Mountain Xpress 07.05.23

CATALYSTS

Leah Song and Chloe Smith, founding members of Rising Appalachia, discuss the group’s history and their role in curating the new two-day festival, Catalyst, at Salvage Station.

COVER PHOTO Syd Woodward COVER

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COPYRIGHT

Getting Zeb Vance’s context just right

I would like to commend retired history professor Milton Ready for his recent commentary on what remains of the Vance Monument [“Down by Law: The Monumental Toppling of Zeb Vance,” June 21, Xpress]. In this thoughtful piece, professor Ready explains to the people of Asheville that the demolition ordered by the City Council more than two years ago was completely unnecessary. Instead, says the professor, an informational placard, small but strategically placed, could have been used to “contextualize” the life of Zeb Vance and bring his racist infamy back into compatibility with modern-day values. Must have been more than a few slapped foreheads over at City Hall when that story broke. All that controversy, all that turmoil, all those advisory commissions, all that shouting — and the ideal solution was right there the whole time. But don’t blame professor Ready for delivering the embarrassing news. Telling folks what they should have done in the past is what being a historian is all about.

My only criticism is that professor Ready’s proposal doesn’t go far enough. If we really want to resurrect the Vance Problem and then take an informational tack to solve it, here’s an even better way:

Rebuild the 75-foot obelisk just like new, but this time with a more complete dedication that reads: “Zebulon Baird Vance — Champion of White Supremacy; Scourge of African Savages; also Rebel Officer, Governor,

Senator and Blah, Blah, Blah.” All that information is accurate, so no one could possibly bellyache.

The inscription might seem a little jarring at first, but when historical memory is at stake, halfway measures just won’t do. White supremacy wasn’t merely a footnote to Vance’s public career, after all, and he would have been the first to tell you so. In fact, he would have been appalled to find his many contributions to racial theory buried in the fine print. With the heavy lifting out of the way, of course, we could still follow professor Ready’s advice and add a little placard somewhere explaining to any skeptics why our golden boy’s racist side, though regrettable in hindsight, should not prevent viewers from appreciating his monument with a mixture of awe, gratitude and nuance. That sweet spirit of toleration would inspire all but the most flint-hearted. A towering achievement, as it were. Or we could just turn the contextualization thing over to the spray-paint pundits again. That would work.

— Peter Robbins Marshall

A lost opportunity for the Vance Monument

Despite being sympathetic to citizens of color who were somehow offended by the existence of a stack of stones named for a man no one alive today ever met, I applaud Milton Ready’s wise (and certainly, to some, controversial) opinion piece regarding the ill-conceived and poorly executed decision to remove the Vance Monument [“Down by Law: The Monumental Toppling of Zeb Vance,” June 21, Xpress].

In a time when this city desperately needs money to raise salaries of teachers and police officers — as well as to address the myriad challenges afflicting the very people who often clamor the loudest in our community for housing and help — I find the exorbitant expense and waste of tax dollars to be a shortsighted and appalling act of performance activism — and just plain bad business. The even greater loss, it seems to me, is the squandered, intangible opportunity to keep the historic work of art and use it as a teachable moment.

I believe that a simple, tasteful plaque acknowledging our city’s (and country’s) complicated past would have done wonders to heal wounds and begin to explain what “diversity” truly means. I believe that visitors and resident children alike might have gleaned a great deal of wisdom and healing from such a transparently bold and authentic move. I also believe that we weaken our position politically when

CARTOON BY RANDY MOLTON

we knock down monuments beloved by one group and then try to lobby that group for handouts when we find ourselves low on funds. At present, the far right and the far left have become so shrill, inept and divisive that all they really do is aggravate reasonable humans and cancel each other out.

I’m a white man who lived for years in Africa and am engaged to marry a Black woman. I’m an independent who grew up in a family of Republicans but have never voted for one. I believe I’ve developed a reasonably balanced perspective, and so I ask: What’s to become of Asheville, this rapidly growing city named for a former slave owner? What are we to do with Patton Avenue, that busy thoroughfare named for a famous slaveholder, that cuts through the middle of our wonderful, confusing, cool, green, sensitive/insensitive city of sanctimonious souls? Where are the cries to rename our offensively named home and its many racially insensitive streets? Why aren’t our incongruous hypocrisies advertised to the world, along with natural beauty and beer?

Could we all agree that our challenges are overlapping and complex? Could we unite, find common ground and perhaps sign some sort of community peace and reconciliation treaty agreeing to be more frugal with our finite resources, get focused on infrastructure and, from this day for-

ward, never ever to name monuments for any human, living or dead?

— Robert McGee Asheville

Down with propping up a slaver and traitor

I’m surprised that an opinion by an old white man bemoaning the removal of a statue to another old white man was run in the Xpress [“Down by Law: The Monumental Toppling of Zeb Vance,” June 21].

Did no one read it first? During the “a messy moral mixture” section, Milton Ready describes how the monument wasn’t built by locals.

What business do a Pennsylvania senator, Maryland senator and Massachusetts businessman have with constructing a monument to a North Carolina slaver and traitor?

How did no one catch the favorable comparison to heroism as a traitorous soldier (Confederate hero), the literal admission of “white supremacist politician” and his support of a Christian nation who “promoted First Amendment rights, especially that of religion”?

What Mr. Ready fails to grasp is the idea that Confederate monuments were intimidation tactics when they were constructed in the first place. For what other military engagement

in history has the losing side been commemorated in such ways?

I hope this leads to some increased discernment regarding opinions in the future, as in this instance, it looks like y’all got played and ran a piece of white supremacy propaganda for free.

— Mouse Wilson Weaverville

Women will suffer under new abortion law

Although 57% of adult North Carolinians have supported the 20-week ban on abortion, the gerrymandered North Carolina Republican legislature overrode the governor’s veto, restricting abortion to 12 weeks with only a few exceptions.

Because over 90% of abortions are performed in the first trimester, it may appear that the new law is realistic. But if you read the small print with big hurdles, it’s not realistic.

As of this writing, individuals seeking an abortion must visit a physician and then after that visit, wait 72 hours and return for another visit. If the abortion is surgically induced, the individual is required to have a follow-up with the physician.

And the same holds true for individuals wanting a medication-induced abortion. Individuals will have to make more than one face-to-face contact with

a physician, and the medication must be given in person by the physician and possibly by a pharmacist (under the way the law is written, it’s unclear whether a pharmacist would be allowed to hand the individual the medication). The new law will prohibit medications for an abortion to be sent through the mail to a pregnant woman from an in-state provider.

Further, extensive paperwork documenting either a pharmaceutical-induced abortion or a surgical-induced abortion must be filed by the attending physician.

These requirements will overload a medical system that already has too many patients and too few providers. And time, money and travel will become major impediments to a woman’s health.

That is part of the ugliness and immorality of this new law. The power-hungry, self-serving draconian Republican legislators have not only neglected the will of the people, but they have placed an undue burden on women during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. By their actions, women will suffer and die, and the state of North Carolina will be harmed in innumerable ways. And that will be happening in Asheville both in broad daylight and in the dark shadows of inequality and gender bias.

— Richard Boyum Candler

CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN

Money on the line

BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE

jmcguire@mountainx.com

College athletes and coaches have long been prohibited from betting on sports, so it’s ironic that legalized sports betting in North Carolina will financially benefit UNC Asheville and Western Carolina University.

The new law allowing people to make wagers on college and professional sports also creates challenges for college administrators and student-athletes.

Under the new law, as many as 12 sports betting apps and eight brick-and-mortar sportsbooks could be operating in the state within the year. UNCA and WCU are among 13 of 15 state universities that each will get up to $300,000 annually from the taxes generated by legal sports betting.

The additional money will be welcome at the schools, which don’t receive any other state funding for athletics and can’t count on lucrative TV contracts the way bigger programs like UNC Chapel Hill and N.C. State do. In fact, the campuses both rank near the bottom of Division 1 schools nationally in terms of athletic revenue, according to USA Today.

“I think this is a critical component of the bill,” says state Rep. Jake Johnson , a Polk County Republican who co-sponsored the legislation. “If [betting on] college athletics is included in the legislation, we want to make sure we are reinvesting in those institutions. Unlike a lot of the one-time capital money these universities receive, I hope to see this being a continued revenue source.”

What will legalized sports betting mean for Western North Carolina?

But don’t count on the money being used to add teams or build new facilities in Asheville or Cullowhee.

“It’s just helping us pay some bills that we already pay,” says Alex Gary, WCU’s director of athletics.

“It’ll help us fund unfunded mandates, which I know is not sexy. It’s

Will legal betting fuel addiction?

Patrick Casale knows firsthand the dangers of gambling. As a college student in the early 2000s, he became heavily involved in sports wagering, casino betting and underground poker.

“I definitely ruined most of the close relationships that I had, including with my family,” says Casale, who’s now an addiction therapist at Resilient Mind Counseling in Asheville. “No one could trust me if I said I needed money for something. There were a lot of times where I had

to get pretty desperate and really creative. It was constantly figuring out and centering your day around ’How can I obtain the resources that I need to place another bet?’”

Casale’s experience is not unusual. Experts say people between the ages of 18 and 24 — particularly men — are at a high risk of developing gambling problems. The proliferation of mobile gambling apps and a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that created a boom in legal sports betting have only fueled concerns.

helpful, but it’s not like I can do something new with the money.”

For instance, he explains, mandated raises for state employees mean the school’s athletic department will pay about $700,000 more in staff salaries in 2025 than it did in 2022. And the NCAA continues to make changes that add further expenses,

“We’re talking about risk-taking behaviors, which goes hand in hand with younger adult men,” says Casale, who counsels gambling addicts. “It is definitely the demographic that legal gambling facilities are pursuing and targeting in their marketing.”

Much of the opposition to legalizing sports betting in North Carolina was driven by fears of increased addiction. The new law sends $2 million a year to the N.C. Problem Gambling Program, which provides prevention, education, outreach, and treatment and recovery services.

But Casale points out Western North Carolinians already have plen-

including new full-time coaching positions and requiring schools to offer degree completion funds for up to 10 years after an athlete’s eligibility ends.

“We don’t necessarily have money for that,” he says.

UNCA is likely to use the money for scholarship support or men -

ty of ways of placing bets, including going to one of the tribal casinos in the state or skirting the law by using a virtual private network to access betting apps that are blocked to North Carolinians.

“Is that going to mean more people are susceptible to struggling with gambling addiction? Probably, because it’s going to be more in your face,” he says. “But whether we’re talking about legalizing marijuana, alcohol or opiates, it doesn’t make a humongous difference because there’s always going to be a black market for anything that is deemed illegal and habit forming.”

PLAYING THE ODDS: North Carolina residents soon will be able to legally use sporting betting apps.

Photo by iStock

tal health and medical services for athletes, says Richard Keroack , assistant athletic director for finance and business operations. “We have our current mental health services program and our current sports medicine staff, but an injection of that new revenue would allow us to go a little further with those services.”

Another possibility is using some of the money to support the school’s Be a Top Dog program, which provides personal, professional and athletic guidance for athletes, he says.

Athletic departments generate money through ticket sales, concessions, student fees, media rights, fundraising, game revenue guarantees and an annual NCAA distribution. WCU’s athletic revenue was about $16.3 million in fiscal year 2022. That ranks 178th out of 232 Division 1 public schools ranked by campus by USA Today.

UNCA’s athletics revenue was about $8.7 million in the same period, placing it 225th on the list.

AVOIDING DANGER

Under NCAA rules, athletes, coaches and other athletic department employees are prohibited from betting on any sport sponsored by the NCAA at any level, college or professional. That means, for example, college athletes can’t gamble on NFL or NBA games. That’s true even in states where gambling is legal.

That’s a big reason educating athletes and staff about the sports-betting prohibition has long been part of compliance training at UNCA and WCU. Warning about gambling on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has been a particular emphasis.

But now that it will be legal to wager on sports in North Carolina, administrators plan to redouble their efforts. “We’re going to probably have to take a heavier stance and maybe have more frequent education about that topic [rules about betting on sports],” Keroack says.

He points to the example of Brad Bohannon, who was fired as the baseball coach at the University of Alabama in May amid an investigation into suspicious bets placed on an Alabama-LSU game. Also in May, officials at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University said that more than 40 athletes across multiple teams at the schools were suspected of wagering on sports.

“It doesn’t help the [college sports] industry, but it’s good to have reallife examples [of people] getting caught up in some of this,” Keroack

says. “That’s going to resonate with our students and coaches and show them what the consequences could be for doing stuff you’re not supposed to do.”

The athletic department’s life skills coordinator is planning to emphasize gambling prohibitions starting next year, he says.

Sports betting in the state is already legal at three tribal casinos, including Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee. That’s not far from WCU’s Cullowhee campus.

“We’re 25-30 minutes from Cherokee, so if somebody wants to place a bet on one of our contests right now, they can,” Gary points out. “But when it comes to being able to place a bet at your fingertips, obviously that allows for more people that can’t go to Cherokee or go somewhere else to place a bet. So, I think that doubling down on our efforts and making sure our student-athletes are aware in even more ways will be important.”

Sports betting in North Carolina

When will sports wagering be legal?

The state Lottery Commission has until June 14, 2024, to create regulations and grant licenses to up to 12 mobile wagering apps and eight brick-and-mortar sportsbooks near professional sports venues. Those venues include Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord and PNC Arena in Raleigh.

What can you bet on?

Professional sports, college sports, electronic sports, amateur sports, horse racing and other events approved by the Lottery Commission

Where will the money go?

The N.C. Department of Revenue will collect an 18% tax on gross wagering revenues of sports betting and 1% of the total pari-mutuel wagers placed on horse racing. Half of that will go to the state’s general fund with most of the rest distributed to youth sports programs, 13 state university athletic departments, the N.C. Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council and the N.C. Problem Gambling Program. X

Source: State Lottery Commission

Crunching the numbers

BY BROOKE RANDLE

Few things in Asheville are more contentious than short-term rentals. The industry, which includes platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, has been criticized for exacerbating the city’s affordable housing crisis and altering the character of its neighborhoods. Advocates counter that the STR business allows residents to take part in Asheville’s tourism economy and offset the city’s ever-rising cost of living.

Asheville’s leaders attempted to strike a compromise through a 2015 ordinance. Residents were authorized to operate homestays, renting up to two rooms on a short-term basis while living in the same house. But the city simultaneously banned whole-house rentals of less than 30 days in residential areas, with exceptions for operators renting prior to the ordinance’s adoption or who received conditional zoning approval. City Council further tightened the rules in 2018, outlawing new whole-house STRs in most commercial districts.

The 2015 ordinance also started a paper trail for the local STR industry. Homestay operators are required to apply for permits with the city, submitting their addresses, names and other identifying information. (Industry data suggests that hundreds of whole-house rentals operate illegally in the city as well, but detailed information on those rentals isn’t publicly available.)

In an effort to understand Asheville’s homestay market and its impacts, Xpress worked with Asheville-based data journalist Elliot Patterson to explore homestay permit data. The results, which can be viewed in full at avl.mx/ctb, give insights into how the market has changed over time, where homestays are located and who’s operating them. Because the city’s data is limited to permitted homestays within city limits, the analysis does not include STRs in unincorporated Buncombe County, which do not require permits, or illegal whole-house rentals in Asheville.

GROWTH OR CATCH UP?

According to data available from the city’s open records portal, permitted homestays in Asheville have grown from eight in 2015, when the

What do data trends reveal about Asheville’s homestay market?

permitting requirement first started, to 826 in 2023. Xpress used those records as the basis for this story.

Those permits, however, might not paint an entirely accurate picture of how many homestays are in operation and how they grew over time. Asheville Planning and Development Division Director Chris Collins says that homestay operators took several years to comply with the 2015 permit requirement, causing the city’s data to lag behind reality.

In addition, city staff reports from 2018 indicate that active Asheville homestay permits reached 603 in that year, whereas the current city database shows just 298 active permits at the time. Collins wasn’t able to explain the discrepancy, but he noted that many of the city’s information technology and permitting staff had left the department in recent years.

THE COVID BUMP

The most requests for new permits in a single year occurred in 2021, which saw 161 applications, more than double the 75 requested in

2020. Another 129 new permits were requested in 2022, a number lagging only the previous year’s requests and the 133 permits requested in 2017.

Christine Smith operated a homestay in Asheville from 2015-19 and currently works as a vacation rental consultant in Asheville. She says that some homeowners started renting their properties to generate additional income while facing an uncertain future in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When COVID hit, people were scrambling to figure out how to make it work, and some people realized they can now shift how they do business with all this extra free time,” Smith explains. “Homestays became an option for some people.”

As homeowners embraced the market, demand for homestays and other STRs also surged from travelers seeking to avoid public spaces like hotels. A November 2020 report from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority showed that hotel occupancy stood at 77% for October of that year, down from 82% for the same month in 2019. Meanwhile, occupancy for STRs, including those outside

Asheville city limits, rose from 65% to 82% over the same period. By 2022, the importance of STRs to Asheville’s lodging market had become undeniable. That summer, the N.C. General Assembly approved new legislation that explicitly required someone from the vacation rental industry to serve on the BCTDA board, among other changes.

THE ‘KITCHEN RULE’ EFFECT

An intense debate over what had frequently been referred to as the “kitchen rule” was settled in 2021. City Council approved a change to the homestay ordinance that allowed property owners to rent out spaces including a stove, full-size refrigerator or sink on a short-term basis. The practice had been banned in 2018 in an effort to preserve spaces for long-term renters.

