 21st season, the River Arts District Artists organization has moved the two-day event previously scheduled in June to Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10. The scheduling change follows an examination of the stroll’s impact on RAD and individual artists, says stroll organizer claire reeder. “We had five or six options that went up for a member vote,” she says, referring to the organization’s attempts to generate more interest. “We ended up settling with a shift to a May date, which should have less interference with other arts events that get underway in the summer months.” She adds, “Mother’s Day weekend should also offer up a great opportunity to get brunch and then come on down to check out a ton of beautiful artwork.” This spring’s stroll features roughly 180 artists in 22 buildings dotting a mile-long stretch of riverfront studios and galleries. The
event offers visitors a look at the RAD’s artistic breadth, as well as opportunities to meet artists and check out demonstrations by metalsmiths, glass blowers, potters and painters, among others. RADA will also sponsor a weekendlong scavenger hunt for kids and families attending the stroll. While the switch to a May date is due in part to the RADA’s sustained organizational growth, it also comes in the wake of declining personal sales reported by many artists after the last few studio strolls. In earlier years, artists could count on the studio stroll for a quarter or even half of their year’s total income. Those days have come and gone, says shelley schenker, RADA’s marketing chairperson. “We used to only be open a few days a month or year and have only 70 artists,” she says. “Now we’re open seven days a week and have more than 180.” Total patronage and spending have increased year by year, according to Schenker, but so has RADA’s membership and the presence of other citywide arts events. While the entire neighborhood experiences a financial boon during each stroll, the personal economic impact has been increasingly diluted.
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21 Years and stiLL stroLLing: The River Arts District will hold its spring studio stroll during Mother’s Day weekend. Photo of Kyle Carpenter’s studio at the Curve Building courtesy of Carpenter
We’re bigger and better than ever, Schenker says. “Now we have to figure out the best way to move forward.”
This event is free and open to the public. Information at ashevillebookworks.com.
what: RAD Studio Stroll
474 Gallery may be the most viewed gallery in Asheville. Motorists can see the street-art inspired works in the windows of the Haywood Road gallery while waiting at the I-240 exit ramp traffic light in West Asheville. For the first time in years, studio resident and operator dustin spagnola is hosting a group exhibition, which opens Friday, May 8, 6-9 p.m. The exhibition features current studio artists Erin Hardy, Megan Kelly, Jeremy Russell and Spagnola, as well as guest artists Alli Good, Gus Cutty, Edwards Harper and Ishmael. The space used to serve as Spagnola’s personal studio. Two years ago he opened it up for use by other artists, ultimately leading him to subdivide the studio and create a gallery to represent the collective output. “We held off on doing a show for a while now,” Spagnola says. “Now the space has jelled together and feels more concrete in the last year.” He adds, “And with spring arriving it seems like a good time to do a small opening with friends.”
where: River Arts District, riverartsdistrict.com when: Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free and open to the public. asheviLLe bookworks Wood engraving is alive and well, according to joanne price, president of the Wood Engravers Network and the curator of the traveling WEN Triennial exhibition, which opens Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m. at Asheville Bookworks. The show includes 60 works from 51 artists from the network’s international membership. Among them are andy farkas and Laurie corral of Asheville and nancy darrell of Marshall. The medium may be most commonly associated with centuries-old floral and children’s book illustrations, but its contemporary applications are remarkable for contrast, stark detail and linear finesse. That storybook aesthetic is also a mainstay in many of the exhibition’s works, which makes the perfect pairing for print fanatics and bibliophiles alike.
474 gaLLerY
For more information, check out Facebook.com/474GalleryStudio. X
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Jacqueline Terry Jacqueline Terry is a park ranger and will soon be heading out to Glacier National Park in Montana for a five-month stint. But along with her love of nature and educating the public about conservancy, she’s a budding singer-songwriter. It was just three months ago that Terry found the nerve to play her first open mic. That was at Foggy Mountain Brew Pub. Her gypsy-freak-pop performance earned immediate fans — and a chance to open for The Dubber. She wisely took that momentum and recorded her debut EP, Backbones, whose songs, she says, “highlight the sacred feminine, stewardship of the earth, tantric sex, death [and] reverence for existence.” Terry launches that album at Altamont Brewing Co. on Thursday, May 7, at 9 p.m. Free. altamontbrewing.com. Photo by Erika Binger
Miles Wide The term “independent musician” doesn’t quite convey the extent of Kyle Donovan’s dedication to the do-it-yourself ethos. Performing under the name Miles Wide, the self-taught musician acts as his own manager, recording engineer, Web developer, graphic designer, press contact, booking agent and social media correspondent. That’s in addition to his true passion — singing alongside an acoustic guitar. Earthy strums lay the foundation for Miles Wide tunes, but it’s Donovan’s evolving vocals that set the tone of each number — from the gradually building tension of “Sit Think and Stare” to more subdued sway-alongs like “Jupiter.” Donovan’s self-made tour stops at the Town Pump Tavern in Black Mountain on Thursday, May 7, at 9:30 p.m. Free. facebook.com/thetownpumptavern. Photo courtesy of the artist
Jeff Thompson With his 2014 release, eclectic local creative Jeff Thompson says he’s finally penned an album that “comes from and appeals to the mind, the heart and the booty simultaneously.” And it’s true: unexpected arrangements (didgeridoo or accordion, anyone?) and Thompson’s raspy-with-a-chance-of-falsetto voice make So Far, So Strange anything but dull. The New Orleans native, who will play four consecutive Thursdays in May at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, opens his residency with a rare solo set on Thursday, May 7, before joining forces with singing pianist Aaron Price (plus special guests) on May 14 and adding drummer James Kylen to the mix on May 21. His final concert on May 28 culminates with a set by his full five-piece band. $10 per show. isisasheville.com. Photo courtesy of the artist
Tennis Denver-based husband-and-wife duo Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore have been dreaming up sea-inspired retro-pop together as Tennis for half a decade now. And although Moore’s crystal-clear vocals have remained a defining characteristic for the band, her spacier keys parts and chanted choruses demand more attention than before in 2014’s Ritual in Repeat. Perhaps these playful new tangents stem from the couple’s decision to employ three indie rockers in different cities — Pat Carney of The Black Keys, Jim Eno of Spoon and Richard Swift of The Shins — as the album’s skillful co-producers. Tennis and punk opener Kuroma play The Grey Eagle on Sunday, May 10, at 8 p.m. $12/$14. thegreyeagle.com. Photo courtesy of the band
mountainx.com
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
71
a&e caLendar
by Carrie Eidson & Michael McDonald
• TH (5/7), 6pm - Loving After Lifetimes of All This, exhibition tour with curator Danny Orendorff.
auDitions & call to artists BirDhouse Bash 476-4231 • Through SA (5/7) - Create or decorate birdhouses for auction to benefit local community gardens and community art projects. Held at Second Blessing Thrift Store, 32 Commerce St., Waynesville Grace riDGe retirement communitY graceridge.org/art, graceridgeart@walker-marketing.com • Through TU (5/12) - Submissions open for Creative Age, an exhibit of works by artists age 60 and older. Contact for guidelines. $5. transYlvania communitY arts council 884-2787, tcarts.org • Through (5/11) - Submissions will be accepted for the 11th annual White Squirrel Photography Contest. Contact for details. $5.
first Baptist church of Burnsville 11 Town Square, Burnsville, 682-2288 • TU (5/12), 7:30pm - Toe River Chamber Ensemble. Free. music at unca 251-6432, unca.edu • WE (5/6), 7pm - Blue Ridge Orchestra open rehearsal. Held in Reuter Center. Free. • FR (5/8), 3pm - Symphony Talk with Asheville Symphony Orchestra music director Daniel Meyer. Held in Reuter Center. Free. • TH (5/14), 8pm - Brandon Heath, contemporary Christian. Held in Kimmel Arena. $20-$30. puBsinG 254-1114 • 2nd SUNDAYS, 6-8pm - Gospel jam and sing-along. Optional snack time at 5:30pm. Free to attend. Held at French Broad Brewery, 101 Fairview Road st. mark’s lutheran church 10 North Liberty St., 253-0043 • TU (5/12), 7-8:30pm - Concordia College Choir. Free.
theater comeDY 35BeloW j.e. BroYhill civic center 1913 Hickory Blvd. SE, Lenior, broyhillcenter.com • SA (5/9), 7:30pm - Jim Breuer, comedy. $25.62/$10.68 students and children.
music Beethoven Back to Back
get fresh: “Where do ideas and inspiration come from?” That’s the question in Push Gallery’s first show of the year, Brainstorm, opening this Friday, May 8. Featured artists include Bigfoot, Adam Void, Gus! and Nathanael Roney, and the show is also a launch party for a new local skateboard company, also called Brainstorm. (p.72)
art appalachian pastel societY appalachianpastelsociety.org • SA (5/9), 10am-noon - General meeting. Free. Held at Grace Community Church, 495 Cardinal Road, Mills River asheville art museum 2 N. Pack Square, 253-3227, ashevilleart.org • FR (5/8), 5:30pm - Gallery talk on “Keep All You Wish: The Photographs of Hugh Mangum.” Admission fees apply. asheville urBan lanDscape project 458-0111, ashevillearts.com/asheville-paint-outs
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maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
Open air painting events, held in various public green spaces and hosted by different Asheville area artists. Free. • TU (5/12), 9:30am-12:30pm - Held at Pack Square Park, 121 College St. river arts District artists riverartsdistrict.com • 2nd SATURDAYS, 10am-6pm - Self-guided open studio tour through the River Arts District with artist demonstrations and classes. Free to attend. the center for craft, creativitY & DesiGn 67 Broadway, 785-1357, craftcreativitydesign.org
mountainx.com
(pd.) Beethoven’s Eighth and Seventh Symphonies performed by the Blue Ridge Orchestra, • Saturday, May 16, 7:30pm; • Sunday, May 17, 3pm; Little Theater, Hall Fletcher Elementary, 60 Ridgelawn Road, West Asheville. $15 General Admission; $10 Friends of the Blue Ridge Orchestra; $5 Students; Walking to the concert? $5 • Tickets are also available (cash and checks only) at Soli Classica, 1550 Hendersonville Road, and Musician’s Workshop, 310 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville. • Details and tickets for Beethoven Back to Back: blueridgeorchestra.org asheville area piano forum 669-3878, ashevillepiano.org, edorlora@ gmail.com • FR (5/8), 9:30am-noon - Dr. Leslie Downs, solo piano Spanish songs and dances. Free. Held at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St. asheville sYmphonY Saturday, May 9, 2015 8PM • Thomas Wolfe Auditorim Performing Debussy’s Rhapsodie, Ellington’s Black, Brown, and Beige, Milhaud’s Scaramouche, and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe Suites 1 and 2. Tickets: 828-254-7046, www.ashevillesymphony.org
35 E. Walnut St., 254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS (5/8) until (5/24), 7:30pm - Letters and Notes Found on the Windshield at the Piggly Wiggly Parking Lot. Fri.&Sat.:7:30pm; Sun.: 2:30pm. $15. asheville communitY theatre 35 E. Walnut St., 254-1320, ashevilletheatre.org • FR (5/8) through SU (5/10), 7:30pm James and the Giant Peach. Fri. & Sat.: 7:30pm; Sun.: 2:30pm. $5. BeBe theatre 20 Commerce St., 254-2621 • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS until (5/9), 7:30pm - The Seagull. $15/$10 seniors. Black mountain center for the arts 225 W. State St., Black Mountain, 6690930, blackmountainarts.org • FR (5/8) & SA (5/9), 7:30pm - Steel Magnolias. $15. • SUNDAYS through (5/17), 3pm - Steel Magnolias. $15. flat rock plaYhouse 2661 Highway 225, Flat Rock, 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org • WEDNESDAYS through FRIDAYS (5/7) until (5/31), 8pm - Always ... Patsy Cline, musical. $15-$40. henDersonville little theatre 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville, 692-1082, hendersonvillelittletheater.org • THURSDAYS through SUNDAYS until (5/10) - Dreamgirls, musical. Thu.-Sat.: 7:30pm; Sun.: 2pm. $12-$24.
gaLLerY directorY
474 GallerY stuDio 474 Haywood Road Suite 2, facebook.com/474gallerystudio • Through SA (5/31) - Group exhibition of street- and pop-art inspired works by Alli Good, Gus!, Erin Hardy, Ted Harper, Ishmael, Megan Kelly, Jeremy Russell and Dustin Spagnola. 5 Walnut Wine Bar 5 Walnut St., 253-2593 • Through (5/9) - Wavy Way, works by Reba West Fraser. art at mars hill mhu.edu • Through FR (5/8) - Three senior art student exhibitions. art at unca art.unca.edu • Through SU (5/10) - A Wider Perspective on People, photography by Anna Melton. Held in S. Tucker Cooke Gallery. • Through SU (5/10) - Challenging the Feminine: Gender Tropes in Classical Painting, works by by Louise Thompson. Held in Highsmith Gallery.
