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is available free throughout Western North Carolina. Limit one copy per person. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 payable at the Xpress office in advance. No person may, without prior written permission of Xpress, take more than one copy of each issue. To subscribe to Mountain Xpress, send check or money order to: Subscription Department, PO Box 144, Asheville NC 28802. First class delivery. One year (52 issues) $130 / Six months (26 issues) $70. We accept Mastercard & Visa. STAFF COPYRIGHT 2022 BY MOUNTAIN XPRESS ADVERTISING COPYRIGHT 2022 BY MOUNTAIN XPRESS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson OPERATIONS MANAGER: Able Allen MANAGING EDITOR: Thomas Calder NEWS EDITOR: Daniel Walton ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR: Thomas Calder OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose STAFF REPORTERS: Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Justin McGuire, Sara Murphy, Brooke Randle, Jessica Wakeman, Daniel Walton COMMUNITY CALENDAR & CLUBLAND: Andy Hall CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Lisa Allen, Peter Gregutt, Mary Jean Ronan Herzog, Rob Mikulak REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Mark Barrett, Blake Becker, Morgan Bost, LA Bourgeois, Bill Kopp, Alli Marshall, Linda Ray, Kay West STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS: Cindy Kunst ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson LEAD DESIGNER: Scott Southwick GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Olivia Urban MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Sara Brecht, Vicki Catalano, Scott Mermel, Braulio Pescador-Martinez TECHNOLOGIESINFORMATION&WEB: Able Allen BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler-Tanner ADMINISTRATION, BILLING, HR: Able Allen, Mark Murphy DISTRIBUTION: Susan Hutchinson, Cindy Kunst DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS: Leah Beck, Desiree Davis, Tracy Houston, Marlea Kunst, Amy Loving, Henry Mitchell, Angelo Santa Maria, Carl & Debbie Schweiger NEWSA&CA&CA&CWELLNESSNEWS CONTENTS FEATURES PAGE 8 RUFF HOUSING Asheville loves its dogs — so much so that its houses increasing ly embrace the design trend of pet architecture, cheekily called “barki tecture.” Xpress speaks with real estate agents and local business owners on home perks for pets. COVER PHOTO Wagbar COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick 4 LETTERS 4 CARTOON: MOLTON 5 CARTOON: BRENT BROWN 6 COMMENTARY 8 NEWS 20 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 24 WELLNESS 26 ARTS & CULTURE 34 CLUBLAND 38 FREEWILL ASTROLOGY 38 CLASSIFIEDS 39 NY TIMES CROSSWORD 18 DEVELOPMENT ROUNDUP New housing proposed for Elk Mountain ridgeline in Woodfin 24 RX: ONE BEDTIME STORY Literacy program engages doctors to promote kids reading 26 THIS MUST BE THE PLACE Carolina Mountains Literary Festival returns to Burnsville 28 KEEPING IT REAL Asheville FM curates alllocal record compilation 30 WHAT’S NEW IN FOOD HarvestFest debuts, benefiting ASAP 11 STATE OF THE RACE NC-11 candidates talk issues, strategy ahead of Election Day www.junkrecyclers.net828.707.2407 36,000 SQ. FT. OF ANTIQUES, UNIQUES & REPURPOSED RARITIES! P urge Unwanted Junk, Remove Household Clutter! call us to remove your junk in a green way! JunkGreenestRemoval! Asheville’s oldest Junk Removal service, since 2010 26 Glendale Ave • 828.505.1108 Openregenerationstation.comTheRegenerationStationEveryday!10-6pmJunkRecyclersTeamRedLeatherChairs Find in TRS Inventory Best of WNC since 2014!
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The recent article on Buncombe County’s plans for spending $40 million to increase both affordable housing rental units and purchases for residents making less than the area median income is so optimistic that it is hard to believe that the com missioners even looked at how real istic their goals are [“Bonds on the Ballot: $70M for Land Conservation, Affordable Housing Up to Buncombe Voters,” Aug. 17, Xpress].
Using very simple math, you can see how unrealistic these goals are! If the county assists the low-in come buyer with $10,000 of assis tance in order to purchase a home, then $10,000 x 800 = $8 million. This leaves $32 million for rental units, and the county wants 1,500 to 1,800 rental units from this amount and money for repairs of exist ingThirty-twounits. million dollars divided by 1,500 = $21,000 per unit of subsi dy, which over 20 years only equals a little over $1,000 per year per unit. This is not possible. There are no developers or builders or nonprofits that can build rental units with only a $21,000 subsidy for 20 years.
Affordable housing bond is beyond optimistic
— Ellen J. WeavervillePerry Schools should focus on the basics
Let’s vote “yes” to both bonds this November!
[ Regarding “Education Battleground: Edwards, Republican Panel Talk ‘Leftist Agenda’ in Schools,” Aug. 24, Xpress:] I do not believe our schools are doing a good job teaching the basics, as they are overburdened with administrative duties and other mandated items. In elementary school especially, they need to work on reading, writ ing, spelling and arithmetic, along with study skills. It is appalling the percentage of children who struggle with basic skills. This should be the primary focus, not social issues.
— Ronald Pownall Black Mountain BY RANDY MOLTON
The article states that with $40 million in new tax revenue, the county hopes to add 1,500 to 1,800 affordable rental units, 800 units where the county assists residents in buying affordable units and addi tional money to assist renters to get needed repairs to 500 existing affordable units (I assume either owned by the housing authority or private landlords).
— ElizabethAshevilleSterling
The city’s recently approved plan for 319 Biltmore will provide 65 affordable units after the city sells the land to the developer for $1. The city paid $5.3 million for the land and has invested more dollars in clearing the land and building access for Maple Crest affordable apartments. If you divide $5.3 mil lion by 65 units, each unit is sub sidized by the taxpayer for $81,000 per unit with the subsidy good for 30Landyears.in the county will be cheap er, but building costs are fairly high throughout the area. Perhaps the county can give voters more specific information on how they are going to be able to provide 1,500 to 1,800 affordable rental units, 800 purchase assistance vouchers for residents and provide dollars to rehab existing affordable units with $40 million as they are promising.
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Let’s vote ‘yes’ on Buncombe bonds [Regarding “Bonds on the Ballot: $70M for Land Conservation, Affordable Housing Up to Buncombe Voters,” Aug. 17 , Xpress:] I am pleased that we in northwestern Buncombe County have an opportu nity to vote “yes” for two important bond measures on Nov. 8. Thanks to our representative Terri Wells’ leadership, we can make our voices heard on the matters of land conservation and affordable housing. The $30 million open space bond centers around protection of farmland and development of trails and green spaces; the $40 million housing bond focuses on increasing the number of affordable homes in ourToarea.learn more, please go to [avl.mx/byt] and [avl.mx/bw9].
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In the headwaters of the Chattooga River, on the summit and high slopes of Brushy Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest, lie 37 acres of con siderable interest, spread across two tracts. One of them consists of excep tional old-growth forest, with trees that are hundreds of years old. The second tract is not old growth; the trees there are about 90 years old, but both parcels provide habitat for native species, including the criti cally imperiled green salamander. It’s a beautiful sight to behold — but it may soon be gone, since the U.S. Forest Service has earmarked the area for logging.
WNC native Josh Kelly, a graduate of the UNC Asheville biology program, serves as public lands field biologist for MountainTrue. X
OPINION
There would have been prece dent for this kind of transaction. Markets such as the National Carbon Exchange enable emitters to offset their carbon pollution by increas ing carbon storage elsewhere. Oldgrowth forests, whose trees have been standing for centuries, hold tre mendous amounts of carbon. Cutting these trees releases that carbon — tons of it — into the atmosphere, where it will worsen the impacts of climate change. Cutting forests, par ticularly old-growth forests, produces massive amounts of greenhouse gas pollution. Keeping these remarkable tracts of forest standing is a crucial tool for fighting the climate crisis, and that’s something we’re willing to payFurthermore,for. our offer would have saved taxpayer dollars and made the most business sense for the cashstrapped Forest Service. The agency would have gotten more money by leaving these old-growth and mature trees standing and wouldn’t have incurred the expenses associated with administering the sale and overseeing road-building and log gingTheactivities.ForestService’s decision to go ahead with logging these two stands flies in the face of our climate reality, as well as recent action taken by the president. Earlier this year, the Biden administration issued an exec utive order titled “Strengthening Forests, Communities and Local Economies,” which directs the Forest Service to inventory all old-growth and mature forests, in part to better protect these public forests’ carbon storageMeanwhile,function.on June 23, Tom Vilsack, who heads the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the Forest Service’s parent agency), released a memorandum on “Climate Resilience and Carbon Stewardship of America’s National Forests and Grasslands” which, among other things, makes this claim: “All nation al forests currently protect or limit management actions in old-growth stands through orland-management-planforest-specific,componentsbyspecificSecretarialdirection.”
HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU: Two tracts of land on Brushy Mountain in the Nantahala National Forest that are currently slated for logging — including oldgrowth forest — are home to the critically imperiled green salamander, pictured.
Cut it out Forest Service rejects MountainTrue’s bid to save old-growth forest
DO THE RIGHT THING
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Logging these critical tracts will threaten an at-risk species, worsen climate change impacts and perma nently damage an exceptional stand of old-growth forest. But it’s not too late. Forest Service leaders could still decide to cancel the contract — as the agency has done in other instances in recent years — and scrap this mis guided project altogether, preserving these forests for future generations. Short of that, the agency should reconsider and accept the best, most fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible bid for these trees — the offer made by MountainTrue.
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM6 BY JOSH KELLY
JOSH KELLY
“We were willing to match any price bid on the value of the cut timber in exchange.”
A CRUCIAL TOOL
The federal agency knows full well that Stand 35-41 consists of excep tional old-growth forest habitat. In 2018, when the Nantahala National Forest first proposed cutting these two tracts as part of its Southside Project, the Chattooga Conservancy identified Stand 35-41 as old growth, and the Forest Service acknowl edged that it meets its standards. Independent surveys have also doc umented, and the Forest Service has acknowledged, the existence of a healthy green salamander popula tion in and around the area in ques tion. These facts are not in dispute. Nonetheless, the agency has decid ed to move forward with logging these two stands. They claim to want to create wildlife habitat even though these mature forests are already hab itat for many important species. With that in mind, on Aug. 11, MountainTrue made an uncon ventional offer: to pay the Forest Service to leave Brushy Mountain alone. Leave the ancient trees on the summit standing. Let the green sal amanders forage through the forest between their breeding rocks without having to contend with logging roads and deadly sun exposure. We were willing to match any price bid on the value of the cut timber in exchange for what would amount to a 100-year carbon lease on those acres. Ours was the best, most gener ous offer, yet the Forest Service rejected it without response or any evidence of serious consideration. Instead, the agency prefers to sell these old-growth and mature trees at a discount and destroy a rare and sensitive ecosystem. It should be noted that the offer wasn’t sub mitted through the timber bidding process, since any resulting contract would have required MountainTrue to do the very thing we were seeking to avoid: logging Brushy Mountain. Nonetheless, simply ignoring our proposal makes no sense.
If that were true, Nantahala National Forest administrators would have abandoned the Southside Project long ago. Instead, the new forest plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests leaves it up to the district rangers to decide wheth er to cut old-growth forests. With no management plan or direction from the secretary of agriculture protecting old growth in Southern Appalachian national forests, Nantahala has been allowed to reject a higher bid, ignore its own findings and sell the logging rights for a docu mented old-growth stand.
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FELINE FEATURES Cats are also enjoying pet archi tecture features, most notably patios for cats, or “catios.” A catio can be as simple as a “very well-enforced, screened-in patio,” de Mattos says. Such a space may not seem par ticularly special for someone who has indoor-only cats, but it allows felines to enjoy the outdoors without putting backyard wildlife at risk.
NEWS Ruff housing
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De Mattos also says she’s seen pet door flaps on sliding glass doors at homes several times, which she attributes to the number of Western North Carolina abodes with moun tain views. Dog beds built into cabinets or under a kitchen island are another common barkitecture feature. Merlin has seen dog beds built underneath a flight of stairs, Harry Potter-style. And de Mattos laughs while describing one dogsized bunk bed she saw: It had a large dog bed underneath and a small bed on top — for a chihuahua, of course.
Local real estate agents discuss home ‘barkitecture’
Sona Merlin has seen a lot during her 21 years in Asheville real estate. But one house in the Peach Knob Meadows neighborhood near Town Mountain Road stands out above the rest due to a bathroom. Why? It included a miniature show er built for a dog. “They used nicer tile than my home shower has!” Merlin, a broker for Appalachian Realty Associates, recalls with a laugh. Yet as a dog mom herself, she understands the desire to simplify bathing muddy pups. And as a broker, Merlin continues, “it warms my heart” when buyers have their beloved pets in mind when house hunting. Dog-sized showers aren’t a com mon amenity in Asheville homes. But they exemplify the home design trend of pet architecture — cheekily called “barkitecture” — that incor porates practical enhancements for furry family members. Although there isn’t solid local data about the popularity of barki tecture, Asheville real estate agents anecdotally say they’ve seen such amenities on the rise. Homebuyers are as serious about making their home a good fit for a pet as they would be about making it a good fit for children, Merlin says.
BY JESSICA WAKEMAN
PET PARENT: Real estate agent Sona Merlin, pictured with Rainy, left, and Rolo, right, says potential buyers increasingly care about pet amenities. Photo courtesy of Merlin
Merlin tells Xpress about selling a house to a woman in Kenilworth who constructed a catio “bigger than
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According to a global analysis of search data for Pinterest, a visu al-based social media site, searches for the phrase “luxury dog room” increased 115% from October 2019 to September 2021. Searches for “luxury cat room” and “catify your home” also increased by three and four times, respectively, during that period. A scroll through Pinterest search ing for “luxury dog rooms” shows a miniature Murphy bed that pulls out of the wall to become a dog bed, as well as dog showers like the one Merlin described. Molly de Mattos, a broker for The Matt & Molly Team at Keller Williams Realty in Asheville, says she’s seen several local homes with more modest dog bathing sta tions. One memorable example, she recalls, was a tiled, 3-foot tall shower with a handheld shower head built inside a garage.
insider’sTheguide
Wagbar has several shade sails attached to its concession area and a small gazebo for humans and dogs to sit under, Kulp says. The bar also landscaped with tumble-safe mulch typically used on playgrounds because it doesn’t cause splinters, create mud puddles or retain that memorable dog urine scent, he explains. Both Kulp and Sophie Silcox of Down Dog AVL, a yoga studio with a dog-friendly bar attached, tout a double-gates system as crucial safe ty features for their establishments. Explains Silcox, “You come in the front door and you can shut the door behind you and then there’s another gate, so the dogs that are in the facility already can’t go and escape through the door when it opens.” Back on the homefront, many buy ers want a fenced-in backyard for dogs, real estate agents tell Xpress. Merlin has seen fencing with windows or eye holes at a dog’s eye level, which are installed for dogs who bark at sounds and smells they can’t see behind the fence. “It really is smart,” she laughs. Kulp from Wagbar says his broth er installed a bubble window in his home fence. But Wagbar uses hog wire fencing, which allows dogs to look through and is also known for its durability, he says. Yet amid the customized, ani mal-focused design making its way into local homes, Johnston from Asheville Humane Society doesn’t want pet parents to lose sight of what their fur babies really need. “While I know our animals love their amenities, the most important things they need are love, patience and attention,” she says. “Our love will always be their favorite, even over bunk beds of their very own.”
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 9 my bathroom.” She estimates the homeowner spent about $1,200 on screening in her patio. On the more elaborate end, de Mattos has seen a catio decked out as what she calls “the Taj Ma-kitty-hal,” featuring cat trees built out of the walls and television sets for the cats. “They had a TV out there playing birds,” she says. “Not the movie ‘The Birds,’ but footage of birds flying around.”
BURDEN OR ASSET? Barkitecture may sound frivolous to the petless, but for those with animals, a home with amenities for pets can be an advantage. “Some people see a swimming pool, and they go, ‘Yes!’” de Mattos offers as a comparison. “And some people see a swimming pool, and they go, ‘No!’ It’s completely buyer-dependent.” De Mattos says she hasn’t seen barki tecture in homes built prior to 2010 in WNC, suggesting the trend, such as it exists locally, is newer. Amenities like on-site dog parks are also increasingly being designed into area apartment complexes. She cites The Retreat at Weaverville, an apartment complex built in 2021 that includes a communal dog-bathing station as an amenity. Yet despite the trend’s rising pop ularity, de Mattos adds, homeown ing pet lovers seeking to sell their properties might consider simplifying or removing barkitecture features to appeal to more buyers. “I would advise [homeowners] to do what’s going to make their home enjoyable for them and their pets, but do some thing that won’t be a burden to undo — which can help with their resella bility in the long term,” she says. She recalls a seller showing off car pet-lined, custom-built shelves called “cat crawlers,” which let kitties explore the walls. De Mattos recommended the seller remove the cat crawlers before putting the home on the market, lest it turn off a potential buyer.
Photo by Jessica Wakeman
POSH PUPS: The Retreat at Weaverville, a new apartment complex, has a communal dog-bathing area for its residents to use. Photo by Kirstin Berglund
X WHO’S A GOOD BOY? Wag bar, a dog playground/park and bar in Weaverville, has an outdoor dog-bathing station for use by guests, says owner Kendal Kulp. He is holding Weasel, one of his five dogs.
Laila Johnston, donor relations coordinator for the Asheville Humane Society, says the animal rescue has a longtime supporter “who has a mas sive custom catio and also turned her wine room into a custom cat bathroom and feeding area, so each cat has their own cubby for getting their food.” Meanwhile, on the more practical end, de Mattos describes what she calls “really discreet cat box rooms,” with litter boxes tucked into the wall.
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ON THE FENCE Many pet lovers may only fantasize about their dream dog decor unless a casting director for a home make over show comes calling. However, there are some options that are more affordable and realistic — and as de Mattos suggests, aren’t difficult to Inspirationdisassemble.might come from local spaces where someone else has done the barkitecture work. Wagbar, a dog playground/park and bar in Weaverville, has an outdoor dog bath ing station for use by guests. Owner Kendal Kulp explains that the tub is an old stainless-steel photo developing tray with legs welded on, hooked up to the plumbing in Wagbar’s restrooms.
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In contrast, Ballance says BeachFerrara and other Democrats are working to show voters how their party’s policies might improve local quality of life. Increased infrastruc
“We had a hard time [connect ing with voters] in 2020 because of COVID and trying to keep people safe,” Ballance admits. “Politics is built on relationships; relationships are built on trust. And trust is only built when two people are able to communicate and feel heard and val idated. If candidates and party volun teers are out in the field listening to voters and making them feel valued and heard, that lends itself much more to that voter being persuaded to trust and vote for that candidate or party than a social media post.” “We have been out campaigning in every county, in every corner of the district, for the last year and a half, and are doing even more so now,” adds Beach-Ferrara. “We’re seeing packed rooms — whether we were in McDowell County or Jackson County — everywhere we’re going, we’re see ing a lot of folks turning out.”
Among the priorities listed on Edwards’ campaign website are “securing our border,” “energy independence” and “empowering parents” to take more control of their children’s education. The candidate is also focusing on the national econ omy and what he alleges to be its mis management by Democratic leaders.
For a brief moment in May, an erstwhile used car dealership in Hendersonville became the center of Western North Carolina’s political universe. Reporters from across the region — and even a photographer for The New York Times — descended on 924 Asheville Highway the night of May 17. It was there that Madison Cawthorn, WNC’s Republican rep resentative in the U.S. House, was holding a watch party to see prima ry election returns come in. And it was there that Cawthorn conceded to Chuck Edwards, a state sena tor for Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties, after losing the Republican nomination by nearly 1,400Mediavotes.outlets from NBC News to PBS to The Associated Press proceed ed to cover Cawthorn’s defeat, with many noting the freshman congress man’s role in events at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and endorsement by former President Donald Trump That national attention on North Carolina’s 11th Congressional district quickly waned, but for WNC voters, a new story was just beginning. In the general election, Edwards is trying to unite Republican voters after a bitterly fought eight-way primary in which he received just over a third of the vote. His Democratic challenger, Buncombe County Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, must con vince voters who haven’t elected a Democrat to Congress since former Rep. Heath Shuler in 2010 that now is time for a change. (Libertarian can didate David Coatney, a marketing professional and filmmaker, is also taking his chances in a district that has never given a third-party option more than roughly 2% of the vote.) With two months to go until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8, Xpress took a look at how the two major-party campaigns are handling their unique challenges.
“What we’re seeing from him is a clear pattern of avoiding voters and avoiding the very real, very honest conversations that the voters of Western North Carolina deserve to have with anyone who’s running for office,” Beach-Ferrara says of Edwards. “In many ways, the cam paign is the process of applying for a job, and that means showing up and answering questions about how you’ll do that Edwardsjob.” did not respond to a request for comment regarding his decision to skip the debates before press time. John Anglin, the NCGOP’s District 11 chair, says the candidate has committed to a debate hosted by Asheville TV station WLOS, the details of which have yet to be determined.
Even without a debate between the candidates, their different approaches to the issues facing WNC are becoming clear as the campaign wears on. Edwards and the GOP are focusing attention on matters at the national level, while Beach-Ferrara and the Democrats are emphasizing issues with specific regional ties.
Edwards is also taking to the road, but many of the events he’s chosen to attend appear targeted to shore up support among his party. On Aug. 17, he was the featured speaker at a Hendersonville panel discussion hosted by the N.C. Republican Party; Edwards also spoke at the campaign kickoff for fellow Republican state Sen. Kevin Corbin and is slated to attend a barbecue fundraiser for Corbin in FollowingFranklin.theAug. 17 event in Hendersonville, Edwards told Xpress that he planned to “run a grassroots campaign,” and meet as many voters as possible. “[I plan] to hear concerns of voters and hear solutions that they have, and to talk about how my views, in my experience, will perhaps align with what they tell me,” he explained.
THROUGH THE PARTY LENS
State of the race brandle@mountainx.com
“Specifically it’s the impact of higher living costs for constituents in WNC and throughout the state and nation,” adds Anglin. He says the Build Back Better policies champi oned by President Joe Biden have substantially boosted prices for food, energy and gasoline in particular.
Edwards has been less eager to attend debates or forums with his opponents. According to an Aug. 10 story in the Smoky Mountain News, the Republican announced he would only participate in one joint candidate appearance and would skip an Aug. 31 debate hosted by the paper with Blue Ridge Public Radio. Nancy Waldrop, president of the Leadership Asheville Forum, says her group canceled a planned late September forum of NC-11 candidates after the Edwards campaign declined the invitation.
MEET AND GREET: Buncombe County Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara talks issues and potential solutions with voters in Polk County ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election. Photo courtesy of Beach-Ferrara.
ON THE TRAIL On the Democratic side of the ballot, the party’s District 11 chair, Matt Ballance, says that in-person events are critical for voter outreach. While such gatherings are always important, he says, they take on added urgency after two long years of COVID-19 restrictions.
BY BROOKE RANDLE
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 11
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NC-11 candidates talk issues, strategy ahead of Election Day NEWS
“Folks are telling me that they’re tired of politics as usual, that the American family is in dire straits right now with the inflation imposed on them by the Biden administra tion,” Edwards told Xpress.
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ON THE GROUND
voter and Barnardsville resident Eddie Harwood says he’s looking for pol iticians on either side of the politi cal spectrum to rein in government spending and respond to the local needs of their constituents. He says that he has supported Democratic candidates in the past but that he plans to vote for Edwards this fall.
CHANGING LINES AFFILIATIONSAND
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Anglin says that the NCGOP’s messaging will remain the same, regardless of which party (or lack thereof) voters are affiliated with. He says current economic issues impact people across the political spectrum. “Whether they’re in poverty or whether they’re upper class, they’re being impacted in such a negative way by the economy right now,” he says. “For the unaffiliated voters that I encounter, those are the real areas that are of interest to them.”
“This ain’t the time to protest. The time to protest was during the pri maries,” Harwood says. “Now we’re going into the general [election] and we better figure it out.”
Asheville resident Will Overfelt, a registered Democrat who says he’s likely to become unaffiliated after this fall’s election, says that health care and affordable housing are the most important issues facing WNC residents today. He says he initially supported Democrat Katie Dean in the primary because of her indepen dent and pragmatic leanings.
According to political analysis website FiveThirtyEight, the new 11th District has a 14-point partisan lean in favor of Republicans. The previous lines gave Republicans a 16-point advantage, which the web site classifies as “solid Republican” rather than “competitive.” “This is the first time our district has had fair lines in more than a decade. And that’s really significant. If this district had existed in the 2020 election cycle, [Gov.] Roy Cooper would have lost [the district] by only 4 points or 17,000 votes,” BeachFerarra says. “So we’re looking at a district that has the potential to be veryAlsocompetitive.”newthiscycle is the plurality of unaffiliated voters in the district. As of press time, approximately 238,000 NC-11 voters were not aligned with any political party, compared with about 200,000 registered Republicans and 165,000 registered Democrats.
ture investment, for example, could provide more connectivity for WNC communities with poor broadband internet access, while higher fed eral education spending could help address local concerns over teach er “Iretention.think what really is making an impact here in Western North Carolina with voters are things that are tangible, they can actually touch and see making a difference in their day-to-day lives,” says Ballance. But Beach-Farrara adds that her campaign is also engaging with national trends. She says she aims to offer an antidote to what she feels are deep partisan divisions and rhet oric that has dominated politics in recent“Peopleyears.are sick and tired of the politics of division and the toxic extremism that we have gotten from Madison Cawthorn and [former Republican representative and White House Chief of Staff] Mark Meadows before him,” Beach-Ferrara says. “And now, Chuck Edwards is run ning to continue the tradition.”
Registered voters can begin early voting by mail Friday, Sept. 9, with in-person early voting available from Thursday, Oct. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 5. X With additional reporting by Jessica Wakeman
While he has heard chatter among friends and neighbors who feel less than enthused about Edwards, he feels it’s time for voters to coalesce around the Republican nominee.
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 13
The two campaigns are playing out on territory different from that of previous election cycles. The district lines that were drawn fol lowing the 2010 census (and which were ultimately thrown out due to litigation around Republican lawmakers’ engagement in gerry mandering) divided Asheville and Buncombe County between Districts 10 and 11, diluting the area’s heavily Democratic vote. New district lines established this year, however, place all of Asheville into NC-11 and nar row that Republican advantage.
Asked whether he is feeling less motivated to vote or participate following Dean’s loss in the prima ry, Overfelt notes that it’s not an easy“Yes,answer.Iwill gladly vote for [BeachFerrara] and I have sent her a few dollars when I can,” he says. “I hope she wins. She’s not a candidate who inspires me, but I know she inspires others, so I’m hopeful.” Dean, for her part, says that she plans to continue working to unite Democratic voters following the pri mary. “I remain willing to help in any way I can,” she tells Xpress As Election Day approaches, both candidates say that they’re feeling optimistic about the road ahead. “I think there’s a good strong sen timent in Washington right now to stop the Biden inflation and to close the border and get crime under con trol in this country,” Edwards says. “We need to give power back to the parents for their children’s education to create a level of national security, beginning with economic strength.” “Our biggest challenge is making sure that we’re doing everything we can to turn out the kind of vote that is absolutely possible in a midterm cycle. When you’re running in a mid term, there can be drop-offs in turn out,” Beach-Ferrara says. “There is so much on the line and so much at stake.”
GATHER ’ROUND: State Sen. Chuck Edwards, third from left, participates in a panel discussion in Hendersonville hosted by the N.C. Republican Party. Photo by Jessica Wakeman
Voters who spoke with Xpress tended to have mixed feelings or tepid views of the candidates they planned to vote for in the gener al Unaffiliatedelection.
• Political figures: former City Council member Cecil Bothwell, $100.
• Notable contributors: Mack Pearsall , Fairview, business man and founder of climate science nonprofit The Collider, $3,500; attorney Robert Clifford, Chicago, $1,000; Realtor Glenn Cullen, Asheville; $1,000; nurse practitioner Christopher Harjes, Bent Creek, $1,000; personal train er Aaron Manheimer, Chicago, $1,000; retiree Ron Manheimer, Asheville, $1,000; Realtor Clarissa Marshall, Fairview, $1,000.
Mayoral candidates ESTHER MANHEIMER
CONTINUES ON PAGE 16 Xpress is seeking a county reporter. Want to keep incommunityyourtheknow? WRITE FOR Send cover letter, resume and three or more clips to news@mountainx.com with the subject line: County reporter.
• Raised: $19,550. In the bank: $4,995.
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM14
• Political figures: former City Council members Marc Hunt , $100, and Chris Pelly , $100; current Council member Gwen Wisler , $250; District Attorney Todd Williams , $100; former state Sen. Terry Van Duyn, $500; Buncombe County Commissioner and U.S. House District 11 can didate Jasmine Beach-Ferrara , $250; and Council candidate Berthiaume, $150.
• Raised: $14,150. In the bank: $2,027.
KIM RONEY
HEADS OF THE PACK: Mayor Esther Manheimer, left, and Asheville City Council candidate Maggie Ullman Berthiaume have raised more money than any of their competitors in this year’s race for Asheville city government posi tions. Photos courtesy of the candidates
Mayor Esther Manheimer and climate change consultant Maggie Ullman Berthiaume have raised the most campaign funds so far in this year’s race for Asheville city govern ment positions, according to reports filed by candidates’ campaigns. Manheimer had raised $19,550 as of mid-July and had $4,995 sit ting in the bank. That puts her ahead of City Council member Kim Roney , Manheimer’s remaining challenger in the mayoral contest, who had brought in $14,150 and had $2,027Withunspent.$29,442 in donations, Berthiaume was by far the most successful fundraiser among the six candidates still vying for the three Council seats on the ballot this year. Only one of the other five, Allison Scott , had raised more than $10,000.Although both Manheimer and Berthiaume finished at the top of their respective electoral packs in the May 17 primary, campaign fundraising is not always a reliable predictor of election success. For example, Council member Sheneika Smith finished second in the prima ry but said in late August that she had yet to raise or spend $1,000. But fundraising is one indicator of a candidate’s chances, says Chris Cooper, a political science profes sor at Western Carolina University. “The person who raises the most money doesn’t always win, but it is a sign [of support] and it is helpful,” heCampaignsays. money and the adver tising it buys may be more important as the city grows, Cooper continues. “Asheville’s changing so quickly, and there’s so many transplants, that the old friends and neighbors voting may matter a little less,” heManheimer’ssuggests. and Berthiaume’s reports both show several contrib utors, primarily Democrats, who are either current or former local officeholders. Berthiaume, who was city government’s first sustain ability officer, also got donations from people working on climate and environmental issues across theAtcountry.theother monetary extreme, Smith says her campaign is still active. The incumbent says she is focused more on “friend-raising thanContributorsfundraising.”to the remaining field of candidates hail from San Francisco to Connecticut, although most live much closer to City Hall. No particular special interests dom inate the lists of contributors so far, although many donors are retirees, Democratic politicians or candi dates’Followingrelatives.are summaries of fund raising by candidates who will be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot for mayor and City Council. Figures are rounded to the nearest dollar. Full campaign finance reports can be viewed at avl.mx/azf.
BY MARK BARRETT
• Notable contributors: Roney for Council, the committee handling funds for Roney’s 2020 bid for a regular seat on City Council, $3,300; Taylor Hamilton, Candler, $500; Lara Lustig, Asheville, mar keter for Working Wheels, $500; Dr. Donna Page, Asheville, pedia trician, $500.
Council cash Manheimer, Berthiaume pull in Asheville campaign funds
markbarrett@charter.net
NEWS
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 15
• Notable contributors: Pearsall, $3,500; Kenneth Brame, Leicester, who heads the local Sierra Club’s sometimes controversial efforts to endorse candidates for pub lic office, $1,000; Wendy Ullman, Doylestown, Pa., not employed, $1,000; Charles Wise, Asheville, not employed, $1,000; Buck Bragg, Asheville, not employed, $761; Nanci Mackey , Asheville, Asheville Property Group, $750.