Sage Turner was the only Council member to vote against the change, citing concerns that more residents would be displaced by apartment conversions into STRs. “I think the kitchen [rule change] is a risk,” she said at the Dec. 14 meeting. “I just

HOME SWEET HOMESTAY: Xpress worked with Asheville-based data journalist Elliot Patterson to explore homestay permit data, which gives insights into how the market has changed over time, where homestays are located and who’s operating them. Photo by iStock

hope this doesn’t continue to push housing prices up.”

In January and February 2022, the two months immediately following Council’s vote, homestay applications did see a boost, with 18 and 23 requests for new permits, respectively. But that momentum didn’t last throughout the rest of the year, and 2022 ended with 32 fewer new permit requests than did 2021.

Elizabeth Putnam, who works as a real estate agent at Mosaic Realty, says the rule change may have contributed to the short-lived bump in homestay permits. However, it doesn’t appear to have led to a flood of residents taking away long-term housing from the market.

“I don’t think that the change was superimpactful, other than it gave people flexibility to do with their property what they wanted to do with their property,” says Putnam, who is also serving her first term on the BCTDA board as the vacation rental industry representative. “Does [not having a kitchen] drive people to or from a short-term rental? No. The reality is that people come to Asheville to eat in local restaurants, and they’re not coming to cook in their short-term rental.”

ON THE UPSWING: The number of permitted homestays included in city records increased from eight in 2015 to more than 820 this year. City staffer Chris Collins says that homestay operators took several years to comply with the permit requirement, causing the city’s data to lag behind reality. Graphic by Elliot Patterson

VALUE PROPOSITION

Xpress cross-referenced city permits with Buncombe County property records and tax information to determine those homestays’

property values and ownership.

The data shows that the majority of homestays (522) are in homes with an assessed tax value of less than $449,000.

Of those properties, 313 were valued between $300,000 and $449,000, with another 196 valued between

CONTINUES ON PAGE 10

$150,000 and $299,000. Per county data, the current median tax valuation of a home in Asheville is $295,000; about three-quarters of permitted homestays are thus located in homes with values above the median.

Critics of the STR market often argue that homes purchased for use as vacation rentals take away longterm housing opportunities from those of modest means. (According to the city of Asheville’s homeownership calculator, a family of four earning the area median income of about $90,300 could afford a home of about $340,000 at a 30-year fixed interest rate of 7%, assuming they spend no more than the recommended 30% of income on housing and make a 20% down payment.)

But Ben Williamson, a housing and occupancy tax reform activist who founded the nonprofit Buncombe Decides, says he doesn’t see homestays as having the same impact as other STRs. Homestays require operators to live on-site, he explains, so they continue to serve as housing stock.

“To me, they’re a bit different, which is why municipalities like Asheville often treat them differently. We know living here is hard and expensive for many, and homestays can be a way to get bills paid for some homeowners,” Williamson says. “While you’re starting to see more landlords break up whole homes into single rooms and offer them to long-term renters, the STR homestays aren’t pulling entire homes off the long-term rental market, which feels like the bigger, more urgent, issue to address.”

SIDE HUSTLIN’

To get a sense of where homestays are located in the city, Xpress overlaid homestay permit data with census tract boundaries. The biggest

CONCENTRATED EFFORTS: The largest collections of permitted homestays were in West Asheville, census tracts 10 and 11 (in dark blue), with 103 and 104 homestay permits, respectively. Graphic by Elliot Patterson

concentration of homestay properties (207) was located in Buncombe County census tracts 10 and 11, adjacent to each other in West Asheville.

The federal government collects a lot of data at the census-tract level, including income. These aggregate income estimates, while not necessarily representative of STR operators, provide a sense of the wealth of people living in a given area.

Tracts 10 and 11 had median annual incomes of about $56,300 and $62,900, respectively, in 2021. Those areas are roughly in line with the citywide 2021 median income of about $58,200.

But homestays can be found across Asheville, from the comparatively wealthy census tract 5 (including Grove Park, median income about $74,400 in 2021) to the relatively poor tract 9 (including Southside, median income about $19,700). Some residents rent their properties to help cover costs such as mortgages and utilities. Others

simply enjoy the extra income that renting provides.

“Financially, I don’t really need to do Airbnb,” says Asheville resident Wes Snoddy, who has rented two rooms in his Kenilworth house since 2018. He says that he works full time as a construction recruiter but that his rental also allows him to participate in Asheville’s tourism economy.

“It’s definitely a second job that I enjoy,” Snoddy continues. “I really think about how I can make it the best experience for my guests, and I’ve actually made some good friends over the years that have come back.”

“I like the decentralization of the gig economy,” adds Sara Manuel, who operates a homestay out of her residence near Biltmore Village. “It’s putting the power back in people’s hands. I think it’s great that people don’t have to have a huge investment to have a taxi company or a hotel and that you can do it on a small scale.”

Putnam, the real estate agent, says that converting residential homes

into homestays has offered financial relief to some homeowners. But the practice isn’t for everyone.

“It’s not like 80% of the people looking in Asheville are looking for homestays so they can offset mortgages,” she says. “A lot of people that are moving into the Asheville area just want to live and have a residential home closer to amenities, and renting out that structure is not something they’re interested in.”

WHO’S WHO?

The city’s ordinance requires that homestay operators live at the residence that they are renting. But those operators don’t necessarily have to own the property.

By cross-referencing city permit data with county records, Xpress found that 55 of 826 active homestays are owned by someone with an outof-state address. A majority of those out-of-state homeowners are Florida residents, with California residents making up the second-largest share. At least 19 additional homestays are owned by North Carolina residents with addresses outside of Asheville, including Charlotte, Black Mountain and Candler.

That information is not included on the city’s open data portal. Shannon Morgan , the city’s homestay code enforcement officer, explains that permits must be sought by the permanent resident of the homestay — who could be a tenant or employee of an outside owner.

As of December 2021, Morgan continues, Asheville requires nonresident property owners to submit additional documents with their homestay applications. The city’s rules prevent outside investors from owning multiple homestays simultaneously.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR HOMESTAYS?

The legal landscape for homestays is constantly changing. Following a 2021 lawsuit in Wilmington, in which a judge found that city’s STR registration requirements to be out of compliance with state laws, Asheville changed its own ordinance.

Once approved by the city, homestay hosts are no longer required to reapply for permits each year. Instead, operators only pay a one-time application fee of $208. Regular annual inspections of homestay rentals have also been halted.

The changes worry some homestay operators, who say that loosening

regulations will encourage more illegal units throughout the city and reduce host accountability.

“They stopped doing home inspections, so basically, you get licensed once, and then you can do whatever you want,” says homestay host Manuel. “It makes me wonder, ‘OK, so now is it just going to be a free-for-all?’”

Asheville officials say they will continue to monitor STR platforms to make sure permitted homestays don’t transition to whole-house rentals. “Most of the complaints we receive where homestays are concerned are from properties that never applied for a permit to begin with, so no, no longer having the requirement to do annual inspections has not made enforcement more difficult,” adds Todd Justice, a code compliance officer with the city.

And Putnam with Mosaic Realty says that Asheville’s homestay ordinance still acts as a deterrent to some would-be investors. Instead of buying in Asheville, she says, they seek properties outside city limits, where there are no restrictions on STRs.

Yet the landscape could soon shift once again. Senate Bill 667, filed in April by Republican state lawmakers, would take away most abilities of local and state leaders to regulate STRs. Affordable housing advocates say that the implications could be dire.

“Protecting existing rental inventory is just as important as building new units. The impact of our new $40 million affordable housing bond is greatly reduced when existing units are pushed off the market,” says Williamson of Buncombe Decides. “STR restrictions, though difficult to enforce and frustrating for some, may just be another example of our leaders being forced to leverage all the tools they have to fight to protect access to affordable housing for city and county residents.”

Explore the interactive visualization of the Xpress homestay analysis at avl.mx/ctb. The underlying data is available as a .csv file at avl.mx/ctc.

Editor’s note: Author Brooke Randle co-operates a homestay in unincorporated Buncombe County, which was not included as part of this analysis.

This investigation was supported with funding from the Data-Driven Reporting Project. The Data-Driven Reporting Project is funded by the Google News Initiative in partnership with Northwestern University | Medill X

FROM THE BEYOND: At least 55 active homestays, represented by purple dots, are owned by people who don’t live in North Carolina, with Florida and California the most common residences for those owners. Graphic by Elliot

Patterson

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Council approves mixed-income housing for Biltmore

A mixed-income housing project that’s been years in the making is now cleared for construction, following a unanimous June 27 vote by Asheville City Council. The conditional zoning approval will permit 221 units to be built at 311 and 319 Biltmore Ave., just south of downtown.

Charlotte-based developer Laurel Street Residential is planning two five-story, multifamily buildings for the roughly 4.6 acres between Biltmore Avenue and Lee Garden Lane, next to the new Maple Crest Apartments at Lee Walker Heights. The complex will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom units, as well as numerous community spaces and leasable storefronts.

In a presentation to Council, urban planner Clay Mitchell said 30% of those units would be guaranteed as affordable for at least 30 years. He said 45 units would be affordable to residents earning no more than 60% of the area median income (about $54,200 for a family of four) and 22 to those earning no more than 80% AMI ($68,000 for a family of four).

The affordable units would include two- and three-bedroom apartments, an aspect called “remarkable” by Council member Sage Turner. “For years in this community, we have heard this statement echoing that we don’t have enough family-sized units in general and that we don’t have enough family-sized units that are affordable,” she told the developer’s representatives. “Thank you for noticing that.”

Asheville has worked to bring affordable housing to the property since 2020, when the city bought it from Duke Energy for $5.3 million, using affordable housing bond proceeds. The city spent another $400,000 to prepare the site for development and signed an agreement with South Carolina developer Homes Urban, but the builder pulled out of the project in February 2022. As outlined in an August 2022 staff report, Asheville then agreed to sell the parcel to Laurel Street for $1 to incentivize a housing project.

Dionne Nelson, Laurel Street’s president and CEO, said her firm was ready to proceed with the project immediately. The developer estimated that construction would finish by the end of 2025, with all units leased by the following year.

Despite Council’s approval, several community members expressed concerns about the new development.

Whitley English, a community health worker and board member of local nonprofit Just Economics, hoped the project could include more community spaces.

“I strongly believe that the commercial space on this property should be reserved for a community resource center, specifically catering to child care services,” English said. “Furthermore, this development could use additional recreational spaces for children. … Considering this, [the proposed development] falls short of the community’s needs.”

Vicki Meath, the executive director of Just Economics, and Jen Hampton, the nonprofit’s housing and wages organizer, also expressed concern that not enough units would be available to people earning 60% AMI and below. They said that many residents aren’t making 80% AMI, or about $23 an hour for a single person working a full-time job, and can no longer find affordable housing in Asheville’s steep market.

“I am really glad and hopeful for this developer to be working in our community, and I think there are a lot of things to celebrate about this development,” Meath said. “We really just want to make sure that we are getting the greatest benefit for our community and that we are getting true affordability.”

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS: Urban planner Clay Mitchell discusses developer Laurel Street Residential’s plan for a mixed-income apartment complex at 311 and 319 Biltmore Ave. Photo by Frances O’Connor

BCTDA adopts $27.5 million operating budget

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority voted 6-1 to adopt a $27.5 million operating budget June 28 for next fiscal year, including an increase in Explore Asheville staff salaries and a decrease in marketing spending.

The budget represents a $1.7 million dollar decrease from last fiscal year due to declining occupancy tax revenues, which almost entirely fund the BCTDA.

Andrew Celwyn was the lone dissenter on the grounds that salaries and incentive bonuses for staff far outpace those given to city and county workers. (Board members Elizabeth Putnam and Brenda Durden were not present.)

“The staff of Explore Asheville get paid way beyond what the city and county are paying. It sends a message, and it’s not a message that’s good,” Celwyn said when announcing that he planned to vote against the budget.

The total paid toward salaries is increasing in part because 11 positions that went unfilled for part of last fiscal year are now filled, said Ashley Greenstein, TDA spokesperson. Staff members are getting what amounts to an 8% increase in their base salaries for “performance and market adjustments,” she said.

For comparison, Buncombe County employees will get a 7.28% cost-of-living adjustment next fiscal year, and city of Asheville employees are slated to receive a 5% pay bump.

Celwyn told Xpress after the meeting that the difference in pay reinforces a common talking point around Buncombe County that leaders value tourists more than locals. “When we pay [tourism marketing staff] more than teachers, firefight-

ers and police officers, what does that say?”

Several other board members jumped in to defend the staff raises, which TDA President Vic Isley said were necessary to be competitive with similar destination marketing organizations. Explore Asheville has lost candidates to other jobs within Asheville, she added.

‘I don’t think we should say “[city and county staff] are underpaid,

therefore, we should follow that trend,’” said board member Matthew Lehman, who is the general manager of the Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville. “Should I pay my hotel employees less because a teacher doesn’t make enough?

The operating budget, which represents two-thirds of the overall $39.9 million budget as defined by state legislation, also included a $2.4 million decrease in projected marketing expenditures in the coming year to $19.5 million. That decrease will be taken from net media spending on advertisements because its use is the most flexible, Greenstein said.

Board member HP Patel, president of BCA Hotels, said he was concerned with the marketing decrease for next year on the heels of the ”alarming trend“ of lower-than-expected hotel occupancy numbers from this spring.

“Going forward, we need to figure out ways to make sure we’re staying relevant,” he said, citing concerns about negative news about downtown safety and the increasing number of hotel beds available.

According to a staff presentation, 2023’s occupancy numbers for hotels,

bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals were lower than 2022’s in March, April and May. In May, for example, occupancy at hotels was down 3% from 2021 and down 11% for vacation rentals over the same time frame.

The budget also includes $571,000 for the administration of the Tourism Product Development Fund and $340,000 for the Legacy Investment from Tourism Fund. There is also $250,000 set aside to fund workforce development programs, funded by revenue the TDA makes from its website.

The TPDF and LIFT funds are slated to have $6.2 million each to fund tourism-related community projects next fiscal year, making up the other third of the overall budget.

TDA benches

McCormick Field renovations

The BCTDA delayed voting on a $22.95 million funding request for McCormick Field renovations until its July 26 meeting.

The funding request would be the largest in the history of the TPDF, and the committee negotiated with the city of Asheville and the Asheville Tourists to add certain terms to the funding agreement.

Under the added terms, the BCTDA will have naming rights to a concourse or similar area within the baseball field complex, and Explore Asheville staff reserves the right to book rentable space for interested groups.

Additionally, the Tourists will host one hospitality night each season allowing local hospitality workers to attend a game for free or at a reduced price.

The BCTDA also established a venue rental fee waiver program for McCormick Field, managed by Explore Asheville staff, and reserved the right to make additional debt payments to lower the total cost of debt service on the stadium’s renovations.

The city of Asheville and Buncombe County have already agreed to contribute $27.9 million and $5 million, respectively, to the project over 20 years. The Tourists will pay $469,000 annually to play at the stadium. The funds will cover improvements to the stadium’s clubhouse, construction of facilities for female umpires and other baseball staff, and expansion of the concourse, among other updates.

— Greg Parlier

TRACKING TOURISM: The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority passed its annual budget at its June 28 meeting in the Mountain View Room of UNC Asheville’s Sherrill Center. Photo by Frances O’Connor

Asheville City Schools outsources school meals

Students in Asheville City Schools will be eating meals selected, prepared and purchased by a private food vendor next school year in a controversial move to privatize the district’s nutrition program.

The Asheville City Board of Education voted 6-1 to enter into an annual contract for the fiscal year starting July 1 with Chartwells, a subsidiary of Compass Group USA, at a special meeting June 29.

Liza Kelly was the lone dissenting vote after a lengthy discussion at a meeting that did not allow public comment.

Kelly said she was initially in favor of the move, but after hearing from parents and staff, she was concerned that Chartwells would convince the district to make equipment investments, not deliver on food quality promises and leave the district saddled with debt. She said she was also concerned Chartwells would make hires that wouldn’t be as community-minded as current ACS nutrition staff.

Under the contract, all current ACS staff would be retained, including nutrition director Melissa Bates, who would still lead the department, said Georgia Harvey, ACS chief financial officer. In anticipation of increased participation, Chartwells would be in charge of hiring and paying additional nutrition staff as needed at the same rate that ACS staff of equal experience are paid, although without state benefits.

Chartwells will pay for up to $250,000 for improvements to school kitchens like equipment upgrades, which ACS will pay back over a fiveyear period.

Currently, ACS charges $3.25 for elementary school meals and $3.50 for meals at the middle and high schools, which will not change next school year, said ACS spokesperson Dillon Huffman. Chartwells will charge ACS up to $2.40 per meal, per its contract.

Board Vice Chair Amy Ray acknowledged the quick turnaround between the contract’s public introduction at a special called work session June 15 and the June 29 decision was “not ideal.” But ultimately, after initial skepticism, she supported the contract because she felt the board’s concerns were addressed in the final deal.

The flexibility of being able to opt out of the contract each year, Chartwells paying new hires the

same as those grandfathered in with ACS and the promise of increased quality convinced Ray to vote in favor, she said.

“This is an equity decision for me. Not everyone has access to parents who can make a nutritious meal at home, as I have for years for [my] children,” she said. “Our participation is exceedingly low because our staff are not able to present and make the same food that we were able to make 15 years ago. They don’t have the equipment, they don’t have the food. They can’t do it. Our students deserve better, they deserve more options, and they deserve better options.”

Plus, Ray said, the district’s nutrition program has run a deficit for the past six years, so even with some debt for equipment upgrades, at least the district will get some return on investment.

At the beginning of fiscal year 2022, the nutrition department was more than $787,000 in debt, Huffman said.

Kelly also referenced problems in the district’s current food program.