• Through SU (5/10) - Works by art department students. Held in the Owen Hall gallery. asheville area arts council 1 Page Ave., 258-0710, ashevillearts.com • TH (5/7) through MO (6/15) - Working Memory, mixed media paintings by Mark Flowers. Artist’s reception: June 5, 5-8pm. asheville art museum 2 N. Pack Square, 253-3227, ashevilleart.org • Through SU (8/16) - Flourish: Selected Jewelry From the Daphne Farago Collection. asheville BookWorks 428 1/2 Haywood Road, 255-8444, ashevillebookworks.com • Through FR (7/3) - Beer City Prints, works from the Wood Engravers Network triennial juried exhibition. asheville GallerY of art 16 College St., 251-5796, ashevillegallery-of-art.com • Through SU (5/31) - My Wonky World, paintings by Sandi Anton. BenDer GallerY 12 S. Lexington Ave., 505-8341, thebendergallery.com • Through SU (5/31) - Veiled Memories, metal and glass.
fountainheaD Bookstore 408 N. Main St., Hendersonville, 697-1870, fountainheadbookstore.com • Through FR (7/10) - Once Upon a Time, paintings and illustrations by Marcy Jackson. GranD Bohemian GallerY 11 Boston Way, 877-274-1242, bohemianhotelasheville.com • Through SU (5/31) - Impressions: The Great Smoky Mountains, expressionist paintings by Stefan Horik. Grateful steps 159 S Lexington Ave., 277-0998, gratefulsteps.org • Through SA (5/30) - Celebrating Color, paintings by B Adams. GroveWooD GallerY 111 Grovewood Road, 253-7651, grovewood.com • Through SU (5/10) - The Birds and the Bees, themed works by local artists. mahoGanY house 240 Depot St., Waynesville, 246-0818 • Through TU (6/30) - Nature-inspired printmaking works by Dawn Behling and Myriah Strivelli. push skate shop & GallerY 25 Patton Ave., 225-5509, pushtoyproject.com
• FR (5/8) through TU (6/16) Brainstorm, more than a dozen artists in various mediums. Opening reception: May 8, 7-10pm. rivervieW station 191 Lyman St., riverviewartists.com • ONGOING - Santangles, pen and ink drawings by Sandra Brugh Moore. toe river arts council 765-0520, toeriverarts.org • SA (5/9) through FR (6/5) - Works by artists who will participate in the 2015 June Toe River Studio Tour. Held at Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery, 269 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine transYlvania communitY arts council 349 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, 884-2787, tcarts.org • FR (5/8) through FR (5/29) Photography by members of Land of Waterfalls Camera Club. Opening reception: May 8, 5-7pm. Ymi cultural center 39 South Market St., 252-4614, ymicc.org • Through FR (5/15) - DiverseWorks, 2D juried contest winner exhibit. Contact the galleries for admission fees and hours.
mountainx.com
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
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C L U B L A N D thursDaY, maY 7
WeDnesDaY, maY 6 5 Walnut Wine Bar Wine tasting w/ Pamela Jones (jazz), 5pm Juan Benavides Trio (flamenco), 8pm
5 Walnut Wine Bar Hank West & The Smokin’ Hots (jazz exotica), 8pm
altamont theatre Chuck Mead & Aaron Lee Tasjan (singersongwriter), 8pm
altamont BreWinG companY Jacqueline Terry CD release w/ Midnight Snack & Third Nature, 9pm
asheville music hall The Funk Hunters w/ DJ Brett Rock (funk), 10pm
altamont theatre Eric Hunter (comedy), 9pm asheville music hall First Thursdays w/ Phuncle Sam (Grateful Dead covers, jam), 10pm
Beer citY tavern Bean Bag Leagues, 6:30pm
BarleY’s taproom AMC Jazz Jam, 9pm
Ben’s tune-up Asheville Country Music Review w/ Town Mountain, The Honeycutters & John Stickley Trio, 5pm
Beer citY tavern Karaoke w/ DJ Do-It, 9:30pm
Black mountain ale house Play To Win Game Night, 7:30pm
Black mountain ale house The Big Deal (bluegrass, folk, jam), 7:30pm
Blue mountain piZZa & BreW puB Open Mic, 7pm
Blue mountain piZZa & BreW puB Mark Bumgarner (Americana), 7pm
BurGer Bar Karaoke, 9pm
BurGer Bar Old school metal night w/ Schrader, 9pm
croW & Quill Dorthia Cottrell & Nate Hall (psychedelic folk), 9pm
cataWBa BreWinG tastinG room Old time jam, 7pm
DouBle croWn Classic Country w/ DJs Greg Cartwright, David Gay, Brody Hunt, 10pm
foot-stompin’ fun: Celtic-country rockers out of Charleston, S.C., Don Merckle and The Blacksmiths brings together Celt-punk à la Dropkick Murphys with the alt-country Americana of the Drive-By Truckers. Celebrate your backcountry roots with a “boot-stompin’ rowdy country dance party,” accompanied by the Blacksmiths and a “special guest” on Saturday, May 9, at 9 p.m.
foGGY mountain BreWpuB Trivia, 8pm GreY eaGle music hall & tavern Dar Williams w/ Trevor Gordon Hall (singer-songwriter, folk), 8pm GrinD cafe Trivia night, 7pm
DouBle croWn 33 and 1/3 Thursdays w/ DJs Devyn & Oakley, 10pm elaine’s DuelinG piano Bar Dueling Pianos, 9pm
loBster trap Ben Hovey (dub-jazz, trumpet), 6:30pm
scullY’s Sons of Ralph (bluegrass), 6pm
mountain mojo coffeehouse Open mic, 6:30pm
straiGhtaWaY cafe The Big Deal (bluegrass, folk, jam), 6pm
native kitchen & social puB Mandelkorn George Project, 6:30pm
tallGarY’s at four colleGe Open mic & jam, 7pm
jack of the WooD puB Old-time session, 5pm
noBle kava Open mic w/ Caleb Beissert, 9pm
laZY DiamonD Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10pm
the joint next Door Bluegrass jam, 8pm
o.henrY’s/the unDerGrounD “Take the Cake” Karaoke, 10pm
lex 18 Patrick Lopez (jazz piano), 7pm
the mothliGht X Ambassadors w/ Chief Scout (alt rock), 9pm
oDDitorium Forced Into Femininity w/ Some Pepper, Dawn Raid & Divine Transfer (experimental), 9pm
the phoenix Jazz night, 8pm
isis restaurant anD music hall Laid Back Thursdays, 7pm Jeff Thompson (singer-songwriter), 7pm
off the WaGon Piano show, 9pm
the social Marc Keller (jazz), 6pm Karaoke, 9:30pm
jack of the WooD puB Bluegrass jam, 7pm
olive or tWist Swing dance lessons w/ Bobby Wood, 7:30pm 3 Cool Cats (vintage rock), 8pm
the southern Disclaimer Comedy open mic, 9pm
hiGhlanD BreWinG companY Woody Wood Wednesdays (acoustic rock), 5:30pm isis restaurant anD music hall Retrospective Collective (Paul Simon covers), 6pm
To qualify for a free listing, a venue must be predominately dedicated to the performing arts. Bookstores and cafés with regular open mics and musical events are also allowed / To limit confusion, events must be submitted by the venue owner or a representative of that venue / Events must be submitted in written form by e-mail (clubland@mountainx.com), fax, snail mail or hand-delivered to the Clubland Editor Hayley Benton at 2 Wall St., Room 209, Asheville, NC 28801. Events submitted to other staff members are not assured of inclusion in Clubland / Clubs must hold at least TWO events per week to qualify for listing space. Any venue that is inactive in Clubland for one month will be removed / The Clubland Editor reserves the right to edit or exclude events or venues / Deadline is by noon on Monday for that Wednesday’s publication. This is a firm deadline.
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cluB eleven on Grove Swing lessons & dance w/ Swing Asheville, 6:30pm Tango lessons & practilonga w/ Tango Gypsies, 7pm
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
one stop Deli & Bar Kelly Ravin & Indigo (singer-songwriter), 9pm
tiGer mountain Sean Dail (classic punk, power-pop, rock), 10pm
one WorlD BreWinG Beats & Brews w/ DJ Whistleblower, 8pm
timo’s house Spectrum AVL w/ Dam Good (dance party), 9pm
pisGah BreWinG companY EMEFE (Afro-beat, world), 6:30pm
toWn pump Open mic w/ Parker Brooks, 9pm
pour taproom Karaoke, 8pm
tressa’s DoWntoWn jaZZ anD Blues Blues & soul jam w/ Al Coffee & Da Grind, 8:30pm
rejavanation cafe Open mic night, 6pm room ix Fuego: Latin night, 9pm root Bar no. 1 DJ Ken Brandenburg (old school, funk), 8pm
mountainx.com
foGGY mountain BreWpuB Blue Fox (blues), 9pm french BroaD BreWerY Red Leg Husky (Americana, folk), 6pm GooD stuff Steve Gilbert (Americana, folk, singersongwriter), 8pm GreY eaGle music hall & tavern Whiskey Myers w/ Jamie Kent (country, soul), 9pm
laZY DiamonD The Replacement Party w/ Dr. Filth, 10pm lex 18 Ray Biscoglia & Grant Cuthbertson (piano, jazz), 7pm loBster trap Hank Bones (“The man of 1,000 songs”), 6:30pm market place Ben Hovey (dub jazz, beats), 7pm
White horse Black mountain Wednesday Waltz, 7pm Asheville Tango Orchestra, 7:30pm
neW mountain Women Grow Asheville, 3pm Bridge Over Asheville (variety show of local artists), 9pm Elliot Root (alternative), 9pm Orgone w/ Sophistifunk (funk, soul, rock), 10pm
WilD WinG cafe south Party on the Patio! w/ J Luke, 6pm Karaoke, 9pm
noBle kava The Kavalactones (electro-coustic improv), 8:30pm
THANKS TO THE THOUSANDS WHO
VOTED!
Dinner Menu till 10pm Late Night Menu till
Tues-Sun
5pm–12am
Full Bar
12am
4pm-2am Mon-Fri | 12pm-2am Sat | 3pm-2am Sun Mon.-Thur. 4pm-2am • Fri.-Sun. 2pm-2am
COMING SOON
87Patton Patton Ave., Asheville 87 Asheville
WED 5/6 SAFE AND SOUND PRESENTS :: RETROSPECTIVE COLLECTIVE ::
PAUL SIMON’S GRACELAND THUR 5/7
7:00 PM– LAID BACK THURSDAYS ON THE PATIO - FREE 7:00 PM– JEFF
THOMPSON IN THE LOUNGE FRI 5/8
7:15 PM– AN EVENING WITH HEATHER PIERSON 9:00 PM– COL. BRUCE HAMPTON AND THE MADRID EXPRESS
SAT 5/9
7:30 PM– AN EVENING WITH
MARLEY CARROLL IN THE LOUNGE 9:00 PM– ROADKILL GHOST CHOIR W/ CAMP DAVID & TINY THINGS
SAT 5/13
7:00 PM– AN EVENING OF CELTIC MUSIC WITH THE HANZ ARAKI BAND
THUR 5/14
7:00 PM– JEFF
THOMPSON 9:00 PM– MIKE HICKS AND CASEY WASNER FRI 5/15
7:00 PM– LADIES IN THE LOUNGE CAROMIA TILLER, CARRIE WELLING & CASEY WILLIAMS 9:00 PM– PIERCE EDENS AND THE DIRTY WORK
SAT 5/16 7:00 PM– ACOUSTIC BLUES W/ PEGGY RATUTZ 9:00 PM– MALCOLM HOLCOMBE W/ MIKE FERRIO Every Tuesday
7:30pm–midnite
BLUEGRASS SESSIONS
Every Sunday
6pm–11pm
JAZZ SHOWCASE
743 HAYWOOD RD 828-575-2737 ISISASHEVILLE.COM mountainx.com
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
75
cLubLand
North Carolina’s First Cider Pub! Family Owned and Operated
Nightly Entertainment!
NEW GREEN SPACE & OUTDOOR SEATING
THURSDAY:
5/7: Funk Jam THURSDAY:
5/14: Calvin Get Down - 8 pm
NORTH CAROLINA’S FIRST CIDER PUB!