• Raised: $5,270. In the bank: $1,062.
ANTANETTE MOSLEY
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM16
• Political figures: former City Council members Bothwell, $750; Robin Cape, $100; Chuck Cloninger, $500; Bryan Freeborn, $100; Hunt, $500; and Vijay Kapoor, $100; Brownie Newman, chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, $250; state Sen. Julie Mayfield, $100; Van Duyn, $100; Beach-Ferrara, $100; former state legislator and County Commissioner Patsy Keever, $100; Williams, $100; and Buncombe Commissioner Parker Sloan, $100.
money
• Raised: $29,442. In the bank: $13,928.
• Raised: $5,475. In the bank: $1,403.
CitycandidatesCouncil
MAGGIE ULLMAN BERTHIAUME
ALLISON SCOTT
• Notable contributors: Anne Guse, Placentia, Calif., not employed, $3,000; Harjes, $1,000; Amy Mandel, Asheville, not employed, $1,000; Shelly McCormick , Waterford, Conn., Lowe’s manag er, $1,000.
NINA TOVISH
• Notable contributors: Andrew Fedynak , Richmond, Va., pho tographer, $2,000; attorney Laura Conner, Raleigh, $1,000; Elliott Eichler , Asheville, owner of Covert Carts, $1,000; and John Bell, Tryon, not employed, $500.
• Political figures: Christopher Brook, Chapel Hill, an attorney and former N.C. Court of Appeals judge, $750; Beach-Ferrara, who is also Scott’s boss at the proLGBT rights group Campaign for Southern Equality, $350; and Van Duyn, $250. SHENEIKA SMITH Smith had not reported any con tributions as of late August. She told Xpress she had raised less than $1,000.
ANDREW FLETCHER
• Notable contributors: Marshall, $2,000; Nian Avery , Asheville, funeral director, $500; Anton Clark, Charlotte, pricing analyst, Bank of America, $400.
$8,318 of the $17,289 in contributions received by Council member Sandra Kilgore ’s campaign for state Senate District 49 came from people in the real estate industry, usually agents or investors, or their family members. Most notable were the $5,600 Kilgore got from the N.C. Realtors Political Action Committee, the maximum allowed in a pri mary, and $1,500 from local real estate investor Chris Peterson , a former Council member who regularly criticizes what he sees as City Council’s too-liberal ways. Kilgore is a Realtor. The Realtors PAC often opposes more government rules on housing in the halls of the state General Assembly and has sup ported a bill that would limit local governments’ ability to regulate shorttermKilgorerentals.lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Sen. Julie Mayfield, taking 20.7% of the vote compared with Mayfield’s 68.2%. (The remainder of votes went to hemp entrepreneur Taylon Breeden.) Mayfield, the co-direc tor of Asheville-based environmental advocacy group MountainTrue, had raised $66,339 from a variety of sources as of the end of June.
Another contribution to Kilgore — event space rental and related services valued at $3,532 and listed by her campaign as donated by the Element Asheville Downtown hotel — is likely to receive scrutiny from the State Board of Elections. State law bans donations to candidates fromStatecorporations.Boardof Elections spokesman Patrick Gannon says the board typically seeks more information from campaigns in cases in which audits find corporate contributions, including asking whether the donation actu ally came from the business’s owner. Himanshu Karvir, a past chair of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, heads the company that runs the Element hotel. X
• Raised: $15,790. In the bank: $3,525.
• Notable contributors: Gordon Atkinson, Austin, Texas, website management, $1,850; nurse Lori Hedrick , Asheville, $275; and Ronald Gordon , Asheville, not employed, $256.
• Political figures: former Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, $25.
• Political figures: former Montreat Town Commissioner Mary Standaert, $50. X gets real estate
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Contributions from real estate interests made up nearly half of the money given to one City Council member’s campaign this year. But they came in a race for the state Senate seat representing most of Buncombe County, not forAtCouncil.least
• Raised: $6,580. In the bank: $798.
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 17
ROUNDUP
HOOD IN THE WOODS: Atlanta-based HS Robinhood Owner LLC seeks to construct seven buildings containing up to 110 multifamily units, as well as five single-family homes, across 17 acres on the Elk Mountain ridgeline. Graphic courtesy of the town of Woodfin
Three projects requiring a spe cial use permit, one revised spe cial use permit and three variance requests will be on the agenda at the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment meeting, taking place 12 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. The in-person meeting will be held at the Board of Commissioners Chambers, 200 College Street.
PLANNING AND COMMISSIONZONING
The CRLU’s mission, according to its website, is to prevent or mitigate steep slope development. According to design plans for the new proj ect — to be known as Robinhood Residential — submitted by Asheville firm Civil Design Concepts, the aver age slope of the site is 43.12%.
The Design Review Committee will meet virtually at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, with a pre-meet ing held at 12:15 p.m. the same day. The agenda for that meeting was not available as of press time.
City of Asheville
• From August: Pinnacle View Rental Units SUP (17, 21 and unaddressed parcel on Pinnacle View Rd., Asheville, 28803) — avl.mx/bu5
New housing proposed for Elk Mountain ridgeline in Woodfin
Information on how to attend and apply for comment can be found at avl.mx/anq. No email or voicemail comments will be accepted. Two of the special use permit appli cations have been continued from the July and August meetings. More details are available from Xpress development roundups at avl.mx/bu4 (July) and avl.mx/byl (August) or at the following project pages:
HS Robinhood Owner LLC seeks to construct seven buildings containing up to 110 mul tifamily units, as well as five sin gle-family homes, across 17 acres on the Asheville-facing side of the ridgeline. None would be designated as affordable housing, and the units could be used as short-term rentals.
Residents can submit comments over email and voicemail until 24 hours prior to the meeting or pro vide in-person comment during the meeting itself. Instructions on how to attend and comment, as well as the full meeting agenda, are available at avl.mx/8b6.Allthree of the agenda items have been continued from the Aug. 3 meeting. More details are available from last month’s Xpress develop
ment roundup (avl.mx/byl) or at the following project pages:
Buncombe County’s steep slope ordinance places development restrictions on land at elevations of at least 2,500 feet with a slope of 35% or greater, but only in unincorporated areas. Woodfin did not have such an ordinance in place at the time HS Robinhood Owner submitted its plans. (The town adopted steep slope regulations stronger than those of county in AccordingJune.)toIrvin, the CRLU will await the outcome of the Oct. 4 plan ning board meeting before deciding its next steps. The CRLU presentation slides can be accessed at avl.mx/byq. The Robinhood Residential site plan is available at avl.mx/byk.
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM18 Six years after a 196-unit develop ment on the Elk Mountain ridgeline in Woodfin was abandoned following public dissent, a new project on the same site will likely come before the Woodfin planning board Tuesday, Oct.Atlanta-based4.
Buncombe County
DEVELOPMENTNEWS
• From July: Carolina Ready Mix & Builders Supply SUP (1186 Smokey Park Highway, Lower Hominy Township, 28715) — avl.mx/bq9
On Aug. 30, the Citizens for Responsible Land Use, a neighbor hood organization that had formed in 2016 to oppose the previously pro posed development, held a meeting about the new plan at the Country Club of Asheville. CRLU Secretary Ben Irvin tells Xpress that approxi mately 100 people attended in person, with another 72 attending online.
• Enka Commerce Park (264 Enka Heritage Parkway, 28715) – avl.mx/btx • Laurel Woods II (650 & 652 Caribou Rd., 28803) – avl.mx/bty • Woodland Development (100 Woodland Dr., 28806) –avl.mx/bqb
The public will be able to provide input on two conditional rezonings and one zoning amendment at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, which will take place in person at City Hall’s first-floor North Conference Room at 70 Court Plaza. A pre-meet ing of the same body to review the agenda, which is open to the public but does not allow public comment, will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the fifthfloor Large Conference Room.
• Asheville West Subdivision Phase II SUP Revision (99999 Torch Light Way, Lower Hominy Township, Asheville, 28806)
Asheville-based WNC Home Buyers Alliance LLC requests a variance to reduce the front, side and rear setbacks on 0.09 acres owned by Noelle Nicholson for the purpose of placing a single-wide manufactured home. The lot was previously home to a derelict cabin dating to Detailed1920.project information can be found at avl.mx/byo. Young Variance (6 E. Ridgeway Dr., Weaverville, 28787)
Asheville West LLC requests a revision to a special use permit previously granted by the Board of Adjustment in May 2018 for a subdivision with 78 single family residential lots on 21.55 acres. The revision concerns street design changes within the subdivision, as well as road and lot layouts.
Weaverville property owners Roger and Kris Young request a variance to reduce the front setback on 0.81 acres from 20 feet to 0 feet to allow for an existing carport. An accompanying staff report notes that the carport was constructed without permits and sits within the road’s current right-of-way. The applica tion maintains that the carport is located on a dead-end road with minimal traffic and cannot be placed elsewhere due to a steep slope and existing septic tank. Project information can be found at avl.mx/byp.
• Penley Variance (10 Roundabout Way, Asheville, 28805) – avl.mx/bu0
• Healthcare facilities
The Buncombe County zoning ordinance defines two types of planned unit developments, Levels I and II, that are subject to the county’s land use and subdivision ordinance standards. These projects consist of building clusters that are specially designed and don’t have to follow normal zoning rules. According to the county’s ordinance, PUDs offer “substantial advan tages for greater flexibility and improved marketability through the benefits of efficiency which permit flexibility in building siting, mixtures of housing types and land use.” A Level I PUD can include:
Phase 1 of construction – 27 lots on 9.14 acres – has already been completed. The proposed density of the entire project is 3.62 units perDetailedacre. project documents, including the original 2018 site plan, can be viewed at avl.mx/bym. Sherwood Subdivision SUP (225, 233, 237, 243 New Salem Rd., 9 Little John Lane, 477 & 478 Rowland Rd., Swannanoa, 28778)
• Nicholson Variance (137 Hemphill Rd., Asheville, 28803)
• Water and sewage plants and water storage tanks
• More than four principal buildings or uses on a single lot
• Recreational projects
• Private or public utility stations and pumping stations
• Principal buildings of 25,000 square feet or more
Asheville-based New Salem Development Company LLC requests a special use permit for a Level I Planned Unit Development consisting of 17 single-family homes and associated infrastructure on 5.6Detailedacres. project documents can be accessed at avl.mx/byn. One of the variances on this month’s agenda has been contin ued from the August meeting. More details are available from the most recent Xpress development roundup at avl.mx/byl or at the following project page:
— Sara Murphy X
What are planned unit developments?
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 19
• Residential complexes with more than eight units
• Schools • Vacation rental complexes Level II PUDs are designated only for commercial and industrial uses. These developments include any single lot with more than four principal buildings and/or any principal building of 50,000 square feet or more. Level II PUD examples include retail trade, professional and business offices, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. X
• Subdivisions of more than 10 lots, including areas set aside for open space and/or amenities, with smaller than usual lot sizes and setbacks Level I PUDs can be residential only, mixed residential and nonresiden tial, or nonresidential. Allowable uses include the following:
The author will present her poetry collection, Trailing the Azimuth. SA (9/10), 3pm, City Lights Bookstore, 3 E Jackson St, Sylva Poetry Reading and Talk with Lee Stockdale Gorilla is Lee’s book of poems describing his journey as a suicide survivor. Suicide prevention counselors will be in tionNationalProgrammingattendance.partofSuicidePrevenMonth.
FR (9/9), 6pm, Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Dr Celebrate Artsville Honoring guest artists Jim McDowell, Bronwen McCormick, Ellen Gold en, Jo Miller and Mary Farmer. SA (9/10), 2pm, Marquee Asheville, 36 Foundy St
TH (9/8), 7pm, Alley Cat Social Club, 797 Haywood Rd
RUN FOR THE ROSES: The opening reception for Monica Stevenson’s photogra phy exhibition, The Animals of Red Bell Run: Flora & Fauna, will take place at the Tryon Fine Arts Center’s JP Gallery on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. The show, which was inspired by Red Bell Run owner Mary Adams’ dedication to the animals, will run Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through Oct. 29, with later hours on fourth Fridays. Photo courtesy of Tryon Fine Arts Center
The photographs for this exhibition are inspired by Mary Adams, the owner of Red Bell Run, and her affection for and ded ication to the animals and plants that thrive at her equine sanctuary. Exhibit open Tuesday through Friday 10am through Oct. 29.
A series of photographs and sculptures that bring voice to the international Missing and Murdered Indige nous Women (MMIW) movement through the lens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Com anche Nation, Lumbee, and other Native American artists. Open 10am Tuesday through Friday. WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr, Cullowhee
The Animals of Red Bell Run: Flora and Fauna Opening Reception
Five guest artists approach the Carolina woodlands through their personal perspectives, revealing Appalachia through a fresh lens, inspired by fall. Open daily 10am, through Oct. 30.
WELLNESS
SEPTEMBER 7 - 15, 2022
50th Annual Village Art & Craft Fair Featuring 114 artists from 16 states, with a full spectrum of craft media available - jewel ry, ceramic, wood, fiber, metals, two-dimensional art and more. Outdoors on the grounds of All Souls Cathedral, pre sented by New Morning Gallery and Art-to-Wear.Bellagio See p32 SA (9/10), SU (9/11), Historic Biltmore Village, 10 Brook St Mountain Legacies: Exploring Appalachian Culture This exhibit shows how early settlers made their way into the Appala chian Mountains and made them their home, dispelling the myth of an uncultured people and reveal lives rich with customs and traditions, including herbal medi cines, handicrafts, and bluegrass music. Open 12pm Thursday through TransylvaniaSaturday. Heritage Museum, 189 W Main St, Brevard
This exhibition invites artists to share their lived experiences with neurodiversity and how these experiences have impacted their work as an artist. Open 10am Tuesday through Friday. WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr, Cullowhee
See p33 TU (9/13), 6pm, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St Punch Bucket Lit: A West Asheville Reading Series With poets Nicole Brown and Jessica Jacobs. TU (9/13), 6:30pm, Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd THEATER & FILM Mike Wiley's One Noble Journey
TH (9/8), 6:30pm, Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon Pop Up Art Show Local artists, every Thursday.
WE (9/7), 6pm, Woodfin YMCA, 40 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 101 Pub Run Rain or shine, all ages and experience levels welcome.
When Was the Last Time You Saw a Miracle? Prints by Corita Kent In this selection of prints from the 1950s and 1960s, the artist com bines vivid color with quotations, everyday slogans, and biblical scripture to create inspirational messages of hope and harmony for humankind. Open 10am Tuesday through WCUFriday.Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr, Cullowhee
Dr,Center,WCUTuesdayinStudiocontributionssignificanttotheGlassMovementWNC.Open10amthroughFriday.BardoArts199CentennialCullowhee
Feature, page
TH (9/8, 15), 9am, Montford Recreation Center, 34 Pearson Dr Skate Night Roll bounce with Ashe ville Parks and Rec. FR (9/9), 6pm, Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd Waves on the Edge: 5Rhythms LGBTQ Sweat Your Prayers Follow the maps created by Gabrielle Roth. First time dancers $10. Hosted by Karen every Saturday. SA (9/10), 9:30am, Haw Creek Commons, 315 Old Haw Creek Rd Goat Yoga SA (9/10), 11am, Whistle Hop Brewing Co., 1288 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview Wild Souls Authentic Movement Class A conscious movement experience in a 100-year old building with a com munity of like-minded women at all life stages. SU (9/11), 9:30am, Dunn's Rock Community Center, 461 Connestee Rd, Brevard Qi Gong 101: Begin ner's Course Access and flow your Qi for optimum health with Allen RegistrationHorowitz.required. MO (9/12), 9:30am, Asia House, 119 Coxe Ave Monday Run Club 6pm All ages and levels welcome, including walkers. In partnership with Mountain Running Co. MO (9/12), 6pm, Cataw ba Brewing Biltmore, 63 Brook St Hula Hooping with Mere Learn and share hula hoop fitness and dance basics. WE (9/14), 6pm, Burton Street Center,Community134Burton St ART
This exhibition includes wooden and cast bronze boat sculptures, prints on hand-made paper, and photographs, all centered around ideas of physical and psy chological transitions. Open Tuesday through Saturday 11am. See p33 FR (9/9), 6pm, Tracey Morgan Gallery, 188 Coxe Ave A Walk in the Woods
WE (9/7, 14), 5:45pm, Asia House, 119 Coxe Ave Men's Cancer Support Group Safely meet in a large conference room and stay socially distant while wearing masks.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Online-only
Community Event: Border Cantos Featuring a variety of programsfamily-friendlyindoors and on the plaza, including a live performance by Azteca Chichimeka, a traditional indigenous dance group of the Conchera tradition, and a poetry reading by local writer and poet, Juan Guillermo Sanchez Martinez. SA (9/10), 1pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects and Builders in NC From NorthPreservationCarolina,this exhibit is part of a multi-faceted educa tional program about the history and legacy of Black builders in our state. Through Oct. 10. Open 10am, closed Sunday and Monday. 10am, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St Full Circle Featuring oil painter Anne Marie Brown. Open daily 11am. TH (9/8), 11am, Asheville Gallery of Art, 82 Patton Ave Hoss Halsey Topogra phy Opening Reception
The Way I'm Wired: Artist Reflections on Neurodiversity
Greenville-based artist Gerry Wubben spe cializes in monumental charcoal throughExhibitiondrawings.Sept.5Oct.7.
5Rhythms Sweat Your Prayers Let it in, let it out, let it go. Hosted by Karen weekly.
RSVP: Will (412)9130272 or gmail.com.acwein123@
Georgia Deal & Tom Ashcraft: Uncharted Opening Reception
The artists' sculptures in steel, bronze, and concrete identify him as an accomplished artist with a strong point of view. His througharchitecture.geologicaltakeexplorationsminimalistofforminspirationfromfeaturesandExhibitDec.31.
FR (9/9), 10am, Marquee Asheville, 36 Foundy St Cultivating Collections: Glass In this year’s exhibition, student researchers tell the stories of the museum’s glass collec tion, which includes a range of artists who have made
Monumental Intimacy: A Drawing Survey
We Will Not be Silenced: Standing for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Community Access Art Night: Modern Each laid-back, creative evening focuses on a different medium The space, materials, and instruction provided.
WE (9/7, 14), 6:15pm, Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd Montford Tai Chi Hosted by Thursday.White.acupuncturistlocalTylerAllages,every
MUSICCOMMUNITY
Quintet Featuring Patrick Lopez on trumpet, Bryon McConnell on bass, Rick Dilling on drums and Jefry Stevens on electric keyboard. FR (9/9), Candler1404Enka-Candler6pm,Library,SandhillRd, LITERARY Books to Action: Racial Justice Book Discussion and Hood Huggers Walking Tour After discussing the book How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi, participate in a walking tour of Eagle and East End Valley Streets. required.Registration SA (9/10), 10:30am, Stephen's Lee Commu nity Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Danita Dodson Poetry Reading
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. events 26
Feature, page 28 More info, pages 30-31 More info, pages 32-33
TH (9/8), Momentum5pm,Gallery, 24 N Lexington Ave
A Clear Choice Abstract sculptures by internationally recog nized master glass artist Karsten Oaks. Exhibition through Sept. 25. Open 10am daily, 12pm on BenderSunday.Gallery, 29 Biltmore Ave Border Cantos | Sonic Border A collaboration between American photographer Richard Misrach and Mexican American sculptor and composer Guillermo Galindo, using the power of art to explore and humanize the complex issues surrounding the Mex ican-American border through a transforma tive and AshevilleThrougham,experience.multi-sensoryOpen11closedTuesday.Oct.24.ArtMuseum, 2 S Pack Square
TH (9/8), 6pm, S. Tucker Cooke Gallery, UNCA Owen Hall, 1 University Heights
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM20
The story of Henry “Box” Brown, an African American born into slavery in 1816 Virginia, demonstrating that the cruelty of slavery was every bit as devastating to the heart as it could be on the body. Various dates and times through Sept. North18.Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Ln Fall Into Dance: An Artistic Harvest A productionprofessionalofall original choreography by WNC's Ballet Company and North Carolina’s oldest ballet company, The Asheville Ballet, directed by Ann Dunn. Bring a blanket or chair, outdoors. See p32 FR (9/9), 7:30pm, Pack Square Park
Michael Jefry Stevens
WE (9/7, 14), 5:15pm, Homewood, 19 Zillicoa St Taiji to Awaken the Flow of Qi With Andrew NugentHead. required.Registraton
2 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM
3MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
4 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM
5MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
6 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM Part 2022 X Awards 8 Eats 32 Drinks 46 Outdoors 50 Farm, Yard & Garden 56 Work & Business 60 Media 64 Pets 70 Small Towns 70 Swannanoa & Black Mountain 72 Marshall & Mars Hill 74 Weaverville & Woodfin 76 Hot Springs 77 Burnsville CONTENTS Two We have taken great care to ensure the accuracy of the Best Of WNC listings, but if you have corrections, questions or suggestions, email us at bestofwnc@mountainx.com, or call 828-251-1333. Some Best Of WNC categories received inadequate votes to allow us to declare first-, second- and third-place winners. PUBLISHER Jeff Fobes • BALLOTING MANAGERS Able Allen, Jeff Fobes • BALLOT OFFICIALS Edwin Arnaudin, Jennifer Castillo, Vicki Catalano, Susan Hutchinson, Tracy Rose, Olivia Urban, Daniel Walton • BEST OF WNC SUPPLEMENT DESIGN Scott Southwick • DESIGNERS Scott Southwick, Olivia Urban • CAMPAIGN THEME Able Allen, Susan Hutchinson, Scott Southwick • LISTINGS EDITORS Able Allen, Jennifer Castillo • PHOTO COORDINATOR Able Allen, Jennifer Castillo • EDITORS Jeff Fobes, Tracy Rose • WRITERS Able Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Jeff Fobes, Justin McGuire, Brooke Randle, Tracy Rose, Jessica Wakeman, Daniel Walton, Ben Williamson • ADVERTISING MANAGER Susan Hutchinson • AD SALES Sara Brecht, Vicki Catalano, Scott Mermel, Braulio Pescador-Martinez • IT & WEB Able Allen • BALLOTING PLATFORM Brandon Tilley (One to Three Software) • FRONT OFFICE/ ACCOUNTING Able Allen, Amie Fowler-Tanner • DISTRIBUTION Susan Hutchinson, Cindy Kunst and a fantastic team of devoted drivers • COVER DESIGN Scott Southwick • COVER PHOTO Cindy Kunst • Copyright 2022 by Mountain Xpress
— Thomas Calder X
Why did the rooster cross the road?
To strut his stuff! The same reason this year’s Best Of WNC winners are crow ing so proudly this week. Humility is a fine trait, but false humility sticks out like a fox in a henhouse. And as a community, we need not be sly foxes but proud roosters. Fortunately for us, there is plenty of pride to go around in Xpress’ Best Of WNC, Part II. This week’s winners include those in the ever-popular Eats and Drinks sections. Despite some cocky postur ing from our 2022 mascot, we still ran with the Best Fried Chicken category (congrats, Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack), among dozens of other favorite places to grab a bite or sip a pint. Luckily for us, the rooster was quick to forgive, especially when he learned this week’s issue also featured such sections as favorite Pets, Outdoors, and Farm, Yard & RoundingGarden.outthe issue are stalwart sections Work & Business, Media, and Small Towns. That final category is another treasure for this year’s mascot, since roosters have been banned from residing within Asheville city limits since 2005. Of course, because roosters are forbid den in these parts, there’s a chance you missed them crowing at the break of dawn. Sadly, late risers never catch the worm. What’s worse, if you’re sleeping through your alarm clock consistently, you may have missed last week’s Best Of WNC, Part I. Not to worry, the win ners can be found online at avl.mx/bz2. Xpress will also publish the complete list of winners come November in our handy 2022 pocket guide to the Best Of WNC. If you have comments or suggestions about this year’s or next year’s Best Of WNC survey — drop us a line at Cock-a-doodle-do,bestofwnc@mountainx.com.WNCreaders!
7MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO (NewPLACE1sthalloffame) RESTAURANT THAT BESTTHEREPRESENTSSPIRITOFASHEVILLE PLACE1st(halloffame) RESTAURANT IN WEST ASHEVILLE RESTAURANTTOTAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS TO PLACE2nd PASTA 3 PLACERD SALAD 3 PLACERDPLACE1st(halloffame) RESFAVORITETAURANT RESTAURANT IN NORTH ASHEVILLE 3 PLACERD
and
8 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM
— Brooke Randle X ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK
Best Fried Chicken, Lunch Takeout; second place Kid-Friendly Restaurant, Quick Meal, Wings, Southern and Restaurant in South Asheville; third place Best Value, Favorite Restaurant and Restaurant to Take Out-of-Towners
T HERE are more than 250 inde pendent restaurants within Asheville city limits, according to the Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau. What’s more, fac tor in all of the unique culinary gems and time-honored favorites you’ll find throughout Western North Carolina, and mealtime options never looked better. When it comes to finding the best of the best in Western North Carolina, listen up to the people who live here, who care about what’s on all those menus. Little wonder that the Best Of WNC Eats section draws the heaviest voting each year. Competition in the section this year was fierce, featuring tight races and multiple ties: Buxton Hall Barbecue and Cúrate both tied for the best Restaurant in Downtown, while White Duck Taco Shop and 12 Bones Smokehouse also dead locked for the top award in the best Restaurant in the River Arts District. And the award for New Restaurant had to be split between Andaaz and Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian–South.Hatsoffa dozen times to these great establishments for winning first place 12 or more consecutive years: 12 Bones Smokehouse (Barbecue); Apollo Flame Bistro (Greek); Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. (Kid-Friendly Restaurant); Bouchon (French); French Broad Chocolates (Chocolate); HomeGrown (Diner/ Homestyle); Katie Button (Chef); Posana (Special Diet Options); The Hop (Ice Cream); Sunny Point Café (both Breakfast and Brunch); Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian (Italian); and Zambra (Romantic Dining). And in newcomer honors, please welcome to this year’s Hall of Fame: Hole Doughnuts (Doughnuts); Green Sage Café (Healthiest Food); Mela Indian Restaurant (Hot Bar/ Buffet); Franny’s Farmacy (Locally Made CBD Treats); Nine Mile (Restaurant That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville); Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack (Takeout); and Plant (Vegan/Vegetarian).