“In hearing from parents and staff, some of the concerns about our current school nutrition had been unaddressed, and our food nutrition staff have made requests that have gone unfulfilled. And there are concerns that there’s a supply chain breakdown that falls somewhere between our leadership and the cafeteria. Our

staff are asking for better food and haven’t been getting it.”

Parental concerns

Christina Mason, whose child attends Isaac Dickson Elementary, sent at least two letters to board members adamantly opposing the contract, which she shared with Xpress

In April, she urged board members to avoid outsourcing school meals because her research suggested private companies would cut corners on staffing and quality. She said she received no response from school board members to that letter.

After the June 15 work session on the topic, Mason wrote board members again, citing several reports of poor-quality food served by Chartwells in other school districts, including in Woodbridge, N.J., and at Seattle University.

Also, in an audit of a Washington, D.C., school district, the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor found that contracting food services to three companies, the largest of which was Chartwells, failed to control costs as promised.

“Student meals aren’t the place to pinch pennies or make money,” Mason wrote. “How we nourish students should be consistent with our values: equity, good nutrition, fair employment and investing in our local economy. Outsourcing would

disadvantage nutrition workers, cede local control, lower meal quality, promote big agriculture and send dollars out of our community.”

Harvey said Chartwells included an intention to source local produce as much as possible in its bid for the contract.

Ray acknowledged parental concerns about Chartwells’ spotty track record but remained hopeful that the contractor could help deliver better-quality food for more students than the district has been providing in-house. If the company doesn’t, the contract won’t get renewed next year, she said.

“We’ll be watching closely.”

— Greg Parlier  X

PRIVATIZED: The Asheville City Board of Education chose to contract with a private vendor to provide school meals next school year in part because the district’s own nutrition program has accrued thousands of dollars of debt. Photo courtesy of Asheville City Schools

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

JULY 5 - JULY 13, 2023

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

 Online-only events

 More info, page 33

WELLNESS

Narcotics Anonymous

Meetings

Visit wncna.org/ basic-meeting for dates, times and locations.

Sparkle Time Holistic

Exercise

Aerobic, strengthening, balance and flexibility.

WE (7/5), 10:30am, Avery's Creek Community Center, 899 Glennbridge Rd SE Arden

Tai Chi for Balance

A gentle Tai Chi exercise class to help improve balance, mobility, and quality of life. All ages are welcome.

WE (7/5, 12), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Free Zumba Gold Fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. Free, but donations for the instructor are appreciated. For more information please call (828) 350-2058.

WE (7/5, 12), noon, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Dharma & Discuss

People coming together in friendship to meditate, learn and discuss the Dharma. Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome.

TH (7/6, 13), 7pm, Swannanoa Valley Friends Meetinghouse, 137 Center Ave, Black Mountain Free Yoga

Free yoga session outdoors.

FR (7/7), 5pm, Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave

Yoga at the Rooftop Terrace: Creative Flow

Series

A unique creative flow experience that combines the beauty of art with the power of mindful movement. All-levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat.

SA (7/8), 9:30am, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Goat Yoga on the Farm

Move through your sun salutation in a wide open field as baby goats frolic nearby. Registration is required.

SA (7/8), 10am, Round Mountain Creamery, 2203 Old Fort Rd, Black Mountain

Therapeutic Slow Flow

Yoga

A blend of mediation, breathing and movement. All bodies, genders and identities welcome. Bring your own mat.

SA (7/8), 10am, Mount Inspiration Apparel, 444 Haywood Rd, Ste 103

Yoga in the Park

Each class is unique, intertwining movement and breath, with a different focus of strength and release.

All-levels welcomed, but bring your own props and mat. Pre-register at avl.mx/9n6

SA (7/8), 11am, 220 Amboy Rd

Magnetic Minds:

Depression & Bipolar

Support Group

Free weekly peer-led meeting for those living with depression, bipolar, and related mental health challenges. Email depressionbipolarasheville@gmail.com or call or text (828) 367-7660 for more info.

SA (7/8), 2pm, 1316 Ste C Parkwood Rd

Outdoors Yoga

This is an all-levels

yoga flow class. Move, breathe, flow, and come together in the beautiful outdoors. Bring a mat and any other props you'd like to use. Pre-register at avl.mx/ct0

SA (7/8), 3pm, Pisgah Brewing Co., 150 East Side Dr, Black Mountain

Walking Meditation

A short walk with meditation instructions to reduce stress, anxiety and increase health and balance. Afterwards, there will be tea and snacks.

SU (7/9), 10am, Lake

Tomahawk Park, 401 S Laurel Circle Dr, Black Mountain

Summer Flow w/Jamie

This class is designed to cool the body during the summer months. Expect a slow flow with long cool downs. Class is held outside. Bring a mat.

SU (7/9), 10:30am, One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd

Gentle Yoga for Queer & GNC Folks

This class is centered towards creating an affirming and inclusive space for queer and gender non-conforming

individuals.

SU (7/9), 1:30pm, West Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd

Metta & Meditation

In-person guided meditation focused on benevolence & loving-kindness. This event is free to attend and open to beginners as well as experienced practioners. MO (7/10), 7pm, Black Mountain Library, 105 N Dougherty St, Black Mountain

Zumba Mask and social distancing required. Registration not necessary. Por favor usa tu cubre bocas antes de la clase.

TU (7/11), 6:30pm, St. James Episcopal Church, 424 W State St, Black Mountain

ART

McNair Evans: Tomorrow Ever Comes

An installation of photographs taken on Amtrak trains between 2012 and 2022 by San Francisco based photographer McNair Evans. Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through July 15.

Tracey Morgan Gallery, 188 Coxe Ave

Pulp Potential: Works in Handmade Paper

The works in this exhibition reveal the breadth of possibilities and unique qualities that exist when artists choose to employ and even create handmade

paper. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed on Tuesday. Exhibition through July 14.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

The Art of Food: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer & His Family Foundation

This exhibition explores the many identities of food in daily life: whether a source of pleasure, a reason for gathering, a mass-produced commodity, or a reflection of social ideologies and divisions. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed on Tuesday. Exhibition through Oct. 22.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Arts-N-Scraps

Bring your creativity and interest in craft. All the supplies will be provided for you.

TH (7/6), 5pm, The Burger Bar, 1 Craven St

Aypros Arts & Entertaintment Crew: Preview Party

This diverse group exhibition features artists working in various mediums, including glass, painting, collage, basketry, metal, and mixed media sculpture. Please register at avl.mx/ctk.

TH (7/6), 5pm, Blue Spiral 1, 38 Biltmore Ave Bailey Mountain Art Show

This show is a celebration and benefit of Bailey Mountain Preserve by local artists and community. Gallery open Monday through Friday, 10am, closed

on Tuesday. Exhibition through Aug. 18. Mars Hill University, Weizenblatt Gallery, 79 Cascade St, Mars Hill

Daily Craft Demonstrations

Two artists of different media will explain and demonstrate their craft with informative materials displayed at their booths, daily. These free and educational opportunities are open to the public. Daily, 10am.

Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Pkwy

Art Trunk Show: Theresa Forman

Annual season of trunk shows highlighting talented creators of fine art, designer jewelry, and home goods. Theresa Forman, works primarily in oils, she uses the Plein Air studies and photographic references to produce studio pieces that reveal the harmony found in nature.

SA (7/8), 10am, Acorns Boutique, 465 Main St Highlands

Monoprinting: Each Print is Unique

In this class, we will use printmaking tools to produce personal works of art. Each class is centered around a different monoprinting approach: gel plates, linocuts, and paper cut-outs.

SA (7/8), 10am, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

Altruistic Genius: Buckminster Fuller’s Plans to Save the Planet

This exhibition brings the

inventions and designs of R. Buckminster Fuller to Western North Carolina and introduces visitors to Fuller’s strategies for the sustainability of humans and the planet relating to housing, transportation, mathematics, and engineering. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through August 21.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Fiberhouse Collective: Papermaking w/invasive Plants Nica Rabinowitz, Founder of Fiberhouse Collective, will be showing attendees how to make their own paper with invasive plants. SA (7/8), noon, Center for Craft, 67 Broadway St

Transient Bodies: Opening Reception Curated by Jessica Swank, this exhibition will expound upon the fragmented, damaged, and repaired body to demonstrate ideas of transience and resilience despite limitations, pain and trauma.

SA (7/8), 6pm, Revolve Studio, 821 Riverside, Ste 179

Jacqueline Shatz & Margaret Thompson: Features Jacqueline Shatz’s small sculptures of ambiguous and hybridized figures as well as Margaret Thompson’s paintings which are inspired by elements of the symbolist movement and magical realism.

Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am,

archival materials.

Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 11am, closed Sunday. Exhibition through September 9.

WE (7/12), 5:30pm, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

Public Tour: The Art of Food

Join museum educators for a tour of The Art of Food: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation. This exhibition explores the many identities of food in daily life: whether a source of pleasure, a reason for gathering, a mass-produced commodity, or a reflection of social ideologies and divisions. No reservations are required.

TH (7/13), 6pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Music To Your Ears: Bill Kopp w/Mark Casson

A monthly discussion series for music enthusiasts to gather and discuss important albums, artists or musical movements.

and Sunday, 11am.

Exhibition through July 23.

Tyger Tyger Gallery, 191 Lyman St, Ste 144

An Afternoon w/Andy

Farkas

Andy will be answering questions and demonstrating how he creates his Moku Hanga prints. SU (7/9), 2pm, Momentum Gallery, 24 N Lexington Ave

Art from the Garden Exhibit

View the works created during the Garden Tour and mingle with the artists during the last leg of Art in Bloom's festivities. Gallery open Monday through Friday, 10am. Exhibition through July 26. Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

Wildflower Drawing

Stephanie will guide you through step-by-step drawing and coloring techniques. There will be a handout of photographs of the flower to use as visual references. Each flower will be observed closely to learn more about their parts and unique characteristics.

WE (7/12), 10am, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

Black Mountain College & Mexico Exhibition

The exhibition includes original visual works and sound installations by prominent contemporary Mexican artists alongside vintage works by BMC artists and relevant

WE (7/5), 7pm, Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr Pritchard Park

Songwriter Series

Each week will feature two songwriters from the community playing songs about life in the 21st century.

TH (7/6, 13), 5:45pm, Pritchard Park, 4 College St

Spiders w/Kalashnikovs, Adam Lion, Laura Steenberge & KCM Walker

A duo featuring Heather Lockie and Clay Chaplin that makes electroacoustic experiments. There will be other performances by Adam Lion, Laura Steenberge and KCM Walker.

TH (7/6), 7pm, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

Bloom WNC’s Outdoor Concert Series w/The Scatterlings

The Scatterlings are a four-piece acoustic and Americana band based in Asheville.

FR (7/7), 6pm, Bloom WNC Flower Farm, 806 North Fork Rd, Black Mountain

Summer Music Series

w/Josh Rivera

Live music from some of our favorite local artists around town. This week enjoy a Handpan jam with Josh Rivera.

FR (7/7), 6pm, Oak and Grist Distilling Company, 1556 Grovestone Rd, Black Mountain

CREATIVE CELEBRATION: The Big Crafty returns to Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, July 9. This exuberantly creative craft fair opens at noon and will feature makers of all varieties.

Photo courtesy of The Big Crafty

Concert Series on the Creek: Arnold Hill

Free concert series for the community with rock and country artist Arnold Hill providing the good times this week. These events are free with donations encouraged. Everyone is welcome. There will be food trucks available on most nights.

FR (7/7), 7pm, Bridge Park Gazebo, 76 Railroad Ave, Sylva

Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G

This piano concerto, filled with American Jazz and Spanish Basque folk music, serves as the centerpiece of this multimedia concert exploring New World Encounters, and the influences of Jazz on three major European composers, Paul Hindemith, Igor Stravinsky and Maurice Ravel.

FR (7/7), 7:30pm, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard

An American Celebration

Iconic American pianist

Lara Downes joins Maestro Kazem Abdullah in a celebration of American music.

SA (7/8), 7:30pm, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard

An Appalachian Evening w/Andy Leftwitch

Four-time Grammy Award Winning instrumentalist comes to Western North Carolina.

SA (7/8), 7:30pm, Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, 121 School House Rd, Robbinsville

Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas

In a series of twelve concerts during the month of July, CMS

Carolinas is pleased to share exceptional classical music performances with a wide audience. Each week will feature different talented musicians.

SA (7/8), 7:30pm, Kittredge Theatre, Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa

Mark's House Jam & Beggar's Banquet

Weekly Sunday pot luck and musician's jam with acoustic and plug in players. It's a family friendly community day so bring a dish to share.

SU (7/9), 3pm, Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside

Dr

from soul, R&B pop, jazz, to country.

TU (7/11), 6pm, FBO

Hominy Creek, 230 Hominy Creek Rd

Jasper String Quartet

The award-winning Jasper String Quartet returns to Parker Concert Hall with music that gives voice to the presence of the sublime within the human experience.

TU (7/11), 7:30pm, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard

The Orchard Sessions

w/Andrew Wooten & Caroline's Roost

The music of Andrew Wooten & Caroline Roost’s feels like a pine-covered moonshine still on a foggy mountainside somewhere in the Carolinas.

WE (7/12), 6pm, The Farm at Old Edwards, 336 Arnold Rd, Highlands

Jazz Jam

An open jam session. Drop-ins are welcome so bring your instruments.

TH (7/13), 7pm, LEAF

Global Arts, 19 Eagle St

Galen Holland, Jack Miller & George Reeves

An evening of music from three of Asheville's most talented singer  and songwriters.

TH (7/13), 8pm, Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr

LITERARY

Joke Writing Workshop

Hosted by Disclaimer

Stand Up Lounge and moderated by Cody Hughes, weekly. Bring 90 seconds of material that isn't working.

WE (7/5, 12), 6:30pm, Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave

Weaverville Library

Afternoon Book Club: Attonement

The Weaverville library afternoon book club discusses, Attonement by Ian McEwan. Newcomers are always welcome.

TH (7/6), 3pm, Weaverville Library, 41 N Main St, Weaverville

Swannanoa Readers Group: The Cabinet

Join Buncombe County’s longest running book club for a discussion of The Cabinet by Un-su Kim.

kinds of performers every Thursday night.18+

TH (7/6, 13), 7:30pm, Shakedown Lounge, 706 Seventh Ave E, Hendersonville

Denton Loving & Patti

Meredith Reading

Writers Denton Loving and Patti Meredith will share selections from their recent works.

SA (7/8), 3pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva

Poet Quartet: Philip Belcher, James Davis May, James Dickson & Sara Moore Wagner

This monthly poetry reading series, coordinated by Mildred Barya, will feature readings by Philip Belcher, James Davis May, James Dickson, and Sara Moore Wagner. SU (7/9), 4:30pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St

Teen Poetry Writing & Slam

Explore styles, work with prompts, flex your voice and share your prose. Unique lesson plans every Tuesday.

TU (7/11), 2pm, The Elephant Door, 126 Swannanoa River Rd

THEATER & FILM

The Moppets Present: The Odyssey

The Montford Moppets present: The Odyssey in an adaptation of Homer's classic epic written for our stage by local playwright Skyler Goff.

FR (7/7), SA (7/8), 5pm, SU (7/9), 11am, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St

Twelfth Night

A beloved Shakespearean masterpiece that combines mistaken identities, hilarious pranks and a touch of romance.

FR (7/7), SA (7/8), SU (7/9) 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St

Toybox's Monthly Puppetry Series

Rock of Ages

This musical tells the story of a small-town girl, a city boy and a rock ‘n’ roll romance on the sunset strip. This jukebox musical features all of your favorite ‘80s rock anthems and power ballads from bands including Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more.

FR (7/7), SA (7/8), 7:30pm, SU (7/9), 3pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville

Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella HART Theatre is bringing the magic of an old-age tale, Cinderella to their stage. This fresh and humorous musical version of the tale introduces new characters, even a sympathetic stepsister, additional Rodgers and Hammerstein songs and surprising magical elements.

FR (7/7), SA (7/8), TH (7/13), 7:30pm, SU (7/9), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville

The Room: 20th Anniversary

The Room returns to Grail Movie House to celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a special guest  live appearance from Greg Sestero, Mark.

SU (7/9), 4pm, Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St

Free Preview: At The Cafe

Excerpts from the new musical production of At the Café will be performed at the Weaverville Community Center prior to its grand premier at Asheville’s Diane Wortham Theater in August of this year.

SU (7/9), 7pm, Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville

Music Movie Mondays

WE (7/5, 12), FR (7/7), MO (7/10, noon, Congregation Beth Israel, 229 Murdock Ave

Bikes 'N Brews

A weekly group ride that takes in the views of Black Mountain and Old Fort and concludes at the WNC Outdoor Collective with your favorite beer or kombucha.

WE (7/5), 5:30pm, WNC Outdoor Collective, 110 Black Mountain Ave, Black Mountain

Pritchard Park Series: Summer of Science

Explore hands on activities and experiments while we learn about the Science of Bubbles or the Science of Sound. Every other week we will play and learn together using a variety of tools, instruments, and toys.

WE (7/5, 12), 5:30pm, Pritchard Park, 4 College St

Rhythm of Women

This is a women only drum circle. Learn East African drumming techniques and enjoy the rhythm and sounds of feminine beats. Text (828) 777-6787 to reserve your space. WE (7/5), 7pm, The Elephant Door, 126 Swannanoa River Rd

Embroiderers' Guild of America: Laurel Chapter Sandy Washington will teach a canvas piece called Stars and Stripes, designed by Gail Stafford, originally published as a part of the EGA president’s fundraiser for wounded service members. The kit fee includes the canvas, instructions and threads.