THURSDAY:
5/21: Awake in the Dream - 8 pm FRIDAY:
See our Facebook Page for Nightly Specials
5/22: Westsound - 8 pm SUNDAY:
5/24: Memorial Weekend Jam The Dirty Badgers & Friends Fundraiser for Manna Food Bank
210 Haywood Road, West Asheville, NC 28806
Serving Lunch Daily Kitchen & Bar Open til 2am
(828) 774-5151 www.urbanorchardcider.com
www.thesocialasheville.com 1078 Tunnel Road | 828-298-8780
Wed • May 6 with music by
TAVERN
Woody Wood
5:30-7:30 / Tasting Room Closed
DOWNTOWN ON THE PARK
for private event
Sat • May 9
Alarm Clock Conspiracy 7:00-9:00
Eclectic Menu • Over 30 Taps • Patio 13 TV’s • Sports Room • 110” Projector Event Space • Shuffleboard Open 7 Days 11am - Late Night
WEATHER IS N THE A ND I C E THE PATIO IS OPEN
Black Bear coffee co. The Bluesy: Gary Segal & Michael Filappone (blues, rock, soul), 6pm
off the WaGon Dueling pianos, 9pm
Black mountain ale house Dirty Badgers (blues, rock), 8pm
olive or tWist Cha cha lesson w/ Ian & Karen, 7:30pm DJ (oldies, Latin, line dance), 8:30pm
Blue mountain piZZa & BreW puB Bob Zullo (acoustic), 7pm
one stop Deli & Bar Phish ’n’ Chips (Phish covers), 6pm Roots of a Rebellion w/ Sol Cat (roots, rock, reggae), 10pm one WorlD BreWinG Sarah Tucker (singer-songwriter), 8pm oranGe peel Yelawolf w/ The Hillbilly Casino & DJ Klever (hip-hop), 9pm pack’s tavern Jeff Anders & Scott Raines (acoustic rock), 9pm purple onion cafe Tellico (old-time, Appalachia), 8pm room ix Throwback Thursdays (all vinyl set), 9pm
southern appalachian BreWerY Nitrograss (bluegrass), 7pm tallGarY’s at four colleGe The Rat Alley Cats (blues), 7:30pm the mothliGht Axxa/Abraxas w/ CCR Headcleaner, 100 Watt Horse & Floral Paint (psychedelic, rock), 9:30pm
the stranD @ 38 main The Delta Billies (rockabilly, western swing), 7:45pm timo’s house ’90s Nite w/ Franco Nino (’90s dance, hip-hop, pop), 10pm toWn pump Miles Wide (acoustic), 9pm tressa’s DoWntoWn jaZZ anD Blues Lyric (funk, soul), 9pm urBan orcharD Stevie Lee Combs (acoustic, Americana), 6:30pm White horse Black mountain Taste Of Black Mountain, 5pm Scott Ainslie (acoustic, blues), 7:30pm
(acoustic rock)
WxYZ lounGe at aloft hotel Jamar Woods (soul funk, R&B), 7:30pm
FRI. 5/8 DJ MoTo (pop, dance hits)
Meadow is open / Tasting Room
Closed for private event
SAT. 5/9 The Free Flow Band
Tue • May 12
Meadow is open / Tasting Room
(r&b, old school, funk)
Closed for private event
ST OF BE
14
20 WNC
20 S. SPRUCE ST. • 225.6944 PACKSTAVERN.COM maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
oDDitorium Memes w/ Death Mission To Space & William Gerhardt (experimental), 9pm
THU. 5/7 Jeff Anders & Scott Raines
Sun • May 10
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Ben’s tune-up Woody Wood (acoustic, folk, rock), 5pm
the southern Throwdown Thursday w/ Jim Raves & Nex Millen (DJ, dance party), 10pm
Meadow open
7:00-9:00
o.henrY’s/the unDerGrounD Gayme Night w/ Xandrea Foxx, 9pm
scanDals niGhtcluB DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm
Check out Clubland for other events
Fri • May 8 Hank West & The Smokin’ Hots
Send your listings to clubland@mountainx.com
mountainx.com
friDaY, maY 8
Boiler room 3rd Annual Up In Smoke Party (hip-hop), 10pm BurGer Bar Juke Joint Blues w/ Rare Burger Band, 9pm BYWater Calvin Get Down (funk), 8pm classic Wineseller Jay Brown (blues, bluegrass, roots), 6pm cluB eleven on Grove Pre-Mother’s Day Celebration w/ DJ Jam & his Jamming Machine, 9pm cork & keG Blue Heaven Trio (swing, jazz, roots), 8:30pm croW & Quill Hot Point Trio (hot jazz, swing, old time), 9pm DouBle croWn DJ Greg Cartwright (garage & soul obscurities), 10pm DuGout Howie Johnson Band (classic rock, blues), 9pm elaine’s DuelinG piano Bar Dueling Pianos, 9pm french BroaD BreWerY Tyler Nail Trio (Americana, folk), 6pm GooD stuff The Bluegrass Drifters, 8pm hiGhlanD BreWinG companY Hank West & The Smokin’ Hots (jazz exotica), 7pm isis restaurant anD music hall Heather Pierson (folk, bluegrass, jazz), 7:15pm Col. Bruce Hampton & The Madrid Express (rock), 9pm jack of the WooD puB Todd Cecil & Back South (Delta blues, rock), 9pm jerusalem GarDen Middle Eastern music & bellydancing, 7pm laZY DiamonD Sonic Satan Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10pm lex 18 Afternoon High Tea w/ Bob Strain (piano), 1:30pm Michael John Jazz (jazz), 6pm Byron Hedgepeth & Ozzie Orengo (Latin vibraphone, jazz), 8:30pm
185 kinG street The Carleans (Americana, folk, bluegrass), 8pm
loBster trap Calico Moon (Americana), 6:30pm
5 Walnut Wine Bar The Gypsy Swingers (gypsy jazz), 9pm
market place The Sean Mason Trio (groove, jazz, funk), 7pm
altamont theatre The Tall Pines w/ Casey Driessen (country rock), 8pm athena’s cluB Dave Blair (folk, funk, acoustic), 7pm Beer citY tavern Marc Keller (acoustic), 6pm DJ dance party, 9:30pm
native kitchen & social puB James Hammel & Mike Guzalak, 6:30pm neW mountain Cherokee Red w/ The Toothe & Warm The Bell (psychedelic, folk), 10pm niGhtBell restaurant & lounGe Dulítel DJ (indie, electro, rock), 10pm
noBle kava Mystic Ferryman (electro-coustic ambient improv), 8:30pm
altamont theatre Russ Wilson (jazz, country, rock ’n’ roll), 8pm
oDDitorium Just Die! Reunion w/ Backstabbers Inc, Olde Tigers & Weak Wrists (hardcore), 9pm
asheville music hall C. Shreve & Free The Optimus w/ Chaundon, C-Minor, Tuscon, Sonyae, Eternal & Hunter (hip-hop), 10pm
off the WaGon Dueling pianos, 9pm olive or tWist Free Flow (Motown, funk), 8pm one stop Deli & Bar Free Dead Fridays w/ members of Phuncle Sam (jam), 5pm Deep Assembly: Nigel One w/ Josh (Earthtone Soundsystem) & Delta Quadrant (EDM, house), 10pm
athena’s cluB Dave Blair (folk, funk, acoustic), 7pm
Beer citY tavern Hurricane Bob Band, 9pm
o.henrY’s/the unDerGrounD Glitter Bomb (dance party), 10pm
Ben’s tune-up Gypsy Guitars, 2pm
oDDitorium Spearfinger w/ Blitch & The Beard (rock, metal), 9pm
oskar Blues BreWerY Elonzo Weasley (singer-songwriter), 6pm
Black mountain ale house Fritz Beer & The Crooked Beat (Americana, rock), 9pm
scanDals niGhtcluB DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm scullY’s DJ, 10pm southern appalachian BreWerY Carolina Rex (blues, Americana), 8pm sprinG creek tavern Redleg Husky (folk), 8pm straiGhtaWaY cafe Lester Grass, 6pm tallGarY’s at four colleGe For Realz (classic rock), 9:30pm the aDmiral Hip Hop dance party w/ DJ Warf, 11pm the mothliGht Matthew E. White w/ J Seger (singer-songwriter, soul), 9:30pm the social Get Vocal Karaoke, 9:30pm tiGer mountain Death Valley Girls (garage rock), 10pm
Blue mountain piZZa & BreW puB Andy Ferrell (Americana, roots), 7pm BYWater Star Wars Uncut: Fan Film (showing on projector), 8:30pm classic Wineseller Dana & Susan Robinson (old-time), 6pm cork & keG The Gypsy Swingers (jazz, Latin, ’30s pop), 8:30pm DouBle croWn Rock ’n’ Soul w/ DJs Lil Lorruh or Rebecca & Dave, 10pm DuGout Fine Line (classic rock), 9pm elaine’s DuelinG piano Bar Dueling Pianos, 9pm foGGY mountain BreWpuB Pabulum (blues, rock), 10pm french BroaD BreWerY Salt of the Earth (folk, singer-songwriter), 6pm GooD stuff The CarLeans (Americana, folk, bluegrass), 9pm
toWn pump January Gray (rock), 9pm
GreY eaGle music hall & tavern Great Lake Swimmers w/ Edward David Anderson (folk rock), 9pm
tressa’s DoWntoWn jaZZ anD Blues Marcel Anton Trio, 7pm Al Coffee & Da Grind (blues), 10pm
hiGhlanD BreWinG companY Alarm Clock Conspiracy (indie, rock, alt country), 7pm
White horse Black mountain The Buddy K Big Band (classic big band), 8pm
isis restaurant anD music hall Saturday Classical Brunch, 11am Marley Carroll (electronic), 7:30pm Roadkill Ghost Choir (indie, alt rock), 9pm
WilD WinG cafe Riyen Roots & Kenny Dore (blues, Americana, soul), 8pm WilD WinG cafe south A Social Function (acoustic), 9:30pm WxYZ lounGe at aloft hotel Ben Hovey (souljazztronica), 8pm ZamBra Zambra Jazz Trio, 8pm
saturDaY, maY 9 185 kinG street Dennis Berndt (acoustic, reggae), 8pm 5 Walnut Wine Bar Steelin’ Time (vintage steel guitar), 6pm The Blood Gypsies (gypsy blues), 9pm
niGhtBell restaurant & lounGe Jenna Gilmore (techno, deep house), 10pm noBle kava Silver Screen Orchestra (instrumental ambient music), 8:30pm
Black Bear coffee co. Daniel Keller & Olivier (jazz standards & contemporary), 6pm
root Bar no. 1 Call the Next Witness (alt-rock), 8pm
mojo kitchen & lounGe Dine ’n’ Disco (funk, soul, hip-hop), 5:30pm
Balsam mountain inn David Olney (Americana), 6pm
oranGe peel Atmosphere w/ B Dolan, deM atlaS & DJ Adatrak (hip-hop), 9pm
pack’s tavern DJ MoTo (pop hits, dance), 9pm
market place DJs (funk, R&B), 7pm
jack of the WooD puB Don Merckle & The Blacksmiths w/ special guests (country, dance), 9pm jerusalem GarDen Middle Eastern music & bellydancing, 7pm laZY DiamonD Unknown Pleasures w/ DJ Greg Cartwright, 10pm lex 18 Afternoon High Tea w/ Bob Strain (piano), 1:30pm DJ Cosmo Q (electro-fusion, swing, dance party), 11pm
off the WaGon Dueling pianos, 9pm olive or tWist Dance party (hip-hop, rap), 11pm one stop Deli & Bar Lucid (rock, funk), 10pm oranGe peel Panda Bear w/ Jessica Pratt (dub, experimental), 9pm oskar Blues BreWerY Canary & the Coalmine (Americana), 6pm pack’s tavern The Free Flow Band (R&B, old school, funk), 9pm purple onion cafe The Carpenter Ants (R&B, gospel, country funk), 8pm riverWatch Bar & Grill Sound Extreme Karaoke w/ DJ Hurricane, 7pm room ix Open dance night, 9pm
JACK
root Bar no. 1 Stephen Lee (alt-country), 8pm
OF THE
WOOD
scanDals niGhtcluB DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm scullY’s DJ, 10pm southern appalachian BreWerY Stepchild (Americana, blues), 8pm straiGhtaWaY cafe Straw Man Band, 6pm tallGarY’s at four colleGe Picasso Facelift (classic rock, blues), 9pm the aDmiral Soul night w/ DJ Dr. Filth, 11pm the social Get Vocal Karaoke, 9:30pm toY Boat communitY art space Movie Premier for Language Justice Toolkit (movie, karaoke, dance party), 7pm tressa’s DoWntoWn jaZZ anD Blues The King Zeros, 7pm Lyric (funk, soul), 10pm White horse Black mountain Bob Hinkle’s 70th Birthday Bash w/ BJ Leiderman, David LaMotte, Joshua Messick & more, 7:30pm
PUB
FRI 5.8 SAT 5.9 MON 5.11 FRI 5.15 SAT 5.16
TODD CECIL & BACK SOUTH ROCKIN DELTA MISSISSIPPI BLUES $5
DON MERCKLE & THE BLACK SMITHS (BOOT STOMPIN ROWDY COUNTRY DANCE PARTY) 9 p.m. $5
THE CARLEANS (ROOTS / AMERICANA)
9 p.m. Free (Donations Encouraged)
SINGER SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND
RIVERBANK RAMBLERS (APPALACHIAN COUNTRY ROCK) 9 p.m. $5
SCREAMING J’S W/ THE BIG EZS 9 p.m.$5
loBster trap Sean Mason Trio (jazz), 6:30pm
WxYZ lounGe at aloft hotel Salsa Saturday w/ DJ Malinalli (salsa, Latin), 8pm
OPEN MON-THURS AT 3 • FRI-SUN AT NOON SUNDAY Celtic Irish session 5pm til ? MONDAY Quizzo! 7:30-9pm • WEDNESDAY Old-Time 5pm SINGER SONGWRITERS 1st & 3rd Tuesdays THURSDAY Bluegrass Jam 7pm
marco’s piZZeria Sharon LaMotte Band (jazz), 6pm
ZamBra Zambra Jazz Trio, 8pm
95 PATTON at COXE • Downtown Asheville
WilD WinG cafe Karaoke, 8pm
252.5445 • jackofthewood.com
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maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
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cLubLand
Send your listings to clubland@mountainx.com
sunDaY, maY 10 5 Walnut Wine Bar The Moon & You (cello folk, soul), 7pm Beer citY tavern Smooth Jazz w/ Dan & Albi, 4pm Ben’s tune-up Jazz Brunch, 2pm
Blue mountain piZZa & BreW puB Billy Litz (Americana, singer-songwriter), 7pm
altamont BreWinG companY Old-time jam w/ John Hardy Party, 8pm
BurGer Bar Bike night w/ DJ John Black (’70s rock), 9pm
Beer citY tavern Monday Pickin’ Parlour (open jam & storytelling) w/ Zuzu Welsh, 8pm Black mountain ale house Bluegrass jam w/ The Big Deal Band, 7:30pm
DouBle croWn Karaoke w/ Tim O, 9pm
BurGer Bar Honkytonk ladies night w/ Brody, 6pm
french BroaD BreWerY PubSing (gospel jam & sing-along, bring snack), 5:30pm
BYWater Open mic w/ Taylor Martin, 8pm courtYarD GallerY Open mic (music, poetry, comedy, etc.), 8pm DouBle croWn Punk ’n’ roll w/ DJs Dave & Rebecca, 10pm
GreY eaGle music hall & tavern Tennis w/ Kuroma (indie, lo-fi), 8pm
GooD stuff Open mic w/ Laura Thurston, 7pm
isis restaurant anD music hall Jazz showcase, 6pm
GreY eaGle music hall & tavern Contra dance, 7pm
jack of the WooD puB Irish session, 5pm
jack of the WooD puB Quizzo, 7pm The Caroleans (roots, Americana), 9pm
