OUR 28TH YEAR OF WEE KLY INDEPE NDE NT NEWS, ARTS & EVE NTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 28 NO. 52 JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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C ONTENT S
FEATURES
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CLEANUP What happens after Asheville clears a homeless camp?
10 SUMMER SESH GA short session yields both changes and inertia for WNC
Demand for affordable housing in Western North Carolina is extreme, but local supply hasn’t been keeping up. Nonprofit organizations — including several outside groups — are stepping in to fill the need and take advantage of government incentives. COVER ILLUSTRATION Brent Brown
ARCHIVES
COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick 16 ‘PUBLIC HYSTERIA’ City feigns optimism amid 11 bank closures, 1930
WELLNESS
NEWS
NEWS
BRIDGING THE GAP
20 NUTS AND BOLTS County, city strategize on opioid settlement spending
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LETTERS
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CARTOON: MOLTON
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CARTOON: BRENT BROWN
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NEWS
12 BUNCOMBE BEAT
A&C
17 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 22 KEEPING PACE Local bands discuss touring amid inflation
20 WELLNESS 22 ARTS & CULTURE
A&C
34 CLUBLAND 28 THE CHAMP IS HERE Documentary short immortalizes 1972 HHS basketball team
38 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 38 CLASSIFIEDS 39 NY TIMES CROSSWORD
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OPINION
Send your letters to the editor to letters@mountainx.com. Let the state start helping the children first, then maybe the county will get up a committee to look into helping the adults. Remember, it is not just this area. It is nationwide and not getting any better. — Leonard Nickerson Swannanoa
How to reduce more waste at Downtown After 5
C A RT O O N B Y R AN DY M O L T O N
Choice rally offers self-defeating option I was a participant in downtown Asheville on Friday, June 24, of the rally and demonstration against the radical Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe that had codified a woman’s right to choose as the law of the land. It was a powerful and unifying experience on many accounts, and the overt anger was justifiable. The loss of a right to privacy, basic autonomy and the placing of an undue burden into the lives of millions of women are unacceptable prejudices. The crowd enthusiastically applauded every issue raised by the leaders of the event. But in calling out and chastising various organizations and policies such as the Supreme Court itself, the Republican Party and the breakdown of the separation between church and state, there were two glaring mistakes made by one of the primary speakers that the crowd seemed to agree with. First, the speaker said through her megaphone “F*** Democrats,” which was followed by loud applause. Second, and more glaring, she then said, “F*** voting. It’s a waste of time.” This again was followed by loud approval from the crowd. The speaker seemed to be either unaware or not care that Jasmine Beach-Ferrara is running for a House of Representatives seat in our 11th Congressional District against Chuck Edwards. Jasmine’s platform is consistent with what this rally was about. 4
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The core of any democracy is participation by we the people in stating our preferences through the ballot box. Jasmine needs the votes of every one of the participants who were at this rally. To not vote for this outstanding woman is to essentially guarantee that the situation is going to get worse, in part because of the platform of her opponent. Words matter. And there were many powerful words spoken at this rally. Most of them were spot on. A few of them were self-defeating, and that’s the last thing that is needed in these incredibly difficult times. — Richard Boyum Candler
Help the homeless children first Read the piece on the homeless adults that the county needs to help or look into. Think that is their choice, and how many are or have been local residents who could not afford to live here? Think the article about 850 homeless children has more of a priority. There should be zero homeless children because they do not have a choice. Think Buncombe County is more interested in tourist dollars than spending on homeless people. I am not trying to be mean about this, but there are choices out there for adults, and there are no choices for children. Think it might be time for Buncombe County to think outside the box and step up its game.
Thank you to the Asheville Downtown Association for organizing the Downtown After 5 events! We particularly appreciate its efforts to reduce the plastic waste at these events by using compostable cups to serve beer, wine, etc. However, we’ve watched the majority of these cups get tossed into the trash and recycling bins, instead of the compostable bins. Most patrons do not realize the cups are compostable. We think that with some basic education, the cups can end up in the right place so they get composted. We suggest that the association asks its wonderful volunteers at the drink booths to tell each customer as they hand them their drink that the cup is compostable and should be discarded in the green bin after consumption. Most patrons will do the right thing when they know what to do. The food trucks that use compostable food containers could do the same thing by explaining to customers to discard any leftovers and their containers in the green bins. Hopefully, a little upfront education will go a long way toward the association’s wonderful effort to reduce plastic waste at the Downtown After 5 events! — Brad and Susan Parker Asheville
Xpress fills the local Opinion void Thank you for giving more space to letters. In those precious column inches, you are a genuine local newspaper. Hey, advertisers! The letters pages are the place to be seen! — Michael Garner Asheville Editor’s response: Thank you for your feedback. We continue to encourage letters to the editor on local issues via letters@mountainx. com, with guidelines found here: avl.mx/5ds.
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JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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NEWS
Bridging the gap
Nonprofits strive to meet affordable housing demand
BY BEN WILLIAMSON bwilliamson@mountainx.com Buncombe County is expected to need roughly 5,400 more units of affordable rental housing and 1,300 more units of affordable for-sale housing by 2025, according to a 2021 report by Bowen National Research commissioned by the Dogwood Health Trust. These numbers represent over 40% of Western North Carolina’s total need. While Asheville’s rental stock grew by 1.3% in 2021, according to national apartment listing service RentCafe, it remained the ninth-most competitive small city for rentals in the country. Over the last year, median Asheville-area rents have increased by 17.8%, according to rental website ApartmentList, with the median two-bedroom apartment running $1,626 per month. Enter the nonprofit developer. By combining social-driven management, tax incentives and lower revenue expectations, these entities can often find ways to make affordable housing work in markets where for-profit developers aren’t filling the need. And in Asheville, nonprofit building activity appears to be on the upswing — including by organizations based outside the area. Three projects proposed by outside nonprofit developers, either recently approved by Asheville City Council or currently being considered, offer 100% affordable housing targeted for older residents. Together, the three will add over 200 affordable units to the city’s stock. “Being a nonprofit, we don’t always have to maximize profits,” says Steve Sceranka of the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, an
TO BE CONTINUED: If conditional zoning is approved, Laurel Wood Apartments, a 50-unit affordable housing development in South Asheville, will expand by another 54 units. Photo by Ben Williamson Ohio nonprofit slated to develop a 70-unit complex called Redwood Commons on Governors View Road in East Asheville. “We can lower our rents, and as long as we meet certain metrics as far as revenue goes, we can be comfortable with that. For the market-rate developers to build something that’s affordable to the renters and profitable to the builder, that’s a challenge.” HOMES SWEET HOMES Redwood Commons will join Fairhaven Summit, a 77-unit com-
plex off Sweeten Creek Road to be built by Wisconsin-based nonprofit Commonwealth Development, and Laurel Wood II, a 54-unit expansion of an existing complex on Caribou Road by Virginia-based nonprofit Volunteers of America. (Only Laurel Wood is still awaiting conditional zoning approval, with a Council hearing tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13.) According to Sceranka, Redwood Commons was originally slated to be 49 units due to zoning considerations. He says it was support from local government that allowed the plans to add more density.
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“Asheville does it well because they look to be a partner in the development. In our very first meetings with them, it was made very clear they would do everything they could to support increasing the density, so we pushed it up to 70 units,” he explains. “Things like that a lot of communities don’t do, and Asheville does pretty well.” Of the three outside developers, VOA is the largest, boasting a portfolio of over 480 affordable housing properties across 40 states. Lee Goldstein, the organization’s director of national housing initiatives, says its success comes from pursuing a different model from for-profit developers. “Private developers may build it, lease it, get the cash flow started from renters and then sell it off. That is not our model,” Goldstein says. “We leverage the low-income [housing] tax credit program and satisfy our investors, but we are not looking for a big upfront return.” The LIHTC, a federal program administered by state governments, gives developers of affordable housing a tax credit equal to a certain percentage of a new development’s value. According to the national nonprofit Tax Policy Center, most developers don’t use those credits to offset their own taxes but instead
sell them to investors with greater tax liabilities. CRUNCHING NUMBERS LIHTC money is key to making the math work for affordable housing developers, says Barry Bialik, the owner of local for-profit developer Compact Cottages and chair of Asheville’s Affordable Housing Committee. However, he continues, accessing those funds can be difficult; ensuring that a project meets all the requirements to qualify for the credit is a bureaucratic process that many small developers may not have the resources to handle. “It’s not the easiest game to get into,” says Bialik. “The larger developers are mostly based out of town, and they are used to dealing with tax credit projects.” As the area grows and the need for affordable housing increases, Bialik predicts that bigger, out-oftown developers will keep coming. Buncombe Couty government has made encouraging LIHTC projects a central pillar of its affordable housing strategy, with targets set earlier this year aiming for at least 1,200 new affordable units to take advantage of the credits through 2030. The resources that larger developers like Buckeye and VOA bring, Bialik explains, can help lower costs, make affordable housing projects more realistic, and avoid the many difficulties that smaller private developers may face. They’re able to leverage economies of scale in buying materials, bring in outside labor to alleviate hiring challenges and rely on greater legal expertise when dealing with local bureaucracy. GROW LOCAL While outside organizations are looking to increase affordable housing inventory in the coming years, local nonprofits such as Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity and Mountain Housing Opportunities have a history of doing so and continue to add units. Other area organizations without an affordable housing history, such as Haywood Street Community Development and BeLoved Asheville, are also getting into the game. Being local and a nonprofit has its advantages, according to Adeline Wolfe, a real estate developer for Mountain Housing Opportunities. “When a private developer builds these units, that’s great, but they’re based out of town. They take their fees and their salaries, and that money goes elsewhere,” Wolfe says. “One benefit of local nonprofits is we
Passed by Congress on July 30,1965, Medicare provides access to healthcare for Americans over 65. During the pandemic, one-third of the one million American lives lost have been linked to lack of health insurance. MAKING IT AFFORDABLE: Adeline Wolfe, pictured, is a real estate developer for Mountain Housing Opportunities. The housing nonprofit is currently developing two projects in Western North Carolina that will add 204 affordable units to the local inventory. Photo courtesy of Wolfe take fees they earn and we turn them right back into the next project in the community.” Regardless of who ends up building affordable units, say many developers, increasing density and directing more money to the issue are critical steps. “I’m optimistic because 10 years ago, this wasn’t as much of an issue across the country,” says the VOA’s Goldstein of affordability. In the past, he says, many residents were unwilling to welcome higher-density affordable developments into their neighborhoods. “Now, it’s affecting every locality. I’m hoping it provides the pressure to change things like zoning laws and funding,” he continues. “There is still resistance from folks that don’t want [increased] density, or are worried about people from certain demographics or income levels.” Bialik argues that local governments can help the issue by abolishing single-family zoning, as well as directing more funds to encourage homeownership through programs such as down payment assistance programs. Wolfe agrees that relying on federal funds is not enough and that cities and counties need to play larger roles. “We have a pretty rich local funding landscape,” Wolfe says, referencing the city’s housing trust fund and Buncombe County’s affordable housing service program. “Both are great funding mechanisms. There was a lot of aggressive goal setting done over the last few years. We can’t rely just on the [LIHTC] program but really have to get behind increasing production through local subsidy.” X
Private insurance companies are prioritizing profits over patients. Over 62% of personal debt in the U.S. is due to medical expenses.
IT’S TIME FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL!!! In May 2022, Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2022 in the Senate. This act guarantees health care in the U.S. as a fundamental human right to all. This act strengthens Medicare by expanding the services it offers and lowering the eligibility age over 4 years, with the ultimate goal of covering everyone from “womb to tomb”. This would include dental care, vision coverage, hearing aids, and reproductive services [including abortion]. With no out-of-pocket expenses, insurance premiums, deductibles, or co-payments American families will save thousands of dollars a year. The Congressional Budget Office says Medicare for All would save $650 billion each year, improve the economy, and eliminate all out-of-pocket health care costs. We urge you to call or write your current Congressional legislators, and all candidates running for US Congress to support a universal, single payer healthcare system that covers everyone. (www.govtrack.us/congress/members) HEALTHCARE FOR ALL WNC is a chapter of Physicians For A National Health Program, and a member of the NC Medicare for All Coalition. healthcareforallwnc.wordpress.com MOUNTAINX.COM
JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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NEWS
Cleanup
What happens after Asheville clears a homeless camp?
GROUND CREW: Employees of Bio-One remove items from a homeless encampment in the wooded area behind Murray Hill Park on Bartlett Street. The workers wear biohazard suits, as they may encounter feces, urine or used syringes. Photo by Jessica Wakeman
BY JESSICA WAKEMAN jwakeman@mountainx.com June 7 dawned drizzly and humid, with wet grass and muddy patches, at Murray Hill Park on Bartlett Street. In a wooded area behind the nearby Bartlett Arms and Overlook Apartments, residents of a homeless encampment gathered their belongings to move, following a notice the previous day from the Asheville Police Department that they had to leave. People had been living there for roughly a year, says Sarah Ramos, to whom Xpress spoke as she packed her tent. “Twenty-five to 30 people lost their homes now,” she said. “I don’t understand why we can’t stay. We’re not bothering anybody.” Placed near the camp were a nondescript white van and two dumpsters. These belonged to Bio-One, a company specializing in crime scene, hoarding and suicide cleanup, with which the city of Asheville has contracted on eight occasions to clean homeless encampments. The city of Asheville hires Bio-One for its ability to remove biohazardous material, such as needle litter and human waste, from the camps, 8
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explains Matt Gregg, who co-owns the Asheville-based company with his wife, Krista. The contract for the Murray Hill cleanup, authorized by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, was signed May 5 for up to $22,800. Estimated costs included up to $22,000 for seven-10 days of labor, including personal protective equipment and chemicals; up to $3,150 for dumpster rental; $2,650 for rental of a skid-steer loader and grapple bucket; and refuse disposal costs, listed as “TBD” based on volume. Gregg says both the city’s Parks and Recreation and Sanitation departments have contracted with Bio-One for cleanups, which have varied in scope. The Murray Hill cleanup was “probably the largest we’ve done,” he notes. DIRTY JOBS Bio-One lists homeless encampment cleanup as one of its services, but this work comprises just 5%-10% of the company’s business, says Gregg, a Fletcher resident who also owns a Bio-One franchise in Colorado. In addition to its eight
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cleanups on Asheville government property, the company has cleaned up several former encampments on private property in the city. Some of these jobs are relatively minor but involve cleaning up needle litter, he explains. Cleaning residences for people dealing with hoarding or excess clutter makes up 40% of Bio-One’s jobs. Another 40% consists of trauma or crime scenes involving blood cleanup. Those jobs are usually suicides, but the company also handles homicides, attempted homicides, accidents and unattended deaths. Gregg says his staff is trained to be “nonjudgmental” and strive for sensitivity. “You don’t necessarily know what’s going on in anyone’s life,” he says. Nearly all of his eight-person staff is trained in mental health first aid in preparation for what they might encounter on the job, Gregg continues. “The motto of everything is ‘Help first, business second,” explains Gregg. “Whether it’s crime and trauma scenes, whether it’s the homeless encampments, whether it’s a hoarder [situation], we’re trying to deal with people with care and compassion.”
