OUR 24TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 24 NO. 8 SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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Monument mystery: Who owns Pack Square?
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Commissioners critcize pay-raise outcome
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Pedal to Plate cycles through Madison County
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Local bands search for places to practice
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Monument mystery: Who owns Pack Square?
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Commissioners critcize pay-raise outcome
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PAGE 48 ROOM TO ROCK Local bands have long been frustrated by a lack of affordable practice spaces. As Asheville’s music scene grows, some entrepreneurs are working to address that need. COVER PHOTO Cindy Kunst COVER DESIGN Norn Cutson
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Local environmental activist, bioregional educator, permaculture designer and landscaping pioneer Charles T. (Chuck) Marsh died of pancreatic cancer on Sunday, Aug. 27. Known to many
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CHUCK MARSH Courtesy of Earthaven Ecovillage
as a mentor, spiritual warrior and friendly rascal, Chuck was an early developer of Earthaven Ecovillage outside of Black Mountain, one of the world’s oldest and most successful rural ecovillages. Fans from all over the globe have sent messages of appreciation for the many ways he impacted their lives. He was buried at Earthaven on Tuesday, Aug. 29, in the company of family and a large contingent of friends. He is survived by his sister, Camille McCall, and his 96-year-old mother, Ruth Marsh. Born on Aug. 20, 1951, Chuck grew up in Aiken, S.C., and received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Wofford College. A resident of Western North Carolina since the 1980s, he ran a successful landscape design business here for many years. Chuck was one of the first permaculture design graduates taught by Bill Mollison, co-originator of permaculture, and went on to teach permaculture design courses throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean, many of them co-taught at Earthaven. He also was a co-founder of the Eastern Permaculture Teachers Association. Chuck shared his wealth of knowledge and experience with several developing nations, or what he would have called the “Two-Thirds World.” He went on volunteer trips to Angola and the island of Dominica through
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OPINION
Live @ Aloft Benefit Concert Series On our roof top Air Level 5 - 8pm $5 Suggested Cover Charge with 100% donated to assist local nonprofits! September 24: Caribbean Cowboys
Benefits Asheville Area Arts Council October 29: Stevie Lee Combs
Benefits Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue 51 Biltmore Ave (828) 232-2838 AloftAshevilleDowntown.com
Follow this link for more information and online surveys: http://coablog.ashevillenc.gov/2017/08/ asheville-asking-for-input
public notice In January 2018, ART will begin new service including: 1 additional daily trip on Route 170, Sunday/Holiday Service on all routes, and 8 additional hours of evening service on select routes. City Staff request your feedback via surveys and public meetings.
October 7, 2017 between 1– 3pm
the U.S. Agency for International Development Farmer-to-Farmer program, and was instrumental in developing the 3.5-year Jamaica Sustainable Farming Enterprise project, which brought permaculture and organic farming education and business development to Jamaica. He also taught the first permaculture design certificate course on the island. In the Carolinas, Chuck was an early member of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (founded in 1979), a nonprofit that works to develop local and organic food systems, and was a highly sought-after workshop instructor at its annual conference. He was also, since 1994, a regular speaker at the WNC Organic Growers School. He also co-founded the annual Southeastern Permaculture Gathering, which celebrates its 25th year in 2018. A superb nurseryman, Chuck founded and helped develop Useful Plants Nursery, the only regional nursery dedicated exclusively to edible, medicinal and dye plants. He conducted trials and evaluated hundreds of plants for winter hardiness and adaptability to the mountains. His plant collection remains available at the Useful Plants website. A unique individual for his time and place, Chuck Marsh was committed broadly to environmental education, bigger-picture thinking and a deep love for people and the future of the world. He liked to be known as a spirit warrior on this planet. He was a member of the Light of the Mountains Sufi community in Leicester in the 1980s. Years later, on his inward journey, he became part of the ManKind Project of Asheville. He was a compassionate friend and teacher to many. Even as he was told of his impending death, Chuck wrote, “When I got the news, my lifetime spiritual warrior kicked right in, now having a field to play on as I approach my liberation.” — Lee Barnes, Waynesville; Tony Kleese, Chapel Hill; Jeffrey Goldwasser, Waynesville; and Arjuna da Silva, Black Mountain
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Trickle-down economics does not work. Look no further than Asheville. — Cilla Becker Asheville
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Bothwell ‘walks his talk’ A number of people have decided to run in the Asheville City Council election primary on Oct. 10. This is a good thing. The citizens have a choice among a field of candidates concerned about the well-being of our city. I thank them all for their willingness to serve. Many of us are seriously concerned about the rapid development presently occurring — how is it affecting our quality of life, our environment, infrastructure, economy? How can this small city incorporate the booming tourist and hospitality industries, the increasing numbers of folks who desire to move here and the interests of those who already live, work and raise families here? How do we create a resilient city that can address the challenges that climate change is bringing and will bring? What role does the city play in protecting the civil liberties and human rights of those who live here? These questions are only a part of what a committed city councilperson has to address. Cecil Bothwell has served on Council for two terms and would like to serve one more term. He has proven himself to be a sincere, thoughtful, intelligent, visionary and articulate leader. He has tirelessly displayed the courage of his convictions advocating for affordable housing, a living wage, social and economic justice, better public transportation, more public parks and green spaces, and a commitment to consider climate change in every decision he makes personally and as a community leader. Cecil “walks his talk.” He was the chief advocate for our Big Blue recycling bins, doubling Asheville’s recycling rate, which has resulted in reducing the city’s landfill costs and the landfill’s greenhouse gas emissions. He thinks that local homeowners should be able to benefit from Asheville’s tourist economy if they so choose through short-term rental of accessory dwelling units in their attics and basements. After all, the desirability of Asheville as a tourist and retirement town has raised property values, thus raising property taxes, and this is one way those who live here can afford to stay here. I have often contacted Cecil with my questions or concerns about the city, and I always received a polite and thoughtful reply. Cecil is accessible to the citizens and visible in our community, not only as a councilper-
son but as a volunteer. I am grateful to him that he wishes to serve another term. Check out www.cecilbothwell.com. — Anne Craig Asheville
Give artists their due I’m the artist who did the mural at Fleetwood’s [in Xpress’ Aug. 30] issue. I am reaching out to you to tell you that it was exciting to see my art featured in the article “Boom Town: Exploding Restaurant, Bar Scene Signals Dawn of Golden Age for Haywood Road,” but I was pretty disappointed that my name was nowhere to be found. That could have been a huge opportunity of recognition for my art and my career, but people will have to go out of their way to dig for my name if they’re curious. I’m truly honored that you thought it was a great addition to the article; however, next time if you post an artist’s work, I think you should acknowledge them so they may have some new opportunities arise. Thanks for hearing me out, — Kathryn Crawford Asheville
ART ON HAYWOOD: Kathryn Crawford’s mural adorns Fleetwood’s, a new business on Haywood Road in West Asheville. Photo by Cindy Kunst
Support a raise for NC workers Labor Day is about honoring workers of all types and reminding ourselves of the contributions they’ve made to American society. It is also an opportunity to actively support workers. North Carolina continues to use the federal minimum wage of $7.25
C A RT O O N B Y B R E NT B R O W N an hour, or an annual income of $15,080 for a full-time worker — $1,000 below the federal poverty level. This doesn’t seem right — but what can we do about it? Over 400 local businesses do their part, choosing to pay a living wage of $13 an hour as certified by Just Economics of WNC. However, most employees in Western North Carolina and statewide lack that support. One in three workers in North Carolina earns wages below the federal poverty line, second worst nationwide. That’s why Just Economics is part of a statewide campaign to raise the North Carolina minimum wage to $15 in five years. This would be a win-win-win for workers, businesses and local economies. Twenty-nine other states and several cities have already implemented similar policies, resulting in lower employee turnover, higher consumer spending and a level playing field for small businesses. This Labor Day, show your support for North Carolina workers by advocating for a statewide minimum wage of $15 in five. — Andrew Crosson Board member, Just Economics of WNC Asheville
McHenry is wrong about single-payer health care Rep. Patrick McHenry is reported to have told his Town Hall audience that single-payer health insurance would cost $32 trillion “… and thus be too expensive.” Like so many in the GOP on this topic, he only gets it half right. The other half is that our current system costs $49 trillion, meaning single-payer could save the nation some $17 trillion over 10 years. This data is easy to find, but if McHenry is sincere in his comments, he can check out Physicians for a National Healthcare Program (PNHP. org). Or, he could co-sponsor the “Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act” (H.R. 676), which more than a record 104 of his House colleagues have already done. Just imagine — some $17 trillion in savings, and health care for everyone! We know the way, sir. We just need the political will. — Stephen Advokat Physicians for a National Healthcare Program Asheville
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Take heed, Asheville BY MILTON READY As you read this, Asheville likely will have had one of its most successful tourist seasons, its downtown growing upward and not outward, its streets more congested with seemingly endlessly patient drivers and visitors, its reputation as the “Paris of the South” or “Beer City” intact or even burnished. All seems well in River City. Yet look more closely, and you might find a different Asheville materializing in the midst of this outwardly endless popularity and attraction of the present. Asheville should take heed, and, no, it’s not about the predictable effects of more hotels, less affordable housing, increased congestion or rampant commercialism. Today, Asheville has to be one of the most rapidly gentrifying cities in the nation. Asheville has a perceived smugness about it, a patina of self-indulgence and tolerance that makes it vulnerable to reactionary forces that would
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like nothing more than to turn the city into a larger Blowing Rock or a smaller Charlotte. In so doing, Asheville would no longer be the most interesting small city in America or the granola ghetto of the Carolinas. Its distinctive “otherness” and strangeness would be replaced by an “anotherness” and sameness of other tourist destinations in the mountains — another Waynesville, Hendersonville, Brevard, Highlands or Cashiers. Asheville’s modern history can be neatly divided into two eras, the first occurring during the city’s long renaissance beginning in the 1980s and culminating in its discovery by Rolling Stone magazine in 2000 as “America’s new freak capital.” The second began in 2010, when Ted Cruz crazies took over North Carolina and immediately set about ending what they considered to be the chaos of the 1990s and returning to an idyllic Mayberry-like past dominated by white males, where everyone knew their place and only
The dangers of unwanted change
MILTON READY
deferentially complained, one that never existed. That pesky feminist movement? Since 2008, the high-water mark for women in North Carolina when Elizabeth Dole and Kay Hagan ran for the Senate, there has been a steady overall decline in their political influence, except in a few locales such as Asheville. Think Leni Sitnick, Terry Bellamy and Esther Manheimer here. Misogyny is alive and well in North Carolina, and surely no one really believed that the state would vote for a woman for president, Hillary Clinton, especially after having eight years of Barack Obama, an African-American, in office. Yet one civil rights issue has remained, that of gay rights, and it has become a staple of North Carolina politics since the 1990s. Indeed, it should come as no surprise that today, North Carolina has become the center of the fiercest anti-gay, anti-LBGTQ+ movement in the nation, and two cities,
Asheville and Charlotte, aka Sodom and Gomorrah to many, its focus. Since 2010, North Carolina unrelentingly has sought to blunt the gay rights movement by passing Amendment One, the “refer-end-um” of 2012, to change the state constitution to prohibit gay marriage and also the infamous HB2 law, the “bathroom bill.” More legislation and action surely will follow. While HB2 was aimed directly at Charlotte, the General Assembly also has moved to “diversify” Asheville’s influence by trying to force local district representation for its governing City Council and redrawing the 11th Congressional District, putting most of the city in District 10 in 2011. The result? The new District 11 has as its representative Mark Meadows from Cashiers, the leader of the House Freedom Caucus and perhaps its most conservative member. Additionally, Raleigh knows that many of the growing suburbs around Asheville are among the most conservative in the state and that, given traditionally weak voter turnout in the city itself, a referendum to change Asheville’s electorate surely would pass. Historically, referendums in North Carolina have been utilized to kill civil rights initiatives and to promote reactionary agendas. Yet despite all Raleigh’s machinations and growing conservative Biltmore Park-type subdivisions sprouting around Asheville, perhaps the greatest danger of unwanted change comes from within the city itself, from apathetic and cynical millennials, hippies, anarchists, witches, crystal-worshippers and other folks who simply have given up on politics altogether. Surprisingly, Asheville also has a significant and growing number of wellheeled, well-mannered and well-connected residents who don’t particularly like its tattooed young, dreadlocked wannabe Rastafarians and who feel uncomfortable in its tolerant, diverse
nonbinary alphabetic culture of more than just M and F. Moreover, read blogs and comments from letters to the editor of local newspapers such as Mountain Xpress, and you will find a steady drumbeat of critics of Asheville City Council who decry its “crony friends,” “establishment politics,” and undue influence of West Asheville and Montford, supposedly citadels of “progressivism.” Sound familiar? Last, not surprisingly, Asheville also has its fair share of misogynistic men and women who see in Donald Trump’s election the triumph and validation of their views. One such male, Carl Mumpower, a former City Council member, penned a Feb. 1 letter to Mountain Xpress ridiculing the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., and in other burgs, including Asheville. Why complain, he mused, since American women were “members of the most blessed batch of liberated women in history,” with those blessings mostly given to them by conservative white males like Mumpower. Yet he also dissed the “left’s tired script” that “tracks back to Woodstock, lava lamps and troll dolls.” Like many these days, he correctly perceives that the “tired scripts” and unchallengeable dogmas of the past 30 years that typified Asheville’s early growth, things like universal tolerance, diversity and human rights, have also ossified its City Council and created an illiberal refusal to encourage alternative views and structures. Asheville needs new forms of radicalism to replenish and promote a more flourishing society, one that encourages greater civic participation and representation, one that does not come from Raleigh. In so doing, it once again will face the paradox of transformation, of plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose — in Asheville’s case, the more it changes, the more it remains unique. Retired UNC Asheville history professor Milton Ready lives in Tryon. X
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NEWS
A MYSTERY IN-DEED Who owns Pack Square?
PROPERTY PROBLEMS: As cities across the South move to address controversial Confederate monuments in the wake of the Aug. 12 violence in Charlottesville, Asheville and Buncombe County officials face the complex question of who exactly owns Pack Square, where the Vance Monument and Robert E. Lee/John Connally marker sit. Photo by Max Hunt
BY MAX HUNT mhunt@mountainx.com As cities across the country struggle to respond to clamorous calls for and against removing monuments and memorials with ties to the Confederacy, Asheville’s long-standing debate about what to do about the Vance Monument — and the nearby marker com-
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memorating Robert E. Lee and Confederate Col. John Connally — has heated up again. Complicating the issue in North Carolina is a 2015 statute that strictly limits what municipalities can do with the monuments that speckle courthouse lawns, universities and public squares across the state. Amid discussions centered on the law, Asheville’s history and the monuments’ context, a more basic
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conundrum has emerged: Who owns Pack Square? This seemingly straightforward question is clouded by a 116-yearold contract between northern philanthropist George W. Pack and Buncombe County for the small spit of land at the center of Asheville’s physical and cultural identity. Though city and county officials have been scrutinizing the legal ramifications of the deed, neither
municipality’s legal department can provide a definitive opinion about which entity can claim ownership of the parcel where the monuments stand at this time. OFF THE MAP In our digital age, an extensive online property database and map available through the Register of Deeds website (avl.mx/435) gener-
ally yields answers to questions about land ownership. But while the majority of Pack Square — including the amphitheater, Roger McGuire Green and Splasheville — falls under the purview of the county or city, the small rectangular square at the terminus of Patton Avenue where the Vance Monument, Lee/ Connally marker and adjacent fountain sit has no identifiable owner listed. In fact, there’s not even a plat for the property. Often this kind of inconsistency can be solved with a quick call to the Register of Deeds office. But after several hours of searching through public records that span over a century, Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger has no clear answer either. “When you first asked if I could help you shed some light on who owns the land of Pack Square, I thought I would likely be able to email you a deed from George Pack to the City or County and that would be the end of it,” Reisinger says. “This piece of property, that has been subject to lawsuits, is a good example of why citizens are strongly encouraged to get the help of an attorney when transferring property. While most of
us have a general understanding of how property is transferred in North Carolina, the laws surrounding [it] are complex.” City officials seem equally perplexed. At City Council’s Aug. 22 meeting, Council member Julie Mayfield alluded to the mystery in her response to residents’ calls to take the monuments down. “They may seem like simple questions … but they are not simple from a legal standpoint,” Mayfield, an attorney, said. “We, of course, have to be very careful not to put the city into legal jeopardy.” ‘PACK’ IN THE DAY How can such a high-profile parcel of land in the center of Asheville not be accounted for? The answer begins with the arrival of George Willis Pack in 1884. Pack Square’s namesake was a New Jersey native who built his fortune through logging operations in Wisconsin and Michigan. Seeking the healing climate that made Western North Carolina a favorite destination of America’s elite in
the late 19th century, and possibly scouting Southern timber reserves, Pack and his wife moved to WNC in 1884, according to retired UNCA Special Collections archivist and historian Helen Wykle, who produced an extensive history of Pack Square as part of the the park’s renovation in 2006. Pack immersed himself in the city’s development, buying up land and becoming a leading figure in the civic affairs of the region. He was an early advocate of such modern-day amenities as electricity, streetlights, sidewalks and sewerage systems. Pack was also influential in forming the Swannanoa Hunt Club — which would evolve into the Grove Park Inn — establishing public schools in the city, and founding the public library, Mission Hospital and several parks around Asheville. “He saw a growing metropolis in this small city of Asheville and an opportunity to help build a community he had chosen to be invested in,” Wykle says.
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N EWS ASHEVILLE’S ODD COUPLE Pack also befriended other members of Asheville’s aristocracy, including Zebulon Vance, then a serving North Carolina senator. The friendship was a strange pairing ideologically: Vance, while not a firebreathing secessionist, had actively served in the Confederate rebellion as a military officer and governor of North Carolina, and used his postwar position as a U.S. senator to limit African-Americans’ civil and voting rights across the South. By contrast, Pack was a staunch abolitionist and prominent supporter of Abraham Lincoln during the war. Pack worked closely with Beaumont Street School, the first public school for AfricanAmericans in Asheville, going so far as to personally pay the salaries of two teachers. What was the bond between the Yankee anti-slavery industrialist and North Carolina’s Confederate “War Governor”? Wykle points to Vance’s more magnanimous side, noting that the governor took pains to feed federal prisoners during the Civil War and was supportive of
the Jewish community at a time when anti-Semitism was rampant throughout the country. Another explanation for the close relationship between the two men could be the institution of Freemasonry, she notes. Vance was known to be a member of the Freemasons at the time, a social sphere Pack was also thought to inhabit. Pack and Vance remained steadfast friends until the latter’s death in 1894, with Pack serving as a pallbearer at Vance’s funeral. In 1896, Pack approached Buncombe County officials with a grand idea to commemorate his departed friend, according to a 1916 Asheville Citizen article: “‘If the county of Buncombe will give the land in front of the courthouse for a site for a monument in honor of Senator Zebulon B. Vance, I will give $2,000 toward the erection of such monument.’” In addition to the personal donation, Pack was actively involved in the fundraising campaign for the additional $1,300 needed to complete the project. Buncombe County commissioners soon passed a resolution that “the land in front of the
LEADER OF THE PACK: George Willis Pack, a Northern timber baron and philanthropist, arrived in Asheville in 1884 and immediately immersed himself in developing amenities for the rapidly growing community. His contributions include the city’s first public library, the land for several parks across Asheville, and financial backing for public education and health services around the community. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville courthouse belonging to the County of Buncombe be forever dedicated to the use contemplated and referred to” in Pack’s proposition, and promised to furnish all deeds and papers to make it official.
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INAUSPICIOUS START The scene downtown on March 8, 1898, was one of joyous expectation, as Asheville residents gathered to witness the capping of the 65-foot
Vance obelisk. As hundreds looked on, tragedy almost struck on that blustery day, according to an article in the Asheville Citizen from the time. “[The] placing of the capstone was the most ticklish part of the work,” reported the Citizen. As the stone was hoisted into the air by a rope, the boom supporting it began to sway, and “there was a sound of cracking timbers that struck terror in those who watched,” sending the crowd into a wild rush, tumbling over each other. Luckily, no one was hurt. The boom was rebuilt, the capstone set three days later, and the grand tribute to Vance was complete. ‘A PUBLIC SQUARE SO CALLED’ Like many of the memorials erected across the South during the same era, the Vance Monument was placed in a prominent location. The Buncombe County Courthouse sat a couple hundred feet behind the site on what was then called Courthouse Square, overlooking the busy main thoroughfare of the growing city. While residents of the time may have marveled over their soaring new monument, the courthouse it fronted was less well-regarded. Historian A.F. Sondley described it as a “pretentious brick house,” and several historical accounts note its poor condition by the turn of the century. Pack once again came to the county’s aid in July 1901, when he offered the deed to 4 acres behind the courthouse for a fee of one $1, for the purposes of building a new courthouse and county building. In return, the county gave Pack “the land occupied by the present Court House and the adjacent land ... to be held in trust for the public square park or place” by Pack and his heirs, according to a transcript of the 1901 deed. Photographs and maps from the time show this area most likely included the area where the monuments now stand. Pack further stipulated that “that no jail shall ever be built on said land hereby conveyed and that none of said land shall ever be sold or leased by said Board of County Commissioners or their successors.” Under this version, the countyowned parcel would mirror Pack’s vision for the old courthouse property on a larger scale: “dedicate[d] to the public forever to be used for the purposes of a public square so called, in Asheville,” according to transcripts of the 1901 deed.
In December of 1901, however, Pack issued a second deed, “executed in lieu of and as a substitute for” the July 24, 1901 deed, in which the language barring a jailhouse on the property sold by Pack to Buncombe County, as well as the provisions that said land be reserved for a public space, were removed. However, the second deed makes no mention of the old courthouse property given to the Pack family, nor is there any indication that the county signed off on this second agreement. For his contributions to the evolution of this area of Asheville, Pack was commemorated by the city in 1903, when Courthouse Square was rededicated as Pack Place. NO GOOD DEED GOES UNDONE As the 20th century progressed, members of the public occasionally called for the removal of the Vance Monument, not on any moral ground but due to its perceived unsightliness. A 1975 WLOS editorial titled, “Vance Monument: Beautiful or Ugly?” determined that “Zeb Vance has far better memorials than this mass of stone,” while Asheville Citizen-Times published citizens’ suggestions to move it closer to the Vance Birthplace, a state historic site in Reems Creek. Nothing seems to have come from these discussions, however. The two versions of Pack’s cryptic 1901 deed with the county, however, would continue to be a headache for the city and county to the present day. A 1916 Asheville Citizen article, ruminating on the topic, came to the conclusion that “Accepting the deed according to Mr. Pack’s stipulations....It appears that the city has nothing to do with the square except by its agreement to keep and maintain it in order….Pack Square never did belong to the city. The title to it is not in the county, nor in the city, but is vested in the heirs of the late George Pack, to be held by them in trust for the use of the public.” The city’s intent to develop a portion of Pack Square in the 1920s ran into resistance over whether the project would constitute a violation of the Pack agreement. A similar situation arose again in 2006, when real estate developer Black Dog Realty purchased a portion of Pack Square adjacent to Pack’s Tavern with the intention of building condominiums there. Several residents, claiming to be descendants of George Pack, filed suit against Black Dog Realty and
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North Asheville Food
Truck
Festival Saturday, Sept. 16 11am - 5pm
FOOD
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Free Admission for All
VIT $20
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Eat in air conditioned comfort Get $1 OFF beer purchases Visit the FREE dessert bar One ticket to each hourly 50/50 raffle Enjoy FREE non-alcoholic beverages
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Inflatables, Ice Cream, Face Painting, and more!
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LAW AND OBELISK: Presidential candidate Teddy Roosevelt speaks to a crowd of Asheville residents in 1902. Behind him sit the Vance Monument and the old Buncombe County Courthouse, as they would have appeared prior to 1903. As with many other monuments erected across the South during the Jim Crow era, the Vance obelisk was located near the courthouse, on what is now the disputed property at the center of Pack Square. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville Buncombe County, arguing that the condominium project constituted a breach of Pack’s stipulation that the property remain open to the public. In 2008, a judge issued a summary judgement in favor of the plaintiffs on the grounds that Buncombe County did not have the right to approve the sale of any portion of the land that would impede public access to the property deeded to the county from Pack in 1901. However, an appeals court ruling in 2009 overturned the initial judgement, according to County Attorney
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Michael Frue, on the basis that North Carolina law gives authority to counties to manage county land as they see fit. In addition, there is no clear indication that county commissioners serving when Pack completed the deed ever approved all of Pack’s original conditions. The Appeals Court ruling also stated that the plaintiffs were unable to prove they were direct descendants of George Pack, according to the legal reference website findlaw.com. Despite the ruling, the condominium project was abandoned in 2009.
GHOST IN THE DESERT By that time, the known descendants of the Pack family had left Asheville far behind. George Willis Pack died in 1906 in New York; his son and successor, Charles Lathrop Pack, soon became a leading figure in the nascent conservation movement but seems to have had little interest in Asheville’s affairs. Charles’ son Arthur would continue his father and grandfather’s philanthropic work in his chosen home of New Mexico, where he owned the
famous Ghost Ranch, which hosted the likes of Georgia O’Keeffe. Mark Bahti, Arthur Pack’s grandson, says that family stories of George Willis’ land holdings during his time in Asheville took on a more dramatic tone. “We’d heard as kids that George Willis had been asked by the city or the county to hold some land during the Carpetbagger era, because they didn’t want someone else to get a hold of it,” says Bahti, who runs a Native American jewelry gallery, Bahti Indian Arts, out of Tucson, Ariz., and Santa Fe, N.M. “It was good to get that story straightened back out again, a little closer to the facts.” According to Bahti, Arthur Pack dissolved the family fortune into a variety of charitable organizations and nonprofit ventures prior to his death in 1975. “His goal was to give away every dime before he died; essentially, through his will and his trust, he did that,” he says. However, Bahti is not aware of any title transfers or dealings regarding the Pack family’s rights to Pack Square. “I’ve been through his papers, and I didn’t run across any reference to it there. I don’t recall his ever having mentioned going to Asheville for anything; that may be why the key paperwork is missing, or not where it should be,” Bahti suggests. “I suspect that it came to his attention and he thought, ‘Good grief,’ and signed off on a quitclaim, which I would assume means returning title to the city or county there.” A quitclaim deed from 1977 between Buncombe County and the city of Asheville regarding Pack Square would seem to support that idea, but no clear evidence of a certified title indicating what that deed entailed or what the motivation for its execution was has yet come to light, according to the county attorney Frue. For his part, Bahti says he’s more than happy to return Pack Square to local ownership, if it turns out his family still retains the rights to it. “If it turned out that it wasn’t properly done, we wouldn’t throw up a tent,” he laughs. “If a quitclaim needed to be issued, we’d certainly be more than happy to oblige.” LAW AND ORDER In the case of the monuments, the 1901 deed offers an intriguing question: If the Pack family did indeed retain the rights to the old courthouse land until Arthur Pack dissolved the family trust in 1975 and did not return ownership to the
county or city, is that land considered “public property” under the 2015 law? “The statute doesn’t specify or distinguish between what kind of public property; it’s just a broad, general term for public property,” says UNC School of Government professor Adam Lovelady, who published an extensive breakdown of the law as it pertains to Confederate monuments. “My read of that would be any property held by the state or a political subdivision of the state — like the DOT or a state park or city- or county-owned property, or potentially even property owned by a water district or some other kind of public authority.” The landowner is only part of the equation, however, says Lovelady. “The clear thing from the statute is that ownership of the object matters: If it’s owned by the state, certain rules apply; if it’s owned by the city or county, other rules apply; if it’s owned by a private party, and there’s an agreement concerning removal and relocation, then certain rules apply.” But if determining the ownership of the dirt upon which the Vance Monument and Lee/Connally marker sit is difficult, determining who owns the actual monuments may be nigh impossible without legal action. While Frue declined to offer an onthe-record opinion on the ownership issue, the lack of an official resolution from the county or city of acceptance of the monument leaves doubt around who retains rights over the Vance obelisk and Lee/Connally slab. The options are many: George Pack provided most of the the funding for the original construction of the Vance Monument, if historical accounts are to be believed, while the Lee/Connally marker was funded by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. In UNC’s statewide Commemorative Landscapes catalog, the city of Asheville is listed as the “custodian” of both monuments, while the latest rededication of the Vance monument in 2015 is to “the people of North Carolina.” One potential source of clues, if not a definitive answer, might lie hidden in the partially transcribed papers of Pack’s attorney and confidant, Walter B. Gwyn, in UNC Asheville’s Special Collections, says historian Wykle. “There are two volumes of these letters, and they’re an incredible chronicle of the history of Asheville by the man who really was the legal representative and real estate investor for Pack,”
she says. “I think, contained within that, there’s a substantial amount of information that has not yet seen the light of day.” LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT While the mystery of who owns Pack Square and the monuments may not be solved anytime soon, Wykle believes the issue offers residents an opportunity to consider the complex nature of public property and how a community interacts with it. “It’s like a lot of parks in our country: They’re under constant evolution, though they may visually appear the same,” she says. “I’m more interested in the social and cultural side of that space, how we relate to our public spaces and how we handle ourselves in our civic dialogues. Really taking a look at how we relate to our public spaces, and what those mean in terms of civic education, might be more instructive than pulling forward the arguments and litigation again.” Unfortunately, it might just take litigation to get some concise answers on how that property, and others across the state, will be handled in light of the 2015 statute, Lovelady says. “Given the current events and the discussions that are going on, there’s a lot of interest in trying to figure out how this law applies, and what it means,” he says, “but there’s not any case law to help us figure that out.” Reisinger hopes that city and county attorneys will be able to come to a consensus on the property in the near future. “We need to first agree on owns this property before we answer the question of how we are going to deal with our Confederate monuments in light of the tragedy in Charlottesville,” he says. “I hope the City and County attorneys can give you, and their respective boards, a concrete answer on this issue soon.” Ironically, the Pack family coat of arms alludes to the very kinds of complications that George Willis Pack’s 1901 deed presents. “The inscription, ‘Le pire ennemi du bien est la peu pres,’” wrote Wykle in her 2006 study of Pack Square’s history, “basically reads ‘It’s the little things that will get you.’” One wonders if Pack ever imagined how prophetic that motto would be. X
MOUNTAINX.COM
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
17
N EWS
by Dan Hesse
dhesse@mountainx.com
THE 1.5 PERCENT As questions swirl around an ongoing FBI probe into former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene, some top officials are scrutinizing the results of a directive they say was meant to boost the earnings of the county’s lowest-paid employees. For the budget year that ended June 30, county commissioners tasked Greene with giving 1.5 percent raises to the county’s lowest-paid employees. The former county manager doled out more than $100,000, with 16 percent of the money going to those making less than $40,000 and 84 percent going to those making more than $40,000. Six-figure earners captured 28 percent of all raise dollars. Several county staff members tell Xpress they aren’t sure how or why some employees got a pay bump while others didn’t. Emails obtained by Xpress as the result of an open records request about the budget process show that some commissioners also expressed confusion about who got raises and who did not. PIECE OF THE PIE Language from the budget ordinance states: “Included in the base budget is a compensation increase of 3.5 percent. Two percent of that amount shall go to all employees effective July 1, 2016. The county manager retains discretion in dispersing the remaining 1.5 percent.” Xpress received a document outlining which county employees were tapped for the discretionary 1.5 percent pay increase. In all, 123 people split $118,366. Of those, 37 people (30 percent) getting a raise were making less than $40,000. The total amount going to those workers was $19,051 (16 percent) of all raise dollars. In comparison, 35 employees (28 percent) who received pay increases were making $75,000 or more. In fact, 17 employees in that group were earning six figures already. Among the highest earners getting raises was Greene herself, who netted a $3,573 increase, 8.7 times higher than the smallest adjustment, bringing her salary to $241,790. Greene’s raise was the largest of all those given as part of the discretionary increase.