laZY DiamonD Honky Tonk Night w/ DJs, 10pm lex 18 Michael John Jazz (jazz), 7pm loBster trap Crossroad String Band (bluegrass, folk, jazz), 6:30pm
laZY DiamonD Heavy Night w/ DJ Butch, 10pm lexinGton ave BreWerY (laB) Kipper’s “Totally Rad” Trivia night, 8pm loBster trap Bobby Miller & Friends (bluegrass), 6:30pm
neW mountain Tom Segura (comedy), 8pm
o.henrY’s/the unDerGrounD Geeks Who Drink trivia, 7pm
off the WaGon Piano show, 9pm
oranGe peel Warriors of Anikituhwa (Cherokee dance), 11am TV On The Radio w/ Bo Ningen (indie, soul, rock), 9pm
olive or tWist Rhumba lesson w/ Wayne Tipton, 8pm one stop Deli & Bar Bluegrass brunch w/ Woody Wood, 11am Reggae Sundays, 9pm
oskar Blues BreWerY Mountain Music Mondays (open jam), 6pm
oranGe peel Waltz Night w/ Boom Chuck, 6pm
rejavanation cafe Trivia night, 7pm
pour taproom Open mic, 8pm
sovereiGn remeDies Stevie Lee Combs (acoustic), 8pm
scanDals niGhtcluB DJ dance party & drag show, 10pm
the mothliGht Poet Radio (gothic, Americana, psych rock), 9pm
southern appalachian BreWerY Mother’s Day Gospel Brunch w/ Redneck Mimosa, 12pm straiGhtaWaY cafe Laura Blackley (country, folk, soul), 5pm tallGarY’s at four colleGe Jason Brazzel (acoustic), 6pm the omni Grove park inn Lou Mowad (classical guitar), 10pm the social Karaoke, 9:30pm the southern Yacht Rock Brunch w/ DJ Kipper, 12pm tiGer mountain Seismic Sunday w/ Matthew Schrader (doom, sludge, drone, psych-metal), 10pm
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monDaY, maY 11 5 Walnut Wine Bar Eleanor Underhill & friends (Americana, soul), 8pm
GooD stuff Nathan Kalish & The Lastcallers (country, folk), 3pm
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
toWn pump Canary In The Coalmine (Americana, folk), 9pm
Black mountain ale house Sunday Jazz Brunch w/ James Hammel, 12pm
Burial Beer co. Jazz brunch w/ The Mandelkorn George Project (funk, soul), 12pm
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timo’s house Asheville Drum ’n’ Bass Collective, 10pm
the social Marc Keller, 6pm timo’s house Movie night, 7pm
tuesDaY, maY 12 5 Walnut Wine Bar The John Henrys (ragtime, jazz), 8pm asheville music hall Tuesday Night Funk Jam, 11pm Beer citY tavern Team Trivia (w/ prizes), 8pm Ben’s tune-up Eleanor Underhill (acoustic), 5pm
Black mountain ale house Trivia, 7pm
oDDitorium Odd comedy night, 9pm
Blue mountain piZZa & BreW puB Circus Mutt (bluegrass, roots), 7pm
off the WaGon Rock ’n’ roll bingo, 8pm
Buffalo nickel Trivia, 7pm BurGer Bar Krekel & Whoa! (rock ’n’ roll), 9pm cork & keG Honky-tonk Jamboree w/ Tom Pittman, 6:30pm
one WorlD BreWinG The Paper Crowns (Americana), 8pm pour taproom Frank Zappa night, 8pm
DouBle croWn Punk ’n’ roll w/ DJs Sean & Will, 10pm
root Bar no. 1 Cameron Stack (blues), 8pm
GooD stuff Old time-y night, 6:30pm
tallGarY’s at four colleGe Jam night, 9pm
GreY eaGle music hall & tavern Hey Rosetta! (indie rock), 7pm
the joint next Door Open mic w/ Laura Thurston, 7pm
iron horse station Open mic, 6pm
tiGer mountain Tuesday Tests w/ Chris Ballard (techno, house, experimental, downtempo), 10pm
isis restaurant anD music hall Bluegrass sessions, 7:30pm laZY DiamonD Punk ’n’ Roll w/ DJ Leo Delightful, 10pm lex 18 Bob Strain (jazz), 7pm loBster trap Jay Brown (acoustic-folk, singer-songwriter), 6:30pm
May 2015
one stop Deli & Bar Turntablism Tuesdays (DJs & vinyl), 10pm
tressa’s DoWntoWn jaZZ anD Blues Funk & jazz jam w/ Pauly Juhl, 8:30pm urBan orcharD Billy Litz (Americana, singer-songwriter), 7pm Westville puB Blues jam, 10pm
marco’s piZZeria Sharon LaMotte Band (jazz), 6:30pm
White horse Black mountain Irish sessions & open mic, 6:30pm
market place The Rat Alley Cats (jazz, Latin, swing), 7pm
WilD WinG cafe south Maniac Brainiac Trivia!, 8pm
THURSDAY
5.7
SUNDAY
TOM SEGURA
7PM
THURSDAY
5.14
FRIDAY
THEATER
5.15
SHOOTER JENNINGS W/ WAYMORE’S
5.16
THEATER
MASON JENNINGS W/ WRENPOP
5.17
DEVON ALLMAN W/ EAST COAST DIRT
9PM SATURDAY 8PM SUNDAY
FRIDAY
Resilient Communities & Sustainable Living
THEATER
MARIACHI EL BRONX
7PM
9PM
Your guide to
WED 5/6
THEATER
5.10
5.21
get it! guide
OPEN AT 5PM FOR SUNDAY SHOWS
BIG DEAL COMEDY PRESENTS:
5.22
6:30PM
OUTLAWS, JOSH MORNINGSTAR, & THOMAS WYNN & THE BELIEVERS
THU 5/7
WHISKEY MYERS W/ JAMIE KENT 9pm $10 / $12
GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS
SAT 5/9
W/ EDWARD DAVID ANDERSON
TUE 5/12
VASKI
THU 5/14
W/ MARLEY CARROLL
THEATER
TENNIS
SUN 5/10
THEATER
DR. JOHN AND THE NITETRIPPERS UPCOMING SHOWS:
DAR WILLIAMS
W/ TREVOR GORDON HALL 8pm $25 / $28
9pm $14 / $17
THEATER
THURSDAY
2015
EXTENDED HOURS DURING SHOWS FOR TICKET HOLDERS
W/ SOPHISTIFUNK
9PM
7PM
P re s e n t s:
OPEN MON-SAT 12PM-8PM
THEATER
ORGONE
W/ KUROMA 8pm $12 / $14
HEY ROSETTA! 8pm $10 / $12
DAVID ALLAN COE 8pm $27 / $30
5/24: DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND 6/6: ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND 6/10: THE GROWLERS W/ BRONCHO & THE NUDE PARTY 6/13: RISING APPALACHIA 6/14: TAB BENOIT
FRI 5/15
ANNABELLE’S CURSE + SWEAR AND SHAKE W/ MARTY O’REILLY & THE OLD SOUL ORCHESTRA 9pm $8 / $10
CONTRA DANCE: MONDAYS 8PM
Sustainable Living
mountainx.com
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
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by Ken Hanke & Justin Souther
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HHHHH = max rating contact xpressmovies@aol.com
pick of the week
theater Listings
The D Train HHHHS
fridaY, maY 8 thursdaY, maY 14 Due to possible scheduling changes, moviegoers may want to confirm showtimes with theaters.
director: Jarrad Paul, Andrew Mogel asheville piZZa & BreWinG co. (254-1281) american sniper (r) 1:00 (Mon-Thu), 7:00 kingsman: the secret service (r) 10:00 paddington (pG) 1:00 (Sat-Sun), 4:00
pLaYers: Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor, Mike White, Russell Posner, Henry Zebrowski comedY
rated r
carmike cinema 10 (298-4452)
the storY: One of the least popular members of the class of ’94 decides to turn that around by getting the most popular — and seemingly successful — classmate to come to the 20-year reunion. the Lowdown: A very different movie than you think, this is a warm, generous, kindhearted film that dares to go places other such comedies fear to tread.
At first glance, The D Train looks for all the world like just another R-rated comedy with an over-the-top Jack Black. That’s certainly what I was expecting — and it is not in the least what this is. A shock? Well, let’s say all the signs were against it. I mean I can only think of a few instances where I’ve actually liked Jack Black — and fewer still where I’ve found co-star James Marsden in any way memorable (except Hop, and the less said about that the better). The writer-director team of Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel was unknown to me, so they were a crap shoot, and the odds weren’t in my favor. But the cinema gods were looking favorably on me with this one, which turned out to be more than a pleasant surprise. It turned out to be a surprisingly bold movie. Jack Black plays Dan Landsman, a well-meaning but socially inept
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maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
james marsden and jack bLack in The D Train — the surprising — and surprisingly deep — comedy from first-time directors Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel.
fellow who never got over not being popular in high school, despite his efforts to paint a rosier picture of those years than reality attests to. In fact, not much has changed for Dan. He has a supportive wife, Stacey (Kathryn Hahn), a son, Zach (Russell Posner, Fading Gigolo) and an infant daughter. He has an OK but boring job and a nice middle-class home. But he apparently has no friends and wants nothing more than to gain the respect of the people he went to school with — 20 years ago. To this end, he’s working on the class reunion committee — the selfproclaimed chairman, in fact — and it’s not going well. The rest of the committee barely tolerates him, and no one he calls to urge to come to the reunion responds positively. His position with the rest of the class is probably summed up when he has to tell one prospect, “No, I don’t think I still suck.” Salvation may be at hand, however, when Dan spots the most popular guy in his class, Oliver Lawless (Marsden), in a commercial for Banana Boat suntan products. Dan’s idea is that if he can get Oliver — who he claims was a close friend (no
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one else remembers it that way) — to come to the reunion not only will “everybody” come, but he’ll be the class hero for getting this Hollywood “star.” Hatching a way-too-convoluted plan — one that involves lying to just about everyone — Dan sets out for Hollywood to snare his quarry. Not surprisingly — after all, a suntan ad isn’t exactly stardom — he does just that in more ways than he ever intended. And this is where the movie gets bold, because it takes the idea of the “bromance” to the conclusion movies like this don’t tend to even broach, let alone follow through with. More surprising still, The D Train never tries to back away from this. Rather, it becomes central to the story — and in an emotional, not exploitative way. It isn’t the linecrossing itself that informs the film’s terrific third act, it’s the fallout from it. This, of course, is why The D Train is an indie being distributed by IFC Films. It’s also the sort of thing that’s probably not going to play well with some viewers. (It’s already made some critics — who’ve branded the film “far-fetched” — nervous.) The unfortunate thing here is that the
carolina cinemas (274-9500) the age of adaline (pG-13) 11:40, 2:10, 4:40, 7:20, 10:30 avengers: age of ultron 3D (pG-13) 12:45, 4:05, 7:45, 10:50 avengers: age of ultron 2D (pG-13) 10:45, 11:30, 12:15, 1:25, 2:05, 2:50, 3:35, 5:25, 6:20, 7:10, 8:30, 9:05, 9:40, 10:15 clouds of sils maria (r) 11:00, 12:45, 4:25, 7:10, 10:00 the D train (r) 11:15, 1:30, 3:45, 6:00, 8:15, 10:30 ex machina (r) 12:00, 2:40, 5:10, 7:40,10:05 furious 7 (pG-13) 10:50, 1:45, 4:40, 7:35, 9:50 home 2D (pG) 12:05, 2:20, 4:30, 6:55 hot pursuit (pG-13) 11:05, 1:10, 3:15, 5:20, 7:25, 9:30 maggie (pG-13) 11:45, 2:25, 5:00, 7:50, 10:25 While We're Young (r) 3:25, 5:35, 7:45, 10:10 Woman in Gold (pG-13) 10:55, 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 9:25 co-eD cinema BrevarD (883-2200) avengers: age of ultron (pG-13) 12:30, 4:00, 7:30 epic of henDersonville (693-1146) fine arts theatre (232-1536) above and Beyond (nr) 7:00 Thu., May 14 only clouds of sils maria (r) 1:20 (no 1:20 show on Fri., May 8), 4:20 Deli man (pG-13) Fri., May 8, 1 00 ex machina (r) 7:20 (no 7:20 show Thu., May 14), Late Show Fri-Sat 9:40 kumiko, the treasure hunter (nr) 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, Late Show Fri-Sat 9:20 flatrock cinema (697-2463) Danny collins (r) Fri, Sat, Tue, Wed, Thu 4:00, 7:00 reGal Biltmore GranDe staDium 15 (684-1298) uniteD artists Beaucatcher (298-1234)
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MOVIES
by Ken Hanke & Justin Souther
very aspect of the film that’s going to alienate some of the audience is what raises it out of the ordinary R-rated class reunion comedy. It’s not that it gives the film an edge — though it does — but that the way it’s handled gives the proceedings surprising depth, especially at the end. The scene at the reunion party, Marsden’s last remark to two other classmates and his final scene with Black are among the most effective things I’ve seen all year. These things raise the film way beyond its initial premise — and raise the other scenes with them. See this film. It’s so much more than you probably think. Rated R for strong sexual material, nudity, language and drug use. Starts Friday at Carolina Cinemas. reviewed by Ken Hanke
Avengers: Age of Ultron HHH DIRECTOR: Joss Whedon PLAYERS: Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen COMIC BOOK SCI-FI ACTION RATED PG-13 THE STORY: The latest entry in the Marvel Comics series. THE LOWDOWN: It’s too big. It’s too frenzied. It’s too full of characters it can’t contain. Mostly, it’s just too much everything. It’s not bad — it will please a lot of people — but it provides a lot less fun than The Avengers did.