TH (7/6), 9:30am, Horse Shoe Community Church, 3 Banner Farm Rd, Mills River

Identity Theft Seminar

Thursday. TH (7/6, 13), 7pm, Alley Cat Social Club, 797 Haywood Rd

Skate Night Free outdoor skate night. Bring cash for old school candy and refreshments. Some skates will available to borrow, but bringing your own is recommended. For more information call (828) 274-7739.

FR (7/7), 6pm, Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd

Walking Team Scavenger Hunt

Use your treasure map to follow clues, solve puzzles, and crack codes on this unique walking scavenger hunt through Downtown Asheville.

FR (7/7), 6pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Women's MTB Day Trip to Fonta Flora

A day trip to Fonta Flora trail at Lake James for women wanting to add miles to their mountain biking skills. Pack a lunch and your favorite beverage. Please register for this free event.

SA (7/8), 7:45am, WNC Outdoor Collective, 110 Black Mountain Ave, Black Mountain

The Power of the

Elements: Discover the Ancient Secrets of Modern Alchemy

In this online workshop, discover the secrets of how modern alchemy and the love frequency can transform your life. Learn the ancient wisdom of the elements and understand how you can use the five primary elements to balance your body, mind, and spirit. Register at avl.mx/csz

SA (7/8), 10am, Online

SA (7/8), TH (7/13), 5:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Weekly Sunday Scrabble Club

Tournament-style scrabble. All levels of play.

SU (7/9), 12:15pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Bountiful Cities Hosts Urban Garden Tour & Tasting

Spend an afternoon sampling unique culinary creations created by some of Asheville’s finest chefs using fresh local produce and exploring 10 Asheville urban gardens.Register or purchase tickets at bountifulcities.org.

SU (7/9), 1pm, Hall Fletcher Elementary, 60 Ridgelawn Ave

Game Day: Perspective

Café

Traditional game day with board and card games as well as refreshments from the Perspective Cafe. SU (7/9), 2pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Imagination Monday Giant building blocks, tunnels and fun games await on special days of open play geared for ages 1-5 years-old. No advance registration or sign up required, adults must accompany children the entire time.

MO (7/10), 10am, Jake Rusher Park, 160 Sycamore Dr, Arden Sew Co./Rite of Passage Factory Tour

you work with individuals who struggle to move forward, Motivational Interviewing can help.

MO (7/10), 4pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Asheville Guitar League Meeting

There is a local artist as the presenter for the 1st hour and then everyone breaks into groups and plays together.

MO (7/10), 6pm, Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd Black Men Mondays

A local group that has stepped up in the community to advocate for and mentor students through academic intervention. Kids ages 7 and up are welcome to join.

MO (7/10), 7pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Environmental History of the Civil War Judkin Browning will show how the Civil War was a moment of transformation in Americans' relationship to the natural world. It fundamentally altered relationships between Americans and nature, leaving an environmental legacy that we still live with today. It is free and open to the public.

MO (7/10), 7pm, Haywood County Public Library, 11 Pennsylvania Ave, Canton

How to Say What You Want

Lara Downes in Concert

This music explores themes of love and loss, light and darkness, renewal and redemption, the possibility of peace and compassion, and the everlasting power of love.

MO (7/10), 7:30pm, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Sirens of Hominy Series

A collaborative in-the-round, featuring a different set of Asheville songstresses every week. Hosted by CaroMia, genres ranging

TH (7/6), 4:30pm, Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St, Swannanoa

All Arts Open Mic

Prepare a five minute original piece in whatever medium you so choose — storytelling, music, poetry, literature, comedy, dance — or simply come to enjoy and support the local arts community.

TH (7/6), 6:30pm, Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd

Poetry Open Mic

Hendo

A poetry-centered open mic that welcomes all

This new series will feature original works by acclaimed award-winning puppeteer and clown Toybox, and will bring some of the best puppeteers in the nation as special guests. All ages show.

SA (7/8), 11am, The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St

New Works Series

Script-in-hand readings of new plays by emerging local playwrights. A short discussion will follow each reading to provide feedback to the playwright about their script. Free to participate, however donations are welcome and will be used to support HT.

SA (7/8), 3pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville

Screening of the best in new, classic and cult films about music followed by a moderate discussion about the film with music journalist Bill Kopp. The latest in the series is HEAD, The Monkee's 1968 film.

MO (7/10), 7pm, Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St

Some Notes on Dating

During Outbreak

After being quarantined to an empty dining room in a fancy restaurant, two strangers must decide whether to fight for their lives or simply enjoy the last night they may ever have on earth.

TH (7/13), 7:30pm, BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

Competitive Duplicate Bridge Check bridgeweb.com/ avl for dates, times and special announcements. All are welcome.

Learn how to protect your private information as more of your personal details are stored electronically and bad actors become more active and far-reaching.

TH (7/6), 1pm, Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Rd, Fairview

Butts & Boots: Line Dancing

Beginner line dance and two-step lessons, every Thursday. No partner or experience needed.

TH (7/6, 13), 6pm, Banks Ave., 32 Banks Ave

WNC, Past & Present: Educational Leadership & the Allen School from 1865 to 1930

A discussion about several instrumental Black women educators who provided fair and equitable educational opportunities for the Black Community in Swannanoa and Asheville from 1880 to 1930.

TH (7/6), 6pm, Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N Dougherty St, Black Mountain

Swing Dance Lesson & Dance Swing dancing lesson and dance, every

Ladies Sunday Cycles

This is a non drop ride, we have cue sheets via Ride with GPS, and there are options to either do the whole ride or head back when needed. Routes will be posted on the Ride My GPS app under WNC Outdoor Collective.

SU (7/9), 7:30am, WNC Outdoor Collective, 110 Black Mountain Ave, Black Mountain

Yoga in the Park

Each class is unique, intertwining movement and breath, with a different focus of strength and release. All-levels welcomed, but bring your own props and mat. Pre-register at avl.mx/9n6 SA (7/8), SU (7/9), 11am, 220 Amboy Rd

Change Your Palate Cooking Demo

This free food demonstration is open to everyone but tailored towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/ or their caretakers. Our featured host is Change Your Palate’s very own Shaniqua Simuel.

On this 30 minute micro-tour, learn about sustainable and transparent business practices and hear about production processes and client collaborations. Preregister at avl.mx/cec MO (7/10), 11am, Rite of Passage Clothing & Sew Co, 240 Clingman Ave Ext

Stitches of Love Meeting

A small group of stitchers who create a variety of handmade items which are donated to local charities. The group meets monthly and has donated over 32,000 items (quilts, lap robes, knitted and crocheted items) over the past 18 years. New members are always welcome to join. For more info contact Janet at (828) 575-919.

MO (7/10), 3pm, Panera Bread, 1843 Hendersonville Rd

Chess Club

Open to all ages and any skill set. There will be a few boards available, but folks are welcome to bring their own as well.

MO (7/10), 4pm, Black Mountain Brewing, 131 NC-9, Black Mountain

Motivational Interviewing: Community Training

Free community training event provided by United Way and MDTMT. If

In this session, learn to add on the communication piece to cover how to receive someone else telling you what they want with the help of different panelists. All genders welcome. 18+ MO (7/10), 7pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave Summer Buzz Breakfast Series: Working Together for a Safe & Vibrant Downtown A series that discusses issues and ways we can come together to make our downtown a better place for all. Moderator for the series is John Boyle from Avl Watchdog.

TU (7/11), 8am, Crowne Plaza Expo Center, 1 Resort Dr Farm to Fabric Summer Camp

Local Cloth's initiative to reach out to the youth in our area to spread the love of these arts is highlighted with the debut of this summer camp. Six fiber arts skills will be offered to learn in our Farm to Fabric class series.

TU (7/11), TH (7/13) 9am, Local Cloth, 408 Depot St, Ste 100 Let's Get Messy

Intentionally messy classes to help your child explore their 5 senses and develop creativity. Be sure to dress prepared for you and your little one to get messy. This week's class

will focus on Balloon painting.

TU (7/11), 4pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Cribbage in the Park Friendly cribbage competition nights. Meet others who love to play. Light refreshments will be provided.

TU (7/11), 5pm, West Asheville Park, 11 Vermont Ave

Infant-Child Massage

Techniques w/ WiseHands

This free class teaches the enjoyable, sustainable experience of Infant-Child Massage. Bonnie offers new and experienced parents a relaxing way to confidently recognize baby's communication style, build soothing comfort responses, and encourage brain development by engaging in focused time together.

Registration required.

TU (7/11), 6pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave, Pritchard Park Summer

Series: Hoop & Flow

Arts Jam

Asheville Hoops provides jammin’ tunes, demo props for all to use and a positive event that promotes movement, creativity, dance and fun.

TU (7/11), 6pm, Pritchard Park, 4 College St

Hard Hat Tour: Renovation of the YMI Cultural Center

A sneak peek of the project, learn about future cultural programming, and tour new venue spaces ideally suited for future meetings, events, workshops and more.

WE (7/12), 1pm, YMI

Cultural Center, 39 S Market St

Spanish Club

Spanish speakers of all ages and levels are welcome to join together for conversation to practice the language in a group setting.

WE (7/12), 6pm, Black Mountain Brewing, 131 NC-9, Black Mountain

The Learning Garden

Presents: Kid Friendly Gardening

Bring your children to learn about soil, water, seeds, plant needs and more with Extension Master Gardener volunteer Carol Brown. The presentation is free, but attendance is limited and registration is required.

TH (7/13), 10am, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center, 49 Mount Carmel Rd, Ste 102

Bridging the Language Barrier: Improving Safety Culture

Gain insight into how to provide a safer and more welcoming environment for Hispanic employees. This includes strategies to put into practice to improve safety and communication. This online seminar is essential for non-Hispanic trainers and supervisors of Hispanic workers, including crew leaders, project managers, superintendents, HR Managers and senior staff in the construction industry. Register at avl.mx/ct1

TH (7/13), 11am, Online

Kingfisher Summer Mountain Bike Race Series

A 6-week Summer Mountain Bike Race Series for fun and fitness. Bring your own bike and helmet. 50% of all race entry fee proceeds will be donated to IC Imagine to maintain their new Kingfisher Cross-country XC Trail.

TH (7/13), 4pm, IC

Imagine K-12 Public Charter School, 110 Champion Way

LOCAL MARKETS

Etowah Lions Club

Farmers Market

Fresh produce, honey, sweets, flowers, plant starts and locally crafted wares. Stop by to chat with vendors, the Lions club, and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Every Wednesday through Oct. 25.

WE (7/5, 12), 3pm, Etowah Lions Club, 447 Etowah School Rd, Hendersonville

Leicester Farmers Market

Farmers Market with over 30 vendors. Locally grown and sourced selection of meats, produce, eggs, plants and flowers, baked goods, cheese, honey, sauces, crafts, art, and more. Every Wednesday through Oct. 25.

WE (7/5, 12), 3pm, Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester

Weaverville Tailgate Market

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

WE (7/5, 12), 3pm, 60 Lake Shore Dr Weaverville

Wednesday Farmers Market

A vibrant marketplace filled with local vendors offering fresh produce and handmade goodies.

WE (7/5, 12), 2pm, The Railyard Black Mountain, 141 Richardson Ave, Black Mountain

RAD Farmers Market

Providing year-round access to fresh local foods, with 25-30 vendors selling a variety of wares. Handicap parking available in the Smoky Park lot, free public parking available along Riverside Drive. Also accessible by foot, bike, or rollerblade via the Wilma Dykeman Greenway.

WE (7/5, 12), 3pm, Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Dr Enka-Candler Tailgate Market

A grand selection of local foods and crafts, everything from produce to pickles, baked goods to body care, with a hefty helping of madeto-order meals from our food trucks. Every Thursday through Oct.

TH (7/6, 13), 3pm, A-B

Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler

Biltmore Park Farmers Market

A wide array of farmfresh seasonal produce, eggs, honey, locally-grown flowers, artisan baked goods, foraged mushrooms, handmade soaps, and more from local farmers, specialty food producers, and crafters. Every Thursday through July 20.

TH (7/6, 13), 3pm, Biltmore Park Town Square, Town Square Blvd

Flat Rock Farmers Market

A diverse group of local produce and fruit farmers, craft-food makers, bread bakers, wild crafters, art-crafters, and merrymakers. Every Thursday through Oct. 26.

TH (7/6, 13), 3pm, Pinecrest ARP Church, 1790 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock

Pack Square Artisan Market

This market will showcase local handcrafted goods in the heart of downtown Asheville.

Every Friday through Oct. 27.

FR (7/7), 1pm, 1 South Pack Square Park

Saluda Tailgate Market

With over a dozen vendors this agriculture-only market features an assortment of homegrown produce, meat, and eggs within a 25 mile radius.

FR (7/7), 4:30pm, W Main St, Saluda

Henderson County Tailgate Market

Seasonal fruits, fresh mushrooms, vegetables, local honey, meat, eggs, garden plant starts, perennials and much more. Every Saturday through Oct. 28.

SA (7/8), 8am, 100 N King St, Hendersonville

Hendersonville Farmers Market

A vibrant community gathering space with produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, coffee, crafts, food trucks, live music, kids' activities and more. Every Saturday through Oct. 28.

SA (7/8), 8am, 650 Maple St, Hendersonville North Asheville Tailgate Market

The oldest Saturday morning market in WNC, since 1980. Over 60 rotating vendors offer fresh Appalachian grown produce, meats, cheeses and eggs - with a variety of baked goods, value added foods, and unique craft items. Weekly through Dec. 16.

SA (7/8), 8am, North, 3300 University Heights

Asheville City Market

Local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and other artisan products. Weekly through Dec. 17.

SA (7/8), 9am, 52 N Market St

Black Mountain Tailgate Market

Featuring organic and sustainably grown produce, plants, cut flowers, herbs, locally raised meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheeses, eggs and local arts and handcrafted items. Every Saturday through November.

SA (7/8), 9am, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Mars Hill Farmers & Artisans Market

A producer-only tailgate market located on the campus of Mars Hill University on College Street. We offer fresh local produce, herbs, garden and landscape plants, cut flowers, cheeses, meats, eggs, baked goods, jams, honey, soaps, tinctures, crafts & more.

SA (7/8), 10am, College St, Mars Hill

Art Market & Open Mic Shop local artisans and vendors or hop up on stage to perform.

SA (7/8), noon, Fallout Art Space, 475 Fletcher Martin Rd, Alexander Makers Market

Featuring a different combination of weekly vendors alongside resident studio artists.

SA (7/8), noon, The Elephant Door, 126 Swannanoa River Rd

Navidad in July: Tamales Market

There will be 10 countries sharing the diversity of tamales Latin America has to offer. There will also be a Latin groove dance party with DJ MTN Vibez.

SA (7/8), 7pm, One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd

WNC Farmers Market

High quality fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, jams, jellies, preserves, sourwood honey, and other farm fresh items. Open daily 8am, year-round.

570 Brevard Rd

Meadow Market

Browse goods and gifts from local makers and artisans with different vendors every week, you’ll find specialty items. Shop for handmade jewelry, housewares, vintage goods, and crafts.

SU (7/9), 1pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200 Tuesday Creative Market

Browse the wares from local makers and creatives.

TU (7/11), 4pm, Different Wrld, 701 Haywood Rd, Ste 101

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Ben's Tune Up 10 Year Anniversary Party

Free celebration and party with live music and DJ's all day and night. There will also be food special, drinks and more.

TU (7/4), 3pm, Ben's Tune Up, 195 Hilliard Ave

Creative Strings Festival

Family-friendly festival featuring amateur and accomplished artists alike with nationally recognized fiddle artists Justin Branum and Austin Scelzo headlining. Free to the public.

WE (7/5), TH (7/6),

6pm, The Railyard Black Mountain, 141 Richardson Ave, Black Mountain

Drag Queen Bar Crawl

Enjoy the fine brews from multiple downtown breweries and the company of a hilarious drag queen wannabe flight attendant. The one-mile trip will be on foot. The tickets include the tour, beverages along the route and other perks. Visit avl.mx/ct7 for dates, locations and times.

FR (7/7), 5pm, Multiple Locations

Maggie Valley Annual Summer Arts & Crafts

Show

Browse through 120 craft vendors featuring seasonal items, yard art, paintings, photography, pottery, furniture, jewelry and more. In addition to a wide selection of unique arts and crafts, there will also be a variety of mouth-watering festival foods and even a puppet show by Paper Moon Puppet Theatre. SA (7/8), SU (7/9), 9am, Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley FamilyPalooza

All regional resource and foster families are invited to live, laugh and party with live music, kids activities, treats and prizes. For more information contact amy.huntsman@ buncombecounty.org.

SA (7/8), noon, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Shindig on the Green

Bring a blanket, chair, dancing shoes and family for this dose of regional music, dance and storytelling. Bears

Smokehouse food truck and The Hop Ice Cream will be on site.

SA (7/8), 7pm, 1 North Pack Square

The Big Crafty

A hand-to-heart celebration of creative exuberance at the heart of Asheville. We believe in supporting creative venturers by crafting warm communities of creative practice.

SA (7/8), SU (7/9), noon, Harrah's Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St Groovin' on Grovemont

Summer Concert Series

w/Saddletramp

A free-admission outdoor concert series benefiting The Friends of the Swannanoa Library and the Swannanoa Community Council. Country band Saddletramp kicks off the series. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and come enjoy these free family-friendly evenings of great music and food.

TU (7/11), 6pm, Grovemont Park, 101 West Charleston Ave , Swannanoa

1 Year Anniversary Party

One year anniversary celebration with live music, food and drink specials and more.