HEALTH HAZARDS When Xpress arrived at the site of Murray Hill Park encampment, both a resident who was packing up and Bio-One staff were in possession of orange sharps containers of used needles. Harm reduction experts recommend that syringes be disposed in closed containers to discourage reuse and prevent the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other bloodborne illnesses. Bio-One workers have received U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration training on bloodborne pathogens standards, says Gregg. “Sometimes we have the benefit of seeing the bright orange caps [of needles] and sometimes, unfortunately, we don’t.” He notes that discovering sharps containers, as at Murray Hill Park, is usually “the exception.” (In an email July 21, Kim Miller, the city spokesperson, writes “Parks and Recreation did and continues to carry sharps containers in their vehicles for collection of syringes found in City of Asheville parks. Although an effective daily practice, this did not meet the need posed by growing calls from the community
for removal of hazardous materials being found on public property.”) Used needles are only one potential biological risk, and Gregg notes his staff wears full-body biohazard suits and protective eyewear. “The health hazards associated with needles tends to be the No. 1 [concern], but usually we’ll find buckets or bottles or different things — urine, feces, stuff like that,” he says. Some encampments will have designated space that was used as a latrine area, Gregg continues. Campers typically use buckets as toilets, he says, but sometimes they use the ground. When feces or urine are on the ground, Gregg says, “Mother Nature tends to have an ability to take care of itself.” But Bio-One removes remaining feces and sprays the ground with proprietary chemicals, particularly a tuberculocidal disinfectant. (According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who are homeless and people who inject drugs are both groups with high rates of tuberculosis transmission.) NOTICE TO GO Several city of Asheville ordinances restrict trespassing and camping on public property. At a Jan. 11 Asheville City Council meeting, APD representatives shared that the department had updated its 2014 Standard Operating Procedure on Persons Experiencing Homelessness (avl.mx/bt8); the department now gives people in an encampment 24 hours’ notice to vacate, down from a previous notice of seven days. When asked about the timing of the Murray Hill Park clearing, APD spokesperson Bill Davis referenced this policy and referred additional questions to the Parks and Recreation and Sanitation departments. When asked what precipitated the notice to vacate Murray Hill Park,
CAMP OUT: The two people living in this tent in a homeless encampment in the wooded area behind Bartlett Arms Apartments were packing up their belongings as employees of Bio-One worked farther down a hill. Photo by Jessica Wakeman, taken with the residents’ permission Miller wrote in an email June 8, “The individuals camping inside Murray Hill Park were in violation of the city’s ordinances prohibiting camping on city property and in rights of way.” Miller continued, “Several requests to remove the encampment have been received from community members over the past few months. Homeward Bound and Asheville Police Department worked to voluntarily relocate campers prior to cleanup.” (Homeward Bound of WNC provides supportive services for people experiencing homelessness, and operates on a Housing First model.) ‘HEY, THIS NEEDS TO BE SAVED’ When Bio-One arrives at a homeless encampment, most residents
have typically already left with any valuables, Gregg says. What’s left behind are typically “trash, debris, urine, feces, needles, spoiled food,” particularly food containers and empty cans, he explains. To his knowledge, Bio-One has not recovered weapons or illegal drugs from an encampment, but those items would be handed over to APD. Xpress made multiple attempts to contact people who have been made to leave encampments, including Murray Hill Park but was unsuccessful. Most everything collected constitutes solid waste as per the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, and the company disposes of items at the Buncombe County Transfer Station in Asheville or the Buncombe County Landfill in Alexander. Gregg says the Murray
Hill Park encampment left behind 100 tires, which were separated from landfill items for recycling. “I don’t want to get rid of anything that somebody really wants to keep,” Gregg continues. “My main focus is to try to make a space safe, or to respond to whatever my client’s needs are — if they need things cleared out, if they need spaces free of all debris.” His team does keep an eye out for belongings of real or perceived value, like personal documents, he says. “We don’t immediately just start tearing through stuff,” Gregg explains. “If there’s anybody there, we’re having conversations. We’ve had many times where somebody’s like, ‘Hey, this needs to be saved,’ and we’ll set things off to the side.” X
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NEWS
Summer sesh GA short session yields both change and inertia for WNC
BY BROOKE RANDLE brandle@mountainx.com While the short session of the N.C. General Assembly was brief — lawmakers met for just over six weeks, from May 18 to July 1 — it was nevertheless consequential for residents of Western North Carolina. According to the UNC School of Government, short sessions allow members of the state House and Senate to focus on bills that have passed one chamber but not yet the other, as well as issues related to the budget. The sessions typically occur in even-numbered years and can last anywhere from six weeks to several months. Aside from passing a $27.9 billion spending plan, state legislators voted on several measures specific to WNC. Xpress rounded up some of the biggest changes (and legislative flops) to come out of the summer session. SHOW ME THE MONEY
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In early 2020, local leaders and hotel representatives began to coalesce around changing the rules for Buncombe County’s occupancy tax. The law, which was first implemented in 1983, required that 75% of the occupancy tax collected from overnight stays in Buncombe County be spent on tourism advertising, with the remaining 25% allocated toward tourism-based capital investments. That momentum was temporarily thwarted by governments focusing on COVID-19 response. But this year, Democratic Sen. Julie Mayfield and Republican Sen. Chuck Edwards, both of whom represent Buncombe County, took up the issue alongside Republican Sen. Warren Daniel, who represents Avery, Burke and Caldwell counties. (Due to redistricting, Daniel’s District 46 will include much of eastern Buncombe County after this year’s midterm elections. He is seeking reelection to the Senate against Democratic challenger Billy Martin.) The three senators introduced Senate Bill 914, which sought to change the respective allocations for advertising and capital spending to 66% and 33%. The law also aimed to expand the allowable uses of capital
spending to include maintenance and infrastructure. While that bill failed to move past a Senate subcommittee, its language was included in House Bill 1057, which passed and became law July 1. In response to the new law, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, the quasi-governmental entity that manages Buncombe’s occupancy tax, is expected to pass a budget amendment at its meeting of Wednesday, July 27. The new split will increase the amount spent on tourism capital expenses and maintenance from $10.2 million to $13.6 million, reflecting 33% of an expected $40.8 million in tax revenue. “Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority is grateful for the steadfast leadership of Sen. Chuck Edwards in shepherding the Buncombe County occupancy tax changes through Raleigh,” said Explore Asheville President and CEO Vic Isley in a July 2 statement. “Local hotel leaders have advocated for this change since long before the pandemic. The team at Explore Asheville and the TDA stands ready to implement these important changes on behalf of Asheville and Buncombe County for years to come.” HOORAY FOR HEMP The passage of Senate Bill 455, also called the Conform Hemp with Federal Law bill, will permanently allow WNC’s hemp farmers to continue to grow and sell the product. According to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the state launched the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program in 2015, which allowed for the legal production of hemp for the first time. Since then, more than 1,500 licensed hemp producers have joined the industry, including growers in WNC. That program was slated to sunset June 29 until lawmakers, backed by Gov. Roy Cooper, voted to make hemp cultivation fully legal in the state. “Agriculture is North Carolina’s largest industry, and giving North Carolina farmers certainty that they
MORE OF THE PIE: Lawmakers approved House Bill 1057, which increases the percentage of occupancy tax revenue allocated for tourism-related capital projects, such as investments in Pack Square Park, from 25% to 33%. Photo courtesy of Explore Asheville can continue to participate in this growing market is the right thing to do for rural communities and our economy,” Gov. Cooper said of the bill in a June 30 statement. The legislation differentiates hemp and CBD products from marijuana, which would continue to remain unlawful. MARIJUANA ON THE BACK BURNER Results from the session weren’t as positive for hemp’s cousin, marijuana. Senate Bill 711, otherwise known as the Compassionate Care Act, would have legalized medical marijuana to help North Carolina residents manage symptoms of cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions, as well as opened applications for 10 medical cannabis supplier licenses. The bill passed the state Senate with bipartisan support in a 35-10 vote on June 2, but disagreements remained. As reported by Xpress in June, critics of SB 711, including some local hemp producers and Sen.
Mayfield, argued that the limited number of licenses, high permitting fees and a requirement that license holders grow, distribute and sell their products would make entering the state’s medical marijuana industry inaccessible for many. The bill eventually stalled in the N.C. House, leaving North Carolina as one of 12 states without a medical marijuana program. “While most of us want to legalize medical marijuana, the bill as currently structured hurts our hemp farmers and small hemp-based businesses, so I am not sorry it didn’t pass,” said Sen Mayfield in a July 1 newsletter. “Hopefully, we can address some of these concerns before the bill returns next session.” ALL BETS ARE OFF A bill that would have legalized online sports betting across the state came up short during the session. Senate Bill 688, which was previously approved by the Senate in November, failed to pass the N.C. House by a vote of 49-52.
More than 30 other states and jurisdictions have legalized sports wagering to date. A 2019 bill made sports wagering legal in North Carolina only on tribal lands; that change benefited two Harrah’s casinos, both of which are managed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and are located on tribal lands in Cherokee and Murphy. Betting at these facilities must take place in person. Buncombe County’s House delegation, consisting of three Democrats, was split on SB 688. While District 116 Rep. Brian Turner supported the bill, District 114 Rep. Caleb Rudow and District 115 Rep. John Ager both voted against it. “North Carolina does not need to legalize sports wagering and sanction an activity that has ruined countless lives,” Rudow wrote in a July 8 newsletter. “Sports wagering would disproportionately affect people that cannot afford to go into debt.” BAR MEMBERSHIPS MUDDLED WNC residents frustrated at the number of bar membership
cards stuffed into their wallets will rejoice at the passage of House Bill 768, which does away with the membership requirement for such establishments. The state’s membership rules, which dated back to 1982, previously required that businesses that serve alcohol and make less than 30% of their revenue from food and nonalcoholic drinks be considered private clubs, meaning that patrons had to pay dues and show membership cards when visiting. (Many bars set dues of $1 to remain accessible while technically fulfilling the rule.) The N.C Bar Owners Association, a nonprofit founded by bar owners from across the state, has long pushed back against the law, saying that the practice was “rooted in racist beginnings designed to legally discriminate against people of color.” Business owners today will have the option of remaining a private club or not. The choice may be welcome news for some local bar owners, who told Xpress in 2015 that the membership rules were cumbersome. X
MOUNTAINX.COM
JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
11
N EWS
BUNCOMBE BEAT
Commissioners consider equity through reparations, property taxes Equity was at the forefront of two different issues addressed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners July 19. The county’s ad hoc reappraisal committee, tasked with reviewing allegations that Buncombe’s tax assessment process was unfair to low-income residents and communities of color, presented its recommendations to the board. And commissioners approved annual funding for reparations, honoring a request from the joint Asheville-Buncombe Community Reparations Commission. The reappraisal committee, formed by Tax Assessor Keith Miller at the request of board Chair Brownie Newman in fall 2021, sought to answer questions around equity, address homeowner concerns and advise future assessment processes. It offered a series of 12 potential steps the county
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could take to improve its valuation process, including increasing the frequency of assessments, better educating community members about tax appeals and changing how short-term rental properties are valued. None of the recommendations explicitly addressed potential differences in valuation between communities of different racial makeups. Research that had been presented to the committee by Joe Minicozzi, founder and principal of local urban planning firm Urban3, concluded that assessment patterns show “deep disparities in how the county assesses property values,” which he claimed are “deepening racial divides.” In public comment prior to the committee’s presentation, Minicozzi alleged that county staff had failed to address Urban3’s concerns while “engaging in a campaign … to discredit our work.” The county assessments, he said, follow a nationwide tendency of assessing lower-value homes at disproportionately higher percentages of actual sale value compared with higher-value homes, thereby “placing an unfair burden on lower-income households and residents, particularly those of color.” By not addressing the “repeated, systemic” assessment issue, he continued, the county’s reparations work may be “a hollow political gesture.” Urban3 analyst Ori Baber, who served on the ad hoc committee, challenged a report commissioned by the county from Syneva Economics, which found no such
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differences in assessment. Baber claimed Syneva’s work was “methodologically unsound” and “evidence of nothing,” asking for it to be amended or stricken from the committee’s record. Other committee members did not address Baber’s claims in subsequent comments, but Miller said the committee had given Urban3 space to present its own perspectives. After the committee presented its recommendations, Commissioner Al Whitesides asked, “One of the big questions was the disparity [in assessments] in high-income homes and low-income homes. Did I miss this? Did you address that in the report?” Committee member Jonathan Hunter replied, “There is nothing in the recommendations, per se, that would address that.” The board took no action at the meeting, although Newman said its members would revisit the issue in the future. Following that discussion, the board voted unanimously to designate $500,000 yearly toward community reparations, with an annual increase of 2%. County funding for reparations will continue “as long as needed,” the board’s response to a reparations commission request for funding “in perpetuity.” The county had already assigned $2 million for reparations in its fiscal year 2022-23 budget, nearly matching Asheville’s $2.1 million commitment for fiscal year 2021-22. The city included an additional reparations allocation of $500,000 this fiscal year and planned to fund the same amount in future budget cycles. Ten community members addressed reparations during public comment, each voicing support for funding as a yearly budget item. “This is not just about Asheville — this is about our economy and our country as a whole,” said Tiffany Flunory De’Bellott, a reparations commission member. “I would rather wake up on the side that’s on the right side, to right the wrongs that have been made in the past.” Commissioner Terri Wells echoed that support. “I feel like with our commissioners’ strategic priorities for early childhood and affordable housing, $500,000 is a good start. To me, this is about investing in wealth-building opportunities. By
PUSHING BACK: Ori Baber, analyst at Urban3, voiced frustration about the ad hoc reappraisal committee at the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ July 19 meeting. Photo courtesy of Baber doing this, Buncombe County is going to be stronger for many generations,” she said.
In other news The board unanimously approved distribution of $18.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds toward 24 projects, with those supporting broadband expansion, mental health services and affordable housing getting the largest awards. The county has now distributed $46.8 million of its total $50.7 million ARPA allocation. Prior to the vote, Commissioner Robert Pressley asked for the remaining $3.9 million in ARPA funds to go toward a Metropolitan Sewerage District project application that had been denied. The request, which Pressley said would only take effect if the state matched the county’s funds, would extend sewer services in the Candler area. “I hear every day from the folks in Candler that they want more sewer access,” added Commissioner Parker Sloan. “I think it’s strange, and perhaps reckless, that there is no annual funding that goes into the expansion of sewer infrastructure.” Newman said he was open to the expansion but cited the project’s cost and uncertainty of state matching funds as reasons for denying the MSD request. Pressley’s amendment was not included in the subsequent motion and vote. Commissioners will consider how to distribute the rest of the ARPA money in 2023.
— Ben Williamson X
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JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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GARDENING WITH XPRESS
Tips for growing squash Create a green oasis with plants, pots, garden accents & decor!
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HUNGRY FRUIT: Squash are heavy feeders, meaning they thrive in soil with high fertility. If you don’t have rich soil, you can add an organic fertility source before planting squash and/or apply a liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. Photo by Mason McDonald Happy summertime. I hope you’re all enjoying waterfalls and (soon) watermelons. This month’s column features tips for growing squash, as well as ways to reduce voles from devouring your harvest. Please keep the gardening questions coming. I love hearing from you. You can email your inquiries to gardening@mountainx.com. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GROW SUMMER AND WINTER SQUASH?
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Growing summer and winter squash (which include zucchini and pumpkins) can be tricky. Fortunately, they’re worth a little extra effort because they’re so delicious and prolific. First, the basics: All squash are heat-loving plants and intolerant of cold weather. They can be started indoors in a heated space and then transplanted after the danger of frost has passed, or they can be directly sown in the garden once it’s reliably warm. I tend to start a few zucchinis and summer squashes inside for transplant, then do a second succession directly in the ground. For winter squash, I always direct sow. I’ve noticed that the plants grow much larger and are more robust MOUNTAINX.COM
when planted this way. Despite the name, winter squash ripen in the fall and are harvested before the frost. They keep through the winter, which is when most people eat them, hence the name. Squash are heavy feeders, meaning they thrive in soil with high fertility. If you don’t have rich soil, you can add an organic fertility source before planting squash and/or apply a liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. Be careful with adding too much nitrogen, which can lead to a proliferation of male flowers but fewer of the female flowers that are needed for the fruits you want to harvest. Compost or composted manure are great choices, along with a balanced organic fertilizer such as Plant-Tone, which contains nitrogen along with other macro- and micronutrients. As with all garden veggies, be sure not to plant squash in the same spot year after year. Not only does this deplete soil of the nutrients those plants need, but it also increases the chances of pest issues. Because many pests overwinter in the soil, they’ll be only too delighted to encounter their favorite food source again and again. Finally, squash flowers are pollinated by insects, especially both native and domesticated bees. Keep
an eye out for buzzing helpers carrying pollen from male to female flowers on your squash plants, as this is necessary for them to grow fruits. HOW DO I MINIMIZE SQUASH BUGS AND MILDEW INTERRUPTIONS? I’ll tackle powdery mildew first, then get into pest issues. This is a fungal pathogen that infects the leaves of plants, and squash plants are particularly susceptible. Moist and cool conditions are ideal for powdery mildew. Sometimes, these conditions are unavoidable, such as on overcast days after thunderstorms. Other times, we unknowingly welcome powdery mildew by watering late in the day, watering on top of plant leaves and/or planting squash in semishade conditions. To minimize powdery mildew, be sure to plant squash in full sun. If you’ll be overhead watering (with a water wand, watering can or sprinkler), do this early in the day so that the sun can quickly evaporate any moisture from the surface of the leaves. If possible, don’t let water touch the surface of the leaves; you can do this by carefully aiming your water wand or watering can right at
the base of the plant, or by using a drip irrigation system. If, despite your best efforts, you end up with powdery mildew, don’t despair! Plants can outgrow this issue if they have enough fertility, moisture and sun. A mild case of powdery mildew won’t actually decrease yields significantly. As soon as you see signs of powdery mildew, clip off and discard the infected leaves. One simple, effective preventative treatment for powdery mildew is diluted milk spray. A mix of 30% milk and 70% water can be sprayed on in the middle of the day (in direct sun) every 10 days or so and has been shown to be as effective as chemical pesticides. Now, on to a little botany lesson. All summer and winter squash are in the genus Cucurbita, and there are three main species that we cultivate: pepo, maxima and moschata. Two other species are cultivated elsewhere in the world, but for your Western North Carolina garden, it’s likely that you’ll be dealing with one of these three. All types of squash have their ancestry in Mesoamerica and South America, where they’ve been cultivated for thousands of years. Most summer squash varieties are in the pepo species, with the notable exception of a delicious viney type called tromboncino, which is in the moschata species. Winter squashes and pumpkins, on the other hand, are mostly in the maxima and moschata species, with the notable exceptions of delicata and acorn squashes. Maximas include blue hubbards, buttercups and kombuchas. Moschatas include butternuts and cheeses. If you’re not sure what species you’re working with, a quick internet search can answer the question. Why all this scientific mumbo-jumbo? Well, it turns out that plants in the moschata species tend to be resistant to squash vine borers, as well as several other pests. If you’re really struggling with vine borers, choosing moschata varieties can be a saving grace. Even though I love the flavor of maximas like buttercups, I always plant a larger section in moschatas because they are much more reliable. Other pests that dine on squash plants include squash lady beetles, which look like orange, oversized ladybugs; “squash bugs,” which look like stink bugs; and both striped and spotted cucumber beetles, which are pale green with black stripes or spots. Along with generally providing ideal conditions that lead to strong, vigorous plants, the best way to deal with these pests is, unfortunately, hand picking. Midday is the best time to spot these pests, as they’ll be most active. Carry a container of soapy
water with you and pop the bugs into it, where they will perish. Be sure to look on both the tops and undersides of leaves for mature insects and eggs. Use your fingers to squash the eggs with a rubbing motion. WE’VE GOT VOLES IN OUR GARDEN. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST? Oh, the varmints! They do keep us on our toes. I, too, deal with voles in my garden. And while I haven’t found any foolproof method to completely eliminate them, I do have some tips for curbing their populations (and the damage they do). First, traps are much more effective when they’re partially buried. Voles don’t like being seen, so making the traps seem like welcoming, dark little caves can go a long way. Another way to take advantage of voles’ shyness is to minimize overgrowth and ground cover in your yard or garden. Keep the lawn mowed short and maintain an exposed border around garden beds (with tightly packed mulch instead of any bushy growth of weeds or crops). If you have brush piles, make sure they’re far away from your growing spaces. Voles dislike both spicy chilis and coffee, so sprinkling these household items around your yard or garden can help deter the pests. You can mix a few spicy chilis with a teaspoon of biodegradable soap and a quart of water in a blender. Strain this liquid and spray it around the bases of plants. Alternately, you can sprinkle some cayenne powder down in the holes where you transplant crops so that the voles encounter that spicy flavor before tasting your plants’ sweet roots. Coffee grounds can be sprinkled around plants to help protect them or mixed into a planting hole. Don’t overdo the grounds, though, as too many can tie up nitrogen and inhibit plant growth. About a tablespoon or two per plant is plenty. I can’t think of voles without fondly remembering our old cat, Tigger, RIP. For about four years, we were blessed with his hunting prowess and voracious appetite, which kept our vole population down. There’s no way to know if a cat will be an effective vole killer, but it’s worth having one around to give them a chance. Other vole predators include owls, hawks and coyotes. You can encourage birds of prey to help you out by creating habitat for them. Perches and boxes are easy to build and invite natural predators to take care of the voles for you, all while filling their own bellies. What a beautiful balance!