Joss Whedon’s Avengers: Age of Ultron was everything I expected — and less. Oh, sure, it delivers the requisite number of explosions (and then some), lots of footage of folks (both real and in their CGI incarnations) in often goofy costumes punching the crap out of bad guys various and sundry, massive property damage and effects upon effects upon effects. And it’s never less than decently acted — at least in those moments where its pricey cast actually get to act. However, it’s also lacking most of the fleet-footed fun of its predeces-
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sor — despite the presence of the same writer-director and most of the same cast. As I said in 2012, The Avengers wasn’t one of the Great Movies or anything of the sort, but it was mostly — until the inevitable big smackdown at the end — a lot of fun, not in the least because it was allowed to just be a comic book movie without any pretense of profundity. The sequel doesn’t make any great claims to depth either — which is in its favor — but something was lost between the first movie and this one. What once was a fun jaunt here feels more like a forced march — and one with too damned many characters. The problem starts early on — in fact, with the very first sequence. For no very good reason, the movie starts in the middle of a barely comprehensible battle. I realize that Whedon comes from TV, where it’s a logical practice to start a program with some kind of “grabber” scene to keep the viewer from changing the channel. This is presold product on the big screen, and the money was collected before the viewer sat down — the option of changing the channel doesn’t exist. But the film is treated like it is, so we’re subjected to all this sound and fury (and I don’t mean Nick) for no very good reason — except “stuff blows up real neat.” And that’s not even quite true, since the effects work here is quite the worst — read: most cartoonish — in the movie. In fact, the whole first hour of the film strikes me as a pretty tough slog. After that first hour, the movie improves considerably, even if, for me, it never reaches the enjoyment level of the first film — except in one notable capacity where it’s better than the first film. The central problem with the film (even at its best) is that its fairly simple story is overloaded with pointless convolutions and an overcrowded roster of characters — so cramped for space that few, if any, of them are given much to do, despite its 141-minute running time. (That’s actually a couple minutes shorter than The Avengers, but it feels longer.) In the bargain, much of Whedon’s sense of humor seems to have suffered. OK, I was amused by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) remarking that something was “Eugene O’Neill long,” but I was probably more amused by how incomprehensible that’s likely to be to a large portion of the audience than anything. I thought there was possibly a nice dose of amusing self-critique in having Hawkeye
HHHHH = max rating (Jeremy Renner) sum up the situation for Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and cap it with, “None of this makes any sense.” And I’d like to believe that Vision (Paul Bettany) magically “growing” a cape was a gag, but I’m pretty sure Thor (Chris Hemsworth) vanishing part way through just to (conveniently) return to straighten out the plot because of a vision he had when he was offscreen wasn’t meant to be funny. However, one area where Age of Ultron really does score is in its climactic smackdown battle — even if seeing superheroes battle endless streams of robots looks like something out of the pages of an old Magnus: Robot Fighter comic — regrettably without the “squeeeee” sound whenever a robot gets beheaded. (Then again I’m not at all certain that Ultron (voiced by James Spader) isn’t a riff on Magnus’ archenemy, the rogue robot H8.) For once, this isn’t just a free-forall of battling and wanton destruction, but something that actually makes sense and evidences a good bit of concern over the destruction. If the whole movie had been this good ... but it isn’t. And, yes, I realize nothing I say about Age of Ultron will have any impact — apart from getting a few angry responses because I don’t love it. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action, violence and destruction and for some suggestive comments. Playing at Carolina Cinemas, Co-ed of Brevard, Epic of Hendersonville, Regal Biltmore Grande, UA Beaucatcher. reviewed by Ken Hanke
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter HHHH DIRECTOR: David Zellner PLAYERS: Rinko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Katsube, Shirley Venard, David Zellner, Nathan Zellner DARK FANTASY DRAMA RATED NR THE STORY: A Japanese office worker becomes obsessed with finding the buried money from the movie Fargo. THE LOWDOWN: This is a good — but not entirely likable — film that might have been great but isn’t quite, owing to a central character who becomes increasingly unsympathetic. Certainly worth a look, though.
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter is both fascinating and infuriating — in just about equal measure. It is a film I wanted — expected — to love. I ended up in a very different state of mind. Perhaps I never should have watched the trailers, since they suggested a very different film than the one that emerged. As a result, I’ve spent two days trying to come to terms with the simple fact that the movie I saw wasn’t the movie I had expected. That I came to it expecting something lighter and more whimsical than the film I saw is not so much a criticism as it is an observation. At the same time, my initial response to this dark and frankly disturbing film from Austinbased filmmaker David Zellner was disappointment. I have now gotten past that, and while I am never going to love Kumiko, I respect it and am starting to like it for what it is. The partially fact-based premise is at once screwy and tragic. Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi, The Brothers Bloom) is a drudge of an office lady working for a boss who wants her to move on — his belief being that a 29-yearold woman ought to be married and not working in an office (perhaps so he can “redecorate” with a younger woman). But Kumiko is strangely insular. Apart from her pet rabbit, Bunzo, she has no friends — only a bad telephone relationship with a mother (Yumiko Hioki) she tends to avoid. There’s something more about Kumiko — a strange mystical side where the line between fantasy and reality blurs. It’s this side that prompts her to regard a bad VHS copy of the Coens’ Fargo (1996) — which she may or may not have found buried in a cave on the beach — gives her a secret clue to the whereabouts of the buried satchel of money in the film. At first, this seems like a sad but harmless daydream, but that changes when Kumiko becomes increasingly — and unrealistically — obsessed with finding this treasure. The film starts off painting her in sympathetic terms, especially in a charming scene where a friendly library security guard (Ichi Kyokaku) tears a map out of a reference book she had tried to steal and gives it to her. But as the story progresses, Kumiko seems more and more irresponsible and suffers from a sense of entitlement (she calls it destiny) that is less and less appealing. That she thinks nothing of stealing from or using anyone she can — however unintended or justified in her own mind — in order to get to this nonexistent treasure makes her an ever less appealing character. We feel
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• Dana & Sarah Films screens new documentary GOSHEN: Places of Refuge for the Running People at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. on Thursday, May 7, at 10 p.m. The film is an account of the Tarahumara tribe of Mexico’s Copper Canyon who are known for their ability to run long distances and their resistance to disease. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with ultrarunner Will Harlan, author of Untamed. The $5 suggested donation benefits Harlan’s nonprofit, Barefoot Seeds. avl.mx/0vt • Registration for the Asheville chapter of the 48 Hour Film Project is now open. Over the weekend of Friday, June 19-Sunday, June 21, filmmakers from around the area will compete to see who can create the best short film in a mere two days. The winning film will go up against projects from around the world. Space is limited, and teams will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Early bird registration through Monday, May 25, is $140. Regular registration is $160, and late registration — after Tuesday, June 9 — is $175. 48hourfilm.com/en/asheville • Production has begun on Saluda’s Blue Ridge Music Traditions, an oral history documentary about the bygone days of square dances at the Saluda School gymnasium. The film is a collaboration between the Historic Saluda Committee and the Polk County Film Initiative and focuses on the town’s past and present music and dance scenes. Filmmakers Kirk Gollwitzer and Lavin Cuddihee of the PCFI will incorporate the audio and video oral histories that the HSC has collected since 2010. Other archival sources include remastered audiocassette recordings of oral histories from 198183 collected by authors Anne Osborne and Charlene Pace for their book Saluda, N.C. 100 Years 1881-1981 and digital images that have been collected by the HSC. “Other planned film shoots are scheduled throughout the spring and summer in Saluda to adequately showcase the various musical traditions that spun off from roots-based or folk music that has influenced Saluda’s musical tastes,” says Cindy Stephenson Tuttle, chair of the HSC. “This film will not only appeal to Saluda residents, but will be of interest to anyone who has an appreciation for the musical heritage of the North Carolina Blue Ridge mountains and foothills.” Saluda’s Blue Ridge Music Traditions will premiere in Saluda later this year and will be available for sale on DVD. It will also be featured at the inaugural Tryon International Film Festival in the fall. • The eighth Music Video Asheville, an annual celebration of local musicians and filmmakers, took place on Wednesday, April 29. Submissions were culled to 29 finalists, which were then screened before an audience at the Diana Wortham Theatre. This year’s winners are as follows: “The Rolling Baby Blanket of the Blue” by The Moon and You for best costume design; “Soul Driven” by CrazyHorse & Colston for best cinematography; “Opium Den” by Foul Mouth Jerk for best Still of music video “Lonely in Manhattan” by visual design; “Friday” by stephaniesid, which was named crowd favorite at Belaplane for best editthis year’s Music Video Asheville awards ing and judge’s choice; “Let me Heal You” by Indigo DeSouza for best soundtrack; “Lonely in Manhattan” by stephaniesid for crowd favorite; LEAF award to filmmaker Taylor Hellhake of Betaplane. More info at musicvideoavl.com Send your local film news to ae@mountainx.com X
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her tragedy, but the sympathy evaporates somewhere along the way. The sense of tragedy is profound — made even more so by the film’s fantasticated final stretch — but, for me at least, something mutes it all. That something is the fact that I’d ceased caring much about Kumiko herself. That’s a pretty big hurdle to get over. Technically, this is sound filmmaking. The line between reality, illusion and delusion is deftly achieved — almost imperceptibly. The film looks good, and there’s no shortage of striking imagery. The very fact that Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter trades so heavily on the snowy imagery of Fargo, and in fact turns it into a thing of myth (if only to Kumiko) yet manages to retain an identity of its own, is little short of amazing. Now, if only the main character was less self-absorbed, I might love it, but I’ll have to settle for liking it. Not Rated but contains adult themes. Starts Friday at Fine Arts Theatre. reviewed by Ken Hanke
Maggie HHH
DIRECTOR: Henry Hobson PLAYERS: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin, Joely Richardson, Douglas M. Griffin, J. D. Evermore, Rachel Whitman Groves, Jodie Moore, Bryce Romero HORROR WEEPIE RATED PG-13 THE STORY: A man takes his zombieinfected daughter home to take care of her before her inevitable “turning.” THE LOWDOWN: A not entirely successful attempt to turn the zombie movie into a kind of teen angst weeper. It’s unusual and it sometimes works, but not enough to give it a solid recommendation.
Since the zombie movie made its first appearance with White Zombie (1932) — where the walking dead were more under an enchantment spell than actually dead — the zombie has been put to all manner of uses — from working in Bela Lugosi’s sugar mill to serving the interests of the Nazis in the 1940s. We’ve had underwater zombies and tons of the lurching George Romero flesh-eating zombies
— mostly because they were (and are) cheap to depict. We’ve been blessed with brain-eating zombies and fast-moving rage zombies — even comical zombies and a zombie rom-com. Now title-designerturned-director Henry Hobson and newcomer writer John Scott 3 bring us Maggie, with the zombie redefined as a disease-of-theweek family drama centered on a mopey teen zombie — or at least a mopey teen on the road to zombification. Is it a different take on the zombie subgenre? I guess. Does it fill a long-felt want? That’s another matter. I’m not saying that Maggie is a bad movie, but neither am I saying it’s really a good one — or even especially original. Putting a different suit of clothes on the concept doesn’t necessarily change it. In fact, I’m not even sure whether this is a zombie movie as a family drama or a family drama with zombies. Perhaps it doesn’t matter. More of a downside is the movie’s unrelenting and drearily grim tone. It’s one of those affairs that’s determined not to let you forget that this is very serious stuff. Honestly, the only laugh in the film is the credit for “acting coach for Arnold Schwarzenegger.” I’d hate to imagine his performance without an acting coach. Yeah, he has a certain (now grizzled) screen presence, but the moment he speaks ... well, he’s Der Arnold. The whole idea here is that a zombie — or necroambulatory, as the film has it — plague is loose in the land. How it started seems a little unclear, but we know it can be transmitted by a bite, which is how our title character Maggie (Abigail Breslin) contracted it — though exactly how this came about is vague in the extreme. In fact, the whole family dynamic is on the vague side. Maggie is Wade’s (Der Arnold) daughter from a previous marriage. Mom died at some point and Wade married Caroline (a slumming Joely Richardson) with whom he has two younger children. (OK, he’d be more believable as Grampa Wade.) Maggie is in the early stages of turning necroambulatory, so she’s allowed to go with her father back to the family farm until it becomes necessary to quarantine and euthanize her. (Lots of shots of Schwarzenegger splitting wood pretty much cov-
STILL SHOWING ers his farming.) Understandably, this doesn’t fill Caroline with glee, but she tries to make the best of it — by packing the other kids off to a relative and settling in for the inevitable. The thing is there are occasional good moments in the film — especially a touching scene between Maggie and an infected boy, Trent (Bryce Romero). In fact, the whole subplot with her and her old friends with everybody trying to ignore the subject at hand is well-handled, as is the horrific fate of Trent. There are also isolated moments of pretty solid horror (sometimes so we can see Schwarzenegger split something other than logs). And the ending is very good, even if some of the mechanics (especially Caroline just vanishing after a certain point) aren’t. But there’s also too much hand-held camera and murky lighting. In the end, Maggie is more an interesting attempt than a success, but genre fans should take note of it. Rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including bloody images and some language. Starts Friday at Carolina Cinemas. reviewed by Ken Hanke
STARTING FRIDAY
The D Train See review in “Cranky Hanke.”
Hot Pursuit Apparently determined to squander all the goodwill generated by Wild, Reese Witherspoon descends upon us this week in a frantic-looking oddcouple farce with Sophia Vergara. No, it’s not been screened for critics, but the studio tells us Witherspoon plays “an uptight and by-the-book cop,” out “to protect the sexy and outgoing widow (Sofia Vergara) of a drug boss as they race through Texas, pursued by crooked cops and murderous gunmen.” (PG-13)
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter See review in “Cranky Hanke.”