to PHOTO BY NEIL JACOBS n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) Eats
RESTAURANT THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 NINE MILE n w s x 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 751828-505-3121Haywood Road, Asheville Biltmore828-575-9903Park Town Square, 33 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-676-1807 • ninemileasheville.com 2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055 • sunnypointcafe.com 3 CÚRATE d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 • curatetapasbar.com FAVORITE RESTAURANT 1 NINE MILE n w s x 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 751828-505-3121Haywood Road, Asheville Biltmore828-575-9903Park Town Square, 33 Town Square Blvd., Asheville 828-676-1807 • ninemileasheville.com 2 CÚRATE d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 • curatetapasbar.com 2 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n s 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 1981828-253-1077Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100 • vinniesitalian.com 3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260 • rockyshotchickenshack.com
9MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO RESTAURANTDOWNTOWNIN (INCLUDING SOUTH SLOPE) 1 BUXTON HALL BARBECUE d 32 Banks Ave., Asheville 828-232-7216 • buxtonhall.com 1 CÚRATE d x 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 • curatetapasbar.com 2 CHESTNUT d 48 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-2667 • chestnutasheville.com 3 CHAI PANI d 22 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 828-254-4003 • chaipani.com RESTAURANT IN THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT 1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE r s 5 Foundy St., Suite 10, Asheville 828-253-4499 • 12bones.com 1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-1398 • whiteducktacoshop.com 2 VIVIAN r 348 Depot St., Suite 190, Asheville 828-225-3497 • vivianavl.com 3 THE BULL AND BEGGAR r 37 Paynes Way, Asheville 828-575-9443 • thebullandbeggar.com RESTAURANT IN WEST ASHEVILLE 1 NINE MILE (WEST) w n s x 751 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9903 • ninemileasheville.com 2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055 • sunnypointcafe.com 3 JARGON w 715 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-785-1761 • jargonrestaurant.com RESTAURANT IN NORTH ASHEVILLE 1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n s 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1077 • vinniesitalian.com 2 AVENUE M n 791 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-350-8181 • avenuemavl.com 3 NINE MILE n w s 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121 • ninemileasheville.com CONTINUED Thank Asheville!you 12bones.com • 12bonesbrewing.com South Asheville Location 12 Bones Brewing attached on the other side of the building 2350 Hendersonville Road | Arden, NC 28704 | 828-687-1395 River Arts Location 5 Foundy Street | Asheville, NC 28801 | 828-253-4499 • Voted best Barbecue 12 years in a row • Voted best Ribs 9 years in a row @12bonessouth@12bonesriver@12bonesribs Thank you 12"BEST"continuingfortovoteusoneoftheinWNC,yearsstrong! myenvisioneyecare.com
10 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM RESTAURANT IN EAST ASHEVILLE 1 COPPER CROWN e x 1011 Tunnel Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-505-7531 • coppercrownavl.com 2 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE e 1177 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-3743 • eastvillagegrille.com 3 RENDEZVOUS e 184 New Haw Creek Road, Asheville 828-348-0909 • ashevillerendezvous.com RESTAURANT IN SOUTH ASHEVILLE 1 WILD GINGER PHO NOODLE BAR s x 1950 Hendersonville Road, Suite 12, Asheville 828-676-1827 • wildgingernoodle.com 2 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK s aw 3749 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 • rockyshotchickenshack.com 3 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN (SOUTH) s 1981 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100 • vinniesitalian.com BREAKFAST 1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w x 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055 • sunnypointcafe.com 2 BISCUIT HEAD d w 417 Biltmore Ave., Suite 4F, Asheville 733828-505-3449Haywood Road, Asheville 828-333-5145 • biscuitheads.com 3 EARLY GIRL EATERY d 8 Wall St., 828-259-9292Ashevilleext.1 • earlygirleatery.com BRUNCH 1 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w x 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055 • sunnypointcafe.com 2 EARLY GIRL EATERY d w 8 Wall St., 444828-259-9292Ashevilleext.1HaywoodRoad, Suite 101, Asheville 828-259-9292 ext. 2 • earlygirleatery.com 3 BISCUIT HEAD d 417 Biltmore Ave., Suite 4F, Asheville 828-505-3449 • biscuitheads.com LUNCH 1 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 3749828-575-2260Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 • rockyshotchickenshack.com 2 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r d 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 12828-254-1398BiltmoreAve., Asheville 828-232-9191 • whiteducktacoshop.com 3 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 QUICK MEAL 1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r d s ax 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 12828-254-1398BiltmoreAve., Asheville 16828-232-9191MiamiCircle, Arden 828-676-1859 • whiteducktacoshop.com 2 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 3749828-575-2260Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 • rockyshotchickenshack.com 3 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 3 TACO BILLY w 201 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-0088 • tacobillyasheville.com 3 TACO TEMPLE d 132 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-255-8098 • mamacitastacotemple.com RESTAURANT TO OUT-OF-TOWNERSTAKETO 1 CÚRATE d x 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 • curatetapasbar.com 2 NINE MILE n w s 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 751828-505-3121Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9903 • ninemileasheville.com 3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260 • rockyshotchickenshack.com PEOPLE-WATCHINGRESTAURANT 1 MELLOW MUSHROOM d x 50 Broadway, Asheville 828-236-9800 • mellowmushroom.com 2 CARMEL’S KITCHEN & BAR d Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 129, Asheville 828-252-8730 • carmelsofasheville.com 2 WICKED WEED BREWING d w a 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 145828-575-9599JacobHolm Way, Candler 828-365-7166 • wickedweedbrewing.com 3 ISA’S FRENCH BISTRO d 1 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 828-575-9636 • isasbistro.com BEST OF EATS EATS & DRINKS ASHEVILLE-AREA 2022 GUIDE Pick up your print copy today in boxes everywhere!NEWEDITION WILD GINGER PHO NOODLE BAR Best Restaurant in South Asheville PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST
11MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW 1 SUNSET TERRACE n Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., 800-438-5800Asheville • avl.mx/3k8 2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR d 15 Page Ave., 4th Floor, Asheville 828-417-6866 • hemingwayscuba.com 3 PISGAH INN w a Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 408.6, Canton 828-235-8228 • pisgahinn.com OUTDOOR DINING 1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r d s a 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 12828-254-1398BiltmoreAve., Asheville 16828-232-9191MiamiCircle, Arden 828-676-1859 • whiteducktacoshop.com 2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR d 15 Page Ave., 4th Floor, Asheville 828-417-6866 • hemingwayscuba.com 2 SMOKY PARK SUPPER CLUB r 350 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-350-0315 • smokypark.com 3 SUNSET TERRACE n Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., 800-438-5800Asheville • avl.mx/3k8 NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS) 1 ANDAAZ s 28 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-552-3200 • andaazasheville.com 1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN (SOUTH) s 1981 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100 • vinniesitalian.com 2 UKIAH JAPANESE SMOKEHOUSE d 121 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-470-7480 • ukiahrestaurant.com 3 LITTLE CHANGO d 134 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-505-2758 • littlechango.com ROMANTIC DINING 1 ZAMBRA d x 85 W. Walnut St., Asheville 828-232-1060 • zambratapas.com 2 CÚRATE d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 • curatetapasbar.com 3 BOUCHON d 62 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-350-1140 • ashevillebouchon.com CONTINUED 1 BATTERY PARK AVE., ASHEVILLE, NC 828-575-9636 • WWW.ISASBISTRO.COM • LunchBreakfast,&Dinner daily and Weekend Brunch • Mussel Monday, 1/2 Price Wine Wednesday, Award Winning Prime Rib Friday and Saturday, AMAZING brunch on Saturday and Sunday • Outdoor Patio • The Cellar at Isa’s 4 Private event spaces Seating 4-150 guests French Inspired. Asheville Perfected. Thank You for voting us One of the Best French Restaurants in WNC
12 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM FINE DINING/UPSCALE 1 CÚRATE d x 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 • curatetapasbar.com 2 CHESTNUT d 48 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-2667 • chestnutasheville.com 3 RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE s 26 All Souls Crescent, Asheville 828-398-6200 • ruthschris.com RESTAURANTSELECTIONWINE 1 LEO’S HOUSE OF THIRST w 1055 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-8017 • leosavl.com 2 ZAMBRA d 85 W. Walnut St., Asheville 828-232-1060 • zambratapas.com 3 CÚRATE d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 • curatetapasbar.com RESTAURANTSELECTIONCOCKTAIL 1 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d x 29 N. Market St., Asheville 828-919-9518 • sovereignremedies.com 2 CHESTNUT d 48 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-2667 • chestnutasheville.com 3 JETTIE RAE’S OYSTER HOUSE n 143 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-505-4499 • jettieraes.com KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT 1 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n d s x 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 77828-254-1281CoxeAve., Asheville 1850828-255-4077Hendersonville Road, Suite A, Asheville 828-277-5775 • ashevillebrewing.com 2 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 3749828-575-2260Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 • rockyshotchickenshack.com 3 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-254-1398 • whiteducktacoshop.com DINER/HOMESTYLE 1 HOMEGROWN n x 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340 • slowfoodrightquick.com 2 FIVE POINTS RESTAURANT n 258 Broadway, Asheville 828-252-8030 • 5pointsasheville.com 3 TASTEE DINER & DIVE BAR w 575 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-2073 • avl.mx/bo3 PUB GRUB 1 WESTVILLE PUB w 777 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-9782 • westvillepub.com 2 FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREW PUB d 12 Church St., Asheville 828-254-3008 • foggymountainavl.com 3 PACK’S TAVERN d 20 S. Spruce St., Asheville 828-225-6944 • packstavern.com TAKEOUT 1 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s ax 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 3749828-575-2260Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 • rockyshotchickenshack.com 2 GAN SHAN WEST w 285 Haywood Road, Suite 20, Asheville 828-417-7402 • ganshangroup.com 3 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 LATE-NIGHT EATS 1 PIE.ZAA d 46 Millard Ave., Asheville 828-440-0400 • piezaapizzaasheville.com 2 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d 7 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-254-4993 • rankinvault.com 3 WAFFLE HOUSE e 171 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-258-0348 • wafflehouse.com BEST VALUE 1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r d s a 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 12828-254-1398BiltmoreAve., Asheville 16828-232-9191MiamiCircle, Arden 828-676-1859 • whiteducktacoshop.com 2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 3 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2260 • rockyshotchickenshack.com BEST SERVICE 1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n s x 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 1981828-253-1077Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100 • vinniesitalian.com 2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 3 CÚRATE d 13 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-239-2946 • curatetapasbar.com BEST OF EATSPIE.ZAA Best Late-Night Eats; third place Pizza PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST CONTINUED
13MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO white duck taco shop Now atOpen All Locations!ThreeCOMINGSOON…Mt.Pleasant,SC Thank You Asheville! WNC 20 14 BE S T OF
14 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BARBECUE 1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE r s ax 5 Foundy St., Suite 10, Asheville 2350828-253-4499Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-687-1395 • 12bones.com 2 LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE n 501 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7427 • luellasbbq.com 3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ s 4 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-8282 • moesoriginalbbq.com RIBS 1 12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE r s ax 5 Foundy St., Suite 10, Asheville 2350828-253-4499Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-687-1395 • 12bones.com 2 LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE n 501 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-505-7427 • luellasbbq.com 3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ s 4 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-8282 • moesoriginalbbq.com BURGER 1 FARM BURGER d s x 10 Patton Ave., Asheville 1831828-348-8540Hendersonville Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-575-2393 • farmburger.com 2 JUICY BURGERLUCY’SBARAND GRILL s 620 Hendersonville Road, Asheville juicylucysburgerbarandgrill.com828-277-0355 3 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d 7 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-254-4993 • rankinvault.com WINGS 1 WILD WING CAFÉ s a 65 Long Shoals Road, Arden 828-691-9464 • wildwingcafe.com 2 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 3749828-575-2260Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 • rockyshotchickenshack.com 3 MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ s 4 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-8282 • moesoriginalbbq.com FRENCH FRIES 1 BOUCHON d x 62 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-350-1140 • ashevillebouchon.com 2 FARM BURGER d s 10 Patton Ave., Asheville 1831828-348-8540Hendersonville Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-575-2393 • farmburger.com 3 FRENCH FRYZ s a 2109 Hendersonville Road, Arden 828-684-0416 • frenchfryz.net FRIED CHICKEN 1 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s ax 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 3749828-575-2260Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 • rockyshotchickenshack.com 2 HOMEGROWN n 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340 • slowfoodrightquick.com 3 BUXTON HALL BARBECUE d 32 Banks Ave., Asheville 828-232-7216 • buxtonhall.com THANK YOU! Best Burger: 10 Years In A Row Veggie Burger 1st Place: 2 Years In A Row French Fries 2nd Place 100% Grassfed • 100% Asheville Downtown: 10 Patton Ave | South: 1831 Hendersonville Rd NEWWIN2022 WILD WING CAFÉ Best Wings PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST BEST OF EATS CONTINUED
15MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO 620 HENDERSONVILLE RD • (828) 277-0355 • JUICYLUCYSBURGERBARANDGRILL.COM 24 LOCAL DRAFTS, CIDERS, FULL BAR LOCAL AND FAMILY OWNED/OPERATED SINCE 2012 Wings MilkshakesCheese Stuffed Juicy Lucy Burgers juicylucys.burgerbarandgrill Juicy Lucy’s Burger Bar and Grill Our burgers are 2nd to none
16 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM HOT BAR/BUFFET 1 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT d x 70 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-8880 • melaasheville.com 2 ASIANA GRAND BUFFET s 1968 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-654-8879 • asianagb.com 3 BLUE RIDGE ARTISANAL BUFFET n Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., 800-438-5800Asheville • groveparkinn.com HOT DOGS 1 HOT DOG WORLD s a 226 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-697-0374 • hotdogworld.net 1 THE HOT DOG KING e s w a 1487 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 2603828-628-1036Hendersonville Road, Arden 2299828-670-1199SmokyPark Highway, Candler 828-676-2690 • thehotdogkings.com 2 CELEBRITY’S HOTDOGS w 1409 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-670-5954 • avl.mx/57f 3 THE BARKSDALE d 42 Banks Ave., Asheville 828-424-7449 • avl.mx/a6w FRENCH 1 BOUCHON d x 62 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-350-1140 • ashevillebouchon.com 2 RENDEZVOUS e 184 New Haw Creek Road, Asheville 828-348-0909 • ashevillerendezvous.com 3 ISA’S FRENCH BISTRO d 1 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 828-575-9636 • isasbistro.com ITALIAN 1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n s x 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 1981828-253-1077Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100 • vinniesitalian.com 2 STRADA ITALIANO d 27 Broadway, Asheville 828-348-8448 • stradaasheville.com 3 CUCINA 24 d 24 Wall St., 828-254-6170Asheville•cucina24restaurant.com PASTA 1 VINNIE’S NEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN n s x 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 1981828-253-1077Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-630-8100 • vinniesitalian.com 2 STRADA ITALIANO d 27 Broadway, Asheville 828-348-8448 • stradaasheville.com 3 NINE MILE n 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121 • ninemileasheville.com PIZZA 1 828 FAMILY PIZZERIA n 946 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-285-0709 • 828pizzeria.com 2 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n d 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 77828-254-1281CoxeAve., Asheville 828-255-4077 • ashevillebrewing.com 3 PIE.ZAA d 46 Millard Ave., Asheville 828-440-0400 • piezaapizzaasheville.com BEST OF EATS Thanks for voting us the Best Restaurant for People-Watching inYouAsheville!rock! 50 Broadway • mellowmushroom.com/asheville236-9800 CONTINUED Merci Beaucoup Y’all 1st place (Hall of Fame) French Fries 1st place (Hall of Fame) Romantic3rdFrenchplaceDining 3rd Restaurantplace in East RendezVous2ndAshevilleplaceFrench 184 New Haw Creek Rd, AVL (828) 348.0909 Bouchon 62 N Lexington Ave, AVL (828) 350.1140
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 A Million Thanks to YOU for voting us #1 Best Restaurant in South Asheville (2018-2022) Five years in a Row! We couldn’t have done it without you!
18 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM SUB SHOP 1 JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS w e s x 1341 Parkwood Road, Suite 103, Asheville 104A828-271-4612RiverHills Road, Asheville 1816828-298-6453Hendersonville Road, Suite 20, Asheville 828-277-1514 • jerseymikes.com 1 SILVERBALL SUBS w 347 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-412-5281 • silverballsubs.com 2 OLD SCHOOL SUBS & DELI s e a 55 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 145828-277-7750OldHighway 70, Black Mountain 828-357-8505 • oldschooldelisubs.com 3 FIREHOUSE SUBS e 168 Tunnel Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-299-7552 • firehousesubs.com SANDWICH SHOP 1 ASHEVILLE SANDWICH CO. w 794 Haywood Road, Asheville ashevillesandwichcompany.com828-505-8070 2 ROMAN’S DELI & CATERING d 75A Haywood St., Asheville 828-505-1552 • ieatlocal.com 3 ZIGGY’S BAKERY AND DELI [Closed] GREEK 1 APOLLO FLAME BISTRO s w x 485 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 1025828-274-3582Brevard Road, Asheville 828-665-0080 • apolloflamebistro.net 2 STONEY KNOB CAFE n a 337 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3309 • stoneyknobcafe.com 3 BELLAGIO BISTRO n 133 Weaverville Highway, Asheville 828-658-9700 • bellagiobistroavl.com MIDDLE EASTERN 1 GYPSY QUEEN CUISINE w 807 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-2758 • gypsyqueencuisine.com 2 JERUSALEM GARDEN CAFÉ d 78 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-254-0255 • jerusalemgardencafe.com 3 BABA NAHM d Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 139, Asheville 828-575-2075 • babanahm.com TACO 1 WHITE DUCK TACO SHOP r d s ax 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville 12828-254-1398BiltmoreAve., Asheville 16828-232-9191MiamiCircle, Arden 828-676-1859 • whiteducktacoshop.com 2 TACO TEMPLE d 132 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-255-8098 • mamacitastacotemple.com 3 TACO BILLY w 201 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-0088 • tacobillyasheville.com BURRITO 1 MAMACITAS d 77 Biltmore Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-255-8080 • mamacitastaqueria.com 2 NEO BURRITO w 1341 Parkwood Road, Asheville 828-772-9602 • neoburrito.com 3 PAPA’S & AUTHENTICBEERMEXICAN GRILL e 17 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-255-2204 • papasandbeerdowntown.com BEST OF EATSMAMACITAS Best Burrito PHOTO BY ANDY HALL Easy Online Silverballsubs.comOrdering 347 New Leicester Hwy. 828-412-5281 Our Subs are crafted with Fresh produce from WNC Farmers Market, stacked on Fresh bread from Annie's Bakery and Layered with the finest Fresh Meats & Cheeses. Voted #1 in WNC Deli - Market - Food Truck - Catering Thank you for voting us one of the Best for 11 years in a row! Locally sourcing our meats & veggies to support our local economy & farmers. 807 Patton gypsyqueencuisine.com575-2758Avenue n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) CONTINUED
19MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
20 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM MEXICAN PAPA’S & AUTHENTICBEERMEXICAN GRILL e 17 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-255-2204 • papasandbeermexican.com EL QUE PASA w 891 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-407-1748 • elquepasa.net TAQUERIA MUÑOZ w 1438 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-412-3331 • taqueriamunoz.com LATIN AMERICAN LIMONES d 15 Eagle St., 828-252-2327Asheville•limonesrestaurant.com BEST OF PAPA’SEATS&BEER AUTHENTIC MEXICAN GRILL Best Mexican, third place Burrito Hispanic Grocery • Taqueria Butchery • Bakery Hendersonville,825HENDERSONVILLESpartanburgHwy#15NC28792(828)692-8723 ASHEVILLE 1341 Parkwood Ave, #110 Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 253-2086Sweet Treats, Tasty Eats & Quality Meats Thank You Asheville - One Love Chiropractic CONTINUED
21MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO Thank you for voting us Best RestaurantAmericanLatin & Best Margarita Open Monday - Saturday at 5pm 15 Eagle 828-252-2327Street t t
22 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM RAMEN 1 ITTO RAMEN BAR & TAPAS w d s a 630 Haywood Road, Asheville 3828-505-0860BiltmoreAve., Asheville 335828-552-3288AirportRoad, Suite 300, Arden 828-676-0558 • ittoramen.com 2 GAN SHAN WEST w 285 Haywood Road, Suite 20, Asheville 828-417-7402 • ganshangroup.com 3 HEIWA SHOKUDO d 87 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-254-7761 • heiwashokudo.net SUSHI 1 GREEN TEA SUSHI RESTAURANT w 2 Regent Park Blvd., Asheville 828-252-8300 • greenteasushinc.com 2 ZEN SUSHI n 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-225-6033 • zen-sushi-asheville.com 3 WASABI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR d 19 Broadway, Asheville 828-225-2551 • wasabiasheville.com BEST OF EATS ICHIBAN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR Best Japanese PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST Thank you, Asheville! 3 Biltmore Ave, Asheville (828) 552-3288 630 Haywood Rd, Asheville (828) 505-0860 335 Airport Rd #300, Arden (828) 676-0558 ittoramen.com • ittoramenbar Asheville Waynesville Sylva Reynolds Mountain www.greatsmiles.com828274-9220 9 DRS. B. CHAMBERS, PRATT, S. CHAMBERS, BLACKMAN, CHADWICK, WYBLE, HOGUE, HALDEMAN
23MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO JAPANESE 1 ICHIBAN JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR s 2 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-252-7885 • ichibanasheville.com 2 GREEN TEA SUSHI RESTAURANT w 2 Regent Park Blvd., Asheville 828-252-8300 • greenteasushinc.com 3 WASABI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR d 19 Broadway, Asheville 828-225-2551 • wasabiasheville.com THAI 1 LITTLE BEE THAI d x 45 S. French Broad Ave., Suite 190, Asheville 828-404-1370 • avl.mx/9my 2 THAI PEARL w 747 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-412-5905 • thaipearlasheville.com 3 SUWANA’S THAI ORCHID d 11 Broadway, Asheville 828-281-8151 • suwanasthaiorchid.com INDIAN 1 CHAI PANI d 22 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 828-254-4003 • chaipani.com 2 MELA INDIAN RESTAURANT d 70 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-225-8880 • melaasheville.com 3 ANDAAZ s 28 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-552-3200 • andaazasheville.com CHINESE 1 RED GINGER DIMSUM & TAPAS d x 82 Patton Ave., Suite 100, Asheville 828-505-8688 • redgingerasheville.com 2 ORIENTAL PAVILION w 48 Westgate Parkway, Asheville 828-236-3839 • orientalpavilionnc.com 3 CHINA TASTE w 202A State St., Asheville 828-252-7999 • chinatasteasheville.com KOREAN 1 STONEBOWL KOREAN RESTAURANT s 1987 Hendersonville Road, Suite A, Asheville 828-676-2172 • stonebowlasheville.com SALAD 1 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d x 40 Wall St., 828-252-3445Asheville•laughingseed.com 2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 3 NINE MILE n 233 Montford Ave., Asheville 828-505-3121 • ninemileasheville.com 640 Merrimon Ave., Ste. 101, Asheville, NC momavl.com828.231.560728804 SaturdayTuesday-Friday10am-6pm10am-3pm Lunch: SaturdayTuesday-Friday11am-4pm11am-2pm joints Thankstown!inforvotingusoneofthe Seafood Best Thank you for voting us one of the best restaurantsJapaneseinAsheville. We appreciate the support during these hard times. Please also visit our sister restaurant, Wasabi, in downtown 2 Hendersonville Road *Biltmore Station* Asheville, NC (828) 252-7885 Order online at ichibanasheville.com CONTINUED
24 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM SEAFOOD 1 JETTIE RAE’S OYSTER HOUSE n 143 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-505-4499 • jettieraes.com 2 THE LOBSTER TRAP d 35 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-350-0505 • thelobstertrap.biz 3 MOTHER OCEAN SEAFOOD MARKET n 640 Merrimon Ave., Suite 101, Asheville 828-231-5607 • momavl.com SOUTHERN 1 TUPELO HONEY d s x 12 College St., Asheville 1829828-255-4863Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-505-7676 • tupelohoneycafe.com 2 ROCKY’S HOT CHICKEN SHACK w s a 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville 3749828-575-2260Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-676-3222 • rockyshotchickenshack.com 3 HOMEGROWN n 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340 • slowfoodrightquick.com SPECIAL DIET OPTIONS (GLUTEN-FREE, LACTOSE-FREE, ETC.) 1 POSANA d x 1 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-505-3969 • posanarestaurant.com 2 BIMBERIBON [Closed] 3 PLANT n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500 • plantisfood.com VEGAN/VEGETARIAN 1 PLANT n x 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500 • plantisfood.com 2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d 40 Wall St., 828-252-3445Asheville•laughingseed.com 3 ROSETTA’S KITCHEN d 68 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-232-0738 • rosettaskitchen.com VEGGIE BURGER 1 FARM BURGER d s 10 Patton Ave., Asheville 1831828-348-8540Hendersonville Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-575-2393 • farmburger.com 2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d 40 Wall St., 828-252-3445Asheville•laughingseed.com 2 THE TRASHY VEGAN w 697 Haywood Road, Unit E, Asheville 828-412-3026 • thetrashyvegan.net 3 ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. n 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-254-1281 • ashevillebrewing.com GREEN/SUSTAINABILITY-FRIENDLYRESTAURANT 1 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d n s x 5 Broadway, 633828-252-4450AshevilleMerrimonAve.,Suite A, Asheville 1800828-417-7859Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-4450 • greensagecafe.com 2 PLANT n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500 • plantisfood.com 3 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d 40 Wall St., 828-252-3445Asheville•laughingseed.com LOCAL-FOOD EMPHASIS 1 HOMEGROWN n x 371 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-232-4340 • slowfoodrightquick.com 2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 3 THE MARKET PLACE d 20 Wall St., 828-252-4162Asheville•marketplace-restaurant.com BEST OF EATS We’re Honored to be Voted Best RestaurantVegan 165 merrimon avenue • (828) 258-7500 plantisfood.com 1st place (Hall of Fame) Vegan/Vegetarian 2nd place • Sustainability-FriendlyGreen/Restaurant 3rd place • Healthiest Food 3rd place • Special Diet Options (Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, etc.) Our mission is to humbly and excitedly CREATE. EDUCATE. ELEVATE. LOVE. XO Wink ilovewink.com Thank You for 18 years of being voted as one of the top three salons. A BIG heartfelt appreciation to the amazing, talented salons & stylists in Asheville. To all the colleagues & employees of past & present, we are not Wink without you.
25MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO HEALTHIEST FOOD 1 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d n s x 5 Broadway, 633828-252-4450AshevilleMerrimonAve.,Suite A, Asheville 1800828-417-7859Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-4450 • greensagecafe.com 2 LAUGHING SEED CAFÉ d 40 Wall St., 828-252-3445Asheville•laughingseed.com 3 PLANT n 165 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-7500 • plantisfood.com DESSERTS 1 OLD EUROPE PASTRIES d 13 Broadway, Asheville 828-255-5999 • oldeuropepastries.com 2 CRAVE: THE DESSERT BAR d 41 N. Lexington Ave., Suite 100, Asheville 828-254-1974 • cravedessertbar.com 3 BAKED PIE CO. s a 4 Long Shoals Road, Suite A, Arden 828-333-4366 • bakedpiecompany.com ICE CREAM 1 THE HOP ICE CREAM CAFÉ n w d x 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 721828-254-2224Haywood Road, Asheville 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-5155 • hopicecreamnc.com 2 ULTIMATE ICE CREAM e n 1070 Tunnel Road, Asheville 195828-296-1234Charlotte St., Asheville 828-258-1515 • ultimateicecreamavl.com 3 HILLTOP ICE CREAM SHOP e a 520 Old U.S. Highway 74, Fairview 828-470-8083 • avl.mx/9ks FROZEN TREATS OTHER THAN ICE CREAM 1 WHIT’S FROZEN CUSTARD n s ax 565 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 1840828-575-2008Hendersonville Road, Suite B-103, 602828-505-0639AshevilleKanugaRoad, Hendersonville 828-595-2118 • whitscustard.com 2 SUNSHINE SAMMIES d s 99 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 65828-505-2852LongShoals Road, Asheville 828-505-2852 • sunshinesammies.com 3 PELICAN’S SNOBALLS s 2601 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-417-7776 • pelicanssnoballs.com OLD EUROPE PASTRIES Best Desserts; second place Bakery (Sweets/Desserts/Cookies) PHOTO BY THOMAS CALDER CONTINUED Congratulations to ALL of our RestaurantsIndependentAshevilleRestaurants.Youmakeadifferenceinthekitchen,atthetable,andinthecommunity.Thankyouforsupportingthedelicious,locally-sourced,award-winningfoodthatAshevilleIndependenthavetooffer.
26 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM CHOCOLATE 1 FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATES d r x 10 S. Pack Square, Asheville 821828-252-4181Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-348-5187 • frenchbroadchocolates.com 2 THE CHOCOLATE FETISH d 36 Haywood St., Asheville 828-258-2353 • chocolatefetish.com 3 KILWIN’S CHOCOLATES, FUDGE AND ICE CREAM d 26 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 828-252-2639 • kilwins.com DOUGHNUTS 1 HOLE DOUGHNUTS w x 168 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-774-5667 • hole-doughnuts.com 2 VORTEX DOUGHNUTS d 32 Banks Ave., Suite 106, Asheville 828-552-3010 • vortexdoughnuts.com 3 DUCK DONUTS n 182 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-575-2177 • duckdonuts.com BISCUITS 1 BISCUIT HEAD d w s x 417 Biltmore Ave., Suite 4F, Asheville 733828-505-3449Haywood Road, Asheville 1994828-333-5145Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-585-2055 • biscuitheads.com 2 BLUE RIDGE BISCUIT CO. e a 601 W. State St., Suite 4, Black Mountain blueridgebiscuitcompany.com828-357-8501 3 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055 • sunnypointcafe.com BAGELS 1 BRUEGGER’S BAGELS n s 671 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 160828-254-1560Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-277-1070 • brueggers.com 2 JOEY’S NEW YORK BAGELS s a 1500 Haywood Road, Hendersonville 5829828-692-1220Asheville Highway, Hendersonville 828-376-3962 • joeysnybagels.com 3 ZIGGY’S BAKERY AND DELI [Closed] BAKERY (SWEETS/DESSERTS/COOKIES) 1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ n as d x 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 6828-645-9300BostonWay, Asheville Grove828-774-5307Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 112G, 828-470-7700Asheville • wellbredbakery.com 2 OLD EUROPE PASTRIES d 13 Broadway, Asheville 828-255-5999 • oldeuropepastries.com 3 OLD WORLD LEVAIN (OWL) BAKERY w 295 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-318-5105 • owlbakery.com BEST OF FRENCHEATSBROAD CHOCOLATES Best Chocolate PHOTO BY THOMAS CALDER Thank you WNC for voting us BEST in the region for 9 years in a row n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) CONTINUED
27MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
28 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BAKERY (BREAD) 1 OLD WORLD LEVAIN (OWL) BAKERY w 295 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-318-5105 • owlbakery.com 2 CITY BAKERY CAFÉ d n 60 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 88828-252-4426CharlotteSt., Asheville 828-254-4289 • citybakery.net 3 MOTHER r 20 Artful Way, Suite 102, Asheville 828-712-8914 • motheravl.com FOOD TRUCK 1 THE TRASHY VEGAN [Food truck closed - see physical location] 828-412-3026 • thetrashyvegan.net 2 MELT YOUR HEART M 828-989-6749Asheville • avl.mx/3uo 3 EL KIMCHI M 828-551-6775Asheville • avl.mx/4v3 BUTCHER SHOP 1 THE CHOP SHOP BUTCHERY n x 100 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-505-3777 • chopshopbutchery.com 2 FOOTHILLS e a 107 Black Mountain Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-9029 • foothillslocalmeats.com 3 NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE s a 200 Julian Shoals Drive, Suite 10, Arden 828-676-0594 • nybutcher.com LOCAL MEAL DELIVERY 1 KICKBACK AVL o 20 Battery Park Ave., Suite 807, Asheville 828-585-6903 • kickbackavl.com 2 TAKEOUT CENTRAL AVL o 70 Woodfin Place, Asheville 828-252-1221 • takeoutcentral.com 3 DOORDASH o 855-431-0459Asheville • doordash.com CATERING COMPANY 1 67 BILTMORE DOWNTOWN EATERY & CATERING d 67 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-252-1500 • 67biltmore.com 2 THE RED RADISH M 828-301-5999Asheville • redradish.com 3 CELINE & CO. CATERING d 49 Broadway, Asheville 828-254-9902 • celineandcompany.com CHEESEMAKER/CHEESEDAIRY 1 LOOKING GLASS CREAMERY [FAIRVIEW CLOSED - see other location] lookingglasscreamery.com 2 THREE GRACES DAIRY n a 335 Milky Way, Marshall 828-656-2195 • 3gracesdairy.com 3 DARË VEGAN CHEESE o Asheville • darevegancheese.com BEST OF EATS OLD WORLD LEVAIN (OWL) BAKERY Best Bakery (Bread); third place Bakery (Sweets/Desserts/Cookies) PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO A SWEET Thank You Asheville! special order pick up and delivery only 828.225.5751 • www.KarenDonatelliCakeDesigns.comkaren@donatellicakedesigns.com Specialty Cakes & Pastries Karen Donatelli Pastry Chef\Owner Years of Business CELEBRATING11 CONTINUED
29MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO ~ Jennie and the Kickback Crew! THANK YOU WNC for voting us #1 Local Meal Delivery Service we cook. you eat. everybody’s happy. Thank you for voting us The #1 Catering Company in WNC! We’re honored to be part of your celebrations & festivities! Thank you WNC! Affordable Chiropractic Care is Our Mission. ✓ ✓Experienced, Professional & Friendly Staff Convenient Appointments & Hours 1011 Tunnel Rd., Ste. 110, Asheville, NC 28805 • 828-333-4447 • radiuschiropractic.com Dr. Dan Martin
30 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM LOCAL FOOD/ DRINK PRODUCT 1 BUCHI KOMBUCHA o ax 828-484-8229Marshall • drinkbuchi.com 2 SHANTI ELIXIRS o 828-351-4879Asheville • shantielixirs.com 3 ROOTS HUMMUS s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 5, Asheville 828-232-2828 • rootshummus.com LOCALLY MADE CBD TREATS 1 FRANNY’S FARMACY n d s ax 211 Merrimon Ave., Suite 111, Asheville 231828-505-7105BiltmoreAve., Asheville 128828-505-4717Henderson Crossing Plaza, Hendersonville 828-697-7300 • frannysfarmacy.com CHEF 1 KATIE BUTTON (CÚRATE) d x 13 Biltmore Ave., curatetapasbar.comAsheville•828-239-2946 2 NICK (APPALACHIANRASH JAVA & CAFE) n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 2 STEVEN GOFF (TASTEE DINER) w 575 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-2073 • avl.mx/bo3 PASTRY CHEF 1 KAREN DONATELLI CAKE DESIGNS s 1000 Hendersonville Road, Asheville karendonatellicakedesigns.com828-225-5751 LOCAL FOOD FESTIVAL OR EVENT 1 CHOW CHOW: AN ASHEVILLE CULINARY EVENT SERIES M avl.mx/6gmAsheville 2 HARDLOX JEWISH FOOD & HERITAGE FESTIVAL d Pack Square, Asheville 828-253-4911 • hardlox.org 3 ASHEVILLE GREEK FESTIVAL (HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH) d 227 Cumberland Ave., Asheville 828-253-3754 • holytrinityasheville.com NONPROFIT HELPING WITH HUNGER ISSUES 1 MANNA FOODBANK e x 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville 828-299-3663 • mannafoodbank.org 2 BELOVED ASHEVILLE w 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville 828-571-0766 • belovedasheville.com 3 BOUNTY & SOUL e a 999 Old U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-419-0533 • bountyandsoul.org RESTAURANT STILL NEEDED IN ASHEVILLE 1 AUTHENTIC CHINESE 2 VIETNAMESE 3 AUTHENTIC JEWISH DELI BEST OF EATS FrannysFarm.com · FrannysFarmacy.com Asheville • South Slope • Hendersonville Thank you for voting Franny’s Farm One of the Best of WNC 7 years in a row! We couldn't have done it without you! ORGANIC FARM, WEDDING & EVENT VENUE AHealthy Fast Food Alternative patio -nc.com Established in 2000 26 Church St • Waynesville FriendlyPet OutdoorDiningGlutenFreeOrderingOnline 828-454-0070 Sandwiches • Wraps • Quiche & Soups Thanks For Voting X Awards 2022WNC’s largest & best reader survey CONTINUED
31MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO We couldn't do what we LOVE without YOU and our amazing TEAM ! We truly appreciate all of our amazing customers and your votes for 1st Place: Best Jeweler / Jewelry Artist! 3rd Place: Best Jewelry Store! Thank you, Asheville! 56 Haywood Street, 28801 (828) foxandbeaux.com585-7230 Book your free custom jewelry consultation online today!