— Chloe Lieberman X MOUNTAINX.COM
JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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ASHEVILLE ARCHIVES by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com
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City feigns optimism amid 11 bank closures, 1930
On Nov. 21, 1930, The Asheville Citizen offered its readers reassurance, following the unexpected closure of the Central Bank and Trust Co. — the city’s largest financial institution — the previous day. “Asheville is well past the crisis of the stormy financial situation precipitated early yesterday morning, and clear skies are in sight for today,” the paper insisted. Among the sources of hope, the article pointed to the arrival of an armored truck with over a million dollars sent by way of the Federal Reserve branch bank in Charlotte. Additionally, the paper reported: “A mass of nearly 2,000 citizens of West Asheville, gathered to express their confidence in the officials of the Bank of West Asheville, and to pledge additional financial support by a splendid demonstration of enthusiasm, and indications were that the situation west of the river will be quiet and confident this morning, with no trouble of any kind in sight.” Of course, the Central Bank was not alone in its misfortune. According to historian Nan K. Chase’s 2007 book, Asheville: A History, 10 additional banks in WNC closed on Nov. 20, 1930. Nevertheless, additional reports in the Nov. 21 edition of the paper continued to accentuate the positive. “The factors that have brought Asheville up from a straggling mountain village to the city it is today will continue to operate and as they operate the growth of the city and section will repair the wounds of the present,” an editorial declared. “The capacity of a vigorous young community like this to withstand punishment is almost unbelievable. Such punishment will indeed leave the community stronger and better for its experience.” By Nov. 22, the optimism remained strong, though it took on a more critical tone from state officials brought in to investigate the cause of the closures. John Mitchell, whom the paper identified as the chief examiner of the state banking department, declared that eight of the 11 banks “closed unnecessarily on account of public hysteria.” Mitchell continued, “When people no longer believe in themselves, their neighbors and their associates, they need not expect their local institutions to survive this lack of confidence.” Accompanying Mitchell was one I.M. Bailey, identified by the paper as counsel for the corporation commission. Like the previous day’s editorials, Bailey offered positive spin, noting that the people of Asheville would rebound after “taking it on the chin.”
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BEFORE THE CRASH: The Central Bank & Trust Co., housed in the building on the far right, was Asheville’s largest financial institution prior to its Nov. 20, 1930, closure. Photo courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library The article paraphrased Bailey’s final remarks, which echoed Mitchell’s own words: “[A] local bank is simply one group of neighbors placing money in an institution to be loaned to another group of neighbors, [Bailey] pointed out, and such a condition should not be affected by financial disturbances outside the community, where this confidence between neighbors and associates is maintained.” Despite early efforts to talk the city out of financial ruin, Asheville’s outlook did not improve. With the Central Bank’s closure, the city lost nearly $4.6 million in deposits, with the county losing an additional $3 million and the school system down $400,000. By 1931, legal proceedings against the Central Bank began. In response to the investigation, the bank’s vice president, James E. Rankin, committed
suicide. Shortly thereafter, Gallatin Roberts, the mayor at the time of the bank’s closure, also took his own life. In an April 21, 1935, article featured in Asheville Citizen Times, Wallace B. Davis — the former president of the defunct bank, who served 2 1/2 years in prison for violating banking laws — spoke with the paper about the Central Bank’s missteps. “We made one big mistake, and that was largely my fault,” he declared. “Looking back now, I can see that in trying to protect our loans we were simply sending good money after bad. … We were trying to protect funds which we had already loaned. That was the mistake.” As Chase notes in her 2007 book, the city would not pay off its Depressionera debt until July 1, 1976. Editor’s note: Peculiarities of spelling and punctuation are preserved from original documents. X
COMMUNITY CALENDAR JULY 27 - AUGUST 4, 2022 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 Events = Shaded WELLNESS Pub Run Rain or shine, all ages and experience levels welcome. WE (7/27, 8/3), 6:15pm, Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd Montford Tai Chi Hosted by local acupuncturist Tyler White. All ages, every Thursday. TH (7/28, 8/4), 9am, Montford Recreation Center, 34 Pearson Dr Queer & Trans Yoga Class With Allé K, aka Trans Yoga Teacher. Part of the Love Shine Play Festival. FR (7/29), 11am, Pack Square Park Kidding Around Asheville: Goat Yoga Practice Vinyasa flow with modifications and variations for beginners to more advanced, taught by a certified yoga instructor who is also a nurse - with goats and a beer included in the ticket price. SA (7/30), 11am & 12:15pm, Whistle Hop Brewing Co., 1288 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview SU (7/31), 11am, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy Yoga in the Park Join together alongside the French Broad River for an all-level friendly yoga class based on Hatha and Vinyasa traditions. SA (7/30), SU (7/31), 11am, $10, Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd Saturday Yoga Class Bring your own mat. Donation-based. SA (7/30), 12pm, Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust St, Ste 100, Hendersonville Sound Healing Saturdays Reset with time in nature and vibrational sound healing with practitioners David Heiss and Dawn Sagonias; who will play the gongs, crystal singing bowls, and the harmonium. SA (7/30), 5pm, $41, Inner Wolf Retreat Space, 2854 Puncheon Fork Rd, Mars Hill Mimosa Yoga Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Taught by Mandy of Funky Flow
Yoga. SU (7/31), 11:30am, plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St WNC Prostate Support Group An open discussion forum for men, caregivers, family members, and partners. For info, call (828)419-4565. TU (8/2), 6:30pm, First Baptist Church of Asheville Men's Cancer Support Group Safely meet in a large conference room and stay socially distant while wearing masks. RSVP: Will at (412)9130272 or acwein123@ gmail.com. WE (8/3), 6pm, Woodfin YMCA, 40 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 101
ART Blown Glass Demos with Andrew Montrie Weekly through Sept. FR (7/29), 1pm, Appalachian Craft Center, 10 N Spruce St, Ste 120 Hello Death, Where Have You Been All My Life? Opening Reception An immersive installation that harnesses the social function of ritual space to reflect, process grief, heal, and envision alternative futures, constructed over the past two years by artist-researcher, community organizer, and Center for Craft grant recipient, Macon Reed. FR (7/29), 6pm, Center for Craft, 67 Broadway On the Walls: Featured Artist Alexandra Bloch “Contemplative glimpses of a simple scene rather than a wide view of a jumbled world.” Open 10am, closed Monday. Exhibit Aug. 1-Sept. 11. Eclipse Salon, 16 Wall St American Perspectives: Stories from the American Folk Art Museum Collection Over 80 works of folk and self-taught art, including assemblages, needlework, paintings, pottery, quilts and sculpture. Open 11am, closed Tuesday. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square Girl with Flowers Twelve large scale portrait paintings, with 3D glasses given to guests to enhance the experience.
FR (7/29), 5pm, SA (7/30), 12pm, Jeffrey Luque Art, 162 W French Broad St, Brevard
SU (7/31), 7:30pm, $24, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Hendersonville Street Dance Traditional mountain and bluegrass music performed by Asheville Junction, square dancing and clogging. MO (8/1), 5:30pm, Historic Downtown Hendersonville
Nature and Nurture: The Voorhees Family Artistic Legacy This multi-generational, multi-media exhibit displays paintings, pottery and jewelry from seven members of the Voorhees family. Daily 9am, through Sept. 5. NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Mozart’s Musical Joke Mozart breaks all the rules in this comedic work for string quintet and two French horns. MO (8/1), 7:30pm, $35, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard
Cherishing Mountain Moments Featuring paintings by Robin Wethe Altman during the month of August. A "Meet the Artist" reception will be held on Aug. 5, 5-8pm. Exhibit daily 11am. Asheville Gallery of Art, 82 Patton Ave
Tuesday Night Block Party Whitewater Bluegrass Co. and an experienced caller will take attendees step-by-step through a collection of moves that combine square and contra dancing styles. Family-friendly with food vendors and other activities. TU (8/2), 6pm, Downtown Brevard
Bullington Gardens Fairy Trail Three hundred yards of tiny doors that can be gently opened and closed to reveal fairy life scenes. Open 9am, closed Sunday. WE (8/3), 9am, Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville Local Legends: Appalachian Folktales, Myths, and Lore Discover the mystery and magic of Appalachia, interpreted by artists Julie Armbruster, Carrie Cox, Frances Domingues, Betsy Kendrick, Rosy Kirby and Jessica C. White. TH (8/4), 5pm, The Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St
COMMUNITY MUSIC Joshua Bell Plays Tchaikovsky Iconic violinist Joshua Bell joins Artistic Director Keith Lockhart and the Brevard Music Center Orchestra for Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto. WE (7/27), 7:30pm, $30, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Drum Circle Location varies around the park - contact zach. hickok@buncombecounty.org or call (828)6840376 for specifics. TH (7/28), 5:30pm, Lake Julian Park, Arden Introduction to Drumming Led by The Rythmic Arts Project (TRAP) of Asheville. No experience needed. Registration required (828)250-4700 or jen. waite@buncombecounty.org. FR (7/29), 4pm, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St Concerts on the Creek With live soul-infused folk rock, jazz and mountain funk from
APPALACHIAN APPRECIATION: Local painter Robin Wethe Altman will be August’s featured artist at the Asheville Gallery of Art with the show Cherishing Mountain Moments, on exhibit 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily beginning Monday, Aug. 1. The collection, which includes “The Highlander,” pictured, is a celebration of the landscape and its inhabitants. Image courtesy of Robin Wethe Altman WNC-based band Shane Meade and the Sound. FR (7/29), 7pm, Bridge Park, 76 Railroad Ave, Sylva Music On Main Live classic rock, disco, beach and funk from WNC band Emporium - along with a classic car show. FR (7/29), 7pm, Historic Downtown Hendersonville Summer Tracks: Seth Walker Band Blues, gospel, pop, rock and Americana outdoors. FR (7/29), 7pm, Rogers Park, 55 W Howard St, Tryon Dvořák Symphony No. 8 Follow conductor Keith Lockhart on an epic tour of the orchestra’s instruments with Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra before journeying through Dvořák’s lyrical and inspirational Bohemian work, Symphony No. 8. FR (7/29), 7:30pm, $24, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard
J. Creek Cloggers Barbecue dinner followed by a clogging performance featuring TikTok star Zeb Ross. The group will perform multiple examples of traditional mountain dancing, as well as teach the audience a few dance steps. SA (7/30), 6pm, Free-$20, Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, 2878 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley Remember the Times Flashback Dance Party The playlist will begin with classic hits from the 1940s and end with top hits from the 2000s - dressing as your favorite decade encouraged. With drinks, refreshments, photo booths, raffles and prize giveaways. Ages 16 and up. SA (7/30), 7pm, Stephen's Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Shindig on the Green A mountain tradition since 1967, with bluegrass and old-time string bands, cloggers, ballad singers and storytellers - to support
the preservation and continuation of the traditional music, dance and storytelling heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. SA (7/30), 7pm, Pack Square Park Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Sergei Prokofiev’s score with orchestral suites for the ballet version of Shakepeare's classic. SA (7/30), 7:30pm, $24, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Soloists of Tomorrow Celebrate BMC’s mission and the next generation of classical musicians as students are showcased. Winners of the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition will be featured, as well as the student composition winner from 2021. SU (7/31), 3pm, $24, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Supersonic BMC’s percussion students and faculty don’t miss a beat in this energetic concert for music-lovers of all ages.
Brevard Music Center’s Piano Competition Finals Featuring BMC’s gifted high school and college pianists. TU (8/2), 7pm, $25, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Park Rhythms Free outdoor show with hip-hop gypsy jazz group Pimps of Pompe. TH (8/4), 7pm, Veterans Park, Black Mountain Transfigured Night Inspired by Richard Dehmel’s poem of the same name, and influenced by a meeting with the woman who would later become the composer's wife, this fin de siècle String Sextet embodies the rich harmonic and chromatic textures of late German Romanticism. WE (8/3), 7:30pm, $35, Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard An Evening with Cole Porter A tribute to Cole Porter, the gifted composer and lyricist known for songs like “Night and Day” and acclaimed Broadway musicals including Anything Goes and Kiss me, Kate. TH (8/4), 7:30pm, $37, Porter Center, 1 Brevard College Dr, Brevard
LITERARY Malaprop's Foodie Book Club Participants will discuss Kitchens of the Midwest: A Novel by J. Ryan Stradal. Registration required. WE (7/27), 7pm, avl.mx/boq
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Brad Rouse presents Climate Warrior The author discusses his book. Sponsored by Malaprop's. Registration required. TH (7/28), 6pm, avl.mx/bs9 Terry Roberts launches The Sky Club in conversation with Heather Newton The Sky Club is the story of money, greed, and life after the crash from the eyes of one woman. Registration required. WE (8/3), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St Swannanoa Valley Museum Book Club: Murder at Asheville’s Battery Park Hotel Attendees will discuss the book from 10-10:30am, then author Anne Chesky-Smith will read from and discuss her book from 11am to noon. TH (8/4), 10am, Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N Dougherty St, Black Mountain
THEATER & FILM The Wedding Singer Based on the hit movie starring Adam Sandler, with a new score. Also July 31 at 2pm. WE (7/27), TH (7/28), FR (7/29), SA (30), 7:30pm, SU (7/31), 2:30 & 7:30pm, Owen Theatre, 44 College St, Mars Hill Summer Movie Series: Hitchcock in the 50s Rear Window James Rosario, NC Film Critics Association and movie blog author, will introduce the classic and lead a discussion following the film. TH (7/28), 5:30pm, Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Rd, Candler Man of La Mancha “The Impossible Dream” is vibrantly realized in this operatic adaptation of Mitch Leigh’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musica.. Sung in English with supertitles. TH (7/28), 7:30pm, $37, Porter Center, 1 Brevard College Dr, Brevard Movie Night: Tombstone Benefit for Asheville on Bikes. First come, first served seating - or bring your own chair. TH (7/28), 8pm, Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave Family Movie Night: After Hours at the Enka-Candler Library A showing of Disney’s Moana in the community room, with popcorn and beverages served. All children must be attended to at all times. Sponsored by the Friends of the Enka-Candler Library. FR (7/29), 6pm, Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Rd, Candler
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C O MMU NIT Y CA L E N D AR Mind & Spirit, this retreat will focus on the spiritual necessity of land, water, and time spent with one another. SA (7/30), 8am, $20, Lake Logan, 25 Wormy Chestnut Ln, Canton Plant Clinic Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers will be at the market to answer your gardening questions and concerns. SA (7/30), 9am, Asheville City Market - Downtown, 52 N Market St Michael Checkhov Method Originally developed as a movement theater technique, Noreen Sullivan has adapted the method to be inclusive for all artists and creatives seeking to expand their craft through modes of embodiment. Sliding scale. SA (7/30), 11am, $10-40, Center for Connection + Collaboration
BACK IN TIME: The cast of Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre’s production of The Wedding Singer rehearses for the musical based on the hit movie. Directed by Richie Barrella, the show runs at the historic Owen Theatre in downtown Mars Hill Wednesday, July 27, through Saturday, July 30, at 7:30 p.m., plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, July 31. Photo courtesy of SART The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee In this Tony award-winning musical, six awkward spelling champions vie for the championship of a lifetime. FR (7/29), SA (7/30), 7:30pm, SU (7/31), 3pm, $25-30, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville
$10-15, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St
[title of show] With the help of their friends, two struggling writers decide to write a musical about writing a musical. Also July 31 at 2:30pm. FR (7/29), SA (7/30), 7:30pm, SU (7/31), 2:30pm, Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E Walnut St
Sunday Sinema Film revealed at showing. Free popcorn, no burgers at this locals’ bar. SU (7/31), 9pm, The Burger Bar, 1 Craven St
West Side Story The number one requested musical from the venue's 2019 show survey. Various dates and times, through July 30. Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Hwy 225, Flat Rock Family Saturday Morning Movie: Moana First come, first serve seating - or bring your own chair to watch the Disney film. SA (7/30), 11:30am, Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave The Glyph Dancer and choreographer Polly Motley and pianist Yukiko Takagi perform the playful work created by dancer Katherine Litz and composer Lou Harrison. SA (7/30), 3pm,
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Much Ado About Nothing Director Dwight Chiles uses the Shakespearean hijinks to give the audience a show that celebrates diversity. FR (7/29), SA (7/30), SU (7/31), 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St
Chow Chow Movie Night: Ratatouille Family-friendly screening of the Disney food film. TH (8/4), 3pm, Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave
CLASSES & MEETINGS Get To Know Enka-Candler: the local Y Meet the Youth and Family Director of the Ferguson Family YMCA to learn about classes offered, equipment made available, and the mobile market. WE (7/27), 4pm, Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Rd, Candler The Learning Garden: Drop in and Learn Topics include Planning a Drip Irrigation System, Summer Care of Roses, Edibles in the Perennial Garden and Harvesting and
JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
Maintaining a Summer Vegetable Garden. TH (7/28), 9am, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center, 49 Mount Carmel Rd, Ste 102 The Learning Garden: The Magic of Indigo Participants will learn about growing two types of indigo for dye gardens. Attendees will have hands-on experience collecting the plant matter and with two methods of dying silk scarves with fresh indigo. TH (7/28), 10am, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Center, 49 Mount Carmel Rd, Ste 102 YMCA Safety Around Water Course Participants will learn basic water safety skills, what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly and how to identify a safe place to swim. Each participating child will also receive a free lunch and the YMCA Nutrition program will be providing produce bags for participating families. Ages 6-12. TH (7/28), 11:30am, Palisades at Plott Creek, 20 Palisades Ln, Waynesville ASAP's Farm Fresh for Health Symposium ASAP staff and partners will focus on strategies for wrap-around clinical health services, local food and nutrition security programs, and cooking education. TH (7/28), 4pm, KT's Orchard and Apiary, 158 Pigeon Ford Rd, Canton
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WNCHA History Hour – I Found That Song In A Friend: Bascom Lamar Lunsford and WNC Song A virtual event with the WNC Historical Association exploring the Madison County legend and his influence on old-time music in WNC. TH (7/28), 6pm, avl.mx/btq Learn About Worms Master Gardener Volunteers John Bowen, Vivian Gettys and Lauren Fortuna will bring their worm farms, talk to you about how the worms eat and live, and let you explore the farms and all the creepy, crawly creatures. Registration required: (828)2506482 FR (7/29), 10am, Weaverville Library, 41 N Main St, Weaverville Learn about Polymer Clay with the Blue Ridge Polymer Clay Guild No supplies or registration required. All levels welcome, 16+. FR (7/29), 11am, Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Rd, Leicester Introduction to Medicare - Understanding the Puzzle How Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties, and ways to save money. FR (7/29), 2pm, OLLI/ Reuter Center, UNCA, 300 Campus View Rd Cruise then Booze Paddle Outing A two hour paddle trip down the French Broad, ending at the brewery. Boats, life
jackets, paddles and a two-minute shuttle trip to Pisgah Forest access provided. FR (7/29), 4:30pm, Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Dr, Brevard Introduction to Zentangle Drawing Method This class will build creative confidence and foundational knowledge of the method and its eight steps. No experience needed, all supplies and materials included. FR (7/29), 5:30pm, $40, ARTPLAY, 372 Depot St, Ste 44 Fridays at the Folk Art Center: Why Care About Bats? Join a Blue Ridge Parkway ranger learning about why these mysterious creatures are so important and fascinating - debunking some common myths about bats and learning what we humans can do to help these vital members of our shared ecosystem. FR (7/29), 7pm, Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Parkway Astronomy Club of Asheville Public Star Gaze Community members are invited after dusk to view a wide variety of celestial objects using the observatory’s telescopes. Registration required. FR (7/29), 9pm, Lookout Observatory, 1 University Heights Creation Care Alliance: Day Retreat at Lake Logan Titled Restoration in Creation: Earth, Body,
Photography 101 Learn about the basics of photography and storytelling through photography with Flowstate artist in residence Ajax Ravenel. Registration required: (828)250-4738 or eastasheville.library@ buncombecounty.org. SA (7/30), 11am, East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Rd Herbs for the Heart: Crafting Cordials for Grief Workshop Janet Kent will discuss herbs that support people in times of bereavement and will cover the basics of cordial-making. SA (7/30), 1pm, $15, Center for Craft, 67 Broadway Birding Walk & Boat Ride For beginners and advanced birders. To sign up or for more information: conner. white@buncombecounty.org or (828)684-0376. SA (7/30), 8:30pm, Lake Julian Park, Arden Weekly Chess Tournament All skill levels welcome. SU (7/31), 2pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave We Will Speak: Learning About Cherokee Language and Language Revitalization Initiatives Attendees will be introduced to the sounds and introductory phrases of the Cherokee language via interactive Cherokee language revitalization techniques. MO (8/1), 6:30pm, Free-$10, avl.mx/btr Church Chats: Owls of the Carolinas Pam Torlina, Southeast Stewardship Manager for Conserving Carolina, will present on several species of owls found in the Carolinas.