Maggie See review in “Cranky Hanke.”
by Ken Hanke & Justin Souther
Clouds of Sils Maria HHHHH Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart, Chloë Grace Moretz, Lars Eidinger, Johnny Flynn, Angela Winkler, Hanns Zischler Drama An aging actress agrees to appear in a revival of the play that launched her career, but playing the older lead character. The first full five-star movie of 2015. A wholly remarkable and richly layered film examining the thin line between art and life, about change, aging, death and identity, built on splendid performances by Juliette Binoche and (yes) Kristen Stewart — and a solid one from Chloë Grace Moretz. You need to see this one. Rated R
Little Boy H Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, Michael Rapaport, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Jakob Salvati Faith-Based Period Drama A young boy in World War II California turns to the Catholic Church for reassurance when his deployed father is captured by the Japanese. A painfully slow and contrived period piece that attempts to examine the power of faith, with appalling results. Rated PG-13
The Age of Adaline HHH Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Baker, Amanda Crew Romantic Fantasy A woman who — through a freak accident — has been 29 for nearly 80 years falls in love with a man of about 30. It has a solid romantic fantasy premise and excellent performances from the supporting cast, but the central romance itself is tepid and barely involving. It’s by no means awful and offers compensations, but it’s not what it might have been. Rated PG-13
The Water Diviner HS Russell Crowe, Olga Kurylenko, Jai Courtney, Yilmaz Erdogan War Melodrama An Australian farmer whose sons died at the Battle of Gallipoli sets out to find their remains. Actor/director Crowe makes a thoroughly sincere, if ultimately forgettable, feature directing debut. Rated R
Child 44 HHHH Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, Gary Oldman, Joel Kinnaman, Paddy Considine, Jason Clarke, Vincent Cassel Historical Thriller A Russian secret police agent becomes increasingly disillusioned with Stalin’s Russia, especially concerning a series of child murders. As a mystery, there’s not much here. Also, it’s too long and on the slow side. But as an examination of the grim final days of Stalinism, it’s often fascinating. Rated R
Ex Machina HHHHS Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno Science Fiction A young employee of a computer company is brought to the isolated home of his boss to help determine whether or not his employer has really created artificial intelligence. A coolly
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brilliant film from writer-turned-director Alex Garland that explores the nature of what it means to be human. Effective as both a sci-fi thriller and a cerebral chamber drama. Rated R
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 S Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Eduardo Verástegui, Neal McDonough, David Henrie Comedy Mall cop Paul Blart returns, clumsily fighting crime in Las Vegas during a convention. A tired and embarrassing comedy that’s based on a grotesque view of everyday people and a penchant for the cheapest of jokes. Rated PG
Unfriended S Shelley Hennig, Moses Jacob Storm, Renee Olstead, Will Peltz, Jacob Wysocki Low-Tech Gimmick Horror Some overage teenagers run afoul of a vengeful spirit online. A strong contender for Worst Movie of 2015. This isn’t even bargain-basement horror of the sobad-it’s-funny school. This is so-badit’s-awful. That said, some have called it brilliant. Rated R
Danny Collins HHHH Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner, Bobby Cannavale, Christopher Plummer Comedy-Drama An aging rock star receives a letter sent to him by John Lennon in 1971 and decides to turn his life around to become the man he wanted to be. Bright dialogue and great chemistry between Al Pacino and the rest of the cast raise this fairly predictable comedy-drama to very enjoyable entertainment. Pacino hasn’t been this good in years. Rated R
The Longest Ride S Britt Robertson, Scott Eastwood, Alan Alda, Jack Huston, Oona Chaplin Romance The past of an old, dying man and two young lovers intertwine as he looks back at his past love. An incredibly goopy, way too long and overwhelmingly chintzy saccharine romance with dull leads and zero points of interest. Rated PG-13
Furious 7 HHH Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Kurt Russell Action The brother of an old nemesis starts to hunt the bad boys and girls of the Fast & Furious franchise. A worthy entrant into the long-running series, assuming you’re a fan, of course. Otherwise, it’s a bit too long and a bit too repetitive to work, despite flashes of top notch action filmmaking. Rated PG-13
While We’re Young HHHHS Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Adam Driver, Amanda Seyfried, Adam Horovitz, Maria Dizzia, Charles Grodin Comedy Drama Generation X-ers in
HHHHH = max rating
midlife crisis mode fall under the spell of millennial hipsters. Here we have the year’s first great film — a sharply penetrating satire on generational foibles and modern life. Writer-director Noah Baumbach pulls of the incredible feat of taking no prisoners without ever being cruel. A must-see. Rated R
Woman in Gold HHHH Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl, Antje Traue, Katie Holmes, Charles Dance, Elizabeth McGovern, Jonathan Pryce Fact-Based Drama Fact-based story of a Holocaust survivor fighting to regain art works stolen from her family by the Nazis. Solid drama of the cultural-historical kind that simplifies much but gets the essentials right. Occasionally heavy-handed, but it makes a fine vehicle for Helen Mirren and — surprisingly — Ryan Reynolds. Rated PG-13
Get Hard S Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Craig T. Nelson, Alison Brie, T.I. Comedy After being framed for fraud, a millionaire hires the guy who washes his car to teach him how to survive prison. A puerile mix of lazy, tasteless prison rape jokes, homophobia and occasional fits of casual racism, but with the added benefit of Will Ferrell mugging. Rated R
Home HH (Voices) Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Matt Jones Animated Kiddie Sci-Fi A disgraced invading alien and a young earth girl team up to find her relocated mother. Colorful, dull, unoriginal and often irritating. Strictly for younger children and Rihanna fans. Rated PG
Community Screenings
Film Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. 675 Merrimon Ave., 254-1281, ashevillebrewing.com • TH (5/7), 10pm - GOSHEN: Places of Refuge for the Running People, about the Tarahumara tribe. All proceeds benefit Barefoot Seeds’ work with Tarahumara farmers. $5. Social Justice Film Night 254-6001 • FR (5/8), 7pm - Food Chains, documentary. Free. Held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place
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speciaL screenings
Deli Man HHHH director: Eric Anjou pLaYers: David “Ziggy” Gruber, Jerry Stiller, Fyvush Finkel, Cantor Jack Mendelson, Gene & Pam Gruber, Mary McCaughey Gruber documentarY Rated PG-13 The 2015 Asheville Jewish Film Festival starts on Thursday, May 7, at the Fine Arts Theatre with its opening-night film and reception at 6 p.m. (all tickets include both and are $22; the film alone plays again on Friday, May 8, at 1 p.m.). This year’s opening film is Eric Anjou’s thoroughly charming and entertaining documentary Deli Man. As documentaries go, this one is certainly an audience-pleaser. Focusing on deli owner David “Ziggy” Gruber, yet detailing the overall history of delis in the process, the film is a fascinating look into a world of its own — one most of us only know from the perspective of a booth in a delicatessen. Nothing about the film is dry or pedantic. It’s all lively and a great deal of fun. It helps that “Ziggy” is a natural performer — something his profession requires — and his story provides the film with a dramatic arc. Warm, winning and very much worth seeing. The Asheville Jewish Film Festival and the Fine Arts Theatre present Deli Man for two showings — Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m. (film and reception - $22) and Friday, May 8, at 1 p.m. (film only - $8.50) at Fine Arts Theatre.
Night of the Demon (Curse of the Demon) HHHHH director: Jacques Tourneur (Cat People) pLaYers: Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummins, Niall MacGinnis, Athene Seyler, Maurice Denham horror Rated NR Jacques Tourneur’s Night of the Demon (1957) — originally released in the U.S. with 12 minutes cut and under the title Curse of the Demon — is this wonderful oasis in the midst of the general run of bad horror movies from the 1950s. And there’s virtually no reason it should have been. Not only were the times against it, but it’s from the era when British pictures tended to have an American star shoehorned into them for stateside marketing purposes — and usually not a top-tier actor at that. In this case, we get Dana Andrews, a solid enough actor who was also an alcoholic and reaching the end of his leading man days. (And while reports indicate that Andrews was pretty much in the bag throughout filming, you’d never know it in the film.) With a marvelous screenplay by frequent Hitchcock-writer Charles Bennett and producer (and former East Side Kid) Hal E. Chester along with director Jacques Tourneur at the top of his game, Niall MacGinnis as the evil Dr. Karswell as one the great horror movie villains and Brit composer Clifton Parker providing what gets my vote for quite possibly the best horror score ever, the film is nigh on to perfection (or no further from it than one effects shot). Quite honestly, it is my favorite horror picture (at least among those that have no other desire than to be scary). The Thursday Horror Picture Show will screen Night of the Demon Thursday, May 7, at 8 p.m. in Theater Six at The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? HHHH director: Ted Kotcheff pLaYers: George Segal, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Morley, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Philippe Noiret, Jean Rochefort dark comedY mYsterY Rated PG Apart from the enjoyable business of seeing actually pleasant, attractive people in a cleverly written romantic comedy (something we see far too little of these days), Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? is generally representative of the kind of star comedy that no longer seems to be made. You know the kind: tailored cinematic vehicles for movie stars that serve no real function other than providing a couple of hours of entertainment, and that manage to do so with a seeming minimum of effort. Essentially, it’s a slightly silly romantic comedy with George Segal and Jacqueline Bisset as a divorced couple — both working in very different capacities in the world of food — who become involved in the self-descriptive mystery of the title. Holding things together is a very funny Robet Morley as a wonderfully sarcastic gourmand. Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? Friday, May 8, at 8 p.m. at Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St., River Arts District (upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com
You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man HHHH director: George Marshall (The Ghost Breakers) pLaYers: W.C. Fields, Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy, Constance Moore, Thurston Hall comedY Rated NR Despite certain shortcomings — at least when compared with his more nuanced performances at Paramount — You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man presents W.C. Fields in the guise of his screen persona most people think of. This is the Fields of legend and of caricature. It’s actually the Fields born of radio — the medium that he mastered when ill health derailed his movie career in 1936. In fact, it is grounded in his radio feud with Edgar Bergen’s star dummy, Charlie McCarthy — the duo co-star in the movie, and their scenes without Fields can be trying for modern viewers. But when Fields is on screen, the film generally soars — in a somewhat haphazard way. Fields supplied the story — under the name Charles Bogle — and it’s less a story than a series of comic scenes revolving around Fields as Larson E. Whipsnade, the owner of a financially beleaguered circus where he often has to double for his unpaid performers. Unlike his characters in the Paramount films, this is not a sympathetic character. He is, in fact, a bit of a scoundrel any way you approach it. But he’s an amusing scoundrel in his very perfidy and chicanery, tossing off very funny comments — “Some weasel took the cork out of my lunch,” “You must come over to the lumberyard with me and ride piggyback on the buzz saw,” etc. — and indulging his every petty desire. Oh, and that title — it’s meaningless, though he does offer the sage advice, “As my dear old Grandpa Litvak said — just before they sprung the trap — he said, ‘You can’t cheat an honest man, never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump.’” The Asheville Film Society will screen You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man Tuesday, May 12, at 8 p.m. in Theater Six at The Carolina Asheville and will be hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther.
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emploYment General GraY line trolleY seeks cDl Drivers Tour GuideCDL Drivers: If you are a "people person" you could be a great TOUR GUIDE! FULLTIME and seasonal part-time available. Training provided. MUST have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). www. GrayLineAsheville.com; Info@ GrayLineAsheville.com; 828251-8687 GraY line trolleY seeks Diesel mechanic Opening for experienced diesel mechanic; minimum 5 years verifiable experience; certifications a plus; must have own tools; part-time, possible fulltime. Jonathan@GrayLineAsheville.com; 828-251-8687; www.GrayLineAsheville.com GraY line trolleY seeks operations supervisor Seeks full-time Operations Supervisor/Tour Guide. Must have CDL; hospitality or transportation experience desirable. Send resume or request application: Jonathan@GrayLineAsheville.com www.GrayLineAsheville.com householD anGel Are you an honest, reliable, hard working person with an eye for detail? We are looking for someone to support us in our home life, this includes: **Cleaning **Laundry (mainly washing - very little ironing) **Changing bedclothes, making beds **Picking up kids from school (drivers license req.) **Grocery shopping **Running errands and other basic tasks to keep our family life running smoothly. If you have a a caring heart, quick mind and enjoy taking care of a busy family, send us a mail so we can get to know you: njoy. waid@gmail.com **30 hours a week (core times 11 am - 5 pm) $1444**Location: Swannanoa
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restaurant/ fooD APOLLO FLAME • WAITstaff Full-time. Fast, friendly atmosphere. • Experience required. • Must be 18 years old. • Apply in person between 2pm-4pm, 485 Hendersonville Road. 274-3582.