Best Creative, Experimental Brewery and Neighborhood Bar - Downtown (including South Slope); second place Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers)
n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) Drinks
PHOTO BY ANDY HALL
— Edwin Arnaudin X BURIAL
ESPITE local breweries being slowly sold to Big Beer and venture capitalists, Best Of WNC voters’ commitment to home grown, unfettered independent business was in clear evidence this year: Asheville’s oldest craft brew ery, Highland Brewing Co., took home nine wins, including each individual style except Lager and Sour. If that’s not true local love, I don’t know what is. Elsewhere, the spirit of indepen dent Asheville is alive and well in other corners of the alcoholic bever ageLocalindustry.love overflowed in the most-voted category in the Drinks section — Dive Bar — where vot ers gave a heaping of love to the Burger Bar. Area imbibers also ladled The Odd with accolades, fet ing the Haywood Road anchor with five wins: Bar That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville, LGBTQ+ Friendly Bar, Bartender (Jennie Lou Nelson), Bloody Mary and, in an impressive tie with The Grey Eagle, Bar for Live Music. On the nonalcoholic side, read ers say the Establishment With the Best Coffee (High Five Coffee) isn’t necessarily the coffeehouse with the best vibe (BattleCat CoffeeBar), and Coffee Roaster (Dynamite Roasting Co.) is something else entirely. Special lifetime achievement hon ors go to 5 Walnut Wine Bar for maintaining its Hall of Fame status as best Wine Bar for nine years running.Andwelcome to these new Hall of Fame inductees: The Montford Rooftop Bar (Bar With a View); Chemist Spirits (Distillery); Sovereign Kava (Kava Bar); The Social (Neighborhood Bar–East); Wedge Brewing Co. (Neighborhood Bar–River Arts District); and Simple Cafe & Juice Bar (Smoothies/Juices). BEER CO.
32 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BAR THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 THE ODD w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • theoddasheville.com 2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville The828-299-3370S&WMarket, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-1500 • highlandbrewing.com 3 LITTLE JUMBO d 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783 • littlejumbobar.com NEIGHBORHOOD BARDOWNTOWN (INCLUDING SOUTH SLOPE) 1 BURIAL BEER CO. d s 40 Collier Ave., Asheville 10828-475-2739ShadyOak Drive, Asheville 828-505-4452 • burialbeer.com 2 RANKIN VAULT COCKTAIL LOUNGE d 7 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-254-4993 • rankinvault.com 3 ANTIDOTE d 151 Coxe Ave., Asheville antidote.bar D
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33MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
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NEIGHBORHOOD BARNORTH 1 LITTLE JUMBO d 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783 • littlejumbobar.com FRAZIER’S
NEIGHBORHOOD BAR -
TAVERN n 389 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-258-9828 • avl.mx/4wd 3 ZILLICOAH BEER CO. n a 870 Riverside Drive, Woodfin 828-424-7929 • zillicoahbeer.com NEIGHBORHOOD BAREAST 1 CREEKSIDE TAPHOUSE e 8 Beverly Road, Asheville 828-575-2880 • creeksidetaphouse.com 1 THE SOCIAL e x 1078 Tunnel Road, Suites A&B, Asheville 828-298-8780 • thesocialasheville.com 2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 3 EAST VILLAGE GRILLE e 1177 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-3743 • eastvillagegrille.com BARTENDER 1 JENNIE LOU NELSON (THE ODD) w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • avl.mx/bxc 2 JOSH (VINNIE’SMARCHNEIGHBORHOOD ITALIAN) n 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-1077 • vinniesitalian.com 3 MIKE TURNER (THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL) d 55 College St, Asheville 828-255-7777 • avl.mx/bxb CONTINUED 1st Place Pub Grub 1st NeighborhoodPlace bar -West Thank you,Asheville 10:30am-2am, 7 days a week• Food 10:30am–1am (Lunch & Dinner) 777 Haywood Road Asheville • www.westvillepub.com • 225-WPUBBrandNew Fall Menu! Make our NEW WedgeLOCATIONDOWNTOWNatGroveArcade,yournextfavoritewateringhole. THANK YOU, ASHEVILLE! Best Neighborhood Bar in River Arts District (HALL OF FAME) WEDGE AT WEDGE STUDIOS 37 Payne's wedgebrewing.comGROVEFOUNDATIONWEDGEWayAT5FoundyStWEDGEATARCADE1PageAve,Suite152 2nd Favorite Local IPA: Iron Rail IPA
RIVER ARTS DISTRICT
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NEIGHBORHOOD BARWEST 1 WESTVILLE PUB w x 777 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-225-9782 • westvillepub.com 2 THE ODD w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • ashevilleodditorium.com THE WHALE :: A CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE w 507 Haywood Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-575-9888 • thewhaleavl.com
1 WEDGE BREWING CO. r d x 37 Paynes Way, Suite 001, Asheville 5828-505-2792FoundySt., Asheville Grove828-253-7152Arcade, 1 Page Ave., Suite 152, Asheville 828-419-1740 • wedgebrewing.com 2 CRUCIBLE r 140A Roberts St., Asheville 828-575-9995 • avl.mx/btf 3 BOTTLE RIOT r 37 Paynes Way, Suite 009, Asheville 828-505-8606 • bottleriot.com
SOUTH 1 HILLMAN BEER s e 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 78828-505-1312CatawbaAve., Old Fort 828-668-6372 • hillmanbeer.com 2 THIRSTY MONK BREWERY s d Biltmore Park Square, 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 170, 828-254-547092828-687-3873AshevillePattonAve.,Asheville•avl.mx/bwb
3 VILLAGE WAYSIDE BAR AND GRILLE s 30 Lodge St., Asheville 828-277-4121 • villagewayside.com
34 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BAR FOR LIVE MUSIC 1 THE GREY EAGLE d 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville 828-232-5800 • thegreyeagle.com 1 THE ODD w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • ashevilleodditorium.com 2 JACK OF THE WOOD d 95 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-252-5445 • jackofthewood.com 2 ONE STOP ASHEVILLEATMUSIC HALL d 55 College St., ashevillemusichall.comAsheville 3 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com BAR WITH A VIEW 1 THE MONTFORD ROOFTOP BAR d x 199 Haywood St., Asheville 828-505-8750 • themontford.com 2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR d 15 Page Ave., 4th Floor, Asheville 828-417-6866 • hemingwayscuba.com 3 CAPELLA ON 9 d AC Hotel, 10 Broadway, 9th Floor, Asheville 828-258-2522 • capellaon9.com BAR WITH GAMES 1 ASHEVILLE RETROCADE w x 800 Haywood Road, Suite 100, Asheville 828-575-9488 • ashevilleretrocade.com 2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville The828-299-3370S&WMarket, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-1500 • highlandbrewing.com 3 WHISTLE HOP BREWING CO. e a 1288 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-338-9447 • whistlehop.com LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY BAR 1 THE ODD w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • ashevilleodditorium.com 2 BANKS AVE. d 32 Banks Ave., Asheville 828-785-1458 • avl.mx/a82 3 O.HENRY’S d 237 Haywood St., Asheville 828-254-1891 • ohenrysofasheville.com HOTEL BAR 1 CAPELLA ON 9 d x AC Hotel, 10 Broadway, 9th Floor, Asheville 828-258-2522 • capellaon9.com 2 HEMINGWAY’S CUBA RESTAURANT & BAR d 15 Page Ave., 4th Floor, Asheville 828-417-6866 • hemingwayscuba.com 3 THE MONTFORD ROOFTOP BAR d 199 Haywood St., Asheville 828-505-8750 • themontford.com DIVE BAR 1 BURGER BAR w 1 Craven St., Asheville avl.mx/9kq 2 THE DOUBLE CROWN w 375 Haywood Road, Asheville avl.mx/9mu 3 THE ODD w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • ashevilleodditorium.com SPORTS BAR 1 OLDE LONDON ROAD PUB r 270 Depot St., Asheville avl.mx/a6c 2 THE BIER GARDEN d 46 Haywood St., Asheville 828-285-0002 • ashevillebiergarden.com 3 HICKORY TAVERN s Biltmore Park Town Square, 30 Town Square Blvd., 828-684-0975Asheville• thehickorytavern.com UPSCALE BAR 1 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d x 29 N. Market St., Asheville 828-919-9518 • sovereignremedies.com 2 ANTIDOTE d 151 Coxe Ave., Asheville antidote.bar 3 LITTLE JUMBO d 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783 • littlejumbobar.com BEST OF DRINKS OLDE LONDON ROAD PUB Best Sports Bar PHOTO BY NEIL JACOBS Sept. 8 at HighlandBrewing Party Peggy Ratusz 5-6 p.m. Hope Griffin 6:15-7:15 p.m. DJ Lil Meow Meow 7:30-8:30 p.m. Special guests Asheville FM, the WNC Nature Center and more... And food trucks Melt Your Heart and El Kimchi BANDS: BEST OF WNC Asheville’s Businesses Rely On Us 24/7 info@oneclickfix.com • oneclickfix.com 828-318-8558 • 438 Montford Ave, Asheville Thank you for recognizing One Click Fix in the “Best of” Computer Repair category. CONTINUED
35MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO Thank you for voting us Best of WNC! Hot Shaves, Cold Beer Thank You for Voting us Best Barbershop for Six Years Straight! It’s a real honor Asheville! 84 West Walnut St, Unit B * 828-232-7005 barberandtap.com * thelocalbarberandtap Keeping WNC looking’ sharp since 2015
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BAR OR BREWERY THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville The828-299-3370S&WMarket, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-1500 • highlandbrewing.com 2 HILLMAN BEER s e 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 78 Catawba Ave., Old Fort 828-668-6372 • hillmanbeer.com NEW BELGIUM BREWING w 21 Craven St., newbelgium.com/visit/asheville/Asheville WINE BAR 5 WALNUT WINE BAR d x 5 Walnut St., 828-253-2593Asheville•5walnut.com r 37 Paynes Way, Suite 009, Asheville 828-505-8606 • bottleriot.com LEO’S HOUSE OF THIRST w 1055 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-8017 • leosavl.com LOCAL WINERY 1 PLĒB URBAN WINERY r 289 Lyman St., Asheville 828-774-5062 • pleburbanwinery.com 2 BILTMORE WINERY s Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St., Asheville 800-411-3812 • biltmore.com/visit/winery 3 MARKED TREE d Aloft Asheville Downtown, 14 Aston St., 828-424-7131Asheville • markedtreevineyard.com WINE STORE 1 METRO WINES n x 169 Charlotte St., Asheville 828-575-9525 • metrowinesasheville.com 2 APPALACHIAN VINTNER s 745 Biltmore Ave., Suite 121, Asheville 828-505-7500 • appalachianvintner.com 3 ASHEVILLE WINE MARKET d 65 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-253-0060 • ashevillewine.com COCKTAILS 1 LITTLE JUMBO d 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783 • littlejumbobar.com 2 ANTIDOTE d 151 Coxe Ave., Asheville antidote.bar 3 SOVEREIGN REMEDIES d 29 N. Market St., Asheville 828-919-9518 • sovereignremedies.com DISTILLERY 1 CHEMIST SPIRITS d x 151 Coxe Ave., chemistspirits.comAsheville 2 CULTIVATED COCKTAILS d 25 Page Ave., Suite 103, Asheville 828-338-9779 • cultivated-cocktails.com 3 EDA RHYNE DISTILLING CO. s 101 Fairview Road, Suite A, Asheville 828-412-5441 • edarhyne.com 3 OAK AND GRIST DISTILLING CO. e a 1556 Grovestone Road, Black Mountain 828-357-5750 • oakandgrist.com BLOODY MARY 1 THE ODD w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • ashevilleodditorium.com 2 SUNNY POINT CAFÉ w 626 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-252-0055 • sunnypointcafe.com 3 MAYFEL’S d 22 College St., Asheville 828-252-8840 • mayfels.net MARGARITA 1 LIMONES d 15 Eagle St., 828-252-2327Asheville•limonesrestaurant.com 2 ZIA TAQUERIA [Closed] 3 MOUNTAIN MADRE MEXICAN KITCHEN & AGAVE BAR d 13 Walnut St., Asheville 828-251-8879 • mountainmadreavl.com BEST OF DRINKSPL Ē B URBAN WINERY Best Local Winery PHOTO BY NEIL JACOBS knowYouusinprinteachweek.Essential updates. Original reporting. Daily at 2 p.m. Try day.eachonlineus Sign up at MountainX.com/Newsletters CONTINUED
37MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO 169 Charlotte Street • Asheville, NC 28801 • 828.575.9525 metrowinesasheville.com • ashevilleschoolofwine.com • blindtastingleague.com Thank you Asheville for keeping us in the Hall of Fame! BIG SHOP SELECTION • SMALL SHOP SERVICE Free, Close Parking. BEST PRICES Internet competitive & nearly always lowest in town WELL CURATED SELECTION from well known to hard to fifind FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF Take home wine you’ll enjoy WE’RE LOCAL Wages, proffiits and taxes are spent or invested right here WNC 20 14 BE S T OF shop dogs forever
38 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM CIDERY 1 BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER s ad 72 School House Road, Mills River 39828-595-9940N.Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-552-3720 • boldrock.com 2 URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. w d 210 Haywood Road, Asheville 24828-774-5151BuxtonAve., Asheville 828-505-7243 • urbanorchardcider.com 3 NOBLE CIDER d 49 Rankin Ave., Asheville 828-412-5064 • noblecider.com LOCAL CIDER 1 THE VILLAGE TART CHERRY HARD CIDER WITH CHERRY (NOBLE CIDER) w 356 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-575-9622 • noblecider.com 2 GINGER CAMPAIGN (URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO.) w 210 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-774-5151 • urbanorchardcider.com 3 THE SPICE MERCHANT HARD CIDER WITH CHAI (NOBLE CIDER) w 356 New Leicester Highway, Asheville 828-575-9622 • noblecider.com BAR: LOCAL BEER SELECTION (EXCLUDING BREWERIES) 1 THE WHALE :: A CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE w 507 Haywood Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-575-9888 • thewhaleavl.com 2 THE BIER GARDEN d 46 Haywood St., Asheville 828-285-0002 • ashevillebiergarden.com 3 BARLEY’S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA d 42 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-0504 • barleystaproom.com BAR: UNUSUAL BEER SELECTION (EXCLUDING BREWERIES) 1 THE WHALE :: A CRAFT BEER COLLECTIVE w x 507 Haywood Road, Suite 10, Asheville 828-575-9888 • thewhaleavl.com 2 THIRSTY MONK BREWERY d s 92 Patton Ave., Asheville Biltmore828-254-5470Park Square, 2 Town Square Blvd., Suite 828-687-3873170 • avl.mx/bwb 3 THE BIER GARDEN d 46 Haywood St., Asheville 828-285-0002 • ashevillebiergarden.com LOCAL BREWERYALL-ROUND (FOR ITS BEERS) 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d x 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville The828-299-3370S&WMarket, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-1500 • highlandbrewing.com 2 BURIAL BEER CO. d 40 Collier Ave., Asheville 828-475-2739 • burialbeer.com 3 HILLMAN BEER s 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-1312 • hillmanbeer.com BREWERY (FOR ITS TAPROOM & ATMOSPHERE) 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville The828-299-3370S&WMarket, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-1500 • highlandbrewing.com 2 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. s a 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River 828-708-6242 • sierranevada.com 3 HILLMAN BEER s 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-1312 • hillmanbeer.com BARFAMILY-FRIENDLYORBREWERY 1 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d x 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville The828-299-3370S&WMarket, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-1500 • highlandbrewing.com 2 SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO. s a 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River 828-708-6242 • sierranevada.com 3 NEW BELGIUM BREWING w 21 Craven St., Asheville 828-333-6900 • neoburrito.com CREATIVE,BREWERYEXPERIMENTAL 1 BURIAL BEER CO. d 40 Collier Ave., Asheville 828-475-2739 • burialbeer.com 2 FUNKATORIUM d 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-552-3203 • avl.mx/9m8 3 DSSOLVR d 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville dssolvr.com BEST OF DRINKS BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER Best Cidery; second place Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town (in Hendersonville, Flat Rock & Mills River section); third place Local Bar/Brewery/Watering Hole (in Hendersonville, Flat Rock & Mills River section) PHOTO BY THOMAS CALDER CONTINUED
39MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
40 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM
41MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
42 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM LOCAL BEER (ANY STYLE) 1 GAELIC (HIGHLANDALE BREWING CO.) s x 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 2 COLD (HIGHLANDMOUNTAINBREWING CO.) s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 3 PERNICIOUS IPA (WICKED WEED BREWING) d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599 • wickedweedbrewing.com LOCAL DARK BEER 1 OATMEAL (HIGHLANDPORTERBREWING CO.) s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 2 GREEN MAN PORTER (GREEN MAN BREWERY) d 27 Buxton Ave., Asheville 828-252-5502 • greenmanbrewery.com 3 THUNDERSTRUCK COFFEE PORTER (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com LOCAL LAGER 1 HI-WIRE (HI-WIRELAGERBREWING) s x 2A Huntsman Place, Asheville 828-738-2451 • hiwirebrewing.com 2 PILSNER (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 3 GREEN MAN LAGER (GREEN MAN BREWERY) d 27 Buxton Ave., Asheville 828-252-5502 • greenmanbrewery.com LOCAL SOUR BEER 1 BLACK (WICKEDANGELWEED BREWING) d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599 • wickedweedbrewing.com 2 THE GOOD (BHRAMARIFIGHTBREWING CO.) d 101 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-214-7981 • bhramaribrewing.com 3 WILD LITTLE THING (SIERRA NEVADA BREWING CO.) s a 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River sierranevada.com/visit/north-carolina/taproom828-708-6242 LOCAL IPA 1 AVL IPA (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 2 IRON RAIL IPA (WEDGE BREWING CO.) r 37 Paynes Way, Suite 001, Asheville 828-505-2792 • wedgebrewing.com 3 PERNICIOUS IPA (WICKED WEED BREWING) d 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-575-9599 • wickedweedbrewing.com SEASONAL BEER 1 COLD (HIGHLANDMOUNTAINBREWING CO.) s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 2 NINJABREAD MAN HOLIDAY PORTER (ASHEVILLE BREWING CO.) d 77 Coxe Ave., Asheville 828-255-4077 • ashevillebrewing.com 3 CLAWHAMMER OKTOBERFEST (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com BREWMASTER 1 BRAD (HILLMANHILLMANBEER) s e x 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 78828-505-1312CatawbaAve., Old Fort 828-668-6372 • hillmanbeer.com 2 JOE (OKLAWAHADINAN BREWING CO.) s a 147 First Ave. E., Hendersonville 828-595-9956 • oklawahabrewing.com FAVORITE LOCAL BEER EVENT 1 COLD MOUNTAIN RELEASE (HIGHLAND BREWING CO.) s 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 2 BREWGRASS FESTIVAL [Paused] BEER STORE 1 APPALACHIAN VINTNER s x 745 Biltmore Ave., Suite 121, Asheville 828-505-7500 • appalachianvintner.com 2 LOCAL 604 BOTTLE SHOP w 604 Haywood Road, Suite 2, Asheville 828-417-7002 • local604avl.com 3 INGLES MARKETS e n w s 29 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-253-1528 • ingles-markets.com HILLMAN BEER Best Neighborhood Bar - South and Brewmaster; second place Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community; third place Brewery (for its taproom & atmosphere), Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers) and Pet-Friendly Bar or Brewery (in Pets section) PHOTO BY CINDY KUNST And a BIG Thanks to the readers of Mountain Xpress for voting us: 1st place - (Hall of Fame) Cultural or Arts Event in Waynesville/Maggie Valley/Canton Region Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, donors, and festival attendees who helped make Summerfest 2022 a smashing success! Check out Folkmoot.org for information on year round programming! We look forward to seeing you at the 40th anniversary of Folkmoot in 2023! BEST OF DRINKS CONTINUED
43MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
44 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM COFFEEHOUSE FOR ITS VIBE 1 BATTLECAT COFFEE BAR w 373 Haywood Road, Asheville avl.mx/9ix 2 ODD’S CAFE w 800 Haywood Road, Suite 110, Asheville 828-505-7776 • oddscafe.com 3 LIBERTY HOUSE COFFEE & CAFE n 221 S. Liberty St., Asheville 828-505-2236 • libertyhousecafe.com ESTABLISHMENT WITH THE BEST COFFEE 1 HIGH FIVE COFFEE d n r x 13 Rankin Ave., Asheville 190828-713-5291Broadway, Asheville 2000828-398-0209Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-785-8272 • highfivecoffee.com 2 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. e a 3198 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-357-8555 • dynamiteroasting.com 3 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. d 362 Depot St., Asheville 828-575-9495 • pennycupcoffeeco.com BARISTA 1 JULIANNA (APPALACHIANPITTMANJAVA & CAFE) n a 8 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-0120 • appalachianjavaburnsville.com COFFEE ROASTER 1 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. e ax 3198 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-357-8555 • dynamiteroasting.com 2 PENNYCUP COFFEE CO. r d 362 Depot St., Asheville 39828-575-9495MarketSt., Asheville 828-505-3609 • pennycupcoffeeco.com 3 COOPERATIVE COFFEE ROASTERS w 210 Haywood Road, Asheville cooperativecoffeeroasters.com828-367-9330 PLACE TO DRINK TEA 1 DOBRA TEA (WEST) w 707 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-4307 • dobrateanc.com 2 DOBRA TEA d 78 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville 828-575-2424 • dobrateanc.com 3 HIGH CLIMATE TEA CO. d 12 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 1, Asheville 828-505-4771 • highclimatetea.com SMOOTHIES/JUICES 1 SIMPLE CAFE & JUICE BAR w x 643 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-774-5410 • simpleasheville.com 2 MOUNTAIN JUICERY s a 1863 Hendersonville Road, Suite 132, Asheville 637828-277-6006Spartanburg Highway, Suite 60, 828-513-1898Hendersonville• mountainjuicery.com 3 GREEN SAGE CAFÉ d 5 Broadway, 828-252-4450Asheville•greensagecafe.com 3 PULP + SPROUT JUICE BAR AND VEGAN CAFE n 233 S. Liberty St., Asheville 828-412-5701 • pulpandsprout.com MOCKTAILS OR NONALCOHOLIC OPTIONS 1 LITTLE JUMBO d 241 Broadway, Asheville 828-417-4783 • littlejumbobar.com 2 THE ODD w 1045 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-575-9299 • ashevilleodditorium.com CBD HEALTHDRINKS/ELIXIRS 1 ASHEVILLE DISPENSARY w 919 Haywood Road, Suite 111, Asheville 828-335-2696 • avldispensary.com 2 SHANTI ELIXIRS o 828-351-4879Asheville • shantielixirs.com 3 FRANNY’S FARMACY n 211 Merrimon Ave., Suite 111, Asheville 828-505-7105 • frannysfarmacy.com KAVA BAR 1 SOVEREIGN KAVA d x 268 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-505-8118 • ashevillekava.com 2 VINTAGE KAVA n a 141 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville 828-484-8186 • vintagekava.com BATTLECAT COFFEE BAR Best Coffeehouse for Its Vibe PHOTO BY NEIL JACOBS cafe & juice bar Thank you for voting us THE BEST 4 years in a row! Serving Breakfast & Lunch Vegan & Gluten Free simpleasheville.com828-774-5410643HaywoodRd. We are a locally owned cafe & juice/smoothie bar proudly serving organic fruits & veggies so we can all feel good! THANK YOU FOR 909THEUSKEEPINGINHALLOFFAME!BLACKMOUNTAIN221W.STATEST.828.669.0999NEWLOCATION!CANDLERSMOKEYPARKHWY.828.670.5595 BEST OF DRINKS CONTINUED x The Hall of Fame designation is reserved for winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2019 - 2022) HALLTHEOFFAMEICON
45MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO Open Daily • 828.505.8118Noon~Late 268 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC ASHEVILLEKAVA.COM Keeping Asheville Weird Since 2010 CAROLINA’SNORTH1STKAVABAR VOTED WNC’S #1 KAVA BAR
A little farther out, take advan tage of the favored spot for campers and fishers: the Davidson River area of Pisgah National Forest, which ranked first once again as best place to camp or car camp, and retained its Hall of Fame status for Fishing Spot.
Other sure bets include repeat win ners Black Balsam Knob (Day Hike), Craggy Gardens (Picnic Spot), the Art Loeb Trail (Backpacking Trail/ Overnight Hike), Looking Glass Falls (Waterfall) and the French Broad River (Place to Relax on the Water).
Voters picked Carrier Park (over last year’s winner Foundation Asheville Skatepark) as best place to Skate or Skateboard and registered their opinions in sufficient numbers to return the category Mountain Bike Trail to this year’s roster of winners, once again picking Bent Creek Experimental Forest. And this year, we welcome three new Outdoors entrants to the Hall of Fame: Black Balsam Knob (Day Hike Trail), Carolina Mountain Club (Hiking Club or Group) and French Broad River (Place to Relax on the Water).
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46 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM HIKING CLUB OR GROUP 1 CAROLINA MOUNTAIN CLUB x 704-451-5268Asheville • carolinamountainclub.org 2 HIKING (ASHEVILLEHOUNDSHUMANE SOCIETY) w 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville 828-761-2001 • avl.mx/bx1 DAY HIKE TRAIL 1 BLACK BALSAM KNOB w x Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 420, Balsam avl.mx/bwoGrove 2 THE NORTH ARBORETUMCAROLINATRAILSw 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 • ncarboretum.org 3 CRAGGY GARDENS e a Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.4 – 367.6, Black 828-775-0976Mountain• avl.mx/6cf EASY HIKE TRAIL (FOR KIDS, ELDERS, LIMITED MOBILITY) 1 THE NORTH ARBORETUMCAROLINATRAILSw 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 • ncarboretum.org 2 CATAWBA FALLS e a 3074 Catawba River Road, Old Fort 828-257-4200 • avl.mx/7uz 3 CRAGGY GARDENS TRAIL e a Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 367.6, Black 828-775-0976Mountain • avl.mx/6cf
Speaking of water, Zen Tubing was voted once again the area’s top Rafting Company, while Skinny Dip Falls held onto its Hall of Fame status for best Swimming Hole. So did longtime winners Navitat Canopy Adventures (Canopy Tour/ Zip Line) and Cataloochee Ski Area (Ski Resort).
HILE the legendary Dutch painter never set foot in Western North Carolina, he certainly would have understood the area’s appeal. It’s not hard, after all, to find beauty everywhere in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains.
Just at the edge of Asheville’s city limits, the trails at The N.C. Arboretum earned two first-place honors this year, one for a Walk In or Near Asheville and the other in a new category on this year’s ballot, Easy Hike Trail (for kids, elders and those with limited mobility).
Outdoors
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”—Vincent van Gogh W
So what are you waiting for? Get outside and check out what Vincent missed.
Justin McGuire X THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM TRAILS Best Easy Hike Trail (for kids, elders, limited mobility) and Walk - In or Near Asheville; second place Day Hike Trail; third place Kid-Friendly Hike PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row)
47MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO BACKPACKING TRAIL/ OVERNIGHT HIKE 1 ART LOEB TRAIL s a Pisgah avl.mx/3s7Forest 2 APPALACHIAN TRAIL FROM HOT SPRINGS TO MAX PATCH n a Hot 828-254-3708Springs • appalachiantrail.org 3 BLACK BALSAM KNOB w Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 420, Balsam avl.mx/bwoGrove MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL 1 BENT EXPERIMENTALCREEK FOREST w 1577 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-667-5261 • avl.mx/7v1 CANOPY TOUR/ZIP LINE 1 NAVITAT ADVENTURESCANOPY n ax 242 Poverty Branch Road, Barnardsville 828-626-3700 • navitat.com 2 ASHEVILLE CENTERADVENTURETREETOPSPARK(ADVENTUREOFASHEVILLE) w 85 Expo Drive, Asheville ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com828-225-2921 3 THE GORGE ZIPLINE s a 166 Honey Bee Drive, Saluda 828-749-2500 • thegorgezipline.com CONTINUED Over $4.6 Million Paid to + 11,000 Consignors Over $65,000 Donated to Nonprofits Thanks for Making Second Gear Your First Choice for Outdoor Gear in WNC! Serving Outdoor Adventurers Since 2004 Locally Owned & Independently Run 99 Riverside Drive, Asheville | 828-258-0757 | secondgearwnc.com THANK YOU FOR VOTING US #1 FOR 9 YEARS! INDEPENDENT & LOCALLY WOMAN OWNED SINCE 2008 Body-safe adult toys Organic oils & lubricants Sexy lingerie with inclusive Eco-conscioussizingsilk, bamboo & cotton apparel Celebrate your intimate moments with a carefully curated selection of: Downtown AVL: 57 Broadway St. West Asheville: 723 Haywood Rd. 828.254.6329www.VaVaVooom.com Why Xpress:supportI “Xpress represents the heart of Asheville and I want it to always be here.” – Michele Bryan Join Michele and become a member at SupportMountainX.com
48 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM RAFTING COMPANY 1 ZEN TUBING n s 608 Riverside Drive, Asheville 1648855-936-8823Brevard Road, Asheville 855-936-8823 • zentubing.com 2 OUTDOORNANTAHALACENTER w n a 13077 U.S. Highway 19 W., Bryson City 9825828-785-4837U.S.Highway 25, Marshall 828-785-4837 • noc.com 3 FRENCH BROAD ADVENTURES n a 12 Good Adventures Lane, Marshall 828-649-0486 • frenchbroadrafting.com OUTDOOR GEAR AND APPAREL SHOP 1 SECOND GEAR r 99 Riverside Drive, Asheville 828-258-0757 • secondgearwnc.com 2 REI CO-OP s Biltmore Park Town Square, 31 Schenck Parkway, 828-687-0918Asheville•rei.com 3 BLACK DOME MOUNTAIN SPORTS e 140 Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-251-2001 • blackdome.com SKI RESORT 1 CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA w ax 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley 828-926-0285 • cataloochee.com 2 WOLF RIDGE RESORT n a 578 Valley View Circle, Mars Hill 828-689-4111 • skiwolfridgenc.com 3 BEECH MOUNTAIN RESORT n 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech 828-387-2011Mountain • beechmountainresort.com 3 SUGAR MOUNTAIN RESORT n a 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain 828-898-4521 • skisugar.com ENVIRONMENTAL OR CONSERVATION NONPROFIT 1 SOUTHERN HIGHLANDSAPPALACHIANCONSERVANCY n 372 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-0095 • appalachian.org 2 ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS w 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville 828-254-1776 • ashevillegreenworks.org 3 MOUNTAINTRUE d 29 N. Market St., Suite 610, Asheville 828-258-8737 • mountaintrue.org CAMPING SPOT 1 DAVIDSON RIVER CAMPGROUND s a 1 Davidson River Circle, Pisgah Forest 828-577-4558 • avl.mx/6df FISHING SPOT 1 DAVIDSON RIVER s ax Pisgah 828-577-4558Forest • avl.mx/6df PICNIC SPOT 1 CRAGGY GARDENS e ax Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.4 – 367.6, Black 828-775-0976Mountain• avl.mx/6cf 2 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY M 828-670-1924 • blueridgeparkway.org 3 BILTMORE ESTATE s 1 Lodge St., 800-411-3812Asheville•biltmore.com SWIMMING HOLE 1 SKINNY DIP FALLS w ax Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 417, Canton avl.mx/bww WATERFALL 1 LOOKING GLASS FALLS r ax U.S. Highway 276, Brevard avl.mx/6e4 2 CATAWBA FALLS e a 3074 Catawba River Road, Old Fort 828-257-4200 • avl.mx/7uz 3 HIGH FALLS s a Buck Forest Road, Pisgah Forest avl.mx/bx2 PLACE TO ROLLER SKATE OR SKATEBOARD 1 CARRIER PARK w 220 Amboy Road, Asheville 828-259-5800 • avl.mx/a8b 2 RAD SKATEPARK r 37 Foundy St., Asheville 828-338-8830 • radskateparkavl.com 3 SMOKY MOUNTAIN SK8WAY & FUN ZONE w a 19025 Great Smoky Mountains Expressway, 828-246-9124Waynesville • smokymountainsk8way.com PLACE TO RELAX ON THE WATER 1 FRENCH BROAD RIVER x 2 LAKE JAMES e a NC Highway 126, Nebo 828-544-6800 • avl.mx/8by 3 LAKE LURE e a Lake 828-625-9983Lure • townoflakelure.com WALK - IN OR ASHEVILLENEAR 1 THE NORTH ARBORETUMCAROLINATRAILSw 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville 828-665-2492 • ncarboretum.org 2 BEAVER LAKE n 1292 Merrimon Ave., Asheville thelakeviewpark.org 3 GREENWAYS ALONG THE FRENCH BROAD RIVER ashevillenc.gov/service/enjoy-greenwaysAsheville SECOND GEAR Best Outdoor Gear and Apparel Shop PHOTO BY NEIL JACOBS BEST OF OUTDOORS CONTINUED
49MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO www.FrenchBroadAdventures.com VOTING800-570-7238FOR US! THANK YOU FOR
Congratulations to Hickory Nut Gap Farm (Community Supported Agriculture), which should also be crowing about its 12th consecutive year winning the Farm to Visit For Events category. If you’re new to the area and still putting down roots, be sure to get some help, courtesy of the Best of WNC voters.