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Lion’s share of discretionary raises went to highest-paid county workers
DISTRIBUTION OF $118,366 IN RAISES TO 123 EMPLOYEES Salary ranges Less than $40,000 $40,001 - $75,000 $75,001 and up Number of employees receiving raises
37
51
35
Total value of raises
$19,051
$42,506
$56,809
Total percent of raises
16%
36%
48%
HIGH, LOW AND IN BETWEEN: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners tasked former County Manager Wanda Greene with giving 1.5 percent raises in a move aimed at helping county employees on the lower end of the pay scale. However, only 37 employees making less than $40,000 received a pay bump from Greene. The above chart shows a breakdown of how the 123 raises were doled out, with 16 percent of all that money going toward low-end salaried employees. Graph by Dan Hesse She also gave her son Michael Greene, whose salary was $113,743, a $1,706 raise. Michael Greene, a business intelligence manager, resigned from his position on Aug. 17, the day after Xpress broke the story about Wanda Greene being at the center of an FBI probe. The feds have confirmed they are looking at “other people,” but have not said whether Michael Greene is one of those people. The raises for those making over $75,000 account for nearly half (48 percent) of the money commissioners say they had specified should to go to lowwage workers. RAISING QUESTIONS On May 20, Commissioner Ellen Frost asked Wanda Greene about the 1.5 percent raise via email. Frost wanted to know, specifically, “Who received that raise, how many and what position.” Greene replied, “I focused on General Service and Solid Waste for salary adjustments; however, shortly after the 2017 budget year started, we found out we were losing $600,000 in sales tax revenue. At that point we knew we needed to save this expense to cover the revenue loss and did not move on to other departments.” The email included an attachment Greene said reflected those salary changes.
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The attached document, however, raised more questions than it answered. Frost wrote back: “Now I am confused. I thought it was 1.5 percent raises for lowest-paid employees. … This list does not reflect only lowest-paid employees.” County staff told Xpress the spreadsheet forwarded to Frost was created in response to an open record request made by Asheville Citizen-Times concerning employees who had received a pay increase of more than 2 percent from the previous year, not those Greene approved for the raise in question. Greene responded that she was “making one list work for all three requests.” Frost in turn requested a document listing only those receiving the 1.5 percent raise. On May 23, Frost again asked Greene for list. The next day, Commissioner Mike Fryar chimed in via email: “Ellen, Thank you for bringing these questions forward. … I also would appreciate the complete breakdown of all of the staff and employees that received the additional 1.5 percent salary increase.” On May 31, Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara followed up on the issue. “I’ve been following the email threads about the pay increase for the lowest-paid county employees,” she wrote. “Can we get clarity on which employees have not
yet received this and take action to retroactively compensate them for the amount owed from the past fiscal year?” On June 1, Greene emailed commissioners a spreadsheet listing employees making less than $40,000 a year, advising: “If you want to increase those by 1.5 percent, the cost for each and in total is included. All I need is instructions to proceed if you’d like to go forward.” However, that document did not indicate whether any of the listed employees were among those those already getting the 1.5 percent pay increase. PROMOTING CLARITY Ultimately, the email trail reveals little if any resolution to questions posed by commissioners. “As we looked at how those raises were distributed, I learned there substantial raises given to a lot of the higher-paid employees, which was not the intention of the county commission,” explains Commission Chair Brownie Newman. “Frankly, I was disappointed to see that. It think that was definitely not the intention of the commission.” County Manager Mandy Stone (who was appointed on June 9 and took over the post on July 1 following Greene’s June 30 retirement) and other administrators also say they can’t figure out how and why raises were disbursed. Stone, who before taking reins of the county’s top position had headed the Department of Health and Human Services, says she was not consulted by Greene about raises for the department’s lowest-paid employees. Further, Stone tells Xpress no HHS workers got a 1.5 percent bump. “I could not speak to that. I just wasn’t asked. ... I would assume we have some of the same lower pay classes other departments have,” she says. Considering employees from some departments but not others for the pay increase, Stone says, didn’t make sense: “That model is not something I could support. I think it raises inequities across departments.” Stone garnered a 1.5 percent increase from Greene to the tune of $2,557, the second-highest amount appropriated. Curt Euler, human resources director at the time, says, “I do not
Stone also notes that internal communications are vital to her managerial philosophy; she’s instituted weekly meetings with members of the leadership team. “Senior leadership ought to know everything I know. The truth is any one of us could be unable to come to work one day, and nobody should be the keeper of all the information.” It remains to be seen whether those on the lowest rungs of the county’s employment ladder will benefit from
an intentional pay boost, but it’s likely to be a discussion when commissioners start budget talks anew. As for future raises at the behest of commissioners, Newman says he will be more explicit. “My takeaway, looking at the process going ahead, is that if the county wants to do things specifically to help lower-paid employees, we need to be very prescriptive in how we do that so there’s no potential for the funds to go to different places,” he says. X
The Several Lives of Frederick Douglass ADDING IT UP: Former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene doled out $118,366 in salary increases intended for the county’s lowest earners. Data from the county about the raises show 36 percent of that money went to employees making between $40,001 and $75,000, and 48 percent went to those making more than $75,000. In all, 16 percent of raise money went to county employees making less than $40,000. Photo by Arianna Moore; graphic by Xpress know any of the motivations. She did not go to every department,” adding that the Sheriff’s Department was also not included in discretionary raise pool. Asked which department heads had been asked to pass along names of employees to be considered for an increase, Euler says, “The county manager did not issue any directive. There was no set policy. There was no decision points as to how to make that assessment.” However, Newman points out that boosting lower-end salaries wasn’t a complete wash. “I do think county management went through and looked at several departments where we have a higher percentage of lower-paid employees and did do some meaningful pay raises there. So it was partially accomplished, but not as comprehensively as we’d like.” RAISING THE BAR “One of the first things Mandy Stone asked me to do when becoming county manager is a pay and
classification study,” says Lisa Eby, the county’s human resources and community engagement director. She says the last time the county undertook such an effort was in 2012. The study will look at pay scales in 10 other urban counties, analyze the labor market in Asheville and try to better understand why people leave jobs with the county. “Are there pressure points where we have high turnover, and if so could pay be part of that?” Eby says. While there’s no firm timetable for completing the study, Eby says it’s “aggressive” and might be done in about four months. In her public appearances since being tapped as county manager, Stone has been quick to discuss her brand of management as different than Greene’s. “The concept of certain people getting a raise when others don’t is something I would really struggle with,” she says. “To me, if you’re going to look at pay adjustments, it ought to be an entire management team discussion. We will use metrics, use comparisons across other big counties.”
Visit Lenoir-Rhyne University’s campus in Asheville for an evening with David Blight, Civil War historian and Yale University Professor of History, as he presents on African-American legend Frederick Douglass. This event is sponsored by the Association of Yale Alumni for Western North Carolina, Lenoir-Rhyne University, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County.
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AT 7PM.
MOUNTAINX.COM
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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N EWS
cmorrisroe@mountainx.com
by Carolyn Morrisroe
TALE OF TWO HOTELS
City passes projects under new policy
It’s been seven months since the city of Asheville altered its regulations to give City Council more oversight over large building and hotel projects, a policy shift born out of public outcry over the pace of downtown development. Since the change was adopted, City Council has considered two projects — both hotels — that qualified for Council review as a result of the policy revision. Both projects were approved. Xpress takes a closer look at these cases to see if the conversations around development have changed and what it looks like when hotels try to pass muster before Council. WINDS OF CHANGE Early in February, the Planning and Zoning Commission rejected a proposal to change the city’s ordinances to require Council review of more large-scale projects. It recommended Council deny the change based on concerns that healthy development would be curtailed, as developers would keep projects smaller to avoid hitting the threshold requiring public review. P&Z members also worried that developers would be confused about how to move projects forward, commenting that the proposed rules represented an overreaction to downtown development in general and hotels in particular. Chair Jeremy Goldstein expressed concern that the amendment would politicize the development process. But City Council unanimously approved the amendment on Feb. 14, changing the development review threshold in the Unified Development Ordinance. Under the new rules, anything over 100,000 square feet or 100 feet tall and lodging with 21 or more guest rooms requires a rezoning and City Council review. Prior to the vote, the Planning and Zoning Commission was responsible for approving most projects up to 175,000 square feet and 145 feet tall. A staff memo by Assistant Planning Director Alan Glines laid out the city’s reasoning behind changing the development review process, saying it allows greater development flexibility, leverages a higher quality of development and provides for early public input through neighborhood meetings. The ordinance change was the result of more than a year of review by city staff and public engagement efforts that included a forum, online survey 20
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FILLING A VACANCY: On Aug. 22, City Council approved a five-story, 103-room hotel to be built on what’s currently a parking lot between Innsbruck Mall and Ingles on Tunnel Road in Asheville. It was the second project considered by Council under new rules for reviewing hotel developments. Photo by Carolyn Morrisroe and presentations to community stakeholder groups. HOTEL KRISH — 1500 TUNNEL ROAD The first project to come before City Council under the new guidelines was a five-story, 86-room, 42,200-squarefoot hotel at 1500 Tunnel Road in East Asheville. On July 25, Council approved conditional zoning for the plan for Hotel Krish put forth by Commodore Holdings and H.P. Patel in a 6-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Gwen Wisler voting against it without comment. The site of the proposed hotel was once a Days Inn that fell into disrepair and was foreclosed upon by the city, said attorney Lou Bissette, representing the owner. Bissette emphasized that the Patel family is local and that H.P. Patel is seen as a good small-business owner who treats his employees well. “This is not a national hospitality conglomerate. It’s H.P. Patel. He and his family have lived in this area and operated hotels in this area for decades,” he said. Patel explained that his parents immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960s and he grew up helping his dad run a hotel in Clayton, Ga. He said he only owns two hotels, a Days Inn across from the proposed Tunnel Road project and a Best Western down the street. “I live in Asheville, my kids go to school in Asheville. Asheville is my community just like it is yours, and I’m here for the long haul,” he said. Bissette made it clear that the hotel will not cater to luxury-seeking tourists, saying that it will feature accommodations
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in the range of $90-$100 a night under the Tru by Hilton brand. Patel also endeavored to differentiate his project from the types of hotel developments that have drawn criticism elsewhere in the city. “I know there’s a lot of hesitation toward hotels, but this is not your typical downtown or Biltmore Village hotel. I am not a big-time developer like John McKibbon,” he said, referring to the developer of five upscale hotels in Asheville. “But I am rather, a local small-business owner hoping to successfully expand my business.” CANDLEWOOD SUITES — 49 TUNNEL ROAD The second hotel project considered by City Council under the new review process hit upon similar themes: a local owner building a modest hotel. At its Aug. 22 meeting, City Council approved a five-story, 103-room extended stay hotel at 49 Tunnel Road. The infill project will nestle among Innsbruck Mall, Ingles, McDonald’s and Mikado Japanese Restaurant on land that’s currently a parking lot. The project is required to include 15 percent open space, but after hearing concerns from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the developers increased the amount of plantings and included a small dog park, patio and green roof to bring the total to 19 percent open space. Marvin Mercer, the civil engineer on the project, said the owners and design team bumped up the greenery ratio specifically to help ensure the project passed City Council under its new review
process. “After much discussion and uncertainty about how hotels are going to be viewed coming through the city, we elected to sit back and say, ‘OK, we’ve got to meet all the open space,’” he said. Petitioner Twinkle Patel of Milestone 1 LLC (who said she is related to H.P. Patel through marriage but is not related to Shaunak Patel, who is mentioned in the sidebar “Embassy Suites lawsuit to get hearing this fall”) emphasized how local her family is. She said they have been very involved in the community of Maggie Valley, where her father-in-law operates a motel, and they love Asheville, coming to shop at Trader Joe’s and dine at Papa’s and Beer. “Approval of this project will enable my family to be Ashevilleans like you guys,” she said. Milestone Hospitality, of which Twinkle Patel is chief financial officer, owns or manages four hotels in Maggie Valley and one in Canton under the Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Best Western and Ramada brands. In an effort to evade criticisms that have plagued some of the big new projects in town, Twinkle Patel highlighted the project’s difference from hotels elsewhere in Asheville. “This isn’t an upscale hotel like the downtown hotels,” she said, adding that rates will average $81 nightly. Twinkle Patel also pointed out that the lodging will be extended stay, catering to a clientele who might conceivably feel more connected to Asheville than casual tourists. “Candlewood Suites is mostly for people who come to the area for work and stay long term,” she said. At the public hearing, several owners of nearby businesses came forward to speak in favor of the project. Victor Foo, owner of Mikado restaurant, said, “Not only will it bring more business to my restaurant, but it will make the area brighter, safer.” Steve Perkins of Telco Community Credit Union across the street said the hotel would bring jobs to the area. Attorney Joe McGuire, who is among the owners who sold the property, spoke highly of the Patel family and their plans for the site. “In terms of the place, this is a parking lot that doesn’t really add much to anything, and I think it’s been that way too long,” he said.
HOTEL ON THE HORIZON: In July, City Council approved an 86-room hotel for the east end of Tunnel Road under the Tru by Hilton brand. Image courtesy of the city of Asheville GET WITH THE PLAN One element of city planning that helps guide Council’s decisions on hotel development is due for a revamp. The city is in the midst of creating a new Comprehensive Plan, which will present long-range goals and objectives for the next 20 years. Currently, the city is operating under the City Development Plan 2025, which was completed in 2003 and might not fully reflect the challenges and ideals of Asheville today. Planning staff is currently working with a consultant team to edit the new draft plan, “Living Asheville,” based on public feedback. Staff aims to release the final draft plan in December, followed by Planning and Zoning Commission review and recommendation in early 2018 and City Council review and approval in the first quarter of 2018, according to Planning Director Todd Okolichany. While Council approved the hotel at 49 Tunnel Road unanimously, Council member Julie Mayfield appeared to have some reservations about whether it really fit with the city’s vision. “I do just want to reiterate the admonition to all of us that once the Comp Plan is adopted that we work quickly to put in place zoning and requirements that are going get us the kind of development that that comp plan says we want,” she said. City staff currently evaluates projects for their compliance with the existing Comprehensive Plan. For the 1500 Tunnel Road hotel, city planner Sasha Vrtunski stated in her report that the redevelopment aligns with the Comprehensive Plan in that it supports infill development. “However, the proposal does not align with the plan’s strategy for more intense mixed-use development at commercial nodes, as the surround-
ing area already contains several other hotels at this gateway area into the city,” she noted.
City planner Jessica Bernstein judged the 49 Tunnel Road project similarly, in that it is infill along a commercial corridor with existing infrastructure. She pointed out that the proposal considers multiple methods of transportation access — such as sidewalks, bike paths, vehicular access and location along a transit line — as suggested as desirable under the Comp Plan. “Also the plan does recognize tourism and the ‘availability of adequate lodging facilities’ as a key strength of the city,” she wrote in her report. In the case of the Candlewood Suites project, Mayfield said she had no specific qualms about the project itself, but she’s eager to have clearer parameters on development as City Council makes these decisions going forward. “It’s not ideally what you would build in what the comp plan says should be built in this area, but we’re not there yet,” she said. “But I hope we get there soon.” X
Embassy Suites lawsuit to get hearing this fall Three weeks before the city of Asheville changed its development regulations to give City Council more control over large-scale developments and hotel projects, Council voted to deny a 185-room Embassy Suites hotel proposed for 192 Haywood St. in downtown. Under the rules then in force, the project required a quasi-judicial Council hearing due to its size —178,000 square feet — and its proximity to another recent, large hotel by the same developer nearby. On Jan. 24, Council denied the conditional use permit to developer Parks Hospitality Group on the basis that the project met only one of seven standards required for approval. Now, the city faces a lawsuit from PHG Asheville LLC challenging the decision. PHG maintains in a petition filed in March with the Buncombe County Superior Court that it presented “highly credentialed experts” and other witnesses at the hearing and that Council “quibbled or argued with every expert” and “held the experts to standards of evidence no one could reasonably have anticipated.” It states that Council put too much stock in the comments of the sole witness who spoke against the project, Montford resident Charles Rawls, who expressed concerns about the safety of drivers and pedestrians at the entrance/exit to the hotel’s parking deck. PHG alleges Council overvalued this “improper lay opinion testimony” in its 11-page order denying the application. The petition states the city created an impossible burden on PHG by “requiring it to anticipate and present evidence to negate every conceivable objection to the proposed use” and demanding a detailed level of findings not required by the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. PHG further claims a violation of due process, alleging that members of City Council came to the hearing having already made up their minds to deny the permit. It states in the petition that Ben Teague of the Chamber of Commerce delivered a message to PHG attorney Lou Bissette a few hours prior to the Jan. 24 City Council meeting. Bissette told Parks Hospitality Group President Shaunak Patel and Vice President Trevor Walden that Teague said the project had been discussed during a lunch hour among Mayor Esther Manheimer, City Manager Gary Jackson and Chamber of Commerce Vice President Corey Atkins. The petition states that Bissette told the hoteliers the message was that Council intended to deny the application if the hotel company did not contribute $50,000 to the city’s Affordable Housing Fund, agree to pay all employees a living wage and construct public parking spaces. The petition calls these “highly improper ex parte communications by decision makers prior to the hearing.” Asheville City Attorney Robin Currin told Xpress a hearing on the lawsuit will take place on a yet-to-be-scheduled date in October. X
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DA tech request sparks jail finance concerns
IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN ASHEVILLE: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a deal with Duke Energy in which the utility will study the potential for a solar farm at the old landfill in Woodfin. Two other companies bid on the project, but Duke’s offer was unanimously approved. Graphic courtesy of Buncombe County A request for iPads led members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to question how funds from the jail’s commissary are used and even to ask about inmates’ general welfare. During the Sept. 5 meeting, District Attorney Todd Williams and Sheriff Van Duncan asked commissioners’ permission to use $97,000 from the commissary fund for tech upgrades to bolster a new initiative, a community access portal, aimed at relegating paper to the past and expediting a suite of services available via the county’s court system. That money would go toward iPads for various court employees, allowing them to use a new digital platform. “What I can tell you is in the nine days it has been up and running, it has impacted 53 inmates,” Duncan said of the community access portal. The sheriff explained that instead of waiting for a paper file from the clerk’s office, information is instantly transmitted to the detention center, allowing people to leave jail sooner, a move he said could help postpone the need for construction of a new jail. 22
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Williams estimated that the program had already saved the county $2,941 based on a cost of $111 per day to keep someone in the detention center and averaging each of the 53 releases as cutting down on jail time by 12 hours. “In 10 months, the project pays for itself. In the long run, we want it to be a community access portal so folks can communicate with our office in a much easier fashion and ultimately replace the paper subpoena process. It will keep law enforcement doing what they are charged to do,” explained Williams. Duncan noted the $111 per day figure is not just based on room and board but also factors in various administrative costs associated with processing new inmates. However, not all court officials thought the request was the best use of funds. LeAnn Melton, the county’s public defender, told commissioners she appreciates the DA office’s effort to modernize and streamline the court process. “I would ask commissioners to ask if commissary is where the funding should come from. Maybe it should come from the general fund,” she explained, while noting
the money could otherwise go toward a GED or other program. “I would ask commissioners to invest in inmate welfare and fund alcohol monitoring for those who can’t afford it as part of probation. I’m all for dismissals. They are happening without the additional money and equipment.” North Carolina law says funds from the commissary must go toward inmate welfare. Duncan said that the county’s commissary generates about $500,000 annually, noting that much of it goes toward chaplains, cable television fees, mattresses and diversion programs. Some commissioners questioned if the tech upgrade was an appropriate use. “The point I’d like to raise is whether there is a line we can connect between the purpose of inmate welfare funds and the purchases of iPads for DA’s office. … I’m struggling to connect those dots,” said Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara. Commission Chair Brownie Newman raised the question: “Where would [the funding] come from? If it’s a good idea, let’s support it.” Meanwhile, Commissioner Al Whitesides latched onto earlier com-
BUNC OMBE BE AT HQ To read all of Mountain Xpress’ coverage of city and county news, visit Buncombe Beat online at avl. mx/3b5. There you’ll find detailed recaps of government meetings the day after they happen, along with previews, in-depth stories and key information to help you stay on top of the latest city and county news. X
ments about the commissary being a source of food and convenience store-type items for inmates. “When I hear they need additional food … this brings up other questions. I do have concerns,” he stated. Duncan was quick to address the issue of prisoners and meals. “I don’t want people going away thinking we don’t feed inmates. By state law, they get three meals a day, two have to be hot. I can provide you with caloric intake. It absolutely meets state standards,” he explained. Duncan further defended his commissary expenditures, noting that alcohol monitoring is part of that budget. “There has not been a request that has come from that commissary purview that I’ve not granted, quite frankly,” he said. Newman again queried where the money would come from if not the commissary and put the measure to a vote. Ultimately, the $97,000 was approved with Commissioners Beach-Ferrara and Robert Pressley voting against it. Williams said the services available through the community access portal will continue to grow and include a variety of victim services. The website is live, and you can explore it at buncombeda.org. BRIGHT FUTURE In May, commissioners signed off on a deal with Duke Energy to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed solar farm at the old landfill in Woodfin. While approved, it raised concerns that companies other than Duke were not included, and the following month commissioners approved a redo and opened up a request for proposal process. County staff told commissioners the process generated interest from six companies and ultimately yielded three bids. County Planning Director Jon Creighton told commissioners, “Duke made the best proposal with the life of the lease being up to 40 years.”
NEWS BRIEFS “I voted ‘no’ last time and I’m glad we went through the routine to do it right,” said Commissioner Pressley. Other commissioners added their thoughts about transparency and being at ease with Duke’s bid rising to the top before unanimously approving the development deal. County staff estimated about 30 acres will be available for solar panels, which could generate as much as 4 megawatts of power. KNOLL AND VOID A rezoning request for a 4-acre parcel at 50 Hemphill Knoll Road brought out a crowd to speak against it. The request would change the property from R-1 to R-3, a designation that allows for “higher-density uses such as multifamily residential units, planned unit developments and mobile home parks,” according to the county’s zoning ordinance. That multifamily use was highlighted among other development concerns about traffic, stormwater runoff and loss of trees. “This zoning request violates expectations. Perhaps the surrounding area has evolved into new uses; that’s not the case here. ... Perhaps the land was purchased prior to zoning, but it was transferred in 2016 with full access to allowable uses. The R-1 designation is intended to protect [home owners] from encroachment,” said Cedar Wood Estates resident Keith Levi. In all, eight people spoke against the rezoning request, with nobody arguing for it. Commissioner Joe Belcher asked county staff about the intent of the project, what stormwater mitigation would be required and if clearcutting would be permitted. County Planner Debbie Truempy told commissioners that rezonings are not tied to development plans and that anything within the threshold of R-3 would be allowed. Stormwater regulations require that developers mitigate runoff to prevent any increase beyond predevelopment levels. Truempy also noted, “Clear-cutting would be allowed.” Commissioner Mike Fryar said, “Look how many people showed up against it. I’d like to know where the developer is.” There was no further discussion as commissioners unanimously denied the rezoning request. — Dan Hesse X
by Max Hunt | mhunt@mountainx.com ASHEVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR SEPT. 20 In an effort to clarify and prioritize goals in the city of Asheville’s Comprehensive Plan, the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee will hold a work session Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 2-5 p.m. in the HR Training Room of City Hall. The advisory committee will compile input it has received from city officials, boards and the public over the past several months on the plan, and formulate strategies to address each of the plan’s stated goals. Staffers with the city’s Planning & Urban Design Department and Technical Team will review the strategies after the meeting and integrate the final product into a final draft of the Living Asheville: A Comprehensive Plan for Our Future document. The draft will be made available online at http:// avl.mx/439. City staff anticipates it will release the final document this fall; a finished draft will be presented to City Council by early 2018. More Info: http://avl. mx/439 VENTURE ASHEVILLE, INDUSTRIAL HEMP ASSOCIATION HOST WORKSHOP Venture Asheville and the N.C. Industrial Hemp Association will host a workshop on the state’s budding hemp industry Friday, Sept. 22, from 11:30 a.m.2 p.m. at the Hatch Building in downtown Asheville. The event serves as a prelude to this year’s HempX Asheville, which will be held Sept. 22-23.
The workshop will feature three prominent speakers from the world of industrial hemp cultivation, including Bert James, Bio-Regen Innovation Co-op CEO and former president of the N.C. Association of Crop Advisers; Eric Mathis, director of the Institute for Regenerative Design & Innovation; and Marty Clemons, president of the N.C. Industrial Hemp Association. Each speaker will offer insight on the potential strengths and weaknesses of the hemp industry. A Q&A session will follow the presentations. The workshop comes as North Carolina hemp growers harvest their first crop in decades, following a change in the law allowing industrial hemp cultivation. Space for the event is extremely limited; RSVP is required. RSVP & more info: martymclemons@gmail. com BUNCOMBE SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR TIPPING POINT GRANTS Buncombe County officials have put out a call for members of the community to apply for 10-12 Tipping Point grants this fall. Up to $5,000 will be awarded to support existing citizen efforts to create resiliency among Buncombe County communities or to develop new programs to instill stronger connections and communication among residents while combating isolation and violence. The grants are open to both previous recipients and new applicants across Buncombe County; nonprofit agencies are not eligible for
Tipping Point grants. Applications are available online at buncombecounty.org/apply, or by contacting Chiloh Campbell at 828-2506566 or chiloh.campbell @buncombecounty.org. A free grant-writing workshop will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, from noon-4 p.m. at TD Bank in downtown Asheville. The deadline for submitting an application is Oct. 5 by 5 p.m. More info: http://avl. mx/43a or chiloh.campbell @buncombecounty.org PACK LIBRARY, NCSERVES EARMARK VETERAN RESOURCES COMPUTER KIOSK Asheville’s Pack Memorial Library has partnered with the Western Chapter of NCServes to designate a computer kiosk at the library for veterans seeking support services. Officially dedicated on Sept. 7, the kiosk is available to all veterans seeking access to NCServesWestern’s services. The partnership is the first of its kind among the 12 AmericaServes networks across the country. NCServes-Western is a member of the national AmericaServes network. Overseen by ABCCM’s Veterans Services of the Carolinas team, NCServes-Western offers connections to 40 health, living and social resource providers for the 61,394 veterans and their families living across 12 Western North Carolina counties. More info: western. americaserves.org or call 1-855-962-8387 X
Happy Hour 4 -6 daily & all day Sunday featuring $1.50 oysters (chef’s choice)
Mondays select bottles half price Live Music Friday & Saturday nights Biltmore Station/2 Hendersonville Rd just steps from Biltmore Village 828-222-6555 • virgolausa.com
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FEAT U RES
by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com
No girls allowed Wigs, toys and apparel are among the items sold inside the streetlevel shops that occupy today’s Miles Building. For over 20 years, Xpress has called it home, as well. But the property, located on the corner of Haywood and College streets, was originally constructed in 1901 as the Asheville Club’s headquarters — an all-male, nonpolitical organization. Founded in 1881, the group “filled a particular sphere of usefulness,” writes James H. Caine, in a 1938 Sunday edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times. “It was, perhaps, distinguished by the fact that it minded its own business, which was of a strictly social nature.” On Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1901, The Asheville Citizen offered readers a detailed description of the nearly completed property. Set to open within a few days of the article’s publication, the newspaper reported: “Two wide chimneys flank either side of the building giving a suggestion of unlimited comfort. … In the front, six big pillars of painted wood are planted on the brick forming the sidewalk and support a roofless porch of comfortable size and convenient outlook. “On the north side of the building the unique rustic fence with stone pillars gives an odd, artistic effect. The porch in the rear of the building is conveniently arranged to accommodate those driving to the club as the roadway to Battery Park passes directly level with it. “Passing beneath the portico on the front of the building, the visitor to the club finds himself confronted with three entrances. Each is of about the same dimension and is painted in cream as is the other exterior woodwork. “The central entrance leads into a vestibule where doors of quartered oak with hinges and plates of bronze swing open into the hallway with wide stairs of quartered oak leading up to the club quarters. “Ascending the steps which will be richly carpeted, the visitor arrives in a long hall extending from the back entrance to three-quarters the length of the building where an oak door with the upper half of
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The Asheville Club moves to Haywood Street, 1901
AT THE CLUB: Built in 1901 by Richard Sharp Smith, today’s Miles Building began as the gathering place for the all-male Asheville Club. Renovations would be made in the 1920s. Photo courtesy of North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville ground glass admits one to the reading or sitting room. “... West of the reading room separated only by portieres is a writing room. “To the south through the sliding doors is the entrance to the billiard room, an apartment of almost as generous dimensions as the reading room. Here electricity for half a dozen lights will be brought from the ceiling in bronze tubes. The color scheme of the walls is the same as the one opposite. ... “On the third floor are six bedrooms and two baths. The bedrooms are finished in varnished pine and … will be occupied by members of the club. “The first floor of the club building will be occupied by physicians’ offices, Dr. Battle having the rooms to the north and Dr. Minor occupying those fronting Government street. “Each physician will have a suite of four rooms, the large ones in the front with handsome windows as reception rooms, with consultation and operating rooms and laboratories in the rear. “The house is lighted with electricity and heated by steam and in coziness arrangement and good taste in furnishing the comfort of the club is assured.” The Asheville Club occupied the building until 1915. The organiza-
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tion would relocate to a number of new and old buildings throughout its final years. In his 1938 Asheville Citizen-Times article, Caine offered a brief history of the organization’s nomadic conclusion. “[L]ike some uneasy spirit the members move yet again to an old residence on Biltmore Avenue, only 100 yards or so from the club’s birthplace. Still more moves and the club is back up town and the years are fleeting and times are changing. Members sense the beginning of the end and it finally comes in the old technical building. There in 1934, the light of the Asheville Club, rich in traditions and memories, after a few, feeble flickers went out — forever.” X
FACELIFT: In 1919, Herbert Delahaye Miles purchased the present-day Miles Building from the Coxe estate. He would renovate and transform both its interior and exterior, changing the former clubhouse into office spaces. Top photo courtesy of North Carolina Collection, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville; bottom photo by Thomas Calder
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 13 - 21, 2017
CALENDAR GUIDELINES For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx. com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 251-1333, ext. 137. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 251-1333, ext. 320. Held at Laurel Ridge Country Club, 49 Cupp Lane Waynesville
ANIMALS ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY 828-761-2001, ashevillehumane.org • SA (9/16), 11am-5pm & SU (9/17), 11am-3pm - Animal adoption event. Free to attend. Held at PetSmart Asheville, 150 Bleachery Blvd. CAROLINA POODLE RESCUE 850-766-8734, carolinapoodlerescue.org • SA (9/16), 10am-3pm - Animal adoption event and information opportunity. Free to attend. Held at PetSmart Arden, 3 McKenna Road, Arden
BENEFITS A TIME TRAVELING GALA • SEPTEMBER 23 (PD.) Presented by the Preservation Society. • The Dance Through Time begins at YMI, where you will be whisked away on trolleys for visits to historic Zealandia Castle and the Arts and Crafts Sondley Estate. • 3 parties in one! • Tickets online: PSABC.org BALDAROO MUSIC FESTIVAL baldaroo.com/ • SA (9/16), 4:30-9:30pm Proceeds from this outdoor music festival benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau. $40/$75 VIP/$25 students/$10 children/ Free for children under 6. Held at Fairfield Lake, Sapphire Valley FEASTING FOR FEAST facebook.com/ events/101087953885954 • WE (9/13), 6-8:30pm - Proceeds from this fundraiser with local food and drinks, live music, raffles and auctions benefit FEAST programming in Asheville area schools. $50. Held at Renaissance Asheville Hotel, 31 Woodfin St. FELINE URGENT RESCUE OF WNC furofwnc.org • SA (9/16), 2-5pm - Proceeds from the “Rockin’ FUR the Cats,” event with live music by Pleasure Chest and silent auction benefit Feline Urgent Rescue of WNC. Tickets: furofwnc.org. $20/$75 sponsorships. Held at Grey Eagle Music Hall & Tavern, 185 Clingman Ave. HAYWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION 828-627-4522 • FR (9/15), 6pm - Proceeds from the Shine & Dine Gala featuring a dinner and live music by Juan Benavides and silent and live auction benefit the Henderson County Community College Foundation. Registration: hccgala. events or call 828-627-4522. $75.