TH (7/13), 3pm, La Tapa Lounge, 402 E State St, Black Mountain Park Rhythms Summer Concert Series w/ Jessica Lea Mayfield

This year’s series features artists from across the nation. The series will also include several artists from North Carolina, along with a few local favorites. Alt-indie artist

Jessica Lea Mayfield will be performing this week. All shows are free and open to the public.

TH (7/13), 7pm, Black Mountain Veterans Park, 10 Veterans Park Dr Black Mountain

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING

Divine Intervention: The Game Show

A hilarious game show event  with non-stop fun and laughter, all while supporting a great cause. All profits from this event will be donated to Arms Around ASD 501(c)3 charity. This event is for people 21 and up.

TH (7/6), 7pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St

Daniel Ridge Group Hike to Support WNC Conservation

These hikes are specifically raising money for Muddy Sneakers, an organization founded in Brevard that exposes children to nature through outdoor education.

SU (7/9), 2pm,] Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Forest

Sistas Caring 4 Sistas: Sisters In Song A concert benefiting Sistas Caring 4 Sistas that will feature Grammy-nominated Sarah Siskind, Amanda Platt and Jane Kramer in an intimate style performance of their original songs, stories and harmonies. See p33

TH (7/13), Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St

Blissful Chiropractic

Experience

Sacral

ashevillegoodhealth.com

by Jessica Wakeman | jwakeman@mountainx.com

Sweeten Creek mental health facility hires director

HCA Healthcare has hired Dr. M. Ed Kelley as medical director of Sweeten Creek Mental Health & Wellness Center. Kelley is a board-certified psychiatrist and completed his residency at the Emory University School of Medicine. He was previously chief of behavioral health at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine.

The Sweeten Creek facility, which is anticipated to open in August, brings 38 additional acute behavioral care beds to Western North Carolina. The hospital’s total of 120 beds will serve pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients and provide both inpatient and outpatient care.

EBCI medical cannabis accepts applicants

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cannabis Control Board is now accepting applications for medical cannabis patient cards from all North Carolina residents.

Qualifying patients may purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary in Cherokee: up to 1 ounce of medical cannabis per day, not to exceed 6 ounces per month, and up to 2,500 mg of THC in medical cannabis products per day, not to exceed 10,000 mg of THC per month.

The application is available at avl.mx/csn and can be submitted online or in person. Medically qualified patients over 21 years old, or their designated primary caregivers, may apply. Applicants are asked to provide a copy of government-issued identification and written documentation of a qualifying chronic or debilitating medical condition.

The tribe operates a seed-tosale effort, meaning the Cannabis Control Board licenses all cultivation, processing, dispensary and laboratory locations on tribal lands. The EBCI Tribal Council approved a medical marijuana ordinance in 2021 permitting its use within the Qualla Boundary. The ordinance also decriminalized possession of marijuana, even for recreational use, up to an ounce. Plant harvesting began last year. Enrolled tribal members became eligible for medical marijuana patient cards in April.

For more information, visit www. ebci-ccb.org.

LEADING MAN: HCA Healthcare hired board-certified psychiatrist Dr. M. Ed Kelley as medical director of Sweeten Creek Mental Health & Wellness Center. Photo courtesy of Nancy Lindell

Mobile mammogram program launches

UNC Health Pardee launched Mammo on the Go, a mobile mammography clinic, on May 24. The bus is staffed by specially trained female mammographers and provides digital 3D breast imaging and early detection services.

Mammo on the Go will serve women in Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties. Patients must be older than 40 and be referred by a health care provider. The mobile unit is available for site visits at organizations, businesses or special events across Western North Carolina. For more information, visit MammoOnTheGo.com.

Endoscopy clinic seeks expansion

Endoscopy Center of North Carolina and Entero-Med have filed a certificate of need application with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to relocate and expand.

The Endoscopy Center seeks to relocate its five GI endoscopy rooms from its Biltmore Avenue location to a new ambulatory surgical facility on Sweeten Creek Road. The new surgical

facility would also add three new GI endoscopy rooms. The project is anticipated to be completed in October 2024. A public hearing on the application will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 17, in A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium, 340 Victoria Road. For more information visit avl.mx/csj.

Physical therapy practice opens

UNC Health Pardee opened a new location on June 6 at 1731 Brevard Road, Hendersonville. Pardee Physical Therapy is a department of Pardee Hospital and treats patients on an outpatient basis. It is currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 828-435-8320.

Golf documentary screening July 7

Directed by Asheville resident Paul Bonesteel, “Muni” explores the history of Black golfers at Asheville’s municipal golf course, who were permitted to be caddies but prohibited from playing at the Muni until the 1950s. The documentary will screen at the East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, July 7. For more information contact eastasheville.library@ buncombecounty.org or 828-250-4738.

Therapy dog to visit library

Asheville Police Department

K-9 Deputy Kora will visit the West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, 2-3 p.m., Thursday, July 13. Kora is a labradoodle therapy dog who joined Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 and APD this spring. She provides emotional support for crime victims, deputies and anyone else who needs her attention. Tickets are free at the West Asheville Library but are required for anyone ages 17 and younger. For more information, contact 828-250-4750 or westasheville.library@buncombecounty.org.

Bike Fest coming July 14-16

Asheville on Bikes is hosting its second annual Bike Fest from Friday, July 14, to Sunday, July 16.

Asheville on Bikes Executive Director Mike Sule will facilitate presentations by local cycling entrepreneurs and service providers at Industry Night, 6-8 p.m., Friday, July 14, at Gravelo

Workshop, 793 Merrimon Ave. Guests must reserve seating at avl.mx/cso.

On Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, Bike Fest will host free activities at Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave. There will be clinics on cargo bikes and how to fix flats, a children’s bike

park and an outdoor expo. Food trucks and local beer will also be available. For more information about the fest, as well as rides and race schedules, visit avl.mx/csp.

Community kudos

• Pardee Hospital Foundation named Dr. Joel Callahan, neurologist and chief of staff at UNC Health Pardee as its 2023 Physician of the Year.

• WNC Health Network has welcomed Laila Johnston as engagement and advancement specialist, and Amy Thompto of WNC Veterans Health Care System as WNC Health Network board chair.

• Mikaila Mills is the new community engagement manager for Impact Health, an organization created by Dogwood Health Trust to lead WNC’s participation in the N.C. Healthy Opportunities Pilot for Medicaid.

Mark your calendars

• Buncombe County Health and Human Services will offer a free community overdose reversal training noon-1 p.m., Friday, July

7, in conference room N102 at 40 Coxe Ave. Participants will receive information about preventing and responding to an opioid overdose and one free Narcan kit for as long as supplies last.

• The first class in the Yoga in the Park Summer Donation Series will be 9-10 a.m., Saturday, July 8, at Reuter Terrace in Pack Square Park. Donations will be collected to support Homeward Bound of WNC. No registration is required. Participants should bring a yoga mat.

• Central United Methodist Church is hosting a concert benefiting Sistas Caring 4 Sistas, a nonprofit doula group that serves women of color in Buncombe County, at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 13. The concert kicks off The Sanctuary Series, a quarterly concert series, and features singer-songwriters Amanda Ann Platt, Jane Kramer and Sarah Siskind. Tickets are $25 each. For more information, visit avl.mx/csg.

• A notary public will be available to notarize advance directives 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, July 15, at The Sanctuary in the Center for Conscious Living & Dying, 82 Sanctuary Road, Swannanoa. Participants can RSVP at avl.mx/csi.

• Bryan Thurman from Snake Song, a farm in Sylva, will teach Western North Carolina mushroom identification for beginners 10-11 a.m., Saturday, July 15, at Haywood County Public Library, 678 S. Haywood St., Waynesville. For more information, contact Kathy Olsen at kathy.olsen@haywoodcountync.gov or 828-356-2507.

• Asheville Wellness Tours will offer a free yoga class 5-6 p.m., Friday, July 28 at Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave. Participants should bring a mat.

— Jessica Wakeman

X

FREE KISSES: Asheville Police Department K-9 Deputy Kora is a labradoodle therapy dog who joined the force this spring. She’ll be at the West Asheville Library on July 13.

Photo courtesy of BCSO

MOBILE MAMMOGRAM: UNC Health Pardee launched Mammo on the Go, a mobile mammography clinic, on May 24. The bus is staffed by specially trained female mammographers and will serve women in Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties. Photo courtesy of UNC Health Pardee

Catalysts

BY STORMS REBACK

stormsreback@gmail.com

The plan was for me to meet Leah Song and Chloe Smith, the founding members of the band Rising Appalachia, at their “art squat” in the mountains just outside town. It’s a place where they go to relax, dream, write songs and immerse themselves in nature. I arrived first. While waiting, I heard a series of bird calls from a cardinal, catbird, goldfinch, hooded warbler, black-and-white warbler and American redstart.

Once the sisters arrived, we entered the space. The art squat is an uninsulated, rambling structure that Song happily compares to something out of Mad Max. Despite its rustic nature, this is a special place for the musicians and those in their orbit. Their side project, Starling Arrow, an a cappella folk ensemble, filmed the video for their song “Oh Darlin’” here; and their percussionist, Biko Casini, once spent 40 days on the property in silence while fasting periodically and playing drums for as many as eight hours a day.

I had come to the art squat to talk to Song and Smith about Catalyst, the two-day festival they will be hosting Saturday, July 15, and Sunday, July 16, at Salvage Station. I was hoping to portray them as local stars who have chosen their hometown to be the site of the first major festival they’ve organized, but the sisters reminded me they were born and raised in Atlanta, have spent a big chunk of their adult lives in New Orleans and only reside in Western North Carolina a portion of the year.

“We’re not from here,” Smith said, “but it has been a cultural and creative haven for us.”

A closer look at their early lives, however, suggests that Asheville is as much of a home to these two wandering troubadours as any place else.

A SEED GETS PLANTED

Song and Smith come from a family of folk musicians with a deep love for old-time Appalachian music. Their parents frequently took them to gatherings such as the Appalachian String Band Music Festival in Clifftop, W.Va., and the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College. Smith recalls celebrating her first birthday at the Black Mountain Arts Festival (since renamed the LEAF Festival).

As teens, the girls often helped vendors sell CDs so they could get into the

Rising Appalachia hosts its first major festival

Swannanoa Gathering’s daytime workshops at a discounted rate. At night, they were often found spinning fire behind the fiddle jam sessions. The education they got in old-time Appalachian music combined with a newfound appreciation of the genre by their peers inspired them to start playing.

“We were seeing more young people at contra dances and young fiddlers at the Swannanoa Gathering,” Smith

said. “And we were like, ‘This is something beyond what our parents have shown us.’”

After graduating from Atlanta’s Henry W. Grady High School (since renamed Midtown High School), the sisters spent a couple of years in a communal living situation in Asheville’s Montford neighborhood. As part of the “Panola Street Posse,” they reveled in their street’s country-in-the-city

vibe, with its tree houses, goats and urban farms.

In 2005, they recorded their first album, Leah and Chloe, at a friend’s recording studio in Atlanta. It was an act of love, a gift to family and friends, but its impact extended well beyond their inner circle.

“That album was such an original take on old-time music,” David Brown, who plays upright bass and baritone guitar for the band, told me during a recent chat at High Five Coffee on Broadway. “Whereas a lot of the oldtime music has a very high piercing vocal sound that can sound a little harsh at times, they were approaching it in this very sultry kind of way.”

After the unexpected success of Leah and Chloe, Song and Smith moved to New Orleans, where they worked as buskers on and off for six years, primarily on Chartres Street in the French Quarter.

Standing just outside the art squat, the sisters described their busking days, often completing each other’s thoughts, which I’d come to recognize as an endearing habit of theirs.

“We took it seriously,” Smith said. “It was our job. We learned so much about how to be artists.”

“About how to write songs,” added Song. “About how to entertain. Because people don’t have to listen.”

Among the highlights of that period: Lenny Kravitz once stopped to

TWO OF A KIND: Sisters Chloe Smith, left, and Leah Song are the founding members of Rising Appalachia. Photo courtesy of Rising Appalachia

OUT WEST: Rising Appalachia poses inside Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Featured, starting left, Chloe Smith, Biko Casini, David Brown, Arouna Diarra and Leah Song. Photo courtesy of Rising Appalachia

chat for a few minutes and Mos Def tipped them $5.

In 2006, the duo created and headlined Concrete Pandemonium, a raucous gathering at an art gallery in downtown Atlanta. The annual event, which lasted three years, blended art, activism and music. It also planted a seed in their heads. Maybe one day they could organize an event just like it on a grander scale. But derailed by a touring schedule that left little time for organizing festivals, it would be years before that seed blossomed into a flower.

RISING APPALACHIA 2.0

By 2011, Rising Appalachia entered a period of transition. Song and Smith had tried nearly every possible iteration of the band — a duet, a quartet, a five-piece as well as a six — and were now looking for more continuity.

One afternoon Song was walking through a cluster of houses in Barnardsville when she overheard Brown playing banjo in his kitchen. She peeked her head in the door. “Hey, that sounds good,” she told him.

Rising Appalachia didn’t need a banjo player — Song and Smith had that covered — but their band did have some holes they were looking to fill.

“Do you know any upright bass players around Asheville?” Song asked Brown.

Brown stifled a chuckle. After graduating from Warren Wilson College in 2005, he’d played upright bass in The Greasy Beans, a band of Warren Wilson alumni that included the fiddler Cailen Campbell. Brown had started his musical journey playing guitar, and after The Greasy Beans dissolved, Campbell persuaded him to pick it back up and play contra dances with him as the duo Contraversial.

There’s a perception in bluegrass music that the least talented band member often plays the upright bass, so Brown was happy he’d gotten to a place in his career where bass wasn’t his first instrument. But the opportunity to play in a band like Rising Appalachia was too tempting to ignore.

“Well,” Brown said to Song that day in Barnardsville, “as a matter of fact ...”

Brown’s addition as a full-time member of the band, along with that of Casini the same year, launched a new era — let’s call it Rising Appalachia 2.0 — that saw the band’s popularity and

fan base grow at an even more accelerated rate, with sold-out shows at The Grey Eagle and later The Orange Peel.

Despite the group’s ongoing success, both nationally and internationally, Song and Smith have continually resisted overtures from major record labels and insisted upon growing the band in a slow, organic fashion that’s rare in the music industry.

In a 2015 TEDx talk, Song discussed a principal tenet of her band’s ethos, which she called the Slow Music Movement. Bands are notorious for having extravagant, consumptive habits that hurt the environment. How could they lessen that impact while at the same time forming a stronger connection with local activists and nonprofits?

She and Smith began to schedule their tours so that they focused on particular regions instead of hopping from one big city to the next, and they traveled by van, train, sailboat, even foot, rather than by plane. As the Slow Music Movement evolved, Song and Smith kept coming back to an idea that wouldn’t go away: Instead of traveling the world sharing their music, why not stay in one place and host a gathering that would not only deliver a feast of music but also give local nonprofits and educators a place to spread their messages?

The seed for the Catalyst festival was starting to grow.

A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION

Then COVID hit.

As it did for so many others, the pandemic rocked the band’s world. Their touring schedule screeched to a halt. Song got stuck in Costa Rica for nearly a year. And during one 10-month stretch, the band members, which now included the West African percussionist Arouna Diarra and fiddle and cello player and West Asheville native Duncan Wickel, were never all together in one place.

But instead of bemoaning canceled shows and lost income, Song and Smith embraced the pandemic as a time to rest and recharge, and they have emerged ready to enter a new phase of their careers.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 24

During our time together, the sisters acknowledged that their band’s style of activism was changing. Whereas Rising Appalachia 2.0 was constantly promoting permaculture action days and a “down with the system” philosophy, the latest iteration of the band is embracing what Song called a “spirit of collaboration and gentleness.”

As part of that spirit of collaboration, Song and Smith reconsidered an invitation they received several years ago from some promoters in California to organize a festival there. The sisters loved the suggestion but balked at the location. Song recalled the band’s response: “We said, ‘If we’re going to do this, it should be in the South in a place that we know well and feel connected to.’”

Asheville was an easy choice. Beyond living here part time and playing here often, they have also captured some of their best material at the Echo Mountain Recording studio, including the albums Wider Circles, The Lost Mystique of Being in the Know and parts of Filthy Dirty South, as well as the singles “Stand Like an Oak,” “Hungry World” and “Resilient.”

Choosing a venue also wasn’t difficult. During the pandemic, they fell in love with playing outdoor shows, and Salvage Station had earned a special place in their hearts. “They’re really supportive of our work and were ready to try something new with us,” said Smith.

In recent years, the band has played several shows there during the summer as well as a winter solstice celebration on a misty afternoon in December 2021 that had fans huddling around fire pits. “It was a commitment,” said Smith, laughing at the memory. “We call that ‘extreme folk.’”

To Song, dealing with the elements, good or bad, adds to the charm. “At Salvage [Station] you can see if a storm is coming or if the sun is setting. There you just feel like you’re in the place so much more.”

A CURATED EVENT

Song and Smith describe Catalyst as a “curated event,” and there’s no question who is doing the curating. The two have always embraced the

DIY ethic, and their fingerprints are all over the festival, from its title to the lineup and everything in between.

The two-day festival will feature workshops each day and music each evening. Rising Appalachia will headline both nights. Song described the Saturday show as a “shake it out, get your body moving ... dance party.” Featured performers will include folk, hip-hop duo The Reminders, Dirtwire and Brandon Lewis, a trumpet player with New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Sunday will have more of a folk vibe, with Starling Arrow and Valerie June, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter from Tennessee, both playing sets.

Festivalgoers can also buy tickets that allow them to see music at night and attend workshops featuring yoga, meditation, dance and herbalism during the day. “We love being around musicians,” said Smith, “but we love being around other types of people as well.”