50 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM TAILGATE/FARMERS MARKET 1 NORTH TAILGATEASHEVILLEMARKET n x UNCA, Parking Lot P28, 3300 University Heights, northashevilletailgatemarket.comAsheville 2 WNC FARMERS MARKET w 570 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-253-1691 • avl.mx/5br 3 WEST ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET w 718 Haywood Road, westashevilletailgatemarket.comAsheville ROADSIDE FARM STAND 1 FLYING CLOUD FARM e ax 1860 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-768-3348 • flyingcloudfarm.net 2 HONEY MAN Asheville 3 JOHNSON FAMILY FARM s a 1202 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville 828-202-1745 • johnsonfamilyfarmnc.com FARM TO VISIT FOR EVENTS 1 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM e ax 57 Sugar Hollow Road, Fairview 828-628-1027 • hickorynutgap.com 2 FRANNY’S FARM w a 22 Franny’s Farm Road, Leicester 828-708-5587 • frannysfarm.com COMMUNITY AGRICULTURESUPPORTED (CSA) FARM 1 HICKORY NUT GAP FARM e ax 57 Sugar Hollow Road, Fairview 828-628-1027 • hickorynutgap.com 2 FLYING CLOUD FARM e a 1860 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-768-3348 • flyingcloudfarm.net
This year, the Farm, Yard & Garden section welcomes an old favorite to the Hall of Fame.
n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) Farm, Yard & Garden
Since the best food is arguably what we grow ourselves, be sure you give your “homegrown” the best chance possible by heading over to Fifth Season Gardening Co. (Gardening Supplies) for expert advice, great tools and supplies, and a draft beer if you’re feeling thirsty.
For those of us without that special gardening gene, a great landscaping service (B.B. Barns) can make you look as if your thumbs are deep green. Not to mention, some of this mountainous terrain can make it nearly impossible to take care of your yard single-handedly. In that case, let the Best Of WNC voters help you find great lawn and yard care (The Grounds Guys).
— Flora Konz X FIFTH SEASON GARDENING CO. Best Garden Supply Store
Carolinians seem to love all things local, especially Tailgate Markets, the top vote-get ter among the Farm, Yard & Garden categories. And we have so many thriving farmers markets in WNC! But the gold-embroidered blue rib bon goes to the North Asheville Tailgate Market, which has held onto its first-place status for 12 years in a row.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO
F OR all of us with our green thumbs hooked in our bib over alls, if you want to know how to keep your home ecosystem thriv ing, start here in the Farm, Yard & GardenWesternsection.North
51MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO ORCHARD 1 GRANDAD’S APPLES ‘N SUCH s a 2951 Chimney Rock Road, Hendersonville 828-685-1685 • grandadsapples.com 2 SKY TOP ORCHARD s a 1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road, Zirconia 828-692-7930 • skytoporchard.com 3 STEPP’S HILLCREST ORCHARD s a 170 Stepp Orchard Drive, Hendersonville 828-685-9083 • steppapples.com COMMUNITY GARDEN 1 PEACE GARDENS & MARKET w 47 Bryant St., Asheville 828-301-0166 • urbanpeacegardens.org 2 DR. JOHN COMMUNITYWILSONGARDEN e a 99 White Pine Drive, Black Mountain 828-337-8932 • avl.mx/adq CONTINUED Asheville’s oldest Junk Removal service, since 2010 # 1: Used Furniture Store # 1: Refurbished or upcycled goods # 2: Antique Store # 2: Mall-style market Come shop our Overandofwarehouseuniques,antiquesrarities!75Vendors THANK YOU for voting us, 26 Glendale Ave • 828.505.1108 • theregenerationstation.com Best sinceWNCof2014! Asheville’s Local, Family-Owned Cremation & Funeral Service Lake Julian 72 Long Shoals Road 828-687-3530Arden West Asheville 1401 Patton 828-252-3535AshevilleAvenue East Asheville 856 Tunnel 828-299-4416AshevilleRoad www.grocefuneralhome.com Thank to the readers for Voting Groce Favorite once again!
52 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM GARDEN SUPPLY STORE 1 FIFTH SEASON GARDENING CO. e 4 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-412-3200 • fifthseasongardening.com 2 B.B. BARNS s a 3377 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-650-7300 • bbbarns.com 3 REEMS CREEK NURSERY n a 76 Monticello Road, Weaverville 828-645-3937 • reemscreek.com NURSERY (TREES, SHRUBS) 1 REEMS CREEK NURSERY n ax 76 Monticello Road, Weaverville 828-645-3937 • reemscreek.com 2 B.B. BARNS s a 3377 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-650-7300 • bbbarns.com 3 JESSE ISRAEL & SONS NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER w 570 Brevard Road, Asheville 828-254-2671 • jesseisraelandsons.com MULCH SUPPLIER 1 ASHEVILLE MULCH YARD s e n ax 9 Frito Way, 2425828-687-2792ArdenU.S.70Highway, Swannanoa 326828-707-1615Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-484-8131 • ashevillemulchyard.com 2 THE MULCH LADY/RIVERSIDE STUMP DUMP n s a 620 Riverside Drive, Asheville 5055828-251-5777OldHaywood Road, Mills River 828-712-4758 • themulchlady.com 3 LOWE’S e 89 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville 828-299-3788 • lowes.com TREE SERVICE 1 SMART FELLER TREE WORKS M 828-545-5503Asheville • smartfellertreeworks.com 2 NEWCOMB TREE SERVICE e a 2585 US Highway 70, Swannaona 828-777-1226 • newcombtreeservice.com 3 ROYCE’S TREE SERVICE w 156 Hanover St., Asheville 828-768-2747 • roycestreeservice.com LANDSCAPING SERVICE 1 B.B. BARNS s a 3377 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden 828-650-7300 • bbbarns.com NONPROFITFARMS/FARMLANDSUPPORTINGPRESERVATION 1 APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT (ASAP) d x 306 W. Haywood St., Asheville 828-236-1282 • asapconnections.org 2 SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY n 372 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-253-0095 • appalachian.org BEST OF FARM, YARD & GARDEN Our Customers Are The Best! Thank you for voting us #1 Nursery in WNC 76 Monticello Rd. Weaverville, NC I-26 / Exit www.reemscreek.com828-645-393718 Officialplaque win with an Commemorate your BEST OF WNC To purchase, advertise@mountainx.comcontact Congrats! WNC’s largest & best reader survey thiswinnersyear'sTo Thanks for voting us the BestServiceTree of WNC Deliverywww.ashevillemulchyard.com•QuantityDiscount•ProductOfThe Month Weaverville: 484-8131 • Swannanoa: 707-1615 • Arden: 687-2792 THANKS ASHEVILLE! CONTINUED
53MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO From t he bottom of our hear ts, THANK YOU to our clients, fr iends and f ans f or voting us BES T REAL ES TATE AGENTS 10 YEARS IN A ROW info@t hemat tandmollyteam.com | 828.210.1697
54 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM 301 W Haywood St Asheville, NC Thanks828-785-155628801forvotingus #1 in WNC nine years in a row! Thanks, Asheville. You can count on us! -George Austin CPA, Joel Chambers & Jonathan Thompson CPA #1 Accountant/CPA Action Tax ASHEVILLESCIENCE.ORG 43 PATTON AVENUE, DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE ASHEVILLE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE @ASHEVILLE_SCIENCE 1ST PLACE MUSEUM 2ND PLACE DAYTRIP FOR KIDS 3RD PLACE INDOOR FUN Thank you for voting the Asheville Museum of Science
55MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO X Awards 2022 Party Highland Brewing Sept. 8 at Peggy Ratusz 5-6 p.m. Hope Griffin 6:15-7:15 p.m. DJ Lil Meow Meow 7:30-8:30 p.m. BANDS: Special guests Asheville FM, the WNC Nature Center and more... And food trucks Melt Your Heart and El Kimchi
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PHOTO BY NEIL JACOBS n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) BusinessWork&
BizWorks (Support Organization for Entrepreneurs and New Businesses) and the State Employees’ Credit Union, which was voted best Credit Union by a substantial margin.
56 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF ASHEVILLE 1 MB HAYNES CORP. w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141 • mbhaynes.com 2 LAZOOM d 76 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-225-6932 • lazoomtours.com BUSINESS WITH BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE 1 MB HAYNES CORP. w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141 • mbhaynes.com EMPLOYMENT SECTOR TO WORK IN 1 HEALTH CARE x 2 HOSPITALITY & TOURISM 3 CONSTRUCTION 3 NONPROFITS BUSINESS THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY 1 MB HAYNES CORP. w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141 • mbhaynes.com 2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville The828-299-3370S&WMarket, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-575-1500 • highlandbrewing.com 3 THE MATT & MOLLY TEAM (KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY) d 86 Asheland Ave., Asheville 828-210-1697 • themattandmollyteam.com
— Justin McGuire
Best Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville, Business That Gives Back to the Community and Business With Best Customer Service; second place Co-Op/Worker-Owned Business
OBODY wants to work any more, the usual scolds com plain. But that’s clearly not the case in Asheville, which recently ranked fourth in Realtor.com’s anal ysis of the “Top 10 Cities Job Seekers Are Now Flocking To.” The employment picture in the Asheville metro area has improved, too, since 2020’s nightmarish AprilAugust unemployment spike (hitting 18% in April that year), as businesses struggled to stay afloat during the early days of the lockdowns. But by
Also, bring out the laurels this year for longtime Asheville presence M.B. Haynes Corp. The employee-owned construction firm earned three first places, as Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville, Business That Gives Back to the Community and Business With the Best Customer Service.
MB HAYNES CORP.
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June 2021, it was down to 4.9%, and by June 2022, it was 3.4%. Health care is projected to be the fastest-growing employment sector in North Carolina between 2022 and 2026, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce. That’s fortunate, since this year’s voters named it the best Employment Sector to Work in for the fourth year in a row, giving the health care sector Hall of Fame status. Other repeat winners in the Work & Business section include French Broad Food Co-Op (Co-Op/ Worker-Owned Business), Mountain
1 FRENCH BROAD FOOD CO-OP d x 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville 828-255-7650 • frenchbroadfood.coop
3 HOMETRUST BANK d 10 Woodfin St., Asheville 828-254-8144 • htb.com
OWNEDCO-OP/WORKER-BUSINESS
1 FIRST BANK d e w 11 Church St., Asheville 10828-250-8430S.TunnelRoad, Asheville 1012828-298-8193PattonAve., Asheville 828-254-1778 • localfirstbank.com 2 FIRST CITIZENS BANK d w 108 Patton Ave., Asheville 1375828-257-5700PattonAve., Asheville 828-257-5870 • firstcitizens.com
2 MB HAYNES CORP. w 187 Deaverview Road, Asheville 828-254-6141 • mbhaynes.com 3
2 TELCO CREDITCOMMUNITYUNION e w 36 Tunnel Road, Asheville 710828-252-6458NewLeicester Highway, Asheville 828-252-6458 • telcoccu.org 3 SELF-HELP CREDIT UNION d 391 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville 828-255-0809 • self-help.org BANK SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
CONTINUED URGENT re.imaginedCARE Simplified. Transparent. Respectful. Asheville • Black Mountain Leicester • Virtual 8am-7:30pm Everyday Thank you for voting Range #1!
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CREDIT UNION
1 FIRST BANK d e w 11 Church St., Asheville 10828-250-8430S.TunnelRoad, Asheville 1012828-298-8193PattonAve., Asheville 828-254-1778 • localfirstbank.com
1 MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS d n x 153 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville 164828-253-2834DepotSt., Boone 828-253-2834 • mountainbizworks.org
FIRESTORM BOOKSTORE CO-OP w 610 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-255-8115 • firestorm.coop BANK
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
1 STATE CREDITEMPLOYEES’UNION d n s x 1 Oak Plaza, Suite 101, Asheville 701828-225-2900N.Broadway Ave., Asheville 20828-253-8009AllSoulsCrescent, Asheville 828-274-4200 • ncsecu.org
2 FIRST CITIZENS BANK d w 108 Patton Ave., Asheville 1375828-257-5700PattonAve., Asheville 828-257-5870 • firstcitizens.com SUPPORT ORGANIZATION FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND NEW BUSINESSES
58 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM Downtown Asheville: 77 Central Avenue, Suite H. | Biltmore Park: 2 Town Square, Suite 340 | Weaverville: 68 N Main St “Thank you WNC voters!” VOTED #1 BEST LAW FIRM WITH THREE BEST REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY WINNERS 828.258.0150 | grcclaw.com | | |@GRCCLAWNC grcclaw_pa Goosmann Rose Colvard & Cramer, P.A.
59MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO THANKS, ASHEVILLE! for voting me one of the Best! A whole decade and counting! Sona Merlin Real Estate AppalachianBrokerRealty (828) 216-7908 www.sonamerlin.com Our entire Balken team is beyond grateful for the continued support from our growing community. Thank you for allowing us to serve WNC for nearly 30 years. We are looking forward to the next 30. Roofing – Gutters – Skylights • BalkenRoofing.com • 828-628-0390 Thanks for voting us #1!
— Able Allen X FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN Best Local Podcast PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) Media
When it comes to trust, inciden tally, it seems that localism reigns supreme. A 2019 study by the Knight Foundation and Gallup found that “six in 10 Americans believe local news organizations are accomplish ing most of the key tasks of inform ing communities.” The same study reported that local journalists are seen as more caring, trustworthy and neutral or unbiased. And while we at Xpress are likely biased on this front, we couldn’t agree more. So here’s to all the local media folks helping keep our local media ecosys tem strong.
60 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM LOCAL RADIO STATION (COMMERCIAL) 1 99.9 KISS COUNTRY w 13 Summerlin Road, Asheville 828-257-2700 • 99kisscountry.com 2 98.1 THE RIVER w 1190 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-259-9695 • 981theriver.com 3 105.9 THE MOUNTAIN w 1190 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-259-9695 • 1059themountain.com LOCAL RADIO STATION (NONCOMMERCIAL) 1 BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC RADIO (BPR NEWS AND BPR CLASSIC) d x 73 Broadway, Asheville 828-210-4800 • bpr.org 2 88.7 WNCW e Isothermal Community College, 286 ICC Loop Road, 828-287-8000Spindale• wncw.org 3 103.3 ASHEVILLE FM w 864 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-348-0352 • AshevilleFM.org LOCAL PERSONALITY/ANNOUNCERRADIO 1 EDDIE FOXX (THE EDDIE FOXX SHOW, 99.9 KISS COUNTRY) w x 13 Summerlin Road, Asheville 828-257-2700 • 99kisscountry.com I T’S no secret that Xpress is, at best, dubious about social media as a trustworthy news source. And we aren’t alone. A November 2021 Gallup poll found that while youths and oldsters alike tend to use social media to stay abreast of current events (it was the the most popular method for 15- to 24-yearolds) — they don’t necessarily trust such sources. Social media in the same poll ranked lowest when pollsters asked which institutions respondents trust to provide accu rateYetinformation.giventhe popularity of social media for getting a quick look at goings-on, this year saw a new category in the Media sec tion: Local Social Media Page to Follow for News, Events and Local Happenings. Congratulations to AVL Today ’s Instagram/Facebook pages for earning the top honor in that category as well as a win for AVL Today’s website (Local Events Information Source). Keeping in mind that traditional news media retain more trust for accuracy, we welcome some ven erable and trusted institutions to the Hall of Fame this year: News 13 WLOS for both Local News Source and Local News Website; and Asheville Citizen Times for best Local Print Publication Other Than Xpress.
61MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO LOCAL TV ANNOUNCERPERSONALITY/ 1 JAY SILTZER (WLOS) s 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340 • wlos.com 2 JASON BOYER (WLOS) s 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340 • wlos.com 3 TAMMY WATFORD (WLOS) s 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340 • wlos.com LOCAL PODCAST 1 FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN o 828-384-5817Asheville • avl.mx/bu1 LOCAL PRINT PUBLICATION OTHER THAN XPRESS 1 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES d x 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville 800-672-2472 • citizen-times.com 2 THE LAUREL OF ASHEVILLE n a Elk Mountain Road, Woodfin 828-670-7503 • thelaurelofasheville.com 3 ASHEVILLE MADE MAGAZINE o Asheville • ashevillemade.com LOCAL PRINT REPORTER 1 JOHN (ASHEVILLEBOYLECITIZEN-TIMES) d x 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville 800-672-2472 • citizen-times.com LOCAL NEWS SOURCE 1 WLOS NEWS 13 s x 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340 • wlos.com 2 AVLTODAY o Asheville • avltoday.6amcity.com 2 MOUNTAIN XPRESS d 2 Wall St., 828-251-1333Asheville•mountainx.com 3 ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES d 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville 800-672-2472 • citizen-times.com LOCAL INFORMATIONEVENTSSOURCE 1 AVLTODAY o Asheville • avltoday.6amcity.com 2 MOUNTAIN XPRESS d 2 Wall St., 828-251-1333Asheville•mountainx.com 3 WLOS NEWS 13 s 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340 • wlos.com Thank you for voting BPR your favorite public station.radio This award-winning environmental news program presents riveting commentary on the issues facing our world. Listen live Sunday mornings at 7 on 88.1 and 107.9 FM and at BPR.org CONTINUED
62 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE TO FOLLOW FOR NEWS, EVENTS AND LOCAL HAPPENINGS 1 AVLTODAY FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PAGES o Asheville • avltoday.com 2 WAX - WEST ASHEVILLE EXCHANGE (FACEBOOK) o Asheville • avl.mx/1bk 3 ASHVEGAS o Asheville • avl.mx/bwn FAVORITE FEATURE IN XPRESS 1 NY TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE 2 ARTS & CULTURE SECTION 3 CLUBLAND calendar.mountainx.com LOCAL NEWS WEBSITE 1 WLOS NEWS 13 s x 110 Technology Drive, Asheville 828-684-1340 • wlos.com 2 AVLTODAY o Asheville • avltoday.6amcity.com 3 ASHVEGAS FACEBOOK PAGE o Asheville • ashvegas.com MOST IMPORTANT LOCAL NEWS STORY (IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS) 1 MADISON CAWTHORN s a 200 N. Grove St., Suite 121, Hendersonville 828-435-7310 • cawthorn.house.gov 2 COVID-19 PANDEMIC 3 HOMELESSNESS MOST OVERREPORTED STORY (IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS) 1 COVID-19 PANDEMIC 2 MADISON CAWTHORN s a 200 N. Grove St., Suite 121, Hendersonville 828-435-7310 • cawthorn.house.gov BEST OF MEDIA CONTINUED x The Hall of Fame designation is reserved for winners who have won first place four years in a row (or more), including this year (2019 - 2022) HALLTHEOFFAMEICON
63MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
PATTON AVENUE PET CO.
Best Pet Supply Store PHOTO BY JENNIFER CASTILLO n ORTH s OUTH e AST w EST d OWNTOWN AREA r IVER ARTS DISTRICT a OUTLYING AREA M OBILE-ONLY o NLINE-ONLY x HALL OF FAME (Winner four years or more in a row) Pets
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64 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM VETERINARY SERVICES 1 ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE n x 1 Beaverdam Road, Asheville 828-944-4170 • ahna.net 2 CHARLOTTE STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL n 208 Charlotte St., Asheville charlottestreetanimalhospital.com828-232-0440 3 PINNACLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL s a 200 Julian Lane, Suite 240, Arden 828-676-2332 • pinnacleanimalhospital.com VETERINARIAN 1 TIM (PINNACLEMCMULLANANIMAL HOSPITAL) s a 200 Julian Lane, Suite 204, Arden 828-676-2332 • pinnacleanimalhospital.com 2 SUSAN (ANIMALWOOTTENHOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE) n 1 Beaverdam Road, Asheville 828-944-4170 • ahna.net 3 AMY (ANIMALPLANKENHORNHOSPITALOF NORTH ASHEVILLE) n 1 Beaverdam Road, Asheville 828-944-4170 • ahna.net 3 JIM (ANIMALEARLEYHOSPITAL OF NORTH ASHEVILLE) n 1 Beaverdam Road, Asheville 828-944-4170 • ahna.netS URE, you might have actu al human babies you need to feed, clothe and shelter. But we’re willing to bet you still spoil your fur babies rotten (or your feath er or scale babies, if those critters are more your type). Amid the many parks, watering holes and pet shops in WNC, it’s easy to get carried away. We understand — we do it, too. Did you put off travel during the pandemic? Do you have separation anxiety if you’re away from your domesticated bearded dragon for too long? Good news! This year’s Best Of WNC introduced a new category in the Pets section: Pet Sitting Service. This could be just what you need. Consider letting a professional take over during your absence, like the ones at this year’s first-place winner, WNC Pet Care. We realize you might have stum bled on this section without a pintsized member in your family. In that case, we highly recommend you check out Brother Wolf Animal Rescue (Animal Shelter/Animal Rescue), or one of the other winners among the area’s many resources for adoptable pets. And without a side kick buddy, how else would you get to know the Wagbar (Pet-Friendly Bar and Outdoor Place to Take Your Pet)? Or the Animal Hospital of North Asheville, which has held its title for best Veterinary Services for 12-plus years.
Jessica Wakeman X
65MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO PET SUPPLY STORE 1 PATTON AVENUE PET CO. d w s x 109 Patton Ave., Asheville 1388828-255-7737PattonAve., Asheville 582828-505-8299Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-575-9282 • pattonavenuepet.com 2 ASHEVILLE PET SUPPLY n 1451 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-252-2054 • ashevillepetsupply.com 3 WEAVERVILLE PET PANTRY n a 1 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-484-9247 • weavervillepetpantry.com PET KENNEL 1 HAPPY COUNTRYTAILSCLUB e w ax 1984 Cane Creek Road, Fletcher 1164828-628-8510SandHill Road, Candler 828-628-8510 • happytailscc.com 2 HAIR OF THE DOG PET SALON s 1451 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-4155 • hotdavl.com 3 BUCKEYE KENNELS e a 790 Buckeye Access Road, Swannanoa 828-299-9500 • ashevillekennels.com PET DAY CARE FACILITY 1 RUFF LIFE DOG TRAINING SERVICES s 95 Thompson St., Asheville 828-365-8244 • rufflifeavl.com 2 HAPPY TAILS COUNTRY CLUB e aw 1984 Cane Creek Road, Fletcher 1164828-628-8510SandHill Road, Candler 828-628-8510 • happytailscc.com 3 THE PET VET ON PATTON w 2 Hansel Ave., Asheville 828-232-9990 • petvetonpatton.com GROOMING SERVICE 1 HAIR OF THE DOG PET SALON s 1451 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-274-4155 • hotdavl.com 2 WAGGERS DOG DEPOT n 1020 Merrimon Ave., Asheville 828-271-4741 • waggersdogdepot.com 3 PAWSITIVITY PET SPA w 1388 Patton Ave., Asheville 828-505-8278 • pawsitivitypetspa.com TRAINER/TRAINING CENTER 1 TESSA STERNBACH (RUFF LIFE DOG TRAINING SERVICES) s 95 Thompson St., Asheville 828-365-8244 • rufflifeavl.com 2 HEATHER (MINDFULPOLECHIOMUTZTRAINING & BEHAVIOR CONSULTING) M 828-230-6389Asheville • mindfulmutz.com 3 THE DOG DOOR d 1 Battle Square, Suite A, Asheville 828-656-8305 • dogdoorcanineservices.com 3 WOOF IN THE WOODS e a 1451 Charlotte Highway, Fairview 828-222-2222 • woofinthewoods.com ANIMALORGANIZATIONSHELTER/RESCUE 1 BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE s x 31 Glendale Ave., Asheville 828-505-3440 • bwar.org 2 ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY w 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville 828-761-2001 • ashevillehumane.org 3 MOUNTAIN PET RESCUE w a 7 Old Pisgah Highway, Suite 200, Candler MPRAVL.org CONTINUED Y’all are the best! We shih Tzu not! 1451 Sweeten Creek Rd. 828-274-4155 • hotdavl.com 1 st Place Grooming Service 2nd Place Pet Kennel Thank voters!!!you 95 Thompson St, Asheville, NC (828) rufflifeavl@gmail.comrufflifeavl.com365-8244rufflifeavl #1 Pet Day Care Facility | #1 Trainer: Tessa Sternbach Thank you! You’re Paw -some!
66 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM OUTDOOR PLACE TO TAKE YOUR PET 1 WAGBAR n a 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-337-4964 • wagbar.com 2 FRENCH BROAD RIVER PARK w 508 Riverview Drive, Asheville parks-recreation/parksashevillenc.gov/department/828-259-5800 3 MILLS RIVER PARK s a 124 Town Center Drive, Mills River 828-890-2901 • millsriver.org PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT 1 UNIVERSAL JOINT w 784 Haywood Road, Asheville 828-505-7262 • ujasheville.com PET-FRIENDLY BAR OR BREWERY 1 WAGBAR n a 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-337-4964 • wagbar.com 2 DOWN DOGDOG BAR & YOGA STUDIO s 51 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-8618 • downdogavl.com 2 HIGHLAND BREWING CO. s d 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Suite 200, Asheville 828-299-3370 • highlandbrewing.com 3 HILLMAN BEER s 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville 828-505-1312 • hillmanbeer.com PET SITTING SERVICE 1 WNC PET CARE LLC M 828-333-2992 • wncpetcare.com BEST OF PETS Thank you so much WNC Voters! 10% OFF OF SESSION FEE! Specializing in Headshots & Portrait Photography 828-713-4485 • photos@carolspags.com • carolspags.com CONTINUED Thanks For Voting X Awards 2022WNC’s largest & best reader survey
67MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO
The practice is gladly accepting new patients, newborn up to 15 yrs 40 North Merrimon Ave, Suite 117, Asheville, NC 28804
69MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO Thank you for making me WNC's best physical trainer for the second year in a row Private Training Studio in the heart of West Asheville GRIFFIN WHITE Achieving Results Together 310-487-7886 • mindmusclefitness.com We LOVE Our Fans! Thank you for voting us Hall of Fame for 10 years in a row! # 1 PAWN SHOP Follow us on Alan’s West 1186 Patton 828.254.8681Ave.Mon-Sat:9to7Sun:1to6 Alan’s East 736 Tunnel 828.299.4440RoadMon-Sat:9to7(AcrossCherokeefromCasino)828.554.0431SeHablaEspañol
70 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 TOWN HARDWARE & GENERAL STORE x 103 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-7723 • townhardware.com 2 EAST WELLNESSACUPUNCTUREBOUTIQUE 2296 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-458-4139 • eastacupuncturewb.com 3 BAD CRAFT 128 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-357-8080 • badcraft828.com BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 LOUISE’S KITCHEN x 115 Black Mountain Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-5446 • louisesblackmtn.com 2 OPEN OVEN BRUNCH & BAKERY 102 Church St., Black Mountain 828-357-8553 • openovenblkmtn.com 3 BLUE RIDGE BISCUIT CO. 601 W. State St., Suite 4, Black Mountain blueridgebiscuitcompany.com828-357-8501 LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 COUSINS CUBAN CAFE 108 Broadway, Black Mountain 828-357-5513 • cousinscubancafe.com 2 VERANDA 119 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-669-8864 • verandacafeandgifts.com 3 FOOTHILLS 107 Black Mountain Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-9029 • foothillslocalmeats.com 3 THE TRAILHEAD 207 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-357-5656 • thetrailheadrestaurant.com DINNER RESTAURANT 1 THE TRAILHEAD 207 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-357-5656 • thetrailheadrestaurant.com 2 GOLDFINCH COCKTAILS & KITCHEN 122 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-357-8167 • goldfinchblackmountain.com 3 QUE SERA 101 Black Mountain Ave., Black Mountain 828-664-9472 • queserarestaurant.com COFFEE & SWEETS 1 THE DRIPOLATOR COFFEEHOUSE x 221 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0999 • avl.mx/3w7 2 DYNAMITE ROASTING CO. 3198 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-357-8555 • dynamiteroasting.com 3 MOMENTS COFFEE BAR & EATERY 2304 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-686-5679 • momentscoffeebareatery.com LOCALWATERINGBAR/BREWERY/HOLE 1 TOWN PUMP TAVERN 135 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-357-5075 • avl.mx/bk4 2 LOOKOUT BREWING CO. 103 S. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-5169 • lookoutbrewing.com 2 PISGAH BREWING CO. 2948 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-669-0190 • pisgahbrewing.com 3 BLACK MOUNTAIN BREWING 131 Broadway Ave., Black Mountain 828-357-5010 • blkmtnbrewing.com MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENTVENUE 1 WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain whitehorseblackmountain.com828-669-0816 2 SILVERADOS 2898 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-357-8592 • silveradoswnc.com 3 PISGAH BREWING CO. 2948 U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-669-0190 • pisgahbrewing.com RETAIL STORE 1 TOWN HARDWARE & GENERAL STORE x 103 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-7723 • townhardware.com 2 EAST WELLNESSACUPUNCTUREBOUTIQUE 2296 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa 828-458-4139 • eastacupuncturewb.com 3 SASSAFRAS ON SUTTON 108 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-419-0677 • sassafrasonsutton.com
Anyway, what’s more exciting than the perfect small-town day? The small towns that sit north (Weaverville/Woodfin, Mars Hill/ Marshall, Burnsville and Hot Springs) and east (Swannanoa/ Black Mountain) of Asheville remind us that the best things are often found in the smallest places. And when you find yourself float ing on the French Broad River in Madison County or sampling treats and window-shopping along Cherry Street in Black Mountain, you may realize you’re not missing out on anything your urban friends may be up to. We offer special accolades to two art galleries for winning first place 12 or more years in a row: Miya Gallery (Weaverville) and Seven Sisters Gallery (Black Mountain). And please welcome these new entrants to the Hall of Fame: Yancey County Humane Society (Local Cause to Support in Burnsville); Spring Creek Tavern (Lunch Restaurant in Hot Springs); Stackhouse American Eatery & Pub (Lunch Restaurant in Marshall & Mars Hill).
Small Towns
— Ben Williamson X SEVEN SISTERS CRAFT GALLERY Best Art Gallery PHOTO COURTESY OF SEVEN SISTERS CRAFT GALLERY SWANNANOA & BLACK MOUNTAIN
Y OU may be, like me, from a small town (and proud of it!). And while us “country folk” may lack all the choices of restaurants, shops, festivals and, well, excitement that those “city slickers” enjoy, we appreciate the relaxed lifestyle, the longer, friend ly conversations and the realization that less is almost always more.
71MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO ART GALLERY 1 SEVEN SISTERS CRAFT GALLERY x 119 Broadway Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-5107 • sevensistersgallery.com 2 BLACK CENTERMOUNTAINFORTHEARTS 225 W. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-0930 • blackmountainarts.org 3 BAD CRAFT 128 Cherry St., Black Mountain 828-357-8080 • badcraft828.com CULTURAL OR LANDMARKHISTORICAL 1 BLACK MOUNTAIN TRAIN DEPOT (THE OLD DEPOT ARTS & CRAFTS GALLERY) 207 Sutton Ave., Black Mountain 828-669-6583 • olddepot.org 2 CAMP (BLACKROCKMONTMOUNTAIN COLLEGE) Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain 828-686-3885 • avl.mx/byh CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 LEAF FESTIVAL x Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain 828-686-8742 • theleaf.org 2 SOURWOOD FESTIVAL 201 E. State St., Black Mountain 828-669-2300 • avl.mx/bw2 LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 MONTREAT TRAILS & PARK x montreat.org/visit/wilderness828-419-9844Montreat 2 LAKE TOMAHAWK 401 Laurel Circle Drive, Black Mountain 828-669-2052 • avl.mx/bx6 3 WARREN WILSON COLLEGE CAMPUS TRAILS 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa 800-934-3536 • warren-wilson.edu LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 BOUNTY & SOUL x 999 Old U.S. Highway 70, Black Mountain 828-419-0533 • bountyandsoul.org 2 BLACK MOUNTAIN HOME FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES 80 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain 828-686-3451 • blackmountainhome.org At Black Mountain Home, children are protected, nurtured, and loved. Thank you to our foster care families, volunteers, donors, and ministry partners for helping provide a safe, loving home for abused, abandoned, and neglected children of all ages (from newborns to college-age and beyond) from WNC. Visit our Mountain Home Thrift Store: Cheryl’s Place & Thirteen Pennies Café 10 Lake Eden Rd., Black Mountain www.facebook.com/MountainHomeThriftStore Black Mountain Home 80 Lake Eden Road Black Mountain, NC (828)686-3451Info@BlackMountainHome.org28711 Glorifying God by caring for children, youth, and families since 1904 CONTINUED
72 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 ZUMA COFFEE x 7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617 • zumascoffee.com 2 AMERICANSTACKHOUSEEATERY & PUB 37 S. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1213 • stackhouserestaurant.com 3 CAMDEN’S COFFEE HOUSE 40 N. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1246 • camdenscoffeehouse.com BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 THE WAGON WHEEL 390 Carl Eller Road, Mars Hill 828-689-4755 • avl.mx/a7c 2 ZUMA COFFEE 7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617 • zumascoffee.com LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 AMERICANSTACKHOUSEEATERY & PUB x 37 S. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1213 • stackhouserestaurant.com 2 ZUMA COFFEE 7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617 • zumascoffee.com 3 THE ORIGINAL PAPA NICK’S 15 College St., Mars Hill 828-689-8566 • theoriginalpapanicks.com DINNER RESTAURANT 1 STAR DINER 115 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-9900 • stardinerwnc.com 2 AMERICANSTACKHOUSEEATERY & PUB 37 S. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1213 • stackhouserestaurant.com 3 THE ORIGINAL PAPA NICK’S 15 College St., Mars Hill 828-689-8566 • theoriginalpapanicks.com COFFEE & SWEETS 1 CAMDEN’S COFFEE HOUSE 40 N. Main St., Mars Hill 828-680-1246 • camdenscoffeehouse.com 2 ZUMA COFFEE 7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617 • zumascoffee.com 3 THE SWEET MONKEY 133 S. Main St., Suite 105, Marshall 828-649-2489 • thesweetmonkey.com LOCALWATERINGBAR/BREWERY/HOLE 1 MAD CO. BREW HOUSE x 45 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-8600 • madisoncountybrewing.com 2 HICKORY NUT GORGE BREWERY 70 Main St., Mars Hill 828-771-8330 • hickorynutbrewery.com 3 OLD MARSHALL JAIL HOTEL 33 Bailey’s Branch Road, Marshall 828-649-5259 • oldmarshalljail.com MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENTVENUE 1 SOUTHERN REPERTORYAPPALACHIANTHEATRE(SART) 44 College St., Mars Hill 828-689-1232 • sartplays.com 1 ZUMA COFFEE 7 N. Main St., Marshall 828-649-1617 • zumascoffee.com RETAIL STORE 1 PENLAND & DEPARTMENTSON’SSTORE x 50 S. Main St., Marshall 828-649-2811 • avl.mx/7zj ART GALLERY 1 MARS LANDING GALLERIES 37 Library St., Mars Hill 828-747-7267 • marslandinggalleries.com CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 MERMAID PARADE AND FESTIVAL x Main Street, 828-649-7889Marshall•exploremarshallnc.com LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 BLANNAHASSETT ISLAND Blannahassett Island Road, Marshall 828-680-9031 • avl.mx/a80 CAMDEN’S COFFEE HOUSE Best Coffee & Sweets; third place Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMDEN’S COFFEE HOUSE MARSHALL & MARS HILL BEST OF SMALL TOWNS Congrats! WNC’s largest & best reader survey thiswinnersyear'sTo 647 Haywood Road West thelittlestbirds.com253-4747Asheville LOCAL, NATURAL, NEW, CONSIGNMENT. The Best Kids Clothes In Asheville! Plus Wooden Toys, Cloth Diapers, Baby Carriers and More! CONTINUED
73MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO (828) 258-9191 • www.ashevillewomens.com FIRST PLACE Women’s Health Center (Hall of Fame) FIRST PLACE Maternity Care/Service (Hall of Fame) HealthinofoverCelebrating40yearsExcellenceWomen’sCare
74 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA x 55 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-658-8778 • bluemountainpizza.com 2 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300 • wellbredbakery.com 3 WAGBAR 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-337-4964 • wagbar.com BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300 • wellbredbakery.com 2 YELLOW MUG COFFEE LOUNGE 113 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-8844 • yellowmugcoffeelounge.com 3 STONEY KNOB CAFE 337 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3309 • stoneyknobcafe.com LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ x 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300 • wellbredbakery.com 2 STONEY KNOB CAFE 337 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3309 • stoneyknobcafe.com 3 TWISTED LAUREL (WEAVERVILLE) 10A S. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-2700 • twistedlaurel.com DINNER RESTAURANT 1 STONEY KNOB CAFE 337 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-645-3309 • stoneyknobcafe.com 2 GLASS ONION 18 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-8866 • glassonionasheville.com 3 BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA 55 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-658-8778 • bluemountainpizza.com WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFE Best Breakfast Restaurant, Best Coffee & Sweets, Best Lunch Restaurant and Best Bakery (Sweets/Desserts/Cookies) in Eats; second place Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROL SPAGNUOLA WEAVERVILLE&WOODFIN BEST OF SMALL TOWNS check our website for menu updates, operating hours & other important info: bluemountainpizza.com Thank you Mountain Xpress readers for voting for us. 55 N Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787 • 828-658-8778 We yourappreciatesupport!
Weaverville
LOCAL
COFFEE WELL-BRED BAKERY & CAFÉ 26 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-645-9300 wellbredbakery.com YELLOW MUG COFFEE LOUNGE 113 N. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-8844 • yellowmugcoffeelounge.com ALLGOOD COFFEE 10 S. Main St., Weaverville 828-484-8663 • allgood.coffee WATERINGBAR/BREWERY/HOLE ELUVIUM BREWING CO. 11 Florida Ave., Weaverville 828-484-1799 • eluviumbrewing.com WAGBAR 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-337-4964 • wagbar.com
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St., Weaverville 828-658-9617 • avl.mx/7yu CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 WEAVERVILLE ART SAFARI x Weaverville • weavervilleartsafari.com 2 ART IN AUTUMN Main Street, visitweaverville.com/art-in-autumnWeaverville 3 MUSIC ON MAIN WEAVERVILLE South Main Street, Weaverville avl.mx/7zh LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 LAKE LOUISE PARK x Lake Louise Drive, Weaverville 828-645-7116 • avl.mx/6cc 2 MAIN STREET NATURE PARK 25 U.S. 19 Business, Weaverville 828-645-7116 • avl.mx/6cc 3 WAGBAR 320 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville 828-337-4964 • wagbar.com CULTURAL OR LANDMARKHISTORICAL 1 VANCE BIRTHPLACE x 911 Reems Creek Road, Weaverville 828-645-6706 • avl.mx/bxd LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 ASHEVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE (WEAVERVILLE) 61 Weaver Blvd. Suite 101, Weaverville ashevillehabitat.org/restore828-484-9432 Small Repair & Carpentry Thank You WNC! #1 Handyman! LeaveItToWeaver.net (828) 301-4725 CONTINUED Est. 1903 ShopPawnOldestNC‘sTHANKSFOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! 21 BROADWAY • DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE Open 7 Days • 253-7731 • www.FinkelsteinsPawn.com
2 RIVERSIDE RHAPSODY BEER CO. 995 Riverside Drive, Woodfin 828-575-2370 • riversiderhapsody.com RETAIL STORE 1 REEMS CREEK NURSERY Monticello Road, 828-645-3937 reemscreek.com COTTAGE Blvd., thecottagedoorconsignment.com828-484-2518 N. Main St., 828-658-9617 x 20 N. Main St., 828-658-9655 miyagallery.com N. Main
76 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA x 315 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7676 • nchotsprings.com 2 BIG PILLOW BREWING 25 Andrews Ave. N., Hot Springs 828-539-1939 • bigpillowbrewing.com 3 BLUFF MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS 152 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7162 • avl.mx/7zl LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 SPRING CREEK TAVERN x 145 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-0187 • thespringcreektavern.com DINNER RESTAURANT 1 IRON HORSE STATION RESTAURANT x 24 S. Andrew Ave., Hot Springs 828-622-9506 • theironhorsestation.com 2 SMOKY MOUNTAIN DINER 70 Lance Ave., Hot Springs 828-622-7571 • avl.mx/a6s 2 SPRING CREEK TAVERN 145 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-0187 • thespringcreektavern.com LOCALWATERINGBAR/BREWERY/HOLE 1 BIG PILLOW BREWING 25 Andrews Ave. N., Hot Springs 828-539-1939 • bigpillowbrewing.com 2 SPRING CREEK TAVERN 145 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-0187 • thespringcreektavern.com MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENTVENUE 1 BIG PILLOW BREWING 25 Andrews Ave. N., Hot Springs 828-539-1939 • bigpillowbrewing.com LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA x 315 Bridge St., Hot Springs 828-622-7676 • nchotsprings.com 2 APPALACHIAN TRAIL (AT) 828-254-3708 • appalachiantrail.org 2 MAX PATCH Max Patch Road, Hot Springs • avl.mx/bxe X Awards 2022 Sept. 8 at Highland Brewing Party Peggy Ratusz 5-6 p.m. Hope Griffin 6:15-7:15 p.m. DJ Lil Meow Meow 7:30-8:30 p.m. Special guests Asheville FM, the WNC Nature Center and more... And food trucks Melt Your Heart and El Kimchi BANDS: HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA Best Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town, Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors PHOTO COURTESY OF HOT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA HOT SPRINGS BEST OF SMALL TOWNS
77MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO BUSINESS THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF YOUR TOWN 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 2 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. 321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068 • homeplacebeer.com BREAKFAST RESTAURANT 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 2 PIG & GRITS 620 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-0010 • pigandgrits.com LUNCH RESTAURANT 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 2 HOG HOLLOW WOOD-FIRED PIZZA 321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068 • hoghollowpizza.com 3 GARDEN DELI 107 Town Square, Burnsville 828-682-3946 • garden-deli.com DINNER RESTAURANT 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 2 HOG HOLLOW WOOD-FIRED PIZZA 321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068 • hoghollowpizza.com 3 PIG & GRITS 620 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-0010 • pigandgrits.com 3 SECOND HOME [Closed] COFFEE & SWEETS 1 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 LOCALWATERINGBAR/BREWERY/HOLE 1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. x 321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068 • homeplacebeer.com MOUNT MITCHELL, MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK Best Cultural or Historical Landmark and Best Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors PHOTO BY SAM DEAN, COURTESY OF BURNSVILLE –YANCEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BURNSVILLE Thanks to everyone who voted for us First Place in WNC for Barista, Julianna Pittman First Place In Burnsville for Breakfast Restaurant, Lunch Restaurant, Dinner Restaurant, Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Burnsville, and Coffee & Sweets Second Place in WNC for Best Value, Best Service, Best Salad, Best Local-Food Emphasis, and Best Chef Nick Rash (Tie) Second Place in Burnsville for Best Music/Entertainment Venue Third Place in WNC for Lunch, Takeout, and Quick Meal (Tie) 8 West Main Street, Burnsville, NC 28714 828-682-0120 ~ www.appalachianjavaburnsville.com ~ Best of WNC Winner Five Years in a Row! CONTINUED
78 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENTVENUE 1 HOMEPLACE BEER CO. 321 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-536-9068 • homeplacebeer.com 2 APPALACHIAN JAVA & CAFE 8 W. Main St., Burnsville appalachianjavaburnsville.com828-682-0120 RETAIL STORE 1 SOMETHING SPECIAL GIFT SHOP x 12 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-682-9101 • avl.mx/55a 2 MOUNTAIN TIME ON MAIN STREET 105 W. Main St., Burnsville 828-398-5943 • mountaintimeonmainst.com ART GALLERY 1 TOE RIVER ARTS GALLERY 102 W. Main St., Burnsville toeriverarts.org 2 MW STUDIOS 319 W. U.S. Highway 19 E. Bypass, Burnsville 828-536-5041 • mwstudiosnc.com CULTURAL OR ARTS EVENT 1 MOUNT MITCHELL ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR Town Square, Burnsville 828-682-7413 • avl.mx/a3b 2 TOE RIVER ARTS STUDIO TOUR 269 Oak Ave., Spruce Pine 828-765-0520 • toeriverarts.org LOCAL PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS 1 MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK 2388 N.C. Highway 128, Burnsville 828-675-4611 • avl.mx/7zo LOCAL CAUSE TO SUPPORT 1 RECONCILIATION HOUSE 20 Academy St., Burnsville 828-682-7251 • rec-house.org 1 YANCEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY x 211 Kind Hearts Way, Burnsville 828-682-9510 • yanceyhumanesociety.org CULTURAL OR LANDMARKHISTORICAL 1 MOUNT MITCHELL NC Highway 128, Burnsville 828-675-4611 • avl.mx/7zo BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS 1 SECOND HOME [Closed] Offici al plaque win with an Commemorate your BEST OF WNC To purchase, advertise@mountainx.comcontact BEST OF SMALL TOWNS THANK YOU for your votes ASHEVILLE! #1 Counselor / Counseling Center JAMES COLVIN 2524 Riceville Road, Asheville, NC 28805 • 828-424-7941 colvin3@gmail.com • JamesCColvin.com Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Holistic Therapy for Individuals & Couples Check out video interview & radio podcasts on website! Open Mon. - Sat. 10am-7pm • Sun. 12-6pm 800 Fairview Rd. • Asheville, NC River Ridge Shopping Center • Hwy. 240, exit #8 299-1145 • www.mrksusedbooks.com Mr. K’s Used Books, MUsic and More NEW & USED: Books • Vinyl Records CDs • Comics • Video Games Books on CD • DVDs BUY • SELL • TRADE Thank You for Voting Us #1 Used Book Store 10 Years in a Row!
79MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 BEST OF WNC - PART TWO 82 Patton Ave. Downtown DineOutdoor828.505.8688AshevilleDiningFullBarin&takeoutDeliverythroughDoorDash&UberEatsCatering Thank you for voting for us again! #1 Chinese restaurant 6 years in a row We greatly appreciate your continued support through the difficult times during the pandemic
An easy, cooperative party game of solving puzzles, suitable for beginners and for groups up to eight. TH (9/8), 6pm, Well Played Board Game Café, 162 Coxe Ave Thoughts on Restor ative Cities with a Danish Practicality Sustainability student and Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources Fellow, Ryan Barry, will share various thoughts, learnings, and examples from a journey to Denmark and explorations of Sustainable City Planning in Copenhagen and Restorative Cities. TH (9/8), 36Lenoir-Rhyne6:30pm,University,MontfordAve X Awards 2022 Party Highland Brewing Sept. 8 at Peggy Ratusz 5-6 p.m. Hope Griffin 6:15-7:15 p.m. DJ Lil Meow Meow 7:30-8:30 p.m. BANDS: Special guests Asheville FM, the WNC Nature Center and more... And food trucks Melt Your Heart and El Kimchi
Leah & The Rabbit A 30-minute piece of puppetry originally created by Mikayla Wil son for the Juneteenth program at the Vance Birthplace Historical Site, part of the Art in the Heart program, in partnership with Buncombe County. SA (9/10), 11am, Pack Square Park Blood at the Root A drama based on the Jena Six: six black students who were initially charged with attempted murder for a school fight after being provoked with nooses hanging froma tree on campus. SA (9/10), 7:30pm, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave Little Women: The Musical A musical production based on the classic novel written by Louisa May Alcott. Various dates and times through Sept. 25. Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville Cry it Out A comedy by Molly Smith Metzler that brings together two neighboring women to navigate the trials of being new moms in an affluent area of Long Island. Various dates and times through Sept. Attic25. Salt Theatre, The Mills at Riverside, 2002 Riverside Dr The Three Musketeers From the classic novel, penned in 1844 by Alex andre Dumas. Directed by Rodney Smith. Donations accepted. FR (9/9), SA (9/10), SU (9/11), 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St MEETINGS
Circling A relational meditation and practice.communication WE (9/7, 14), 6:30pm, 17 Old US 19-23, Candler Music To Your Ears Discussion Series: The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Join host and music journalist Bill Kopp for an evening in discussion with Steve Stoeckel, bassist and songwriter for The Spongetones – the Charlotte-basedacclaimed rock band that released ten albums of original music inspired by The Beatles. WE (9/7), 7pm, Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr Growing-Up Amish & Leaving an Amish Life: Choosing FreedomBelongingBetweenand With the filmsAmericanfeaturedHeratAdacourses,communityherMillerchildhood,educationeighth-gradeofherSalomaFurlongacquiredGED,enrolledincollegeandbecameanComstockscholarSmithCollege.storyhasbeenintwoPBSExperience
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 21
The Amish and The Amish: Shunned. Visit avl.mx/8u5 WE (9/7), 8:15pm
Family Outdoor Fishing Night This programintroductoryteaches basic skills and is geared for ages 5 and up. Fishing poles and bait are pro vided. Class size limited due to equipment, so pre-registration is required. All children must be accompanied by an adult. TH (9/8), 5pm, Azalea Park, Swannanoa River Rd Learn & Play: Code names
Asheville Garden Club: Pruning Perennials The club's monthly gen eral meeting, starting with social hour with a 10am program. WE (9/7), 9:30am, All Souls Cathedral, Biltmore Village Open Community Night Unprogrammed time for community members to access the facility, by Asheville Parks and Rec. WE (9/7), 6pm, Dr Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St
PROGRAMS&
Rabbit Rabbit Sunday Market Shop vintage clothes, housewares, handmade jewelry, ceramics, and apparel - with live music
Wild Walk: A Behind the Scenes Tour at the WNC Nature Center Learn about how the staff feeds and cares for the animals with an animal enrichment session, and experience exclusive interactions with the keepers. Masks are required near the animals. Ages 14+ SU (9/11), 1:30pm, WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Rd
East Asheville Tailgate Market Local goods, every Friday. FR (9/9), 3pm, East Asheville Tailgate Market, 954 Tunnel Rd
EATS & DRINKS ASHEVILLE-AREA 2022 GUIDE Pick up your print copy today in everywhere!boxesNEWEDITION COMMUNITY CALENDAR
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COMFridays22 at the Folk Art Center: Owls Listen to a 30 minute talk from a park ranger about how owls are "the undercover pest control." Bring a chair or a blanket. Outdoors, weather permitting.
An evening cookout with tug of war and other games and an introduction to scouting. For boys ages 11-18. Parents must attend with their child if new to this troop. Registration is required: contact the Scoutmaster of Troop 91 at( 828)230-7760. Also held simultaneously at Woodfin River Park, 1630 Riverside Dr. SU (9/11), 4pm, Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd 9/11 Observance
WNCHA Hikes With a Historian: Absalom Dillingham Walking Cemetery Tour One of a four party series that features local cemeteries, which can provide glimpses of social and community history within an area, and can reveal inter esting connections and patterns. WE (9/14), 11am, Big Ivy Community Center, 540 Dillingham Rd, Barnardsville Introduction to Medi care: Understanding the Puzzle The class will explain how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties, and ways to save money. To register, visit coabc.org or call the Council on Aging at (828)277-8288.
SA (9/10), 9am, Ashe ville Botanical Gardens, 151 WT Weaver Blvd Fire Fair A free learning opportu nity for landowners and community members interested in prescribed fire.
SA (9/10), HendersonvilleMarket,Hendersonville8am,Farmers650MapleSt, Mills River Farmers Market
SA (9/10), 9am, Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon Fall Native Plant Sale
The speaker will be Joe Krebbs, a retired decorated battalion chief of the NYFD. Mr. Krebbs spent three days at Ground Zero, and in addition counseled many surviving firefight ers. Rev. Richard Blount of Weaverville United Methodist Church will provide the invocation and music will be provided by the popular Reuter Center Singers. Also participating will be the Weaverville Police and Fire Departments as well as bagpipes.DusenberyHowardonthe MO (9/12), 11am, Lake Louise Park, Doan Rd, Weaverville Swannanoa Valley Museum Online Talk: Biodiversity This presentation with Dr. Jennifer Frick-Rup pert of Brevard College will explore some of the diversity that exists in the region among both plants and animals, and will explain what factors contribute to the region’s biodiversity. MO (9/12), 6:30pm, avl.mx/bza WNC Civil RoundtableWar In the hisresearchwillMichaelpresentation,K.Shafferspeakaboutthethatwentintorecentpublication Day by Day Through the Civil War in Georgia, an account of the conflict which encompasses daily 1,630 entries. MO (9/12), 7pm, Haywood County Public Library, 11 Pennsylvania Ave, Canton
Etowah Lions Club Farmers Market Fresh produce, meat, sweets, breads, arts, and more, through Oct. 26. WE (9/7, 14), 3pm, Etowah Lions Club, 447 Etowah School Rd, Hendersonville Les-ter Farmers Market Support local farmers and craftspeople offer ing a variety of local produce, herbs, flowers, cheese, meat, prepared foods, art, gifts and much more - all locally grown and produced. WE (9/7, 14), 3pm, Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester YMCA Mobile Market Bring your grocery bags and get free, fresh food for your family. All community members are welcome. FR (9/9), Library,Oakley/South10:30am,Asheville749FairviewRd
SA (9/10), 9am, Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS, 21 Restaurant Ct Safety Saturday Education with WNC police, fire and EMS. SA (9/10), 10am, Ingles, 550 NC-9, Black Mountain North Asheville Library Bird Walk Members of the Blue Ridge Audubon Society guide attendees on a bird-watching excursion around the Beaver Lake Bird RegistrationSanctuary.required.
Boy Scout Troop 91: Fall ExtravaganzaCookout
A producer-only market, selling products raised or produced within 50 miles of the market. With local musicians, a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, and high-quality crafts.
FR (9/9), 7pm, Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Parkway Artists & Writers Coffee Inviting all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers and more to a casual weekly drop-in gathering to share works in progress and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.
The oldest Saturday morning market in WNC. Over 60 rotating vendors. SA (9/10), 8am, North Asheville Tailgate Market, 3300 University Heights Asheville City Market
LOCAL MARKETS
Over fifty vendors and local food products, including fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and more. SA (9/10), 9am, Asheville City Market - Downtown, 52 N. Market S Black TailgateMountainMarket
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 (9/10), 9am, Black Mountain Tailgate Market, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain Haywood's Historic Farmers Market Located at HART Theatre. SA (9/10), 9am, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville Transylvania Farmers Market
WE (9/14), 2pm Third Thirsty Thursday: WCC Social Western Coaches'Carolinasmonthly social event. A subchapter of the Charlotte.CoachingInternationalFederation, TH (9/15), 4:30pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy
One of the oldest open-air markets in Western North Carolina, this unique market has a festival feel, with local growers who operate small family farms in Henderson County. SA (9/10), 8am, Hen derson County Tailgate Market, 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.
AARP Smart Driver This one-time, four hour course is the first course in the nation designed specifically for the over 50 driver. TU (9/13), ViewUNCA,OLLI/Reuter8:45am,Center,300CampusRd Bingo Night Every Tuesday. Doors open at 4:30pm. TU (9/13), 7pm, American Francy-BurdettLegionPost 70, 103 Reddick Rd Rain Garden Workshop Learn how rain garden reduce stormwater runoff and clean storm water before it enters our streams and river. TU (9/13), 6:30pm, Lakeview Community Center, 401 Laurel Cir cle Dr, Black Mountain Boy Scout Troop 91 Fall Kick Off For boys ages 11-18, free to attend first two meetings. Visit: avl.mx/bxq TU (9/13), 7pm, St. Pauls United Methodist Church, 223 Hillside St
SA (9/10), 8am, Mills River Rd,School,Elementary94SchoolhouseMillsRiver North TailgateAshevilleMarket
SA (9/10), 9am, Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa Housing Fair and Panel Showcasing house ing-related vendors, including those working in the affordable and workforce housing arena; along with a panel discussion and lunch consisting of threee private afford able housing devlopers as well as City and County representatives. The 2022 Affordable Housing Guide will also roll out at this event, which is free and open to the public.
Fifty vendors offering fresh, handcraftedpreparedjams,flowers,coffee,eggs,produce,locally-grownmeat,poultry,honey,cheese,plants,herbs,cutbakedgoods,jellies,relishes,foodsanditems. SA (9/10), 9am, Down town Brevard, 175 East Main St, Brevard Madison Co. Farmers & Artisans Market Local goods and pro duce, weekly through October. SA (9/10), 10am, Mars Hill University, 100 Athletic St, Mars Hill Junk-O-Rama Saturday Vintage antiques market, every Saturday through October. SA (9/10), HaywoodFleetwood's,11am,496Rd
SA (9/10), 10:30am, North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave West Asheville Garden Stroll With the Neighbors,”“Connectingthemethe stroll links two historic West Asheville neighbor hoods – Burton St rainchurch.willandStrollBrucemont-Dorchester.andGuideswithamapgardendescriptionsbeavailableattheAllarewelcome,orshine. SA (9/10), 10:30am, Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Rd 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. Siding scale. SA (9/10), 11am, Center for Connection + Collaboration September 11th Memorial Service with Flag CeremonyRetirement With special guests JROTC and Girl Scouts. Open to the public. SU (9/11), American Legion Francy-Burdett Post 70, 103 Reddick Rd
Many native plants will be offered by the BGA and other local native plant vendors. Purchases provide essential support for the gardens.
Henderson County Tailgate Market
MOUNTAINX.COM
Grandparents' Lunch
With live music by Up Jumped Three. Bring a blanket or chair. SU (9/11), 6pm, Main St Nature Park, 25 US-19 BUS, Weaverville
The final installment of the summer series, with bluegrass band
BENEFITS VOLUNTEERING& Rockin' for Rescue Hosted by the Asheville Humane Society with special guests, vendors, food and live music.
TU (9/13), 3:30pm, West Asheville Tailgate Market, 718 Haywood Rd 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.
Unspoken Tradition and classic rock band The Greybirds. Outdoors. TH (9/15), 5:30pm, Historic HendersonvilleDowntown
WE (9/14), 3pm, Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Dr Weaverville Tailgate Market Local alongsidefoodstuffs,asmall lineup of craft and artisan vendors. WE (9/7, 14), 3pm, Weaverville Tailgate Market, 60 Lake Shore Dr Weaverville Wednesday Night Market: Vintage and Crafts Vintage and crafts from area-based vendors.
A diverse group of local produce farmers, jam and jelly makers, bread bakers, wild crafters, and merrymakers.
With Sept.discussionsauthorwritingperformances,workshops,readingsandandmore.8-10.
SA (9/10), 1pm, Blue Ghost Brewing Co, 125 Underwood Rd, Fletcher Fairview WorkResilienceRoadGardenDay
With team and individ ual games including Bavarian bingo, brat toss, stein carrying obstacle course, grain sack toss, stein hoist, yodeling, Topmusichammerschlagen.andLivefromMountainPolkaBand.21+
WE (9/7, 14), 4pm, Fleetwood's, 496 Haywood Rd Enka-Candler Tailgate Market
TH (9/8), 4:30pm, Broyhill Chapel, 338 Cascade St, Mars Hill Chow Chow Culinary celebratingeventsthe food heritage of Asheville and the surrouding area, with a Makers Market at Smoky Park Supper Club. Vendors to include: Red Fiddle Vit tles, Spicewalla, Loom Imports, Matcha Nude, DJ's Pickles, Provisions Mercantile, Organic Growers School, Sister of Mother Earth, The Wild Way Farm and Goddess Ghee. Sept. 8-11. See p31 Multiple Locations
An early Grandparents' Day celebration, by Asheville Parks and Rec. Register in advance.
An evening filled with classic cars and a few surprises. Car owners will be available to answer questions and talk about their vehicles. SA (9/10), 5pm, Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Dr NC Mountain State Fair
FR (9/9), 11am, Burton Street Center,Community134Burton St Mountain Song Festival Created to help fund the Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Tran sylvania County with acoustic music including bluegrass, newgrass, old time, folk, jazz and traditional mountain music. Performances from Steep Canyon Rangers, Del McCoury Band, Amythyst Kiah and others. Sept. 9-10. Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln, Brevard Carolina Mountains Literary Festival
Harvest Fest
See p26 Burnsville Town Square, 100 Town Square, Burnsville Bike Rodeo & Safety Day Open to all ages and tailored to children and youth with lots activities designed to set young riders up for safety. With free hotdogs, and the first 100 children and youth ages 5–15 years will receive a freebicycle helmet. SA (9/10), 9am, A-B Tech Woodfin Facility, 20 Canoe Ln 14th Annual Blessing of the Pets The half-hour service celebrates the life of both current and former pets. Residents of Henderson County and throughout the Asheville area are invited to bring all types of pets to the outdoor blessing. A "Dog Bowl Donation" collection will be held to benefit Blue Ridge Humane Society. SA (9/10), 10am, Mills River ChurchChurch,Presbyterian10PresbyterianRd,MillsRiver
Opened in 1994, this family friendly state fair of the west showcases the many talents, cul tures and traditions of WNC - with rides, food, vendors, traditions.andlivetions,educationagriculturalandexhibiartsandcrafts,entertainmentotherregionalSept.9-18. See p33 WNC BridgeCenter,Agricultural1301FanningRd Saucy Sundays Meet people from the local Hispanic commu nity - with dancing, live music and food trucks. SU (9/11), 5pm, Haywood Country Club, 662 Haywood Rd Second SummerSaturdayMusicSeries
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 23 and food and beverages available.
Fresh local produce and heritage crafts. Weekly.
See p30 SU (9/11), 3pm, Olivette WoodfinCommunityRiversideFarm, Rhythm & Brews
Concert Series
Program. Bring a dish to share if you can, an instrument if you wish. All are welcome.
Harvest Party Campus & Community Potluck Celebrate autumn and the AppalachiantheHeritageuniversity'sGardenwithRamseyCenterforStudies
WE (9/14), 5:30pm, Fairview Resilience Garden, 461 Fairview Rd Under The Stars Fall Fundraiser Funds will go directly to providing free and discounted science education through exhibits, field trips, mobile hands-onlearning,STEAM lab, or science camps. TH (9/15), 6pm, High land Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy
TH (9/8, 15), 3pm, Pinecrest ARP Church, 1790 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock
SU (9/11), Downtown1pm,Sylva West Asheville Tailgate Market
Volunteers are needed at the garden every Wednesday. All ages and skill levels are wel come to join us as we harvest, weed, plant, and build community.