Want a fun joB in the outDoor inDustrY? Our fast-growing, locally-owned outdoor adventure company is hiring raft guides, zipline guides, photographers and reservation staff for the upcoming season. Experience is preferred but we will train the right people. Apply online at www.FrenchBroadRafting. com/jobs Warehouse operations Various positions. Asheville, NC Distributor needs several full-time employees to join our expanding warehouse shipping and receiving teams. We use support systems to process orders and computer skills are desired but not mandatory. The position does require some lifting up to 75 lbs max. We are looking for candidates that are detailoriented, have a positive attitude, are able to keep up a fast pace and have the potential and desire to advance. • We offer competitive salary, health benefits, paid holiday, personal days and vacation time off as well as A friendly and comfortable work environment. Please email resume and cover letter to steveh@ afgdistribution.com
skilleD laBor/ traDes assistant supervisor of lanDscapinG -Warren Wilson colleGe The position will provide assistance in the coordination of landscaping and appearance of the college campus. They will manage student’s schedules and develop a program that may include proper landscaping improvement plans for the buildings. Qualifications include three years’ of grounds maintenance experience and one year in a leadership/supervisory capacity. Knowledge of proper chemical usage and safety precautions is essential. Submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to hr@warren-wilson.edu www.warren-wilson.edu
Drivers/ DeliverY Drivers WanteD Mature person for full-time. Serious inquiries only. Call today. 828713-4710. area Wide taxi, inc.
meDical/ health care lpn/rn proGram nurse at tapestrY eatinG DisorDer proGram, BrevarD nc We have an opening for PT LPN/RN. Duties include Admission Assessments, MAR oversight, Pre-certification, Utilization Review, Assisting clients w/ as needed medical issues & Assisting MD visits. Behavioral Health Experience preferred. Email resume & salary requirements to tnowak@ tapestrync.com. Visit us at www.tapestrync.com master social Worker prn or part-time Madison Home Care & Hospice has an opening for a Master Social Worker. This position offers a great working environment and competitive pay. Must have Hospice experience. Please send your resume to Hot Springs Health Program, Attn. Freda Hylemon, HR Director, PO Box 69, Marshall, NC 28753. E-mail: employment@hotspringshealth-nc. org, or apply online at www. hotspringshealth-nc.org or in person to 590 Medical Park Dr, Marshall.
human services americorps project conserve noW acceptinG applications for 2015-2016 AmeriCorps Conservation Positions in western North Carolina. 11-month program seeks individuals committed to conservation, education and volunteerism. Apply by May 22, 2012. See www. americorpsprojectconserve. org for full details. asheville acaDemY for Girls / solstice east • NEW OPPORTUNITIES Direct care staff positions available. Are you interested in making a difference? Come
join our team where you can have a positive, lasting impact on youth from across the country. Our programs are steadily growing and we continue to seek qualified FT, PT, and PRN applicants to join our programs. The suitable applicant is outgoing, energetic, and a responsible and positive role model. • Our staff ensures the provision of physical and emotional safety of our students and residents at all times. Asheville Academy for Girls is a residential treatment center for girls ages 10-14 and Solstice East is a residential treatment center for girls ages 14-18. Our beautiful 24-acre campus provides a safe setting for our students to transform their lives. Benefits are offered to full time employees and include health, dental, vision and life insurance as well as holiday pay, vacation and sick leave. EOE. • Please send a resume and cover letter to humanresources@ashevilleacademy.com No phone calls or walk ins please. www.solsticeeast.com www. ashevilleacademy.com
AVAILABLE POSITIONS • meriDian Behavioral health peer support specialists Multiple positions open for Peer Support Specialists working within a number of recovery oriented programs within our agency. Being a Peer Support Specialist provides an opportunity for individuals to transform their own personal lived experience with mental health and/or addiction challenges into a tool for inspiring hope for recovery in others. Applicants must demonstrate maturity in their own recovery process, have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and have moderate computer skills. For further information contact hr.department@meridianbhs. org licensed/associate clinicians Seeking NC licensed/ associate licensed clinicians to join a recovery oriented organization in the beautiful North Carolina mountains. Clinical positions are available in a variety of programs such as the Assertive Community Treatment Team, Peers Assisting in Community Engagement, Recovery Education Center and Specialized Assessment, to provide recovery oriented comprehensive clinical assessments, support, skill building, education, and team consultation both in the office and the community. To be considered, an applicant should be familiar with the recovery paradigm of mental health and substance abuse services, have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, flexibility, and moderate computer skills. transylvania county employment support
professional (esp) Supported Employment Program The ESP position functions as a part of a team that implements employment services based on the SE-IPS model. The team’s goal is to support individuals who have had challenges with obtaining and/or maintaining employment in the past and to obtain and maintain competitive employment moving forward. The ESP is responsible for engaging clients and establishing trusting, collaborative relationships that result in the creation and completion of individualized employment goals. The ESP will support the client through the whole employment process and provide a variety of services at each stage to support the individual in achieving their employment goals. transylvania county certified medical assistant (cma) Part-time position. Graduate of an accredited Certified Medical Assistant program and CMA certification with AAMA or AMT required. Two years of related experience preferred, preferably in an outpatient medical office setting. For further information and to complete an application, visit our website: www. meridianbhs.org chilD/aDolescent mental health positions in jackson, haYWooD, & macon counties Looking to fill several positions in Jackson, Haywood and Macon Counties by Aug/Sept. Licensed/provisional therapists to provide Outpatient, Day Treatment or Intensive Inhome services to children/adolescents with mental health diagnoses. Therapists must have current NC therapist license. Also looking for QP/ Qualified professionals to provide Intensive In-home or Day Treatment services. QP's must have Bachelor's degree and 2-4 years of experience postdegree with this population (experience required depends on type of degree). Apply by submitting resume to telliot@ jcpsmail.org familY preservation services of nc, inc. Great Job Opportunities available at Family Preservation Services. Seeking fully/ associate licensed professionals to work with children/ adults. Please see the Web ad for Job details. Resumes to Crystal Simpson (csimpson@ fpscorp.com). 828-225-3100 csimpson@fpscorp.com intellectual Developmental DisaBilities QualifieD professional (IDD,QP) Universal MH/DD/ SAS is seeking energetic and passionate individuals to provide services to children and adults. Two years of experience working with IDD individuals required with a related human service degree. • Filling one position in Asheville and
licenseD suBstance aBuse counselor Mountain Area Recovery Center is growing and we are seeking a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor to fill positions in our outpatient opioid treatment facilities located in Asheville and Clyde, North Carolina. We offer competitive pay WITH benefits…medical, dental, life, short-term disability, flexible spending account, 401K, pto, paid holidays, and a flexible work environment in this challenging, yet highly rewarding field. If you are up to the challenge, please e-mail your resume to rhonda. ingle@marc-otp.com or fax to attention: Rhonda Ingle at 828.252.9512. EOE lookinG for a QualifieD professional must have a 4-year degree in human services and 2 years of post-degree experience working with the IDD population. An official college transcript is required. Apply online at www. turningpointservicesinc.com make a Difference in a person's life NC Outreach Home Care is seeking a person for Maggie Valley area to support a 25 year old female with spina-bifida. She enjoys getting out in the community and works on her computer. Her interest is getting employed in the jewelry business and needs continued support for personal care. Training will be provided for all aspects of her services. Contact Deb Ramsey at NCOHC for application/training process: 828-989-7654. QualifieD i/DD professional Seeking Full-Time Qualified Professional-- MUST have experience with Innovation Services Waiver in the I/ DD healthcare field. This position is ideal for a self motivated creative thinker who likes to take the initiative, perform and/or assist with parts of various problem-solving duties and the ability to work as part of a professional team. Administration of consumer files only. Not responsible for supervising staff. Education: 4 Year Degree Experience: At least 2 years Pay negotiable based on experience (minimum $18-$20 hr) Paid Holidays 1 week paid vacation after 9 months of service Stipend offered towards personal health insurance policy. openheartsjobs@gmail.com rn-f/t meDicatinG nurse Mountain Area Recovery Center is growing and we are currently seeking an RN to work full-time as a medicating nurse at the Clyde facility. Early morning hours required. Criminal background check required for all final candidates. EOE. Please e-mail resume to rhonda. ingle@marc-otp.com or fax to 828.252.9512, ATTN: RHONDA INGLE. marc-otp.com therapeutic WilDerness fielD instructorsseconD nature Blue riDGe (snBr) Looking for Field Instructors who enjoy working outdoors with youth. Full-time and summer positions available. Instructors work week on/ week off rotations. For information and to download an application: http://adolescents.snwp.com/ about-second-nature/careers/ orientation-datesblue-ridge/
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universal mh/DD/sas Is seeking individuals or couples to provide Alternative Family Living (AFL) for individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities. AFL services are provided in your home 24/7. Please contact Sherry at sdouglas@umhs.net • www. umhs.net We are hirinG! WNC Group Homes for Autistic Persons is recruiting Resident Teachers • Full-time 2nd and 3rd shift, as well as part-time mornings and weekends. WNC Group Homes provides residential services for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. Our employees are the best at what they do. WNC Group Homes offers 50 hours of classroom training as well as 5 days of training on shift. Come join our team! • Applications and additional information is available on our website, or complete application at our main office. WNC Group Homes 28 Pisgah View Ave Asheville, NC 828.274.7171. Sign on bonus available! www.wncgrouphomes.org
professional/ manaGement non-profit finance Director Asheville JCC seeks a Finance Director for financial planning, budgeting and record-keeping, as well as reporting and data analysis. Includes some day-to-day operations, billing, HR, insurance, IT, purchasing. Visit www.jcc-asheville.org/category/employment. WatersheD protection specialist Wanted outgoing Watershed Protection Specialist who understands storm water, restoration and conservation. Must know GIS, CAD or Sketch Up, great communication skills, written and oral, with grant writing ability. • Send resume, cover letter, salary history to: RiverLink PO Box 15488, Asheville, NC 28813. • Absolutely no phone calls. information@ riverlink.org
teachinG/ eDucation exceptional chilDren's teacher ArtSpace Charter School is now accepting resumes for a full-time Exceptional Children’s Teacher position for the 2015-2016 school year. Candidates must have current NC licensure in Special Education and experience working with students with significant disabilities. Experience with collaborative planning and curriculum integration strategies is preferred. . Application deadline is May 15, 2015. Please email cover letters and resumes to: resumes@artspacecharter. org email subject heading “EC TEACHER.”
interesteD in WorkinG at a-B tech? Full-Time, Part-Time and Adjunct Positions available. Come help people achieve their dreams! Apply for open positions at https://abtcc.peopleadmin. com leaD pre-k teacher Black Mountain Presbyterian Church Weekday School is seeking a Lead Pre-K Teacher for the 2015-2016 school
maY 6 - maY 13, 2015
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by Rob Brezny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Benedictine monks observe the Latin motto Laborare est Orare. The 19th-century abbot Maurus Wolter interpreted these words to mean “work is worship” or “work is prayer.” He was trying to impress upon his fellow monks that the work they did was not a grudging distraction from their service to God, but rather at the heart of their devotion. To do their tasks with love was a way to express gratitude for having been blessed with the gift of life. I propose that you experiment with this approach in the coming weeks, even if your version is more secular. What would it be like to feel contentment with, and appreciation for, the duties you have been allotted? GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the children’s book The Little Engine That Could, a little blue engine volunteers to pull a long chain of train cars up a steep hill, even though it’s not confident it has the power to do so. As it strains to haul the heavy weight, it recites a mantra to give itself hope: “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” The story ends happily. The little blue engine reaches the top of the hill with its many cars in tow and is able to glide down the rest of the way. As you deal with your own challenge, Gemini, I recommend that you use an even more forceful incantation. Chant this: “I know I can, I know I can, I know I can.” CANCER (June 21-July 22): Here’s a confession: I have taken a vow to foster beauty, truth, love, justice, equality, tolerance, creativity, playfulness and hope. To do this work is one of my life goals. I approach it with the devotion of a monk and the rigor of a warrior. Does that mean I ignore difficulty and suffering and cruelty? Of course not. I’m trying to diminish the power of those problems, so I sure as hell better know a lot about them. On the other hand, my main focus is on redemption and exaltation. I prefer not to describe in detail the world’s poisons, but rather to provide an antidote for them. Even if you don’t normally share my approach, Cancerian, I invite you to try it for the next two weeks. The astrological time is right. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The hill where I take my late afternoon hikes is teeming with the six-petaled purple wildflower known as the elegant cluster-lily. Every one of them — and there are hundreds — lean hard in the direction of the sun in the west. Should I deride them as conformists that follow the law of the pack? Should I ridicule them for their blind devotion? Or should I more sensibly regard them as having a healthy instinct to gravitate toward the life-giving light? I’ll go with the latter theory. In that spirit, Leo, I urge you to ignore the opinions of others as you turn strongly toward the sources that provide you with essential nourishment. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Am I reading the astrological omens correctly? I hope so. From what I can tell, you have been flying under the radar and over the rainbow. You have been exploiting the loopholes in the big bad system and enjoying some rather daring experiments with liberation. At this point in the adventure, you may be worried that your lucky streak can’t continue much longer. I’m here to tell you that it can. It will. It must. I predict that your detail-loving intelligence will paradoxically guide you to expand your possibilities even further. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): According to the three science fiction films collectively known as The Matrix, we humans suffer from a fundamental delusion. What we think is real life is actually a sophisticated computer simulation. Intelligent machines have created this dream world to keep us in suspended animation while they harvest our energy to fuel their civilization. Now as far as I can tell, this scenario isn’t literally true. But it is an apt metaphor for how many of us seem to be half-asleep or under a spell, lost in our addiction to the simulated world created by technology. I bring this to your attention, Libra, because now is a favorable time to diminish the hold that the metaphorical Matrix has on you. What can you do to at least partially escape your bondage? (Hint: A little more contact with nature could do the trick.) SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the coming weeks, you may be as alluring and intriguing and tempting
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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Here’s one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health: Withdraw your attention from the life that lies behind you and be excited about the life that stretches ahead of you. Forget about the past and get wildly inventive as you imagine the interesting future you will create for yourself. Forgive everyone who has offended you and fantasize about the fun adventures you’ll go on, the inspiring plans you’ll carry out and the invigorating lessons you hope to learn.