Catalyst, Smith added, will be her first show with the full band since last fall. Wickel’s wife, Lily Henley, has been filling in for Smith while she’s been on maternity leave. Organizing a festival while looking after a baby has been a juggling act at times, but any tension she and Song might be feeling in the days leading up to the festival is alleviated by the knowledge that they have handpicked all the performers. Collaborating on the event with local organizations such as Firefly Gathering and Wild Abundance also has them at ease.

The plan, the sisters told me during our time at the art squat, is for this year’s Catalyst to be the first of many in Asheville and surrounding areas.

“We want to be catalysts in our communities,” said Song.

“Creative pot stirrers,” added Smith, completing her sister’s thought. For more information, visit avl.mx/ct2. X

AT THE SQUAT: Leah Song, left, and Chloe Smith enjoy some downtime at their art squat. Also featured, Alaska the dog. Photo by Storms Reback

In a strange land

Nathan Ballingrud’s coming-of-age novel takes readers to Mars

BY JESSICA WAKEMAN

No stranger to fiction, but new to novel writing, local author Nathan Ballingrud’s debut, The Strange, is about a lonely teenage girl living on Mars. The cast also includes ghosts, as well as robots which may or may not be gaining sentience. Oh, and the story takes place in 1931 — so its characters travel both in spaceships and on mule-drawn wagons.

Simply put, The Strange, published in March, covers a lot of territory.

Given his book’s broad range of influences, Ballingrud says it’s been called sci-fi, fantasy, a Western and horror by readers, reviewers and booksellers. Meanwhile, his publisher, Saga Press, promotes it as sci-fi, historical fiction and action.

The author disagrees with these categorizations. “What it really is is a coming-of-age story,” Ballingrud explains, acknowledging that much fiction, including this novel, “spills over across genres.”

The Strange’s protagonist, 14-yearold Annabelle Crisp, lives in the city of New Galveston on Mars, a colonized space frontier. Annabelle’s mother returned to Earth a year earlier, before all contact with their home planet ruptured during an event called the Silence. Complicating matters, Annabelle’s father is being held in a Martian jail after a skirmish at his business goes terribly wrong. The novel’s tension hinges on Annabelle’s quest to reunite her family while wrapping her head around the strange goings-on of her adopted planet.

Due to the robots and ghosts and the whole being-on-Mars thing, it’s not that simple a task.

THE WRITING PROCESS

Before the novel’s release, Ballingrud was known within the literary community as a short-story writer. His previous works, 2013’s award-winning North American Lake Monsters: Stories and 2019’s Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell, explore dark and supernatural themes. With his debut novel, which comes in at 303 pages, the author says he had more space to lean into character development. “Short stories tend to be focused on a particular moment, or a particular emotional kind of boiling point,” he explains. With a novel, he

continues, there is a longer character arc. “You get to see how their perspective might shift and change, how they react to several scenarios.”

The idea for The Strange began percolating six years ago. “I’m a slow writer,” Ballingrud says, noting that in addition to being an author, he works at Downtown Books & News as well as Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe. “Ideas gestate a long time before I start to actually work on them.”

Early in the process, he conceptualized the story as a podcast. Influenced by Garrison Keillor’s “The News from Lake Wobegon,” Ballingrud envisioned the series featuring several characters narrating the tale. But he had never produced a podcast and soon realized he had a single lead character — Annabelle — whom he could zero in on.

What made Ballingrud, a grown man, think he could get into a teenage girl’s mind?

“It’s a fair question,” the author answers. “I’ve asked myself that sometimes, too.”

Ballingrud notes that his daughter, Mia, was around the age of his book’s protagonist when he began developing the story’s concept, offering him a “front-row seat” to the teenage experience. Among other things, he also began contemplating what Mia’s life would be like if he were suddenly out of the picture and unable to help her navigate an ever-changing world.

However, he continues, Annabelle’s gender almost seems incidental to the plot, save for sexist remarks from some men in the book who bristle at a teenage girl refusing to stay in her ascribed place. “The real answer is that there are certain foundational experiences

that are as true for men as they are for women,” Ballingrud says.

“What [Annabelle] was experiencing wasn’t so much specific to the fact that she was a young girl — it was specific to [the fact] she was a young person in a scary situation with her parents unavailable to her,” Ballingrud adds.

“And I was like, ‘Well, I can draw that.’”

‘A WORLD OF IMAGINATION’

Ballingrud says that Timothy Egan’s 2006 book, The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl, informed his novel’s environmental bleakness. He also loves the work of sci-fi authors Ray Bradbury and Edgar Rice Burroughs, who have both written stories set on Mars.

“That all kind of cooked in a cauldron, and this came out,” he says of The Strange.

Any additional research into the physics and practicalities of life on Mars was minimal, the author reveals. “I hate doing it,” he says of the research process.

“They’re calling it science fiction,” he continues, referring to his publishers’ marketing. “But there’s no science in there at all. It’s a world of imagination. I made up whatever I needed.”

As an author, Ballingrud believes paying too much attention to realism could stymie his creative effort.

“I give myself permission, when I go into a story like this, to not pay any attention to the real world at all,” he explains. “As long as the logic is internal, as long as everything makes sense within the boundaries of the story, that’s all I care about.” X

RED PLANET: Local author Nathan Ballingrud discusses his latest book, The Strange, which takes place on Mars in 1931. Author photo by Jessica Wakeman

Fresh Dish

Little Chango’s Iris Rodriguez on street food, her sweet tooth and rice

BY ANDY HALL

In the second installation of Xpress’ new monthly food column, “Fresh Dish,” we join Iris Rodriguez, the co-owner and chef of Little Chango, on her restaurant’s sunny South Slope patio to discuss seasonal dishes and cooking tips. The business, which she operates with her husband, Jose Busto, is the couple’s first venture into the food and beverage industry.

A former banker, Rodriguez changed careers in 2016, when she enrolled in culinary school at A-B Tech. After working in a few kitchens, she and Busto launched Little Chango in November 2021.

“We’re trying to put Hispanic food out there,” Rodriguez says, noting the restaurant’s focus on Puerto Rican and Cuban dishes. “I like street food. We try to portray that, and I think we found the best little spot for that type of food.”

Xpress: What’s a good seasonal ingredient underrepresented in home cooking?

I don’t think people use rice enough. I come from rice country [Puerto Rico], so I could eat rice every single day. White rice, brown rice, red rice, purple rice, wild rice. And we do grow rice in North Carolina. We actually have a farmer here, Lee’s One Fortune Farm, who we use at home. They have a farm in Marion. It’s superinteresting that he’s doing that in this area.

What is a current dish on your restaurant menu that you feel is not getting the attention that it

deserves, and why do you think it’s being overlooked?

You know, we have a good mix. But I would say it would be the vegetarian arepa, the jibara. It’s a black bean mash made in a sofrito base with sweet plantains, avocados, queso fresco and a pepita sauce. It is so good. It’s really fresh, really filling, and it really brings the flavors out. It gets ordered but mostly by vegetarians. I think more people should taste it because it really represents the flavors that we’re trying to bring in.

Outside of your own restaurant, what’s a local dish that you’ve tried in the last month that completely blew you away, and why?

I love pastries, I have a sweet tooth.

There is this bakery in Richmond, [Va.] that is called Sub Rosa Bakery. They do wood-fired baking. And they do this amazing spiral croissant done with tart cherries and pistachios, and oh, it’s the perfect bite. It’s tart, buttery, crispy, and the layers of the lamination are perfect, and the flavors are really well balanced. When you bite into, it melts in your mouth.

Closer, OWL Bakery is amazing. And they do a really good job with lamination. I go there at least once a week. I love their Danish options.

I don’t actually get to go out to eat a lot lately because I’m always here. I’m superbusy. But there’s a lot of new really good restaurants popping up. I went to Tall John’s, and I really liked it. And I always have really good options at Leo’s House of Thirst.

What cuisine would you like to see represented more in Asheville?

Well, you know, I don’t think that we have a good representation of all the Hispanic cultures. So, we can definitely grow in that area. But I always find myself craving Cantonese food — like, casual Cantonese food.

We need a spot like that in West Asheville and in downtown. Just a little hole-in-the-wall. I think we can support it, and I think people will love it.

What’s a favorite food destination within driving distance of Asheville that readers should add to their list?

I haven’t been out of Asheville in two years. It’s hard when you’re busy. But I am an island girl — I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, so this is the first

time that I am not living coastal. So, when I try to get out, I go to Charleston and the Folly Beach area. And when I get there, I eat seafood because I miss it. I just go to like shacks near the beach and get oysters.

And in Charleston, there’s a place I like to go called Chez Nous, a little French eatery. They change their menu every day, and they have really fresh ingredients. You can see the cooks making the pasta. It’s really nice.

Who would you like to see us dish with next month?

To piggyback with the need for more Cantonese and Chinese food, I nominate J Chong as the next chef! X

BIG FLAVORS: Chef Iris Rodriguez displays jibara, a vegetarian arepa made with black beans, sweet plantains, red onion, avocado, queso fresco and pepita sauce. Photo by Andy Hall

‘The darker side of humanity’

Poet Andrew Clark on wild horses, violence and splintered attention spans

BY THOMAS CALDER

tcalder@mountainx.com

Though it may appear otherwise, local poet Andrew K. Clark is often working on a poem. “We think of writers as sitting at the keyboard all the time,” he says. “But writers are always writing. I’m always pondering a line or a scene and reworking it in my head even when I’m not sitting down.”

Originally from nearby Alexander, Clark now resides in Asheville. Growing up in Buncombe County, he was first drawn to the poetry of Langston Hughes. “I loved his use of vernacular language,” he says. “It taught me I could use my Southern voice in poetry, and it didn’t need to sound like Shakespeare.”

Clark’s poetry collection, Jesus in the Trailer, was published by Main Street Rag Press in 2019. His

work has also appeared in a number of literary journals, including The American Journal of Poetry, Appalachian Review, Rappahannock Review and elsewhere. In the fall of 2024, Cowboy Jamboree Press will publish his debut novel, Where Dark Things Grow.

Xpress recently caught up with Clark as part of the paper’s ongoing monthly poetry feature. Along with our chat, readers will find Clark’s poem, “equine | canine.”

Xpress: Can you start with the inspiration behind this poem?

Clark: As with a lot of art, this poem starts from a kernel of truth. I grew up surrounded by farms and forests. Up the mountain behind our house there were a number of horses kept in a field. Over time, their owners stopped visiting to care for them, and they seemed abandoned. Their shelter fell down and their manes became matted. They grew afraid of people, but I won their trust by taking them apples. I was the only person in my group of friends that could approach most of them. So, I was trying to find a way to describe this transformation from trained animals to feral creatures and settled on the canine imagery to make this change feel magical and wild.

How long was it between the personal experience you describe and the poem itself?

Probably about 25 years.

Is that typical? Do you require significant distance before exploring and folding an experience into your work?

Thanks for Voting!

I think the more we write, the more we are aware of our influences, including their limitations. I kept working the images of wild horses into my work, both poetry and fiction, and wasn’t consciously thinking about this childhood experience. Some of my writing is exploring things that are happening to me in the present, but distance helps us face things that we can’t face or put into context in the moment. Probably most of my work could be described in the academic sense as magical realism. I inject the supernatural or otherworldly into a concrete realistic setting. So, my sense of place is very much grounded in the Southern Appalachians where I grew up and live. Even when I moved away, it was a constant theme.

What drew you to magical realism?

I think we’re drawn as creators to the kind of stories we like to read. I was always a fan of fantasy, but I like realistic fiction as well. With magical realism, maybe it’s the best of both worlds for me. My master’s thesis was on how magical realism is used to deal with difficult topics and trauma in general. Violence may be easier to take if something supernatural is going on versus your neighbor doing it. I think the challenge is that not all readers are open to seeing magic in a setting with which they are familiar. They kind of have a strong delineation between fantasy, where entire worlds are created, and realism. I like magical realism because it subverts this expectation, and in general I’m drawn to art that bends genre.

Having read some of your other works, it strikes me that brutality is never too far away. As a poet, what draws you to explore humanity’s darker inclinations?

My favorite rejection letter so far said something like, “We loved the vivid writing but it was just too dark for us to publish.” I think art is the place to excavate and explore the darker side of humanity. I prefer work that isn’t all dark or all light — the beauty is in the contrasts, even subtle ones. So, in “equine | canine,” we learn of these supernatural horses that are morphing, becoming wolflike and brutal, yet at the end of the poem, we learn that the speaker can pet them. Does this say something about the speaker, as

in they are on the same level, or does it suggest these beasts crave affection and connection in some way? A good poem, as in any good piece of art, is a conversation between the reader and the artist. My favorite moments are when a reader brings up an idea from a poem I didn’t intend. Together, we have created something new.

equine | canine

by Andrew K. Clark

the horses up the mountain went wild, forgotten by their people nobody come by to even feed them until they forgot they were horses grew as feral as jackals fought off bears killed off the coyote stayed alive even during winter no grass on the ground teeth grinding down the trees they f**ked each other constantly foals rising from the dark earth each spring they ate their brothers whose legs fell lame teeth rounding sharpening canine until their eyes grew large dark manes matted no one could approach them

no one could pet them but me

TODAY’S APPROACH: “Contemporary poetry addresses every topic under the sun — some dark, some light, some sensual — from many unique and interesting voices,” says poet Andrew K. Clark. “It is also a great package for a world with such a splintered attention span.” Photo courtesy of Clark

I love that notion of collaborating with the reader — whether they realize it or not! What role do you see poetry playing in today’s culture?

Contemporary poetry addresses every topic under the sun — some dark, some light, some sensual — from many unique and interesting voices. It is also a great package for a world with such a splintered atten-

tion span. I can sit and read a poem and dwell on the images and ideas all day from the poem, but it wasn’t the same time commitment to read an entire novel. We poets hope for a resurgence but understand our audience is different. And I get it — that’s why I write both poetry and fiction. I like to read both and usually have one poetry collection going alongside a novel or work of nonfiction.

Is there a local collection that recently came out or is forthcoming that you’re particularly excited to read? If so, what is it about the poet’s style that appeals to you?

I’m really excited to read Mildred Barya’s new collection [The Animals of My Earth School]. Also, I know Whittier-based poet Benjamin Cutler has a new collection forthcoming, as well as Brandon Amico. I’m excited about Alan Mearns’ upcoming book; I got to hear him read from it at a recent Juniper Bends reading. One of my favorite local poets is Jessica Jacobs. She is the master of the unapologetic love poem, and I agree with her that “all poems are love poems” in some sense. Eric Nelson, one of my mentors, has a great collection called Horse Not Zebra, which has won a number of awards and is a must-read. I also admire the work of Catherine Carter, Luke Hankins, Nikole Brown and Keith Flynn Asheville and the greater WNC area are blessed with a large number of really talented writers who are also wonderfully supportive and warm literary citizens. People overlook Ron Rash’s poetry because he’s more known for fiction, but they shouldn’t.

Lastly, who are the four poets on your personal Mount Rushmore?

Ilya Kaminsky, Ada Limón, Kim Addonizio, W.S. Merlin, Sylvia Plath, Lucille Clifton, Anne Sexton, William Blake, Yeats — it’s impossible to name just four.

- ETHICALLY SOURCED - LAB TESTED

What’s new in food

Poppy Handmade Popcorn plans expansion

Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn

founder and CEO Ginger Frank says she started her business in 2014 for two reasons: flexible hours more conducive to parenting and better pay.

“In hindsight, it’s a little naive to think you’ll have more money and more time if you start your own business because, in fact, it’s the opposite,” she says. “But fortunately, I didn’t know that at the time. Otherwise, Poppy might not exist.”

Today, the company not only exists but continues to grow. Last month, plans were announced to invest $4.3 million in new operations, in conjunction with the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County. Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn, which offers over 30 flavors using all-natural ingredients, is a product of the EDC’s entrepreneurship initiative, the Venture Asheville Elevate Program. Its expansion plans will increase production capacity sixfold, add 45,000 square feet to more than double the existing manufacturing space, and open a new headquarters office and a flagship retail store on the South Slope.

“When I opened Poppy, my plans were to have a small popcorn shop where people could come in and buy better-for-you, delicious popcorn,” says Frank. “I’d make the popcorn and sell the popcorn and then close up at the end of the day and go home.”

The business evolved naturally out of increasing demand and really took off in 2016, when she started selling wholesale to other retailers. “I had no idea what I was doing. But since so many people were falling in love with Poppy, I thought I’d better figure it out.”

The expansion will also allow for the creation of 66 new jobs in the next five years with an average wage of $26.40 per hour. They’ll include positions in professional management, sales and distribution, food science and production.

Creating jobs that pay well and offer flexibility is always a priority for Frank.

“I know what it’s like to work hard, work long hours, always come up short when paying your bills in a town that’s very expensive to live in, never have anything extra for fun or security, and have few growth opportunities. It’s difficult balancing paying people well and having the resources to grow a business, but it’s ... in the forefront of my mind when making business decisions.”

Poppy is known for its collaborations with local partners such as French Broad Chocolate, Spicewalla and the

Biltmore Co. Frank says she hopes the expansion will encourage new community partnerships.

“We have a 10-year anniversary coming up next year, and I have some really fun collaborations in mind as a way to celebrate our growth — and just the wonderful collaborative community in Asheville,” she says. “We’re so excited to share this growth with our hometown. ... It feels like this is ‘our’ success as Ashevilleans’ — we’ve been in this together, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the support our community has given us.”

For more information, visit avl.mx/ch3.

AMB opens in Mills River

Boone-based Appalachian Mountain Brewery opened a new taproom in Mills River last month.