All proceeds will go towards ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables program. With family games, activities and bluegrass.
Makers & Music Fes tival With live music from Luns Buns Bass on Saturday.
103.3 Asheville FM Annual Record Fair Thirty vendors with over 10,000 square feet of vinyl, CDs, collectibles and more. See p28 SA (9/10), 11am, Harrah's Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St Oktoberfest
Walk for Something We Aspire To Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 • Pack Square Park • Asheville NC ALL ARE WELCOME: Families, Businesses, Organizations, Churches, Groups, Friends FREE • Register Today 10:00am to 11:00am (walkers gather at 9:00am) Learn more at blueridgepride.org 11:00am to 7:00pm • 200+ Community Services, Businesses and Artists • Performances by: McKinney, Mar and the Mermaladies, Fancy and the Gentlemen, Convict Julie, Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus, Rocky Horror Music Show, Lo Wolf ... and our famous DRAG Showcase
Over 40 local vendors, every Tuesday.
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
SA (9/10), 12pm, Hi-Wire Brewing, 197 Hilliard Ave Asheville Parks and Rec: Montford Car Show
TH (9/8, 15), 3pm, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler Flat Rock Tailgate Market
SU (9/11), 12pm, Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave Daytime Pop-Up with DJs Local makers, vendors and DJs. SU (9/11), 1pm, Static Age Records, 110 N Lexington Ave Jackson Arts Market
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM24 Katy Jane McCurry is 8 months old and already has an enviable library of books. Many were gifts from her mother Emily’s baby shower. But three of the books came from the family’s visits to Dr. Traci Lombard at Mountain Pediatric Group. Pediatricians aren’t getting into the bookselling business; the books are courtesy of Reach Out and Read, a nationwide nonprofit that is expanding its footprint in Western NorthRORCarolina.hasasimple model of literacy promotion: Providers give a book to a patient during a “well child” visit. “The doctor will talk to the parent about the importance of reading and tell the parent, ‘Hey, we’re prescribing this book to you,’ just like they would prescribe medicine,” explains WNC program manager for Reach Out and Read NC Leslie Putnam According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, chil dren need seven well-child visits between birth and age 4. (ROR gifts books to children up to age 5.) Katy Jane’s first book has high-con trast images, her mom, Emily, who lives in Haywood County, tells Xpress. The black background and neon-col ored animals are developmentally appropriate for her baby’s brain. “My daughter was fascinated with it because of the very bright colors against the very dark background,” sheAsays.second book, You’re My Little Baby by Eric Carle, depicts animals at the zoo and feature some pages with mirrors on them. “It’s super cool as a parent to watch their little brains work,” McCurry says.
THE PROGRAM’S HISTORY
At 15 months of age, most kids will show an interest in a book if they’ve seen someone else hold one, according to USDHHS. And at 18 months of age, most kids will be able to look at a few pages of a book. By 30 months, a child should be able to turn the pages of a book, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And by 4 years old, a child should be able to “tell what comes next in a well-known story” and name colors.
The DHHS partnership enabled the program to expand its presence in the western part of the state to counties including Rutherford, Yancey, Mitchell and Avery, Putnam says. As of August, over 70 clinics in WNC participate.
DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Participating clinics start at birth, and health care providers look for developmental milestones with each visit, like whether the child holds a book right-side up. “Maybe you hand a book to a 4-year-old and they don’t know what to do with a book,” explains Putnam. “That gives you some clues that maybe they’re not being read to.”
The partnership allows states to use matching funds to support programs that help children, in particular chil dren who are eligible for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to a NCDHHS press release. ROR in North Carolina can access $3 million in federal matching funds over twoRORyears.began in North Carolina in 1997, says regional director of com munications Suzanne Metcalf, and it has served 231,045 children here since the program began. The impact report for fiscal year 2021 notes 1,826 trained providers in the state. (She declined to share the number of books dispersed.)
Any health care provider who conducts well-child visits can partic ipate. This includes pediatric offices, family doctors, community health centers and local health departments, Putnam says. In Buncombe County, eight clin ics participate while Henderson and Haywood counties have six and three participating clinics, respec tively. (The Mountain Area Health Education Center trains residents in the ROR model, making it one of the 70% of family medicine programs in North Carolina to participate.)
Dr. Ann Farash first became acquainted with ROR as a military doctor stationed in Biloxi, Miss., when national medical director Perri Klass spoke to pediatric residents about the program. Years later, Farash became involved in the program in 2013 in North Carolina and helped bring it to Transylvania County. When asked how she counsels a caregiver as she gives a book, Farah says, “I say read, read, read to your child!” to
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BOOKWORM: Eight-month-old Katy Jane McCurry smiles with the touchand-feel board book You’re My Little Baby that she got at her six-month “wellchild” visit. Photo courtesy of Emily McCurry
BY JESSICA WAKEMAN
A group of doctors at Boston Medical Center founded ROR in 1989. And since 1991, it’s been the subject of peer-reviewed research on literacy interventions for children. In 2020, the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services approved a partnership between ROR and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, which allowed the program to use Medicaid funds.
The primary care provider (usually a pediatrician) enters the exam room with an age-appropriate children’s book. The provider demonstrates how to read aloud to a child in a developmentally appropriate way, like showing how to turn a page or asking questions about colors. The child gets to keep the book and leaves with a “prescription” to read regularly with a caregiver.“When[Dr. Lombard] gives me the book, she explains why she thinks it’s cool and why it’s important,” says McCurry. “We understand why we’re getting it but also why we should be encouraged to actually use it.”
promote kids reading
jwakeman@mountainx.com
Gifting Ruby Finds a Worry helps providers introduce pediatric mental health issues, particularly regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Putnam says. It helps with “those tough con versations with parents that might otherwise be awkward or feel intru sive,” she explains. And in order to reach Latino fam ilies, the program provides books in English or Spanish. (Nationwide, 78% of ROR programs serve families whose primary language is Spanish, accord ing to the national headquarters.)
She continues, “It is said that books are both mirrors and windows. Children are developing their identi ties; they cannot be what they cannot see.” Both offices of Hendersonville Pediatrics, where she works, partici pate in the program, Farash says. ROR’s purview isn’t educating caregivers about screen time or dis suading the use of electronic devices. Nevertheless, the subject arises when reading is discussed, Putnam explains, and that presents an opportunity for the provider to suggest to the child and caregiver “for 30 minutes out of every day, instead of doing an iPad, let’s do a book.”
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Of course, there’s another big ben efit to giving a child a book during a checkup:“Ithelps that the child knows the book is coming, and so it makes the doctor less scary,” says Putnam. “They know, ‘Oh, I’m going to go get a book!’”
Another goal is that reading with a child will become a routine and foster a love of reading on its own. Clinics source their children’s books directly from publishing company Scholastic and distributor All About Books using ROR funding. Both offer lots of choices — “everything you could possibly have a children’s book about,” says Putnam. (Farash says she loves giving any book by Dr. Seuss.)
A LOVE OF READING
A picture book currently popular with health care providers is Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival. “One day, [Ruby] finds something unexpected: a Worry,” explains the Bookshop.org description. “It’s not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger ... and a little bigger ... Until eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about.”
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM26 What comes to author David Joy’s mind when he hears the phrase “Southern literature”? Plenty. “As far as literary traditions go, there are very few places or regions in the world that can lay claim to anything even remotely close to the literature of the American South over the last 150 years,” says the Jackson County-based writer. “Whether that be those historic fig ures like [William] Faulkner and [Flannery] O’Connor and [Eudora] Welty, or the writers I cut my teeth on, like Larry Brown and William Gay, Harry Crews, Barry Hannah [and] Ron Rash. I think as writers we’re always following in the foot steps of those who’ve come before us, and in the case of the American South, those footsteps were made by some very large boots.” And yet, Joy notes, contempo rary writers continue to fill those footsteps and expand upon them. In his view, some of the bright est modern-day literary stars are Mississippi-based Jesmyn Ward , the only woman and lone African American to win the National Book Award for Fiction twice, and Bolton, N.C. native Jason Mott, whose novel Hell of a Book won that same prize in 2021. And the talent keeps emerging. “I think part of that is because we’re a region that has managed to keep a lot of its cultural identity intact. We’ve not succumbed to the homogenization that a lot of places have. We’ve got very rich soil to farm,” Joy says. “And we’re a region for whom story has always held the center of our universe. We’ve always had a tremendous advantage in all of those regards.” That appreciation for these tradi tions makes Joy an inspired choice to deliver the keynote address at the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival, which runs Thursday, Sept. 8-Saturday, Sept. 10, in Burnsville.
THE NEW SOUTH Such contemplations are simpati co with the aims of CMLF Director Katie Anne Towner, who sees the event as “a cornerstone of Burnsville literary history.” Since its debut in 2006, she says, the festival has provided a chance for writers and readers to build connections, share stories and discuss ideas, celebrat ing the traditions of Southern liter ature while simultaneously growing them. She adds that this community building was sorely missed over the past two years, during which restric tions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic made it impractical to hold the event.
ARTS & CULTURE This must be the place
MOUNTAIN TALK: Jackson County author David Joy is the keynote speaker at this year’s Carolina Mountains Literary Festival.
The focus of Joy’s presentation is an apt choice for a 12th-generation North Carolinian who identifies as being “from a people who are very much defined by this state.” Having lived in a total of two places — primarily in Jackson County after growing up in Mecklenburg County — Western North Carolina is a char acter in and of itself throughout his“Whenwork. I sit down to begin a story, the canvas isn’t blank in that there is already a landscape. There are already mountains and streams and buildings and roads, so that when a character finally arises, that charac ter claws himself from the ground,” Joy says. “Because he emerges from that ground, he already has a name and an accent and mannerisms that are tied directly to the dirt from which he rose.”
Peggy Ratusz 5-6 p.m. Hope Griffin 6:15-7:15 p.m. DJ Lil Meow Meow 7:30-8:30 p.m. Special guests Asheville FM, the WNC Nature Center and more... And food trucks Melt Your Heart and El Kimchi
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Photo by Ashley T. Evans
“We intentionally cultivated a festival this year that was a quieter return that focuses on our mission:
BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN
BANDS: OF
CAPTIVATED: Asheville-based author Terry Roberts speaks at the 2019 edi tion of the festival. Photo courtesy of CMLF
But as Joy has gotten older, he’s become increasingly interested in the way a place changes in terms of its physical landscapes and the people who inhabit it. Both concepts have likewise helped shape his key note“Theaddress.history of all places is a story of displacement. Something must be removed for something new to take root,” he says. “That changing of the tide interests me, especially with regard to Appalachia and Western North Carolina as a region. What does it mean to belong to this place? What does it mean for a story to be rooted here? Who gets to tell that story? I think all of those things are questions I’ve been wrestling with the past few years.”
Sept. 8 at HighlandBrewing Party
Carolina Mountains Literary Festival returns to Burnsville earnaudin@mountainx.com
The author of Where All Light Tends to Go, a finalist for the 2016 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, and When These Mountains Burn, winner of the 2020 Dashiell Hammett Prize for Literary Excellence, Joy will give the festival’s closing talk, “The History of All Places: A Discussion of Identity and Belonging,” at the Burnsville Town Center on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
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MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 27 to bring together — in relational settings — authors, readers of all ages, novice writers, listeners and learners,” Towner says. “Most of the authors published the works they are presenting in 2020 and 2021, so the festival this year will very much be a reflection of ideas and themes that emerged in all of our lives during the pandemic.” The 2022 lineup of authors also intentionally brings a multitude of viewpoints, backgrounds and ideas to CMLF. According to Towner, each session will include a state ment to “acknowledge the brave spaces we create when we bring our hearts and minds together in discussion; encourage curiosi ty, respect, sincerity and brevity from one another; and welcome all voices and perspectives, embracing ‘controversy with civility’ when dis agreements arise.” The diversity of artists and opin ions is key for Joy as well, as he con siders the current state of Southern literature and how it continues to evolve and embrace a broader range of Heperspectives.pointsto his friend Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, who will also be at CMLF, and her award-winning book Even as We Breathe, the first novel ever published by a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He also highlights West Virginia native Neema Avashia ’s 2022 debut memoir, Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place. Not very long ago, he notes, that story would not have had the opportunity to find its“Ireaders.thinkwe’re at a really beautiful moment in literature in a lot of ways where we’re finally getting a more complex and fuller understanding of the lives that are lived in this place,” he says. “There’s a lot more work to be done, but making head way toward more inclusivity [and] expanding that stage is the most positive and hopeful change I’ve witnessed over the past few decades with regards to the literature of the American South.”
X WHAT CarolinaLiteraryMountainsFestival,cmlitfest.org WHERE Downtown Burnsville. See website for schedule WHEN Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 8-10. Free-$35
Keeping it real FM curates all-local record compilation bill@musoscribe.com
In the past, the station had orga nized raffles and offered branded tote bags and T-shirts. But this time around, everyone involved wanted to take things to the next level.
“People will always find good music in every genre,” says Brett J Kent, Powder Horns’ leader and songwriter. “That’s what drives me, and I know I’m not alone.”
Cartwright emphasizes that even though Asheville is a comparatively small city, it’s home to a robust music infrastructure. “There are lots of cool recording studios,” he says. “And there’s also a record-press ing plant. Tying all those things together to show off some of what Asheville has is a really good idea.”
BY BILL KOPP MUSIC
“Whenever it’s time for an Asheville FM fund drive, we [offer] a promotional premium for people who donate to the station,” he says.
Happenstance aligned this year’s fundraiser with Asheville FM’s annual Record Fair, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Harrah’s Cherokee Center –Asheville. “So it seemed like a great match to do a record,” Cartwright continues. “And we wanted to do something that’s about local music and some of the assets that are there for local bands and artists.”
In addition to partnering with Drop of Sun Studios, Cartwright and the Asheville FM team worked with Citizen Vinyl. The downtown Asheville pressing plant manufac tured the records, providing the critical final link in the chain of this all-localCartwrightendeavor.says that beyond the local focus, there was an additional goal when curating the selections. “We wanted to be as diverse as possible,” he says. “We’re trying to [create] an experience where every song is something a little bitAnddifferent.”theeclectic Real People, Great Radio succeeds on that score. Fleur Geurl (the solo project of Asheville musician Danielle McConaghy ) conjures a dreamy, contemplative vibe with “The Woods.” Meanwhile, Lewis Dahm of Walkhome notes his band’s track, “The End,” cap tures the group’s tendency to cre ate “dumb songs played smart,” naming The Jesus and Mary Chain, Oasis and The Beatles among pri mary inspirations. And improvisa tional percussionist Thom Nguyen describes his track, “Residual Reflection,” as an example of the experimental technique known as musique concrète, which uses recorded sounds as raw material. Additionally, prolific local rock band Powder Horns turns in the hardest-rocking cut on the Asheville FM collection, “Cherub.” Other artists featured on the compilation include Astoria, BEX, gator pools, Adriana McCassim, Secret Shame and Dexter Webb.
ASHEVILLE MIX: Asheville FM has released its debut compilation, Real Peo ple, Great Radio. The record features 10 local acts, including, clockwise from top left, Walkhome, Adriana McCassim, Secret Shame and Fleur Geurl. Photo of McCassim by Aliana Turkel; other photos courtesy of the artists
When the internet developed to the point at which it could sup port high-quality audio and video, pundits prognosticated the immi nent death of terrestrial radio. But in the same way that streaming music hasn’t spelled the end of vinyl records, FM radio remains a viable and creative medium. Local station WSFM-LP — better known as 103.3 Asheville FM — began broadcasting on-air in 2015 (with an online presence since 2009). Today, the nonprofit community radio station occupies an important place in the city’s cultural firmament. Underscoring Asheville FM’s role in the regional music and arts scene, the station is partnering with area businesses to present Real People, Great Radio, a compilation record showcasing local musical artists.
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Set for release ahead of this year’s third annual Record Fair, Real People, Great Radio fea tures 10 Asheville-based acts. Each performed an original track on the record. All sessions took place at Drop of Sun Studios in WestLocalAsheville.musician, producer and Asheville FM deejay Greg Cartwright curated the 10-song compilation. Multiple events, he notes, inspired the project.
DIVERSE CAST, ECLECTIC LINEUP
ARTS & CULTURE
HERE COMES THE SUN Drop of Sun Studios’ Sara Jane Whatley says that she was excited
Asheville
“Community radio stations like Asheville FM play a crucial role in giving voice to the local artists,” says Fleur Geurl’s McConaghy. “They enable individuals, groups and communities to tell their own stories, and they keep those liv ing in the community connected to theirDahmneighbors.”ofWalkhome observes that streaming platforms and user-tar geted algorithms have the effect of “flattening out our interaction” with music. “As a listener, I’d rather just turn on a trusted station that I know will be playing weird music selected by nerds,” Dahm says. “It feels good to have no control over what I’m about to hear. And it feels even better when I know there’s someone who cares on the other end.”
First launched as an online station, Asheville FM expanded its reach to the airwaves after then-President Barack Obama signed the Local Community Radio Act of 2010 into law. Classified as a low-power sta tion, WSFM-LP is powered by a mere 100 watts, giving it a limited broadcast area. But the nonprofit continues to webcast live in real time at ashevillefm.org and recently launched an app. In addition, many programs are archived online. The station’s alternative approach to the more ubiquitous commer cial, market-driven radio model is what binds the diverse set of bands that helped create Real People, Great Radio.
JUST THE BEGINNING
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‘WEIRD MUSIC SELECTED BY NERDS’
The new album, notes Cartwright, is just the beginning, as he’s already contemplating future volumes. “There’s a lot of diversity in this compilation,” he says. “But there’s a lot more diversity in Asheville, and I’d like to continue to reach in all different directions.” Tickets for the third annual Record Fair are a suggested $5-$10. VIP tickets are $15 and include early admission at 10 a.m. For more infor mation, visit avl.mx/byf. X
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 29 when she had a brainstorming ses sion with Cartwright and Asheville FM station’s General Manager KP Whaley. The studio is within sight of the radio station on Haywood Road, and Whatley says that partnering “was always a goal.” She adds that it was important to the studio — which launched in 2015 and moved to its current location in 2021 — to be “in community with already existing pillars of the Asheville music scene.” Whatley says that Real People, Great Radio was a “passion project” for Adam McDaniel, co-founder and producer/engineer at Drop of Sun. “It never felt like an option to skimp on making it something we loved,” Whatley continues. “This record feels like the ethos of Drop of Sun.” She notes that her most cher ished moment of the entire project was when she, McDaniel and studio co-founder Alex Farrar sat down in the control room and listened to the finished LP in its entirety. “I felt so excited and so proud,” Whatley says.
This year’s Record Fair is slated to feature 30 vinyl record dealers. The event, says Whaley, will be “an allday record-shopping experience.” All proceeds from admission will help fund the nonprofit’s operations. And two of the artists featured on Real People, Great Radio are sched uled to perform live at the event. Fleur Girl will play at 12:30 p.m., and Powder Horns will perform at 1 p.m. Both sets will include the artists’ songs as featured on the Asheville FM compilation.
The event will celebrate local farmers, who as designated VIF — Very Important Farmers — will receive free admission, goodie bags and other pampering as they enjoy an afternoon by the river. “This is right at the peak of harvest season,” Haro points out. “Everyone is crank ing it out every single day, and when we asked around about what they would most like to have, they all said, ‘A break!’ So that’s what this is intended to be.”
ARTS & CULTURE
Designating an event “the first annual” before it even makes its debut conveys a sense of optimism and purpose. Arica Haro, who man ages events at Olivette Riverside Community and Farm, readily con firms that planners of the first annu al HarvestFest, taking place Sunday, Sept. 11, are committed to its sus tainability. “We are super dedicated to it, so there will be next annuals,” sheThesays.first, to be held 3-6 p.m. on the property’s Riverside Park, will include live bluegrass music from The Barefoot Movement, kids and family activities, as well as Wicked Weed beer, Vidl Cellars wine, frozen treats from Buggy Pops and other locally prepared foods for purchase.
What’s new in food HarvestFest debuts, benefiting ASAP
Just as important, HarvestFest is a fundraiser for Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Double SNAP for Food and Vegetables program, which matches dollars spent by SNAP customers at participating farmers markets with tokens that can be used to buy pro duce. For example, a swipe of an EBT card at a market for $10 garners $10 in SNAP tokens and $10 in Farm Fresh Bucks to be used for fruits andHarovegetables.sayswhen Olivette reached out to ASAP to help identify the best recipient for funds raised, SNAP was the clear choice. “We have a program called Sharing Is Caring, which this year donated over 50 shares of our CSA to Haywood Street Respite and BeLoved Asheville,” Haro explains. “Each share is 20 weeks of organic produce. Double SNAP fits well with what we do as far as helping families access fresh produce and supporting local farmers.” All of the funds raised in ticket, beer and wine sales will also be donated to Double SNAP. HarvestFest is produced by Olivette Riverside Community and Farm and Chatt Hills Music. Olivette Riverside Community and Farm is at 172 Old Macedonia Road. Tickets are $25 per person; free for kids, farmers and farmer families.
Souper bowl
FOOD ROUNDUP
MANNA is still seeking and accepting soup-sized bowls, typically 2-3 cups. Kara Irani, director of marketing and communications for the nonprofit, says, “The more bowls we have, the more tickets we can sell. Our food costs have exploded this year, and every year since the pandemic has been a real challenge.” With more than a dozen restau rants and food services on board — Biscuit Head, Corner Kitchen, Chestnut and Red Fiddle Vittles, among them — Irani says there will be a plethora of soups, and guests should be able to select at least three to-go containers per ticket. Dessert and bread providers include Annie’s Bakery, City Bakery, Tupelo Honey, Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe and Sunshine Sammies. Since its launch, funds raised from Empty Bowls have allowed MANNA to provide the equivalent of 3 mil lion meals across Western North Carolina. Empty Bowls runs 10 a.m.6 p.m., but guests must schedule a one-hour slot for attendance; seating is available but limited.
For more information and tickets, visit avl.mx/by6
The 19th annual, held in October 2020, carried on via a drive-thru pickup event of a bowl and pack aged dry soup mix to make at home. Last year’s 20th annual brought peo ple back inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville-Biltmore for a walk-through to choose their own bowl from the hundreds donated by local potters and select a few servings of soup packaged in com postable to-go containers, along with bread and desserts.
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Tickets, which went on sale Aug. 29, are $45. A $10 kids package includes one kids bowl pre-selected by MANNA, food-themed socks and custom MANNA coloring pages; a fur kid package is $30 for one pot tery pet bowl handmade by a local artist pre-selected by MANNA, furry friend treats and other pet surprises. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Asheville Biltmore is at 115 Hendersonville Road. To purchase tickets, visit avl.mx/ajt Can do In more MANNA news, the non profit’s biggest food drive collection
The 21st annual returns to the DoubleTree on Monday, Oct. 10. The event reprises the very pop ular pet bowl add-on introduced last year, as well as the Collectors Corner, where attendees can pur chase larger bowls, platters, mugs, drinkware sets or other decorative handmade ceramics.
Speaking of annuals, while COVID19 forced a significant change to the format of MANNA FoodBank’s popular Empty Bowls fundraiser, it didn’t break the nonprofit’s streak.
FIRST OF ITS KIND: Arica Haro, left, and Daniel Pettus of Olivette Riverside Community and Farm are helping organize the inaugural HarvestFest on Sun day, Sept. 11. Photo courtesy Olivette
Lose the booze Jason Pedrick, founder of NoLo, a distributor of nonalcoholic spir its, wine, beer and beverages, is emphatic that he is on a mission to encourage every venue in Asheville — from bars to breweries to ball parks (hello, Asheville Tourists) — to carry beverage options beyond juice and soda for patrons who can’t or prefer not to drink alcohol. “I am a nonalcoholic beverage activist,” he proudly admits. Since April, he has done non alcoholic pop-ups at Uncommon Market Sundays, where he samples his products and mixes nonalcoholic cocktails. Those caught the attention of Halle and Keith Hirsch, owners of Saint Brighid’s bar, located inside Marquee at Foundy in the River Arts District. The couple suggested a partnership, and on Aug. 22, Pedrick set up a NoLo bottle shop on one of the bar’s Amongwalls.the canned and bottled products at the shop, which can be purchased to take to your home bar, is a selection of nonalcoholic beers, nonalcoholic wines and ready-todrink bottled and canned mocktails such as the Phony Negroni, Flyers Brooklyn Gold Highball (a sparkling cannabis cocktail) and Spiritless OldOrFashioned.bellyupto the bar for a cold nonalcoholic beer, nonalcoholic bub bly or spiritless cocktail created by Saint“PeopleBrighid’s.can ask for a Phony Negroni on ice with an orange peel and sample it before they buy a fourpack,” Pedrick says. “Same with a glass of NA wine or NA beer.” NoLo Bottle Shop is open daily at Saint Brighid’s inside Marquee, 36 Foundy Street. For more information, visti avl.mx/by9 Ciao, Chow
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MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 31 of the year takes place on Ingles Day at the N.C. Mountain State Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 14. “Ingles buys out the door and in exchange for bringing five cans of Laura Lynn food, you get a free ticket,” Irani explains. “Families love it, and so do we. A family of four equals 20 cans of food and every donation helps.” N.C. Mountain State Fair gates and buildings open September 14 at 3 p.m. with rides at 4 p.m. Gates close at 11 p.m. The WNC Agricultural Center is at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher. All dressed up For years, Aaron Thomas, owner and chef of Nine Mile, says custom ers have been purchasing the restau rant’s salad dressings to take home. “We put it in soup to-go containers and sold it by the container,” he says. “We had talked about bottling them to sell with a more finished look but didn’t get around to it until COVID hit, and we knew we had to develop more revenue streams.” On a steamy late August after noon, Thomas loaded up his car with boxes of empty bottles and labels and drove out to his mother’s house in Leicester. “Nine Mile is definitely a family business,” he admits with a laugh. “She’s going to attach the labels to the bottles. My kids aren’t old enough yet to get them onOncestraight.”his mom, Anne Marie Thomas, finishes her task, the bot tles will be filled with two of Nine Mile’s four house dressings — jala peno lime cilantro and sesame garlic tahini (His Majesty). Bottles will be available for purchase at all three locations and soon thereafter online. Aaron Thomas says Nine Mile is still testing the mango vinaigrette for shelf-life purposes. All but the jalapeno lime cilantro have been on the Nine Mile menu since its launch in 2008. Along with salad dressings, Thomas notes, Nine Mile’s original Montford location will soon be brewing Nine Mile beer. Nine Mile’s three locations are at 233 Montford Ave., 751 Haywood Road and 33 Town Square Blvd. For more information, visit avl.mx/ax3.
To borrow a line from the late, great singer/songwriter John Prine, “Summer’s end is around the bend just flying. …” So, Asheville also bids ciao to Summer of Chow Chow 2022, taking a last spin through Western North Carolina’s culinary zone with nine events for the grand finale weekend. Among the options with tickets remaining are the Zero Proof & 100% Delicious seminar exploring the nonalcoholic spirits, beer and mocktail scene on Saturday, Sept. 10, 9-11 a.m. From Our Hearth to Yours — focused on chefs, bakers and makers who began their busi nesses in their homes — also takes place Saturday, Sept. 10, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Taking Care is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 11, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. with conversations on mental health awareness over a brunch of global comfort foods and a perfor mance from Asheville Drag Brunch. For more information on all closing weekend events, locations and tickets, visit avl.mx/by5.
The 50th annual Village Art & Craft Fair will be held at The Cathedral of All Souls Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 11, noon-5 p.m. The free event encompasses the block between the 1896 cathedral and New Morning Gallery and Bellagio Art to Wear in Biltmore“StrollingVillage.through the fair on the grounds of All Souls Cathedral is part of the aesthetic experience of the event,” Chang says. Prior to COVID-19, the fair traditionally took place in early August. But in 2020, the event was canceled, and the following year, organizers pushed it back to the second weekend in September due to ongoing health concerns. Given the more pleasant weather, custom er response was positive, and the fair’s leadership decided to make the move permanent.
Jennifer Wilenta will perform Dunn’s “Betty,” also with music by Snedecor and costumes by Pondy. The piece was inspired by move ment images of Elizabeth Schmitt Jennerjahn at Black Mountain College. “She doesn’t leap, she floats,” Dunn says. “Her lines are curves. Her overlapping, multilay ered weavings fold and fold.”
A year ago, Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. followed the path of many fellow second-run movie the aters across the U.S. and became a first-run business, ending program ming that made it a community favorite among film buffs for the past couple of decades.
Now, second-run movies are back. The restaurant/brewery has transformed its game room into a second-run theater, complementing its main theater’s first-run screen ings. Two movies, one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 8 p.m., will be shown on
Village
The late John Cram , an Asheville entrepreneur and gallery owner, started the Village Art & Craft Fair in 1972 with two simple goals: to bring business into Biltmore Village and to create a place for local artists to showcase their work.
Pack Square Park is at 80 Court Plaza. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at avl.mx/byg.
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NEXT WEAVERVILLEWEEK!2022 Arts & Crafts Festival Free Admission, Fine Art & Craft Exhibitors, and Live Music MAIN WEAVERVILLESTREET, ARTINAUTUMN.COMNCS 10AM-6PM17ept.at.
AUTUMNARTIN Town Art & Craft Fair marks ROUNDUPARTS&CULTURE
50th anniversary
The gathering will feature works from artists in a variety of medi ums, including painting, ceramics, glass, wood and metal. “People have come to expect a particular quality at our event, and they look for their favorite artists and are excited to discover new ones,” Chang says. The Cathedral of All Souls is at 9 Swan St. For more information and to see a gallery of art that will be for sale, go to avl.mx/bwf. Dance like everyone’s watching Come as you are. And bring a lawnThat’schair.the message The Asheville Ballet has for anyone who attends Fall Into Dance: An Artistic Harvest , the company’s first performance of the 2022-23 season. After all, there’s no need to wear stuffy formal attire to an event held outdoors at Pack Square Park. “We have a professional produc tion at an accessible price and a location that’s not intimidating to an audience,” says Ann Dunn , the ballet’s artistic and executive direc tor. “Our fall performances have a family-friendly vibe.” The season opener takes place Friday, Sept. 9, 7:30-8:30 p.m., at the Roger McGuire Green stage in Pack Square Park. Dancers Eden Landgrover and Eleazar Montgomery will perform Dunn’s “Seen/Unseen,” a four-movement contempo rary duet based on sculptures by Black Mountain College artist Leo Amino . The work is set to music by Washington, D.C., composer Erin Snedecor , with costumes by textile artist Kristin Pondy . “It’s a medi tation on opacity, transparency and deep color, on the self we present and the hidden self that often even we don’t even see,” Dunn says.
Five decades later, his vision is still going“Thestrong.fairhas evolved from a few dozen local and regional artists to over 100 from around the country,” says Leah Chang, office manager at New Morning Gallery, one of the sponsors of the event. “It’s gained a reputation over the years; many visitors plan their Asheville trips around the fair.”
Around
Secondhand news
Local reviewers’ critiques of new films include:
Bless the ‘Beasts’
THE GOOD BOSS: Playing the part of Julio Blanco, Javier Bardem confidently steps into the upper echelons of ineffectual cinematic middle management in this witty Spanish-language dramedy. Grade: B-plus — James Rosario HONK FOR JESUS. SAVE YOUR SOUL.: This failed satire about a megachurch pastor (Sterling K. Brown) and his wife (Regina Hall) attempting to rebuild their congregation is one of the most disorganized films of the past decade. Grade: D — Edwin Arnaudin Find full reviews and local film info at patreon.com/ashevillemoviesashevillemovies.com
Photo courtesy of the Village Art & Craft Fair
For more information or to purchase Brutal Beasts , visit avl.mx/bwc.