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LOCAL BARBER AND TAP 84 Walnut St., 828-232-7005 • MO (9/18), 3-8pm - Proceeds from this “Head-shaving and Best Arms,” contest benefit Children’s Cancer Research. Prizes worth at least $50 for each winner in seven divisions. Registration: bit. ly/2j5S2IG. $10 entries. MOUNTAINS BRANCH LIBRARY 828-287-6392, mountainsbranchlibrary.org, mountainsbranchlibrary.org • TH (9/14), 11am - Proceeds from this author luncheon featuring Mary Ann Claud benefit the Mountains Branch Library. Registration required: 828-2876392. $25. Held at Lake Lure Inn and Spa, 2771 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure OPEN HEARTS ART CENTER 217 Coxe Ave. • TH (9/14), 6-9pm - Proceeds from “Opening Night at Open Hearts” grand opening reception with live music by Pink Mercury, raffle and silent auction benefit Open Hearts Art Center. $30/$25 advance. PARENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS pflaghendersonville@gmail.com • SA (9/16), 10am-2pm - Proceeds from this car wash benefit the Flat Rock-Hendersonville Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). $5. Held at First Congregational UCC of Hendersonville, 1735 5th Ave. W., Hendersonville ROCK THE QUARRY TRAIL CHALLENGE 5K & KIDS FUN RUN hedrickind.com/our-company/ rock-the-quarry/ • SA (9/16), 9:30am - Proceeds from this 5K and kids fun run benefit the Black Mountain Home for Children and the Asheville Museum of Science. $35/$10 kids. Held at Grove Stone & Sand Company, 842 Old US Highway 70, Black Mountain THE JEEP CREW thejeepcrew.org • TH (9/21), 6pm - Donations at this “Bring Your Jeep and Show it Off,” event for jeep enthusiasts benefit The Jeep Crew. Free to attend. Held at Steak & Shake Weaverville, 11 Bett Stroud Road, Weaverville THE JOSEPH INITIATIVE josephcommunitycenter.org • TH (9/14), 6-8pm - Proceeds from this fundraising event featuring presentations, short films and a documentary film screening about local musician, John Trufant, benefit The Joseph
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OPEN STREETS ASHEVILLE: Want to skate, skip or somersault down a car-free Patton Avenue? On Sunday, Sept. 17, from 1-5 p.m. at Shape Your City 2017, you can. The event features a car-free Wall Street, Church Street and Patton Avenue from Pritchard Park to Pack Square Park. The free, family-friendly event is focused on building car-free, active and healthy communities, and includes activities for all ages, including yoga, dance and gymnastics, community art projects, a bike skills clinic for kids and food vendors. For more information, visit openstreetsasheville.com. Photo by Adam McMillan (p. 29) Initiative. $5. Held at Fine Arts Theatre, 36 Biltmore Ave. TRYON ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL 373 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, 828-859-8323 • FR (9/15), 6-8pm - Proceeds from the Black & White Show, group exhibition reception and gala with silent auction benefit the Tryon Arts and Crafts School. $20. WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S tinyurl.com/zmfy7qq • SA (9/16), 8:30am - Proceeds from donations at this 1-2 mile walk benefit The Alzheimer’s Association work for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Free to attend. Held at Pack Square Park, 121 College St.
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY A-B TECH SMALL BUSINESS CENTER 828-398-7950, abtech.edu/sbc • WE (9/13), 11am-1pm “People are Your Business,” seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler • TH (9/14), 6-9pm - “Successful Sales on Amazon,” class. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler • SA (9/16), 9am-noon - “SCORE: Making Your Business Legal/IP,” seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler • TU (9/19), 6-8pm “Department Of Revenue:
Business Tax Essentials,” seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler • WE (9/20), 11am-1pm “Finding the Money to Grow Your Business,” seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler • TH (9/21), 6-9pm - “How to Find Merchandise to Sell Through Your Online Business,” seminar. Registration required. Free. Held at A-B Tech Enka Campus, 1459 Sand Hill Road, Candler G&W INVESTMENT CLUB klcount@aol.com • 3rd WEDNESDAYS, 11:45am General meeting. Free to attend. Held at Black Forest Restaurant, 2155 Hendersonville Road, Arden HATCHWORKS 45 S. French Broad • WE (9/13), noon-1pm “Ideation and Validating an Idea,” workshop. Free. WESTERN WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER carolinasmallbusiness.org • WE (9/13), 11am-1pm “People,” workshop focused on key resources, partners and networking opportunities. Registration: jhanks@carolinasmallbusiness.org or 828-6335065. Free/Bring your own lunch. Held at the A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler • WE (9/20), 11am-1pm “Finding Money,” workshop focused on Carolina Small Business Development Fund loan program, requirements and loan application walk
through. Registration: jhanks@ carolinasmallbusiness.org or 828633-5065. Free/Bring your own lunch. Held at the A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Road, Candler
CLASSES, MEETINGS & EVENTS EMPYREAN ARTS CLASSES (PD.) BEGINNING POLE weekly on Tuesdays 5:15pm, Wednesdays 5:30pm, and Thursdays 11:00am. POLE SPINS & COMBOS weekly on Sundays 5:45pm. INTERMEDIATE POLE weekly on Mondays 3:45pm and Wednesdays 6:45pm. FLEXIBILITYCONTORTION weekly on Tuesdays 8:00pm, Thursdays 1:00pm, and Saturdays 2:30pm. BREAK DANCE weekly on Fridays 6:00pm. FLOOR THEORY weekly on Wednesdays 8:00pm. For details & sign up go to empyreanarts.org or call/text us at 828.782.3321. UFOS AND THEIR SPIRITUAL MISSION (PD.) UFO sightings worldwide; crop circles; the emergence of Maitreya, the World Teacher and the Masters of Wisdom; people’s voice calling for justice and freedom; growing environmental movement. How are these events related? Free talk and video presentation. • Saturday, September 16, 2pm, Asheville Friends Meeting. 227 Edgewood Rd, 2pm. Free. 828-398-0609. AARP 828-380-6242, rchaplin@aarp.org
• TH (9/14), noon-1:30pm - “HomeFit,” workshop on making affordable changes to make a home more accessible for all ages and ability levels. Free. Held at Hendersonville Family YMCA, 810 6th Ave W, Hendersonville • WE (9/20), 10-11:30am “HomeFit,” workshop on making affordable changes to make a home more accessible for all ages and ability levels. Free. Held at Mars Hill Library, 25 Library Drive, Mars Hill • WE (9/20), 7-8:30pm “HomeFit,” workshop on making affordable changes to make a home more accessible for all ages and ability levels. Registration: 828-380-6242. Free. Held at The Laurel Room at High Vista Country Club, 88 Country Club Road, Mills River ASHEVILLE CHESS CLUB 828-779-0319, vincentvanjoe@gmail.com • WEDNESDAYS, 6:30pm - Sets provided. All ages and skill levels welcome. Beginners lessons available. Free. Held at North Asheville Recreation Center, 37 E. Larchmont Road BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library • WE (9/13), 11:30am - Spanish conversation group for individuals Spanish language experience - not for beginners. Registration required online. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • FR (9/15), 10-6pm - Open house to celebrate the branch library’s 20th anniversary. Food and favors provided. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler
• MO (9/18), 10am - “Itch to Stitch,” knitting and needlework group for all skill levels. Free. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville ETHICAL HUMANIST SOCIETY OF ASHEVILLE 828-687-7759, aeu.org • SU (9/17), 2-3:30pm “Conversations on the Middle East,” presentation by Said Abdallah and Cindy Osborne. Free. Held at Asheville Friends Meetinghouse, 227 Edgewood Road GLENVILLE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 828-743-1658, historicalsocietyglenvillearea@ yahoo.com • TH (9/14), 6pm - Annual fall meeting with speaker Rut Lyles. Free. Held at Glenville Community Center, 355 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville NC, 828-6974725 • 3rd TUESDAYS, 2-4pm Apple Users Support Group. Free. HOMINY VALLEY RECREATION PARK 25 Twin Lakes Drive, Candler, 828-242-8998, hvrpsports.com • 3rd THURSDAYS, 7pm Hominy Valley board meeting. Free. HOT SPRINGS COMMUNITY CENTER 43 Andrews Ave N, Hot Springs • FR (9/15) through SU (9/17) WNC German Internment Camp Centennial Anniversary with film showings, walking tours, live performances and activities held at various Hot Springs locations. For more information visit: friendsofhotspringslibrary. org. Free.
JUST ECONOMICS WNC 828-505-7466, justeconomicswnc.org/ • SU (9/17), 3-5:30pm “Poverty Simulation” meeting with simulation to experience what it is like to live in poverty in Asheville. Co-sponsored by the Carolina Jews for Justice/WNC. Registration required: CJJWest@ CarolinaJewsforJustice.org. $10. Held at Congregation Beth Israel, 229 Murdock Ave. LEICESTER COMMUNITY CENTER 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 828-774-3000, facebook.com/ Leicester.Community.Center • 3rd THURSDAYS, 7pm - The Leicester History Gathering general meeting. Free. MOUNTAIN AREA GEM AND MINERAL ASSOCIATION 828-779-4501, americanrockhound.com, rick@wncrocks.com • FR (9/15) through SU (9/17) - 7th bi-annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show. Held at Camp Stephen, 263 Clayton Road, Arden PEOPLES PARK ASHEVILLE facebook.com/peoplesparkAVL/ • TUESDAYS, 9am - “Keep Asheville in Stitches,” gathering of people who crochet, crossstitch, knit and otherwise puncture the status quo. Free. Held at 68 Haywood PUBLIC EVENTS AT UNCA unca.edu • SA (9/16), 10am-12:30pm - Open house at the UNC Eshelman Pharmacy School. Free. Held in room 114. Held at UNC Asheville - Karpen Hall, 1 University Heights SPELLBOUND CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP 640 Merrimon Ave., #204, 828708-7570,
spellboundchildrensbookshop. com • TU (9/19), 3-5pm - “Educator Night,” book event for educators with refreshments, freebies and drawing for prizes. Free to attend. TARHEEL PIECEMAKERS QUILT CLUB tarheelpiecemakers.wordpress. com/ • WE (9/13), 9:30am - General meeting and “Fold’n Stitch Wreath” presentation by Sharron Johnson. Free. Held at Balfour United Methodist Church, 2567 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville VETERANS FOR PEACE 828-490-1872, VFP099.org • 3rd TUESDAYS, 6:30 - 8:00PM - General meeting. Free to attend. Held at Center for Art & Spirit at St. George, 1 School Road
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DANCE EXPERIENCE ECSTATIC DANCE! (PD.) Dance waves hosted by Asheville Movement Collective. Fun and personal/community transformation. • Fridays, 7pm, Terpsicorps Studios, 1501 Patton Avenue. • Sundays, 8:30am and 10:30am, JCC, 236 Charlotte Street. Sliding scale fee. Information: ashevillemovementcollective. org
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Bikes For Life WHAT: A bike collection for needy Henderson and Polk County residents WHEN: Friday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. WHERE: The Free Clinics, 841 Case St., Hendersonville. WHY: In its ongoing mission to ensure the accessibility of quality health care for uninsured, lowincome clients in Henderson and Polk counties, The Free Clinics focuses on addressing the social determinants of health (e.g., adequate food, housing and transportation). Responding to the limited access to public transport that some of its clients have, the nonprofit founded the Bikes for Life program in 2016 to connect patients with the resources they need. The first Bicycle Take-Back day was held in November, the first round of clients received their bikes in February, and throughout the spring and summer an additional 30 bikes have been given to neighbors in need. To help bolster those numbers, a bike collection will be held Friday, Sept. 22, in The Free Clinics’s parking lot in Hendersonville. Once the bikes are received, volunteers and community partners help repair and safety check every one before it’s given away with a lock and helmet. “Some repairs are simple — a slipped chain, a little oil, a new tire tube — while others are more involved. Our repairmen have replaced broken derailleurs, which move the bike chain from gear to gear, replaced brake cable and shifters, and road-tested each bike to make sure it is safe,” says Emily Shock, patient health advocate for The Free Clinics. “We have received so many goodquality bicycles that our repairs have mostly been easy and cost-effective. The few bikes we’ve had that require more expensive repairs are on hold, waiting in storage until we have the funds to fix them up.” Shock adds that Bikes for Life has been helpful for many local residents, especially those who are homeless and cannot afford bus fare. Without a bike, they have no way to get to medical appointments, the grocery store or sites that serve community meals. With such access to transportation, these residents are able to take some control over their health and wellbeing. “One of my favorite success stories involves a patient who used her bicycle to get around for job interviews,” Shock says. “She found employment and decided that the first thing she
FREEWHEELING: Emily Shock, left, patient health advocate for The Free Clinics, poses with a bike recipient from the nonprofit’s Bikes For Life program. A collection for new and gently used bicycles will be held Sept. 22 in The Free Clinics parking lot. Photo courtesy of The Free Clinics wanted to do was get a car. With her new income, she was able to pay for the tags, title and insurance on a family vehicle, and she is presently working on getting her license renewed. When she gets everything squared away, she plans to donate her bicycle back to Bikes for Life for the next client to use.” For those unable to make the bike collection event, donations of new and gently used bicycles are accepted year-round. They may be dropped off at The Free Clinics during regular business hours or by contacting Shock at 697-8422. Pick up may also be arranged and all donated bikes are tax-deductible. The Bikes For Life bike collection takes place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, in the parking lot at The Free Clinics. thefreeclinics.org X
C OMMU N IT Y CA L EN D AR LEARN THE COUNTRY TWOSTEP (LEVEL 1-2) (PD.) Saturday, September 23, 1-3pm, All Souls Cathedral, Biltmore Village. 2 hour Workshop with Richard and Sue Cicchetti. $15 preregistration. $20 at door. 828-333-0715. naturalrichard@ mac.com www. DanceForLife.net POLE FITNESS AND DANCE CLASSES AT DANCECLUB ASHEVILLE (PD.) Pole Dance, Burlesque, Jazz/ Funk, Flashmobs! Drop in for a class or sign up for a series:• Monday: 5:15-Adv. Beg. Spin Pole, 6:30-Sexy Chair Series, 6:30-Stretchy Flexy, 7:30-Adv. Beg. Pole• Tuesday: 12PM-Pole $10, 5:30-Pole, 6:30-Jazz/ Funk Series, 7:30Pole• Wednesday: 5:30-Pole, 6:30Pole Tricks, 7:30Pole• Thursday: 5:30-Jazz/Funk Series, 6:30-Exotic Poleography, 7:30Beg. Spin Pole• Friday: 11-Open Pole, 12-Floor Play• Saturday: 1:30Intro/Beg. Pole $15Visit the website to learn more: DanceclubAsheville. com 828-275-8628 - Right down the street from UNCA 9 Old Burnsville Hill Rd., #3 SQUARE DANCE WITH THE HAW CREEK SHEIKS (PD.) At Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Friday, September 15 from 6pm-9pm. Wear your dancing shoes! $6. • Kids under 5 free. Dinner and drinks available. www. hickorynutgapfarm. com STUDIO ZAHIYA, DOWNTOWN DANCE CLASSES (PD.) Monday 12pm Barre Wkt 4pm 5pm Bellydance Drills 6pm Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Bellydance Special Topics 7pm Contemporary 8pm Sassy Jazz Series • Tuesday 9am Hip Hop Wkt 12pm Sculpt-Beats Wkt 4pm Kids Creative Movement 5pm Modern Movement 6pm Intro to Bellydance 7pm Bellydance 2 8pm Advanced Bellydance • Wednesday 5pm Hip Hop Wkt 6pm Bhangra Series 7pm Bollywood 8pm Ballet Series • Thursday 9am Hip
Hop Wkt 12pm Sculpt-beats Wkt 4pm Kids Hip Hop 5pm Teens Hip Hop 6pm Bellydance Drills 7pm Vixen 8pm West Coast Swing Series • Friday 9am Hip Hop Wkt Saturday 9:30am Hip Hop Wkt 10:45 Buti Yoga Wkt • Sunday 11am Yoga Wkt • $14 for 60 minute classes, Wkt $8. 90 1/2 N. Lexington Avenue. www.studiozahiya. com :: 828.242.7595 SOUTHERN LIGHTS SQUARE AND ROUND DANCE CLUB 828-697-7732, southernlights.org • SA (9/16), 6pm - “County Fair” themed dance. Advance dance at 6pm. Early rounds at 7pm. Squares and rounds at 7:30pm. Free. Held at Whitmire Activity Center, 310 Lily Pond Road, Hendersonville WNC HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION wnchistory.org • SA (9/16), 2-3:30pm “Southern Appalachian Dance,” discussion and demonstration by dance caller, musician and flatfoot dancer Phil Jamison. $5. Held at UNC-Asheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road
FOOD & BEER ASHEVILLE VEGAN SOCIETY meetup.com/TheAsheville-VeganSociety/ • 1st TUESDAYS & 3rd SATURDAYS, 10am - Social meeting. Free to attend. Held at Firestorm Cafe and Books, 610 Haywood Road
by Abigail Griffin FAIRVIEW WELCOME TABLE fairviewwelcometable. com • THURSDAYS, 11:30am-1pm - Community lunch. Admission by donation. Held at Fairview Christian Fellowship, 596 Old US Highway 74, Fairview LEICESTER COMMUNITY CENTER 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester, 828-774-3000, facebook.com/Leicester. Community.Center • 3rd TUESDAYS, 2:30-3:30pm - Manna FoodBank distribution, including local produce. Free. • WEDNESDAYS, 11:30am-1pm Welcome Table meal. Free. LIVING WEB FARMS 176 Kimzey Road, Mills River, 828-505-1660, livingwebfarms.org • TU (9/19), 6-7:30pm “Elements of Cooking: Fire,” workshop that approaches fire science from the cook’s perspective. $10. ROOT BOTTOM FARM 1201 East Fork Road, Marshall
• SU (9/17), 9am - Farmto-table dinner and 33-mile bicycle ride. Ten percent of proceeds benefit Friends of Madison County Animals. Registration: rootbottomfarm.com/ pedaltoplate. $75.
FESTIVALS CHEROKEE HERITAGE FESTIVAL cccra-nc.org • SA (9/16), 10am-3pm - Cherokee Heritage Festival event with traditional Cherokee music, crafts, performances, classes and activities. Free. Held at Cherokee Homestead Exhibit, 805 Highway 64 Business, Hayesville OPEN STREETS ASHEVILLE openstreetsasheville. com • SU (9/17), 1-5pm Car-free downtown festival filled with free activities, classes, merchants and community art projects. Skates, scooters and bikes welcome. Free to attend. Held in Downtown Asheville
WNC AGRICULTURAL CENTER 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, 828-687-1414, mountainfair.org • FR (9/8) through SU (9/17) - North Carolina Mountain State Fair. See website for more information: wncagcenter.org/p/ mountainstatefair.
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS BLUE RIDGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB facebook.com/BRRWC • 2nd THURSDAYS, 6pm - General meeting. Free to attend. Held at Gondolier Restaurant, 1360 Tunnel Road HENDERSON COUNTY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS lwvhcnc.org • 3rd THURSDAYS, 4-6pm - General meeting. Free. Held at Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, 204 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 828-258-8223, abc.nc.lwvnet.org
• Through TU (10/3) Open registration for “We the People” sixweek constitution study taking place Tuesdays, (10/3) through (11/14), 7-8:30pm. Registration required: We.people.us@gmail. com. Free. Held at YWCA of Asheville, 185 S French Broad Ave. PUBLIC EVENTS AT WWC 828-298-3325, warren-wilson.edu • SA (9/16), 2pm Question and answer session with current candidates for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District race. Organized by the Swannanoa Valley Voters for Change. Free. Held in Bryson Gymnasium at Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa
SEPTEMBER 23 10AM-5PM JOE FRANK MCKEE as the 2017 Featured Artist
WEST ASHEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY 942 Haywood Road, 828-250-4750 • WE (9/13), 6:309pm - Asheville City Council candidate forum including Cecil Bothwell, Rich Lee, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith and Dee Williams. Sponsored by Democratic Socialists of Asheville. Free.
JOIN US AND SHOP THE DIVERSE CERAMIC ARTIST BOOTHS, ENJOY LUNCH FROM LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS AND L I S T E N TO B U S K E R S I N THE BEAUTIFUL FRENCH B R OA D R I V E R PA R K .
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CALDWELL CUSINE 726-2478, kandreasen@cccti.edu • TH (9/14), 4:306pm - Culinary program Southeast Asian dinner. Registration required: .cccti. edu/cuisine. $21. Held at Caldwell Community College, 2855 Hickory Blvd, Hudson DOWNTOWN WELCOME TABLE haywoodstreet. org/2010/07/thewelcome-table/ • SUNDAYS, 4:30pm - Community meal. Free. Held at Haywood Street Congregation, 297 Haywood St.
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KIDS BILTMORE LAKE CLUBHOUSE 80 Lake Drive Candler • SA (9/16), 7-9pm - Summer book club for rising 6th to 12th graders. Meet the author of the Charlie Dead Series. Registration: mlkjc@yahoo.com. Free. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/governing/ depts/library • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 4-5pm “After School Art Adventures,”
by Abigail Griffin
guided art making for school age children with the Asheville Art Museum. Free. Held at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester • SA (9/16), 10am-5pm - “It’s a Play-Doh Party” event with Play-Doh activities for kids. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • MONDAYS, 10:30am - “Mother Goose Time,” storytime for 4-18 month olds. Free. Held at Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road • MONDAYS, 10:30am - Spanish story time for children of all ages. Free. Held at Enka-Candler
Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com
Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • WE (9/20), 4pm - Makers & Shakers: Insects activities for ages 5 and up with the NC Arboretum. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS 610 Haywood Road, 828-2558115 • SATURDAYS 10:30am & 11:30am - Weekly drop-in Spanish classes for kids. Class for 3-5 year olds at 10:30am. Class for 6-10 year olds at
11:30am. $10. A portion of proceeds benefit the Buncombe Partnership for Children. FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org • WEDNESDAYS, 10:30am Family story time. Free. GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN 2050 Blowing Rock Highway Linville, 828-733-4337, grandfather.com • SA (9/16), 9am-3:30pm - “Girl Scout Day,” activities and events focused on ecology. Admission fees apply/Free admission for Girl Scouts. HANDS ON! A CHILDREN’S GALLERY 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, 828-697-8333 • WE (9/13) & WE (9/20), 11amnoon - “Nature Nuts,” familyfriendly nature walk. Free. Held at Berkeley Park, 69 Balfour Road, Hendersonville • TH (9/14), 10am-6pm “Hands On! 10th Birthday!” Activities for all ages. Admission fees apply. • TU (9/19) through FR (9/22), 10am-4pm - “Pirate Pizzaz,” celebration of “Talk Like a Pirate Day,” with craft activities for all ages. Admission fees apply. • WE (9/20), 4-5pm - “Mad Scientists on Wheels,” science activities for grades 3-6. Registration required: 828-8901850. Free Held at Mills River Library, 124 Town Center Drive, Suite 1, Mills River JACKSON COUNTY GREEN ENERGY PARK 100 Green Energy Park Road, Sylva • SA (9/16), 9am-2pm Youth Arts Festival featuring bookbinding activities with Appalachian Art Farm. Free. MALAPROP’S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-254-6734, malaprops.com • WEDNESDAYS, 10am - Miss Malaprop’s Story Time for ages 3-9. Free to attend. SPELLBOUND CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP 640 Merrimon Ave., #204, 828708-7570, spellboundchildrensbookshop. com • FR (9/16), 6pm - Teen book club. Free to attend. THOMAS WOLFE MEMORIAL 52 North Market St., 828-2538304, wolfememorial.com • Through SA (9/23) - “Telling Our Tales” student writing competition for grades 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Guidelines and information: wolfememorial.com/ for-teachers/student-writingcontest/.
OUTDOORS FLOCK TO THE ROCK (PD.) Celebrate fall migration with bird walks, raptor flight shows and more at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, Saturday, September 16. For info, visit chimneyrockpark.com
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STARGAZING AND COSMIC STORYTELLING AT HICKORY NUT GAP FARM (PD.) This Saturday, September 15 from 8:30-10pm. Go on a tour of the night sky with astronomer Stephan Martin. $6. www.hickorynutgapfarm.com ASHEVILLE NEW FRIENDS ashevillenewfriends.org • TU (9/19), 9am-noon - Easy group hikes to waterfalls in the Dupont State Forest. Free. Meet at Ingles, 3338 Boylston Highway, Mills River ASHEVILLE OUTLETS 800 Brevard Road, shopashevilleoutlets.com • WEDNESDAYS through (9/17), 7:30-9am - Healthy Hikers Walkers Club. Free. BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY HIKES 828-298-5330, nps.gov • FR (9/15), 10am - Blue Ridge Parkway Hike of the Week: “Welcome to the Neighborhood,” ranger-led, easy, 2-mile hike. Free. Meet at MP 395 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY RANGER PROGRAMS 828-295-3782, ggapio@gmail.com • TH (9/14) through SU (9/17) - 26th annual Overmountain Victory Celebration event with live battle enactments and encampments. Visit website for full schedule: facebook.com/Overmountain VictoryCelebration. Held at MP 331 CHIMNEY ROCK AT CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK 431 Main St., Chimney Rock, 828-625-9611, chimneyrockpark.com • SA (9/16), 11am-3pm - “Flock to the Rock,” event with guided bird walks, raptor flight shows, live bird demos and workshops. Admission fees apply. DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE defenders.org • SA (9/16), 9am-1:30pm “Return of the Raptors,” guided hike with raptor identification cards to view the fall raptor migration at the start of the peak season. Registration required: southeastoffice@ defenders.org. Free. HOLMES EDUCATIONAL STATE FOREST 1299 Crab Creek Road, Hendersonville, 828-692-0100 • SA (9/16), 10am-noon - “Fall Tree ID,” short ranger-guided hike with tree identification. Free. LAKE JAMES STATE PARK 6883 N.C. Highway 126 Nebo, 828-584-7728 • WE (9/13), 10am - “Lake James Hawkwatch,” ranger-led hawk watching event. Free. PISGAH CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED pisgahchaptertu.org/ New-Meeting-information.html • 2nd THURSDAYS, 7pm General meeting and presentations. Free to attend. Held at Ecusta Brewery, 36 E Main St., Brevard
THOMAS WOLFE MEMORIAL 52 North Market St., 828-2538304, wolfememorial.com • SA (9/16), 10am-noon Guided walking tour of the Riverside Cemetery with a focus on Thomas Wolfe’s novel, Altamont. $5.
PARENTING HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2443 Spartanburg Highway, East Flat Rock • Through WE (9/27) - Open registration for a foster parent training class with the Henderson County Department of Social Services. Training begins on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6-9pm. Registration: 828-6946252 or families4kids@ hendersoncountydss.org. YOUTH OUTRIGHT 866-881-3721, youthoutright.org • 3rd SATURDAYS, 11am - Middle school discussion group. Free. Held at First Congregational UCC of Asheville, 20 Oak St.
PUBLIC LECTURES BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TH (9/14), 5:30-7pm - “Female Authors Writing America between the World Wars,” lecture by Susan Williams about Julia Peterkin and her novel Scarlet Sister Mary. Free. Held at West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road LENOIR RHYNE UNIVERSITY, 2nd Floor Boardroom, 36 Montford Ave. • SA (9/16), 7:30pm - “My Voice, My Pen, My Vote: The Several Lives of Frederick Douglass,” presentation by Yale Civil War Historian David Blight. Free. OLLI AT UNCA 828-251-6140, olliasheville.com • WE (9/13), 4:30-6pm “Women in STEM,” presentation highlighting women in STEM fields. Free. Held at UNC-Asheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road • MO (9/18), 4:30-6pm “Women in Chemistry,” presentation by Professors Oksana Love and Sally Wasileski. Free. Held at UNC-Asheville Reuter Center, 1 Campus View Road PEOPLES PARK ASHEVILLE facebook.com/peoplesparkAVL/ • MONDAYS, 6pm - “Asheville Past in the Park,” lectures and discussions regarding local history. Free. Held at 68 Haywood • WEDNESDAYS, 6pm “Science in the Park” lectures and discussions regarding popular science, environmental and natural phenomena.. Free. Held at 68 Haywood PUBLIC LECTURES AT MARS HILL mhu.edu • TH (9/21), 7pm - Lecture by Zena Howard regarding her work as the senior architect for the Smithsonian National
Congratulations to our 2017 Top Producers! Museum of African American History and Culture. Free. Held at Mars Hill University, 265 Cascade St., Mars Hill PUBLIC LECTURES AT UNCA unca.edu • TH (9/14), 7pm - Zebulon B. Vance Reconsidered Symposium: Keynote address by Yale University historian David Blight. Registration required: bit.ly/2xeff1e. Free. Held at Lipinsky Auditorium at UNC Asheville, 300 Library Lane • FR (9/15), 10am - Zebulon B. Vance Reconsidered Symposium: Panel discussion with historians Gordon McKinney, Joe Mobley, Steve Nash and Darin Waters. Registration required: bit. ly/2xeff1e. Free. Held at UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, 227 Campus Drive • FR (9/15), 2pm - Zebulon B. Vance Reconsidered Symposium: “Vance in Fiction,” presentation by novelist Sharyn McCrumb. Registration required: bit.ly/2xeff1e. Free. Held at UNC Asheville Sherrill Center, 227 Campus Drive RAINBOW COMMUNITY CENTER 60 State St. • FR (9/15), 7-9pm “Technology as a Social Question: Its Ethical, Legal and Economic Implications,” presentation by Gary Lamb. Sponsored by the Friends of Rudolf Steiner in Asheville. $7-$20. • SA (9/16), 10am-4pm “Exploring Our Personal Experiences with Money in Light of Rudolf Steiner’s Perspectives on Economics and a Three-Fold Society,” workshop. Sponsored by the Friends of Rudolf Steiner in Asheville. $20-$75. • SA (9/16), 7-9pm - “Steinerian Economics: Intersection of Inner Development, Caring Relationships and a Shareable Prosperity,” workshop with Gary Lamb. Sponsored by
the Friends of Rudolf Steiner in Asheville. $7-$20. THE COLLIDER 1 Haywood St. Ste 401 Asheville, thecollider.org/ • FR (9/15), 5:30pm - Fall Science Pub: “Pulse of the Planet- Monitoring the Climate,” reception and presentation by Deke Arndt regarding monitoring and analyzing our planet’s climate systems and what analysis of this data is telling us about our changing climate. Free.