Special attention will be given to the unique characteristics that make owls successful predators of the night. TU (8/2), 7pm, Mills River Presbyterian Church, 10 Presbyterian Church Rd, Mills River Swannanoa Valley Museum Walk through History: The Historic Early Cherokee Village at Warren Wilson The tour will focus on the Warren Wilson site, a Native American archaeology site where major excavations were conducted between 1964 and 2000. WE (8/3), 10am, $25-35, Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa Ayurveda 101: A Crash Course in Vibrant Health Dr. Poornima Sharma, certified yoga instructor and Health Coach, will present on eating well, living well, and embracing mindful living to enjoy both positive inner transformations and outer dynamism. WE (8/3), 7pm, avl.mx/8u5 Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: Jim Fielder of Blood Sweat & Tears Led by Asheville author and music journalist Bill Kopp, this event focuses on the career history of the Grammy Award-winning bass player. WE (8/3), 7pm, Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr Laurel Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America Alice Earl will lead the program on dry needle felting. Visitors are welcome to attend. If interested, contact Mary Ann Wyatt at (828)681-0572 or Janet Stewart (828)575-9195. TH (8/4), 9:30am, Cummings United Methodist Church, 3 Banner Farm Rd, Horse Shoe WNC Sierra Club: Making Highways Safer with Wildlife Crossings Jeff Hunter, senior program manager with National Parks Conservation Association,) will provide an overview and update on Safe Passage: The I-40 Pigeon River Gorge Wildlife Crossing Project. TH (8/4), 7pm, Free, avl.mx/977
LOCAL MARKETS Asheville City Market South Midweek market operated by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP). WE (7/27, 8/3), 12pm, Biltmore Town Square, 1 Town Square Blvd.
River Arts District (RAD) Farmers Market Located on the river with live music and over 30 local vendors. Safely accessible via the greenway, plus ample parking. WE (7/27, 8/3), 3pm, Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Dr Weaverville Tailgate Market Local foodstuffs, alongside a small lineup of craft and artisan vendors. WE (7/27, 8/3), 3pm, 60 Lake Shore Dr, Weaverville Etowah Lions Club Farmers Market Fresh produce, meat, sweets, breads, arts, and more, through Oct. 26. WE (7/27, 8/3), 3pm, 447 Etowah School Rd, Hendersonville Les-ter Farmers Market Support local farmers and craftspeople offering a variety of local produce, herbs, flowers, cheese, meat, prepared foods, art, gifts and much more - all locally grown and produced. WE (7/27, 8/3), 3pm, Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester Wednesday Night Market: Vintage and Crafts Vintage and crafts from area-based vendors. WE (7/27, 8/3), 4pm, Fleetwood’s, 496 Haywood Rd Enka-Candler Tailgate Market Fresh local produce and heritage crafts. Weekly. TH (7/28, 8/3), 3pm, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler Flat Rock Tailgate Market A diverse group of local produce farmers, jam and jelly makers, bread bakers, wild crafters, and merrymakers. TH (7/28, 8/3), 3pm, Pinecrest ARP Church, 1790 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock East Asheville Tailgate Market Local goods, every Friday. FR (7/29), 3pm, 954 Tunnel Rd Henderson County Tailgate Market One of the oldest openair markets in WNC, this unique market has a festival feel, with local growers who operate small family farms in Henderson County. SA (7/30), 8am, 100 N King St, Hendersonville Hendersonville Farmers Market Produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, coffee, crafts and more from 30+ local vendors. With live music, kids' activities and cooking demos weekly. SA (7/30), 8am, 650 Maple St, Hendersonville
Mills River Farmers Market A producer-only market, selling products raised or produced within 50 miles. With local musicians, a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, and high-quality crafts. SA (7/30), 8am, Mills River Elementary School, 94 Schoolhouse Rd, Mills River North Asheville Tailgate Market The oldest Saturday morning market in WNC. Over 60 rotating vendors. SA (7/30), 8am, North Asheville Tailgate Market, 3300 University Heights, Asheville Asheville City Market Over 50 vendors and local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and more. SA (7/30), 9am, 52 N Market St Black Mountain Tailgate Market Seasonal community market event featuring organic and sustainably grown produce, plants, cut flowers, herbs, locally raised meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheeses, eggs and local arts and
handcrafted items. SA (7/30), 9am, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Haywood's Historic Farmers Market Located at HART Theatre, weekly. SA (7/30), 9am, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville Transylvania Farmers Market Fifty vendors offering fresh, locally-grown produce, meat, poultry, eggs, honey, cheese, coffee, plants, herbs, cut flowers, baked goods, jams, jellies, relishes, prepared foods and handcrafted items. SA (7/30), 9am, Downtown Brevard Anything Fiber Sale Forty-four local fiber artists have cleaned out their studios to provide the community with bundles of unused yarns, piles of fabric, obscure tools, looms, duplicates of knitting needles, fleece, etc. SA (7/30), 9:30am, A-B Tech Mission Health Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr Madison Co. Farmers & Artisans Market Local goods and produce, weekly through Oct. SA (7/30), 10am, Mars Hill University, Mars Hill
Junk-O-Rama Saturday Vintage antiques market, every Saturday through Oct. SA (7/30), 11am, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd Gladheart Farm Fest Market Fresh produce, bread and pastries, food vendors, and live music, weekly. SU (7/31), 11am, Gladheart Farm, 9 Lora Ln Meadow Market A rotation of local bakers, makers, and artisans - every Sunday through Oct. SU (7/31), 12pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy West Asheville Tailgate Market Over 40 local vendors, every Tuesday - with live music from Doctor Delia. TU (8/2), 3:30pm, 718 Haywood Rd YMCA Mobile Market Bring your grocery bags and get fresh food for your family. Distributions are free and all community members are welcome. TH (8/4), 4:30pm, Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Rd, Candler
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS Love Shine Play Festival A variety of offerings including yoga classes, meditation, talks, hikes, and more - with the Mountain Air Market hosting over 50 health and wellness vendors, food trucks and a massage tent. TH (7/28)- SU (7/31), Pack Square Park Folkmooot Friday Matinee Performances by Jeff Little Trio, Danza y Tambor, Bailey Mountain Cloggers, Haywood Ramblers, and Trinity Irish Dance Ensemble. FR (7/29), 2pm, $25, Folkmoot Friendship Center, 112 Virginia Ave, Waynesville Folkmoot Friday Evening Showcase Performances by Green Valley Cloggers, Haywood Ramblers, Promin Ukrainian Dance, and Mangum and Company. FR (7/29), 7pm, $25, Folkmoot Friendship Center, 112 Virginia Ave, Waynesville Urban Garden Tour and Tasting with Bountiful Cities Seven local food producing gardens will open their gates for
visitors, educational activities and tours to raise awareness about urban agriculture and long-term food security solutions in uplifting the work of organizations, businesses, and nonprofits. SA (7/30), 2pm, Free-$35 (tasting ticket), Pearson Community Garden, 408 Pearson Dr Folkmoot International Day Street Festival Family-friendly, with an interactive children’s section; dance demonstrations and live music; food, beer and wine booths and craft vendors and community groups. SA (7/30), 10am, Historic Downtown Waynesville Bold Rock Fishing Fest Live music, local vendors, games, and a raffle with proceeds going toward Casting for Recovery, a non-profit that provides healing outdoor retreats for women with breast cancer, at no cost to the participants. SA (7/30), 11am, Bold Rock Mills River, 72 School House Rd, Mills River Grove Arcade Summer Fest Indoor and outdoor games and activities,
with live music from Travers Brothership and more, demos, a raffle and food and drink specials. SA (7/30), 12pm, Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave Folkmoot Saturday Evening Showcase Performances by Blue Ridge Big Band, Promin Ukrainian Dance, Warriors of AniKituhwa, SUAH African Dance Theatre, La Escuelita Bombera de Corazon, Mangum and Company Shout Band. Bring a chair or blanket. Food and refreshments available. SA (7/30), 7pm, Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley Folkmoot Sunday Performance and Closing Ceremony Performances by Green Valley Cloggers, Haywood Ramblers, Promin Ukrainian Dance, SUAH African Dance Theatre, Bailey Mountain Cloggers, Trinity Irish Dance Ensemble, Eddie Swimmer, Danzy y Tambor, La Escuelita Bombera de Corazon. Bring a chair or blanket. Food and refreshments available. SU (7/31), 2pm, Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley
Protect Pisgah Party & Rally for the Forest Mayor Esther Manheimer, Buncombe County Commission Chair Brownie Newman, and Buncombe County Commission Vice Chair Amanda Edwards will speak. The public will also have an opportunity to speak directly to Forest Service leaders, including Forest Supervisor James Melonas. There will be music, food, ice cream, games - and a gigantic tree-hug. MO (8/1), 4pm, US Forest Service Headquarters, 160 Zillicoah St
SPIRITUALITY Online Baha'i Sunday Devotional Friends gathering virtually for readings, music, prayers, and conversation. All are welcome. SU (7/31), 10am, avl.mx/a9m
BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING Experiential Garden Volunteers Needed Verner Experiential Garden (VEG) will host
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community garden nights, with gloves and tools provided. Email volunteer coordinator Polly: pphillips@ verneremail.org for more details. TH (7/27, 8/4), 4pm, Verner Center for Early Learning, 2586 Riceville Rd Read to Succeed Volunteer Interest Session Recruiting K-3 reading tutors for the upcoming school year. TH (7/28), 11:30am, avl.mx/btol Leo Season: A Comedy Birthday Bash and Benefit Celebrating host Morgan Bost's birthday, to benefit the Carolina Abortion Fund. Lineup includes comedians Julia Macias, James Harrod, Becca Steinhoff, Jess Cooley, Cody Hughes and Hilliary Begley. FR (7/29), 7:30pm, Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd The Pig Roast: Metal and Comedy Show Fundraiser All proceeds will go to the legal fund for the Asheville Solidarity Camp Defendants. SU (7/31), 12pm, The Odditorium, 1045 Haywood Rd
JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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WELLNESS
Nuts and bolts
County, city strategize on opioid settlement spending
EQUITY: Asheville will receive $1,519,518 from the National Opioid Settlement, while Buncombe County will get $16,175,039 over 17 years. Photo via iStock
BY JESSICA WAKEMAN jwakeman@mountainx.com In November 2017, Buncombe was the first county in North Carolina to file a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies for their role in the opioid epidemic. Counties and municipalities nationwide later consolidated lawsuits into multidistrict litigation. This yearslong battle concluded in February with the final approval of the National Opioid Settlement, ending litigation in federal and state courts between companies in the opioid supply chain and 3,300 communities nationwide. The litigation secured $26 billion from Johnson & Johnson, a former opioid manufacturer, and three pharmaceutical distributors: Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen. Asheville will receive $1,519,518, while Buncombe County will get $16,175,039 over 17 years. (Asheville did not file a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies but received settlement funds as a recipient in the class-action lawsuit, says City Attorney Brad Branham.) Settlement funds will go toward addressing the opioid epidemic that continues to ravage Western North Carolina. An average of nine people died from a drug overdose each day in 2020 in North Carolina, according 20
JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
to the most recent N.C. Department of Health and Human Services data. The Buncombe County Emergency Services Department tells Xpress it is dispatched to multiple 911 calls a day for drug overdoses, primarily heroin, fentanyl and prescription drugs like OxyContin and Percocet. “The urgency of [the opioid epidemic] is as real as it’s ever been,” Buncombe County Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrera, who served on the state’s opioid settlement working group (known as the 555 committee), tells Xpress. “What’s different now is we know a lot more each and every year about how to help people effectively get treatment — things like access to medication-assisted treatment.” RESPONSIBLE SPENDING In some ways, litigation against the opioid industry stems from the historic 1998 settlement by the four largest tobacco companies in the U.S. The tobacco settlement paid out $246 billion over 25 years, according to The Harvard Gazette. However, it provided few restrictions on how funds would be spent, and many were disappointed with the expenditures. “In many states, much of the money has gone not to anti-smoking
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efforts, or even to general spending on health, but instead to closing budget shortfalls, lowering taxes, and funding infrastructure,” The New Yorker reported. Wary of a repeat performance, the National Opioid Settlement established 12 evidence-based, high-impact strategies of which funds can be spent. North Carolina established a memorandum of agreement directing how the settlement can be spent in the state; it allocates 85% to counties and municipalities and 15% to the state. At least 70% of the settlement’s total funds must be used on future opioid remediation efforts, according to NationalOpioidSettlement.com. Each local government must file an annual financial audit of its expenditures to the North Carolina attorney general. ‘GET THIS RIGHT’ Buncombe County received $621,438 this spring and will get another $1.36 million this summer. The payments will be disbursed each summer through 2038, with allocations ranging between $700,000 and $1.3 million each year. Beach-Ferrera tells Xpress what “makes North Carolina stand out is how much of the funding is being directed
to local communities, so that there can be really homegrown solutions.” North Carolina’s memorandum of agreement outlines 12 programs and services that include recovery support services, recovery housing, evidence-based addiction treatment, naloxone (Narcan) distribution, syringe programs and post-overdose response teams. Representatives from the city and county recognize their respective spending must be thoughtful and intentional in focus, as well as coordinated with each other’s work. “There’s a lot to really think through,” says Victoria Reichard, Buncombe County behavioral health manager, who was hired in February in part to address settlement spending in the county’s new Behavioral Justice Health Collaborative, which is part of the Justice Resource Advisory Council. “We could just put money out, but then are we really going to make that impact? Are we going to be equitable?” Reichard adds, “Here’s your opportunity to slow down, get this right and make a long-term impact.” COUNTY PLANS On April 19, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a
Cooper says. “But I know for a fact from the work that I do that people of color have substance use disorder.” Reentry services after incarceration need to be prioritized, Cooper says, and that requires “realistic expectations for where Black people that have substance use disorder are going. They might not go to treatment, but guess what? They go to prison.” Cooper says he thinks some people are listening to him, but as to how funds will actually be disbursed, he says “we shall see.” A draft financial plan will be submitted in August and funding recommendations will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners for approval in September.
budget amendment for $621,438, the first fund transfer of the settlement. At that same meeting, Reichard explained how Buncombe County plans to get community input for developing a plan for the $16 million it will receive over the next 17 years. In a July 19 update, Reichard told the Board of Commissioners that the Behavioral Justice Health Collaborative will gather data and stakeholder feedback through September, including through a public engagement dashboard. Reichard said the Behavioral Justice Health Collaborative’s immediate priorities include more accessible housing, reentry services following incarceration and a reduction in the number of criminal sentences for people with substance use disorder. These emphases align with those of Philip Cooper, the Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems, or INspire, coordinator at Land of Sky Regional Council, an organization supporting local governments. Cooper is a member of a working group gathering weekly with Reichard and others to assess priorities. “My biggest concern has always been equity,” he says. “How can we make sure that all people get services whenever they start making decisions about this money?” Overdose rates in historically marginalized communities in the state are increasing faster than non-Hispanic white people, the NCDHHS opioid action plan says. But “when you look at the (county) programs, and all the other stuff, they’re not serving many people of color,”
Meanwhile, the city of Asheville is relying on Dogwood Health Trust to help plan its payout. Dogwood issued a request for proposals aimed at local governments receiving settlement funding in the National Opioid Settlement. Asheville city staff submitted a request for prposals for $375,500 to be spent over two years to fund a temporary staff position focusing on how to best spend the city’s opioid settlement funds. This temporary position will be in the Homeless Strategy Division of the Community and Economic Development Department, and aims to address the intersection of housing instability and substance use disorder. X
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JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
21
ARTS & CULTURE
Keeping pace
Local bands discuss touring amid inflation
BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN earnaudin@mountainx.com Karly Hartzman had no idea that the tweet would prove controversial. On March 22, the vocalist for Asheville-based indie rockers Wednesday posted an itemized list of the band’s expenses and earnings from its SXSW Music Festival tour. Though she noted that the Austin, Texas-based festival is “a special circumstance” and that she and her four bandmates had a great time, the experience wound up costing them $98.39. That total, she pointed out, didn’t include food expenses or the 10% cut for their booking agent — plus they all contracted COVID-19. Hartzman’s stated intention in posting this information was for the sake of transparency and to show why it’s so difficult for bands to play SXSW, particularly during inflation. Citing the “devastating” combination of gas prices and staying in presumably COVID-safe places, she elaborated that “touring the cheapest way isn’t always touring the ‘right’ way if it makes it unsustainable for you physically/mentally.” Breaking down the numbers, Hartzman revealed that she and her band shared an Airbnb for five days with another band, with Wednesday’s split totaling $1,210. And though Wednesday played seven shows in Austin, the band only got paid for one — a house show that also proved to be the only place where they sold any merchandise. Due to the packed, speedy nature of SXSW showcases, Hartzman noted that opportunities to sell albums, T-shirts and the like were few. “A reminder that music is simply an industry that is very inaccessible
#GOALS: Undeterred by the rising costs of touring, Asheville-based post-punk group Secret Shame continues to hit the road in pursuit of its musical dreams. Photo by Aster to people without a safety net of time/money,” she tweeted. “If there was anyway we could make it easier for people to live off of music, imagine how much more music we’d be able to listen to.” While the tweet thread received a fair amount of positive responses from fans and fellow touring artists, it also attracted a slew of unsolicited advice. Some commenters suggested that the lost revenue was the result of poor planning on the band’s part;
others offered Hartzman financial advice; and, among several purported quick fixes, one commenter wondered why Wednesday didn’t sleep in its van. “I’ve done the kind of DIY touring people were suggesting in the quotes, and it made me want to never tour again,” Hartzman replied. “I love playing music, so I’m gonna do it in a way that helps me feel like I can do it for the rest of my life.”