The opening of the first location outside Boone follows the recent buyback from Anheuser-Busch by original founders and Asheville natives Nathan Kelischek and Chris Zieber

The new taproom will feature a 3,000-square-foot taproom with 32 taps as well as a full bar, a 4,000-square-foot beer garden, over 100 parking spaces and a menu of “elevated” Southern pub fare. The family- and dog-friendly space is also near outdoor activities in Pisgah National Forest.

“Our Boone taproom is known for its casual, welcoming atmosphere, and we are excited to bring that to Mills River,” says Jared Edwards, AMB director of pubs, in a press release.

“This new spot is so close to Pisgah National Forest and really lends itself to building community around outdoor recreation and conservation. In Boone, we host a weekly bike meetup, and we’re planning to do something similar here,” says Zieber in the same press release. “Beyond that, we’re committed to supporting local nonprofits like MountainTrue and the Longleaf Alliance. It’s a tangible way for us to care for the outdoors.”

“We are stoked to bring AMB to Mills River,” says Kelischek. “I was born and raised in Asheville, and this feels like bringing AMB home. You can see the love for North Carolina and the outdoors in the taproom’s design elements.”

Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s Mills River Taproom is at 46 N. Mills

River Road, Mills River. For more information, visit avl.mx/csr.

A-B Tech and Givens Estates partnership

Caitlyn Wright, an Asheville native, has been recognized as the first person to complete a culinary apprenticeship offered by A-B Tech and Givens Estates, the first of its kind in the region.

The apprenticeship, launched in 2021 to help regional employers build a skilled workforce through on-thejob learning and related classroom instruction, coincided with the senior living community’s $8 million investment in dining and culinary services. The community has three restaurants for its residents and guests on its campus in South Asheville.

“Successful registered apprenticeship programs rely on partnerships. A-B Tech is proud to have partnered with Givens by providing the required job-related education and instruction for this ‘first in the region’ culinary apprenticeship. We look forward to many more success stories,” says Debbie L. Cromwell, director of work-based learning and apprenticeships at A-B Tech, in a press release.

For more information on A-B Tech’s culinary program, visit avl.mx/cjof.

U-pick season opens

Jeter Mountain Farm, a 400-acre, family-owned and operated orchard, announced that its u-pick season opens Saturday, July 15. Crops grown on the farm include peaches, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, flowers and over 20 varieties of apples.

The farm also includes a cidery offering six hard ciders, a bakery, a market and a 6,000-square-foot covered children’s play area. The farm’s 1813 Smokehouse features barbecue with sauces made from a family recipe using cider and honey. Live bluegrass plays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Jeter Mountain Farm is at 1126 Jeter Mountain Road, Hendersonville. For more information, visit avl.mx/csu.

Guest chef

On June 23, Meherwan Irani, executive chef and founder of Chai Pani Restaurant Group, served as the guest chef for the Department of State’s official luncheon for the Indian delegation in Washington, D.C.

The event, which was the department’s first fully vegetarian luncheon, is part of an initiative launched in collaboration with the James Beard Foundation. The program, named the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership, works with a curated group of over 80 chefs and culinary professionals throughout the United States.

During his remarks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “You should know that Meherwan credits his mother as his earliest culinary inspiration, and I think we’re all about to be very inspired by what she gave to him and he’s now about to give to us.”

Irani, who was personally selected by Vice President Kamala Harris, created a menu that included pani puri, spinach samosas, millet-lentil khichadi and mango halva with masala chai.

For more information on Chai Pani Restaurant Group, visit avl.mx/ch4.

— Andy Hall

A POPPING BUSINESS: Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn’s founder and CEO Ginger Frank is preparing her company for a large expansion. Photo courtesy of Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn

The

Mountain Xpress presents Available in boxes everywhere

guide

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

Around Town

Asheville concert to benefit Sistas Caring 4 Sistas

The three musicians kicking off a new concert series at Central United Methodist Church of Asheville are all mothers, and that’s no coincidence, says the show’s organizer, poet/songstress Jane Kramer.

After all, she explains, the concert will benefit Sistas Caring 4 Sistas, a nonprofit doula program founded by women of color for women of color.

“When I set about the ultrafun work of dreaming up a bill that went with the theme of birth, sisterhood and parenthood, two of my absolute top favorite regional women songwriters — Amanda Anne Platt and Sarah Siskind — came to mind,” Kramer explains. “Both are mothers and full-time artists themselves. And I wanted to play alongside them.”

The Sanctuary Series will get underway at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, with Sisters in Song, an in-theround show featuring Kramer, Siskind and Platt.

“This is not going to be your typical performance with solitary individual sets,” Kramer says. “Amanda, Sarah and I will all be on stage together, all sitting side by side, and we will be going round robin, each sharing one song at a time.”

Kramer has been friends with Platt, leader of the popular Americana band Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, for years. But she didn’t know Siskind until she approached her to participate in Sisters in Song. “I was actually quite nervous reaching out to her cold and wasn’t sure if she’d be interested, but her response was warm and enthusiastic, and I was delighted,” she says.

The concert series was born when pastors Luke Lingle, Patrick Neitzey and Rob Blackburn approached Kramer this past winter and asked if she would like to organize it. “They expressed the desire to use their gorgeous sanctuary — with gorgeous acoustics — to welcome in the wider community beyond just their congregation and to use their resources and platform to help lift up local and regional artists and benefit a new nonprofit each time,” she says.

The series will likely be quarterly, with a full schedule to be released in August.

Central United Methodist Church of Asheville is at 27 Church St. For more information or to buy $25 tickets, visit avl.mx/csg.

In a trance

For Chelsea Lynn LaBate, the personal trials of the pandemic proved a source of inspiration. The Asheville musician/songwriter/poet suffered through a series of psychotic episodes that resulted in five hospitalizations and a diagnosis of bipolar 1. Those experiences inspired LaBate’s poetry collection Free Roses , recently published by Mezcalita Press.

“I wrote all of the poems while I was manic and most of them during the pandemic,” she explains. “There are pandemic poems, poems where I am talking to animals, poems that illustrate my time in the mental wards and these ’one-for-all’ type poems that are cheering the collective on.”

Despite the heavy subject matter, LaBate says, Free Roses is uplifting and even funny.

“I’m hoping that readers see their own story in mine,” she says. “I write for those who have been in psychosis and for those who haven’t. This is an invitation into the ecstasy of mania — into its beauty and insights. When you’re in trance, no one ever asks about your story; they just ask if you’re hearing voices or if you’re suicidal. Psychosis has a lot of beauty.”

In addition to 51 poems, Free Roses includes a transcript of an interview LaBate did with Matt Peiken for his Blue Ridge Public Radio show “The Porch: Artists Coping with Their Mental Health Through a Year of Turmoil.” The book also includes a link to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an organization LaBate says helped her through difficult times.

“This is like AA for people with mental illness,” she says. “We meet once a week through Zoom or in person. You can talk about anything and someone in the group may have been there too. I’m approaching my [one]-year mark out of the ward. I can celebrate with friends who really know what that means.”

To purchase a copy of Free Roses, visit avl.mx/cst.

Symphony shows moved

The Asheville Symphony will move all shows that were scheduled to take place at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium this season because of significant problems with the venue’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Magical Offerings

July Stone: Sodalite

July Herb: Spearmint

7/8: Reader: Edward 12-6pm

Intro to Norse Seidr 12pm

7/15: Reader: Edward 12-6pm

Children’s Potion Kit Class

w/ Abby 1pm

7/16: Reader: Pam 12-6pm

Aura Photography

w/ Atena 1pm

7/17: NEW MOON Reader: Jessica 12-5pm

“Parts to repair the HVAC system are not readily available, and [Harrah’s Cherokee Center — Asheville] has let us know that it may not be fully back online for at least nine months,” symphony director Daniel Crupi wrote in a June 23 letter to supporters. “The Asheville Symphony must keep the stage within certain ranges of temperature to ensure the safety and sound quality of musicians’ instruments, and we will not be able to adequately control the comfort of the auditorium for our patrons’ experience.”

The auditorium will remain open at a limited capacity, with about 1,000 of its 2,431 seats available.

The symphony will move most of its Masterworks Series to First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St. Other changes include:

• “Star Wars: Celebrating a Galaxy of Music” will be performed Sunday, Oct. 1, on Salvage Station’s outdoor stage, 468 Riverside Drive.

• “New Year’s Eve: She’s Got Soul” will take place Sunday, Dec. 31, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center — Asheville’s ExploreAsheville.com Arena, 87 Haywood St.

• “Masterworks 7: Titan” will be performed Saturday, May 18, at the Brevard Music Center’s Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, 349 Andante Lane, Brevard. For more information, go to avl.mx/csv.

Bubblin’ up

The Grey Eagle will host a record release show for Dream Big, the second album by Asheville bubblegum pop trio Love Bubble, at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 9.

The harmony-driven Love Bubble is made up of veteran Asheville performers Hank Bones, Paula Hanke and Peggy Ratusz. Keyboardist Taylor Pierson, bass player Connor Law and drummer Micah Thomas will join them for the show, which will feature the 12 tracks from the new album, including “I Owe the Radio,” “Wholeheartedly,” “Columbus Street” and “Rhythm of a Heartbeat.”

The group will also play its usual selection of traditional blues and swing songs.

The band released its first album, Love Revolution, in 2021. Music Street Journal said the record’s 1960s-style sunshine pop made it feel like “a long-lost gem of times gone by.”

The Grey Eagle is at 185 Clingman Ave. For more information or to buy tickets, go to avl.mx/csy.

— Justin McGuire  X

MOVIE REVIEWS

INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY: This entertaining send-off to the beloved series sorely misses Steven Spielberg’s directorial touch. Grade: B-minus

— Edwin Arnaudin

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Handmade products from over 40 local vendors!

SONGS IN THEIR HEARTS: From left, Amanda Anne Platt (with daughter Tuvi), Jane Kramer and Sarah Siskind will perform at Central United Methodist Church on July 13. Photo by Ben Phan.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5

12 BONES BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Jay Brown (roots, blues, jazz), 6pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Totally 80's Wednesday Night Dance Party, 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Bluegrass Jam w/The Saylor Borthers, 6:30pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Songwriter Series w/ Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

FBVMA: Mountain Music Jam, 6pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm

SHAKEY'S

Sexy Tunes w/DJ Ek

Balam & Mad Mike, 10pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Patio: Paul Edelman (folk, rock'n'roll), 5:30pm

THE OUTPOST

The Lads (rock, blues), 6pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Wednesday Open Mic, 5:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

Irish Music Circle, 7pm

THURSDAY, JULY 6

AMAZING PUBCYCLE

The Office: Trivia Night, 6pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR

The MGB's (acoustic), 7:30pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK

EXCHANGE

Mike Kenton & Jim Tanner (jazz), 5:30pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Ashley Heath (blues, Americana), 6pm

CROW & QUILL Sparrow & Her Wingmen (jazz, swing), 8pm

DIFFERENT WRLD

• Better Trip w/Shane

Mauss (early show), 6:30pm

• Better Trip w/Shane

Mauss (late show), 9pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Thursday Night Fun w/ Janx Spirit & Zillicoah (rock'n'roll, indie rock), 8pm

FLOOD GALLERY

FINE ART CENTER

True Home Open Mic, 6pm

ANIMAL MAGNETISM: Indie-soul band Random Animals performs at French Broad River Brewery on Saturday, July 8, at 7 p.m. The band prides itself on thoughtful songwriting, catchy melodies and driving rhythms. Photo courtesy of Jackie Herring

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

GREEN MAN BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM

Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7:30pm

VOTED WNC #1 KAVA BAR

LA TAPA LOUNGE

Iggy Radio (Southern rock), 7pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Emily Bodley (jazz, pop), 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Andrew Wakefield (bluegrass), 7pm

PULP

Standup Comedy w/ Katy Hudson & Comedy Open Mic, 8pm

SALVAGE STATION

Lettuce & Steel Pulse w/Makua Rothman (reggae/funk), 6:30pm

SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/DJ Franco, 9pm

THE 2ND ACT Wild River Performing (country, folk, blues), 7pm

THE DFR LOUNGE

Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz (Latin, jazz), 7pm

THE GREY EAGLE Will Easter & The Nomads w/Zack Warren (rock, folk), 6pm

THE ODD Suckle & Repent: Music for the Muskrat w/Lurky Skunk & Blissful Thoughts (folk, rock'n'roll), 8pm

THE OUTPOST Rooster (folk, country, Americana), 7pm

THE ROOT BAR

Kendra & Friends (multiple genres), 6pm

URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE

Social Bachata, 8:30pm WNC OUTDOOR

COLLECTIVE Trivia, 6:30pm

WRONG WAY CAMPGROUND

Don't Tell Comedy: West Asheville, 7pm

FRIDAY, JULY 7

305 LOUNGE & EATERY

Geriatric Jukebox (oldies), 5pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR

Mr Jimmy's Friday Night Blues, 7:30pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

The JLloyd Mashup w/April B. & Cadillac Jones (Sharon Jones tribute), 9pm

BEN'S TUNE UP

EK Balam (reggaeton, hip-hop), 8pm

CATAWBA BREWING

CO. SOUTH SLOPE

ASHEVILLE

• Comedy at Catawba: Kenny DeForest (early show), 7pm

• Comedy at Catawba: Kenny DeForest (Late show), 9:30pm

CORK & KEG

Cameron Fontenot, Jimmie Breaux, Jane & John Vidrine (Cajun), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

DJ Dr. Filth (jazz, soul, R&B), 9pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Castle Black, Bonny Dagger & Tight (punk, rock), 8pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

The Realtorz (multiple genres), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Drag Music Bingo w/ Divine the Bearded Lady, 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Honky-Tonk Fridays w/Jackson Grimm, 4pm

• The J.C Tokes Family Band (Americana, folk, country), 9pm

LA TAPA LOUNGE

Open Mic Night w/ Hamza, 8pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO. Fwuit (retro soul), 8pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Jeremy Short (Appalachian, funk), 10pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

5J Barrow Friday Nights (folk), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Eric Travers (rock'n'roll, blues, Americana), 7pm

PULP

Pacifico, Kick.Snare.

Crash, Krave Amiko & Santiago y Los Gatos (indie rock, funk, rock), 7:30pm

RABBIT RABBIT

Silent Disco: Cancer

Sign Party, 8pm

SALVAGE STATION

Empire Strikes Brass w/ Aaron "Woody" Wood, Datrian Johnson & Black Sea Beat Society (funk, rock), 7pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Panthertown (Americana, country, rock), 9pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Lactones (experimental, psychedelic rock), 9pm

SWEETEN CREEK BREWING

AL “StumpWater”

Lyons (acoustic, Celtic, folk), 6pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Appalachian Renegades (rock), 6pm

• Harbour (indie pop, rock), 9pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Auragami (rock), 7pm

THE OUTPOST

Matthew Curry (rock, roots), 7pm

URBAN ORCHARD

Cider Celts (Celtic, folk, old-time), 6pm

WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT

Roots & Dore (blues, roots, soul), 7pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN

Joe Devito (folk), 8pm

SATURDAY, JULY 8

ASHEVILLE CLUB

Mr Jimmy (blues), 7pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR

BAR

40 20 10s (Americana), 8pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Glitter & Grind Dance Party, 9:30pm

BATTERY PARK

BOOK EXCHANGE

Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 5:30pm

BEN'S TUNE UP

Jaze Uries (house, electronic), 8pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Jack Miller Duo (acoustic), 6pm

BLUE RIDGE BEER

GARDEN

Mr Jimmy Duo (blues), 2pm

CORK & KEG

Jesse Lege, Blake Miller & Amelia Biere (Cajun), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Elderbug, A Blue Shell Paradox, Seneca Burns & Polka Monroe (emo, deathcore, alt-rock), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Random Animals (indie, soul), 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Up Jumped 3 (jazz), 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

• Nobody's Darling

String Band, 4pm

• Seven Nations (Celtic rock), 9pm

LA TAPA LOUNGE

Karaoke Night, 9pm

NOBLE CIDER

DOWNTOWN

Don't Tell Comedy:

Downtown Asheville, 7pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Hustle Souls (Americana, pop, rock), 8pm

ONE STOP AT

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Dueling Pianos w/April

B. & Rachael Rage (covers), 10pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

5J Barrow (folk), 3pm

RABBIT RABBIT

Silent Disco: Glowstick Party, 8pm

SALVAGE STATION

Michael Franti & Spearhead w/Fortunate

Youth (rock, reggae), 6pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Fern (rock, funk, jazz), 9pm

THE BURGER BAR

Best Worst Karaoke, 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: The Resonant Rogues (Appalachian, folk), 6pm

• Drivin N Cryin (folk, rock), 9pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Juniper Avenue (rock), 6pm

THE ODD

Party Foul Drag:

Saturday Night Tease, 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Shot Thru The Heart (Bon Jovi tribute), 8pm

THE RAD BREW CO.