SENIORS ASHEVILLE NEW FRIENDS (PD.) Offers active senior residents opportunities to make new friends and explore new interests. Activities include hiking, golf, book clubs, dining-out, special events, and more. Visit www.ashevillenewfriends.org AARP 828-380-6242, rchaplin@aarp.org • TU (9/19), 12:30-2pm - Active Aging Week: “Creativity Matters,” event to discuss and explore creativity and it’s value to successful aging. Registration required: aarp.cvent.com/ CreativityMatters. Free. Held at Vanderbilt Apartments, 75 Haywood St # 1 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF WNC, INC. 828-253-2900, jfswnc.org • TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 11am-2pm - The Asheville Elder Club Group Respite program for individuals with memory challenges and people of all faiths. Registration required: 828-253-2900. $30. Held at Jewish Family Services of WNC, Inc., 2 Doctors Park, Suite E • WEDNESDAYS, 11am2pm - The Hendersonville
Elder Club for individuals with memory challenges and people of all faiths. Registration required: 828-253-2900. $30. Held at Agudas Israel Congregation, 505 Glasgow Lane Hendersonville
SPIRITUALITY ABOUT THE TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION® TECHNIQUE • FREE INTRODUCTORY TALK (PD.) The authentic TM® technique, rooted in the ancient yoga tradition—for settling mind and body and accessing hidden inner reserves of energy, peace and happiness. Learn how TM® is different from mindfulness, watching your breath, common mantra meditation and everything else. Evidence-based: The only meditation technique recommended for heart health by the American Heart Association. NIH-sponsored research shows deep revitalizing rest, reduced stress and anxiety, improved brain functioning and heightened well-being. Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm, Asheville TM Center, 165 E. Chestnut. 828-254-4350. TM.org or MeditationAsheville.org
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ASHEVILLE INSIGHT MEDITATION (PD.) Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation. Learn how to get a Mindfulness Meditation practice started. 1st & 3rd Mondays. 7pm – 8:30. Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Suite H, ASHEVILLE, NC, (828) 808-4444, www.ashevillemeditation.com. ASTRO-COUNSELING (PD.) Licensed counselor and accredited professional astrologer uses your chart when counseling for additional insight into yourself, your relationships and life directions. Readings also
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available. Christy Gunther, MA, LPC. (828) 258-3229. FAMILY MEDITATION (PD.) Children and adult(s) practice mindfulness meditation, discuss principles, and engage in fun games. The 3rd Saturday monthly. 10:30am – 11:30. Asheville Insight Meditation, 175 Weaverville Road, Asheville, 828-808-4444, ashevillemeditation.com. OPEN HEART MEDITATION (PD.) Now at 70 Woodfin Place, Suite 212. Tuesdays 7-8pm.
Send your event listings to calendar@mountainx.com
by Abigail Griffin
Experience the stillness and beauty of connecting to your heart and the Divine within you. Suggested $5 donation. OpenHeartMeditation.com SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER (PD.) Wednesdays, 10pm-midnight • Thursdays, 7-8:30pm and Sundays, 10-noon • Meditation and community. By donation. 60 N. Merrimon Ave., #113, (828) 200-5120. asheville.shambhala.org
BLUE RIDGE SPIRIT, COVENANT OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PAGANS 828-254-6001, uuasheville.org • SU (9/17), 6pm - Mabon ritual celebration and potluck. Bring a dish to share/Free. GREAT TREE ZEN TEMPLE 679 Lower Flat Creek Alexander, 828-645-2085, greattreetemple.org • 3rd SATURDAYS, 4-5:30pm - Women’s zen practice circle with meditation, discussion, study, creative expression and building community. Admission by donation.
The 31st Annual
Asheville Greek Festival 2017
September 22, 23, & 24 Fri. & Sat. 11am to 9pm Sun. 11am to 4pm
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 227 Cumberland Avenue, Asheville
For Info: HolyTrinityAsheville.com/greek_festival
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE: For the second year, the Center for Art & Spirit at St. George Episcopal Church is celebrating the Sept. 21 International Day of Peace with an entire week of peace-related events. Festivities begin Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. with a dedication of the campus’s new interfaith peace path with garden areas and benches. Events continue through Sunday, Sept. 23, with daily noon interfaith prayers at the outdoor peace pole, Dances for Universal Peace gatherings, special peace focused church services and an after-school peace walk for young children. In addition, the World Peace Village, an indoor display of interfaith perspectives of peace, will be open at various times during the week for self-guided tours. For more information about Peace Week events, visit centerartspirit.org. Photo of children at the peace pole courtesy of the Center for Art & Spirit (p. 32) KAIROS WEST COMMUNITY CENTER 604 Haywood Road, 828-3676360, kairoswest.wordpress.com • 3rd SUNDAYS, 11am-12:30pm - Introduction to Buddhism meeting. Sponsored by Soka Gakkai International - Asheville. Free. PEACE WEEK EVENTS AT THE CENTER FOR ART & SPIRIT AT ST. GEORGE 1 School Road, 828-258-0211 • SA (9/16), 10am - “Interfaith Peace Path,” opening celebration. Free.
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• 3rd SATURDAYS, 7:30-9:30pm - “Dances of Universal Peace,” spiritual group dances that blend chanting, live music and movement. No experience necessary. Admission by donation. • MO (9/18) through FR (9/22), noon - Daily Peace Week prayer service with leadership shared by members of various faith communities. Free. • SA (9/16), 11am-3pm, TU (9/19), noon-3pm, TH (9/21), 9:30-11:30am & FR (9/22), 12:30-3:30pm - World Peace Village open for self-guided tours with materials provided. Free.
SHAMBHALA MEDITATION CENTER 60 N Merrimon Ave., #113, 828-200-5120, asheville.shambhala.org • 3rd SUNDAYS, 10am-6pm Full day of meditation practice (Nyinthun). Admission by donation. UR LIGHT CENTER 2196 N.C. Highway 9, Black Mountain, 828-669-6845, urlight.org • FR (9/15), 7-9pm - “Musical Portrait of the Soul,” concert with Rev. Faerie Elaine Silver
and Richard Shulman. $20/$15 advance. URBAN DHARMA 828-225-6422, udharmanc.com/ • THURSDAYS, 7:30-9pm Open Sangha night. Free. Held at Urban Dharma, 29 Page Ave.
SPOKEN & WRITTEN WORD BLUE RIDGE BOOKS 152 S. Main St., Waynesville • SU (9/17), 3pm - Sharyn McCrumb presents her novel, The Unquiet Grave. Free to attend. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • TH (9/14), 6pm - Swannanoa Book Club: Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich. Free. Held at Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston St., Swannanoa • FR (9/15), 10am-6pm - 20th anniversary celebration of the Friends of the Enka-Candler Library with cake. Free. Held at Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Road, Candler • SA (9/16), 10am-4pm - Art in Autumn book sale. Free to attend. Held at Weaverville Public Library, 41 N. Main St., Weaverville • TU (9/19), 7pm - Fairview Book Club: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Free. Held at Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview • TU (9/19), 7pm - Mystery Book Club: Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal. Free. Held at Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain FIRESTORM CAFE AND BOOKS 610 Haywood Road, 828-2558115 • 3rd THURSDAYS, 6:30pm - Queer Women’s Book Club. Free to attend. FLETCHER LIBRARY 120 Library Road, Fletcher, 828-687-1218, library.hendersoncountync.org • 2nd THURSDAYS, 10:30am Book Club. Free. • 2nd THURSDAYS, 1:30pm Writers’ Guild. Free. HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS 174 Broadway St., habitatbrewing.com • WE (9/20), 7-8:30pm Malaprop’s Bookstore and Building Bridges of Asheville present a discussion of the graphic novel MARCH: Book 1 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell. Free to attend. HENDERSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY 301 N Washington St., Hendersonville, 828-697-4725 • WE (9/20), 3-4pm - Ruthie Rosauer presents her poetry and photography book, These Trees Poemscapes. Free. MALAPROP’S BOOKSTORE AND CAFE 55 Haywood St., 828-254-6734, malaprops.com
• WE (9/13), 6pm - Brock Adams presents their book, Ember. Free to attend. • WE (9/13), 6pm - Holly Goddard Jones presents her novel, The Salt Line. Free to attend. • TH (9/14), 6pm - Sharyn McCrumb presents her book, An Unquiet Grave. Free to attend. • FR (9/15), 6pm - Young Adult Literature Festival presents Marie Lu, author of Warcross. Free to attend. • SU (9/17), 3pm - Writers at Home Series: Richard Chess presents his poems and essays from his book, Love Nailed to the Doorpost. Free to attend. • MO (9/18), 6:30-8pm - Writers Coffee House: Monthly gathering for area writers to discuss the business of writing, share knowledge, and network. Free to attend. • TU (9/19), 6pm - Brendan Jones presents his book, The Alaskan Laundry. Free to attend. • WE (9/20), 6pm - Eileen Myles presents her book, Afterglow. Free to attend. • TH (9/21), 6pm - Young Adult Literature Festival presents Sarah Prager, author of Queer, There and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World. Free to attend.
through Education) volunteer Program. Held at Asheville City Preschool, 441 Haywood Road
SWANNANOA VALLEY MUSEUM 223 W State St., Black Mountain, 828-669-9566, history.swannanoavalleymuseum. org • FR (9/15), 11:30am Appalachian History Book Club: Creating the Land of the Sky: Tourism and Society in WNC, by Richard D. Starnes. Free.
HANDS ON ASHEVILLEBUNCOMBE 211, handsonasheville.org • SU (9/17), 1-2:30pm Volunteer to help knit baby and adult hats to be delivered to those in need. • TU (9/19), 4-6pm - Volunteer to assist with unpacking and pricing in a nonprofit, fairtrade retail store. Registration required.
SYNERGY STORY SLAM avl.mx/0gd • WE (9/13), 7:30pm Storytelling open-mic on the theme “The Search.” Free to attend. Held at Odditorium, 1045 Haywood Road
SPORTS ASHEVILLE WOMEN’S RUGBY ashevillewomensrugby@gmail. com • Through SA (9/30) - Open registration for rugby club. No experience necessary.
VOLUNTEERING TUTOR ADULTS IN NEED WITH THE LITERACY COUNCIL (PD.) Dedicate two hours a week to tutoring an immigrant who wants to learn English or with an English-speaking adult who has low literacy skills. Sign up for volunteer orientation on 9/27 (5:30 pm) or 9/28 (9:00 am) by emailing volunteers@ litcouncil.com. www.litcouncil. com ASHEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION 828-350-6135, Julia.Shuster@ asheville.k12.nc.us • WE (9/20), 5-7pm Information event for those interested in volunteering through Asheville City Schools for the PAGE (Partners for Achievement and Growth
ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION 828-251-9973, ashevilledowntown.org • Open registration to volunteer with Asheville Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 7, 1-6pm. Registration: tinyurl.com/y8b5xsxr or volunteer@ashevilledowntown.org. EAST COAST MIGRANT HEAD START 2 Sugarhill Drive, Hendersonville • TUESDAYS through (10/3), 5-7:30pm - Volunteers needed to assist with watching children while Latino parents learn English. Registration: leah.charbonneau@dpi.nc.gov. FOOTHILLS FOLK ART FESTIVAL facebook.com/ FoothillsFolkArtFestival • Through SA (10/7) - Register to volunteer for the Foothills Folk Art Festival, held in downtown Newton on Saturday, Oct. 7. Registration: foothillsfolkartfestival.com.
HOMEWARD BOUND OF WNC 218 Patton Ave., 828-258-1695, homewardboundwnc.org • THURSDAYS, 11am “Welcome Home Tour,” tours to find out how Homeward Bound is working to end homelessness and how the public can help. Registration required: tours@ homewardboundwnc.org. Free. TRAUMA INTERVENTION PROGRAM OF WNC 828-513-0498, tipofwnc.org • Through TH (9/28) - Open registration for a ten-day training academy for those interested in volunteering as part of a team of volunteers who provide immediate emotional and practical support to survivors of traumatic events. Academy takes place Thursday, Sept. 28 through Saturday, Oct. 7. For information or registration: 828513-0498. WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S tinyurl.com/zmfy7qq • Through SA (9/16) - Register to volunteer on Saturday, Sept. 16 between 7am-noon to help with event set-up, walk route support, refreshment station, start and finish line cheerleaders and breakdown. Registration: dyoung@ alz.org or 828-254-7363. Held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 337 Charlotte St. For more volunteering opportunities visit mountainx.com/ volunteering
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SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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WELLNESS
DISRUPT AGING
Challenge aims to improve fitness, combat social isolation in older adults
BY KATE LUNDQUIST kvlundo@gmail.com A “health-meets-social” approach to aging rolls out this month at the YMCA of Western North Carolina, in collaboration with AARP. The partnership has created a three-month program, dubbed Disrupt Aging Community Health Challenge, that combines a fitness challenge with social involvement for people 50 and older. The YMCA of WNC was one of 10 YMCAs across the country selected by AARP to collaborate in an effort to combat social isolation and improve health and fitness levels in older adults. Diane Saccone, director of healthy aging initiatives at the YMCA of WNC, partnered with Rebecca Chaplin, associate state director of community outreach and advocacy for the AARP North Carolina Mountain Region, to offer a program that assists people in maintaining and improving wellbeing as they age. “We are inviting people to participate in any activity that is physically, intellectually, socially or community focused,” says Chaplin, who cites examples of book clubs, group walks or exercise classes. The launch of the collaboration project starts Monday, Sept. 18, on Healthy Aging Day, which also kicks off Healthy Aging Week. Healthy Aging Day, held at the Reuter Family YMCA, will include group fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, health screenings, pickleball, a lip-sync battle and several lectures — Hearing 101, Medicare
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SOCIALLY CONNECTED: AARP volunteers host workshops throughout Western North Carolina, such as this Twitter training. AARP and YMCA of WNC are hosting a three-month program called Disrupt Aging Community Health Challenge. AARP volunteers include, from left, Bob Tomasulo, Deborah Wagner and Judy Williams. Photo courtesy of AARP North Carolina Mountain Region Made Easy and Healing Benefits of Aromatherapy. There will also be an opportunity to register and pick up packets for the Disrupt Aging challenge. The end of the challenge will be celebrated with prizes and an afterparty. Participants who excel will be recognized by having their photos placed on the healthy aging wall of fame at the YMCA of WNC. Chaplin and Saccone will assess qualitative and quantitative data of partici-
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pants and then interview them after the challenge. “Social isolation is a huge part of aging,” says Saccone. “Whether there is a crisis with a spouse who passes on, or transportation is an issue, or whatever the reason, older adults tend to isolate ... and social isolation begets depression and chronic disease.” In designing the program, Saccone and Chaplin considered what was important for older adults to live their healthiest and richest lives, and a huge part of that, they say, is the connection to community. Chaplin notes that social connections are created by inviting friends to sign up. In addition, she says, participants in the challenge will check in with one another in small groups. The Disrupt Aging program is funded by a grant from the YMCA of the USA, which also helps train YMCA wellness coaches and front-desk staff to understand active older adults. Other funding will be used for “stigma training” in working with people who have dementia. “We want to make sure we are trained to work with all popula-
tions,” Saccone says. “This is a good opportunity to train staff at a deeper level, including adaptation needs, Parkinson’s programs for physical or mental limitations and clinical integration. We are also going to be training health coaches to refer patients into a wide variety of opportunities for adult exercise therapy and diabetes management.” “We need to think about inclusion in our community for disparity and discrimination around aging,” says Chaplin. “We are looking at aging as a changing conversation, and people can live an even better life as they age.” Chaplin points out that national AARP is creating local programs in communities, which is a huge transition for the organization. The Disrupt Aging Challenge will target Buncombe, McDowell, Henderson and Yancey counties. “We want [the program] to be accessible, regardless of income level, race, ethnicity or ZIP code,” says Chaplin, who notes that volunteers will be going to different communities to help people sign up. “We want the community to get really excited about [the challenge],”
says Saccone. “It is not just ‘one and done,’ but after the challenge is done, the energy put in creates habits, and people involved in the challenge can
continue to do what they may not have been aware of — like taking classes, workshops or whatever passion they may find.” X
MORE INFO WHAT Healthy Aging Day
WHAT Disrupt Aging Community Health Challenge
WHERE Reuter Family YMCA 3 Town Square Blvd. Asheville
WHERE Reuter Family YMCA 3 Town Square Blvd. Asheville WHEN Monday, Sept. 18, to Friday, Dec. 8
WHEN Monday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-noon
COST Free
COST Free
Disrupt Aging Community Health Challenge Disruptagingchallenge.org AARP of Asheville goo.gl/wX9i6B
Age Friendly Network goo.gl/wWJWQH Healthy Aging Day ymcawnc.org/ healthyagingday
Chinese Medical Treatment for Injury & Illness
Diane Saccone dsaccone@ymcawnc.org Rebecca Chaplin rchaplin@aarp.org
Acupuncture • Herbal Prescription Therapeutic Massage
Andrew & JulieAnn Nugent-Head
828-398-0667 / www.alternativeclinic.org 23 Broadway Street, Downtown Asheville
learn more from our site walk in or schedule online
Bring to Asheville 30+ Years Experience in China
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WELLN ESS CA LEN DA R
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Magical Offerings 9/14: Tarot Reader: Bobbi Oshun 1-6pm 9/15: Psychic: Andrea Allen 1-6pm
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
9/16: Open Reiki Share w/ Blue Ridge Reiki & Healing Arts 3-5pm, Donations 9/18: Astrologer: Spiritsong 1-6pm
Over 100 Herbs Available! Stone of the Month: Unakite Herb of the Month: Sheep’s Sorrel
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555 Merrimon Avenue 36
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
SECRETS OF NATURAL WALKING (PD.) Workshop, Sat & Sun, Sept 16 & 17, 1-5pm. $150. Call to register: 828-215-6033. natural-walking.com. Proper alignment = healthy joints, energized body, Calm minds. “Let Your Walking Be Your Healing!” SOUND BATH (PD.) Every Saturday, 11am and Sunday, 12 noon. Billy Zanski uses crystal bowls, gongs, didgeridoo, harp, and other peaceful instruments to create a landscape of deep relaxation. • Donation suggested. Sessions last 40 minutes. At Skinny Beats Sound Shop, 4 Eagle Street. www.skinnybeatsdrums.com THIS SATURDAY • OPEN HOUSE • WELLSPRING WELLNESS CENTER (PD.) September 16, 1pm-4pm. 966 Tunnel Road, Asheville. Meet our practitioners. • Door prizes and free snacks. • Free community event. More info: www.wellspringasheville.com AARP 828-380-6242, rchaplin@aarp.org • TUESDAYS (9/19) through (10/24), 6-8:30pm - “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” six-week interactive workshop designed to empower family caregivers to take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend. Registration required: 877-926-8300. $20. Held at WNC Baptist Retirement Home, 213 Richmond Hill Drive
9/19: NEW MOON in Virgo Psychic Mediumship Circle w/ Andrea Allen 7-9pm, $40
(828) 424-7868
QIGONG/NEI GUNG CLASSES (PD.) Saturdays, 11am12pm, Weaverville, NC. Foundational mind/body practices for creating whole health, online and in group classes. Instructor Frank Iborra has over 47 years experience in the internal and Taoist movement arts. 954-721-7252. www.whitecranehealingarts. com
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ASHEVILLE OUTLETS 800 Brevard Road, shopashevilleoutlets.com • SU (9/17), noon-3pm Health fair with service providers, healthcare agencies, community organizations and other vendors providing
health-related demonstrations and educational materials on health, fitness and wellness issuess. Sponsored by CarePartners Foundation. Free to attend. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/library • WE (9/13), 6pm - “The Brain: Fundamentals for Function,” presentation about the brain-body connection. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. • WE (9/20), 6pm - “Toxicity: Recognizing and Avoiding It,” class regarding toxins and how to eliminate them. Free. Held at North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. HAYWOOD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 262 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, 828-456-7311 • TU (9/19), 6pm - “Hospice and Palliative Care,” dinner and presentation by Dr. Michael Pass. Registration required: 800-424-3627. Free. LAND OF SKY REGIONAL COUNCIL 828-251-6622, landofsky.org • Through TH (9/28) - Open registration for “Living Healthy with Chronic Pain” six-week series focused on managing pain, getting restful sleep, reducing stress, managing medications, combat fatigue and depression and eating to decrease inflammation. Takes place MONDAYS (10/2) through (11/6), 1pm. Registration: stephanie@landofsky. org or 828-251-7438. Free. Held at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, 2021 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville OR Woodfin YMCA, 40 North Merrimon Ave., Suite 101 NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS 828-505-7353, namiwnc.org, namiwc2015@gmail.com • Through MO (10/2) - Open registration for the “NAMI Basics” class to learn the fundamentals of caring for you, your family or a child or adolescent with behavioral health issues. Takes place THURSDAYS (10/12) through (11/16), 6-8:30pm. Registration: mariannejolson@gmail.com or 901-5174731. Free. Held at NAMI Offices, 356 Biltmore Ave.
OUR VOICE 35 Woodfin St., 828-2520562, ourvoicenc.org • FRIDAYS (9/15) & (9/29), 12:30-2:30pm - “Soul Collage,” therapeutic collage workshop for survivors of sexual violence and the loved ones of survivors. Registration required: 828252-0562 ext. 110 or rebeccaw@ourvoicenc.org. Free. PARDEE CANCER CENTER 805 6th Ave. West, Hendersonville • Through TH (9/14) - Open registration for free prostate cancer screenings. Registration: 828-698-7317. Free. PEOPLES PARK ASHEVILLE facebook.com/ peoplesparkAVL • MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS, 9am - Outdoor yoga class. Admission by donation. Held outdoors at 68 Haywood REUTER YMCA 3 Town Center Blvd., 828-651-9622 • MO (9/18), 9am-noon “Healthy Aging Day,” festival with 35 vendors, free health screenings, lectures, food demos, free produce distribution, interactive classes, pickleball, and a lipsync battle. Free. TAOIST TAI CHI SOCIETY taoist.org/usa/locations/ asheville • MO (9/18), 9:30-11am Beginner tai chi class and information session for the class series. Free. THE BLOOD CONNECTION BLOOD DRIVES 800-392-6551, thebloodconnection.org • SA (9/16), 10am-3pm Appointments & info.: 828298-7647. Held at Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road THE MEDITATION CENTER 894 E. Main St., Sylva, 828356-1105, meditate-wnc.org • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6-8pm - “Inner Guidance from an Open Heart,” class with meditation and discussion. $10. URBAN DHARMA 29 Page Ave, 828-225-6422, udharmanc.com • TUESDAYS, 7:30-8:30pm Guided, non-religious walking and sitting meditation. Free to attend.
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SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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GREEN SCENE
BLANKET STATEMENT
Beacon property owners seek authorization to redevelop site
BY VIRGINIA DAFFRON vdaffron@mountainx.com The 42-acre site of the Beacon Manufacturing plant was once the vibrant center of the Swannanoa community. From its opening in 1925, the plant was a major employer. During the height of production in the 1940s, over 2,000 workers owed their livelihoods to the blanket maker. And the company didn’t just provide a paycheck: Owner Charles D. Owen sponsored recreation and facilities for employees, and was renowned for his open-door policy that welcomed any worker to bring concerns and requests directly to his office. The factory’s slow decline through the 1970s and 1980s followed trends that weighed on the American textile industry as a whole. The passage in 1994 of the North American Free Trade Agreement was seen by many as the industry’s death blow, sending most of the remaining jobs to Central and South America. The factory closed in 2002, and, in 2003, a massive fire set by an arsonist destroyed 1 million square feet of factory buildings. Since then, the land has stood vacant — and contaminated. Designated a brownfield site by the state of North Carolina, the property is eligible for reuse, despite the presence of toxic substances that exceed allowable limits in soil and groundwater. Prospective developers of brownfield sites can negotiate a plan for suitable uses with state regulators, so long as the developers were not responsible for the contamination in the first place. Retired Ingles Markets’ real estate executive Gordon S. Myers bought the property on March
HOLE IN THE HEART: The vacant 42-acre parcel at the center of the Swannanoa community where the Beacon Manufacturing Co. once produced blankets by the millions could see redevelopment for any number of uses if the property’s owners receive permission from regulators with the state Department of Environmental Quality. Imagery © 2017 Google, map data © 2017 Google 11, 2005. According to documents filed with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Myers and the Robert P. Ingle Living Trust each own a 50 percent stake in Swannanoa Valley Partners LLC, the entity that controls the site. The site is bounded to the northwest by U.S. Highway 70 and to the southeast by Interstate 40. In addition to those major thoroughfares, roadways in the area include Richmond, Edwards, Railroad and Whitson avenues; Railroad, Dennis
FRUIT TREES!
#farmyouryard 38
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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70 Monticello Rd. Weaverville, NC I-26/Exit 18 828-645-3937
www.reemscreek.com
and Barker streets; and Old Lytle Cove Road. The partners have filed paperwork to get the ball rolling on obtaining permission to develop the site, though the two plan to sell the property rather than develop it themselves, according to Tracy Wahl, an Asheville-based representative of the Department of Environmental Quality. “We’ve been out there at least four times with different developers,” she says, but none of those deals have panned out. The owners recently decided to move forward with a broad request to allow many different uses on the property in hopes of attracting a buyer, she says. Members of the public may comment on the property owners’ plans until Sept. 29. If approved, the site could be developed for multifamily residential, industrial, retail, recreation and commercial uses. Areas at the northern and southern edges of the site would be restricted to industrial or commercial uses only. No child or adult care facilities or schools could be built without separate permission from the state. Other conditions include requirements such as installing vapor mitigation measures to prevent fumes from soil contamination from entering buildings, providing prior notice before disturbing any soil, and continuing to monitor for soil and
water contamination for a minimum of three years after levels are shown to be stable, declining or absent. Contaminants present on the site include volatile organic compounds (organic compounds that easily become vapors or gases), metals (including lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt and mercury) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, which are most likely a result of the 2003 fire, according to Wahl. “We usually get very little comment” on brownfield redevelopment plans, Wahl says. The proposed Enka Sports Complex, a project to add playing fields on the contaminated former site of the American Enka plant near the intersection of Sand Hill Road and Smoky Park Highway, was an exception. After receiving many calls, emails and letters during the public comment period, the Department of Environmental Quality held public meetings on the project. Notices of the comment period for plans for the Beacon site were published in a local newspaper, posted at the property and mailed to adjacent property owners. The letter sent to property owners directed those interested to view the proposed uses and other documents at the Black Mountain Public Library. The documents are also available online at avl.mx/42v. X
How to weigh in Written comments can be directed to: Bruce Nicholson Brownfields Program Manager Division of Waste Management N.C. Department of Environmental Quality 1646 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1646 Project Manager Tracy Wahl can also receive comments via email at tracy.wahl@ncdenr.gov, or at 828-251-7460. Brownfields project number: 13023-09-11 Comments must be received by the end of the public comment period on Sept. 29.
NAME DROPPERS Say hello to the Green Built Alliance BY VIRGINIA DAFFRON vdaffron@mountainx.com The Western North Carolina Green Building Council: It’s quite a mouthful. And, says Executive Director Sam Ruark-Eastes, it doesn’t fully capture all of the ways the 16-year-old nonprofit is working regionally to advance sustainability initiatives. That’s why Ruark-Eastes says he’s excited to roll out his organization’s new name, Green Built Alliance, at its annual member networking and appreciation party on Thursday, Sept. 14, at Highland Brewing Co. The community is invited to join members for “good drinks, good food and good company,” adds Cari Barcas, community engagement director for the organization. The rebranding journey, which includes a new name, logo, tagline and website, began last summer. After completing an organizational assessment and analysis with WNC Nonprofit Pathways, Barcas explains, one of the top recommendations was to make improvements to the group’s branding and marketing, especially where its name was concerned. A grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina provided funding to hire a branding consultant so, after a bidding process, the nonprofit signed Design One of Asheville to work its magic. The new name and tagline — “Advancing sustainability in the built environment” — was shared with and voted on by the organization’s nearly 300 members, and the new logo was approved by its board of directors. The organization’s flagship Green Built NC green building education and certification program is also getting a new name, Green Built Homes. More than 1,300 homes have been certified through the program, and an additional 100 are under construction. The latest edition of the WNC Green Building Directory will be hot off the presses and available at the membership event on Sept. 14. The annual print pub-
In Person Psychic Life Readings • Spotlighted by: • The New York Times • Huffington Post • ABC & NBC news
charleycastex.com 828-251-5043
TIME FOR A CHANGE: Green Built Alliance’s new logo was approved by the organization’s board of directors. Graphic courtesy of Green Built Alliance
lication, which was first published in 2002 and includes resources and information for green building, will be available at more than 200 locations in the area and online at www.greenbuilt.org. The organization’s Green Gauge tool helps homeowners assess their spaces with the goal of saving money, reducing energy use and living in homes that are healthy for people and the environment. And its Appalachian Offsets program allows citizens to contribute money to clean energy upgrades for community projects such as affordable housing or schools. The contributions can be scaled to offset the donor’s own carbon footprint; Green Built Alliance provides a tax-deductible donation receipt. The program is currently raising money for a solar energy system for Isaac Dickson Elementary School. In addition to the Sept. 14 meeting, Barcas urges folks to save Saturday, Oct. 7, for CiderFest NC, the organization’s primary annual fundraising event. Held at the Salvage Station from 1-5 p.m., the cider-tasting festival often sells out. Tickets are $33
in advance ($45 the day of the event, if available) and those 20 and younger get in free. All proceeds benefit Green Built Alliance. X
New beginnings WHAT Annual member appreciation and networking party for Green Built Alliance WHEN Thursday, Sept. 14, 5:30-8 p.m. WHERE Highland Brewing Co. 12 Old Charlotte Highway Asheville WHY To celebrate the organization’s new name, hear music by Franklin’s Kite, eat free food provided by The Wood Fired Oven and drink Highland brews from a cash bar. A portion of the proceeds will go to support Green Built Alliance.
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SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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FARM & GARDEN
Sharing the bounty
Community Garden Network celebrates with tour, dinner
BY MAGGIE CRAMER
vital work these gardens are doing and that she hopes the network can continue helping sustain area community gardens, which often have limited budgets and difficulty surviving. X
mcramerwrites@gmail.com In 2015, Asheville’s community gardens coalesced. The goal of uniting? Help each other through the obstacles and challenges they all face and pool vital resources — and, in turn, become their own community. And that’s exactly what’s happened since the urban-agriculture nonprofit Bountiful Cities officially formed the Asheville Buncombe Community Garden Network. “There has definitely been an increased connectivity between the gardens,” says coordinator Carolina Arias. She says that, in just two years, the network has launched and stocked seed and tool libraries and hosted successful monthly workshops and community workdays. Recently, Bountiful Cities applied for and received grant money to distribute to a dozen of its roughly 35 members for permanent infrastructure projects. Many opted for drip irrigation, and garden groups familiar with the watering method stepped in to help get the systems installed. “That’s a microexample of the network in action,” Arias says, “getting resources, sharing resources, sharing knowledge and skills.” But the network itself also needs support. Enter its first fundraiser, a garden tour and celebration, Saturday, Sept. 16. Tour-goers will have the opportunity to visit four unique community gardens and take part in activities at each. A portion of proceeds will directly benefit the participating gardens. According to Arias, each of the gardens has its own special twist.