Before ending her part of the thread, Hartzman added, “I hope it’s easier for more people to be touring musicians if they want to in the future! But it’ll take a rethinking of how we engage with music through streaming or whatever.” Such are the realities facing local touring musicians in a time when consumer prices have risen by 9.1% over the past year and gas prices remain above $4 per gallon. Along with effects stemming from the
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ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s an especially difficult time to financially justify being a full-time performing artist. Yet with significant amounts of ingenuity and determination, Asheville-based talents are finding ways to make it work.
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THE MIGHTY DOLLAR “A few months ago, we were averaging under $80 a day in gas,” says Matthew (who goes by his first name only), bassist for Ashevillebased post-punk group Secret Shame. “Now it’s around $120.” In turn, 60%-70% of the band’s budget on its 13-day spring Midwest tour went toward fuel, leaving hotel rooms and Airbnbs as luxuries. The band did its best to stay with friends whenever possible, but in places where they didn’t have lodging lined up, they asked into the mic if someone in the crowd could house them for the night. “Sometimes there’s a bed, but usually it’s floor and couches. Often this meant our sleep wasn’t as good,” Matthew says. “I guess the creative workaround of staying with strangers can be good. You meet people and get to know them better than you would just talking at a show.” For other bands, living-room camping is a thing of the past. When local Americana ensemble Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters were starting out in the late 2000s, they would gladly accept whatever lodging they could get. But at age 36, Platt is the youngest person in the band, and with her husband (and Honeycutters drummer), Evan Martin, and their 2 1/2-year-old daughter in tow, such accommodations are no longer practical. Add in local singer/songwriter Hannah Kaminer, who doubled as opener and nanny on The Honeycutters’ late spring East Coast and Midwest tour, and that’s one more member to consider. “Now, everyone wants a bed,” Platt says. With three of The Honeycutters and Kaminer in Platt’s minivan and the family of three in Platt’s self-described “clown car” (i.e., a Toyota Yaris), the band spent less on fuel than it would have with rental vans, avoiding a daily loan charge in the process. Nevertheless, increases in hotel costs, paying for Kaminer’s child care services and higher gas prices resulted in less full-ensemble meals on the band’s tab and fewer fun group activities than on previous tours. While such pricey considerations are common for bands, Mike Savino, the Asheville-based banjoist/vocalist
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KEEP THE RECEIPT: Asheville-based indie rockers Wednesday are leading the charge for transparency of touring costs. Photo by Colin Miller who performs as Tall Tall Trees, has created a flexible act and is somewhat inflation-proof as a result. On his own, using loops and pedals to emulate different instruments, he’s a one-man band. But he’s just as adept performing with a full band — if the funds are available. “I can go solo if I want. I can fly to a show with three items and make a show of it. I’ve got a very low overhead. If I want to bring a drummer or even more people and there’s a budget for that, I can,” he says. “I’ve always just been DIY — it’s the reason I play the instrument that I do, something that can play all the instruments’ jobs.” But even with keeping his expenses low, Savino has been asking venues for more money per show
ALL BY MYSELF: Unlike bands with multiple members, Tall Tall Trees’ Mike Savino keeps his overhead low as primarily a solo act. Photo by Lauren Hart
to keep pace with inflation — a request that is generally honored. Matthew has similarly seen the $5 punk show — a standard rate since the ’80s — frequently increase to $10 and go even higher if Secret Shame is supporting a well-known band. “It’s great [getting paid more] because literally everything else costs more, but it can also exclude people, given that minimum wages haven’t increased in over a decade,” Matthew says. “We also raised the prices of shirts, CDs and records — partially to keep up with the cost of those being raised for us and partially because we see other bands raising their prices.” Though Savino calls merch “the bread and butter” of touring, supply-chain issues kept him from getting vinyl copies of his records prior to the 15,000-person Winnipeg Folk Festival in early July, which he says cost him “a lot” of potential revenue. Yet even for bands that have all of their proverbial ducks in a row prior to heading out on the road, COVID has disrupted or destroyed touring plans for many artists, leaving them well short of their financial goals. “Unfortunately, the economics of touring, you don’t start to hit a profit until you get halfway, especially if you’re touring in a tour bus. If you can get to halfway and break even, then you start to get to the second half and you start to make your money back and actually get paid,” Savino says. “But if you’re canceling your tour halfway and you haven’t even made your expenses yet, then you’re losing money and that’s no bueno — and, really, it’s not sustainable.”
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AR T S & C UL TU R E BUSINESS AND PLEASURE On the other side of the industry, area venue owners are fighting their own battles with inflation. At Fleetwood’s in West Asheville, owner/talent buyer Mary Kelley has witnessed high gas prices make travel cost-prohibitive for bands, especially artists who get around in touring vans. “We are seeing less requests for shows from artists that aren’t regional,” she says. “We’ve also had a dip in tourists visiting and coming to check out live music.” Bob Hinkle, owner of White Horse Black Mountain, has likewise encountered artists nixing summer 2022 touring due to rising costs as well as some who’ve taken the plunge but are encountering unexpected financial struggles out on the road. He says he’d be surprised if many musicians are able to take home 20% of their tour earnings. But as a former touring musician — “back before electricity,” he jokes — and manager of artists struggling to break even, Hinkle has a good deal of sympathy for today’s performers. He adds that being “somebody whose cheese hasn’t quite fallen off
IT’S APPARENT: Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters’ touring life has changed significantly due to inflation and bringing Platt’s 2 1/2-year-old daughter along. Photo by Sandlin Gaither the cracker but is hanging by a very thin margin” has also helped him and like-minded peers weather bumps in the road. “Many times in my 50-plus years of being in this wonderful business of music, I’ve opined how crazy we all are to be in it,” he says. “I still think that merits consideration, but I remain unabashedly in love with it. The vast majority of the people I meet are individually wonderful. My life’s head is full of music, and it sustains me.” FOR LOVE OF THE GAME Hinkle’s “wouldn’t want to do anything else” mentality overlaps with the reasons that many area artists continue to hit the road and play for people. Platt notes that The Honeycutters started touring because they felt that they couldn’t play often enough in Asheville to make a living and still sustain interest from local fans. But apart from the business side, she generally enjoys getting to travel, meet new people and see new places. “I do think it’s a viable way to make a living, and now that CD sales are in decline, ticket and merch sales from shows are more important to an artist’s income,” she says. “It’s not the easiest way to make a living, though, and for many people — myself included — not the most lucrative endeavor. So I would say that the biggest reason that I keep touring is that I love being on the road and playing music. For all the ups and downs, I think that’s the bottom line.”
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Though Secret Shame is not yet to the point where its members are making a living from music, Matthew says attaining that goal and a love of performing for others is what keeps them hitting the road. The group recently landed an agent and plans to continue touring, since — despite rising costs — “that’s the only way to make money as a band these days,” Matthew says. Wednesday, however, has seemingly turned that corner. In late May, Hartzman posted a screenshot of the ensemble’s most recent tour data from its nationwide twomonth run opening for Chicagobased rockers Beach Bunny and a headlining West Coast leg. Thanks to encouraging merch sales, crashing at people’s houses 75% of the time and being paid $500 a show ($750 at The Orange Peel), the band made just over $5,700 — which she said was only the second time it’s made a profit in five years of touring. For shows in much of the tour’s second half, the group also raised money for abortion funds in the state they played in each night, which totaled $2,355. Though she’s not sure if she’ll continue sharing financial records, Hartzman also noted that “every dollar was gas money for almost every tour before this” — reiterating that the current touring model has been broken for a long time. “Wish I had started doing this earlier to illustrate how rough touring is before you get to this point,” she said via Twitter. “Highly encourage bands that are doing DIY touring to post their expenses, cause it’s f***ing insane.” X
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ARTS & CU L T U R E
LITERATURE
Bankrupt
Terry Roberts explores jazz and economic ruin in his latest novel
BY THOMAS CALDER tcalder@mountainx.com For those familiar with Asheville history, Nov. 20, 1930, is a significant date. On that day, the Central Bank and Trust Co. — the largest bank in the region with $52 million in assets — closed, along with several other smaller financial institutions in the area. In the blink of an eye, countless residents and families lost their life savings. Furthermore, the county, the city and the public school system combined for a total loss of nearly $8 million in deposits. For local author and Buncombe County native Terry Roberts, recapitulations of that historic day often detail an astonished and anxious crowd, locked out of banks and cluttering doorways and sidewalks. The perspective, he notes, is always from the outside looking in. “I wanted to tell this story from the inside out,” the award-winning writer continues. “I wanted to write it from within the bank — someone looking out the window as the door is locked and the people on the sidewalk start to gather.” In his latest novel, The Sky Club, released earlier this month, Roberts does just that. The book’s narrator and main character, Jo Salter, is a 26-year-old Madison County native-turned-Asheville-resident. A math prodigy with a healthy dose of rural skepticism, Jo lands a job at the Central Bank and Trust Co. in the spring of 1929. Soon thereafter, Jo’s skill set elevates her through the ranks of the institution, and she quickly discovers the numbers don’t add up. Jo’s only respite from her demanding job is time spent at The Sky Club, a speak-easy jazz club nestled atop Beaucatcher Mountain. While there, she meets and eventually develops a complicated relationship with the club’s elusive manager, Levi Arrowood. “I wanted to somehow capture both the ’20s, with its jazz influence, while at the same time explore the decade’s demise — that pivotal point when things start to go south,” Roberts says. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MONEY The late novelist John Gardner is credited with the observation that
Yancey and Madison counties, come down out of the mountains into town ... to trade and sell and socialize,” Jo narrates. “The men and women swapping lies and livestock, telling lies and making gossip.” Several times throughout the novel, Roberts draws contrasts between the urban and rural lives in Western North Carolina. Often, it is in these moments of reflection that the novelist — and by extension his narrator — are at their best. For example, in an early passage, Jo contemplates the meaning of land and the way that understanding shifts depending on your location and situation. “Up home, on Big Pine and places like it — Harmony, Spillcorn, Bluff, Doe Branch, Spring Creek, Runion — the land was where you were born and buried. Where you lived and died. The land was beautiful and harsh, and, in its own bittersweet way, the thing that made you. In all seasons and all phases of the moon. It’s where you planted and harvested, and it’s where you were planted and harvested.
AUTHOR’S BEST FRIEND: Terry Roberts notes that his late dog, Bodie, sat with him throughout the writing process of his latest novel, The Sky Club. In turn, Roberts immortalized the hound, placing him in the story itself. Author photo by Jesse L. Roberts there are only two types of stories in literature — the hero’s journey and that of a stranger coming to town. The Sky Club falls into the latter category. But whereas the stranger in such stories is often the driving force of change within the given model, Roberts’ latest work adds into the mix the external factor that was the Great Depression. “I was really interested in exploring the psychology of money,” Roberts explains. “What would happen to any one of us if we were to go to sleep one night with whatever amount of money we had, and then we woke up the next day to discover we had nothing.” Like many works of historical fiction, Roberts’ novel intermingles actual figures from the period, such as Asheville’s then-mayor, Gallatin Roberts (with whom the author shares no familial ties), alongside fictional characters such as Jo and Levi. Including individuals like Gallatin Roberts serves as a reminder of the real-life turmoil the economic collapse created. In the case of the former mayor, a deep sense of personal failure, culpability in the bank’s closure and corruption charges related to mismanagement of city funds resulted in his suicide on Feb. 25, 1931. Such tragic turns create a sharp contrast to the book’s earlier passages, an intentional choice by the
author. In beginning the narrative prior to the bank’s closure, Terry Roberts reminds readers of the blind optimism that many residents and community leaders shared. “There was a mania at that time of buying and selling real estate,” Roberts says. “Everybody thought they could get rich, and everybody was exposed in a sense once the economy collapsed.” Well, almost everyone. “Poor people remained poor,” the author points out. “The people who were growing their own food before the crash were eating the same food after.”
“But not in town, not in Asheville. Land in town was a commodity — to be bought, sold, and traded. And God help you if you held onto a parcel long enough to like it, let alone love it. Land was meant to be kept moving, just like money, because it was money. “Up home, the land was a lover, even if a rough one at times; in town, land was a whore, bought and sold.” Throughout The Sky Club, Jo encounters numerous other differences between her childhood upbringing and the present reality she faces. For readers, much of the joy is in seeing how she navigates these polarities, and by novel’s end, how she finds a way to bring her two worlds together as a means of survival. X
THE THING THAT MADE YOU Jo’s background as the daughter of a poor farmer in Anderson Cove — a location inspired by the author’s own ancestral ties — provides the book’s narrator with a level of grit that many of the city bankers lack. Her past is also a bridge between two worlds. Though much of the novel takes place in Asheville, Jo frequently travels north to visit her aging father. When she can’t make it to Madison County, the next best option is the farmers market on Lexington Avenue. Such visits give readers yet another glimpse of the city’s past. “Trucks and even wagons from Haywood and
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ARTS & CU L T U R E
FILM
The champ is here
Half a century after the underdog Hendersonville High School boys basketball team won the 3A state championship, their accomplishments are being immortalized in cinematic form. Directed by Keith Dunnavant, the documentary short The Tin Can Man chronicles the bold moves by Bearcats head coach Jim Pardue in the fateful 1971-72 season, which included voluntarily playing against larger schools and, more significantly, starting four Black student-athletes. The 30-minute film has its world premiere on Friday, Aug. 5, at Hendersonville High School. Additional festivities include light refreshments at a pre-film reception and a post-screening Q&A moderated by Dunnavant and featuring members of the championship team. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County. “This is a story about opportunity, tenacity and resilience that mirrors so many stories of the youth served by our organization,” says Julia Hockenberry, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club. “It will be a great night in an amazing venue, celebrating the heart of our community, across generations.” In the midst of putting the finishing touches on the film, Dunnavant spoke with Xpress from his suburban Atlanta home about making The Tin Can Man and capturing what he calls “the connective tissue between a team and its town.” What was your path to becoming a filmmaker? I started my media career as a teenage sportswriter in North Alabama, and eventually covered college football and other sports for major newspapers and magazines in
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Documentary short immortalizes 1972 HHS basketball team
ALL-TIME GREATS: This scan of the 1972 Hendersonville High School yearbook spotlights the championship-winning men’s basketball team. Image courtesy of HHS Birmingham, Los Angeles and New York. Later, I transitioned into magazine management and ownership and started writing history books. My bookshelf includes biographies of Paul “Bear” Bryant, Joe Montana and Francis Gary Powers. Making documentary films was a natural extension of my print journalism career because I want to keep stretching as a storyteller. Producing documentaries is tremendously challenging on several different levels, especially as an independent filmmaker. Our team is dedicated to telling compelling stories with style and heart. Three Days at Foster, our film about the pioneering African American athletes who shattered the color barrier at the University of Alabama, aired on statewide television in Alabama. Over the last two decades, I have also worked as a featured historian and consultant on a long list of network documentaries on ESPN, HBO, Showtime and SEC Network. Do you have much prior history with Western North Carolina? During my sportswriting days, I spent a good bit of time covering
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college basketball and football in the state. How did you first hear about Hendersonville High’s ’71-’72 championship season? I was intrigued by the history in Hendersonville, and through one particular friend, I started investigating what turned out to be a special team. I heard about this underdog, overachieving team that happened to coincide with what turned out to be a milestone in the community’s cultural integration. Did you experience any epiphanies throughout the filmmaking process? Whether you are writing a book or producing a documentary, the most important step is deciding what story you want to tell. Early on in the process of the film that became The Tin Can Man, it became clear to me that this was a story about an underdog team that also reflected a cultural milestone for the community. Despite having a 2A-sized enrollment, the school’s leadership decided to voluntarily move up to 3A in 1971, which meant that the
Bearcats would be playing over their heads against larger schools. At the same time, their lineup was much smaller than usual, which added another level of underdog tension, especially when they reached the state tournament. Ultimately, The Tin Can Man is about the connective tissue between a team and its town. When coach Pardue put four African American starters on the floor that year, it represented a breakthrough that reflected the cultural integration that was sweeping across the South at that time. I don’t have any evidence that he experienced resistance from the community, but some of the players believe he felt heat at the time — heat which he ignored in order to do the right thing. Whom were you able to interview for the film? Seven players from the 1972 team appear in the film, including Harold Albany, Tippy Creswell, Brian Tallent, Johnny Landrum, Dennis Braswell, Robert Fain and Jeff Gould, plus several others connected to the program and the school.