The Two Fontaines (rock), 6pm

WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT

DJ RexxStep, 7pm

SUNDAY, JULY 9

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY

Sunday Hustle Dance Party, 9pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Hunter Begley (country, folk), 2pm

CATAWBA BREWING

CO. SOUTH SLOPE ASHEVILLE

Comedy at Catawba: Andrew Rudick, 7pm

CUMMING’S COVE

GOLF & COUNTRY

CLUB

Geriatric Jukebox (oldies), 5:30pm

FLEETWOOD'S Meghan Dowlen, Yawnii & Sounding Arrows (indie), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 3pm

HIGHLAND DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Mr Jimmy Duo (blues), 1pm

• Bluegrass Brunch, 1pm

• Traditional Irish Jam, 3:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

West End String Band (bluegrass, roots), 3pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Sunday Jazz Jam, 1:30pm

Your

Adult Superstore

SALVAGE STATION

Trevor Hall & The Great In-Between w/The California Honeydrops (folk, rock), 5:30pm

SHILOH & GAINES

WTF Asheville Female Songwriter Showcase, 6pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Aaron Woody Wood (Appalachia, soul, Americana), 7pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Country Brunch w/Underhill Rose, 12pm

• Love Bubble (pop), 7pm

THE OUTPOST

Dirty Dead ( Grateful Dead tribute), 4pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Fern (rock, funk, jazz), 2pm

THE ODD Free Terraoke Karaoke Takeover, 9pm

MONDAY, JULY 10

27 CLUB

Karaoke Monday, 10pm

5 WALNUT WINE BAR

CaroMia, Rahm, Daniel Iannuci & Jaze Uries (soul, R&B, folk), 8pm

DSSOLVR

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

GREEN MAN BREWERY

Traditonal Old Time Jam, 5:30pm

HAYWOOD COUNTRY

CLUB

Taylor Martin's Open Mic Mondays, 6:30pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Totally Rad Trivia w/ Mitch Fortune, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Quizzo! Pub Trivia w/ Jason Mencer, 7:30pm

NOBLE CIDER

DOWNTOWN

Freshen Up Comedy

Open Mic, 6:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

It Takes All Kinds Open Mic Nights, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Open Mic Downtown, 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Mashup Mondays w/

The JLloyd Mashup Band, 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Mr Jimmy & Friends (blues), 7pm

THE MONTE VISTA HOTEL

Music Mondays, 5pm

THE RAD BREW CO. Trivia w/Billy, 7pm

TUESDAY, JULY 11

FLEETWOOD'S

Tuesday Night Karaoke

Dance Party, 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Team Trivia, 7pm

SALVAGE STATION

Andy Grammer w/ Devon Cole (pop), 5:30pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Weekly Open Jam hosted by Chris Cooper & Friends, 6:30pm

THE BURGER BAR

C U Next Tuesday Trivia, 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

The Wildmans & Sad Daddy (Appalachian, country, old-time), 8pm

THE ODD

Open Mic Comedy, 8pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Tuesday Night Trivia, 7pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN White Horse Open Mic, 7pm

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12

12 BONES BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Stand-Up Comedy

Open Mic, 8pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN

BREWING

Jay Brown (roots, blues, jazz), 6pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Totally 80's Wednesday Night Dance Party, 9pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Bluegrass Jam w/The Saylor Borthers, 6:30pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

CO.

Songwriter Series w/ Matt Smith, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

FBVMA: Mountain Music Jam, 6pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST Latin Night w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8:30pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Wednesday Open Mic, 5:30pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish Music Circle, 7pm

THURSDAY, JULY 13

AMAZING PUBCYCLE

The Office Trivia Night, 6pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE

Mike Kenton & Jim Tanner (jazz), 5:30pm

BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING

Ryan Furstenberg (indie, folk), 6pm

CROW & QUILL Sweet Megg (hot-jazz), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

Rougarou, Tula Vera & Hex Wizard (psych, rock), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

GREEN MAN

BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

HAIKU AVL

Don't Tell Comedy: Biltmore Village, 8pm

HIGHLAND BREWING

DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

J. Dunks (rock, pop, folk), 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Paul Edelman (folk, rock'n'roll), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Magenta Sunshine (blues, folk, soul), 8pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Django Jazz Jam, 7pm

THE DFR LOUNGE

Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz (Latin, jazz), 7pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: The Krickets (Americana), 5:30pm

• Caitlin Rose & The Kernal (country, alt-indie), 8pm

THE ORANGE PEEL King's X w/Sound & Shape (metal, rock), 8pm

THE ROOT BAR

Kendra & Friends (multiple genres), 6pm

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

WNC OUTDOOR COLLECTIVE Trivia, 6:30pm

WHITE HORSE

BLACK MOUNTAIN Dirty Cello (blues, rock, Americana), 7:30pm

WICKED WEED

BREWING Stephen Evans (folk, rock), 5pm

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Make Noise is looking for a Production Builder to join our crew of artists and musicians here in West Asheville. Full details at makenoisemusic. com/careers!

SALES/ MARKETING

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE - ORGANIC GROWERS SCHOOL Join the Organic Growers School team!

The person in this role is responsible for supporting outreach, resource management, customer service, messaging, and fundraising with a focus on social media. See job description and how to apply: https://www. organicgrowersschool.org/ get-involved. Applications accepted through 7/9/2023.

PROFESSIONAL/ MANAGEMENT

ORGANIC GROWERS SCHOOL SEEKS CONFERENCE COORDINATOR The Conference Coordinator is responsible for the planning & execution of OGS’s Annual Spring Conference. This project management role involves managing team members, vendors, exhibitors, attendees, etc. This is a year-round position

COORDINATOR This full-time, hourly position collaborates with the Program Director and other OGS staff and is responsible for program administration, planning, facilitation, delivery, and support of OGS programs and services.

ARTS/MEDIA

FILM PRODUCER WANTED

Maidens Mountain, a polished action script, needs a producer. Asheville area based contemporary script with local college-aged students. Contact Terry at 828-5450228

SERVICES

AUDIO/VIDEO

DISH TV SPECIAL $64.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23.

1-866-566-1815. (AAN CAN)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

$10K+ IN DEBT? BE DEBT FREE IN 24-48 MONTHS! Pay a fraction of your debt. Call National Debt Relief 844-977-3935

BEHIND ON YOUR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS?

Threatened with foreclosure?

Denied a loan modification?

Let us help! Call the Homeowner Relief Line to speak with a mortgage specialist. 855-721-3269. (AAN CAN)

DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? Appeal! If you're 50+, filed SSD and denied, our attorneys can help get you approved! No money out of pocket! Call 1-877-707-5707 (AAN CAN)

DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER? You may qualify for a substantial cash awardeven with smoking history. No obligation! We've recovered millions. Let us help! Call 24/7. 1-866-553-5089. (AAN CAN)

DIRECTV SATELLITE TV SERVICE STARTING AT $64.99/MO For 24 mos, Free

Installation! 165+ Channels

Available. Call Now For The

Most Sports & Entertainment

On TV! 855-401-8842. (AAN CAN)

DON'T PAY FOR COVERED

HOME REPAIRS AGAIN!

GRANTHAM UNIVERSITY - ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS Masters - Bachelors - Associates. Flexible schedules. Affordable tuition. Engineering, Business, Health & Science. MILITARY FRIENDLY!

To learn more, call: 888-4943350. (Mon-Fri). (AAN CAN)

MEN'S SPORTS WATCHES WANTED Advertiser is looking to buy men's sport watches. Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Here, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. The advertiser pays cash for qualified watches. Call 888-320-1052 (AAN CAN)

NEW AUTHORS WANTED Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit!

Limited offer!  Why wait?

Call now: 833-403-2202 (AAN CAN)

PUBLIC SALE OF VEHICLE

TO SATISFY A LIEN: 2013

Land Rover lien against Shannon Fitzgerald Price for $4365.00. To satisfy a lien:

2015 Nissan Armada lien against Sharon Kay Kinser and OneMain Financial of North Carolina, Inc. Auto Safe Towing Inc., 474 ½ N. Louisiana Ave., Asheville NC 28806. 828-236-1131

EXPERT STRINGED INSTRUMENT REPAIRS Contact Asheville Guitar Building for expert instrument repair and restorations. Ken Bailey has over 30 years experience working with many different types of instruments. 828228-7440. Consultations are free. www.ashevilleguitarbuilding.com

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT BODYWORK

ADVANCED MYOFACIAL RELEASE THERAPIST Treating most health issues, pain, general well-being. 18+ years experience. Want more ease? Trauma-informed bodywork. Downtown Asheville office. NC Lic#17910 Jim "Rio" Salerno, LMBT, RYT (215) 870-2178 bodyonemassage@ gmail.com

COUNSELING SERVICES

A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR, RUNNING OR NOT! Fast free pickup. Maximum tax deduction. Support Patriotic Hearts. Your car donation helps Vets!

Donate your car. Change a life.

1-866-559-9123

American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE/ $100OFF POPULAR PLANS Call 877707-5518 Monday-Friday 8:30am to 8:00pm EST. (AAN CAN)

SAVE BIG ON HOME INSURANCE Compare 20 A-rated insurance companies. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/year! Call 855-391-2786! (M-F 8am-8pm Central). (AAN CAN)

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

BUILD YOUR OWN ACOUSTIC GUITAR Build your very own D18 style dreadnaught guitar. Class will cover complete construction, top tuning, scalloped bracing, neck shaping, installing and

Do you have an extra car that needs a new home? Your donated car can open the doors to independence, increased income, and higher education for a hardworking member of our community. Vehicles of all types and conditions are welcomed and appreciated!

The donation is tax-deductible. The process is simple. The impact is real.

ASTRO-COUNSELING Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions. Stellar Counseling Services. Christy Gunther, MA, LCMHC. (828) 258-3229

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES

FOOD & SUPPLEMENT TESTING, LIVE BLOOD MICROSCOPY, & HOLISTIC HEALTH COACHING Lose Weight, Have More Energy, better Habits, Strengthen Your Immune System, Detox/ Heal Your Body and so much more! Healing & Vitality is Possible! I can help! Call Now! 8287792293 Natureinhealth@gmail.com

Farm Burger South Asheville is hiring BOH team members. Positions include line cooks, prep cooks and an Assistant Kitchen Manager. Pay is competitive and based on experience, please send resumes to zmerrill@farmburger.com to become a part of our crew!

zmerrill@farmburger.com

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries dramatist Samuel Beckett, winner of the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature, wrote 22 plays. The shortest was Breath. It has no dialogue or actors and lasts less than a minute. It begins and ends with a recording of the cry of a newborn baby. In between there are the sounds of someone breathing and variations in the lighting. I recommend you draw inspiration from Breath in the coming weeks, Aries. Be succinct and pithy. Call on the powers of graceful efficiency and no-nonsense effectiveness. Relish the joys of shrewd simplicity.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the coming weeks, you Bulls must brook no bullies or bullying. Likewise, you should tolerate no bullshit from people trying to manipulate or fool you. Be a bulwark of integrity as you refuse to lower your standards. Bulk up the self-protective part of your psyche so you will be invincibly immune to careless and insensitive spoilers. Your word of power is BUILD. You will align yourself with cosmic rhythms as you work to create situations that will keep you strong and stable during the next 12 months.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): How much do you believe in your power to become the person you want to be? Ninety percent? Fifty-five? Twenty? Whatever it is, you can increase it in the coming weeks. Life will conspire with you to raise your confidence as you seek new ways to fulfill your soul’s purpose. Surges of grace will come your way as you strive with intense focus to live your most meaningful destiny. To take maximum advantage of this opportunity, I suggest you enjoy extra amounts of quiet, meditative time. Request help from the deepest core of your intelligence.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Early in the 19th century, cultural researchers Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm gathered an array of old folk stories and published a collection of what we now call fairy tales. Because the two brothers wanted to earn money, they edited out some graphic elements of the original narratives. For example, in the Grimms’ revised version, we don’t get the juicy details of the princess fornicating with the frog prince once he has reverted to his handsome human form. In the earlier but not published stories of Rumpelstiltskin, the imp gets so frustrated when he’s tricked by the queen that he rips himself apart. I hope you will do the opposite of the Brothers Grimm in the coming weeks, Cancerian. It’s crucial that you reveal and expose and celebrate raw, unvarnished truths.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Is there a job you would love to have as your primary passion, but it’s different from the job you’re doing? Is there a calling you would delight in embracing, but you’re too consumed by the daily routine? Do you have a hobby you’d like to turn into a professional pursuit? If you said even a partial yes to my questions, Leo, here’s good news: In the coming months, you will have an enhanced ability to make these things happen. And now is an excellent time to get underway.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo-born Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) was a versatile virtuoso. He excelled as an essayist, biographer, playwright, editor, poet, and lexicographer. How did he get so much done? Here’s one clue. He took his own advice, summed up in the following quote: “It is common to overlook what is near by keeping the eye fixed on something remote. Present opportunities are neglected and attainable good is slighted by minds busied in extensive ranges and intent upon future advantages.” Johnson’s counsel is perfect for you right now, Virgo. Forget about the future and be focused on the present. Dive into the interesting work and play that’s right in front of you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I would love you to go searching for treasure, and I hope you launch your quest soon. As you gather clues, I will be cheering you on. Before you embark,

BREZSNY

though, I want to make sure you are clear about the nature of the treasure you will be looking for. Please envision it in glorious detail. Write down a description of it and keep it with you for the next seven weeks. I also suggest you carry out a fun ritual to formally mark your entry into the treasure-hunting chapter of your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the coming weeks, you’ll be guided by your deep intelligence as you explore and converse with the darkness. You will derive key revelations and helpful signs as you wander around inside the mysteries. Be poised and lucid, dear Scorpio. Trust your ability to sense what’s important and what’s not. Be confident that you can thrive amidst uncertainty as you remain loyal to your core truths. No matter how murky this challenge may seem, it will ultimately be a blessing. You will emerge both smarter and wiser.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If you take the Bible’s teachings seriously, you give generously to the poor and you welcome immigrants. You regard the suffering of others as being worthy of your compassionate attention, and you express love not just for people who agree with you and share your cultural traditions, but for everyone. Numerous Biblical verses, including many attributed to Jesus Christ, make it clear that living according to these principles is essential to being a good human. Even if you are not Jewish or Christian, Sagittarius, I recommend this approach to you. Now is an excellent time to hone your generosity of spirit and expand your urge to care for others.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1982, Capricorn actor Ben Kingsley won an Oscar for his role in the film Gandhi. Then his career declined. In an animated movie in 1992, he voiced the role of an immortal frog named F.R.O.7. who worked as a James Bond-like secret agent. It was a critical and financial disaster. But Kingsley’s fortunes rebounded, and he was nominated for Academy Awards in 2002 and 2003. Then his trajectory dipped again. He was nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor for four separate films between 2005 and 2008. Now, at age 79, he’s rich and famous and mostly remembered for the great things he has done. I suggest we make him your role model for the coming months. May he inspire you to emphasize your hits and downplay your misses.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I’m devoted to cultivating the art of relaxation. But I live in a world dominated by stress addicts and frenzied overachievers. Here’s another problem: I aspire to be curious, innocent and open-minded, but the civilization I’m embedded in highly values know-it-all experts who are very sure they are in command of life’s secrets. One further snag: I’m an ultra-sensitive creator who is nourished by original thinking and original feeling. And yet I constantly encounter formulaic literalists who thrive on clichés. Now here’s the good news: I am a successful person! I do what I love and enjoy an interesting life. Here’s even more good news, Aquarius: In the next 12 months, you will have a knack for creating rhythms that bring you closer than ever before to doing what you love and enjoying an interesting life.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Most of us suffer from at least one absurd, irrational fear. I have a daft fear of heights, even when I’m perfectly safe, and a manic fear of mosquitoes dive-bombing me as I sleep, an event that has only happened four times in my life. My anxiety about running out of money is more rational, though, as is my dread of getting sick. Those worries help motivate me to work hard to earn a living and take superb care of my health. What about you, Pisces? Do you know which of your fears are preposterous and which make at least some sense? The coming weeks will be a favorable time to get a good handle on this question. Ask yourself: “Which of my fears are misdirected or exaggerated, and which are realistic and worthy of my attention?”

ACROSS

1 [Wait until you’re home to click this!]

5 In which pictures of a bill + gates = a noted business executive

10 “Quiet!”

13 Shopify specialty

15 Simply be

16 Sweetheart

17 Longtime host of CNN’s “The Situation Room”

19 One ___ time

20 ___ Janney, Oscar winner for “I, Tonya”

21 More up to the task

23 What the “R” of AARP stands for: Abbr.

24 11-time P.G.A. Tour Player of the Year

28 Widely recognized

31 Ephron who directed “Sleepless in Seattle”

32 Walk or trot

33 Highball clinkers

35 Grammywinning singer St. ___

37 Rap group with the classic 1986 album “Licensed to Ill” … or a description of 17-, 24-, 48and 57-Across?

39 Chamber member

40 Start of a rodeo cry

41 Toss in a chip, say

42 Speedy horse breed

44 Critical times

48 The man in “Man vs. Wild”

51 President pro ___

52 “Midnight Cowboy” nickname

53 Give the right

56 Small thing to pluck

57 Wild West showman who lent his name to an N.F.L. team

61 Sherlock Holmes and Veronica Mars, for short

62 Up to now

63 Series opener

64 Boom sticks

65 Acquires

66 Tools with teeth

DOWN

1 Airport serving New York’s tristate area

2 Pinched

3 Be defeated by

4 Coffee shop freebie

5 Bring under control

6 No. after a phone number

7 Industry, briefly

8 Single-___ plastics (environmental concern)

9 This sucks!

10 Help for momand-pop shops, in brief

11 Terse one-star review

12 Newspaper tycoon who inspired “Citizen Kane”

14 Dumbbell figs.

18 Biblical figure with an unnamed wife

22 Came in just over par

25 Explode on the internet

26 Spookysounding lake

27 Shared with for feedback

29 They’re roasted at a roast

30 Final Four inits.

34 Spanish 101 infinitive

36 Like most rec leagues

37 Check for bugs

38 Conservative

39 Return after curfew, say

41 Brusque

43 Calls from a pasture

45 Fifth-century conqueror

46 Like lemons, but not oranges

47 Gets the lead out?

49 It’s packed for a quick getaway

50 Tina Fey was its first female head writer, in brief 54 One-up

55 Sacred bird of ancient Egypt

58 Winningest team in the Women’s World Cup

59 Post-it note abbr. 60 Bog