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Celebrating community WHAT The Asheville Buncombe Community Garden Network tour and celebration, featuring tours of the Joyner Community Garden, Emma Community Garden, Hall Fletcher Elementary School Garden and Southside Community Garden; a special dinner will be served after the tour at the Southside garden, with kids activities and music by Jonathan Santos
BEING NEIGHBORLY: Emma’s new community garden grows crops culturally relevant to the Latino community. Photo courtesy of the Emma Community Garden/Asheville Buncombe Community Garden Network The Joyner Community Garden, she explains, is an example of a thriving neighborhood garden, while the Hall Fletcher Elementary School Garden demonstrates how gardens can benefit schools and young students. The new Emma Community Garden is run by a Latino community through Nuestro Centro and features crops that are culturally relevant to that community. And the Southside Community Garden, located in a historically African-American neighborhood, is situated among a hotbed of food-system activity, making way for even more community connections.
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In fact, Southside Kitchen Community Cuisine — a social enterprise from Green Opportunities — is right next door. Workers will take the short trip over to cater a special dinner in the garden space that evening, which will feature the bounty of several community gardens and serve to applaud their achievements. “There is no one way to garden, and that’s what were trying to show,” says Arias. “Folks are growing food but in all sorts of different ways, styles and approaches in Asheville.” She adds that she’s excited for attendees to see the
WHEN Sept. 16; tour 2-6 p.m., dinner 6-8 p.m. WHY To support the participating gardens’ upkeep and maintenance efforts, as well as to help the network meet the needs of all member community gardens DETAILS Tickets are on sale at avl.mx/42b: tour tickets are $40 each, dinner tickets $25 each, or both can be purchased for a discount of $60; sliding scale prices and scholarships are available, contact carolina@bountifulcities.org
ECO ASHEVILLE GREEN DRINKS ashevillegreendrinks.com • 3rd WEDNESDAYS, 7pm Eco-presentations, discussions and community connection. Free. Held at Lenoir Rhyne Center for Graduate Studies, 36 Montford Ave. ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS 828-254-1776, ashevillegreenworks.org • SA (9/16), 10am-2pm - Hard 2 Recycle event for recycling dead batteries, televisions, electronics, small appliances, styrofoam, books, select Terracycle items, building supplies and pet donations. Held at Madden Ace Hardware, 2319 US Highway 70, Swannanoa CONSERVING CAROLINA carolinamountain.org • WE (9/20), 6:30pm - “Hunting Lady’s Slipper: The Origins of the Botanical Drug Trade in Southern Appalachia” presentation by Dr. Luke Manget. Free. Held in McLarty-Goodson, room 125. Held at Brevard College, 1 Brevard College Drive, Brevard DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE defenders.org • TH (9/14, 5:30-7pm - “Return of the Raptors,” event focused on raptors and their southward migration through WNC with presenter Jen Knight, education director and senior naturalist with Balsam Mountain Trust. Event includes several live raptors. Registration: southeastoffice@defenders.org. Free. Held at Asheville Museum of Science, 43 Patton Ave. GREEN GRANNIES avl.mx/0gm • 3rd SATURDAYS, 4pm Sing-a-long for the climate. Information: singfortheclimate.
com Free. Held at Pritchard Park, 4 College St. GREENFEST AT UNCA sustainability.unca.edu/ fall-greenfest-2017 • WE (9/13), 7-9:30pm Documentary Film: Time to Choose. Co-sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Student Environmental Center and the Blue Ridge Electric Vehicle Club. Free. Held at UNC Asheville, Rhoades Robinson Hall, Room 125. 1 University Heights • TH (9/14), noon-1pm - “Sustainable Investing Workshop,” for participants to learn about ethical and successful investing principles for personal as well as organizational finance, from advisers to the ESG Fund. Free. Held at UNC - Asheville, Highsmith Union, Room 104. 1 University Heights • FR (9/15), 10am-noon - “PercCollider,” open house with refreshments co-sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Career Center. Free. Held at The Collider, 1 Haywood St. Suite 401 • FR (9/15), 7-9pm - Erin Brockovich, film screening. Free. Held at UNC - Asheville, Highsmith Union Grotto, 1 University Heights • SA (9/16), 9am-noon - “OffCampus Work Day,” volunteer to provide trail maintenance and clean-up with UNC Asheville students. Registration required: sustainability.unca. edu/fall-greenfest-2017. Free. • SU (9/17), 9-11:30am “Accessible Parkway Cruise and Hike,” Blue Ridge Parkway tour for people with limited mobility with overlooks and optional short hikes. Registration required. $5. • TU (9/19), 11am-2pm “Bulldog Bike Bonanza,” outdoor event focusing on bicycle
advocacy, maintenance and safety and includes carnivalstyle game booths. Free. Held on the UNC Asheville Quad,1 University Heights MOUNTAINTRUE 828-258-8737, mountaintrue.org • 2nd WEDNESDAYS, 6-7:30pm - Environmental issues and actions meeting. Free. Held at Wedge Foundation, 5 Foundy St. RIVERLINK 828-252-8474, riverlink.org • WE (9/20), 10am-noon Volunteer to clean up by the French Broad River. Meets at the Craven St. Dock, 197 Riverside Drive
FARM & GARDEN FOREST FARMING: A TWO DAY INTENSIVE (PD.) SAT 9/30-SUN 10/1. For farmers and forest landowners to develop new income streams and promote forest health and diversity. For novices and experienced forest farmers alike! Choose from 17 classes & field demos over the course of the weekend. Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa, NC 28778. $100 per person, includes lunch and dinner on Saturday, and lunch on Sunday. Registration required: organicgrowersschool.org BOUNTIFUL CITIES bountifulcities.org • SA (9/16), 2-8pm - Proceeds from this interactive garden tour and dinner with door prizes, children’s activities and music benefit the Asheville Community Garden Network. Registration: bit.ly/2eHikfc. $60/$40 tour/$25 dinner. Held at Arthur R. Edington Education
and Career Center, 133 Livingston St. BUNCOMBE COUNTY EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS 828-255-5522, buncombemastergardener.org, BuncombeMasterGardeners@ gmail.com • TH (9/21), 11:30am-1pm Gardening in the Mountains presents: “Bulbs for All Seasons,” workshop to learn when and how to select, plant and care for bulbs. Registration required. Free. Held at West Asheville Public Library, 942 Haywood Road MOUNTAIN HORTICULTURAL CROPS RESEARCH AND EXTENSION STATION 74 Research Drive, Mills River, 828-684-7197 • FR (9/15), 9am-5pm - “NC Farm School Summit,” learn from famers and agriculture experts regarding production practices. Topics include: high tunnels, plasticulture, social media marketing, vegetable grafting, pastured pork and poultry health. Registration required: bit.ly/2f7QSbd. $35. POLK COUNTY FRIENDS OF AGRICULTURE BREAKFAST polkcountyfarms.org • 3rd WEDNESDAYS, 7-8am - Monthly breakfast with presentations regarding agriculture. Admission by donation. Held at 4-H Center, Locust St, Columbus ST. JOHN IN THE WILDERNESS 1905 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, 828-693-9783 • SU (9/17), 2pm “Rhododendrons Need Friends Too,” lecture by plant explorer Barry Yinger. Free.
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41
FOOD
FIRE IT UP
Outdoor grilling law opens up new options for Asheville restaurateurs
BY JONATHAN AMMONS jonathanammons@gmail.com “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it’s very important that you do it.” -Gandhi
FARMTOHOMEMILK.COM
Cafe, Market & Beverage Budget Friendly
“I don’t know of anyone who is taking advantage of this law, let alone if anyone really knows about it around here,” says Foothills Meats owner Casey McKissick, almost beaming with excitement. On the verge of opening two new brick-and-mortar locations — one in West Asheville and one in Black Mountain — to serve his legendary Cubans, burgers and scratch-made hot dogs, McKissick recently learned of the passage of a new law that could stand to make his business a little easier to manage. SB-24, better known as the Grill Bill, had its fair share of fanfare in the eastern part of the state but has slipped into effect rather quietly here in Western North Carolina. Lobbied for by the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association and sponsored by Sens. Tom McInnis, Jeff Tarte and Jim Davis, the bill, which was unanimously passed by both the state House and Senate at the end of May, makes it legal for restaurants to use grills outdoors, provided there is a commercial kitchen on the premises. There are a number of stipulations: The grill must be stainless steel or cast iron, rest on a concrete pad, be 10 feet from any combustible structures, and be closed and covered when not in operation, and any food cooked on it must be prepared inside a kitchen first. “I think it is a very democratic way to relieve some of the regulations that I don’t think are necessary,” says McKissick, who adds that he believes
SMOKE SIGNALS: Dustin McMillan tends the smoker on the patio outside Gan Shan Station. Since passage of new state legislation in May that allows outdoor grilling at restaurants, the Charlotte Street eatery has implemented a charcoal grill for smoking meats, charring peppers and more. Photo by Cindy Kunst
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the law is simply common sense. “If people are already handling food in their establishment in a safe fashion, then they can also handle this. So I think it is a refreshing step away from being a nanny state when it comes to food regulation. I think it is fantastic.” Restaurants and caterers had previously been allowed to use outdoor grills through a Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit, most often used during festivals and block parties. “All festival food vendors get TFEs,” McKissick explains. “So you get a permit, you set your grill up under the tent, you have to have your hand-washing stations and all that stuff. It costs $75 to do it, and it has to be centered around an event. But this new law really relaxes that a little bit, to where you can cook a steak on your grill and serve it at your restaurant.” According to McInnis, who represents Richmond County, which is midway between Charlotte and Fayetteville, the bill was intended to boost small businesses. “The genesis for the outdoor grilling bill is a small, family-owned restaurant that needed the ability to attract new and regular customers,” he says. “Prior to the passage of Senate Bill 24, a restaurant could not cook outside and bring the food back inside to sell unless they were a barbecue restaurant that was grandfathered. ... This law will allow for all types of special events where the restaurant or food service establishment can add additional income. The outdoor grilling law is a win-win for the public, the restaurants and the providers of raw products.” Both McKissick and chef Patrick O’Cain, owner of Gan Shan Station, were informed of the bill’s passage by Felissa Vasquez, the food and lodging supervisor for Buncombe County Health and Human Services. O’Cain has already started putting a grill to use outside his Charlotte Street establishment. “I don’t know of anyone else using it now,” he says. “We have started doing a lot of outdoor charcoal cooking on grills — smoking meats, charring peppers and a bunch of different stuff. It really allows us to get a flavor that we haven’t been able to get before, because we didn’t have a hood that was rated for it, nor was outdoor cooking legal at that point. We just have it set up right outside the door under a covered area, which is great, because everyone comes
in that door, and it is a conversation starter. Everyone wants to know what’s cooking.” Other local restaurateurs do seem to have at least a cursory interest in taking advantage of the new legislation. “We have received a few inquiries regarding the bill, mostly seeking guidance for compliance,” says Vasquez. “We want to be able to assist permitted establishments that would like to begin grilling outside. We strongly encourage permitted establishments to contact their local environmental health division before purchasing or constructing something that might not be in compliance with the new rule.” McKissick observes that the freedom to use outdoor smokers and grills has the potential to totally change the way restaurant kitchens can be run. “Now, technically, someone could open up a new barbecue restaurant and just set their smoker up outside, and it would be perfectly legal,” he says. In South Carolina, it is common to see smokers out in front of a restaurant. Neighborhood joints like True BBQ in Columbia, S.C., often place them in the parking lot by the front door as a point of pride.
It is also worth noting that many restaurants in Asheville have to cook without grills or fryers because installing hoods in ground-floor storefronts often requires costly alterations to the floors above. This law could give those kitchens a lot more flexibility. “Now a restaurant that can’t build a hood and has to cook everything on a panini press could technically have barbecue all of a sudden,” says McKissick. But he also points out, “We’re still not sure how the fire marshal factors into it — especially within the city limits — and those types of things.” O’Cain adds that some kitchens, like Buxton Hall Barbecue, have had to invest in massive hood systems that are built for solid fuels in order to achieve wood-fired flavors. The new law, “removes the need for that so that you can do it on a smaller scale,” he says. “We do all of our pork shoulder smoked now; we do smoked half chickens that turn out pretty nicely. We do peppers and charred eggplant — it is certainly having an effect on the menu. ... Something that would normally smoke up the entire restaurant we can now do outside, and that allows us to do a lot more with a little.” X
DINNER EVERY NIGHT LUNCH WED – SAT SUNDAY BRUNCH 828.505.7531 1011 Tunnel Rd, Asheville NC 28805 Home Trust Bank Plaza
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MOUNTAINX.COM
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
43
SMALL BITES
FOOD
by Thomas Calder | tcalder@mountainx.com
Pedal to Plate cycles back through Madison County It seems fitting that the concept for Pedal to Plate was created by a pair of farmers while cycling across the Natchez Trace Parkway — a 444-mile bike ride from Nashville, Tenn., to Natchez, Miss. During the monthlong journey, Morgan and Sarah Jones Decker, the husband-and-wife owners of Root Bottom Farm, discussed the possibility of marrying their two passions. “We thought: ‘Man it would be so cool to combine our love of farming with our love of bicycling,’” Sarah says. Last year the couple did just that with the launch of the first Pedal to Plate event. For the gathering, 50 cyclists followed a scenic route through the backroads of Madison County, stopping along the way to tour neighboring farms. The event concluded with a dinner at Root Bottom Farm. On Sunday, Sept. 17, the couple plans to host its second goaround. This year’s ride offers a new route and can accommodate up to 60 riders and diners (with additional, half-price tickets available to those who want to cycle and tour the properties without the dining experience). Beginning and ending at Root Bottom Farm, the 33-mile loop through Madison County will include visits to East Fork Farm, The Farmer’s Hands, Wendy Town Farms and Double Tree Farm. At each stop, participants will have the choice of a guided or selfguided tour of the property with the option to buy produce. Purchases will be delivered to Root Bottom Farm for pickup at the end of the event. Warm showers will be available to the cyclists after the approximately three-hour ride, followed by dinner. Sarah describes the menu as a “100 percent Madison County meal.” All items are sourced from the five visited farms, including poultry and meats from East Fork Farm. The dinner itself will be prepared by Asheville chef Dava Melton of Blessed to Cook and Sebastiaan Zijp of The Farmer’s Hands. Menu highlights include blackberry barbecue grilled chicken drumsticks, roasted garlic and herb golden pota44
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and Waffles, Ivory Road Café and Kitchen, Fill My Cup Café, Vortex Doughnuts, Dynamite Roasting Co., City Bakery (Charlotte Street and Biltmore Avenue), Biltmore Coffee Roasters, Mosaic Café and Coffee House, Corner Kitchen, and Trade and Lore. Shops will donate a penny for each cup of coffee sold throughout September. Coffee For Champions runs throughout September. Businesses can join the campaign at any time during the month by reaching out to special. olympics@buncombecounty.org or by visiting coffeeforchampions.org. NORTH ASHEVILLE FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
POST-RIDE FEAST: Cyclists from last year’s Pedal to Plate replenish their resources with a gourmet, locally sourced meal at Madison County’s Root Bottom Farm after the day’s ride. This year’s event happens Sunday, Sept. 17 Photo courtesy of Pedal to Plate toes, butternut squash and kale with molasses-cider dressing and fresh corn, and a pear and oat crisp with cinnamon whipped cream for dessert. “We like to have people come out and see the farms and see how we make a living on our properties,” says Sarah. “Hopefully, [riders] leave with a full stomach and an ongoing relationship with these farms in the future.” Pedal to Plate begins at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Root Bottom Farm, 1201 East Fork Road, Marshall. Tickets are $75 per person in advance; 10 percent of all sales will be donated to Friends of Madison County Animals. Tickets are available at rootbottomfarm.com/pedaltoplate.
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COFFEE FOR CHAMPIONS For a second year, the volunteerdriven, donation-funded Buncombe County Special Olympics is teaming up with local shops to help raise money to support its programming. In a press release, volunteer Karla Furnari says, “It is important to our athletes to know they have a whole community behind them. ... We look forward to engaging our athletes yet again with community members over the next month.” This year’s participating businesses include King Daddy’s Chicken
Asheville Catholic School will host the North Asheville Food Truck Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16. Participating food trucks include Afternoon Delight, Appalachian Chic, Bun Intended, Grateful Roots, The Grubbery, Latino Heat, Mobile Global Bistro, Purple People Feeder, Tia B’s, Sackett Street BBQ and Sri Cred. Foothills Brewing will supply the beer. The event will also feature a kids zone with inflatables, ice cream and face painting. Jason Boyer of WLOS, Joe Scully of the Corner Kitchen and Chestnut, and Sam Etheridge of Ambrozia will judge the competition along with guests, who will vote for the People’s Choice Award. The $20 Very Important Taster ticket allows access to an air-conditioned dining area and free dessert bar, $1 off beer purchases, a ticket for each hourly 50/50 raffle and free nonalcoholic beverages. The North Asheville Food Truck Festival runs 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at Asheville Catholic School, 12 Culvern St. Premium parking passes are $5 and are first-come, first-served. For details and tickets, visit avl.mx/42p. OLE SHAKEY’S PIG OUT LUAU Ole Shakey’s Getaway will debut its new tiki bar and celebrate the final days of summer with a Pig Out Luau on Sunday, Sept. 17. The event will feature tiki drinks, live music and a whole-hog barbecue prepared by The American Pig, a local boutique charcuterie business. The Pig Out Luau runs 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Ole Shakey’s Getaway, 790 Riverside Drive. The event is for ages 21 and older. Tickets are $25 and include a full meal and a tiki drink. For tickets, visit avl.mx/42o. X
MOUNTAINX.COM
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
45
BEER SCOUT
FOOD
by Scott Douglas | jsdouglas22@gmail.com
White Labs Kitchen and Tap The Charlotte Street production facility will open a restaurant and taproom this fall
South Asheville’s New home for comfort food and craft cocktails
Sun-Thurs 11 am- 10 pm Fri & Sat 11 am-Midnight
2155 Hendersonville Rd. Arden, NC, 28704 828.676.2577 post 25 avl.com
FOCUS ON FERMENTATION: The restaurant at White Labs Kitchen and Tap will highlight microbiologically based cuisine, such as pizza made with a dough leavened with brewer’s yeast. The menu is designed by Sonoma, Calif., chef Sean Paxton, who blogs about cooking with beer at homebrewchef.com. Photo by Scott Douglas Though Asheville brewers have benefited from the labors of White Labs’ new production facility since
its yeast and testing services became locally available early this year, the public has been eagerly awaiting
SUMMER PICNIC SERIES September 16th with Live Outdoor Music 3:00pm - 8:00pm
1127 Sweeten Creek Rd, AVL 828.575.2785 SweetenCreekBrewing.com 46
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Outdoor bar with all of our house brews Fried Chicken & More
Next Picnic Party Oct. 14th! Serving Beer & Sandwiches Tues-Sat 11:30am-9:00pm • Sun 11:30am-7:30pm
the proposed taproom and restaurant associated with the complex. Those driving past the newly renovated lab on Charlotte Street may have noticed increased activity in the recently completed annex adjacent to the existing structure, and with good reason — White Labs Kitchen and Tap has finished its buildout and is currently hiring in anticipation of an October grand opening. According to White Labs founder and CEO Chris White, Kitchen and Tap was a concept born of customer feedback after opening an initial taproom at the yeast producer’s San Diego facility in 2012. “We have people coming into the taproom tasting beers brewed with different yeast strains, and
the most frequent comment we get is that they wish we had food,” he explains. “We don’t really have the space in San Diego to do that, so when we were building here we focused from the beginning on serving food with the beer, because there’s so much that happens with yeast and bacteria and fermentation in different foods and beverages, that having things other than just beer presents a more complete picture of what we do.” The company is accepting applications for 30-35 job openings for both front and back of house working under General Manager Chris Genua, formerly of New Belgium’s Liquid Center. Additional lab jobs and an extremely limited number of brewing positions are expected to be announced at a later date. Beer and service industry or homebrewing experience are highly desirable qualifications for all prospective front-of-house hires — but an interest in fermentation and a willingness to learn are necessities, says White. Friendliness and an ability to educate are paramount as the San Diego taproom’s clientele tends to ask tough questions that servers and bartenders will be expected to answer for similarly knowledgable patrons here in Asheville. White Labs Asheville’s taproom and restaurant will accommodate about 70 guests, with table service for roughly 50 supplementing a 25-seat bar. An additional 20-30 patrons will be able to enjoy a spacious outdoor patio, weather permitting. Of the bar’s 32 taps, half will showcase White Labs’ own beers — brewed on the in-house pilot system or at the San Diego facility — with multiple taps dedicated to an individual beer brewed with different yeast strains to showcase the unique flavor profiles they create. The additional 16 taps will feature collaboration beers, which have already been crafted with local breweries such as Hi-Wire, Bhramari and Burial as well as guest taps for other beers with interesting microbiological stories. The restaurant will share a similar focus on fermentation, with full lunch and dinner service highlighting foods with yeast and bacterial components. The menu is being designed by Sonoma, Calif., chef Sean Paxton, whose blog, homebrewchef.com, explores the possibilities of microbiologically based cuisine. Pizza will be a central element, featuring dough made with brewer’s yeast — a common prac-
tice before the advent of fasterrising yeasts that strip out some of the delicate flavor compounds created by the slower-rising brewer’s strains, says White. In addition to the extensive beer and food offerings, the taproom will also maintain a craft cocktail program alongside a wine list and other fermented beverages made with White Labs products such as kombucha. The unifying theme central to everything White Labs Asheville has planned is rooted in telling the story of fermentation in a way that’s accessible to a diverse cross section of Asheville beer enthusiasts, both visitors and locals. To this end, a second-story learning lab above the tasting room will host frequent lectures and workshops for brewers, winemakers, service industry professionals and homebrewers. The inaugural class — a workshop aimed at professional brewers titled Yeast Essentials 2.0 — is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Oct. 26-27, but sold out almost immediately, requiring an additional class to be scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 24-25. White Labs Asheville has already integrated itself thoroughly into the fabric of the local craft brewing industry, and White himself has spent more days in Asheville this year than at home in San Diego. In that time, he’s developed a growing appreciation for Asheville’s unique culinary and brewing cultures, and he hopes that White Labs Kitchen and Tap will be able to contribute something novel to the community. “I’ve gotten to know the town pretty well — downtown is a great place to walk around and enjoy,” White says. “It’s a great beer scene and restaurant scene already, and we want to complement that from a slightly different angle with our yeast and fermentation experience. We hope it will be a nice addition to all of the breweries on the South Slope and in the area if there’s a place where you can get a little bit of the science as well.” To apply for a job at White Labs, visit whitelabs.com/jobs or email asheville@ whitelabs.com. For workshop schedules, visit whitelabs.com/education. X
MOUNTAINX.COM
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T
ROOM TO ROCK
Local musicians struggle to find affordable practice spaces
BY ALLI MARSHALL amarshall@mountainx.com While Asheville regularly racks up accolades on lists (“10 Small Cities With World Class Food Scene,” “12 Best Places to Retire in the U.S,” “10 Best Outdoor Towns in America”), one honor the town is not likely to receive is “Best Place for a Band to Practice.” Despite having one of the “10 Must-See Southern Music Venues” last year and being among the “Top 10 Music Cities Other Than Nashville” in 2015, Asheville comes up short on affordable practice spaces for its many local musical acts. That’s been the story for years, but it recently took a turn for the worse: One of the temperature-controlled storage facilities where dozens of local artists have rented units for rehearsals and equipment storage asked those artists to leave last month. “There are bands that have gigs lined up with national touring acts, and they’re going to have nowhere to rehearse for these national shows,” says Papillon “Poppy” DeBoer of rock trio Nest. “If they can’t practice, there’s no band.” NO VACANCY DeBoer’s group (with Greg and Jo Mosser) and others — including Shadow of the Destroyer, Low Earth and Black Mountain Hunger — leased units at the former Ample Storage, which was purchased by Secure Care about two years ago. Recently, the facility was taken over by national company Extra Space Storage, which in the FAQ section of its website, states that it does not rent units to bands to be used as practice space. “The policy resulted from a couple of concerns. The first was complaints from other tenants related to the noise,” says Jeff Norman, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications for Extra Space. The second concern was that when units were being used for anything other than storage, it meant tenants and nontenants spent more time on the property, “which increases risk to Extra Space Storage as a company. This could be related to accidents (slips and falls), damage to the property or vandalism of other units.” Norman says Extra Space’s primary goal is for the safety of customers,
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OUT LOUD: Drummer Claude Coleman Jr., left, and bassist Brett Spivey turned their own needs for affordable practice space — and a dearth of such rentals in Asheville — into an opportunity to start SoundSpace, a rehearsal facility. The new business is currently in development. Photo by Cindy Kunst employees and the goods being stored. Sick guitar solos need not apply. At the same time, it’s arguable that those guitar solos (and banjo riffs, keyboard runs and drum rolls) are as valuable a part of Asheville’s creative culture as its arts districts and craft breweries. In 2016, the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau launched a destination music strategy and new music website, with a $150,000 music marketing initiative. Results from a study by the Economic Development Commission of Asheville-Buncombe County released earlier this year found Buncombe County’s music industry grew 52 percent from 2010 to ’16, outpacing the growth in Nashville. 24-HOUR ACCESS Such an uptick in the music industry’s size necessitates growth in its infrastructure. When musician, producer and engineer Patrick Doyle relocated to Asheville from Los Angeles seven months ago, he still had unfinished projects. “I started looking for a lockout space,” he says, referring to 24-houraccess rehearsal rooms — often in a large building full of various-sized practice
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spaces and studios — rented by companies such as Bedrock.LA. To Doyle’s surprise, no such service was offered in Asheville. “A band would always have a lockout space,” he says. Doyle has worked and toured with a number of acts, all of which used those rented rooms to store equipment, to load in and out, and to practice away from neighborhoods where noise ordinances discouraged loud and late rehearsals. Doyle says he’s of two minds about the local storage-unit solution. “As a band member, I’d be thrilled I could spend $250 to rent a [space] and do that. I’m surprised the storage units would let them do that, but I’m all for it,” he says. Looking for something more conducive to quality sound, he ended up renting a production suite at the Roots + Wings Creative Campus in Oakley. There, Doyle runs his own production business but also uses his live room — complete with a drum kit and bass amp — as a rehearsal space with a backline that bands can rent by the hour. It provides a solution for some local musicians and, “I’d like to do more of it, but my situation is unique,” he points out. The studio is in the back of a school, so there’s a cutoff time of 10
p.m. For many musicians, that’s when they’re just getting started. IF YOU BUILD IT Other bands have made do with makeshift rehearsal spaces. An early version of Secret B-Sides practiced, after hours, in a Warren Wilson College classroom. Fashion Bath gathered in a tiny room above Maté Factor’s yerba maté processing facility. “We practice all over — sometimes in a shed in Black Mountain, sometimes in basements, living rooms, occasionally my shop,” says local rocker David Earl Tomlinson of his group. There’s something distinctly Asheville about such arrangements — and, for many artists, distinctly frustrating. Claude Coleman Jr., drummer for Ween and his own project, Amandala, was also surprised to find that Asheville has no dedicated rehearsal space for local bands — or for the touring acts coming through town. “It’s difficult for me to function and go about my work,” he says. “There seems to be two or three [rehearsal facilities] in every city in America. They’re everywhere that there’s a music scene going on. … I use them on the road with Ween.”
“I see a lot of bands that are losing their spaces, and we’re trying to open this business, so we see an opportunity to solve a lot of issues.” ROOM ENOUGH
PLAY STATION: On a Sunday in late August, local rock trio Nest held its last practice in unit 398 at the Extra Space storage facility. Though storage units were long an affordable solution for bands in need of rehearsal rooms, Extra Space’s policy prohibits rentals to musicians for that purpose. Photo by Cindy Kunst So Coleman and his business partner Brett Spivey, bassist of Wham Bam Bowie Band, decided to create their own lockout and rehearsal space business. “The whole thing is motivated by selfserving interests,” Coleman says with a laugh. He’d like to practice drums in his house, but his neighbor works from home. Lately Coleman, who’s lived in Asheville for 4 1/2 years, “practices” at his gigs. “It’s something your teacher wouldn’t teach you,” he admits. For the past two years, Coleman and Spivey have been working to secure a building that could be outfitted as a rehearsal facility. The business, called SoundSpace, picked up steam when the bands that were using Extra Space learned they were losing their leases. “The phases of our business are pretty much set in order, and we’re really excited to get that happening,” says Coleman. He’s already looked at dozens of properties and came close to signing leases on several occasions. Now, though he can’t share too many details, he says, “It seems like we have someone who is willing to work with us [in a location] where there are bands already.” COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SoundSpace’s plan includes rehearsal rooms as well as storage for bands.
Even if the effort to create affordable rehearsal rooms in and around Asheville hasn’t been widespread or organized across interested parties — city planners seem unaware of the problem — there are ideas for solutions coming from many directions. “We obviously are concerned and want all of our citizens, whether it’s people who are looking for housing or local businesses or artists or musicians … we know affordability is an issue,” says Sam Powers, director of communications and economic development for the city. “What we’re encouraging in some projects is [for] developers to include affordable housing but also, if the city is involved, to include some space that could be carved out for smallbusiness space or incubator space.” No such project is completed at this time, says Powers, “but we certainly know that’s a continuing need.” There is a practice-room option already in place for musicians who live southwest of Asheville or don’t
mind a bit of a drive from downtown. “I’ve always wanted to host a building somewhat like this,” Crushed Leaf Studios owner David Cohen says of his business in Pisgah Forest, which offers practice and recording facilities. Bands can pay $10 per hour for rehearsals with a full backline. “I also have monthly rentals, which are 24/7 access,” says Cohen. “I give you the keys, and it’s yours for the month.” There are currently five of those rooms. The idea was inspired by a practice space Cohen — a drummer — rented for himself when he lived in New York. He opened Crushed Leaf Studios about three years ago and hopes to expand the bottom floor of the facility to include more monthly rentals. “We’re looking for that community feeling. I’m looking to help bands out,” he says. When rooms open in his space, it’s because the bands that had been booking them decide to go on tour: a positive result in the local music scene. Cohen hopes to help leverage that success. If more local bands show interest in renting practice spaces at Crushed Leaf Studios, “I’ll build a ton more rooms,” he says with a laugh. “I’m OK with that.” X
“Monthly spaces are common and popular,” says Coleman, and two or three bands can share a single room if they schedule accordingly. “And we’ll have a certain amount of rooms that will be hourly rentals.” The second phase of the SoundSpace project includes expanding the property, and, during the third phase, a performance space will be added, along with potential programming for the public. “We very much want to cater to national touring productions and artists,” says Coleman. The SoundSpace plan includes room for tour buses and box trucks, and envisions a dance studio as well, as local dancers are also struggling to find affordable rehearsal space. Coleman and Spivey hope to launch SoundSpace’s first phase this fall, but, due to the urgent need precipitated by Extra Space’s no-bands policy, “What we are going to do in the interim [is] a pop-up … until our permanent space is ready,” says Coleman. It will be less uplifted and more bare-bones than the vision of the permanent space, but the building — likely on Asheville’s outskirts — will offer practice rooms and even a place for retail. “The point of SoundSpace is it’s community-driven, and community at heart, and user-first,” says Coleman, who hopes to open the pop-up this fall.