What obstacles did you encounter along the way, and how did you maneuver around them? Fortunately, we were blessed with great cooperation from the key figures and the community of Hendersonville. The obstacles were minimal. Documentary filmmaking is a visual medium, so there are always the challenges of how to illustrate a historic story where only limited footage and photos are available. You learn to be creative. What moments and encounters from this project do you think will stick with you most? Probably what sticks with you the most in a project like this is the people you meet. I’ve made some new friends in a great little town. I have a deep appreciation for what a high school team can mean to a community, and my experience in Hendersonville has confirmed this. All these years later, people are still talking about that 1971-72 team and how it touched the town. I’ve been interviewing people for a living for 43 years. Being prepared is superimportant in my kind of journalism, and yet sometimes you get an answer that surprises you. That happened during one of my interviews on the Hendersonville project, and the answer became central to the story. No, I’m not going to tell you what it is. You’ll have to see the movie. What do you hope viewers take away from watching The Tin Can Man? Pride. The premiere at Hendersonville High School on Aug. 5 is a celebration for the town. It is an opportunity for the attendees to take a trip back in time and soak up how all those ambitious, talented, competitive young men loved playing basketball — and how that passion for the game united the town. They created a defining moment in the history of Hendersonville — unifying the community around a shared purpose. Lastly, what’s the significance of the film’s title? [That] will be revealed at the premiere.
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WHAT The Tin Can Man WHERE Hendersonville High School Auditorium, 1 Bearcat Blvd., avl.mx/bsq WHEN Friday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m. $50
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FOOD ROUNDUP
What’s new in food
Grove Arcade hosts inaugural summer festival
PARTY TIME: Restaurant and business owners will come together to celebrate the inaugural Grove Arcade Summer Festival on Saturday, July 30. Among the many participants are, from left, Elizabeth Bambarger of Bebettes: A New Orleans Coffeehouse; Hector and Aimée Diaz of Modesto; Lisa Vann and Ben Krueger of Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill; and Mindi McGlynn of Asheville Proper. Photo by Jennifer Castillo The merchants of the Grove Arcade are set to join forces for a new tradition on Saturday, July 30. Taking place noon-7 p.m., the Grove Arcade Summer Festival includes engaging activities, demonstrations and a chance to connect the local community with the businesses within. “Grove Arcade is hoping to provide a memorable experience for anyone who comes out,” says Travis LeJune, CEO of Dolo Digital, Grove Arcade’s media representative. “We expect everyone to enjoy the summer day, have a great time and appreciate what Asheville’s talented locals have to offer.” Among the participating businesses, Grove Arcade mainstays Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar, Modesto and Baba Nahm are all rolling out celebratory dinner specials, while the relative Grove Arcade newcomer Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill plans to supply homemade spam musubi, hurricane popcorn (a unique Hawaiian blend of popcorn, rice crackers, nori and buttery toppings) and free pineapple/mango soft-serve ice cream at the event. “As one of the newest tenants in the Grove Arcade, we are thrilled to ride on the coattails of its rich and iconic historical significance in the Blue 30
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Ridge Mountains,” says Lisa Vann, who co-owns Huli Sue with partner, Ben Krueger. “We’re honored to be woven into its continuing traditions and experiences that will one day be a part of that said history.” Fellow newcomer Wedge Brewing Co.’s latest local taproom will be pouring pints of a special beer. Meanwhile, Battery Park Book Exchange plans to mix up a special “midsummer mimosa” and extend summer reading book specials to event guests. A live raffle featuring prizes selected by Grove Arcade merchants will also accompany the celebration. Visitors will receive one free raffle ticket simply for showing up and may purchase additional tickets for chances to win products from Four Corners Home, ADORAtherapy, Serenity & Scott, Wake Foot Sanctuary and more. All raffle proceeds will be donated to Food Connection, which will also be in attendance Live art exhibits, musical performances, face painting, games, aura readings, glass blowing, instrument lessons and more also await all those looking to help make history and celebrate local business. The Grove Arcade is at 1 Page Ave. Visit avl.mx/bsr for more information.
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A little something sweet Mary’s Mountain Cookies, a Colorado-based bakery with 18 locations across the Centennial State and Midwest, held the grand opening celebration for its first North Carolina location last month in downtown Asheville. Situated directly under the AC Hotel by Marriot Asheville Downtown, the newest addition to Asheville’s bustling dessert scene will supply the 828 with quarter-pound cookies baked fresh daily. Popular flavors include chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin, s’mores, salted caramel and a rotating set of seasonal options. Customers who purchase a bundle of six cookies in-store will receive two complimentary cookies, and those who buy a bundle of a dozen cookies will receive five free cookies. “We hope people leave the shop feeling happy and with their sweet tooth satisfied,” says owner Meghan Marshall. “It’s a joy for us to do this every day, and we want to pass that joy along to anyone who takes the time to come see us.” Mary’s Mountain Cookies is at 10 Broadway, Suite 129. Visit avl.mx/bss for more information.
Lend a helping hand On Saturday, July 30, noon-5 p.m., Highland Brewing Co. will host a release party at The Meadow, as part of its ongoing Pints with Purpose collaboration series. The latest special brew, Survivor Strong, a hazy India pale ale, benefits the local nonprofit Helpmate, which supports people leaving situations of domestic violence. There will be pickup volleyball games, a glitter tattoo booth, hooper demonstrations and musical performances from Wild Bodema at noon and Buffalo Kings, 2-5 p.m. Blue Collar Diner, El Querubin and Smasheville food trucks will be on-site during the event. Buggy Pops will also be in attendance dishing out ice-cold popsicles to help combat the hot July sun. Staff from Helpmate will also be available and accept donations for survivors of domestic violence throughout the event The Meadow at Highland Brewing is at 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200. Visit avl.mx/8ze for more information.
Christmas in July The Beauty Boost Asheville, a community group designed for women
to feel empowered and motivated, will host a special Christmas in July experience Sunday, July 31, 2-7 p.m., at Mills River Brewing Co. A number of local shops and services, including Wild Fire Pottery, Blue Intuition and Basile Wraps, will set up complimentary stations intended to encourage networking. Juju’s Craft Cookery food truck will serve beer-friendly food, such as burgers, wings and nachos, for hungry shoppers hoping to refuel as they hop from station to station. The event is free, but those who register in advance will receive a free entry to a seasonally themed raffle. Mills River Brewing Co. is at 336 Banner Farm Road. Visit avl.mx/bst for additional information and registration.
Elliot Moss changes course Earlier this month on Instagram, chef Elliot Moss, a name synonymous with WNC barbecue, announced his departure from Buxton Hall Barbecue and Buxton Chicken Palace. “I’m heartbroken to say that I’m officially officially no longer involved or a part of Buxton Hall BBQ or Buxton Chicken Palace,” wrote Moss in the post. “My partners and I have decided to part ways, and I have sold my interest in the business to them.” In 2015, Moss opened Buxton Hall Barbecue with Chai Pani’s Meherwan Irani. Moss and Irani doubled down on their shared success by expanding operations and trying a new concept with Buxton Chicken Palace in 2021, offering up a fast, casual approach to scratchmade chicken sandwiches. While no official announcement on leadership or creative changes has been made, both Buxton restaurants will continue to operate as usual. Moss plans to stay in Asheville and will reportedly be opening a new restaurant in town as early as this year. Buxton Hall Barbecue is at 32 Banks Ave. Buxton Chicken Palace is at 56 Patton Ave., inside the S&W Market. Follow Elliot Moss on Instagram at avl.mx/bsu for news on his next move.
Second time’s a charm Cafetería y Taqueria la Jarochita, a new Mexican American restaurant from owners Guillermo Cortes and Patricia Zacarias, opened July 1, several months after the pair closed their previous restaurant Scrambled. With significantly more space, a vastly expanded menu and the ben-
efit of hindsight, Cortes and Zacarias are committed to learning from the past and firmly establishing their roots this time around. “This is real, authentic homemade Mexican food,” says Cortes. “Our food looks and tastes different than any other restaurant in town.” A large swath of Mexican culinary backgrounds melds into one at Cafetería y Taqueria la Jarochita, blending family recipes from Cortes’ Michoacán background and Zacarias’ Veracruz upbringing. The latter is well versed in a number of different cuisines spanning the many states and unique regions of Mexico, following an extensive epicurean education in her home country. The new menu reflects this journey, featuring a varied array of classic Mexican dishes and modern spins on traditional favorites. Scratch-made mole has quickly become a favorite among the restaurant’s established regulars and new fans, as have the sopes, empanadas and memelas (masa cakes pressed thin then grilled), all made from fresh, in-house corn tortillas. Several Mexican standards, like tacos al pastor, enchiladas and huevos rancheros, as well as Americanstyle comforts — think omelets, pancakes and breakfast burritos — help round out a diverse menu. Cafetería y Taqueria la Jarochita is at 2377 Hendersonville Road, Arden. Visit avl.mx/bsv for hours and additional information.
@Camdenscoffeehouse • 40 N Main St, Mars Hill, NC
Local bakery changes hands West Asheville’s Malvern Hills Bakery has closed, following three years in business. The proverbial rolling pin will be passed on to Dune Pierre Michel of French Broad Pantry as his bakery prepares to fill the vacated location. “We want to thank all of our customers for their love, support and patience with us,” announced Malvern Hills Bakery’s owner and head baker, Alex Goodwin, via social media. “It is with great sadness that we have to announce that we have reached a point where we can no longer keep things running, and we will be closing down.” French Broad Pantry, a mainstay at many tailgate farmer’s markets, plans to temporarily move away from attending markets as operations transition to the new location. French Broad Pantry is at 1570 Patton Ave. Visit avl.mx/bsw for more information.
— Blake Becker X MOUNTAINX.COM
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ROUNDUP
Around Town
Asheville Jewish Community Center celebrates Israeli fine art
Ready for sunny days at the Supper Club SMOKYPARK.COM 350 RIVERSIDE DR. ASHEVILLE, NC 28801 828-350-0315
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Jewish art is diverse and highly personal, says Michaela Kelley, communications manager for Asheville Jewish Community Center. “By celebrating Jewish art, we are celebrating the depth and diversity of the Jewish people,” she says. The center will explore Jewish art, music and food through J Art Fest, a three-event series that gets underway with An Exploration of Israeli Fine Art at Contemporaneo Gallery, Sunday, July 31, 3-6 p.m. The event will highlight the work of prominent Jewish artists Yaacov Agam and Zammy Migdal. Local artist Denby Dale will lecture on Israeli sculptor Agam’s influence on pioneering kinetic art, an experimental style that incorporates light and sound to create a sensorial experience for viewers. Agam’s kinetic sculpture fountain sits in Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv. The lecture will be followed by a gallery viewing featuring the work of Migdal. The Tel Aviv-born artist is internationally renowned for his mixed-media sculptures and paintings that occupy public spaces from Miami to Düsseldorf, Germany. Although not kinetic, his sculptures often suggest movement. “We want this event to connect people,” says Kelley. “All will be able to appreciate the featured works regardless of artistic background, and learning about the context and inspiration behind them will further deepen that appreciation.” The evening will also include wine and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a showcase of art pieces created by JCC program participants. Tickets are $75. When attendees purchase artwork from the gallery through Sunday, July 31, 20% of the price will benefit the JCC. J Art Fest will continue when the JCC hosts a Klezgrass concert, with family-friendly klezmer bluegrass music, Sunday, Aug. 21, 4-6 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per family. Awardwinning husband-and-wife duo Zoe & Cloyd will perform, joined by Bennett Sullivan on banjo and Kevin Kehrberg on bass. Archetype Brewing will sell food and drinks at the show. The concert will take place on the “camp field” at the JCC, 236 Charlotte St.
September will bring a culinary arts experience. Each of three courses will be prepared by a local chef, accompanied by wine pairings. The meal will be served at the JCC on Sept. 11, 7-9 p.m. Tickets cost $180 per person. Contemporaneo Gallery is at 4 Biltmore Ave. The JCC is at 236 Charlotte St. For more information or to buy tickets for any of the three events, go to avl.mx/bs6.
Anything throws When local textile artisan Judi Jetson witnessed the decline of textile production and jobs following the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, she knew something had to change. With a few other local fiber artisans, she founded the nonprofit Local Cloth in an effort to reinvent the region’s once-thriving textile industry. “We [help] small, local artisan makers, farmers and designers work together to make garments, household goods and connect to shoppers,” she explains. The nonprofit will host its Anything Fiber Yard Sale for the first time since COVID-19 struck in 2020. The sale takes place at the A-B Tech Conference Center on Saturday, July 30, 9:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. When the event first launched, it operated as a small exchange among a few friends and was held at the Swannanoa Valley Friends Meetinghouse in Black Mountain, Jetson says. “As word got out, it grew to attract hundreds of bargain-hunting fiber artists and makers from as far away as Atlanta,” she notes. Anything Fiber will offer leftover studio provisions from 45 of the 250 members who make up Local Cloth. Visitors can purchase yarn, excess fabric, tools, looms, unspun fleece, apparel and more. Professional artists participating in the show include wool crafter Joni Marie Davis, John C. Campbell Folk School resident artist Martha Owen, wavy-weaving pattern specialist Amy Putansu and spirit doll maker Stacy Vajta. Local Cloth Inc. is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Fire house
ART THAT CONNECTS: Contemporaneo Gallery will present a show on Jewish art with the Asheville Jewish Community Center at the end of July. The show will feature sculpture and mixed-media artwork from renowned Israeli artist Zammy Migdal, whose work is featured here. Photo courtesy of Asheville Jewish Community Center The A-B Tech Conference Center is at 16 Fernihurst Drive. For more information, go to avl.mx/bt6.
Party like it’s 1951 During the summer of 1951, dancer Katherine Litz and composer Lou Harrison performed “The Glyph” with poet Charles Olson and artist Ben Shahn at Black Mountain College. Dancer Polly Motley and pianist Yukiko Takagi are bringing the work to the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center on Saturday, July 30, at 3 and 7 p.m. “Litz’s performance was a nine-minute solo in which she reemerged six times from behind a wall painted with a drawing by Shahn,” says BMCM+AC outreach manager Kimberly English. “Each time she emerged, so did a new character through the manipulation of her body and a jersey tube costume.” A glyph is a hieroglyphic character or symbol. The idea behind the dance was to create a glyph through the representational yet abstract language of performance and textual art.
“Music and dance replace image and text as interlocking yet independent parts of a compound form,” says English. “Music and dance became the glyph.” The performances will be presented in conjunction with the exhibition Jo Sandman / TRACES, which runs through Saturday, Sept. 3. Sandman, a multimedia artist, was a student at the college that summer. Tickets cost $10 for members and students, $15 for general admission. BMCM+AC is at 120 College St. For more information or to buy tickets, go to avl.mx/bt0.
Vox populi Inspired by the 1940s-era Voice-O-Graph — a machine that allowed people to record their voices on a vinyl disc — the folks at American Vinyl Co. decided to launch a recording booth service of their own. But Voice-O-Graphs are hard to find these days, so the company got creative by converting a vintage phone booth into a microrecording studio.
“This booth was likely originally from a 1920s or 1930s general store but was recently found in a closeddown restaurant in Harrisonburg, Va.,” says Ryan Schilling, owner of American Vinyl Co. “We have six record lathes [equipment used to cut vinyl records] at the shop, so all we needed was a private space for people to talk into the mic. Most phone booths were made just for standing, so we modified this one to fit someone with an instrument along with some acoustic treatment to help it sound good.” For $20, guests can bring an instrument or record a message inside the booth while the analog audio is recorded directly to a 7-inch, 45 rpm vinyl record. Within five minutes, the record will be ready to take home and put on a turntable. “I am sure we’ll be surprised by the ideas people come up with, but we expect messages to friends and family, kids talking or singing, and definitely musicians squeezing in with an instrument,” Schilling says. American Vinyl Co. is at 217 Coxe Ave., Suite C. For more information, go to avl.mx/bsx.
Firestorm Books has acquired the former site of Dr. Dave’s Automotive at 1022 Haywood Road with plans to renovate the 2,880-square-foot building before relocating to it in early 2023. The new location will have an outdoor patio, off-street parking, a private meeting room, space for an expanded inventory and rooftop solar. Firestorm Books is a collectively owned bookstore and community event space at 610 Haywood Road. “This gives us the long-term stability we need while also creating a permanent community asset that will be removed from the speculative market,” Firestorm Collective member Libertie Valance says in a video posted to the co-op’s YouTube channel. Firestorm will own the building but will donate the land to the Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust after renovations are complete. To finance the purchase, Firestorm partnered with Seed Commons, a national network of loan funds. Firestorm is also seeking community donations to support renovations. For more information, visit avl.mx/bt1.