as you have been in a long time. I suggest you capitalize on this advantage. Proceed as if you do indeed have the power to attract more of the emotional riches you desire. Assume that you are primed to learn new secrets about the arts of intimacy, and that these secrets will make you even smarter and more soulful than you already are. Cultivate your ability to be the kind of trusted ally and imaginative lover who creates successful relationships. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Physicist Frank Wilczek won a Nobel Prize for his research into quarks, the tiny particles that compose protons and neutrons. The guy is breathtakingly smart. Here’s one of his operating principles: “If you don’t make mistakes, you’re not working on hard enough problems. And that’s a big mistake.” Let’s enshrine his advice as your meditation, Sagittarius. I think you’re strong enough and brave enough to go hunting for some new super-rich dilemmas. Yes, they may lead you to commit some booboos. But they will also stretch your intelligence beyond its previous limits, giving you a more vigorous understanding of the way the world works. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1934, Capricorn baseball player Dizzy Dean was named the Most Valuable Player after winning 30 games. It was a feat that no National League pitcher has repeated ever since. After Dean retired, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Never shy about acknowledging his own prowess, he declared that “if you can do it, it ain’t bragging.” It is in this spirit that I invite you to freely expound on your talents and accomplishments in the coming week. You won’t be boasting. You will simply be providing information. And that will ultimately result in you being offered an interesting new opportunity or two. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): There has rarely been a better time than now to refine the art of being your own mommy or daddy. You’re finally ready to take over from the parental voices in your head and assume full responsibility for raising yourself the rest of the way. What do you want to be when you grow up? You may feel a giddy sense of freedom as it becomes clear that the only authority who has the right to answer that question is you. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The universe has always played tricks on you. Some have been so perplexing that you’ve barely understood the joke. Others have been amusing but not particularly educational. Now I sense a new trend in the works, however. I suspect that the universe’s pranks are becoming more comprehensible. They may have already begun to contain hints of kindness. What’s the meaning of this lovely turn of events? Maybe you have finally discharged a very old karmic debt. It’s also conceivable that your sense of humor has matured so much that you’re able to laugh at some of the crazier plot twists. Here’s another possibility: You are cashing in on the wisdom you were compelled to develop over the years as you dealt with the universe’s tricks.
mountainx.com
year. Hours: 7:45-1:30, 5 days a week. Paid holidays, serving children 4-5 years old. Early Childhood Degree preferred. For information call 828-6692725, ext. 1114.
careGivers/ nannY home care positions Turning Point Services, Inc. is accepting applications for direct care staff. Just need high school diploma. Visit our website at www.turningpointservicesinc.com to apply. Look for Job Board under Career Opportunities. nannY position Nanny needed for Barnardsville Family. Must have childcare experience, references, and your own transportation. Job includes light house keeping, cooking, laundry and errands in addition to childcare. Email resumé alligatoralli@yahoo. com
Business opportunities make $1000 WeeklY! Mailing brochures from home. Helping home workers since 2001. Genuine opportunity. No experience required. Start immediately. www.theworkingcorner.com (AAN CAN)
career traininG airBrush makeup artist course For: Ads. TV. Film. Fashion. HD and digital. 40% Off Tuition for limited time. Train and Build Portfolio . One Week Course. Details at: AwardMakeupSchool.com 818-980-2119 (AAN CAN) airline careers BeGin here Get started by training as a FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 800725-1563 (AAN CAN) start Your humanitarian career! At One World Center and gain experience through international service work in Africa. Program has costs. info@oneWorldcenter.org AAN CAN start Your humanitarian career! Change the lives of others while creating a sustainable future. 1, 6, 9, 18 month programs available. Apply today! 269-591-0518. info@oneworldcenter.org www.OneWorldCenter.org (AAN CAN)
hotel/ hospitalitY
This position is part-time and would be 11am-7pm on Saturdays and Sundays, Land Rover is looking for candidates with the following skills: customer service, and a passion for the automotive world. Paid training is provided Email resume: craugustlee@driveshop.com
retail part time retail sales associate Ten Thousand Villages in downtown hiring a seasonal associate. Prior sales experience preferred. Send a resume & letter to asheville@ tenthousandvillages.com. Living Wage Certified
joBs WanteD navY nuke machinist mate Submarine Mechanic. Looking for full or parttime. Experience with steam systems, turbines, condensers, pumps, valves, compressors, maintenance, operations. Hard working fast learner. Available June 15. 8433026966 don.r.bice@ gmail.com
xchanGe antiQues & collectiBles venDors neeDeD for new antique, vintage, consignments, collectibles market in Avery's Creek/Walnut Cove/Biltmore Park around June 1st. Serious vendors w/ antiques, repurposed vintage furniture, collectibles and local artisan works are desired. Contact thetinroof@outlook. com ASAP. Space is limited.
services auDio/viDeo Dish tv Starting at $19.99/ month (for 12 months) Save! Regular Price $34.99. Ask about Free same day Installation! Call now! 888-992-1957 (AAN CAN).
careGivers COMPANION • CAREGIVER • LIVE-IN Alzheimer's experienced. • Heart failure and bed sore care. • Hospice reference letter. • Nonsmoker, with cat, seeks live-in position. • References. • Arnold, (828) 273-2922.
announcements announcements GooD WooD piZZa ovens Hand built, wood fired Pizza Ovens. Mobil or stationary models. Great for Restaurants, Home or Catering. Call Brian for pricing: (980) 241-9099. www. GoodWoodpizzaovens.com preGnant? thinkinG of aDoption? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families Nationwide. Living Expenses Paid. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6293. Void in Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana (AAN CAN)
leGal notices 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. Items will be auctioned on www.propertyroom.com. For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property and Evidence Section, 828-232-4576. notice of Disposition The following is a list of unclaimed and confiscated property at the Asheville Police Department tagged for disposition: audio and video equipment; cameras; clothing; lawn and garden equipment; personal items; tools; weapons (including firearms); jewelry; automotive items; building supplies; bikes and other miscellaneous. Items will be disposed of 30 days from date of this posting.
classes & Workshops classes & Workshops
home improvement noW hirinG hotel joB opportunities $9/hour. Room Attendants, Houseperson. Must pass criminal background check and drug screen. Apply in person: 1238 Hendersonville Road, Suite 217, Asheville, NC 28803. Call for appointment: 828-274-4622.
General services
part-time lre concierGe Land Rover Experience is seeking a part-time LRE Concierge at the Land Rover Experience at the Biltmore in Asheville. The LRE Concierge will facilitate making reservations, answering phones, printing certificates and complete daily reports.
hanDY man
jm reiD custom home remoDelinG Specializing in Kitchens and Baths, PreFinished Hardwood floors, Decks, Additions, Trim. Insured. 41 years experience. (828) 550-0585
HIRE A HUSBAND • hanDYman services Since 1993. Multiple skill sets. Reliable, trustworthy, quality results. $1 million liability insurance. References and estimates available. Stephen Houpis, (828) 280-2254.
improve Your DraWinG anD paintinG skills! Improve your drawing and painting skills at AtelierJamesDaniel. Individual lessons in the studio along with take home projects. 828-3352598, james@artistjamesdaniel.com, www.AtelierJamesDaniel.com potterY classes at oDYsseY claYWorks Summer Session #1 May 26- June 26: Beginner Wheel, The Handbuilder's Hangout, Dynamic Narrative Expressions. Session #2 July 6- August 7: Beginner Wheel Continued, Ceramic Jewelry, Pitcher Perfect Summertime Ceramics.
sacreD space paintinG: asheville's intuitive paintinG stuDio Awaken Passion and Aliveness through Painting! Workshops and Classes for adults and children. No painting Experience Necessary! One Day Workshop, May 9th, 10 to 4pm. 828-252-4828 justpaint@ sacredspacepainting.com SacredSpacePainting.com WooDcarvinG funDamentals Learn the art of chip carving with artisan carver Bill Johnson, June 22-26, at Wilson College. For more information, search “Warren Wilson Folkshop Classes”, or contact Bill at: bjohnson@ dnet.net or call 828-5862772.
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#1 afforDaBle communitY conscious massaGe anD essential oil clinic 3 locations: 1224 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, 5057088, 959 Merrimon Ave, Suite 101, 785-1385 and 2021 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville, 697-0103. • $33/hour. • Integrated Therapeutic Massage: Deep Tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point, Reflexology. Energy, Pure Therapeutic Essential Oils. 30 therapists. Call now! www.thecosmicgroove. com structural inteGration rolf therapeutic BoDYWork Fifty Five-Star testimonials can’t be wrong… Enjoy amazing results with very personal attention. Feel Fit, Flexible, & Free from Pain. Move into balance and feel great doing it! 828-230-9218 AshevilleStructuralIntegration. com
counselinG services
hYpnosis | eft | nlp Michelle Payton, D.C.H., Author | 828-681-1728 | www.MichellePayton.com | Dr. Payton’s mind over matter solutions include: Hypnosis, Self-Hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Technique, Neuro-Linguistic Programming,
Acupressure Hypnosis, Past Life Regression, Sensory-based Writing Coaching. Find Michelle’s books, audio and video, sessions and workshops on her website.
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natural alternatives natural, holistic, enerGY therapies Detailed Health Assessment through Iridology, Vital Scan HRV, Kinesiology. Personalized Natural Therapy Recommendations. LED Light therapy with customized frequencies will de-stress and rebalance! Jane Smolnik, Naturopath 828-7775263, book online www. ultimatehealing.com
retreats shoji spa & loDGe • 7 DAYS A WEEK Day & Night passes, cold plunge, sauna, hot tubs, lodging, 8 minutes from town, bring a friend or two, stay the day or all evening, escape & renew! Best massages in Asheville 828-299-0999
spiritual
clouD cottaGe communitY of minDful livinG: Mindfulness practice in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, 219 Old Toll Circle, Black Mountain. Freedom, Simplicity, Harmony. Weds. 6-7:30 PM; Sundays 8-9:00 AM, followed by tea/book study. For additional offerings, see www. cloudcottage.org or call 828-669-6000.
for musicians musical services asheville's WhiteWater recorDinG Full service studio: • Mastering • Mixing and Recording. • CD/DVD duplication at the best prices. (828) 684-8284 • www. whitewaterrecording.com
musicians’ Bulletin pianist/keYs Pianist/ Keys Blues/Jazz/Classical influences seeks work in restaurant/bar or polished working Blues band. (404) 740-6903.
pets pet services asheville pet sitters Dependable, loving care while you're away. Reasonable rates. Call Sandy (828) 215-7232.
livinG harmonY pet sittinG Your best friends will receive the best care while you are away. I am pet CPR and First Aid trained as well as insured and bonded. References are available. Contact Gretchin DuBose at 828582-3363 or livingharmonypetsitting@hotmail.com. My web address is www. livingharmonypetsitting. vpweb.com pooper scooper service Professional Pooper Scoopers Service serving the Asheville Area. Call Us at (828) 337-0022 or go to our website K9wastesolutions.com to sign up for our weekly service. (828) 337-0022 K9wastesolutions@gmail. com
automotive autos for sale cash for cars Any Car/ Truck. Running or not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Call For Instant Offer: 1-888-420-3808 www.cash4car.com (AAN CAN)
automotive services auto insurance startinG at $25/ month! Call 855-977-9537. (AAN CAN)
ACROSS 1 1925 Pulitzer Prize winner for Edna Ferber 6 Barber’s sprinkle 10 Gallic girlfriend 14 Drawing of a bakery? 15 Ending with peek 16 One a baby may cry out to 17 Larsson who wrote “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” 18 “Put ’er there, pal!” 20 Insincere 22 Monsters’ mouths 23 Rowan of “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” 24 “Here, have a drink” 27 Expand 30 Welcome to the fold? 31 Wine: Prefix 32 Kate’s kisser in a classic tongue twister 34 “___ Survivor” (2013 war film) 38 “Smell my corsage” 43 Channel turned to at many bars 44 Hello or goodbye 45 “Smarter Planet” co. 46 ___ double take 49 Region off the Côte d’Azur
51 “Happy birthday!
Make a wish and blow” 56 “Sho’ nuff!” 57 Spaniard’s “other” 58 Boating hazards 62 Speaker of the clues for 18-, 24-, 38- and 51-Across 65 Brother’s keeper? 66 What you might solve a puzzle with 67 Dynamite 68 Meower 69 “One more thing …” 70 Purchase with popcorn 71 Start over with a clean slate? DOWN 1 Clothing item worn diagonally 2 “___ put it another way …” 3 Be hot under the collar 4 Well-heeled Marcos? 5 Silencer 6 Atlantic City casino, with “the” 7 Manhattan Project project, informally 8 True 9 Sign of disuse 10 Cooper’s too
edited by Will Shortz
l11 Toyota competitor 12 Some of the best ones are crazy 13 Really works for 19 Links org. 21 Dianne of “Law & Order” 25 ___ B’rith 26 Film composer Schifrin 27 Big name in audio equipment 28 Not electives: Abbr. 29 Curtis Mayfield’s “Move ___” 33 Cuz’s father 35 Cut or scrape, in totspeak 36 Neighbor of Colo. 37 Funny Bombeck 39 Visiting the Library of Cong., say 40 Encircle 41 Holds back a grade 42 Kind of relationship 47 “All right, already!” 48 Impersonates 50 Weather line 51 Not laid-back 52 Lacking Verizon coverage, maybe 53 “No bid for me” 54 Threepio’s buddy 55 Ceaselessly
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Dreams Your destination for relaxation. Now available 7 days a week! • 9am11pm. Call (828) 275-4443.
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phone actresses From home. Must have dedicated land line and great voice. 21+. Up to $18 per hour. Flex hours/most Weekends. 1-800-403-7772. Lipservice. net (AAN CAN) viaGra 100mg, CIALIS 20mg. 40 Pills + 4 Free for only $99. #1 Male Enhancement! Discreet Shipping. Save $500. Buy the Blue Pill Now! 1-800-404-1271 (AAN CAN)
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NEW IN TOWN? M O U N TA I N
No.0401
A T O A N U D G O P E R I D E E A H A S U V A L A U N P T E S A G A T V A A I R P R A D I K N E E
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O N D E I L E O N G A N N A S I T A P C T C L A W A N E T T O R R E E P I
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