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by Bill Kopp
bill@musoscribe.com
OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE Following tours of Asia and Africa, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra plays a hometown show
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WORLD WONDER: Local musician Jonathan Scales has been traveling the globe as a cultural ambassador for the State Department. While he’s back in town, he’s playing a local show to celebrate his birthday. Photo by Michael Weintrob Jonathan Scales is a world traveler, bringing his unique brand of jazz fusion to audiences around the globe. But even by his standards, the first half of 2017 has been an unusually active — and eye-opening — period for the steel pannist. Adding to that excitement, and to celebrate his 33rd birthday, Scales has scheduled a rare hometown concert: The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra (featuring Cody Wright and Shariq Tucker) will play the Asheville Music Hall on Saturday, Sept. 16. In late August, Scales performed at the music camp run by celebrated bassist Victor Wooten. Just before press time, he gave a TEDx Talk about following through on life
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goals. The last time Scales played an Asheville date was last November, “And since then, I’ve been to Asia and Africa,” he says. Those trips were the result of Scales’ pursuing a major goal of his own: He auditioned with the State Department and was selected as a cultural ambassador. The Asia tour began in February and included dates in Taiwan, Hong Kong, mainland China and Indonesia. “It was pretty awesome to be representing the United States in that way, especially at this time in human history,” he says. And, even though the U.S. had just inaugurated its 45th president — one who’s proving to be globally unpopular — Scales found that “for the most part, [overseas audiences] under-
stand that politics are politics and people are people.” Scales’ four-week schedule featured public concerts, elementary school performances and recitals for university music students. “We even played at a school in Taiwan for kids with disabilities,” he says. Scales also took part in many media events. “The interest level was really high,” he says. A street event in Indonesia attracted more than 1,000 people. “As a touring musician, it’s hard to re-create that,” Scales says. “But when the government is sending you to a random town in Indonesia, it adds to this level of excitement.” The success of that trip led to a further opportunity for Scales.
He received a call from the State Department asking, “Do you want to go to Mauritania?” The musician readily agreed to put a group together and visit the West African country of more than 4 million people. That excursion included a fancy luncheon at the country’s French Embassy. As with the Asian trip, Scales and his touring musicians enjoyed the opportunity to experience the culture, but they felt their access to people and places was often tightly managed. “So after a couple of days,” Scales says, “I asked to be out of the bubble.” The cultural attaché in Mauritania eventually agreed and took the Americans on a tour of the “real” country. Scales visited the local fish market, where fishermen brought in huge nets full of manta rays. He went to a home and was treated to a traditional dinner of camel. “Everyone sat on the floor and ate from the same container, using their right hand,” he says. The band played a show at a youth detention center that “was a pretty intense situation,” Scales says. “I’m pretty sure most of these kids had never seen a band before.” The at-risk youths didn’t speak English, so translators recast questions from Arabic or French into English. Scales recalls one query that stopped him in his tracks: “How can music change our life?” “I told them that when you have something to focus on, it keeps you on a good track,” the musician says. “Not only is music good for your brain and good for your psyche, but it also gives you that focus.” He recalls speaking to an elder at the detention center, a man with traditional Moorish garb who “told me that he was very glad that I could play here,” Scales says, “and that it helped his grandson.”
While being driven around, Scales quickly realized just how different life was for people in the poor country. Even as a seasoned world traveler, he marveled at the contrast between existence in Mauritania compared to other places he had visited. “It was definitely a huge vibe change,” he says. “Even from downtown No (featuring Cody Wright and Shariq Tucker) uakchott, which I thought was Third World.” Scales developed the sense that whatever natural resources the country might have were being exported and not much of worth was finding its way back to the citizens of Mauritania. “You could tell that the opportunities we have are just not there,” he says. But that wasn’t his main takeaway from the experience. Instead, he says that he realized something. “It just looks like devastation there, but they may have things more figured out than we do in terms of what’s important in life,” Scales says. “There’s more a sense of community and family. There’s a sense of what’s real, and what matters.” X
WHO Jonathan Scales Fourchestra with Chuck Lichtenberger and DJ Marley Carroll WHERE Asheville Music Hall 31 Patton Ave. ashevillemusichall.com
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A&E
by Alli Marshall
amarshall@mountainx.com
REVISITATION Call it synchronicity or coincidence, but several local theater companies have been exploring the idea of two people encountering each other again after many years apart. Attic Salt Theatre Company staged Gruesome Playground Injuries in July; Jason Williams directed Constellations at 35below in June; and now playwright Lucia Del Vecchio will premiere her original show, Better Strangers, at The Magnetic Theatre. Opening night is Saturday, Sept. 16. “There’s a lot to be learned from looking back on your life and trying to figure out certain things around your own personal motivations in an intense situation, and if you handled it well,” says Del Vecchio. “And it’s kind of a fantasy. You don’t get to go back and talk to people very often. As a writer, being able to do the ‘what ifs’ on paper and onstage is the next best thing.” Better Strangers follows novelist/ professor John Lambert (played by Andrew Gall) who, upon encountering his former student Joanna Tilley (Emily Tynan in her stage debut), seems to have no recollection of their previous interaction. It’s a challenging show in many ways. “Watching what’s happened in the country in the past year … what women say is called into question all the time,” says Del Vecchio. “The onus is on us to prove what we say.” So what Joanna remembers from 20 years earlier is not only shaded by a society that questions her agency, but by the passing of time and the fallibility of memory. Del Vecchio intentionally delved into the gray areas: “I don’t want people to come out and be on one
BACK TALK: Emily Tynan, left, and Andrew Gall star in Better Strangers by local playwright Lucia Del Vecchio. Of the dramatic script, a departure from her previous works, Del Vecchio says, “[It] was like pushing a car up a hill. Because it’s two people, every word matters.” Photo by Rodney Smith/Tempus Fugit Design side or the other,” she says, “but there is an inspiration there about holding people accountable.” Better Strangers, a two-person drama, is a departure for the playwright, who is previously known for comical works such as MILF The Musical and Off the Rails. Of the latter, a farce, she says, “It has eight characters and was superfastpaced. I felt like I was driving a car and it was losing pieces as it was going downhill.” The new play, on the other hand, “was like pushing a car up a hill. Because it’s two people, every word matters. … It’s way more precise.” One thing Del Vecchio has learned from the freedom afforded to her by The
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Magnetic Theatre, which produces one of her plays each year, it’s to attempt to do works she’s not sure she can pull off. Del Vecchio is a founding artistic associate of the theater and finds that her local connections help her to realize her ambitions for her plays in a way that makes her feel proud. Of a short play she once had produced in New York City, she recalls, “I bought a ticket and went to see it like everybody else. I got to email with the director once. … They did a good job, but it was weird.” She continues, “Some playwrights are just writers. I’m really hands-on. … I have a very 360 [degree] view of theater because I’ve done all the roles. I like to be part of the process — it’s very satisfying.” But one role Del Vecchio will not take on with Better Strangers is that of director. She not only happily handed over the reins to local actress and teacher Callan White, but says, “I actually wrote this hoping Callan would direct it, specifically.” Of White, Del Vecchio says, “She’s an actor’s director. She’s really good at making you feel safe and challenging yourself. … I knew with this play, two actors — it’s a marathon for them — they needed to feel cared for.” And, though Del Vecchio struggles to find time (between starting two businesses with her husband and raising a child) to write, she continues to fit it into her busy life in two- or three-
hour blocks. It takes her two to four months to complete a script, and she has more ideas for the future — including a musical about parenting and an adaptation of an obscure book (both of which would require a grant to fund the projects) and a possible collaboration with Stephanie Hickling Beckman of Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective. But her current focus is, of course, on mounting Better Strangers. “I am really curious to see how people react to it,” she says. “It’s going to be an uncomfortable conversation for some people. I’m excited about that, and trepidatious at the same time.” X
WHAT Better Strangers WHERE The Magnetic Theatre 375 Depot St. themagnetictheatre.org WHEN Low-priced previews Thursday and Friday, Sept. 14 and 15. Opening night is Saturday, Sept. 16. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 7. $12 previews $16 all other performances
A&E
by Lauren Stepp
lstepp98@gmail.com
WITHOUT BORDERS While talks of a wall along the U.S.Mexico border are still in play, two Asheville-based artists are bulldozing any walls that may exist between American and Latin American creatives. Randy Shull and his partner/“co-conspirator” Hedy Fischer will open ¡Viva! on Saturday, Sept. 16 — aka Mexican Independence Day — at exhibition space 22 London. The show features more than a dozen contemporary Latin American artists. “It’s particularly pertinent now, in the current political climate, when many immigrants are being marginalized,” says Fischer. Though politicallycharged, Fischer and Shull don’t want to make a political statement per se. They explain that the show is directed more at curators than Republican leaders. “Not many museums are interested in featuring Latin American art,” says Fischer. “So, there is this gap in representation.” Despite several waves of immigration from Mexico and South American countries to the U.S., Latin American art continues to be overlooked, “especially in places that aren’t California, Texas, Florida or New Mexico,” notes Shull. In The New York Times column “The Other Side of the Wall: A New Generation of Latino Art,” contributor Kirstin Valdez Quade unpacks the idea of “borders” — both the constructions that divide countries and the less tangible partitions that divide people. She argues that borders have kept Latinx (a gender-neutral descriptor) artists underrepresented in American galleries, with the only significant exhibition occurring at the Museum of Modern Art in 1942. But she also wanders into an artistic no man’s land that Fischer and Shull, both part-time residents of Mexico, want to explore: identity. “What does it mean to be an insider? What does it mean to be an outsider?” Shull muses. “Turistas (Roi Charles III d’Espagne)” by Iván Argote, in Shull and Fischer’s show, embodies the double binds that people of color experience in postcolonial cultures. In this photograph, a century-old statue of King Charles III strikes a stately pose. But Argote, a Colombia-born artist famed for his bold installations in public spaces, has placed an indigenous shawl around the monarch’s shoulders. “My works are reflections about the way we behave, about how
22 London will host an exhibition of Latin American art
ON A PEDESTAL: Iván Argote is a Colombia-born artist whose gutsy public interventions raise eyebrows. “Turistas (Roi Charles III d’Espagne),” for instance, makes a bold statement on postcolonial life by featuring King Charles III wearing an indigenous shawl. Image courtesy of Argote we understand our close environment and about how this close environment is related with history, traditions, art, politics, and power,” he says in an artist’s statement. “Argote’s work is powerful,” says Shull. “But there’s a gentleness there, too. It’s not heavy-handed,” adds Fischer. Neither is Santiago Sierra’s “89 Huichols.” The piece features black-andwhite photos of the Huichol, a Native American people living in the Sierra Madre Occidental range. Each image has been taken from behind, since the tribe rarely consents to being photographed. On one hand, explains Fischer, the shooting style nods to the tribe’s values. “But it says a lot about the indigenous people being marginalized by higher socioeconomic groups as well,” she notes.
The sheer size of Sierra’s art — 12 feet tall by 6 feet wide — adds nuance, too. “You can’t just judge ‘89 Huichols,’” says Shull. “You must confront it.” Besides sharing Latin American roots, all of the artwork curated for ¡Viva! is large. Wanting to capitalize on the lofty ceilings in their 10,000-square-foot warehouse-turned-studio, Shull and Fischer chose more substantial pieces from their travels in Latin America. “One Flew Over the Void (Bala Perdida)” by Javier Téllez even incorporates a multimedia aspect. The 11-minute video documents a parade organized by Téllez in Las Playas, on the border of Tijuana and San Diego. The parade features passers-by and patients from a local psychiatric hospital and ends with a circus performer being shot out of a cannon over the Mexico-U.S. border. It’s strange, yet sobering.
“It makes an absurdist statement on the extent some people go to enter America. They risk their lives,” says Fischer. She sees ¡Viva! sparking a muchneeded dialogue on racism and immigration reform. Still, it’s important to note that the show breaks from their other exhibitions, which typically feature local artists. As owners of Pink Dog Creative, a studio and community hub on Depot Street, Fischer and Shull provide WNC artists with space to create and show their work. 2016 saw Ashevillecentric exhibits like Randy Siegel: In Search of The One — an exploration of love by painter Randy Siegel — and Zona Torrida: Photographs from Mexico and Peru by Eric Baden, a photography professor at Warren Wilson College. But as Shull points out, he and Fischer are, after all, “local curators with an international focus.” Their personal collection is, in that way, exclusive. Over the past 10 years, they have only collected international pieces. Establishing 22 London — a private studio that opened to the public just once a year — afforded the opportunity to show off these pieces. Last May, for instance, they mounted Love, Devotion, and Surrender, a media-based show that featured a group of international creatives. Now, ¡Viva! will follow suit. “More people are relocating to Asheville from other parts of the world, and they’re used to having international experiences,” says Shull. “We want our show to expose artists to what else is happening in the world.” ¡Viva! runs through Saturday, Oct. 14. All visits past the opening reception are by appointment only. Shull and Fischer hope to eventually donate the exhibition to the North Carolina Museum of Art. X
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WHAT ¡Viva! WHERE 22 London 22 London Road randyshull.com WHEN Reception on Saturday, Sept. 16, 6-10 p.m. Free
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T H E AT E R R E V I E W by Kai Elijah Hamilton | kaielijahhamilton@gmail.com
‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised]’ The title The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised] basically says it all. It’s a good-natured lampoon of every theatrical Shakespeare piece, compressed into a mere hour and a half. The show starts with the quintessential Romeo and Juliet and ends with the heralded Hamlet. Everything in between is a mashup. The latest production of the Montford Park Players is onstage at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre through Saturday, Sept. 23. The trick is there are only three performers, presumably friends, who frolic on and off stage — oftentimes in a tether. There’s no fourth wall with this play, and the audience is invited into the chaos. Performers David Broshar, Jason Williams and Jason Phillips go by their own names in the show. (To avoid any confusion, there’s a marquee, in neon, across the set.) Williams spurs the momentum and is the undisputed standout. While not the most transformative actor, his attributes are a major advantage here. But not even Williams’ enthusiasm can overcome the sleepy spell this production seems to fall under. Phillips is seemingly pulled from the audience near the top of the play. From then on, he basically charms the night away. He’s espe-
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ALL SHAKESPEARE, ALL THE TIME: Montford Park Players’ latest production stars, from left, David Broshar, Jason Williams and Jason Phillips. The trio provide a comedic romp through the Bard’s canon. Photo by William Zane Lawrence cially winning when taking on any female character, which garners many well-deserved chuckles.
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Broshar has a certain charisma, and, with a little more time, the cast will grow more confident together.
This is certainly a difficult show to stage. What makes the production fun is also its challenge. The
audience needs to feel as if we’re jacked up on Red Bull, which allows for any misfired jokes to be passed over quickly. Despite the pacing lull and awkwardly misplaced props, the actors in this production hang in there. They truly shine when interacting with the audience, something at least the first few rows relished in. This rapport helps draw us into their playful re-enactment. Director Sarah Felmet can rest assured that most of the trendy script additions are well-received, minus the Game of Thrones references. The amphitheater’s set is fantastically tarnished with graffiti, making us yearn for the 1980s all over again. Front and center, lettering reads “Puck” and below it “R&J.” But a strategically placed letter “p” looks like an “f.” The wordplay no doubt reflects Felmet’s cheeky humor. Rick Astley’s rickrolling “Never Gonna Give You Up” plays hilariously on repeat throughout the entire intermission. As we wander off to find a treat, we discover Jenni Robinson’s delightful Fox Tasket Picnic Baskets. Such a clever addition makes us feel as
though we’re at a real Shakespearean street fair. It’s no wonder that The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised] is such a popular play in the Asheville area. It’s an automatic crowd-pleasing comedy. Having seen three different versions in the last several years, what’s interesting to note is how distinct the variations are. It’s the selection of cast members that is ultimately key to the show’s success. X
WHAT The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised] WHERE Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre 92 Gay St. montfordparkplayers.org WHEN Through Saturday, Sept. 23 Friday-Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Free, donations appreciated
! y a MX giveaw Find this MX Promo at mountainx.com and comment before midnight on Sunday, Sept. 17th for a chance to win a pair of passes to HempX Asheville!
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SMART BETS
A&E
by Edwin Arnaudin | Send your arts news to ae@mountainx.com
Sharyn McCrumb The Greenbrier Ghost and the murder trial it inspired are the latest nuggets of mountain folklore to catch the interest of Sharyn McCrumb. The Unquiet Grave, the writer’s newest novel, dramatizes the famous late-19th-century case, which arose based on alleged prompting from the spiritual world and featured the first black attorney in West Virginia. The author travels from her Virginia home to the other side of the Blue Ridge Mountains to read from the book at Malaprop’s on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. The following day, at 2 p.m., she’ll participate in UNC Asheville’s Zebulon B. Vance Reconsidered symposium in the Sherrill Center’s Mountain View Room 417. McCrumb will discuss the life and legacy of the former North Carolina governor, who’s appeared in several of her stories. Free. malaprops.com. unca.edu. Author photo by David McCrumb
Asheville Film Festival Remember the days when the Asheville Film Festival was the city’s premier cinematic event, capable of attracting the likes of Ken Russell and Don Mancini? Ron Cooper and A-B Tech carry on the festival’s legacy with a packed single day during which 46 films will be screened across five campus venues. Feature-length and short selections include comedies, dramas, documentaries, student films, web series and experimental films. Awards will be given out in a dozen categories. In the running are several works of local significance, including Justin Johnson’s documentary short, Abby The Spoon Lady. The festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. $10-25. ashevillencfilmfestival.com. Photo of Abby the Spoon Lady by John Gellman
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Art in Autumn Now in its 11th year, the Weaverville Business Association’s Art in Autumn fine arts and craft show brings together 114 artists practicing a range of disciplines throughout the Southeast. All are competing in the juried competition for a $1,000 best-of-show award, a $500 second-place, a $300 third-place and four $50 honorablemention prizes. Among those who’ve submitted pieces are numerous locals, including Weaverville-based fiber artist Elizabeth Searle, woodworker Jim Winters from Leicester, jeweler Carol Eder-Smith from Arden and Hendersonville-based photographer Alice Greko. Judging this year’s entries is Stefanie Gerber Darr, executive director of the Asheville Area Arts Council. All participants’ work will be on display in booths lining Weaverville’s Main Street on Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. visitweaverville.com. Painting by Marcus Thomas
Chronixx Chuckle at Chronixx’s herbalsounding stage name all you want — just know that you’re doing so to reggae royalty. Born Jamar Rolando McNaughton in Jamaica in 1992, he followed in the footsteps of his dance hall artist father Chronicle, whose industry associates such as Burro Banton and Gregory Isaacs helped further foster the artist as a young man. Now comes Chronixx’s new album, Chronology, a collection of accessible island jams fortified by modern production that understandably lured the ears of Lauryn Hill and Nas. In between Southeastern stops with the two hip-hop legends, Chronixx plays a headlining show at Salvage Station on Monday, Sept. 18, at 9 p.m. $20 advance/$22 day of show. salvagestation.com. Photo by Joachim Maquet
A&E CA LEN DA R
by Abigail Griffin
THE ASHEVILLE DARKROOM: Darkroom photography is not dead! The Asheville Darkroom offers Asheville an accessible and affordable space to learn and practice traditional photography. On Monday, Sept. 18, from 6-8 p.m. (and the third Monday of every month), the group offers a darkroom basics workshop for $10. The darkroom also offers free critiques on the last Wednesday of each month for both analog and digital work. In addition to the monthly offerings, The Asheville Darkroom offers monthly memberships that allow members to use the darkroom as needed. For more information, visit theashevilledarkroom.org. Photo courtesy of The Asheville Darkroom ART COLLEGE LEVEL COMMUNITY ART COURSES IN ASHEVILLE START OCTOBER 4 (PD.) • 10-week class at Rainbow Community School. Intermediate-Advanced Painting 8-week class at Jewish Community Center. Fees $200 to $275. Contact Glenn Hirsch 415.987.1226. glennhirsch@earthlink.net. www.glennhirsch.com ART AT WCU 828-227-2787, bardoartscenter.wcu.edu • TH (9/14), 2-4pm Cornhusk doll making demonstrations. Free. Held at Western Carolina University Hunter Library, 176 Central Drive, Cullowhee • TH (9/21), 2-4pm Weaving demonstrations. Free. Held at Western Carolina University Hunter Library, 176 Central Drive, Cullowhee
THE ASHEVILLE DARKROOM 207 Coxe Ave. Suite 16, Asheville, 828-572-3275, theashevilledarkroom.com • 3rd MONDAYS 6-8pm - “Darkroom basics,” workshop. $10. THE COMMUNITY TABLE 23 Central St. Sylva, 828586-6782 • 3rd THURSDAYS, 4:30pm - Free community arts and crafts session sponsored by the Appalachian Art Farm. Free.
ART/CRAFT STROLLS & FAIRS ART HOP facebook.com/ artgallerytrailwnc1, artgallerytrailwnc1@gmail. com • 3rd FRIDAYS, 4-7pm Self-guided tours of 13 fine arts and crafts galleries in Historic Hendersonville
and Flat Rock. Free to attend. Held at Art Gallery Trail WNC, S Main St, Hendersonville ART IN AUTUMN visitweaverville.com/ art-in-autumn/ • SA (9/16), 9am-6pm Outdoor arts and crafts festival with 114 juried artists and craftspeople, live music and food vendors. Free to attend. Held at Downtown Weaverville and Surrounding Areas, Main St., Weaverville BURIAL BEER CO. 40 Collier Ave., 828-4752739, burialbeer.com • WE (9/13), 8-11pm - Local arts and crafts market. Free to attend.
AUDITIONS & CALL TO ARTISTS ASHEVILLE CHRISTMAS SHOW AshevilleChristmasShow.com
Every Thursday night
Music Night
in the Enoteca at Rezaz for more info: facebook: enotecatrezaz instagram: rezazasheville Make reservations at reserve.com Historic Biltmore Village 828.277.1510 rezaz.com MOUNTAINX.COM
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• SA (9/16), 1:30-5pm Open auditions for The Asheville Christmas Show. Casting roles for singers, dancers, musicians, youth performers (age 7+) and specialty acts. Conctact for audition appointment: info@ marlumor.com. Visit website for full guidelines. Held at YMCA - Asheville, 30 Woodfin St. CENTER STAGE DANCE STUDIO 38-L Rosscraggon Road, 828-654-7010 • SU (9/17), 1:30pm - Open auditions to perform in the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Asheville performances. Registration: nutcracker.com/auditions. ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 337 Charlotte St., 828-2545836, stmarysasheville.org • Through FR (9/29) Vendor submissions accepted for the Fall Craft Fair to be held Saturday, Oct. 14, 9am-3pm. Registration: 828648-6538 or pwooten6538@ charter.net.
MUSIC A TIME TRAVELING GALA • SEPTEMBER 23 (PD.) Presented by the Preservation Society. • The Dance Through Time begins at YMI, where you will be whisked away on trolleys for visits to historic Zealandia Castle and the Arts and Crafts Sondley Estate. • 3 parties in one! • Tickets online: PSABC.org AFRICAN DRUM LESSONS AT SKINNY BEATS DRUM SHOP (PD.) Sundays 2pm, Wednesdays 6pm. Billy Zanski teaches a fun approach to connecting with your inner rhythm. Drop-ins welcome. Drums provided. $15/class. (828) 768-2826. www.skinnybeatsdrums.com ASHEVILLE AREA PIANO FORUM 828-669-3878, ashevillepiano.org, president@ashevillepiano. org • SA (9/16), 10:30am “Measured Tones: The Physics of Music,” general meeting and presentation by Dr. Ted McIrvine. Free. Held at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3070 Sweeten Creek Road
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by Abigail Griffin CITY OF ASHEVILLE 828-251-1122, ashevillenc.gov • FRIDAYS, 6-10pm Asheville outdoor drum circle. Free. Held at Pritchard Park, 4 College St.
A portion of proceeds benefit the Hendersonville Symphony. $15.
CITY OF MORGANTON MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM 401 South College St. Morganton, commaonline.org • TH (9/14), 7pm - The Moore Brothers Band concert. $10/$8 seniors & youth.
FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE 2661 Highway 225, Flat Rock, 828-693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org • TU (9/19), 7:30pm - A Man and his Prostate, one-man show by Ed Asner. $35. • THURSDAY through SUNDAY until (9/24) You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Thurs., Fri. & Sat.: 7pm. Thurs., Sat. & Sun.: 2pm. SA (9/9): 8pm. $12.50$25.
DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 100 Block N. Lexington Ave. (at Hiawassee St.) • FR (9/15), 5pm “Downtown After 5,” outdoor concert with Billy Strings and Whiskey Shivers. Free. HAYWOOD COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL 828-452-0593, haywoodarts.org • SU (9/17), 3-4pm - Jazz piano concert featuring Richard Schulman. Free. Held at Haywood County Library-Canton, 11 Pennsylvania Ave., Canton
THEATER
HENDERSONVILLE COMMUNITY THEATRE 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville, 828-6921082, hendersonvillelittletheater. org • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS (9/15) through (10/1) - W;t. Fri. & Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2pm. $22/$18 students/$15 youth.
MUSIC AT UNCA 828-251-6432, unca.edu • TH (9/21), 7-9pm - Music Faculty Showcase. Free. Held at Lipinsky Auditorium at UNC Asheville, 300 Library Lane
MAGNETIC 375 375 Depot St., themagnetictheatre.org • THURSDAYS through SATURDAYS (9/14) until (10/7) - Better Strangers, drama. 7:30pm. $10-16.
RHYTHM & BREWS CONCERT SERIES 828-233-3216, facebook.com/ rhythmandbrewshendersonville • TH (9/21), 5-9pm Outdoor concert with The Dirty Soul Revival and Backup Planet, R&B/jazz/ funk/roots. Free. Held at South Main Street, 301 S. Main St., Hendersonville
MONTFORD PARK PLAYERS 828-254-5146, montfordparkplayers.org • FRIDAYS through SUNDAYS until (9/23) The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged). Free. Held at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St.
TRYON FINE ARTS CENTER 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon, 828-859-8322, tryonarts.org • FR (9/15), 8pm - The Kruger Brothers, bluegrass concert. $17-$40. • SA (9/16), 10am Masterclass with The Kruger Brothers. Registration required. $20. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF HENDERSONVILLE 2021 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville, 828-6933157, uufhnc.org • SA (9/16), 7pm - Bluegrass to Bach Concert Series: Flamenco and classical guitar concert by Silviu Ciulei.
NC STAGE COMPANY 15 Stage Lane, 828-2390263 • WEDNESDAYS through SUNDAYS (9/20) until (10/8) - King Mackerel and the Blues Are Running, tall tales and songs. Wed.-Sat.: 7:30pm. Sun.: 2pm. $16-$34. THEATER AT WCU 828-227-2479, bardoartscenter.wcu.edu • WE (9/20) through SA (9/23), 7:30pm - Angels in America, student production. $20/$15 students. Held at Western Carolina University Hoey Auditorium, 176 Central Dr, Cullowhee
GALLERY DIRECTORY 22 LONDON 22 London Road • SA (9/16) through SA (10/14) !VIVA!, exhibition of contemporary Latin American art. Reception: Saturday, Sept. 16, 6-10pm.
Perspective, multi-media exhibition showing original letters and newlydiscovered documents. SWANNANOA VALLEY FINE ARTS LEAGUE 828-669-0351, svfalarts.org • Through TU (11/7) - Images and Words, group exhibition. Held at Red House Studios and Gallery, 310 W. State St., Black Mountain
ART AT MARS HILL UNIVERSITY mhu.edu • Through FR (9/22) - Fluent: 25 Years of Painting, Drawings, and Album Covers, exhibition of the art of Daniel Nevins. Held at Mars Hill University, Weizenblatt Gallery, 79 Cascade St., Mars Hill ART AT UNCA art.unca.edu • Through FR (9/22) - Exhibition of the work of Adam Cable. Held at UNC Asheville - Owen Hall, 1 University Heights • Through FR (9/22) - UNC Asheville faculty art exhibition. Held at UNC Asheville - Owen Hall, 1 University Heights • Through SU (10/1) - Obscura, multimedia installation by Peter Kusek. Held at UNC Asheville - Ramsey Library, 1 University Heights ART AT WCU 828-227-2787, bardoartscenter.wcu.edu • Through FR (9/15) - Lives Matter, MFA thesis exhibition featuring the work of Don Sawyer. Held at The WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Drive ASHEVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL 828-258-0710, ashevillearts.com • Through FR (9/22) - Man and Nature: Pathway to Renewal, exhibition curated by Joseph Pearson. Held at The Refinery, 207 Coxe Ave. ASHEVILLE BOOKWORKS 428 1/2 Haywood Road, 828-2558444, ashevillebookworks.com • Through WE (11/1) - Grain, works in print by members of Asheville Printmakers. ASHEVILLE GALLERY OF ART 82 Patton Ave., 828-251-5796, ashevillegallery-of-art.com
SWELL SALON 9 W. Walnut St., Unit 2 • Through SA (9/30) - Exhibition of the art of Tessa Lang. THE ASHEVILLE SCHOOL 360 Asheville School Road, 828-2546345, ashevilleschool.org • TH (9/14) through TU (10/31) Parallel Play, exhibition of the work of Julie Armbruster. Reception: Thursday, Sept. 14, 5-7pm. THE CENTER FOR CRAFT, CREATIVITY AND DESIGN
CRAFTED STRANGERS: The newest exhibition at the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design’s Benchspace Gallery, Crafted Strangers, is using craft to challenge cultural stereotypes. The exhibition, which has an opening reception and curator’s talk Friday, Sept. 15, from 5-8 p.m., showcases work by 17 artists from across the United States and Canada that problematizes identity stereotypes and attempts to open new notions of the self. “From ceramic sculptures made from clothes left at the U.S.-Mexican border to trading cards that position indigenous women as superheroes, Crafted Strangers is a timely exhibition that brings an array of stories that challenge mainstream representations of immigrant and indigenous people,” explains the curators, Cass Gardiner and Quizayra Gonzalez. For more information, visit craftcreativitydesign.org. Photos of installation by artist Joiri Minaya by Stefan Hagen courtesy of the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design • Through SA (9/30) - Radiant Fall, paintings of Judy Rentner. DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES WESTERN OFFICE 176 Riceville Road, 828-296-7230 • Through SA (9/30) - Photos by Brenda Scott of scenes from the Vance Birthplace. Part of the UNC Asheville Zebulon B. Vance Reconsidered Symposium. Reception: Friday, Sept. 15, 4:306:30pm. GALLERY 1 604 W. Main St., Sylva • Through SA (9/30) - The Art of James Smythe, exhibition.
GROVEWOOD GALLERY 111 Grovewood Road, 828-253-7651, grovewood.com • Through SU (9/17) - Exhibition of work from and benefit for Arts For Life. IZZY’S COFFEE DEN 976 Haywood Road • Through TU (10/31) - Vibrant Trees, exhibition of mixed-media with gemstones by Heather Taylor. JACKSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 310 Keener St., Sylva, 828-586-2016, fontanalib.org/sylva/
• Through SA (9/30) - Exhibition of works by Jan Boyer. MORA CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY 9 Walnut St., 828-575-2294, moracollection.com • Through SA (9/30) - Exhibition of jewelry by Erica Stankwytch Bailey. ODYSSEY COOPERATIVE ART GALLERY 238 Clingman Ave., 828-285-9700, facebook.com/odysseycoopgallery • Through SA (9/30) - Exhibition featuring the ceramic art of MaryJane Findley and Dot Burnworth.