— Flora Konz X
With additional reporting by Justin McGuire
MOVIE REVIEWS Local reviewers’ critiques of new films include: NOPE: There’s something special about an original horror film financed by a studio as big as Universal, and celebrating its mere existence may inflate this and other reviewers’ ratings of writer/director Jordan Peele’s latest work. But the story of a mysterious flying object terrorizing a valley outside LA warrants such high praise thanks to Peele’s command of spectacle and his gripping meditations on the futility of taming predators. Grade: A-minus — Edwin Arnaudin
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Find full reviews and local film info at ashevillemovies.com patreon.com/ashevillemovies JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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DEAD SET: Asheville bluegrass supergroup Songs From The Road Band will channel the Grateful Dead with hometown Dead cover band Dirty Dead at Silverados’ Grateful Getdown on Friday, July 29, at 7 p.m. The outdoor show will feature a set from each band as part of several local celebrations of what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 80th birthday. Photo courtesy of Songs From the Road Band For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 12 BONES BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY • Ashevillians (comedy showcase), 7pm • Aquanet Goth Party w/Ash Black, 9pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Disclaimer Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. Trivia! Trivia! Night, 6:30pm BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING Jay Brown (roots), 6pm BOLD ROCK ASHEVILLE Karaoke Night, 7pm BOLD ROCK MILLS RIVER Trivia Night, 6pm CATAWBA BREWING BILTMORE Singo (musical bingo), 7pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Trivia w/Billy, 7pm DOUBLE CROWN Western Wednesday, 9pm
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ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Stillhouse Junkies (Americana, country-western), 7:30pm
STATIC AGE RECORDS the sound that ends creation, rat punch, tracheal shave, execution van (metal), 9pm
JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm
SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Witty Wednesday Trivia, 6:30pm
LAZY HIKER BREWING SYLVA Trivia Night, 6:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Mountain Music Jam, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Wild Wednesday Funk-n-Rock w/Free Anesthesia, 10pm ONE WORLD BREWING Pingo Wednesdays (trivia bingo), 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Latin Night Wednesdays w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8pm RENDEZVOUS Albi (musique Francaise), 6pm SALVAGE STATION The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus & Attack Attack! w/Kingdom Collapse + Astoria State (rock), 8pm SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. Fwuit (retro soul), 5pm
HI-WIRE BREWING RAD BEER GARDEN Game Night, 6pm
SILVERADOS Wednesday Night Open Jam hosted by Hamza Vandehey, 6pm
HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Wednesdays w/Matt Smith, 6pm
SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Jazz Night w/Jason DeCristofaro, 6pm
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SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic w/ Host Caleb Beissert, 8pm
THE DUGOUT Karaoke Party, 8pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Andrew Finn Magill (acoustic), 7pm THE GREY EAGLE Macy Rodman (singer-songwriter), 5pm THE ODDITORIUM Calliope Musicals, Secret Shame, Hex Sign & Harriers of Discord (alt/indie), 7pm THE POE HOUSE Team Trivia w/Wes Ganey, 7pm TWIN LEAF BREWERY Open Mic, 6pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish Music Circle, 7pm
THURSDAY, JULY 28
BLUE GHOST BREWING CO. The '90s Trivia, 6:30pm BLUE RIDGE HEMP CO. Cali Sober: an alcohol free comedy show, 8pm BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm CASCADE LOUNGE Weekly Trivia Night, 6:30pm CATAWBA BREWING BILTMORE Thursday Trivia w/Billy, 6:30pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Singo (musical bingo), 6pm CROW & QUILL Black Sea Beat Society (Baltic, Klezmer, Turkish), 8pm FLEETWOOD'S Bero Bero, Pocket Strange & The Discs (punk-n-roll, synth, power pop), 8pm FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm
185 KING STREET Mark Queen Band (traditional mountain music), 7pm
GIGI'S UNDERGROUND Mr Jimmy (blues), 7pm
ALLEY CAT SOCIAL CLUB Open Mic Asheville w/ Lincoln, 8pm
HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Heidi Gilson & Friends (alt country, folk), 6pm
ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Kiki Thursdays Drag and Dancing, 8pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR MGB (covers, singer-songwriter), 8pm
ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 • Asheville Sessions ft Jesse Barry (jazz, pop, rock), 7pm • The Aristocats (instrumental), 8:30pm
JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich & Friends, 7pm MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Karaoke Night, 6pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Bill Altman (acoustic), 7pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Phirsty Phursdays w/ Lumpy Heads (Phish tribute), 9pm ONE WORLD BREWING The Jukebox Jumpers (Piedmont & Delta blues), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Reggie Headen & Peggy Ratusz Duets, 6pm PISGAH BREWING COMPANY High Blue Heron (Americana, blues, rock), 6:30pm ROOM NINE Thirsty Thursday w/DJ Moto, 9pm SALVAGE STATION Pyle Tribe w/The Beard (rock), 8pm SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY EC & Howie GUITARMAGEDDON, 6pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Stand Up Comedy for Your Health, 8pm
THE FOUNDRY HOTEL The Foundry Collective ft Pimps of Pompe (jazz, acoustic), 7pm THE GETAWAY RIVER BAR • Rum Punchlines Comedy Open Mic, 6pm • Karaoke w/Terraoke, 9pm THE ODDITORIUM Dirty Bird & David Garrett Jr. (pop fusion, outlaw country), 8pm THE ROOT BAR Music Train (Grateful Dead, Southern rock), 6:30pm
FRIDAY, JULY 29 185 KING STREET Travers Brothership (rock, soul, blues), 8pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY • Early Dance Party w/ local DJs, 7pm • Venus (dark house dance party), 10pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Mr Jimmy's Big City Blues, 7:30pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Mr. Bill w/Cut Rugs, Audio Goblin, & Secret Special Guest (edm), 9pm BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING Aunt Vicki (acoustic/ electric folk duo), 6pm BREWSKIES Karaoke, 10pm
STATIC AGE RECORDS Kelsey Abbott, Katie Ruvane & Fleur Girl (folk, country), 9pm
CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE The Smoky Nights (soul, pop, folk), 7pm
THE 2ND ACT Gospel Night w/D Morton & Gifted, 9pm
CITIZEN VINYL Michael Flynn (singer-songwriter), 5pm
CROW & QUILL Sparrow and her Wingmen (vintage jazz, swing), 8:30pm DIRTY JACK'S The Usual Suspects (bluegrass), 7:30pm FROG LEVEL BREWERY Pam Taylor (blues, rock, Americana), 6pm GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM The Tall Boys (rock, reggae, singer-songwriter), 7pm GUIDON BREWING • Blue Ridge Honor Flight Night, 4pm • The Gathering Dark (folk rock), 7pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Ska City, 7pm HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Drag Music Bingo w/ Divine the Bearded Lady, 7pm HIGHLAND DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Drag Music Bingo w/ Divine the Bearded Lady, 7pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Woolybooger (blues, ragtime, mountain tunes), 8pm • The Utility Players (blues, funk, rock, country), 9pm MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Cornbred (blues, Appalchian, trance), 6:30pm MEADOWLARK MOTEL Friday Night Karaoke, 7pm NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO. Dawn Landes (indie rock, alt country, folk), 5:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. CircuitBreakers (rock), 8pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Friday w/ Generous Electric & FDF Band, 6pm ONE WORLD BREWING 5j Barrow (folk rock), 8pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST • An Evening w/Sam Fribush Organ Trio (funk, soul, jazz), 6pm • Saylyn Roots Reggae Band, 9pm RABBIT RABBIT Silent Disco Dance Party, 8pm SILVERADOS Grateful Getdown w/ Songs From The Road Band & Dirty Dead, 7pm SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Letters to Abigail (Americana), 7pm
SOVEREIGN KAVA Fresh Locals (jazz, pop, soul), 9pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Hot Club of Asheville (jazz), 7:30pm THE GETAWAY RIVER BAR • Good Cop/Rad Cop (musical comedy duo), 8pm • Ho Down Honky Tonk Drag Show, 10pm THE GREY EAGLE • Straightlines (roots, indie, rock), 5pm • An Evening With Adrian Belew w/We Are Ants to Them (alt/indie, rock), 8pm THE ODDITORIUM Perversions: July Edition (play party, vaccination required), 8pm THE ORANGE PEEL Siamese Dream: The Smashing Pumpkins Tribute, 8:30pm THE ROOT BAR Jackson Grimm and the Bull Moose Party (folk pop), 9pm WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT Christina Chandler Trio (folk, soul, Americana), 7pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Sean McGowan & Tony McManus (fingerstyle jazz, Celtic), 8pm
SATURDAY, JULY 30 185 KING STREET West Fork Fiasco & Shun (rock), 7:30pm 305 LOUNGE & EATERY Old Men of the Woods (folk, pop), 1pm ALLEY CAT SOCIAL CLUB Asheville's Best Karaoke, 8pm ALOFT ROOFTOP/ POOLSIDE Splash Saturdays ft DJ sets by Jaze Uries, 1pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY • Beauty Parlor Comedy: Paul Ollinger, 7pm • Big Gay Energy Dance Party w/DJ Ganymede, 10pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Vince Junior Band (blues), 8pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Jerry Garcia's 80th Birthday Bash w/Dirty Dead, 9pm BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Dinah's Daydream (Gypsy jazz), 5:30pm BIG PILLOW BREWING Kentucky Waterfalls (country, folk), 6pm BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING Jeremy Davall (rock, country, Americana), 6pm BOLD ROCK ASHEVILLE • Bluegrass Brunch, 10am
• Iggy Radio (rock, metal, blues), 7pm BOLD ROCK MILLS RIVER Summer Concert Series w/The Warcry Band (country), 5pm BREWSKIES Pool Tournament Saturdays, 7pm BURNTSHIRT VINYARDS CHIMNEY ROCK Roots and Dore (blues, soul, rock), 2pm CAFE CANNA New Moon Party, 7pm CITIZEN VINYL Saturday Spins, 1pm CORK & KEG 3 Cool Cats (oldies), 8pm CROW & QUILL Drayton & the Dreamboats (swing, crooner), 8:30pm DRY FALLS BREWING CO. Appalachian Renegades (rock), 7pm FBO AT HOMINY CREEK Chalwa (reggae), 6pm FLEETWOOD'S Painted Hands, Powder Horns, Numb Tongue & Gamine (garage punk, indie), 8pm GUIDON BREWING Craig St. John (singer-songwriter), 6:30pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Buffalo Kings (blues country, soul, rock), 2pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 • Steve James (blues, fingerstyle guitar, folk), 7pm • Fancy and the Gentlemen (vintage country, honky tonk, Americana), 8:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Nobody's Darling String Band, 4pm • 5j Barrow (earth folk indie rock), 9pm MILLS RIVER BREWING Burnt Reputation (acoustic rock, 80s pop), 2pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Buffalo Kings (blues country, soul, rock), 8pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL High Blue Heron (honky tonk, blues, folk), 10pm
SALVAGE STATION Town Mountain w/ El Dorodo (bluegrass, Americana), 7pm SILVERADOS 8Ball & MJG (hip-hop), 7pm SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY The Sliding Rockers (jam rock, Americana), 7pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Neon Butts (rock), 9pm SUNNY POINT CAFÉ Albi (fingerstyle guitar), 6pm SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Creative Differences Americana Music, 5pm THE 2ND ACT Ghost Pipe Union Duo (Americana), 7pm THE BURGER BAR Best Worst Karaoke w/ KJ Thunderk*nt, 9pm THE DUGOUT Sinder Ella (classic rock), 8pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Jazz Soul Trio, 7:30pm THE GETAWAY RIVER BAR Slasher: Hard Dance Party w/Jagger and Friends, 10pm THE GREY EAGLE • Asheville Junction (bluegrass, Americana), 5pm • Cave In w/Author & Punisher, Haal (rock, doom and drone metal), 8pm THE ODDITORIUM Party Foul Drag and Saturday Night Tease, 7pm THE ORANGE PEEL Chvrches w/Cafune (pop, alt/indie), 8pm THE OUTPOST The Budos Band (funk), 7pm THE ROOT BAR Lucky James & the High Rollers (blues), 8pm UPCOUNTRY BREWING CO. Three on the Tree (80s and 90s rock), 6pm UPCOUNTRY BREWING CO. BREVARD Red Clay Revival (bluegrass), 7pm WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT DJ Molly Parti, 7pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Asheville Jazz Orchestra, 8pm
SUNDAY, JULY 31
ONE WORLD BREWING WEST • My Man Henry (jam band), 5pm • The New Lefties (acoustic cover band), 9pm
ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY • Life's A Drag Brunch w/Ida Carolina, 12pm • SOL Dance Party w/ Zati (soul house), 9pm
OSKAR BLUES BREWERY CC&M (acoustic trio), 6pm
ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Mark's House Jam and Beggar's Banquet, 3pm
PARKER-BINNS VINEYARD Steve Creason (acoustic), 3pm
BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING Dark City Kings (outlaw country, rock), 1pm
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C LU BL A N D BLUE GHOST BREWING CO. Sunday Open Jam w/ Knob Creek Incident, 4pm BOLD ROCK ASHEVILLE Bluegrass Brunch, 10am BOLD ROCK MILLS RIVER Summer Concert Series w/Myron Hyman (classic rock, blues), 2pm BURNTSHIRT VINYARDS CHIMNEY ROCK Music on the Patio: The Paper Crowns (Appalachian, outlaw country, Southern Gospel), 2pm CROW & QUILL The Roaring Lions (parlour jazz), 8pm FLEETWOOD'S Thelma and the Sleaze, Fortezza, Rocky MTN Roller (heavy rock, metal, punk), 5pm HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY The Chris Mondak Band (jazz), 2pm HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Mr Jimmy Duo (blues), 1pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Shaun Martin Trio w/ the PRVLG (jazz, funk), 7:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Bluegrass Brunch w/ Supper Break, 12pm • Irish Jam, 3:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Steve Durose (singer-songwriter), 3pm PARKER-BINNS VINEYARD Phil Live! (acoustic), 3pm SILVERADOS JAM 4 JEROME: A Benefit Show for Jerome McClain, 3pm SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Peggy Ratusz's Sunday Funday, 4pm THE DUGOUT Jason Lyles (singer-songwriter), 3pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Daniel Shearin (singer-songwriter), 6pm THE GREY EAGLE • Sour Bridges (browngrass), 5pm • Jackson Grimm & Nathan Evans Fox w/ Jane Kramer (folk pop, country, Americana), 8pm THE ODDITORIUM The Pig Roast: Metal and Comedy Show Fundraiser, 12pm PLĒB URBAN WINERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 4pm
MONDAY, AUGUST 1 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic, 7pm
ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Martini Monday, 8pm BREWSKIES Open Jam w/Tall Paul, 7:30pm BURNTSHIRT VINYARDS CHIMNEY ROCK Music on the Patio: Andrew Wakefield & Jeremy Rilko (Americana, bluegrass, rock), 2pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Musicians in the Round, 6pm
HIGHLAND DOWNTOWN TAPROOM Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6:30pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Early Tuesday Jam (funk), 9pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Dead tribute), 6pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Open Jam, 8pm
DSSOLVR Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm
THE BURGER BAR C U Next Tuesday! Late Night Trivia, 9pm
DOUBLE CROWN Country Karaoke, 9pm
THE GREY EAGLE • Matt Sellars (folk, blues, honky tonk, rock), 5pm • Bad Bad Hats w/Gully Boys (indie rock), 8pm
HAYWOOD COUNTRY CLUB Taylor Martin's Open Mic, 6:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo! Pub Trivia w/ Jason Mencer, 7pm LITTLE JUMBO Live Jazz Mondays: Justin Ray Quartet, 7pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Oklawaha Synthesizer Club, 7pm ONE WORLD BREWING Open Mic w/Tony Willingham, 8pm SALVAGE STATION Jerry Garcia Birthday Celebration ft The Captain Midnight Band & The Very Jerry Band, 8pm THE GETAWAY RIVER BAR Trivia by the River w/ James Harrod, 8pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Mr Jimmy and Friends (blues), 7pm
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 185 KING STREET Travis Book & Friends w/Jeff Sipe & Daniel Seriff, 6:30pm 5 WALNUT WINE BAR The John Henrys (jazz, swing), 8pm
THE ORANGE PEEL BYOVinyl: Rock-n-Roll, 7pm TURGUA BREWING CO. Tuesday Jam Sessions: Bluegrass, 5:30pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Open Mic Night, 7am
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3
CATAWBA BREWING BILTMORE Singo (musical bingo), 7pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Trivia w/Billy, 7pm DOUBLE CROWN Western Wednesday, 9pm HI-WIRE BREWING RAD BEER GARDEN Game Night, 6pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Wednesdays w/Matt Smith, 6pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 An Evening w/the DonJuans (acoustic), 7pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm LAZY HIKER BREWING SYLVA Trivia Night, 6:30pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Mountain Music Jam, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Wild Wednesday Funk-n-Rock w/Free Anesthesia, 10pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Latin Night Wednesdays w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8pm
12 BONES BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm
RENDEZVOUS Albi (musique Francaise), 6pm
ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY • Queer Comedy Party: Mimi Benfield, 7pm • Aquanet Goth Party w/Ash Black, 9pm
SILVERADOS Wednesday Night Open Jam hosted by Hamza Vandehey, 6pm
ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Disclaimer Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic, 8pm ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. Trivia! Trivia! Night, 6:30pm BOLD ROCK ASHEVILLE Karaoke Night, 7pm BOLD ROCK MILLS RIVER Trivia Night, 6pm
SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN BREWERY Jazz Night w/Jason DeCristofaro, 6pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic w/Host Caleb Beissert, 8pm SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Witty Wednesday Trivia, 6:30pm THE DUGOUT Karaoke Party, 8pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Andrew Finn Magill (acoustic), 7pm
THE GREY EAGLE • Trouvère (indie rock), 5pm • Tall Boys (acoustic), 6:30pm • Andrew Duhon (singer-songwriter), 8pm THE HAWK & HAWTHORNE Homeboy Sandman & Deca (rap), 7pm THE POE HOUSE Team Trivia w/Wes Ganey, 7pm HARRAH'S CHEROKEE CENTER - ASHEVILLE ZZ Top (classic rock), 7pm TWIN LEAF BREWERY Open Mic, 6pm
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 185 KING STREET Congdon & Co. ft Kelly Jones (covers), 7pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Kiki Thursdays Drag and Dancing, 8pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Blue Ridge Jazzway, 8pm ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. Slice of Life Standup & Comedy Open Mic, 8pm BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING The Blushin' Roulettes' (Americana), 6pm BLUE GHOST BREWING CO. The '00s Trivia, 6:30pm BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm CASCADE LOUNGE Weekly Trivia Night, 6:30pm CATAWBA BREWING BILTMORE Thursday Trivia w/Billy, 6:30pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Singo (musical bingo), 6pm FLEETWOOD'S Bonny Dagger, Beneath Trees & Zillicoah (punk), 8pm
FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Asheville Sessions ft Sharon LaMotte (jazz, pop, rock, blues), 7pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich & Friends, 7pm MEADOWLARK SMOKY MOUNTAIN HERITAGE CENTER Steve "Piano Man" Whiddon, 6pm MILLS RIVER BREWING Comin' Home The Band (blues, folk, rock), 6pm OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Andrew Wakefield (folk, rock, bluegrass), 7pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Phirsty Phursdays w/ Lumpy Heads (Phish tribute), 9pm ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Logical Delirium (improvisational), 8pm PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Pixel Vision (dance/ electronic), 6:30pm ROOM NINE Thirsty Thursday w/DJ Moto, 9pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL The Foundry Collective ft Pimps of Pompe (jazz, acoustic), 7pm THE GETAWAY RIVER BAR • Rum Punchlines Comedy Open Mic, 6pm • Karaoke w/Terraoke, 9pm THE ODDITORIUM Indighost, Wyndrider & Tombstone HWY (rock'n'roll psych electro, stoner doom), 8pm THE ORANGE PEEL Local Punk Showcase, 8pm THE ROOT BAR Perry Wing Combo (rock), 6pm
ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY • Drag Bingo w/ Calcutta, 8pm • Downtown Karaoke w/Ganymede, 9pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Tuesday Night Funk Jam, 10:30pm CASCADE LOUNGE Tuesday Bluegrass Jam, 6pm CORK & KEG Swing Dance & Lesson w/Swing Asheville, 7pm FLEETWOOD'S Heavy Metal Mixer w/ Reuben, 6pm FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm
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JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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FREEWILL ASTROLOGY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Fiction-writer John Banville tells us, “There are moments when the past has a force so strong it seems one might be annihilated by it.” I suspect that’s sometimes true for many of us. But it won’t apply to you Aries anytime soon. In fact, just the opposite situation will be in effect during the coming months: You will have more power to render the past irrelevant than maybe you’ve ever had. You will wield an almost indomitable capacity to launch new trends without having to answer to history. Take full advantage, please! TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Researchers have proved that lullabies enhance the health of premature babies being cared for in hospitals. The soft, emotionally rich songs also promote the well-being of the babies’ families. I bring this to your attention because I believe you should call on lullaby therapy yourself in the coming weeks. Listening to and singing those tunes will soothe and heal your inner child. And that, in my astrological opinion, is one of your top needs right now. For extra boosts, read fairy tales, eat food with your hands, make mud pies and play on swings, seesaws and merry-go-rounds. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Dancer and singer-songwriter FKA Twigs has taken dance lessons since she was a child. In 2017, she added a new form of physical training, the Chinese martial art of wushu. Doing so made her realize a key truth about herself: She loves to learn and practice new skills. Of all life’s activities, they give her the most pleasure and activate her most vibrant energy. She feels at home in the world when she does them. I suspect you may have similar inclinations in the coming months. Your appetite for mastering new skills will be at an all-time high. You will find it natural and even exhilarating to undertake disciplined practice. Gathering knowledge will be even more exciting than it usually is. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian author Laurie Sheck writes, “So much of life is invisible, inscrutable: layers of thoughts, feelings, and outward events entwined with secrecies, ambiguities, ambivalences, obscurities, darknesses.” While that’s an experience we all have, especially you Cancerians, it will be far less pressing for you in the coming weeks. I foresee you embarking on a phase when clarity will be the rule, not the exception. Hidden parts of the world will reveal themselves to you. The mood will be brighter and lighter than usual. The chronic fuzziness of life will give way to a delightful acuity. I suspect you will see things that you have never or rarely seen. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It’s always advisable for you Leos to carry on a close personal relationship with mirrors. I’m speaking both literally and metaphorically. For the sake of your mental health, you need to be knowledgeable about your image and monitor its ever-shifting nuances. And according to my analysis of the astrological omens, you are now authorized to deepen your intimate connection with mirrors. I believe you will thrive by undertaking an intense phase of introspective explorations and creative self-inquiry. Please keep it all tender and kind, though. You’re not allowed to bad-mouth yourself. Put a special emphasis on identifying aspects of your beauty that have been obscured or neglected. By the way, Leo, I also recommend you seek compassionate feedback from people you trust. Now is an excellent time to get reflections about your quest to become an even more amazing human. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): At your best, you are a flexible purist, an adaptable stickler for detail and a disciplined yet supple thinker. Maybe more than any other sign of the zodiac, you can be focused and resilient, intense and agile, attentive and graceful. And all of us non-Virgos will greatly appreciate it if you provide these talents in abundance during
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the coming weeks. We need you to be our humble, understated leader. Please be a role model who demonstrates the finely crafted, well-balanced approach to being healthy. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In my Astrological Book of Life, your life purposes as a Libra may include the following: 1. to be beautiful in the smartest ways you can imagine and smart in the most beautiful ways you can imagine; 2. to always see at least two sides of the story, and preferably more; 3. to serve as an intermediary between disparate elements; 4. to lubricate and facilitate conversations between people who might not otherwise understand each other; 5. to find common ground between apparent contradictions; 6. to weave confusing paradoxes into invigorating amalgamations; 7. to never give up on finding the most elegant way to understand a problem. P.S.: In the coming weeks, I hope you will make extra efforts to call on the capacities I just named. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Author Clive James loved the Latin term gazofilacium, meaning “treasure chamber.” He said that the related Italian word, gazofilacio, referred to the stash of beloved poems that he memorized and kept in a special place in his mind. In accordance with astrological omens, Scorpio, now would be an excellent time to begin creating your own personal gazofilacium: a storehouse of wonderful images and thoughts and memories that will serve as a beacon of joy and vitality for the rest of your long life. Here’s your homework: Identify ten items you will store in your gazofilacium. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Tips to get the most out of the next three weeks: 1. Keep your interesting options open. Let your mediocre options shrivel and expire. 2. Have no regrets and make no apologies about doing what you love. 3. Keep in mind that every action you perform reverberates far beyond your immediate sphere. 4. Give your fears ridiculous names like “Gaffe” and “Wheezy” and “Lumpy.” 5. Be honest to the point of frankness but not to the point of rudeness. 6. Don’t just run. Gallop. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn poet Richard Hugo wrote, “It doesn’t bother me that the word ’stone’ appears more than 30 times in my third book, or that ’wind’ and ’gray’ appear over and over in my poems to the disdain of some reviewers.” Hugo celebrated his obsessions. He treated them as riches because focusing on them enabled him to identify his deepest feelings and discover who he really was. In accordance with astrological omens, I recommend a similar approach to you in the coming weeks. Cultivate and honor and love the specific fascinations at the core of your destiny. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Author Violet Trefusis (1894–1972) and author Vita SackvilleWest (1892–1962) loved each other. In one letter, Violet told Vita, “I want you hungrily, frenziedly, passionately. I am starving for you. Not only the physical you, but your fellowship, your sympathy, the innumerable points of view we share. I can’t exist without you; you are my affinity.” In the coming weeks, dear Aquarius, I invite you to use florid language like that in addressing your beloved allies. I also invite you to request such messages. According to my reading of the planetary omens, you are due for eruptions of articulate passion. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I’d like to honor and pay homage to a past disappointment that helped transform you into a beautiful soul. I know it didn’t feel good for you when it happened, but it has generated results that have blessed you and the people whose lives you’ve touched. Would you consider performing a ritual of gratitude for all it taught you? Now is an excellent time to express your appreciation because doing so will lead to even further redemption.
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REAL ESTATE & RENTALS | ROOMMATES | JOBS | SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENTS | CLASSES & WORKSHOPS | MIND, BODY, SPIRIT MUSICIANS’ SERVICES | PETS | AUTOMOTIVE | XCHANGE | ADULT Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 advertise@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the Russian proverb: “Doveryai, no proveryai,” trust but verify. When answering classified ads, always err on the side of caution. Especially beware of any party asking you to give them financial or identification information. The Mountain Xpress cannot be responsible for ensuring that each advertising client is legitimate. Please report scams to advertise@mountainx.com RENTALS MOBILE HOMES FOR RENT SMALL MOBILE HOME FOR RENT Mobile home on a private lot near Asheville Outlets. $600 a month, water and lawn care included. Call 828-275-9625.
EMPLOYMENT GENERAL SENIOR ENGINEER BorgWarner Turbo Systems LLC seeks a Senior Engineer in Arden, NC. Note, this position does not require travel. Functions as primary liaison between customer and all company activities and engineers products into customer applications for future sales; among other duties. Bachelor's degree Mechanical Engineering and five years of experience in the job offered or related; or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and three years of experience in the job offered or related. Any suitable combination of education, training, or experience acceptable. Apply to job reference number R20223568 at borgwarner.com/ careers.
SKILLED LABOR/ TRADES
with excellent diagnostic skills, detail-oriented, good communicator, and passionate about serving our program participants. 25 to 35 hrs/wk; $22.50/hr + $350/mo medical stipend; To apply: https://bit.ly/ WWAutoTech Website: www.workingwheelswnc. org
HUMAN SERVICES HELPMATE CASE MANAGER - HOUSING FOCUS Job description at https:// helpmateonline.org/about/ job-opportunities/ Send resume & cover letter to hiring@helpmateonline. org. UNIVERSAL MH/DD/SAS is looking for compassionate, energetic individuals to provide one on one services to persons with Intellectual Development Disabilities in a community or home setting. Must have a high school diploma and reliable transportation. We have various openings for full and part-time hours. Competitive pay. If interested please email ifreeman@umhs.net or visit us on the web at www. umhs.net. UNIVERSAL MH/DD/SAS is looking for compassionate, energetic individuals to work in our Psycho-Social Rehabilitation (PSR) program. Must have a high school diploma. Competitive pay. We have part-time positions. If interested please email csankey@umhs.net or visit us on the web at www. umhs.net.
ARTS/MEDIA
WORKING WHEELS SEEKS AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN Seeking someone
COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA SPECIALIST The Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina is looking for a full-time Communication and Media Specialist. This
position oversees and develops all print and media communications including videography. www.diocesewnc.org DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST The Smoky Mountain News is looking for a Digital Marketing Specialist who can plan, build, and implement digital marketing campaigns across multiple channels and platforms. The ideal candidate will increase digital awareness of our brands — which include The Smoky Mountain News, Smoky Mountain Living Magazine and Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine — and also work with business clients to increase awareness of their company, brand, products, and services. This person should be able to create and manage social media campaigns — mainly Facebook and Instagram — manage e-newsletters, and collaborate with our team of sales professionals, graphic designers and content creators to increase our digital sales volume. We need a self-starter capable of working independently as well as in a team setting. This person will have strong interpersonal skills, a knack for creative thinking as it pertains to digital revenue, a solid understanding of grammar and writing, and will be proficient in (or possess the ability to learn) photography and videography. This is a fulltime position with Mountain South Media, a division of The Smoky Mountain News, with offices in Waynesville and Sylva. Recent college grads with appropriate skills and degree encouraged to apply. Email greg@ smokymountainnews.com for inquires or to send a resume.
XCHANGE GENERAL MERCHANDISE ST. JOHNS EPISCOPAL RUMAGE SALE Saturday, August 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 290 Old Haw Creek Road, Asheville. Come in and see! Our Parish Hall will be filled with home goods, furniture, tools, camping gear, and much more.
ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES STILL BUYING ANTIQUES Seeking old stuff! Cast iron, advertising signs, military, primitives, collections, art, pottery, estates, crocks, bottles, silver, license plates, unusual stuff, taxidermy, rifles, bbguns, more. Call/ Text 828-582-6097,steadyaim1@yahoo.com.
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) HUGHESNET SATELLITE INTERNET Finally, no hard data limits! Call Today for speeds up to 25mbps as low as $59.99/mo! $75 gift card, terms apply. 1-866544-5758. (AAN CAN)
CAREGIVERS COMPANION • CAREGIVER • LIVE-IN VACCINATED • Alzheimer's Experienced • Heart failure and bed sore care • Hospice reference
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100 Edwin Place, AVL, NC 28801 | Billy: (828) 776-2391 | Neal: (828) 776-1674
letter • Nonsmoker, with cat, seeks live-in position • References • Arnold, (828) 273-2922.
HOME 4G LTE HOME INTERNET NOW AVAILABLE! Get GotW3 with lightning fast speeds plus take your service with you when you travel! As low as $109.99/mo! 1-866571-1325. (AAN CAN)
ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE YOU BEHIND $10K OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 877-414-2089 (Hours: MonFri 7am-5pm PST) (AAN CAN) BATH & SHOWER UPDATES In as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 1-866-370-2939 (AAN CAN) CREDIT CARD DEBT RELIEF! Reduce payment by up to 50%! Get one LOW affordable payment/ month. Reduce interest. Stop calls. FREE no-obligation consultation Call 1-855-7611456 (AAN CAN) DIRECTV SATELLITE TV Service Starting at $74.99/ month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 877310-2472 (AAN CAN) NEVER CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS AGAIN! Affordable, professionally installed gutter guards protect your gutters and home from debris and leaves forever! For a FREE Quote call: 844-499-0277 (AAN CAN) TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. 877-589-0747 (AAN CAN) UNCLAIMED FIREARMS The following is a list of unclaimed firearms currently in possession of the Asheville Police Department: Black/Brown, Remington, 870, 12 ga; Black, Kel-Tec, P-32, 32 cal; Blue/ Silver, Kel-Tec, P-11, 9mm; Black, Smith & Wesson, Bodyguard, 38 cal; Black, Smith & Wesson, Bodyguard, 38 cal; Black, Mossberg, 715T, 22 cal; Black, Mossberg, Maverick, 12 ga; Black/Silver, Ruger, P97DC, 45 cal; Brown, Glenfield, 25, 22 cal; Black/ Brown, NEF, R92, 22 cal; Black/Brown, Kel-Tec, PF-9, 9mm; Black/Cream, Lorcin, L22, 22 cal; Black, MAB, A, 6.35 cal; Black/Silver, Taurus PT, 111 Pro, 9mm; Black/ Silver,Ruger, SR9, 9mm; Black/Brown, EIG, E15, 22 cal; Brown/Silver, Jennings, J22, 22 cal; Brown/Silver, Raven, MP-25, 25 cal; Black/ Silver, Sig Sauer, P238, 38 cal; Black, CZ, P-10C, 9mm; Black, Ruger, LCP, 9mm; Black, Jennings, T380, 38 cal; Black/Silver, Ruger, SP101, 357 cal; Black/ Silver, Taurus, 38 Special, 38 cal; Black/Brown, Smith & Wesson, 38 Special, 38 cal ; Black, Crusader, ST 15, 223; Black/Brown, Charter Arms, 38 Special, 38 cal; Black/ Silver, Accu-tek, AT-380,
38 cal; Black, Marlin, 25, 22 cal; Black/Silver, FEG, PA-63, 9mm; Black, Colt, 38 cal; Black/Brown, RG, MOD RG 31, 38 cal; Black, Smith & Wesson, Airweight, 38 cal; Black, Ruger, LC95, 9mm; Black/Silver, Smith & Wesson, 38 Special, 38 cal; Black, Beretta, 21A, 22 LR; Brown/Silver, RG, RG 25, 25 cal; Black/Brown, Armi, Tanfoglio, 25 cal; Black, Astra, Unceta C, 38 cal; Black, Harrington & Richardson, Pardner, 20 ga; Black/Brown, Springfield, 1911, 45 cal; Black, Colt, Police Positiv, 32 cal; Black/Silver, SCCY, CPX-2, 9mm; Silver/White, Senorita, B, 22 cal; Black/ Silver, Smith & Wesson, DS40 VE, 40 cal; Black, Colt, New Frontier, 22 cal; Black/Brown, Marlin, 39A, 22 cal; Black/ Gray, Glock, 43, 9mm; Black/ Silver, PW Arms, PA-63, 9 x 18mm; Brown/Silver, Harrington & Richardson, 949, 22 cal; Black/Silver, Taurus, PT 738, 38 cal; Black, Glock, 20, 10mm; Black, Hi-Point, C9, 9mm; Black, Smith & Wesson, 14-4, 38 cal. Anyone with a legitimate claim or interest in this property must contact the Asheville Police Department within 30 days from the date of this publication. Any items not claimed within 30 days will be disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws. For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property & Evidence Section at 828232-4576.
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COUNSELING SERVICES 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) 2583229.
AUTOMOTIVE BOATS/ WATERCRAFT FOR SALE 13 FOOT GRUMMAN CANOE w/ 2 new paddles and life preserver push-ins. Double-ender used two times on Beaver Lake. 2 years old. Weaverville. $950. Call or text 772-285-3333.
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled – it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS too! Call 866-535-9689. (AAN CAN)
For details: distro@mountainx.com or call 251-1333 ext. 112
ACROSS 1 Word before bar or party 7 Athena’s winged companion 10 Hype (up) 13 Diamond official 14 Sulk 16 “___, fi, fo, fum” 17 *Drivers’ process when two lanes of traffic become one 19 Antitrust law enforcement org. 20 Sick 21 Bizarre 22 Ancient Greek market 24 The windows to the soul, it’s said 26 *Garden plant that opens and shuts its “mouth” when squeezed 28 Pony up 30 Brand of sunglasses 31 Syria’s Bashar al-___ 34 French word after “vous” 36 When you’re on it, you’re en pointe 38 *White pizza toppings 42 Sacramentoto-San Diego dir. 43 Long stretches 44 What you’ve got going for you 45 Threaten, as a cat might 48 Puncher’s tool 49 *Design on some baseball uniforms 52 Bus driver for Lisa and Bart 56 Darkest part of a shadow 57 They’re sworn 59 Burgle 60 Brown who wrote “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” 61 Accept and let go of something … or a hint to the starts of the answers to the starred clues 64 Vitamin supplement retailer 65 Munich Mrs.
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DOWN 1 Q preceder, in song 2 Poet Dickinson 3 Jobs creation 4 “Let ‘er ___!” 5 Gaffer, best boy and others 6 Inquisition charge 7 Work from Bellini or Rossini 8 Popular blogging platform 9 Tote 10 Espresso-overice cream desserts 11 Time keeper 12 Pie nut 15 Like some people at weddings and funerals 18 Lowest part of a range, for short 23 Chitter-chatter 25 Old-fashioned shoe cover
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27 Inexact recipe amount 29 Hubbub 31 They can be sculpted and chiseled 32 You might order ahi tuna or yellowtail from it 33 “East of Eden” author 34 Moving 35 Wine vessel 37 Abbr. on a cornerstone 39 Close by 40 Uncooked 41 Home of the Viking Ship Museum 46 Azerbaijan or Lithuania, once: Abbr.
47 Wizard’s accessory 48 Daughter of Joe and Jill Biden 49 Chubby 50 Italian city in a “Kiss Me, Kate” song 51 [waves hand in a circle] 53 Something weighed at a weigh station 54 Linzer ___ (pastry) 55 Very corpulent 58 Pop 62 Glass of “This American Life” 63 Missing letters in “transgre_s_o_,” appropriately
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE
P E N S
A L O T
L A M A
R E P A S T
F R U T T I
K I S S I N
S T I I N D S T O
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JULY 27 - AUG. 2, 2022
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