— Justin McGuire X With additional reporting by Flora Konz.
Tracey Morgan Gallery is at 188 Coxe Ave. Hours are TuesdaysSaturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, go to avl.mx/byb.
“For Deal, the pandemic afforded time to examine ideas of solitude and anticipation, and her work echoes the imagery brought on by that period of stasis,” the gallery notes in a press release. “Ashcraft’s sculptures, selected versions from his collection of 200-plus hand made wooden boats, gather ideas of migration, observation, scale and object-making.”
Wednesdays for $3. The theater has a seating capacity of 60. Movies showing in September will be Shrek and Kung Fu Hustle on Sept. 8; Kubo and The Two Strings and The Fifth Element on Sept. 15; The Iron Giant and The Dark Crystal on Sept. 22; and Despicable Me and Dirty Dancing on Sept. 29. Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co.’s North Asheville location is at 675 Merrimon Ave. For more informa tion, go to avl.mx/byc. Healingpoetrythrough Fairview’s Lee Stockdale doesn’t want to scare people away from GORILLA , his new collection of poems. But he knows it will be a tough read for some. “It’s not a pretty subject — sui cide,” Stockdale says. “And it’s still a stigmatized subject, and it’s painful. People don’t like to talk aboutStockdaleit.” was 11 when his father, Grant Stockdale , killed himself 10 days after the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy . The elder Stockdale was a friend of JFK’s and had served as the presi dent’s ambassador to Ireland. In the collection, Lee Stockdale traces the trajectory of his life from that childhood trauma to his adult life as a New York City cabdriver, U.S. Army military police officer, Judge Advocate General officer and public defender in North Carolina. He took on the project due to the encouragement of his mentor, Morri Creech , as well as a fel low student while he was earning his Master of Fine Arts degree at Queens University of Charlotte. “It was pretty damn painful to look into this stuff,” he admits. But he says it was worthwhile because he can talk about his father’s death now in a way that he couldn’t for many years. “People I knew didn’t even know my father was an ambassador, or that I’d lived in Ireland or that there was any connection with Kennedy. And they certainly knew nothing about [my father’s] suicide because that was layers behind. But now I believe I’m as healed as I can be at this juncture in my life.”
who studied under award-winning novelist Ron Rash in WCU’s Master of Arts in English program, will also celebrate the publication his debut novel, Fish Cough , in January.
All’s fair
The annual N.C. Mountain State Fair will run Friday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 18, at the WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher. New to the 10-day agricultural fair will be an otter water show, an alligator show and a high-wire act featuring the High Flying Pages aerial troupe. A dozen new food and merchandise vendors also will be onThehand.clogging competition, a main stay of the event, will be held on Friday, Sept. 9, and Saturday, Sept. 10. Other competitions include the N.C. Mountain State Fair Pageant, an ice-cream eating contest and a gospel singing contest. Also featured will be agricultural exhibits, handmade crafts, music, rides, antique farm equipment and various entertainers. The WNC Agricultural Center is at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher. Admission tickets are $5-$9. For more information, including hours of operation, go to avl.mx/bya.
For more information about the library event, go to avl.mx/byi. For more on the book, visit avl.mx/byj. Setting sail Tracey Morgan Gallery will pres ent Uncharted , a joint exhibition by multidisciplinary artists Georgia Deal and Tom Ashcraft , Friday, Sept. 9-Saturday, Oct. 29. A recep tion with the artists will be held Friday, Sept. 9, 6-8 p.m. The exhibition will include wood en and cast bronze boat sculptures, prints on handmade paper and photographs, all centered around ideas of physical and psychological transitions. Individual works by the artists as well as pieces they created together will be featured.
MOVIE REVIEWS
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GORILLA was recently published by Main Street Rag Publishing Co. of Charlotte. Stockdale will read from the book and discuss it at Pack Memorial Library on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 6-7:15 p.m.
VILLAGE PEOPLE: The Village Art & Craft Fair draws thousands of customers to The Cathedral of All Souls each year.
Western Carolina University graduate Craig Buchner recently published Brutal Beasts , a collection of short stories written over nearly 15 years. The science fiction stories explore how humans operate in their most sacred relationships. “I learned to write when literary genres stayed in their own lanes,” he says. “Literary fiction was one thing, sci-fi was another. I love to break those rules ... a story should make you laugh, make you cry, make you question things, make you think, ‘How would I really pro tect my family during a zombie apocalypse?’ and most of all, make you want to read the next page and the next in a breathless race to get to the Buchner,end.”
SEPT. 7-13, 2022 MOUNTAINX.COM34 12SEPTEMBERWEDNESDAY,7BONESBREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Beauty Parlor Comedy: Tom Peters, 7pm BLACK BREWINGMOUNTAIN Jay Brown (roots), 6pm BOLD ASHEVILLEROCK Survey Says: Family Feud Style Trivia, 7pm BOLD ROCK MILLS RIVER Trivia Night, 6pm CAMDEN'S COFFEE HOUSE Open Mic w/Kathryn O'Shea, 7pm CATAWBA BREWING BILTMORE Singo (musical bingo), 7pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Trivia w/Billy, 7pm CITIZEN VINYL • Making Movies (psych rock), 7pm • Westie Wednesdays (West Coast Swing), 7pm FINCH MARKETGOURMET Altamont Jazz Project, 5pm HI-WIRE BREWING RAD BEER GARDEN Game Night, 6pm HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Well-Crafted Wednes days w/Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm BREWINGOKLAWAHACO. Mountain Music Jam, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Wild 10pmWednesdays, RENDEZVOUS Albi (musique Fran caise), 6pm SILVERADOS Wednesday Night Open Jam hosted by Hamza Vandehey, 6pm BREWERYAPPALACHIANSOUTHERN Jazz Night DeCristofaro,w/Jason6pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic w/ Host Caleb Beissert, 8pm SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Witty Wednesday Trivia, 6:30pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Andrew Finn Magill (acoustic), 7pm THE POE HOUSE Team Trivia w/Wes Ganey, 7pm SEPTEMBERTHURSDAY, 8 185 KING STREET Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road (bluegrass), 7pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR MGB (covers, er-songwriter),sing8pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL The Sweet Lillies w/The Paper Crowns (country, Americana), 9pm ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO. Slice Comedy & Open Mic, 7:30pm BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Dinah's Daydream (Gypsy jazz), 5:30pm BLACK BREWINGMOUNTAIN Hunter Begley (Ameri cana), 6pm BOLD ASHEVILLEROCK Trivia Night w/Mindless Minutia, 7pm CAFE CANNA SpanGLISH Karaoke Patio Party, 9pm CATAWBA BREWING BILTMORE Thursday Trivia w/Billy, 6:30pm CORK & KEG Miss Tess (blues, rock, country), 8pm FRENCH BREWERYBROAD Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm
Thursday
Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Best of WNC 2022 Party, 5pm HIGHLAND TAPROOMDOWNTOWNBREWING Aunt Vicki (folk duo), 6pm TAPROOMDOWNTOWNHIGHLAND Aunt Vicki (acoustic/ electric folk duo), 6pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 • Asheville Sessions ft Dame Linda Mitchell (jazz, pop, blues), 7pm • Joy Clark (Americana, folk), 8:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich & Friends, 7pm LA TAPA LOUNGE AL Lyons “StumpWater” Music (acoustic, fok), 7pm MOTELMEADOWLARK Steve "Piano Man" Whiddon w/Angie Toomey, 5:30pm MILLS BREWINGRIVER Ashley Heath (country, blues), 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Phirsty Phursdays w/ Lumpy Heads (Phish tribute), 9pm ONE BREWINGWORLDWEST Residency w/ Ben Balmer (Americana), 7pm
RENDEZVOUS Gin Mill Pickers (Amer icana, Piedmont blues, ragtime), 6pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL The Foundry Collective ft Pimps of Pompe (jazz, acoustic), 7pm THE GETAWAY RIVER BAR Rum Punchlines Comedy Open Mic, 6pm THE ORANGE PEEL Apocolyptica (metal, rock), 8pm
SEPTEMBERFRIDAY, 9 185 KING STREET Kevin Spears: Kalimba Man, 8pm ASHEVILLE CLUB Classical Cello w/ Patrick, 6pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Mr Jimmy's Big City Blues, 8pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Runaway Gin: A Tribute to Phish, 10pm BIG PILLOW BREWING 2 To Toot (classic band, orchestra and jazz), 6pm BLACK BREWINGMOUNTAIN Ryan (acousticFurstenburgroots),6pm BOOJUM BREWING CO. DJ Kountry, 9pm BREWSKIES Karaoke, 10pm CEDAR CANTEENMOUNTAIN Jazz w/Jason DeCristo faro, 2pm CORK & KEG The Ghost Walks! (old blues and soul), 8pm
INTO THE WEST: West Asheville’s The Double Crown will host Durham-based psychedelic country rock group Charles Latham and The Borrowed Band for its weekly Western Wednesday on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. Photo courtesy of Charles Latham For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4.
GREEN BREWERYMAN
CROW & QUILL Sparrow and her Wingmen (vintage jazz, swing), 8:30pm DIRTY JACK'S Doss Church & the Unholy Noise (folk-in spired acoustic guitar), 7:30pm DRY FALLS BREWING CO. The New Rustics (country, bluegrass, rock), 7pm FLEETWOOD'S Pink Peugeot, Guy Roswell & Machine 13 (psych rock), 8pm FROG BREWERYLEVEL Somebody's Child (alt/ indie), 6pm GINGER'S REVENGE The Freeway Jubilee (psychedlic rock, gospel roots, funk), 7pm GUIDON BREWING Chris Wayne (rockabilly), 6pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Rich Nelson Band (rock), 7pm TAPROOMDOWNTOWNHIGHLAND Drag Music Bingo w/ Divine the Bearded Lady, 7pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Jake Blount (acoustic, Americana, bluegrass), 8:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Laura Blackley & The Wild Flowers (Appala chian blues & soul), 9pm LAZY HIKER BREWING SYLVA Dave Desmelik (sing er-songwriter), 8am MAD CO. BREW HOUSE Kevin Dolan er-songwriter),(sing6:30pm MOTELMEADOWLARK Friday Night Karaoke, 7pm MILLS BREWINGRIVER Fresh Buzz (rock), 7pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Friday w/ Generous Electric and Gus & Phriends, 6:15pm ONE BREWINGWORLD 5j Barrow (folk rock), 8pm PISGAH BREWING CO. The Isaac Hadden Project (jazz), 6:30pm RIVERSIDE RHAPSODY BEER CO. Fresh Phish Friday, 6pm SALVAGE STATION Mo Lowda & The Hum ble w/Pocket Strange (alt/indie), 8pm STATIC AGE RECORDS Spaceman Jones, Boy in Sleep, (hip-hop),Motherhood9pm TACO BILLY Gin Mill Pickers (Amer icana, Piedmont blues, ragtime), 6pm THE GETAWAY RIVER BAR Getaway Comedy: Marcus Cardona, 8pm THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN Pianist Brian Turner, 7pm THE ORANGE PEEL Black Midi (post-punk revival, math rock, noise rock), 9pm
CLUBLAND
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HIGHLAND BREWING CO. The Bergamot (indie folk), 6pm TAPROOMDOWNTOWNHIGHLAND Take Out (rock, country, disco), 7pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 • Jon Shain and FJ Ventre (Americana, blues), 7pm • Texas String Assembly (Americana, bluegrass, world), 8:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB • Nobody’s Darling String Band, 4pm • Traditional Irish Jam, Into4pm the Fog (acoustic, Newgrass, stringband), 9pm MOTELMEADOWLARK • Martin Vee (elec tic-acoustic, Americana, world), 6pm • Mike (acoustic),Ogletree6pm MILLS BREWINGRIVER • James Schlender and Rob Sine (bluegrass), •2pmThe Mug Band (classic & blues rock), 7pm PILOT AMPHITHEATERCOVE 2nd Saturdays Live, 7pm RABBIT RABBIT Jungle (dance), 7pm RIVERSIDE RHAPSODY BEER CO. Rooster (Americana), 6pm SALVAGE STATION Protoje w/Jesse Royal & Lila Iké (reggae), 8pm SPACE STATION Galactic Masquerade w/ David Starfire (dance/ electronic), 7pm SUNNY POINT CAFÉ Albi (fingerstyle guitar), 6pm THE DFR LOUNGE The Julie McConnell Quartet (jazz), 6pm WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT DJ RexxStepp, 7pm CENTERWORTHAMFOR PERFORMINGTHEARTS Croce Plays (singer/songwriter),Croce 8pm SEPTEMBERSUNDAY, 11 ASHEVILLE CLUB Sunday Honky Tonk w/ Vaden Landers, 6pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Mark's House Jam and Beggar's Banquet, 3pm BENT CREEK BISTRO Old Men of the Woods (folk, pop), 1pm BLACK BREWINGMOUNTAIN Dark City Kings (outlaw country, rock), 3pm BLUE BREWINGGHOSTCO. Sunday Open Jam hosted by Knob Creek Incident, 4pm BOLD ASHEVILLEROCK Bluegrass Brunch, 10am CROW & QUILL The Roaring Lions (parlour jazz), 8pm FROG BREWERYLEVEL Syrrup (jazz, soul, blues), 3pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. The Gardening Club (fusion/Blue Note jazz), 2pm TAPROOMDOWNTOWNHIGHLAND Mr Jimmy Duo, 1pm ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Ben de la Cour w/ The Weeping Willows (Americana, folk), 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD BLUEGRASSPUB BRUNCH, 12PM MARKED TREE VINEYARD The Mark O'Connor Duo classical),O'Connorw/Maggie(Americana6pm MILLS BREWINGRIVER Circus Mutt (country funk), 2pm PISGAH BREWING CO. Benefit for Our Veterans hosted by The Paper Crowns, 6:30pm SKYLARANNA HOTEL & RESORT Altamont Jazz Project, 11am STATIC AGE RECORDS Immortal Bird, B.a.d, Oblivion Throne (metal), 9pm THE BURGER BAR Sunday Sinema, 9pm PLĒB URBAN WINERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 4pm SEPTEMBERMONDAY, 12 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic, 7pm
WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT Susie Copeland (rock, pop, blues), 7pm SEPTEMBERSATURDAY, 10 185 KING STREET Mountain Song After Party ft Then Henhouse Prowlers (bluegrass), 9:30pm 305 LOUNGE & EATERY Old Men of the Woods (folk, pop), 1pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Beauty Parlor Comedy: Matt Taylor, 7pm ASHEVILLE CLUB Mr Jimmy (blues), 8pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR The Tallboys (rock, reg gae, singer/songwriter), 8pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Baby One More Time: A Britney Spears Inspired Dance Party, 9pm BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE Dinah's Daydream (Gypsy jazz), 5:30pm BIG PILLOW BREWING Rond (rock), 6pm BLACK BREWINGMOUNTAIN The Jukebox Jumpers (Piedmont & Delta blues), 6pm BOLD ASHEVILLEROCK Bluegrass Brunch, 10am BOOJUM BREWING CO. TrancEnd (trip-hop), 9pm BREWSKIES Pool Saturdays,Tournament7pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Bad Rabbit (alt country/ rock), 7pm CORK & KEG The Uptown Hillbillies (honky tonk, classic country), 8pm CROW & QUILL Queen Bee & The Honeylovers (swing), 8:30pm FBO AT HOMINY CREEK Snake Oil Medicine Show (reggae, funk, newgrass), 4pm FLEETWOOD'S Rougarou (psychedelic swamp rock), 8pm FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER Aurora’s Calling ft StumpWater Acoustic Music, 7pm FROG BREWERYLEVEL Ben & the Borrowed Band (new & old country), 6pm GUIDON BREWING Wood-N-Nickle (classic rock, blues), 7pm
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STATIC AGE RECORDS Good Loooks, Little Mazarn, West Tirey, Eamon Fogarty (folk), 9pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR Mr Jimmy at and Friends (blues), 7pm THE ORANGE PEEL Neko Case (alt/indie), 8pm WELL PLAYED BOARD GAME CAFÉ Ticket to Ride Tourna ment, 6pm SEPTEMBERTUESDAY, 13 185 KING STREET Travis Book & Friends ft Benny "Burle" Galloway with Tommy Maher (bluegrass, Americana), 6:30pm 5 WALNUT WINE BAR The John Henrys (jazz, swing), 8pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Tuesday Night Funk Jam, 10pm BOTTLE RIOT Turntable Tuesday w/DJ Lil Meow Meow, 7pm CASCADE LOUNGE Tuesday Bluegrass Jam, 6pm FLEETWOOD'S Secret Shame, Worlds Worst, RhinestoneDawning,Pickup Truck (dark wave/post punk), 8pm FRENCH BREWERYBROAD Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm TAPROOMDOWNTOWNHIGHLAND Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6:30pm LITTLE JUMBO Live Jazz Tuesdays w/ JS3, 7pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Early Tuesday Jam (funk), 9pm THE BURGER BAR C U Next Tuesday! Late Night Trivia w/Cervix-ALot, 9pm THE ORANGE PEEL GWAR (metal), 8pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Open Mic Night, 7pm 12SEPTEMBERWEDNESDAY,14BONESBREWERY
BREWSKIES Open Jam w/Tall Paul, 7:30pm CASCADE LOUNGE Industry Night, 6pm DSSOLVR Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm GREEN BREWERYMAN Old Time Jam, 5:30pm HAYWOOD COUNTRY CLUB Taylor Martin's Open Mic, 6:30pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo! Pub Trivia w/ Jason Mencer, 7:30pm LITTLE JUMBO Live Jazz Peacemonger,Mondays:7pm ONE BREWINGWORLD Open Mic Willingham,w/Tony8pm
STATIC RECORDSAGE Rose Hotel, Perishes, Fleur Girl, VV light body (dream pop, indie), 9pm STORY PARLOR Skylar Gudasz, Kate Rhudy & Libby Roden bough 7:30pmsinger-songwriter),(Americana, THE HOTELFOUNDRY The Foundry Collective ft Pimps of Pompe (jazz, acoustic), 7pm THE RIVERGETAWAYBAR Rum Punchlines Come dy Open Mic, 6pm WELL BOARDPLAYEDGAME CAFÉ Flip the Table! Come dy Night, 9pm Food & Beer garden Live music and DJ sets Over 10,000 square ft of vinyl records, collectibles, & music paraphernalia Local compilation LP release Thanks to our sponsors Explore Asheville, Drop of Sun Studios, Citizen Vinyl, Geraldine’s Bakery, First Carolina Care Insurance Company, Caroline’s Cakes, Instant Karma, Echo Mountain Recording, Plant, New Belgium BrewingSaturday, September 10 FROM 10-5PM Harrah’s Cherokee Center 103.3 ASHEVILLE FM Record Fair • 2022 Bigger and Better than Ever! CLUBLAND Thanks For Voting X Awards 2022WNC’s largest & best reader survey
Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm ASHEVILLE BEAUTY ACADEMY Ashevillians: a local comedy showcase, 7pm BLACK BREWINGMOUNTAIN Jay Brown (classic country, jazz, ragtime), 6pm BOLD ASHEVILLEROCK Survey Says: Family Feud Style Trivia, 7pm BOLD ROCK MILLS RIVER Trivia Night, 6pm CAMDEN'S COFFEE HOUSE Open Mic w/Kathryn O'Shea, 7pm CATAWBA BREWING BILTMORE Singo (musical bingo), 7pm CATAWBA BREWING SOUTH SLOPE Trivia w/Billy, 7pm FINCH MARKETGOURMET Altamont Jazz Project, 5pm HI-WIRE BREWING RAD BEER GARDEN Game Night, 6pm HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Well-Crafted Wednes days w/Matt Smith, 6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old Time Jam, 5pm BREWINGOKLAWAHACO. Mountain Music Jam, 6pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Wild 10pmWednesdays, RENDEZVOUS Albi (musique Fran caise), 6pm SILVERADOS Wednesday Night Open Jam hosted by Hamza Vandehey, 6pm BREWERYAPPALACHIANSOUTHERN Jazz Night DeCristofaro,w/Jason6pm SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic w/ Host Caleb Beissert, 8pm SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Witty Wednesday Trivia, 6:30pm THE FOUNDRY HOTEL Andrew Finn Magill (acoustic), 7pm THE POE HOUSE Team Trivia w/Wes Ganey, 7pm WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Traditional Irish Music Session, 7pm SEPTEMBERTHURSDAY, 15 185 KING STREET Tools on Stools (rock, jam), 7pm ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Blue Ridge Jazzway, 8pm ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Sneezy (funk, rock, soul), 10pm BLACK BREWINGMOUNTAIN The Blushin' Roulettes' (Americana), 6pm BOLD ASHEVILLEROCK Trivia Night w/Mind less Minutia, 7pm CAFE CANNA SpanGLISH Karaoke Patio Party, 9pm CATAWBA BREWING BILTMORE Thursday Trivia w/Billy, 6:30pm FLEETWOOD'S Punk/Indie Karaoke, 7pm FRENCH BREWERYBROAD Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm GREEN BREWERYMAN Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm TAPROOMDOWNTOWNHIGHLAND Karen Clardy er-songwriter),(sing6pm JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich & Friends, 7pm ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Phirsty Phursdays w/ Lumpy Heads (Phish tribute), 9pm ONE BREWINGWORLDWEST Thursday Residency w/Ben Balmer (Ameri cana), 7pm RENDEZVOUS Gin Mill blues,(Americana,PickersPiedmontragtime),6pm
MOUNTAINX.COM SEPT. 7-13, 2022 37
HELPMATE SEEKS HOUSING CASE MANAGER Helpmate, Inc., a domestic violence agency in Asheville, seeks to hire a full-time Case Manager in their Housing Program. More info at helpmateonline.org, e-mail cover letter and resume to
Blue Ridge Public Radio is hiring a Development Associate! The Development Associate joins a strong team of professionals that applies a balanced approach to annual and philanthropic giving to advance the goals of the organization. This role is recognized as foundational and essential for the team and BPR as a whole. The organization offers competitive salary and benefits. Please visit www.bpr.org/careers for the full description of the position and to submit your application. careers@bpr. org
ATE-PUBLICJOINOFFICEADMINISTRATIVE/828-707-4620THEBLUERIDGERADIOTEAMDEVELOPMENTASSOCI-
Taking place on 9/8 from 11-2pm. Givens Gerber Park, Bldg. 40 CLASSES
SUPPORT WORKER The Brewery Support Worker 1 is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the brewery and restaurants to the highest standard of quality. Reporting to the Brewery Support Supervisor, the core responsibility of the role is to perform facility wide housekeeping and sanitation duties to ensure the facility is orderly and hygienic. This is an entry-level position into a production facility with internal growth opportunities. DOGcareers/https://sierranevada.com/BATHERNEEDED!
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MECHANIC NEEDED Seeking a mechanic experienced working on vintage Honda motorcycles. I have a project that needs completing. Pays cash. Contact cellardoor11@ gmail.com for details.
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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When you Geminis are at your best, you don’t merely tolerate dualities. You enjoy and embrace them. You work with them eagerly. While many non-Gem inis regard oppositions and paradoxes as at best inconvenient and at worst obstructive, you often find how the apparent polarities are woven together and complementary. That’s why so many of you are connoisseurs of love that’s both tough and tender. You can be effective in seemingly contradictory situations that confuse and immobilize others. All these skills of yours should come in handy during the coming weeks. Use them to the hilt.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Author Jean Frémon says Cancerian naturalist Henry David Thoreau “always had two notebooks — one for facts, and the other for poetry. But Thoreau had a hard time keeping them apart, as he often found facts more poetic than his poems.” Judging from your current astrological omens, Cancerian, I suspect you are entering a time when facts will be even more poetic than usual. If you open yourself to the magic of reality, the mundane details of everyday life will delight you and appeal to your sense of wonder. Routine events will veer toward the marvelous. Can you bear to experience so much lyrical grace? I think so.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “What good is it if you read Plato but never clean your toilet?” writes author Alice Munro. To which I add, “What good is it if you have brilliant breakthroughs and intriguing insights but never translate them into practical changes in your daily rhythm?”
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the coming weeks, logic may be of only partial use to you. Information acquired through your senses might prove less than fully adequate, as well. On the other hand, your talents for feeling deeply and tapping into your intuition can provide you with highly accurate intelligence. Here’s a further tip to help you maximize your ability to understand reality: Visit a river or creek or lake. Converse with the fish and frogs and turtles and beavers. Study the ways of the crabs and crayfish and eels. Sing songs to the dragonflies and whirligig beetles and lacewings.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): There are blessings in every abyss. You, of all the signs in the zodiac, have the greatest capacity to find those blessings and make them yours. Likewise, there is an abyss in each blessing. You, of all the signs, have the most power to make sure your experiences in the abyss don’t detract from but enhance the blessing. In the coming weeks, dear Scorpio, take maximum advantage of these superpowers of yours. Be a master of zeroing in on the opportu nities seeded in the dilemmas. Show everyone how to home in on and enjoy the delights in the darkness. Be an inspirational role model as you extract redemption from the messes.
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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “To love oneself is hard work,” declares Virgo author Hanif Abdurraqib. He adds, “But I think it becomes harder when you realize that you’re actually required to love multiple versions of yourself that show up without warning throughout a day, throughout a week, throughout a month, throughout a life.” Let’s make that your inspira tional strategy, Virgo. The coming weeks will be a favorable time to refine, deepen and invigorate your love for all your selves. It may be hard work, but I bet it will also be fun and exhilarating.
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Shampoodles Salon is hiring! We need a dog bather for our busy salon. 17/hr. 30-40 hours per week. Contact Richard @ 828-707-4620 or gmail.comshampoodlessalon@shampoodlessalon.com
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,
Helpmate, Inc., a domestic violence agency in Asheville, NC, seeks to hire a full-time 30 hour per week Counselor with a focus on African American survivor services. This position will provide individual and group support and counseling to survivors of domestic violence, with a focus on the particular needs of African-American survivors and parents whose children have been impacted by domestic violence. This position will require some evening work. Qualified candidates will have a master’s degree in counseling or social work with license or license-eligibility and at least two years’ experience in domestic violence or related field. Salary range for qualified candidates is $34,975-$42,478. Helpmate is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse candidates encouraged to apply. Email resume and cover letter to hiring@ helpmateonline.org with the job title in the subject line. Submit by COB 9/19/22.
25 ACRES IN SWANNANOA Wooded, private, several building sites, suitable for housing. Includes utilities. Easy access off paved road. 13 miles to downtown Asheville. $269,900. Call Purcell Realty. RENTAPARTMENTSRENTALS828-279-8562.FORCHOICERENTAL:SEEINGISBELIEVING
Regular classes and private lessons are now available in the Asheville area! We help ALL people become safer, stronger and more confident. More info at ASTRO-COUNSELINGSERVICESCOUNSELINGcomintegrated-fighting-arts.MIND,BODY,SPIRIT
2bd/2ba, deluxe chalet, immaculate tastefully furnished private west Burnsville with easy access to 26; 20 min to Weaverville and 45 min to Asheville. no pets. ref. $1800. Text ROOMMATESROOMMATES954-496-9000BRIGHTROOMFORRENT
FT WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE AFG Distribution is looking for several full-time employees to join our growing shipping and receiving departments. $17.55 per hour For more information contact us at careersafgdistribution.com/ or call us at 828BREWERY252-5228.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): How to be the best Libra you can be in the next three weeks: 1. Make sure your cool attention to detail never gets chilly. Warm it up now and then. Invite your heart to add its counsel to your head’s observations. Tenderize your objectivity. 2. Always be willing to be puzzled. Always be entertained and educated by your puzzlement. Proceed on the theory that nothing ever changes unless somebody is puzzled. 3. Practice, practice, practice the art of moderation. Do so with the intention of using it as a flexible skill rather than an unthinking habit. 4. Applying the Goldilocks principle will be essential. Everything must be just right: neither too much nor too little; neither overly grand nor overly modest.
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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): As a Taurus, you are always wise to be reverent toward your five senses. They are your glorious treasures, your marvelous superpowers, your sublime assets. In the coming weeks, they will serve you even better than usual. As you deploy them with all your amazement and appreciation unfurled, they will boost your intelligence. They will heighten your intuition in ways that guide you to good decisions. You will tune into interesting truths that had previously been hidden from you. I suspect your sensory apparatus will be so sharp and clear that it will work almost as extrasensory powers.
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
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HYPNOSIS | EFT NLP Michelle Payton, M.A., D.C.H., Author | 828-6811728 | www.MichellePayton.com | Mind Over Matter Solutions books, online and in-person education, workshops and sessions. LifePersonalityProgramming,nique,EmotionalpositiveHypnosis—re-learningPositive thrureinforcement,FreedomTech-Neuro-LinguisticBirthMixAssessment,PastRegression.
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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The coming weeks will be a favorable time to dream up creative solutions to problems that haven’t fully materialized yet. Then you can apply your discoveries as you address problems that already exist. In other words, dear Aquarius, I’m telling you that your uncanny facility for glimpsing the future can be useful in enhancing your life in the present. Your almost psychic capacity to foretell the coming trends will be instrumental as you fix glitches in the here and now.
BY ROB BREZSNY
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Must have drivers license and car. Shared kitchen, living room, and bathroom. 5 miles from Patton Ave. 828683-4063. Rent negotiable. Must like dogs.
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) 258POSITIVE3229
NEEDEDMASTERSALON/hiring@helpmateonline.org.SPABARBER/BARBER South Asheville location. Busy with lots of walk-ins. Excellent place to build clientele. Plenty of parking. Commission only. Full-time chair available. Now taking interviews.
Asheville based Sarilla nonalcoholic beverage is seeking a regional sales leader, to introduce our new products to breweries, bars, and eateries. Could be part time or full time, with commission. sara@
I’m not saying you are guilty of these sins, Leo. But I want to ensure that you won’t be guilty of these sins in the coming weeks. It’s crucial to your long-term future that you devote quality time to being earthy, grounded and pragmatic. Be as effective as you are smart.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): One of my favorite Sagittarians is practical mystic Caroline Myss, who was born with sun and Mercury and ascendant in Sagittarius. In accordance with current astrological omens, I’ve gathered six of her quotes to serve your current needs. 1. There isn’t anything in your life that cannot be changed. 2. When you do not seek or need approval, you are at your most powerful. 3. Healing comes from gathering wisdom from past actions and letting go of the pain that the education cost you. 4. The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. 5. What serves your spirit enhances your body. What diminishes your spirit diminishes your body. 6. What is in you is stronger than what is out there to defeat you.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I have always felt you Capricorns are wise to commune with rocks, dirt, mud, sand and clay. I think you should regularly touch the actual earth with your hands and bare feet. If I’m out hiking with a Capricorn friend, I might urge them to sniff blooming mushrooms and lean down to kiss the exposed roots of trees. Direct encounters with natural wonders are like magic potions and miracle medicine for you. Moreover, you flourish when you nurture close personal relationships with anything that might be described as foundational. This is always true, but will be extra true for you in the coming weeks. Your words of power are kernel, core, gist, marrow and keystone.
FULL TIME PET GROOMER NEEDED Full Time pet groomer needed at Canine Shear Heaven, located on McDowell St. 2 years experience preferred. Hand scissoring skills required. Commission, paid vacation and retirement. k9shearheaven@ gmail.com or
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries-born Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was one of the greatest basketball players ever. He excelled at most aspects of the game. Some experts say his rebounding was only average for a player his size — seven feet, two inches. But he is still the third-best rebounder in National Basketball Association history. And he played for 20 years, until age 40. What tips might Abdul-Jabbar have for you now? Here’s a suggestion from him that aligns with your current astrological omens: “Work on those parts of your game that are fundamentally weak.” The implica tion is that you have a lot of strengths, and now it’s time to raise up the rest of your skill set.
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