PINK DOG CREATIVE 348 Depot St., pinkdog-creative.com • Through SA (9/30) - Impossible Interior Babel, exhibition of paintings by Jeremy Phillips. REVOLVE 122 Riverside Drive • Through SA (9/30) - Portrait, new paintings by Mark Ouellette. RURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM AT MARS HILL 100 Athletic St., Mars Hill, 828-6891304 • Through SU (3/4) - The Civil War In the Southern Highlands: A Human
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67 Broadway, 828-785-1357, craftcreativitydesign.org/ • FR (9/15) through (1/6)- Crafted Strangers, group exhibition. Reception: Friday, Sept. 15, 5-8pm. TRYON ARTS AND CRAFTS SCHOOL 373 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, 828859-8323 • FR (9/15) through TU (10/31) - Black & White Show, group exhibition. Reception: Friday, Sept. 15, 6-8pm. WOOLWORTH WALK 25 Haywood St., 828-254-9234 • Through FR (9/29) - Exhibition of paintings by Karen Keil Brown. ZAPOW! 150 Coxe Ave., Suite 101, 828-5752024, zapow.net • Through SA (9/30) - Tentacles & Intoxication, group exhibition. Contact the galleries for admission hours and fees
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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CLUBLAND ORANGE PEEL KYLE w/ Buddy [CANCELLED], 9:00PM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
PULP Chaos Among Cattle w/ At Deaths Behest & Systematic Devastation, 9:00PM
185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 7:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM
PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Campfire Reverends, 6:00PM
550 TAVERN & GRILLE Karaoke, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Brad Hodge & friends, 7:30PM
Peggy Ratusz’s Female Artist Spotlight Wednesday
39 S. Market St.
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9/20
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POST 25 Albi & The Lifters (American swing, French chanson), 7:00PM POUR TAPROOM Music Bingo, 7:00PM
BARLEY’S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Dr. Brown’s Team Trivia, 8:30PM
7pm
SALVAGE STATION RnB Wednesday Jam Night w/ Ryan RnB Barber & friends, 8:00PM
BEN’S TUNE-UP Jeff Thompson Trio (rock ‘n’ roll), 7:00PM
theblockoffbiltmore.com
SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Karaoke, 7:00PM
BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open mic w/ Billy Owens, 7:00PM BURGER BAR Double Trouble Karaoke w/ Dee and Quinn, All day CORK & KEG 3 Cool Cats (vintage rock ‘n’ roll, dance), 7:30PM CREPE BOURREE Gypsy Duets, 7:00PM
9/13: TRIVIA 7PM
TRESSA’S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES JJ Kitchen All Star Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM
HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM
WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Richard Shulman (jazz), 7:30PM
ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Bill Frisell Harmony w/ Petra Haden, Hank Roberts & Luke Bergman (two shows), 7:00PM Bill Frisell Harmony w/ Petra Haden, Hank Roberts & Luke Bergman, 9:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old-time session, 5:00PM
WILD WING CAFE Paint Nite, 7:00PM Spalding McIntosh (acoustic), 7:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH J Luke (acoustic), 6:30PM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM
5 WALNUT WINE BAR Pleasure Chest (blues, rock, soul), 8:00PM
LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM
ALTAMONT THEATRE An evening w/ Michelle Malone (rock, Americana, blues), 7:00PM
MG ROAD Salsa Night w/ DJ Mexicano Isaac, 7:00PM ODDITORIUM Synergy Story Slam, 7:00PM Castle w/ All Hell & Squidlord (metal), 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY’S Sexy Tunes w/ DJs Zeus & Franco, 10:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Brown Bag Songwriting Competition, 5:30PM Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Andy Ferrell (singer-songwriter, roots), 9:00PM
THIS WEEK AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL
THE MOTHLIGHT Power Trip w/ Weak Wrists & Abjex, 9:30PM TIMO’S HOUSE Flow Jam 12 Olympians, 8:00PM
DOUBLE CROWN Classic Country Vinyl w/ DJ David Wayne Gay, 10:00PM
COMING SOON: 9/23: RESONANT ROGUES 7-9PM 9/24: YOGA + CIDER 12:30PM 10/7: TINA & HER PONY! 8-10PM
THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Indivisible Asheville, 5:30PM Universal Four Elemental Mother Ceremony, 6:30PM
ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Will Ray & The Space Cooties, 7:30PM BARLEY’S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Alien Music Club (live jazz), 9:00PM BEN’S TUNE-UP Unihorn w/ members of Empire Strikes Brass, 7:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Ionize, 7:00PM BYWATER Well Lit Strangers, 6:00PM
THIS WEEK AT THE ONE STOP:
THU 9/14 10pm Sister Ivy [Surrealistic Soul-Jazz] FRI 9/15 10pm Steady Flow [Funk/Rock] SAT 9/16 10pm All the Locals [Rock/Pop] UPCOMING SHOWS - ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL:
SOL SEED & TREEHOUSE!
w/ Zach Fowler (of Sun-dried vibes) and Budda Love
FRI 9/15 – 9 pm – 60
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
adv.
$10
MOUNTAINX.COM
JONATHAN SCALES BIRTHDAY SHOW: JONATHAN SCALES FOURCHESTRA ft. Cody Wright & Shariq Tucker with Chuck Lichtenberger & late night DJ Marley Carroll set.
SAT 9/16 – 9 pm –
adv.
$12
9/22 Big Sam’s Funky Nation w/ Victor Wainwright and The Train 9/23 Southeast B-Boy Championships 9/26 Tuesday Night Funk Jam’s 10-year Anniversary show 9/29 Jahman Brahman Tickets available at ashevillemusichall.com @avlmusichall
@onestopasheville
NO STRINGS ATTACHED: East Nashville picker Billy Strings isn’t your typical country artist. The fourth-generation musician got his start playing in metal bands, and brings the same raucous intensity to his brand of Americana, with some psychedelic musings and a DIY punk mentality thrown in for good measure. Identified by Rolling Stone magazine as one of country music’s artists to watch, Strings is bringing his iconoclastic roots sound to the streets of Asheville on Friday, Sept. 15, where he’ll join the band Whiskey Shivers to headline Downtown After Five. Photo by Michael Weintrob CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capellas on 9 w/ Claire Brockway, 8:00PM CITY OF MORGANTON MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM The Moore Brothers Band, 7:00PM
ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Laid Back Thursday w/ Ram Mandelkorn Trio, 7:00PM The Novel Ideas, 7:00PM Andrew Duhon w/ Nikki Talley & Jason Sharp, 8:30PM
TAVERN
JACK OF THE WOOD PUB
Downtown on the Park Eclectic Menu • Over 30 Taps • Patio 15 TV’s • Sports Room • 110” Projector Event Space • Shuffleboard Open 7 Days 11am - Late Night
The Clydes pre-jam, 7:00PM Bluegrass Open Jam Session, 9:00PM
CREEKSIDE TAPHOUSE Reggae Thursdays w/ Station Underground (reggae, rock, jam), 8:00PM
h ave F O O We o n ov eT BA L L s ! r 15 TV’
CROW & QUILL Carolina Catskins (gritty ragtime jazz), 10:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Sonic Satan Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM
HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS The Workshop, 9:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY East Side Social Ride, 6:00PM Roots & friends open jam (blues, rock, roots), 7:00PM
THU FRI SAT SAT
GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Ointment Appointment (rock ‘n’ roll), 6:00PM American Aquarium w/ Curtis McMurtry, 9:00PM
SUN
GOOD STUFF Jim Hampton & friends perform “Eclectic Country” (jam), 7:00PM
AMERICAN AQUARIUM w/ Curtis McMurtry
DELTA RAE
w/ Liz Longley
ROCKIN FUR THE CATS!
2PM • Benefiting Feline Urgent Rescue of WNC • Music ft. Pleasure Chest
OF MONTREAL w/ Showtime Goma and Nancy Feast GAELYNN LEA
8:00 pm
w/ Jenny Parrott
MON
FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Momma Molasses (indie, folk), 6:00PM
9/14 9/15 9/16 9/16 9/17
GUEST 9/18 w/ELECTRIC TOMI
TUE
FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Gypsy Guitar Trio (gypsy jazz), 9:00PM
Historic Live Music Venue Located At
THU. 9/14
185 CLINGMAN AVE • ASHEVILLE
9/19
WILLIAM CLARK GREEN w/ Krista Shows
Bean Tree Remedy (eclectic acoustic)
TAQUERIA
FRI. 9/15 DJ MoTo
OPEN AT 11AM DAILY
( dance hits, pop)
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT
HARVEST RECORDS + THEGREYEAGLE.COM
COMING SOON
SAT. 9/16 A Social Function ( classic hits, rock, pop)
9/20: Morning Teleportation 9/21: The Malpass Brothers
9/22 & 9/23: Comedian Fortune Feimster Two Shows Friday & Two Shows Saturday 9/24: Stephen Evans & The True Grits EP Release Show!
20 S. Spruce St. • 225.6944 packStavern.com
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SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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C LU BL A N D LAZY DIAMOND Heavy Night w/ DJ Butch, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Hank Bones, 6:30PM MAD CO BREW HOUSE Trivia Night w/ Jim Thorsen, 7:00PM NOBLE KAVA Ping Pong Tournament, 8:00PM ODDITORIUM Hard Rocket w/ Aisles of Jane Doe & Systematic Devastation (rock, metal), 9:00PM
OLE SHAKEY’S Karaoke, 9:00PM
PULP Blackout Diaries, 9:00PM
ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Mitch’s Totally Rad Trivia Night, 7:00PM Sister Ivy (progressive soul), 10:00PM
PACK’S TAVERN Bean Tree Remedy (eclectic acoustic), 8:00PM
ONE WORLD BREWING King Garbage (soul), 9:00PM
PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Marcel Anton Group, 8:00PM POUR TAPROOM Tunes at the Taps, 7:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE One Leg Up, 7:30PM
OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Matt Walsh (country, blues), 6:00PM
SALVAGE STATION The Band of Heathens, 9:00PM
LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT NO COVER CHARGE THURSDAY
MONDAY
NFL TICKET
65¢ WINGS
FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 15
TUESDAY
ZUZU WELSH
MOUNTAIN SHAG
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16
WEDNESDAY
FREE FLIGHT ACOUSTIC
KARAOKE W/ DJ DO IT
SUNDAY NFL
FULL MENU — 15 TAPS OPEN WEEKDAYS 4 PM OPEN FOR LUNCH, FRI-SUN NOON Located Next to Clarion Inn — 550 Airport Road Fletcher — 550tavern.com — www.facebook.com/550TavernGrille
Events WED - 9/13 MUSICAL BINGO @ 7:30PM Win prizes!
THURS - 9/14 BREAKFAST & BEER PAIRING DINNER
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SWEETEN CREEK BREWING Vinyl Night, 6:30PM
FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB The Fam Damily Band (funk, jazz), 10:00PM
THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Cocktails & Creations, 7:00PM Jay Brown (Americana, ragtime, blues), 8:30PM THE FAIRVIEW TAVERN Live Band Karaoke & Open Jam w/ Old School, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Teton w/ Lulo & Alec Sturgis, 9:30PM
GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Delta Rae w/ Liz Longley, 8:00PM
TIMO’S HOUSE Flo Mocean SoundFoundation, 8:00PM TOWN PUMP Doug Gibson, 9:00PM TRESSA’S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Jesse Barry & The Jam (blues, dance), 9:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Circus Number Nine (bluegrass), 7:30PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ unplugged w/ Stevie Lee Combs, 8:00PM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 185 KING STREET Deja Fuze, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR What It Is (funk, blues, jazz), 9:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE Zuzu Welsch Band, 9:00PM ALTAMONT THEATRE Black Robin Hero w/ The Carleans (rock, Americana), 8:00PM ARCHETYPE BREWING Brother Dege & The Brethren, 7:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Jody Carroll, 7:30PM
Call now to reserve your spot!
BEN’S TUNE-UP Vinyl Night w/ DJ Kilby, 10:00PM
FRI - 9/15
BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Gene Holdway, 7:00PM
JUST ECONOMICS EVENT
BURGER BAR Burger Bar Bike Night, All day
6-8PM
CAPELLA ON 9@THE AC HOTEL Capellas on 9 w/ DJ Phantom Pantone, 9:00PM CORK & KEG Jane Kramer & Anya Hinkle (roots, Americana), 8:00PM CROW & QUILL Gypsy Hicks (Eastern European folk), 10:00PM
#headupcountry
FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Buncombe Turnpike Trio (bluegrass), 6:00PM GOOD STUFF Momma Molasses (singer-songwriter), 8:30PM
5 courses with 5 beer pairings for $40
1042 HAYWOOD RD. ASHEVILLE, NC 28806
828.575.2400 UPCOUNTRYBREWING.COM
DOWNTOWN AFTER 5 Billy Strings & Whiskey Shivers (country), 5:00PM
ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Sol Seed & TreeHouse! w/ Zach Fowler & Bubba Love (reggae), 9:00PM
Release of Bernie Sanders IPA, a brew created by Just Brew It’s winner, David Maida.
SUN-THURS 2PM-10PM FRI-SAT 2PM-MIDNIGHT
SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Stephen Evans, 7:00PM
DOUBLE CROWN Rock & Soul Obscurities w/ DJ Greg Cartwright, 10:00PM
HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Sign of the Times release, 1:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Isis lawn series w/ Secret B-Sides Trio, 6:30PM An Evening w/ Steven Pelland & Ryan Guerra, 7:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB The Modern Strangers (janglepop), 9:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Rotating rpm rock ‘n’ soul DJ, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Rob Parks & friends, 6:30PM MAD CO BREW HOUSE Sarah Tucker, 6:30PM MARS HILL RADIO THEATRE Bailey Mountain Park Benefit Concert, 7:00PM MOE’S ORIGINAL BBQ WOODFIN Junk Yard Dogs, 6:30PM NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Freewheelin’ Mamas, 7:30PM NOBLE KAVA Station Underground, 9:00PM ODDITORIUM Withered w/ Lazur/Wolf & Shadow of the Destroyer (metal), 9:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Free Dead Friday w/ members of Phuncle Sam, 5:30PM Psychedelic Monks & Steady Flow, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Chicken Coop Willaye (roots), 9:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Todd Cecil & Back South (blues), 6:00PM PULP Undergrowth Showcase w/ Hyperbolic Headspace, Sam Wild, Psynatra, Makak & Snakko, 9:00PM PACK’S TAVERN DJ Moto (dance hits, pop), 9:30PM PILLAR ROOFTOP BAR 3 Cool Cats, 7:00PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Bobby Miller & The Virginia Daredevils, 8:00PM
SALVAGE STATION The Lacs, 9:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Carver & Carmody, 8:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Unite! Open Mic Night, 8:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Heartscape Landbreak w/ Desperate Pilot & Superflaw, 9:30PM THE SUMMIT AT NEW MOUNTAIN AVL SOL Vibes, 9:00PM TIMO’S HOUSE Funky Friday w/ DJ Franco Nino, 8:00PM TOWN PUMP Riverbend Reunion, 9:00PM TRESSA’S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES The Duane Simpson Duo (live music), 7:00PM Citizen Mojo (live music), 10:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Robin Bullock (acoustic guitar), 8:00PM WILD WING CAFE Riyen Roots (mountain music, blues, rock), 9:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH A Social Function (acoustic), 9:00PM WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ electric w/ DJ Abu Disarray, 8:00PM
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 185 KING STREET Bull at the Wagon, 8:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Shake It Like a Caveman (rock n’ roll), 9:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE Free Flight Accoustic, 9:00PM ALTAMONT THEATRE Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Jonathan Scales birthday show, 9:00PM BEN’S TUNE-UP Gypsy Jazz Trio, 3:00PM BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Dave Dribbon (Americana, rock), 7:30PM BURGER BAR AshevilleFM DJ Night, All day CORK & KEG Carolina Ceili (Celtic music), 8:30PM CROW & QUILL Kim Logan (rock, soul), 9:00PM CURRAHEE BREWING TAPROOM 50’s Sock Hop Fundraiser, 5:00PM
DOUBLE CROWN Soul Motion Dance Party w/ DJ Dr. Filth, 10:00PM FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREWPUB Mission From Zod (funk, jam), 10:00PM FRENCH BROAD BREWERY Timmy The Teeth (alternative), 6:00PM FROG LEVEL BREWERY Bend & Brew, 11:00AM GOOD STUFF Unified Events (EDM dance party), 9:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Rockin FUR the Cats w/ Pleasure Chest (benefit), 2:00PM of Montreal w/ Showtime Goma & Nancy Feast, 9:00PM HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Saturday Improv, 9:00PM Dance Party Saturdays, 10:00PM HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CASINO The Doobie Brothers w/ JD & The Straight Shot (rock, soul, Americana), 7:30PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Wintervals (indie rock), 1:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 An Evening w/ Tret Fure, 7:00PM TRIBUTE (Allman Brothers tribute), 9:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB The High Divers w/ Quiet Hollers Rock (Americana, indie, rock), 9:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Sonic Satan Stew w/ DJ Alien Brain, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Sean Mason Trio, 6:30PM MG ROAD Late Night Dance Parties w/ DJ Lil Meow Meow, 10:00PM NOBLE KAVA Aaron Price Experience, 9:00PM ODDITORIUM Broad River Nightmare w/ October & Covenator (metal), 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY’S Saturday Night Fever, 10:00PM OLIVE OR TWIST 42nd Street Band (jazz), 7:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL All The Locals (rock, pop), 10:00PM ORANGE PEEL The Breakfast Club w/ Rock Academy USA, 7:00PM OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Shotgun Gypsies (rock), 6:00PM PACK’S TAVERN A Social Function (classic hits, rock, pop), 9:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Phuncle Sam, 9:00PM PURPLE ONION CAFE Peggy Ratusz, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Yoga w/ Sanctuary Rescue Home, 10:00AM CleveCo, 8:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE 2umbao Salsa Lesson, 9:30PM Latin Rhythms & Saturday Salsa Dance w/ DJ Malinalli, 10:30PM THE MOTHLIGHT Todd Day Wait’s Pigpen w/ Wyatt Yurth & The Gold Standard, 9:30PM THE SUMMIT AT NEW MOUNTAIN AVL 30 & Up Night w/ DJ Twan, 10:00PM
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SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
63
CLU B LA N D THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM Kevin Hart (comedy), 10:00PM TIMO’S HOUSE Summer House Sessions w/ Ramin & Starseed, 8:00PM
Featuring
TOWN PUMP Jimmy & the Jawbones, 9:00PM
Largest Selection of Craft Beer on Tap • 8 Wines Low Light Mondays:
COMING SOON wed 9/13
Soft lighting & Live Music every week
Music Bingo every Wednesday - 7pm
Tunes at the Taps: Live Music Every Thursday!
9/14: Bhramari Pint Night 9/18: Low Light Mondays with Live Music by Quetzal Jordan 7pm 9/21: Tunes at the Taps with Live Music by Window Cat 7pm
On Tap! 2 Hendersonville Road P o u r Ta p R o o m . c o m Monday - Thursday 2pm-10pm Fri. & Sat. 12pm-12am • Sunday 2-10pm
5-9pm–all You can eat snow crab legs 7pm & 9pm– bIll frIsell feat.
petra haden, hank roberts, & luke bergman: two shows one nIght thu 9/14
wed
7pm–the novel Ideas fri 9/15 6:30-9pm: IsIs lawn serIes w/ secret b-sIdes trIo
9/14
thu
9/15
w/ weak wrists, abjex
teton
w/ lulo, alec sturgis
fri
heartscape landbreak
9/16 9/17
BARLEY’S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Consultants of Swing (funky jazz), 7:30PM
8:30pm– phoebe hunt and
the gatherers wIth dorI freeman thu 9/21
mon
ram mandelkorn trIo
todd day wait's pigpen dust moth
free monday! dan blakeslee
w/ andy ferrell, m.t. sullivan
Yoga at the Mothlight
Tuesdays and Thursdays- 11:30am Details for all shows can be found at
themothlight.com
64
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
7:00pm– “lovers leap” wIth
sallY & george and marY & wIllIam 7-9pm–laId back thursdaY:
w/ mustard gas and roses
9/18
5 WALNUT WINE BAR Eleanor Underhill & Friends (Americana soul), 7:00PM
TUE 9/19 7:30pm–tuesdaY bluegrass sessIons wed 9/20
7:30pm–aprIl verch band
w/ wyatt yurth & the gold standard
sun
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
ALTAMONT THEATRE An Evening w/ Baby Gramps, 7:00PM
w/ desperate pilot, superflaw sat
WXYZ LOUNGE AT ALOFT HOTEL WXYZ live w/ The Lefties, 8:00PM
7pm: steven pelland and rYan guerra sat 9/16 7pm–tret fure 9pm– trIbute: a celebratIon of the allman brothers band sun 9/17
7pm– dYlan earl and hIs reasons whY
power trip
WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Asheville Jazz Orchestra, 8:00PM
7-9pm–musIc on the patIo (free)
5-9pm–all You can eat snow crab legs 6:30-9pm–musIc on the patIo (free)
9/13
TRESSA’S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES The King Zeros (delta blues), 7:30PM Ryan R&B Barber (R&B), 10:00PM
MOUNTAINX.COM
fri 9/22
6:30-9pm- IsIs lawn serIes: Josh blake organ trIo
7pm–mark mandevIlle & raIanne rIchards 9pm–randall bramblett band sat 9/23 7:00pm– amIcImusIc presents: “JewIsh Jazz 2” 9pm–an evenIng of lYnYrd skYnYrd wIth
the artImus pYle band
ISISASHEVILLE.COM DINNER MENU TIL 9:30PM LATE NIGHT MENU TIL 12AM
TUES-SUN 5PM-until 743 HAYWOOD RD 828-575-2737
ARCHETYPE BREWING Patrick Dodd & Ashley Heath, 3:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Musicians Jam & Pot Luck, 3:00PM
BEN’S TUNE-UP Good Vibe Sundays w/ members of Dub Kartel, 6:00PM BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Sunday Jazz Brunch, 11:00AM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Matt Sellars, 7:00PM BURGER BAR Push Presents: Skate Cinema, All day DOUBLE CROWN Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM
ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 E’Lon JD w/ Mike Runyon & Phil Bronson (funk, jazz, R&B), 5:30PM April Verch Band, 7:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Celtic Jam Session, 3:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Pabst Sabbath w/ DJ Chubberbird, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Phil Alley, 6:30PM LUELLA’S BAR-B-QUE BILTMORE PARK Gypsy Jazz Brunch w/ Leo Johnson, 1:00PM NATIVE KITCHEN & SOCIAL PUB Dave Desmelik Duo, 12:00PM ODDITORIUM Queer Dance Party, 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY’S Pig Out Luau!, 4:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Bluegrass Brunch, 10:30AM
GOOD STUFF Bingo Wingo Thingo, 6:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Climate Mondays, 5:30PM Electric Guest w/ TOMI, 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Game Night, 4:00PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Quizzo Trivia Night, 7:00PM Open mic, 9:30PM LOBSTER TRAP Bobby Miller & friends, 6:30PM
ODDITORIUM Risque Monday Burlesque w/ Deb Au Nare, 9:00PM
PACK’S TAVERN ASF Unplugged (acoustic hits), 4:30PM
OLE SHAKEY’S Live Band Honky Tonk Karaoke, 9:00PM
PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Sunday Paper Crowns Jam, 6:00PM
OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Mountain Music Mondays (open jam), 6:00PM
PURPLE ONION CAFE Way Down Wanderers, 7:00PM
POUR TAPROOM Low Light Mondays w/ Quetzal Jordan, 7:00PM
SALVAGE STATION Open Mic Night w/ The Wet Doorknobs, 7:00PM
SALVAGE STATION Chronixx, 9:00PM
THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Ken Burns’ “Vietnam” (film screening), 8:00PM
SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Open Mic Night, 6:00PM
THE MOTHLIGHT Dust Moth w/ Mustard Gas & Roses, 9:30PM
THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Wild Goose Festival Conversations, 6:00PM Asheville Poetry Series, 7:30PM
THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM Kevin Hart (comedy), 7:00PM TIMO’S HOUSE BYOVinyl : Open Decks DJ BentIt, 8:00PM
WICKED WEED Summer Concert Series w/ Univeral Sigh, 4:00PM
IRON HORSE STATION Solo Swing Mandolin w/ Cynthia McDermott, 6:00PM
DOUBLE CROWN Country Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM
OSKAR BLUES BREWERY Chicken Fried Possum (oldtime), 3:00PM
FLOOD GALLERY FINE ART CENTER True Home Open Mic Night (music, poetry, comedy), 5:00PM
HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Reggae Sunday w/ Dennis “Chalwa” Berndt, 1:00PM
BURGER BAR Booze Bap, All day
MG ROAD The Living Room (live music), 8:30PM
WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Mia Rose Lynn, 7:30PM
HABITAT TAVERN & COMMONS Bend, Brew & Brunch, 11:00AM
BEN’S TUNE-UP Appleton electronic jam w/ The Twelve Olympians, 7:00PM
ORANGE PEEL Waltz Night, 6:00PM
DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE Shape Your City 2017, 1:00PM
GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Mama Danger, 5:30PM Gaelynn Lea, 8:00PM
ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Classical Guitar Mondays, 7:00PM
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 185 KING STREET Open Mic Night, 7:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Siamese Jazz Club (R&B, soul, jazz), 8:00PM ALTAMONT THEATRE Mile Twelve w/ John Cloyd Miller (bluegrass, acoustic), 8:00PM ARCHETYPE BREWING Andy Ferrell, 7:00PM
THE IMPERIAL LIFE Ghost Pipe Trio, 9:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Dan Blakeslee w/ Andy Ferrell & M.T. Sullivan, 9:00PM TIMO’S HOUSE Manic Monday w/ DJ Drew, 8:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Old Time Music Open Jam, 6:30PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Jay Brown & Molly Rose Reed, 7:00PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Paint Nite, 7:00PM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 5 WALNUT WINE BAR The John Henrys (hot jazz), 8:00PM
550 TAVERN & GRILLE Shag Night w/ Mountain Shag Club, 6:00PM ARCHETYPE BREWING Mike Corwin, 7:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Gypsy Jazz Jam Tuesdays, 7:30PM ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Tuesday night funk jam, 11:00PM BEN’S TUNE-UP Rhoda Weaver & The Soul Mates (soul, R&B), 6:00PM BLACK MOUNTAIN ALE HOUSE Trivia, 7:30PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Mark Bumgarner (Americana), 7:00PM BURGER BAR Tonkin’ Tuesdays, All day BURIAL BEER CO. Tues. Rock w/ Minorcan & The Spiral, 7:00PM CORK & KEG Moderate Old-Time Jam, 5:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Country Western & Cajun Rarities w/ DJ Brody Hunt, 10:00PM GOOD STUFF Old time-y night, 6:30PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN William Clark Green w/ Krista Shows, 8:00PM HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Dr. Brown’s Team Trivia, 6:00PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 Tuesday bluegrass sessions w/ The Darren Nicholson Band, 7:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Cajun/Creole jam w/ Trent Van Blaricom & Joy Moser, 7:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Annabelle Chairlegs w/ Shaken Nature (psych rock) , 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Jay Brown, 6:30PM MG ROAD Keep It Classic Tuesdays w/ Sam Thompson, 5:00PM ODDITORIUM OPEN MIC COMEDY NIGHT W/ TOM PETERS, 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY’S Booty Tuesday, 10:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Turntable Tuesday, 10:00PM ORANGE PEEL BADBADNOTGOOD (hip hop, electronica, experimental), 8:30PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Taco & Trivia Tuesday, 6:00PM
THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Ho’oponopono Sacred Circle (Hawaiian prayer circle), 5:30PM Swing Asheville & Jazz-n-Justice Tuesday w/ The Posey Quartet (dance lessons @ 7 p.m. & 8 p.m.), 9:00PM Swing Asheville’s Late-night Vintage Blues Dance, 11:00PM THE MARKET PLACE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE Rat Alley Cats, 7:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Mulligrub w/ Crooked Ghost, Gullible Boys & Clyde Conwell, 9:30PM TRESSA’S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES Early Tuesday Jazz & Funk Jam (jazz, funk), 9:00PM TWIN LEAF BREWERY Trivia Night, 8:00PM UPCOUNTRY BREWING COMPANY Open Mic w/ Chris O’Neill, 6:30PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish sessions & open mic, 6:30PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH Carolina Blue (bluegrass), 6:00PM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 185 KING STREET Vinyl Night, 7:00PM 5 WALNUT WINE BAR Les Amis (African folk), 8:00PM 550 TAVERN & GRILLE Karaoke, 8:00PM ASHEVILLE GUITAR BAR Kon Tiki w/ Hank Bones & Ling Ling, 7:30PM BARLEY’S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Dr. Brown’s Team Trivia, 8:30PM BEN’S TUNE-UP Jeff Thompson Trio (rock ‘n’ roll), 7:00PM BLACK BEAR COFFEE CO. Anthony Mossburg (singer/songwriter), 7:00PM BLUE MOUNTAIN PIZZA & BREW PUB Open mic w/ Mark Bumgarner, 7:00PM BURGER BAR Double Trouble Karaoke w/ Dee and Quinn, All day CORK & KEG 3 Cool Cats (vintage rock ‘n’ roll, dance), 7:30PM CREPE BOURREE Gypsy Duets, 7:00PM DOUBLE CROWN Classic Country Vinyl w/ DJ David Wayne Gay, 10:00PM GREY EAGLE MUSIC HALL & TAVERN Pendulum Trio, 6:00PM Morning Teleportation w/ Late Night Episode, 9:00PM
HIGHLAND BREWING COMPANY Woody Wood Wednesdays (rock, soul, funk), 5:30PM ISIS MUSIC HALL & KITCHEN 743 An evening w/ Dylan Earl & His Reasons Why, 7:00PM Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers w/ Dori Freeman, 8:30PM JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Old-time session, 5:00PM LAZY DIAMOND Killer Karaoke w/ KJ Tim O, 10:00PM LOBSTER TRAP Cigar Brothers, 6:30PM MG ROAD Salsa Night w/ DJ Mexicano Isaac, 7:00PM NC STAGE COMPANY King Mackerel & the Blues Are Running, 7:30PM ODDITORIUM Dead Flowers Circus Sideshow w/ Stray Cat Sideshow, 9:00PM OLE SHAKEY’S Sexy Tunes w/ DJs Zeus & Franco, 10:00PM ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL Brown Bag Songwriting Competition, 5:30PM Evil Note Lab, 10:00PM ONE WORLD BREWING Billy Litz (multi-instrumentalist), 9:00PM PULP #40Boyz Hip Hop Showcase, 8:30PM PISGAH BREWING COMPANY Gypsy Guitar Trio, 6:00PM POST 25 Albi & The Lifters (American swing, French chanson), 7:00PM POUR TAPROOM Music Bingo, 7:00PM SALVAGE STATION RnB Wednesday Jam Night w/ Ryan RnB Barber & friends, 8:00PM SANCTUARY BREWING COMPANY Music Bingo, 6:00PM THE BLOCK OFF BILTMORE Indivisible Asheville, 5:30PM Female Artist Spotlight Night w/ Peggy Ratusz, Aileen Pearlman, Nicole Lund & Maddie Schuler, 7:00PM THE MOTHLIGHT Redleg Husky w/ Alexa Rose, 9:00PM TIMO’S HOUSE Beats n Rhymes w/ Nex Millen Open Mic , 8:00PM TRESSA’S DOWNTOWN JAZZ AND BLUES JJ Kitchen All Star Jam (blues, soul), 9:00PM WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Asheville Art Trio (jazz), 7:30PM WILD WING CAFE SOUTH J Luke (acoustic), 6:30PM
Where The Blue Ridge Mountains Meet the Celtic Isles
MONDAYS Quizzo – Brainy Trivia • 7:30pm Open Mic Night • 9pm WEDNESDAYS Asheville’s Original Old Time Mountain Music Jam • 5pm THURSDAYS The Clydes • 7pm Bluegrass Jam • 9:30pm Bourbon Specials
THE MODERN FRI STRANGERS 9/15 ASHEVILLE’S OWN JANGLEPOP BAND 9 PM / $5
THE HIGH DIVERS SAT w/ QUIET HOLLERS ROCK 9/16 AMERICANA INDIE FOLK ROCK JAM 9 PM / $5
CAJUN / CREOLE JAM TUE LED BY TRENT VAN 9/19 BLARICOM & JOY MOSER 7 PM / NO COVER
FRI 9/22
THE CARMONAS
HILLBILLY, WESTERN SWING, ROCKABILLY
9 PM / $5
IRISH SUNDAYS Irish Food and Drink Specials Traditional Irish Music Session • 3-9pm OPEN MON-THURS AT 3 • FRI-SUN AT NOON CRAFT BEER, SPIRITS & QUALITY PUB FARE SINCE 1997
95 PATTON at COXE • Downtown Asheville
252.5445 • jackofthewood.com
MOUNTAINX.COM
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
65
FREEWILL ASTROLOGY ARIES (March 21-April 19): Two animals are pictured prominently on Australia’s coat of arms: the kangaroo and the large flightless bird known as the emu. One of the reasons they were chosen is that both creatures rarely walk backward. They move forward or not at all. Australia’s founders wanted this to symbolize the nation’s pledge to never look back, to remain focused on advancing toward the future. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to make a similar commitment, Aries. Is there a new symbol you might adopt to inspire your intention?
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Dear Dr. Astrology: I’m feeling lost, but am also feeling very close to finding my new direction. It hurts! It would be so helpful if I could just catch a glimpse of that new direction. I’d be able to better endure the pain and confusion if I could get a tangible sense of the future happiness that my pain and confusion are preparing me for. Can you offer me any free advice? -Lost Libra.” Dear Libra: The pain and confusion come from the dying of the old ways. They need to die a bit more before the new direction will reveal itself clearly. I predict that will happen soon — no later than Oct. 1.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Simpsons is an animated sitcom that will soon begin its 29th consecutive year on TV. During its run, it has told over 600 stories. The creators of another animated sitcom, South Park, once did an episode entitled “Simpsons Already Did It,” which referenced their feelings that it was hard to come up with new tales because their rival had already used so many good ones. I bring this up, Taurus, because I suspect your life story will soon be spinning out novel plots that have never before been seen, not even on The Simpsons or South Park. You could and should be the Best Storyteller of the Month.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Welcome to “Compose Your Own Oracle,” a special edition of Free Will Astrology. Departing from tradition, I’m temporarily stepping aside so you can have the freedom to write the exact horoscope you want. Normally, you might be in danger of falling victim to presumptuous arrogance if you imagined you could wield complete control over how your destiny unfolds. But in the days ahead, that rule won’t be as unyielding, because cosmic forces will be giving you more slack than usual. Fate and karma, which frequently impel you to act according to patterns that were set in place long ago, are giving you at least a partial respite. To get the maximum benefit out of “Compose Your Own Oracle,” identify three plot developments you’d like to weave into a self-fulfilling prophecy for your immediate future. Then start weaving.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Love won’t exactly be free in the coming weeks, but there should be some good deals. And I’m not referring to risky black-market stuff obtained in back alleys, either. I mean straightforward liaisons and intriguing intimacy at a reasonable cost. So if you’re comfortably mated, I suggest you invest in a campaign to bring more comedy and adventure into your collaborative efforts. If you’re single, wipe that love-starved look off your face and do some exuberant window-shopping. If you’re neither comfortably mated nor single, money may temporarily be able to buy you a bit more happiness. CANCER (June 21-July 22): The current state of your fate reminds me of the sweet confusion alluded to in Octavio Paz’s poem “Between Going and Staying”: “All is visible and elusive, all is near and can’t be touched.” For another clue to the raw truth of your life right now, I’ll quote the poet William Wordsworth. He spoke of “fleeting moods of shadowy exultation.” Is the aura described by Paz and Wordsworth a problem that you should try to fix? Is it detrimental to your heroic quest? I don’t think so. Just the opposite, really: I hope you can hang out for a while in this pregnant mystery — between the yes and the no, between the dark and the light, between the dream and the reality. It will help you learn what you’ve been too restless to tune in to in the past.
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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Almost two-thirds of us confess that if we are alone, we might sip milk directly from the carton rather than first pouring it into a glass. Fourteen percent of us have used milk as part of our sexual activities. One out of every five of us admit that we have “borrowed” someone else’s milk from the fridge at work. Most shockingly, four percent of us brag that we have blown milk out our noses on purpose. I expect that in the next two weeks, you Sagittarians will exceed all these norms. Not just because you’ll be in the mood to engage in mischievous experiments and playful adventures with milk, but because you’re likely to have a loosey-goosey relationship with almost everything.
H PICK OF THE WEEK H
John Cho and Haley Jo Richardson build something complex in the contemplative Columbus
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The coming weeks will an excellent time for you to raise funds in support of political prisoners, or to volunteer at a soup kitchen, or to donate blood at a blood bank. In fact, any charitable service you perform for people you don’t know will be excellent for your physical and mental health. You can also generate vivid blessings for yourself by being extra thoughtful, kind, and generous toward people you care for. You’re in a phase of your astrological cycle when unselfish acts will yield maximum selfish benefits.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The imminent future will be a favorable time for refurbished models and revived originals. They are likely to be more fun and interesting the second time around. I suspect that this will also be an auspicious phase for substitutes and alternatives. They may even turn out to be better than the so-called real things they replace. So be artful in formulating Plan B and Plan C, Leo. Switching over to backups may ultimately bring out more of the best in you and whisk you toward your ultimate goal in unexpected ways.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In his novel The Jungle, muckraker Upton Sinclair (1878-1968) exposed the abominable hygiene and working conditions of the meat-packing industry. The uproar that followed led to corrective legislation by the U.S. Congress. Sinclair remained devoted to serving the public good throughout his career. He liked to say that the term “social justice” was inscribed on his heart. Drawing from his inspiration, Aquarius, I suggest you decide what your soul’s main motto is — and imagine that it is written on your heart. Now is a perfect moment time to clarify your life’s purpose, and intensify your commitment to it; to devote even more practical, tender zeal to fulfilling the reason you were born.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the coming weeks, you might want to read the last few pages of a book before you decide to actually dive in and devour the whole thing. I also suggest you take what I just said as a useful metaphor to apply in other areas. In general, it might be wise to surmise the probable outcomes of games, adventures and experiments before you get totally involved. Try this fun exercise: Imagine you are a psychic prophet as you evaluate the long-range prospects of any influences that are vying to play a role in your future.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You know that “patch of bothersome weeds” growing right in the middle of your life? Is it really a patch of bothersome weeds? Or is it perhaps a plot of cultivated blooms that once pleased you but has now turned into a puzzling irrelevancy? Or how about this possibility: Is it a chunk of languishing beauty that might flourish and please you again if it were cared for better? Those are excellent questions for you to pose in the coming days, Pisces. According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, it’s time for you to decide on the future of this quizzical presence.
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
MOVIES
BY ROB BREZSNY
MOUNTAINX.COM
Columbus HHHHS DIRECTOR: Kogonada PLAYERS: John Chu, Haley Lu Richardson, Parker Posey, Rory Culkin DRAMA RATED NR THE STORY: After his father ends up on his deathbed, a son travels to a small town to look after him and ends up in a friendship with a young woman. THE LOWDOWN: A surprising little movie, gorgeously shot and intricate, with a wonderfully genuine humanity to it. I have to admit, on the surface, Kogonada’s Columbus is not the type of movie I normally gravitate to. It’s more quiet (I mean, the score is by some band called Hammock),
and more measured (you can probably count the number of times the camera moves on one hand) than the films that I normally find myself treasuring. This is more a matter of aesthetic taste and an evaluation of what I find generally entertaining than anything else. But beneath the surface of what could easily be a flat, dull, precious little indie film is instead a fascinating story of human yearning, with a wellthought-out eye toward detail. It’s the kind of movie I suspect will be more rewarding in subsequent views in order to better understand its motifs. The film is well-thought-out in this respect, as most of Kogonada’s film is based on architecture — not just visually, but almost spiritually, too. This is in spite of having a plot that’s almost too simple. After his
REVIEWS & LISTINGS BY SCOTT DOUGLAS, FRANCIS X FRIEL & JUSTIN SOUTHER
HHHHH = architect father falls ill, Jin (John Cho) heads to Columbus, Ind., to basically wait for his death. There, he meets Casey (Haley Lu Richardson, Split), a young woman stuck in Columbus with her troubled mother and who carries a deep, almost obsessive fascination with architecture. What keeps the film from devolving into a morass of cliched mommy and daddy issues is the ambiguity that surrounds the characters. Not to say that those mommy and daddy issues aren’t there, but they’re presented in much more complicated and human terms, while also being the tether of understanding between the two characters, despite living different lives and being different ages. In a lot of ways, the film centers on uncertainty and the confusing nature of just living. Jin and Casey circle around being romantic interests, while Casey can’t decide if she wants to leave Columbus to study architecture or stay and take care of her mother, and Jin’s father teeters between life and death. Topping it off is Kogonada and cinematographer Elisha Christian’s compositions. Again, the camera remains pretty static, but instead of freneticism, there’s a genuine care put into what feels like almost every scene. Much of Columbus revolves around architecture and continually returns to interesting structures, but also the way the actors interact with their surroundings is wonderfully thought-out. One scene involving Jin and his stepmother (Parker Posey) in a hotel room is all structured around cleverly placed mirrors. It’s such a simple, unfussy, yet clever act of creativity that I can’t stop thinking about it. Finding this kind of attention to detail feels so rare these days, and yet here it is in this quiet, unassuming little surprise of a movie. Not Rated. Now Playing at Grail Moviehouse. REVIEWED BY JUSTIN SOUTHER JSOUTHER@MOUNTAINX.COM
M A X R AT I N G
Menashe HHHH
Xpress reviews virtually all upcoming movies, with two or three of the most noteworthy appearing in print. You can find our online reviews at mountainx.com/movies/reviews. This
DIRECTOR: Joshua Z. Weinstein
week, they include:
PLAYERS: Menashe Lustig, Ruben Niborski, Yoel Weisshaus, Meyer Schwartz
IT
DRAMA RATED PG THE STORY: A recently widowed father must prove to his orthodox Jewish community that he is fit to retain custody of his son. THE LOWDOWN: A touching, thoughtful and frequently tragic story that transcends its religious trappings to become something universally relatable.
HHHS
HOME AGAIN
S
THE TRIP TO SPAIN THE MIDWIFE MENASHE
HHS
HHHH
HHHH
COLUMBUS (PICK OF THE WEEK) HHHHS
I suspect Menashe’s appeal will be somewhat limited in Asheville — which is a shame, because this is a beautiful example of heartbreakingly personal filmmaking that renders the foreign and obscure universally relatable in a way that few films achieve. But that very sense of Otherness will likely preclude broad audiences from fully embracing Menashe for what it is — a film about a father’s devotion to his son, albeit told through a Hasidic lens. The fact that this picture focuses on Orthodox Jewry may not be completely unique in and of itself, but what is relatively unusual is the level of commitment to that central conceit that director Joshua Z. Weinstein, himself not a member of the Haredic community, manages to maintain throughout the film. I may just have Darren Aronofsky on the brain because his latest film opens on Friday, but his use of the Brooklyn Hasidim in his feature debut Pi amounts to little more than a plot device, and it’s difficult not to contrast his almost unidimensional representation of shadowy zealots with Weinstein’s particularly nuanced interpretation of his characters. Despite the fact that the vast majority of the film’s dialogue is in
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MOVIES
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FILM ASHEVILLE FILM FESTIVAL ashevillencfilmfestival. com • SA (9/16) - Film festival with pre-show gala, independent movies and an awards party. Visit website for locations, times and costs. BUNCOMBE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES buncombecounty. org/governing/depts/ library • FR (9/15), 4:306:15pm - Pixar Film Series: Inside Out. Free. Held at West Asheville Public Library, 942 Haywood Road • MO (9/18), 2pm Legends of Music Film Series: Thelonious Monk. Free. Held at Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. • TU (9/19), 7pm - The Glass Menagerie, film screening. Free. Held at Weaverville Town Hall, 30 S. Main St., Weaverville CITY OF MORGANTON MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM 401 South College St. Morganton, commaonline.org
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• TH (9/21), 7pm Dirty Dancing, movie screening. $5. MOVIES IN THE PARK ashevillenc.gov/Parks, kperez@ashevillenc. gov • FR (9/15), 6:30pm - Children’s craft activities and screening of the movie Rogue One at dusk. Free. Held at Pack Square Park, 121 College St. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LIBRARY 212 S. Gaston St., Brevard, 828-884-3151 • TH (9/14), 7pm - A Great American Tapestry: The Many Strands of Mountain Music, documentary screening. Creekside Crawfish perform at 6:30pm. Free. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF ASHEVILLE 1 Edwin Place, 828254-6001, uuasheville.org • FR (9/15), 7pm - Environmental & Social Justice Film Screenings: Tomorrow, documentary film screening and discussion. Free.
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
Yiddish, Weinstein presents his cast as people first and Jews second, even though their lives and circumstances are so completely dominated by their religious affiliation. The line between narrative and documentary is increasingly blurred as we follow the character Menashe — played by nonprofessional actor Menashe Lustig in a role that shares not only his name but many pertinent details of his real life. A recently widowed father who’s more than a bit of a screw-up, Menashe struggles to make ends meet as a clerk at a kosher grocery store so that he can maintain a home for his young son. His schlubbiness puts him at odds with his late wife’s brother as well as the community’s rabbi, so when they take a hard-line interpretation of the Torah’s dictum that a single man can’t raise a child on his own, he’s already overextended their indulgences — putting him in a tough spot when it comes to preventing his more successful brother-in-law from taking custody of the boy. This all sounds like the setup for a relatively straightforward family melodrama, but the immediacy and directness of Lustig’s portrayal of the fictional Menashe create such an indelible presence on screen that it’s impossible not to identify with him even as we watch him fail frequently and predictably. It’s a performance that’s tragicomic in the most honest sense of that term, and Lustig is the linchpin that keeps Weinstein’s narrative debut from coming apart at the seams. While it might be easy to assume that you have little in common with the Hasidim of Crown Heights or Borough Park, the devout orthodoxy of these Haredic enclaves is not the point Weinstein’s trying to make with Menashe. Instead, this is a thoughtful examination of an outsider constantly trying succeed in world where the deck seems perpetually stacked against him — de Sica’s neorealist classic Umberto D. comes to mind — and while the stakes are high for Menashe, they’re also painfully relatable. Don’t expect a fairytale ending, but if you’re prepared to walk a mile in another man’s tallit, you’ll find Menashe well worth your time. Rated PG for thematic elements. Yiddish with English subtitles. Opens Friday at Fine Arts Theatre. REVIEWED BY SCOTT DOUGLAS JSDOUGLAS22@GMAIL.COM
MOUNTAINX.COM
by Edwin Arnaudin | edwinarnaudin@gmail.com
PICKING PIONEERS: Revered string band players Joe and Odell Thompson are among the mountain musicians featured in David Weintraub’s documentary A Great American Tapestry. Photo courtesy of Nancy Kalow • The Joseph Initiative, a local nonprofit organization that works to provide life skills and enrichment programs for Asheville-area teenagers, will screen the feature documentary made by participants in its What’s Your Story filmmaking class on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre. The students worked with Stephen Nadeau from Brother Blue Studio during the winter and spring. Short films created by other local filmmakers will also be shown, and the evening ends with a short afterparty. All proceeds go toward purchasing filmmaking equipment for future classes. Tickets are $5 and available online. avl.mx/42s • The Transylvania County Library will show David Weintraub’s documentary A Great American Tapestry: The Many Strands of Mountain Music on Thursday, Sept. 14, in its Rogow Room. Brevard youth string band Creekside Crawfish will perform at 6:30 p.m., and the 70-minute film begins at 7 p.m. Free. library.transylvaniacounty.org • The West Asheville Library’s Pixar film series continues on Friday, Sept. 15, at 4:30 p.m. with a screening of Inside Out. The feature presentation will be preceded by the Pixar short film Lava. Free. avl.mx/1z5 • The City of Asheville Parks & Recreation Department’s 2017 season of Movies in the Park concludes Friday, Sept. 15, with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Children’s craft activities begin at 6:30 p.m., and the film starts at dusk on a giant screen on the Pack Square Park
stage. Bring a chair or a blanket. Free. avl.mx/3s9 • Grail Moviehouse screens Tommy Wiseau’s cult film The Room on Friday, Sept. 15, at 9:30 p.m. The theater will show the film on the third Friday of each month. Tickets are $7 for senior citizens and students, and $9 for the general public. They are available online and at the Grail box office. grailmoviehouse.com • Hi-Wire Brewing’s Summer Classics movie series ends with a Saturday, Sept. 16, screening of Wayne’s World at 8:30 p.m. at its Big Top location. The brewery’s parking lot will be transformed into an outdoor movie theater, and the event will occur rain or shine. Admission is free, and attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Foothills Local Meats will provide classic movie theater eats, including $3 corndogs. hiwirebrewing.com • Pack Memorial Library continues its monthly Legends of Music film series — curated by local jazz pianist Michael Jefry Stevens — on Monday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m., with a documentary on Thelonious Monk. Free. avl.mx/ff • On Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., the Weaverville Library hosts a screening of Paul Newman’s 1987 adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, starring Joanne Woodward, John Malkovich and Karen Allen. Free. avl.mx/3yr X
MARKETPLACE STARTI NG F RI DAY
American Assassin
Adaptation of best-selling author Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels, directed by Michael Cuesta. According to the studio: “Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien), is a rising CIA black ops recruit under the instruction of Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton). The pair is then enlisted by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan) to investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on both military and civilian targets. Together the three discover a pattern in the violence leading them to a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent (Shiva Negar) to stop a mysterious operative (Taylor Kitsch) intent on starting a World War.” No early reviews.(R)
Menashe
See Scott Douglas’ review
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Mysterious new thriller from director Darren Aronofsky, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer and Domhnall Gleason. Early reviews are positive.(R)
Miracles For Sale HHHS
DIRECTOR: Tod Browning PLAYERS: Robert Young ), Florence Rice, Frank Craven, Lee Bowman, Cliff Clark, Henry Hull, William Demarest, Astrid Allwyn, Gloria Holden MURDER MYSTERY Rated NR If you could disregard the fact that Miracles For Sale (1939) is the last film of the great Tod Browning, it would a perfectly acceptable — if largely undistinguished — potboiler of a murder mystery. The fact that this film is the swan song of one of the greatest horror directors of the early cinema, however, borders on the tragic. It’s not that Miracles is a bad film, but that it falls so distinctly short of the technical virtuosity and inventiveness of Browning’s Freaks or Dracula, or his somewhat lesser known and severely underrated works with Lon Chaney such as West of Zanzibar or The Unholy Three. Though little is known about the reasoning behind Browning’s premature retirement from the director’s chair, I think a case could be made that studio interference on Miracles may have played a role — although that’s pure speculation on my part. Regardless, it’s a film notable for its significance as the sad coda of an illustrious career. The Hendersonville Film Society will show Miracles For Sale on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Smoky Mountain Theater at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community, 333 Thompson St., Hendersonville.
The Stranger HHHHS
DIRECTOR: Orson Welles PLAYERS: Edward G. Robinson, Loretta Young, Orson Welles, Philip Merivale, Richard Long SUSPENSE THRILLER Rated NR Orson Welles’ most financially successful (and therefore least admired) film, The Stranger is a fairly straightforward suspense thriller — but it’s a suspense thriller that only Welles could make. Its hero is a Nazi hunter (Edward G. Robinson) who’s obsessed to the point of being a little unbalanced. Its villain is an unregenerate Nazi (Welles) hiding in a picture-book American town, complete with a church topped with an improbable and out-of-place clock with lifesize clockwork figures. It may not be high art, but it makes for a terrific movie. In its own way, The Stranger is similar to Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt (1943) on one side and David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986) on the other. All this (and a grotesquely Baroque climax that must have warmed Welles’ heart) is simply unforgettable, and makes for a movie that I find hard not to love. This excerpt was taken from a review by Ken Hanke originally published on March 25, 2014. The Asheville Film Society will screen The Stranger on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at The Grail Moviehouse, hosted by Xpress movie critic Scott Douglas.
Wild Strawberries HHHHH
DIRECTOR: Ingmar Bergman PLAYERS: Victor Sjöström, Ingrid Thulin, Bibi Anderson, Gunnar Björnstrand, Jullan Kindahl DRAMA Rated NR Ingmar Bergman was just 40 when he made Wild Strawberries, but he shows much of himself in the character of 78-year-old Isak Borg (Victor Sjöström). The very fact that he cast filmmaker Sjöström — a pioneer in Swedish film who had an impressive career in Hollywood silent film as Victor Seastrom — is telling, as is the framing story about Borg traveling to receive an honorary degree (Bergman, himself, was just then becoming truly lionized on an international level). All Bergman films are personal, but this one seems especially so. Bergman has here crafted a supremely reflective work in which an old man searches for self-realization through the present, the past and even the tenuous future It’s poetic and richly elegant — and sometimes playful (but don’t tell anyone, because lots of people think of Bergman as stupefyingly serious). It also manages to be all these things in the space of 91 minutes. Think about that the next time you sit down to the bloated pretentiousness that all too often passes for profundity these days. This excerpt was taken from a review by Ken Hanke published on Aug. 8, 2007. Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present Wild Strawberries on Friday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. at Flood Gallery Fine Art Center, 2160 U.S. 70, Swannannoa.
RENTALS CONDOS/ TOWNHOMES FOR RENT
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SECLUDED MOUNTAIN HOME WITH STUNNING VIEWS, FOR SALE BY OWNER Secluded mountain home, 4000 ft. up, with stunning views, on 12.5 beautiful acres in Blue Ridge Mountains in Clyde, NC, 18 miles West of Asheville. 3BR, 3BA 2-car garage, single-family, private hiking trails, fish pond, far from traffic noise, with large, stainless-steel hot tub. For more information or to arrange a visit, go to the house website at www. homeforsalenearashevillenc. com or call (828) 771-6316. For sale by owner, listed at $880,000. Beauty. Nature. Solitude. Just some of the features of this rustic, one-of-a-kind property. No brokers or realtors please, except for buyer agents. https:// homeforsalenearashevillenc. com/
NORTH ASHEVILLE TOWNHOUSES 1BR: $745 • 2BR: $795 • 3BR: $895 • 1 mile from downtown. • Hardwoood floors. • (no pets policy). (828) 2524334.
SHORT-TERM RENTALS 15 MINUTES TO ASHEVILLE Guest house, vacation/short term rental in beautiful country setting. • Complete with everything including cable and internet. • $150/day (2-day minimum), $650/ week, $1500/month. Weaverville area. • No pets please. (828) 6589145. mhcinc58@yahoo. com
WANTED TO RENT SMALL APARTMENT WORK EXCHANGE Professional pianist seeks apartment in exchange for work and cash. Experienced in yard and landscaping. John: (404) 7406903.
EMPLOYMENT GENERAL
UNIQUE, PVT HOUSE ON 1.3 A 7 MI FROM TOWN NOW $359,000 Sale by owner- Price lowered to $359,000 !Tons of light/
AMBASSADOR - CALL CENTER AGENT Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection is hiring! Looking for energetic teammates in our Asheville, NC contact center. Full and part-time opportunities available.
Excellent benefits. Next orientation September 11, 2017. Apply@: https:// www.bhtp.com/careers TROLLEY TOUR GUIDES If you are a "people person," love Asheville, have a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and clean driving record you could be a great Tour Guide, Full-Time and seasonal part-time positions available. Training provided. Contact us today! 828 251-8687.Info@GrayLineAsheville.com; www. GrayLineAsheville.com
ADMINISTRATIVE/ OFFICE
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ RECEPTIONIST Mountain Xpress needs an energetic, multitalented front office person to handle a variety of tasks ranging from greeting visitors and answering phones to data-entry, light editing of listings, organizational admin and collections work. Skills needed are a friendly, professional demeanor, attention to detail, strong verbal and written communication skills, broad computer literacy, ability to self-organize and multitask under pressure. Depending on talents, the position may include some editorial, design, sales or distribution tasks. The position is full time and comes with modest benefits. Send cover letter and resume to employment@mountainx. com
MEDICAL/ HEALTH CARE
CHAIRPERSON • PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT PROGRAM A-B Tech is currently taking applications for a Chairperson, Physical Therapy Assistant Program position. This is a full time position with benefits. For more details and to apply: https://abtcc.peopleadmin. com/postings/4403
HUMAN SERVICES HELPMATE SHELTER CASE MANAGER Helpmate, Inc., a domestic violence agency in Asheville, North Carolina, seeks a Shelter Case Manager to support survivors of domestic violence during evening, overnight and weekend hours. The primary responsibilities of this position are to provide support, service coordination and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence in a shelter setting and on the hotline. Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills are required. The qualified candidate will have a bachelor’s degree or 2 years’ experience in the social work field. This position is a non-exempt hourly position. Spanish fluency is desired and incentivized in pay. Diverse candidates encouraged to apply. Email resume and cover letter to HelpmateAshewith ville@gmail.com “Shelter Case Manager” in the subject line. No phone inquiries, please. helpmateonline.org JOIN THE LITERACY COUNCIL TEAM THROUGH AMERICORPS! Make a difference in your community by giving a year of service. In return, receive
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a living stipend, educational award, health insurance reimbursements, and more. Details: http://litcouncil. com/join-literacy-councilteam-201718/ THERAPEUTIC WILDERNESS/ADVENTURE FIELD INSTRUCTOR Looking for experienced Wilderness Adventure Field instructors for new young adult wilderness therapy program in WNC. See Mtn Xpress web ad for more details or email transdell@ trailsmomentum.com
TEACHING/ EDUCATION
2017
Raising awareness for the 41 area nonprofits
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM SITE DIRECTOR Come be part of changing young lives! Apply now for immediate openings at www.ymcawnc.org/ careers. Contact hcarrier@ ymcawnc.org for more information.
INTERESTED IN WORKING AT A-B TECH? FullTime, Part-Time and Adjunct Positions available. Come help people achieve their dreams! Apply for open positions at https://abtcc.peopleadmin.com SITE LEADER • AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM Parttime position: Site Leader in our After-School Program! Must be upbeat and welcoming of K-5th graders from diverse cultures. Living Wage. Full job description and application details at http:// childrenfirstcisbc.org/ job-posting.
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Coming this November & December
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HOTEL/ HOSPITALITY
To sponsor this project, contact givelocal@mountainx.com
JOB FAIR ON SEPT. 13TH! Hiring ALL positions for the new Cambria Hotel & Suites, Hemingway's Cuba Restaurant and Isa's Bistro. Sept. 13th 9-3 in the Cellar at Isa's Bistro. 1 Battery Park, Asheville 28801 (828) 252-0218
JOBS WANTED FUNDRAISER/ EVENT PLANNER Available for work. Strong Interpersonal and public speaking skills. Previous experience:
SEPT. 13 - 19, 2017
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YARD SALES
the fun way to give
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MOUNTAINX.COM
COMMUNITY YARD SALE Stop by Kensington Place Apartments for our community yard sale, this Saturday, September 16, 8am - 2pm. Located at our tennis courts. Household items, clothing and apparel, children's toys, and much more.
SERVICES ART/WRITING COLLEGE LEVEL COMMUNITY ART COURSES IN ASHEVILLE START OCTOBER 4. Image & Text 10-week class at Rainbow Community School. IntermediateAdvanced Painting 8-week class at Jewish Community Center. Fees $200 to $275. Contact Glenn Hirsch 415.987.1226. glennhirsch@earthlink.net. www.glennhirsch.com
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FOR MUSICIANS MUSICAL SERVICES ACOUSTIC GUITAR BUILDING CLASS Build your own acoustic guitar in our shop in Black Mountain. No experience necessary, all tools and instruction will be provided. Currently have openings for Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5-8pm. Call Ken for information 828228-7440. INSTRUMENT REPAIRS & RESTORATIONS Does your instrument need some love? Experienced luthier can repair anything
with strings. Come visit us in Black Mountain. www.baileyacousticshop. com. 828-228-7440. NOW ACCEPTING STUDENTS IN JAZZ PIANO, COMPOSITION, AND IMPROVISATION (ALL INSTRUMENTS). Michael Jefry Stevens, “WNC Best Composer 2016” and “Steinway Artist”, now accepting students in jazz piano, composition, and improvisation (all instruments). 35 years experience. M.A. from Queens College (NYC). Over 90 cds released. 9179161363. michaeljefrystevens.com WHITEWATER RECORDING Mixing • Mastering • Recording. (828) 684-8284 www.whitewaterrecording. com
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T H E NE W Y OR K TI M ES CR OSSWOR D PU ZZLE
ACROSS
1 Feeds the kitty 6 Immunity ___ (“Survivor” object) 10 Trash bag brand 14 Bread 15 Dixie bread 16 Reduce, as anxiety 17 Where a queen can beat a king 19 Disney’s “___ and the Detectives” 20 Mossad’s land: Abbr. 21 Catch wind of 23 Bird on Australia’s coat of arms 24 Beat by a whisker 27 Medium for some sculptures 29 Big name in DVD rental 31 Soccer’s Messi, informally 32 Half a sawbuck 34 Sculpt 35 Cheese in moussaka 37 Midwest university town 39 Where an ace can beat a pair 42 Outpouring after a celebrity’s passing, say 43 Wine ___ (oenophile, often)
45 “Borstal Boy” author 47 Onetime English poet laureate Henry James ___ 48 School email suffix 49 Dish often served with home fries 51 Texter’s “Yikes!” 53 Forerunners of smartphones, for short 54 ___ Xing 55 “Forbidden” fragrance in old ads 57 California’s ___ River 59 One taking a bow in Greek art 61 Where two pair beats three of a kind 66 Breakfast brand 67 Morales of “La Bamba” 68 Cockamamie 69 Pain in the youknow-what 70 Make rhapsodic 71 What hands are composed of
DOWN
1 “The Walking Dead” channel 2 Japanese drama style 3 Gout target, often
edited by Will Shortz
4 Cow on milk cartons 5 Get fresh with 6 Hoppy brew, briefly 7 Give 100% 8 Number of times Howard Hughes’s Spruce Goose flew 9 “The Merry Widow” composer 10 “Hmm, I don’t know about that” 11 None too smart 12 “I, Robot” author 13 Highest-quality 18 Radiology exam, briefly 22 Scout’s job, briefly 24 One with pointy ears and shoes 25 “___ I Do” (1926 jazz standard) 26 Completely fall apart 28 Was mentioned, as in conversation 30 Times to crow 33 Think the world of 36 Hearing-related 37 Garment in a vestry 46 Come out of 38 Certain plural ending one’s cocoon 40 Alfred of I.Q. testing 50 Subdues with a 41 Coke or Pepsi shock 44 Transportation to 52 Goal for some school H.S. dropouts 45 Flock loser of rhyme
No. 0809
53 Primary strategy 56 Big name in audio systems 58 Holder of the Obama cabinet 60 Dipsomaniac
PUZZLE BY ADAM G. PERL
62 What Rick called Ilsa 63 Word in 12/8/41 headlines 64 Terminus 65 In medias ___
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS NY TIMES PUZZLE
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